Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-sensors multi-baseline mapping system for mobile robot using stereovision camera and laser-range device

Countless applications today are using mobile robots, including autonomous navigation, security patrolling, housework, search-and-rescue operations, material handling, manufacturing, and automated transportation systems. Regardless of the application, a mobile robot must use a robust autonomous navigation system. Autonomous navigation remains one of the primary challenges in the mobile-robot industry; many control algorithms and techniques have been recently developed that aim to overcome this challenge. Among autonomous navigation methods, vision-based systems have been growing in recent years due to rapid gains in computational power and the reliability of visual sensors. The primary focus of research into vision-based navigation is to allow a mobile robot to navigate in an unstructured environment without collision. In recent years, several researchers have looked at methods for setting up autonomous mobile robots for navigational tasks. Among these methods, stereovision-based navigation is a promising approach for reliable and efficient navigation. In this article, we create and develop a novel mapping system for a robust autonomous navigation system. The main contribution of this article is the fuse of the multi-baseline stereovision (narrow and wide baselines) and laser-range reading data to enhance the accuracy of the point cloud, to reduce the ambiguity of correspondence matching, and to extend the field of view of the proposed mapping system to 180°. Another contribution is the pruning the region of interest of the three-dimensional point clouds to reduce the computational burden involved in the stereo process. Therefore, we called the proposed system multi-sensors multi-baseline mapping system. The experimental results illustrate the robustness and accuracy of the proposed system.
Progress in study and application of smart health monitoring method by fiber optic sensor in civil engineering

In civil engineering, the smart health monitoring method by use of fiber optic sensor is a new approach that evaluates the structural health situation. The systematic construction is described in this paper. The current status of application of fiber optic sensor to civil engineering both domestic and abroad is presented with some demonstrations, including the introduction of the classification,working principles and its characteristics. Displacement and Bragg grating fiber optic sensors are emphasized. Finally the paper points out the perspective usage and future studies of fiber optic sensing techniques in civil engineering.
Hygienic plant design

Abstract: The hygienic design of the food processing environment is perhaps one of the least understood of the food manufacturing disciplines, yet its significance is perhaps the most important. By designing a series of barriers surrounding manufacturing areas of increasing hygienic importance, commensurate with the risk of the food product, it is possible to limit the challenge of hazards, particularly food pathogens, into such areas and thus enhance the control of food safety and spoilage. Attention to the design of floors, drains, walls, ceilings and services within the manufacturing areas limits the harbourage of hazards and facilitates their removal via cleaning and maintenance activities.
Dietary supplementation of nano-selenium eliminates the negative effects of long-term ivermectin injection on growth and reproductive performance of female rabbits

Objective: We investigated the effects of a source of selenium [inorganic or nano-selenium (nano-Se)] on female V-line rabbits with or without injection of ivermectin (IVM). Material and Methods: Eighty four rabbits (12 weeks old) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 21 rabbits each with the basal diet supplemented as per the following treatments: G1 (control): inorganic Se at 0.3 mg/kg diet with no IVM injection; G2: inorganic Se with IVM injection; G3: nano-Se with no IVM injection; and G4: nano-Se with IVM injection. IVM was injected subcutaneously at 0.2 mg/kg body weight starting when the does were 14 weeks old and repeated weekly for five consecutive weeks. Results: Replacement of inorganic Se with nano-Se improved body weight and total body weight gain, total feed intake, average feed conversion ratio, and reproductive performance (age at puberty, number of service/conception, conception rate, number of kits/litter, and litter weight at birth). Similarly, sexual activity of does, serum estrogen levels, and serum levels of antioxidants (glutathione reduced, catalase, and malondialdehyde) increased in nano-Se-supplemented groups. Ivermectin treatment in inorganic Se-supplemented groups was detrimental to growth and reproductive performance, while these parameters improved in IVM-treated and nano-Se-supplemented groups. Conclusion: Nano-Se mitigated the negative effects of IVM treatment on the growth and reproductive performance of does.
Long-term effects of baseline on-treatment platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome and thrombocytopenia undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective To analyse the association between on-treatment platelet reactivity (TPR) and long-term outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and thrombocytopenia (TP) in the real world. Methods This prospective observational study enrolled patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) that underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with ACS and TP under dual antiplatelet therapy were selected for analysis. The 2- and 5-year clinical outcomes were evaluated among patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR), low on-treatment platelet reactivity (LTPR) and normal on-treatment platelet reactivity (NTPR), as tested by thromboelastogram at baseline. Results A total of 10 724 patients with CAD that underwent PCI were identified. Of these, 474 patients with ACS and TP met the inclusion criteria: 124 (26.2%) with HTPR, 163 (34.4%) with LTPR and 187 (39.5%) with NTPR. The 5-year rates of all-cause death, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke and bleeding were not significantly different among the three groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that patients with HTPR were not independently associated with any of the 5-year endpoints compared with patients with NTPR. Conclusions TPR at baseline was not independently associated with long-term outcomes in patients with ACS and TP that underwent PCI.
Imaginal Exposure for Disordered Eating Related Fears: An Initial Randomized Controlled Trial

Exposure therapy has been investigated as a treatment for eating disorders, but prior research has largely neglected core fears underlying the disorder such as rejection, abandonment, disgust, and loss of control. We tested the feasibility and acceptability of using imaginal exposure to target disordered eating related fears by randomizing participants (N = 47) with disordered eating to: imaginal exposure (IE), imaginal exposure preceded by a brief food exposure (IE + Food), or an assessment control. Participants attended two in-person visits and completed pretreatment, posttreatment, and one-month follow-up questionnaires. IE was rated more acceptable than IE + Food. Retention was high across conditions. Habituation occurred for subjective distress and believability of feared outcomes, suggesting that imaginal exposure effectively activates core fears. Distress tolerance and confidence in ability to change improved. Disordered eating symptoms, fears, preoccupations, and rituals decreased in all conditions, indicating that IE was not specifically responsible for improvement.
Extracellular vesicles from bone marrow stromal cells reduce the impact of stroke on glial cell activation and blood brain‐barrier permeability via a putative miR‐124/PRX1 signalling pathway

Ischaemic stroke (IS) is a cerebrovascular disease caused by cerebral infarction and cerebral artery occlusion. In this study, we proposed that EVs from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) could reduce the impact of stroke by reducing the resultant glial cell activation and blood–brain barrier (BBB) leak. We furthermore investigated some of the signalling mechanisms. The transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (t‐MCAO) mouse model was established. The behavioural deficits and neuronal damage were verified using Bederson's scale and the 28‐point neurological score. The area of cerebral infarction was detected. The expressions of astrocytes/microglia markers and BBB permeability were evaluated by 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The internalization of EVs by astrocytes/microglia in the peripheral area was detected by fluorescence labelling. The expressions of astrocyte/microglia markers were measured by RT‐qPCR. Levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in microglia were detected by ELISA. BBB permeability was evaluated. The downstream target genes and pathway of miR‐124 were analysed. Microglia/astrocytes were treated by oxygen–glucose deprivation reoxygenation (OGD/R). OGD/R microglia/astrocyte conditioned medium was used to culture bEnd.3 cells. The transendothelial electric resistance (TEER) of bEnd.3 cells was measured, and BBB permeability was characterized. Our results suggested that EVs from BMSCs can indeed reduce the extent of stroke‐mediated damage and evidenced that these effects are mediated via expression of the non‐coding RNA, miR‐124 that may act via the peroxiredoxin 1 (PRX1). Our results provided further motivation to pursue the use of modified EVs as a treatment option for neurological diseases.
Communicating with patients through pictograms and pictures – a scoping review

Abstract Background Communication between patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) may on occasion be challenged by disparities in cultural background, age and educational level. Written educational material is commonly used to reduce the risk of miscommunication. However, literacy among patients may also differ and it is, therefore, speculated that the use of pictograms may improve patients’ understanding and adherence. Objective To evaluate the scientific literature and investigate the effect and practical utility of pictograms in medical settings with focus on dermatological patients. Materials and methods Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched July 2021 for studies regarding use of pictograms in medical settings and dermatology. Results The use of pictograms in dermatology is not well characterized, but studies in other fields of medicine report a positive effect of using pictograms in communication. Pictograms have a significant positive effect when presented alongside verbal or written explanations. Conclusions The quality of the development process is important to ensure the utility of any pictogram. Involving the target population in the design and validation of the pictograms may be critical. In the validation process, testing of transparency and translucency may benefit from international recommendations.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation augments postprandial inhibition of ghrelin

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) facilitates weight loss in animals and patients treated with VNS for depression or epilepsy. Likewise, chronic transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) reduces weight gain and improves glucose tolerance in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. If these metabolic effects of taVNS observed in rats translate to humans is unknown. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study was that acute application of taVNS affects glucotropic and orexigenic hormones which could potentially facilitate weight loss and improve glucose tolerance if taVNS were applied chronically. In two single‐blinded randomized cross‐over protocols, blood glucose levels, plasma concentrations of insulin, C‐peptide, glucagon, leptin, and ghrelin, together with heart rate variability and baroreceptor‐heart rate reflex sensitivity were determined before and after taVNS (left ear, 10 Hz, 300 µs, 2.0–2.5 mA, 30 min) or sham‐taVNS (electrode attached to ear with the stimulator turned off). In a first protocol, subjects (n = 16) were fasted throughout the protocol and in a second protocol, subjects (n = 10) received a high‐calorie beverage (220 kCal) after the first blood sample, just before initiation of taVNS or sham‐taVNS. No significant effects of taVNS on heart rate variability and baroreceptor‐heart rate reflex sensitivity and only minor effects on glucotropic hormones were observed. However, in the second protocol taVNS significantly lowered postprandial plasma ghrelin levels (taVNS: −115.5 ± 28.3 pg/ml vs. sham‐taVNS: −51.2 ± 30.6 pg/ml, p < 0.05). This finding provides a rationale for follow‐up studies testing the hypothesis that chronic application of taVNS may reduce food intake through inhibition of ghrelin and, therefore, may indirectly improve glucose tolerance through weight loss.
Role of Dietary Supplements in Thyroid Diseases.

BACKGROUND Thyroid hormones play a vital role in regulating our body's metabolism. Two important thyroid hormones released from the thyroid gland are- tri-iodothyronine (T3) and tetra-iodothyronine (T4). Thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroid regulating hormone control the T3 and T4 levels in our body. Increased TSH levels indicate hypothyroidism and decreased TSH levels indicate hyperthyroidism. Iodine is a crucial nutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and is mostly obtained from our diet. Other essential nutrients for the thyroid hormones formation include selenium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, etc. Dietary changes in these nutrients can result in alterations in thyroid function and structure. Although, normally the hormonal diseases cannot be cured but we can improve their signs and symptoms using suitable dietary supplements. OBJECTIVE To thoroughly analyze the various benefits and risks associated with the use of dietary supplements for the prevention and treatment of various thyroid disorders, like hypothyroidism, as seen in hashimoto's thyroiditis; hyperthyroidism, as seen in grave's disease, sick euthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism. METHODS Literature was searched using the search terms; "dietary supplements+ thyroid diseases" on pub med, google scholar, scopus, cochrane library and other search engines and data was collected from 1967- November 2021 including research inputs from the authors. The literature was thoroughly read and deep knowledge was acquired on this topic, which was then sequentially organized and summarized using suitable tables and figures. CONCLUSION After analyzing the various studies on this topic we arrived at the conclusion that although, there are various claimed and observed health benefits of dietary supplements in prevention and treatment of various thyroid disorders; but still several studies have shown that, there are many risks associated too with the use of dietary supplements, and people using these products should be aware of these risks in order to use them very judiciously for the improvement of their thyroid status.
12th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies & 8th International S ymposium on Flexible Organic Electronics Exploring and evaluating micro-environment and nanoparticle dielectrophoretic-induced interactions with image analysis methods

Nanoparticle interactions with micron-scale environments can be induced using dielectrophoresis (DEP). A new DEP signaling a nd additive noise model is developed from first principles. It is applied to fluorescence microscope CCD video images of fluorescently labeled, 200 nm diameter, latex nanospheres moved by pulsed, positive DEP (pDEP) onto 5 micron planar castellated elec trode edges. The model increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the time dependent spatial mean of the video f rame fluorescence intensity and thereby enables correlation with the spatial standard deviation (std) statistic. Deterministic pD EP-induced collections are approximately lin early correlated, whereas thermally-driven, random, nanoparticle movements are n onlinearly correlated.
The effect of alkyl chain length of (R)-3-Hydroxybutyric alkyl ester on antibacterial activity and its antibacterial mechanism

This work describes the relationship between the antibacterial activity and the ester chain length (C1-C8) of (R)-3-Hydroxybutyric ((R)-3-HB) alkyl esters that synthesized from (R)-3-HB acid ((R)-3-HBA) by esterification reaction. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) decrease as the length of the (R)-3-HB alkyl ester chain increases from 1 to 6, but (R)-3-HB-C7 and (R)-3-HB-C8 have their own rules for different microorganisms. Among them, the (R)-3HB-C6 has the relatively best antibacterial and antifungal properties, which MIC were 1.95 mg mL−1 against E. coli and S. aureus; 0.98 mg mL−1 against C. albicans and B. subtilis; 0.49 mg mL−1 against A. niger. Finally, the antimicrobial mechanisms of the (R)-3HB-C6 are revealed, and these include disruption of biofilm and the bacterial wall/membrane, leakage of the intracellular content, and change in the transmembrane potential. These results imply the potential application of (R)-3-HB alkyl ester as new antimicrobial agents; future research can use this as an antibacterial element to synthesize new polymer materials or agents with high-efficiency antibacterial activity.
Comparison of Chronic Postsurgical Pain Between Single-Port and Multi-Port Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Pulmonary Resection: A Prospective Study

Background Little is known about the prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) among patients receiving single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (SP-VATS) compared with those undergoing multi-port VATS (MP-VATS). This study aimed to compare the incidence of CPSP between SP-VATS and MP-VATS lung resection and assess how the pain affected the daily living activities of this patient population. Methods We prospectively collected data regarding the demographic features, clinical factors during surgery, the intensity of acute postoperative pain, and complications after surgery among patients receiving elective SP-VATS or MP-VATS lung resection at our institution between June 2015 and August 2018. At 3-, 6-, and 12-months following surgery, the patients were followed up through a telephonic interview. The Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form was adopted to assess the incidence, severity and location of the CPSP, analgesic consumption, as well as the interference of pain with daily activities. Results In total, 476 patients were screened for eligibility, 411 patients were followed up for 12 months and included in final analysis. Among these, 190 patients had undergone an SP-VATS pulmonary resection and 221 had an MP-VATS pulmonary resection. At both 3 and 6 months, the incidence of CPSP in the SP-VATS group was lower than that in the MP-VATS group (25.3 vs. 38.0%, p = 0.006; 11.1 vs. 19.0%, p = 0.026, respectively). At 12 months after surgery, the prevalence of CPSP was comparable between groups (4.7 vs, 9.0%, p = 0.089). In addition, the SP-VATS technique alleviated pain interference with the daily living activities of patients with CPSP in several domains, including sleep, mood, and enjoyment of life compared with the MP-VATS technique. The two predictive factors for CPSP at postoperative 3 months were the MP-VATS technique (odds ratio [OR] = 1.792, p = 0.019) and postoperative chemotherapy (OR = 1.718, p = 0.033). Conclusions This study indicated that the SP-VATS technique reduced the prevalence of CPSP at 3- and 6-months post-pulmonary resection compared with the MP-VATS technique. The SP-VATS technique also significantly alleviated pain interference with the daily living activities of the patients.
Response to Abram’s “On Winnicott’s concept of trauma”

clinical (including and war-time service) observations on his concept of trauma can be overused and di ﬀ use. Abram that Winnicott ’ s concept focusing on infantile/early childhood trauma connects early “ parent-infant psychic transmissions ” , because of the mother ’ s a ﬀ ective states … ” and that earlier trauma can result in “ more severe outcomes ” . Winnicott also subtly argues that there must be some psychic structure available in the infant in order to experience ” what to the outside observer may be maternal (or paternal) traumatogenic acts. and conceptual, empirical and developmental foun-dations to Abram ’ s Winnicott observations on trauma in early childhood. The ﬁ rst contribution is from Bowlby, Winnicott ’ s contemporary at the Tavistock. The second, three Both researcher/clinicians, while working from somewhat di ﬀ erent theoretical frames, strengthen and further detail developmentally Winnicott ’ s ideas on
“Reappraising John O. Wisdom’s Critique of W.R. Bion’s Learning from Experience at a meeting of the British Psychoanalytical Society—17 October 1964.”

ABSTRACT The paper takes up Wisdom's (1964) little known but significant critique of Bion's book, Learning From Experience. While Wisdom appreciates Bion's clinical and theoretical innovations, he criticised the at times confusing structure of themes that were not sufficiently segregated, the extraneous use of mathematical notation, and the scientific/deductive part of Bion's monograph. In deploying a crucial distinction from Wisdom's critique, one that separates the scientific/deductive aspect of Bion's work from its clinical/inductive trajectory, the author offers an approach to reading Bion's complex text.
Identifying climate refugia for high‐elevation Alpine birds under current climate warming predictions

Identifying climate refugia is key to effective biodiversity conservation under a changing climate, especially for mountain‐specialist species adapted to cold conditions and highly threatened by climate warming. We combined species distribution models (SDMs) with climate forecasts to identify climate refugia for high‐elevation bird species (Lagopus muta, Anthus spinoletta, Prunella collaris, Montifringilla nivalis) in the European Alps, where the ecological effects of climate changes are particularly evident and predicted to intensify. We considered future (2041–2070) conditions (SSP585 scenario, four climate models) and identified three types of refugia: (1) in‐situ refugia potentially suitable under both current and future climate conditions, ex‐situ refugia suitable (2) only in the future according to all future conditions, or (3) under at least three out of four future conditions. SDMs were based on a very large, high‐resolution occurrence dataset (2901–12,601 independent records for each species) collected by citizen scientists. SDMs were fitted using different algorithms, balancing statistical accuracy, ecological realism and predictive/extrapolation ability. We selected the most reliable ones based on consistency between training and testing data and extrapolation over distant areas. Future predictions revealed that all species (with the partial exception of A. spinoletta) will undergo a range contraction towards higher elevations, losing 17%–59% of their current range (larger losses in L. muta). We identified ~15,000 km2 of the Alpine region as in‐situ refugia for at least three species, of which 44% are currently designated as protected areas (PAs; 18%–66% among countries). Our findings highlight the usefulness of spatially accurate data collected by citizen scientists, and the importance of model testing by extrapolating over independent areas. Climate refugia, which are only partly included within the current PAs system, should be priority sites for the conservation of Alpine high‐elevation species and habitats, where habitat degradation/alteration by human activities should be prevented to ensure future suitability for alpine species.