Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Point-Line Fusion: A Targetless LiDAR–Camera Calibration Method with Scheme Selection for Autonomous Driving

Accurate calibration between LiDAR and camera sensors is crucial for autonomous driving systems to perceive and understand the environment effectively. Typically, LiDAR–camera extrinsic calibration requires feature alignment and overlapping fields of view. Aligning features from different modalities can be challenging due to noise influence. Therefore, this paper proposes a targetless extrinsic calibration method for monocular cameras and LiDAR sensors that have a non-overlapping field of view. The proposed solution uses pose transformation to establish data association across different modalities. This conversion turns the calibration problem into an optimization problem within a visual SLAM system without requiring overlapping views. To improve performance, line features serve as constraints in visual SLAM. Accurate positions of line segments are obtained by utilizing an extended photometric error optimization method. Moreover, a strategy is proposed for selecting appropriate calibration methods from among several alternative optimization schemes. This adaptive calibration method selection strategy ensures robust calibration performance in urban autonomous driving scenarios with varying lighting and environmental textures while avoiding failures and excessive bias that may result from relying on a single approach.
Simulation of plasma turbulence in the periphery of diverted tokamaks

The turbulent plasma dynamics in the periphery of a fusion device plays a key role in determining its overall performance. In fact, the periphery controls the heat load on the vessel walls, the plasma confinement, the level of impurities in the core, the plasma fuelling and the removal of fusion ashes. Hence, understanding and predicting the plasma turbulence in this region is of crucial importance for the success of the fusion program. The GBS code has been developed in past years to simulate plasma turbulence in the periphery of limited tokamaks. The goal of the present thesis is to extend GBS to the treatment of diverted scenarios. Such configurations are of interest for present state-of-the-art experiments and future fusion reactors. For the implementation of this geometry, we express the model in toroidal coordinates, abandoning the flux coordinates previously used in limited configuration, and overcoming the singularity that this coordinate system presents at the X-point of diverted configurations. The accuracy of the numerical scheme is improved by upgrading the second order finite differences scheme to fourth order on staggered grids. The resulting version of GBS is carefully verified through a series of tests (i.e., a benchmark with the previous version of GBS in limited configuration, a rigorous check of the correctness of the code implementation with the method of manufactured solutions, and a convergence study on a relatively simple diverted configuration). The results of a GBS simulation is then used to investigate the dynamics of coherent turbulent structures, called blobs, that characterise plasma turbulence in the periphery of fusion devices. A diverted double-null configuration is considered, and the blob motion is studied using a pattern recognition algorithm. The velocity of the blobs in the presence of an X-point matches the analytical scaling that we derived by considering the different blob properties in the divertor and main SOL regions, retaining the correction terms that account for blob density and ellipticity. In addition, we show that the blob current pattern observed in the simulation results match the theoretical expectations. Finally, the new version of GBS is run with a realistic diverted magnetic equilibrium, taken from an experiment carried out on the TCV tokamak. First insights of the turbulence properties are in good agreement with the current physical understanding of plasma dynamics in the periphery of diverted tokamaks.
Promoting First-Semester Persistence of Engineering Majors with Design Experiences in General Chemistry Laboratory

Kent Crippen is a Professor of STEM education in the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His research involves the design, development, and evaluation of STEM cyberlearning environments as well as scientist-teacher forms of professional development. Operating from a design-based research perspective, this work focuses on using innovative, iterative and theoretically grounded design for the dual purpose of addressing contemporary, complex, in situ learning problems while concurrently generating new theoretical insight related to the process of learning and the relationships among the people, tools and context of the problem space.
Netrin-1 mitigates acute lung injury by preventing the activation of the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/NF-κB) signaling

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most common high-risk diseases associated with a high mortality rate and is still a challenge to treat effectively. Netrin-1 (NT-1) is a novel peptide with a wide range of biological functions, however, its effects on ALI have not been reported before. In this study, an ALI model was constructed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with NT-1. Pulmonary function and lung wet to dry weight ratio (W/D) were detected. The expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that the levels of NT-1 were reduced in the LPS-induced ALI mice model. Administration of NT-1 improved histopathological changes of lung tissues and lung function in LPS-challenged ALI mice. We also report that NT-1 decreased Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and ameliorated pulmonary edema. Additionally, treatment with NT-1 reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-8, IL-1β, and CXCL2 in lung tissues of LPS-challenged ALI mice. Importantly, NT-1 reduced cell count in BALF and mitigated oxidative stress (OS) by reducing the levels of MDA and increasing the levels of GSH. Mechanistically, it is shown that NT-1 reduced the levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and prevented nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65. Our findings indicate that NT-1 is a promising agent for the treatment of ALI through inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling.
The nexus between bank efficiency and leverage

In this paper, we shed light on the impact of leverage on efficiency by introducing a new banking efficiency indicator that includes efficiency and stability conditions. This indicator relies on the leverage as a proxy of a bank's risk and stability. Banks' leverage played an important role in the last financial crash as well as in the Basel III regulatory rules. The results of the econometric investigation using a large sample of American commercial banks show that profit efficiency indicators including leverage are better predictors of future profits than current indicators, including other measures of bank risk. This is particularly evident for the period during the 2007–2009 financial crisis. Our findings have important policy implications, particularly in light of the recently implemented optimal leverage ratio.
E-Stilbenes: General Chemical and Biological Aspects, Potential Pharmacological Activity Based on the Nrf2 Pathway

Stilbenes are phytoalexins, and their biosynthesis can occur through a natural route (shikimate precursor) or an alternative route (in microorganism cultures). The latter is a metabolic engineering strategy to enhance production due to stilbenes recognized pharmacological and medicinal potential. It is believed that in the human body, these potential activities can be modulated by the regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 (Nrf2), which increases the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Given this, our review aims to critically analyze evidence regarding E-stilbenes in human metabolism and the Nrf2 activation pathway, with an emphasis on inflammatory and oxidative stress aspects related to the pathophysiology of chronic and metabolic diseases. In this comprehensive literature review, it can be observed that despite the broad number of stilbenes, those most frequently explored in clinical trials and preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) were resveratrol, piceatannol, pterostilbene, polydatin, stilbestrol, and pinosylvin. In some cases, depending on the dose/concentration and chemical nature of the stilbene, it was possible to identify activation of the Nrf2 pathway. Furthermore, the use of some experimental models presented a challenge in comparing results. In view of the above, it can be suggested that E-stilbenes have a relationship with the Nrf2 pathway, whether directly or indirectly, through different biological pathways, and in different diseases or conditions that are mainly related to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Testing the Posterior Chain: Diagnostic Accuracy of the Bunkie Test versus the Isokinetic Hamstrings/Quadriceps Measurement in Patients with Self-Reported Knee Pain and Healthy Controls

(1) Background: The isokinetic measurement (IM) of the leg muscles is well established but costly, whereas the Bunkie Test (BT) is a rarely investigated but easy-to-conduct functional test to evaluate the total posterior chain. Although the tests differ in aim and test structures, both have their justification in the assessment process. Therefore, this study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the BT and the IM. (2) Methods: 21 participants (9 female, 12 male; age, 26.2 ± 5.26 years; weight 73.8 ± 14.6 kg; height 176.0 ± 9.91 cm) and 21 patients (9 female, 12 male; age, 26.5 ± 5.56 years; weight, 72.6 ± 16.9 kg; height 177.0 ± 10.1 cm) with self-reported pain in the knee performed the IM and the BT. For IM, we calculated the ratio of the knee mean flexor/extensor peak torque (H/Q ratio) for 60°/s and 120°/s, and BT performance was measured in seconds. We classified the IM (<0.6 H/Q ratio) and the BT (leg difference ≥4 s) as binary results according to the literature. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity, which we compared with the Chi-Square test, and the 95% confidence intervals (CI). A p-value of ≤0.05 is considered significant. (3) Results: The sensitivity for the BT was 0.89, 95% CI [0.67, 0.99], and the specificity was 0.52 [0.30, 0.74]. For the IM, the sensitivity was 0.14 [0.03, 0.36] for 60°/s and 0.05 [0.00, 0.24] for 120°/s, and the specificity was 0.70 [0.46, 0.88] for 60°/s and 0.90 [0.68, 0.99] for 120°/s. The results of the Chi-Square tests were significant for the BT (χ2 (1) = 6.17, p = 0.01) but not for the IM (60°/s: χ2 (1) = 0.70, p = 0.40; 120°/s: χ2 (1) = 0.00, p = 0.97). (4) Conclusions: Patients were more likely to obtain a positive test result for the BT but not for the IM.
Controls on subsurface transport of sorbing contaminant

Subsurface transport of a sorbing contaminant is poorly understood and characterized. Here, a new semi-analytical saturated–unsaturated flow and transport model is coupled to a kinetic sorption algorithm to assess the impact of changes in the subsurface permeability architecture and flow rate on sorption characteristics. The model outputs reveal the pronounced effect of the rate of vertical decline in K s on the frequency of occurrence and spatial distribution of subsurface sorption as well as the timing and rate of sorbing contaminants discharged into stream. Sorption potential is weakened with infiltration rate. The impact of infiltration rate on the decline in sorption potential becomes more accentuated as the degree of subsurface vertical heterogeneity in saturated hydraulic conductivity increases. Porosity pattern also impacts sorption characteristics; but its effects highly depend upon the degree of vertical heterogeneity in K s . The results and methodology presented in this paper have potential implications for assessing water quality in integrated groundwater–surface water systems as well as designing remediation systems.
Personality traits and their influence on Echo chamber formation in social media: a comparative study of Twitter and Weibo

The echo chamber effect on social media has attracted attention due to its potentially disruptive consequences on society. This study presents a framework to evaluate the impact of personality traits on the formation of echo chambers. Using Weibo and Twitter as platforms, we first define an echo chamber as a network where users interact solely with those sharing their opinions, and quantify echo chamber effects through selective exposure and homophily. We then employ an unsupervised personality recognition method to assign a personality model to each user, and compare the distribution differences of echo chambers and personality traits across platforms and topics. Our findings show that, although user personality trait models exhibit similar distributions between topics, differences exist between platforms. Among 243 personality model combinations, over 20% of Weibo echo chamber members are “ynynn” models, while over 15% of Twitter echo chamber members are “nnnny” models. This indicates significant differences in personality traits among echo chamber members between platforms. Specific personality traits attract like-minded individuals to engage in discussions on particular topics, ultimately forming homogeneous communities. These insights are valuable for developing targeted management strategies to prevent the spread of fake news or rumors.
A Circular, Wireless Surface-Electromyography Array

Commercial, high-tech upper limb prostheses offer a lot of functionality and are equipped with high-grade control mechanisms. However, they are relatively expensive and are not accessible to the majority of amputees. Therefore, more affordable, accessible, open-source, and 3D-printable alternatives are being developed. A commonly proposed approach to control these prostheses is to use bio-potentials generated by skeletal muscles, which can be measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). However, this control mechanism either lacks accuracy when a single sEMG sensor is used or involves the use of wires to connect to an array of multiple nodes, which hinders patients’ movements. In order to mitigate these issues, we have developed a circular, wireless s-EMG array that is able to collect sEMG potentials on an array of electrodes that can be spread (not) uniformly around the circumference of a patient’s arm. The modular sEMG system is combined with a Bluetooth Low Energy System on Chip, motion sensors, and a battery. We have benchmarked this system with a commercial, wired, state-of-the-art alternative and found an r = 0.98 (p < 0.01) Spearman correlation between the root-mean-squared (RMS) amplitude of sEMG measurements measured by both devices for the same set of 20 reference gestures, demonstrating that the system is accurate in measuring sEMG. Additionally, we have demonstrated that the RMS amplitudes of sEMG measurements between the different nodes within the array are uncorrelated, indicating that they contain independent information that can be used for higher accuracy in gesture recognition. We show this by training a random forest classifier that can distinguish between 6 gestures with an accuracy of 97%. This work is important for a large and growing group of amputees whose quality of life could be improved using this technology.
The Impact of ERP Assimilation on Mass Customization Capability: A Dynamic Capabilities View

Mass customization (MC) is a crucial strategy for manufacturers to gain competitive advantages. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are widely adopted in manufacturing. This study applied the dynamic capabilities view (DCV) to explore how firms leverage ERP systems to facilitate the implementation of MC. This study examined the effect of ERP assimilation (ERPA) and organizational agility (OA) on mass customization capability (MCC), the mediating role of OA, and the moderating role of absorptive capacity (AC). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey that yielded 166 responses in Jiangsu province, China. The partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was employed to test the study hypotheses. Results revealed that ERPA affects OA, and OA also affects MCC. However, no significant relationship was found between ERPA and MCC. Again, data supported the mediating effect of OA between ERPA and MCC and the moderating effect of AC between ERPA and OA.
IbMYC2 Contributes to Salt and Drought Stress Tolerance via Modulating Anthocyanin Accumulation and ROS-Scavenging System in Sweet Potato

Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors extensively affect various physiological processes in plant metabolism, growth, and abiotic stress. However, the regulation mechanism of bHLH transcription factors in balancing anthocyanin biosynthesis and abiotic stress in sweet potato (Ipomoea batata (L.) Lam. ) remains unclear. Previously, transcriptome analysis revealed the genes that were differentially expressed among the purple-fleshed sweet potato cultivar ‘Jingshu 6’ and its anthocyanin-rich mutant ‘JS6-5’. Here, we selected one of these potential genes, IbMYC2, which belongs to the bHLH transcription factor family, for subsequent analyses. The expression of IbMYC2 in the JS6-5 storage roots is almost four-fold higher than Jingshu 6 and significantly induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), NaCl, and polyethylene glycol (PEG)6000. Overexpression of IbMYC2 significantly enhances anthocyanin production and exhibits a certain antioxidant capacity, thereby improving salt and drought tolerance. In contrast, reducing IbMYC2 expression increases its susceptibility. Our data showed that IbMYC2 could elevate the expression of anthocyanin synthesis pathway genes by binding to IbCHI and IbDFR promoters. Additionally, overexpressing IbMYC2 activates genes encoding reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging and proline synthesis enzymes under salt and drought conditions. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the IbMYC2 gene exercises a significant impact on crop quality and stress resistance.
Early Campanian Grünbach fl ora of Austria: systematic composition and palaeoclimatic interpretations

The Early Campanian flora from the Grunbach Formation in the Grunbach-Neue Welt Basin in Lower Austria comprises 53 species, representing Equisetopsida, Polypodiopsida, Cycadopsida, Pinopsida, Liliopsida and Magnoliopsida. Palaeoclimatic analysis of the Grunbach fl ora using the nearest living relative (palms Arecaceae: Sabalites, pandans Pandanaceae: Pandanites, and ferns probably belonging to the families Schizaeaceae and Matoniaceae), leaf margin analysis (13 dicot species, or 48% have leaves or leafl ets with entire margins) and Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP) approaches allows us to conclude that the Grunbach fl ora experienced a humid subtropical frost-free climate with hot summers and short relatively dry, but not arid, seasons.
Reducing Stress with Yoga: A Systematic Review Based on Multimodal Biosignals

Stress is an enormous concern in our culture because it is the root cause of many health issues. Yoga asanas and mindfulness-based practices are becoming increasingly popular for stress management; nevertheless, the biological effect of these practices on stress reactivity is still a research domain. The purpose of this review is to emphasize various biosignals that reflect stress reduction through various yoga-based practices. A comprehensive synthesis of numerous prior investigations in the existing literature was conducted. These investigations undertook a thorough examination of numerous biosignals. Various features are extracted from these signals, which are further explored to reflect the effectiveness of yoga practice in stress reduction. The multifaceted character of stress and the extensive research undertaken in this field indicate that the proposed approach would rely on multiple modalities. The notable growth of the body of literature pertaining to prospective yoga processes is deserving of attention; nonetheless, there exists a scarcity of research undertaken on these mechanisms. Hence, it is recommended that future studies adopt more stringent yoga methods and ensure the incorporation of suitable participant cohorts.
Volume/area scaling of glaciers and ice caps and their longitudinal profiles

ABSTRACT Empirical data on the volume/area scaling of glaciers and ice caps are compared with theoretical models of longitudinal glacier profiles. Ice caps are described well by theoretical solutions of the differential equations modeling longitudinal profiles, but glaciers for which the surface slope is approximated by the ice thickness divided by the length are not. A power-law profile recently derived analytically, reproduces exactly the thickness-length scaling, first predicted by scaling analysis for ice caps.
AT-HARVEST FRUIT QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF NEW ZEALAND FEIJOA CULTIVARS

At-harvest fruit quality attributes of four feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana) cultivars ('Unique', 'Triumph', 'Apollo' and 'Mammoth') were measured during the 2002 season. Fruit were supplied ungraded and unsorted at optimum maturity as determined by 'touch picking' and were sourced from five production regions within New Zealand. The measured quality attributes were grouped into categories: (1) size and shape; (2) storage potential; (3) texture and taste; and (4) fruit maturity. Large variations between individual fruit and fruit batches were observed for most quality attributes. The ratio of the translucent part of the fruit section to overall cross-sectional area appeared to have utility as a measure of fruit maturity. Significant (P<0.05) between-batch differences in average water vapour permeance, titratable acidity, and brix to acid ratio showed potential to be linked in building an overall maturity index. Non-destructive fruit firmness may also be able to be used as a maturity indicator for grading and sorting fruit.
A qualitative study on barriers and strategies to hospital preparedness against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents

BACKGROUND: The effects of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents on human society can be irreparable. Preparing the health system for these incidents is essential. This study aims to identify obstacles to hospital preparedness against CBRN incidents and provide solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interview method in 2022. The research community included experts in the fields of CBRN, and 17 persons were included in the study through purposive sampling. The interviews were collected by interview guide and recorded face-to-face and online and were analyzed using thematic content analysis method in MS Word 2016. RESULTS: The interviews’ analysis was classified into two main categories and 34 sub-categories. Some of the most important obstacles to the hospital preparedness against CBRN incidents were the lack of proper crisis management, the lack of specialist staff, the stress of employees, the lack of turnover and sufficient rest for employees, legal gaps, and so on. The main strategies were determining the type and extent of the risk factor, strong crisis management, the lack of parallelism, continuous monitoring, having a protocol and road map, appropriate training programs, having skilled personnel, rapid response of personnel, positive attitude of the staff, and the favorable condition of the building. CONCLUSION: The appointment of an expert in the field of CBRN and having a specialized unit, the existence of specialized and trained staff along with access to the required facilities, clear instructions, and intra-departmental and inter-departmental cooperation affect the readiness of hospitals against CBRN incidents.