Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient MSPSO Sampling for Object Detection and 6-D Pose Estimation in 3-D Scenes

The point pair feature (PPF) is widely used in manufacturing for estimating 6-D poses. The key to the success of PPF matching is to establish correct 3-D correspondences between the object and the scene, i.e., finding as many valid similar point pairs as possible. However, efficient sampling of point pairs has been overlooked in existing frameworks. In this article, we propose a revised PPF matching pipeline to improve the efficiency of 6-D pose estimation. Our basic idea is that the valid scene reference points are lying on the object’s surface and the previously sampled reference points can provide prior information for locating new reference points. The novelty of our approach is a new sampling algorithm for selecting scene reference points based on the multisubpopulation particle swarm optimization guided by a probability map. We also introduce an effective pose clustering and hypotheses verification method to obtain the optimal pose. Moreover, we optimize the progressive sampling for multiframe point clouds to improve processing efficiency. The experimental results show that our method outperforms previous methods by 6.6%, 3.9% in terms of accuracy on the public DTU and LineMOD datasets, respectively. We further validate our approach by applying it in a real robot grasping task.
Sox2 Ablation in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Perturbs Anxiety- and Depressive-like Behaviors

Mood disorders negatively impact the lives of hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide every year, yet the precise molecular mechanisms by which they manifest remain elusive. Circadian dysregulation is one avenue by which mood disorders are thought to arise. SOX2 is a transcription factor that is highly expressed in the murine suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the circadian master clock, and has been recently found to be an important regulator of Per2, a core component of the molecular clock. Genetic ablation of the Sox2 gene in GABAergic neurons selectively impacts SCN neurons, as they are one of very few, if not the only, GABAergic populations that express Sox2. Here, we show that GABAergic-restricted ablation of Sox2 results in anxio-depressive-like phenotypes in mice as observed in the elevated plus maze, forced swim test, tail suspension test, and sucrose preference test. We further observe a reduction in basal and/or forced swim-induced c-Fos expression, a marker of neuronal activation, in the nucleus incertus, arcuate nucleus, and dentate gyrus of Sox2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice. Given the restricted disruption of SOX2 expression in the SCN of Sox2 cKO mice, we propose that their mood-associated phenotypes are the consequence of a dysregulated central clock that is unable to communicate appropriately timed signals to other brain nuclei that regulate affective behaviors.
Breast Cancer on a Notch-Survivin Signaling Axis Negative − Molecular Dependence of Estrogen Receptor

Despite progress in the management of breast cancer, the molecular underpinnings of clinically aggressive subtypes of the disease are not well-understood. Here, we show that activation of Notch developmental signaling in estrogen receptor (ER)–negative breast cancer cells results in direct transcriptional up-regulation of the apoptosis inhibitor and cell cycle regulator survivin. This response is associated with increased expression of survivin at mitosis, enhanced cell proliferation, and heightened viability at cell division. Conversely, targeting Notch signaling with a peptidyl ;-secretase inhibitor suppressed survivin levels, induced apoptosis, abolished colony formation in soft agar, and inhibited localized and metastatic tumor growth in mice, without organ or systemic toxicity. In contrast, ER+ breast cancer cells, or various normal cell types, were insensitive to Notch stimulation. Therefore, ER breast cancer cells become dependent on Notch-survivin signaling for their maintenance, in vivo . Therapeutic targeting of this pathway may be explored for individualized treatment of patients with clinically aggressive, ER breast cancer. [Cancer Res 2008;68(13):5273–81]
Evaluation of Dimensional Changes during Postcuring of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Denture Base According to the Curing Time and the Time of Removal of the Support Structure: An In Vitro Study

This study attempted to determine the dimensional stability of maxillary and mandibular edentulous denture bases constructed using three-dimensional (3D) printing systems based on stereolithography and digital light processing according to the postcuring treatment time and the removal time of the support structure. Three-dimensional printing of the designed denture base file was performed using two types of 3D printing photocurable resin (standard gray resin (Formlabs) (Somerville, MA, USA) and MAZIC D resin (Vericom) (Anyang, Korea)) and their compatible 3D printers (Form3 (Formlabs) and Phrozen Shuffle (Phrozen) (Hsinchu City, Taiwan)). Different postcuring times (no postcuring, and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min) and times of removal of the support structure were set for each group. Data relating to the denture bases in all groups were obtained using 3D scanning with a tabletop scanner after postcuring. All acquired data were exported to 3D analysis software, and the dimensional changes during postcuring of the denture base were analyzed using RMSE (root-mean-square error) values. It could be confirmed that the dimensional changes increased with postcuring time, and the accuracy was higher in the maxilla than in the mandible. The accuracy was highest for the group in which the postcuring process was performed while the support structure was present.
The Health and Economic Benefits of Reduced Residential Solid Fuel Burning on the South African Highveld

Emissions from residential solid fuel burning in densely populated low-income settlements is a significant source of air pollution over the South African Highveld. The area is densely populated and highly industrialized, resulting in high concentrations of pollutants over the area. Although emissions from industrial sources are much larger, exposure to household emissions poses the most significant risk to human health. Interventions aimed at reducing solid fuel burning in low-income settlements on the Highveld have the potential to reduce exposure, but quantifying their true impact remains a challenge. We aimed to estimate the health and associated economic benefits of the regional implementation of thermal insulation as intervention measure in low-income settlements to predict the potential impact on the regional scale. We used a land use type regression model to estimate pre-intervention PM2.5 concentrations over the Highveld and then used sampled post-intervention air quality data from a pilot offset programme to relate changes in air quality to changes in avoided premature mortalities. We estimate that the large-scale implementation of this intervention could result in 143 avoided premature mortalities with an estimated economic benefit of just under ZAR (2011) 341.6 million, equivalent to USD (2011) 49.4 million.
Cell Wall Damage Reveals Spatial Flexibility in Peptidoglycan Synthesis and a Nonredundant Role for RodA in Mycobacteria

Peptidoglycan synthesis is a highly successful target for antibiotics. The pathway has been extensively studied in model organisms under laboratory-optimized conditions. ABSTRACT Cell wall peptidoglycan is a heteropolymeric mesh that protects the bacterium from internal turgor and external insults. In many rod-shaped bacteria, peptidoglycan synthesis for normal growth is achieved by two distinct pathways: the Rod complex, comprised of MreB, RodA, and a cognate class B penicillin-binding protein (PBP), and the class A PBPs (aPBPs). In contrast to laterally growing bacteria, pole-growing mycobacteria do not encode an MreB homolog and do not require SEDS protein RodA for in vitro growth. However, RodA contributes to the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in some infection models, suggesting that the protein could have a stress-dependent role in maintaining cell wall integrity. Under basal conditions, we find here that the subcellular distribution of RodA largely overlaps that of the aPBP PonA1 and that both RodA and the aPBPs promote polar peptidoglycan assembly. Upon cell wall damage, RodA fortifies Mycobacterium smegmatis against lysis and, unlike aPBPs, contributes to a shift in peptidoglycan assembly from the poles to the sidewall. Neither RodA nor PonA1 relocalize; instead, the redistribution of nascent cell wall parallels that of peptidoglycan precursor synthase MurG. Our results support a model in which mycobacteria balance polar growth and cell-wide repair via spatial flexibility in precursor synthesis and extracellular insertion. IMPORTANCE Peptidoglycan synthesis is a highly successful target for antibiotics. The pathway has been extensively studied in model organisms under laboratory-optimized conditions. In natural environments, bacteria are frequently under attack. Moreover, the vast majority of bacterial species are unlikely to fit a single paradigm of cell wall assembly because of differences in growth mode and/or envelope structure. Studying cell wall synthesis under nonoptimal conditions and in nonstandard species may improve our understanding of pathway function and suggest new inhibition strategies. Mycobacterium smegmatis, a relative of several notorious human and animal pathogens, has an unusual polar growth mode and multilayered envelope. In this work, we challenged M. smegmatis with cell wall-damaging enzymes to characterize the roles of cell wall-building enzymes when the bacterium is under attack.
Asylum Seekers and Immigrants in Italy during the First Phase of the Pandemic
 A Medical Perspective

Health conditions of asylum seekers and immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened: the analysis in this chapter refers to the first wave of the pandemic (until August 2020). Early evidence from Anglo-Saxon countries, which showed a disproportionate impact for the foreign population and “ethnic minorities”, was confirmed also by the Italian data of resident foreigners. In addition, management problems were found with respect to the infection containment in the reception facilities and phenomena of social stigmatization were highlighted. The impact was generally worst for socially disadvantaged groups, the available data support a non-biological origin but linked to the role of social determinants, highlighting a theme of equity.
Evaluating the Knowledge and Practice of Anesthesiologists and Students About Oral Ginger Complications in Surgery and Anesthesia

Aims: Ginger of the Zingiberaceae family is abundant in individuals’ diets globally. It has well-known properties, including regulating the immune system, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, inhibiting hyperlipidemia, anti-nausea, and antioxidant features. Despite these properties, research suggested its increased bleeding and anticoagulation effects. Thus, the excessive use of this drug can adversely impact anesthesia and surgery. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice of anesthesia staff and students about the complications of ginger in surgery and anesthesia. Methods & Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study examined the level of knowledge and practice of 68 anesthesiologists and students of Allameh Bohlol Gonabadi Hospital about the effects of oral ginger in surgery and anesthesia by a two-part researcher-made questionnaire (to determine knowledge and the performance of individuals). The validity of the instrument was determined based on content and face validity methods and the reliability of the instrument was confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.078). Data analysis was performed using SPSS v. 19. Findings: The Mean±SD age of the research units were 23.42±11.6 years, with a work experience of 1 to 22 years. In total, 66.7% of the research units were female, 70.5% were married, and most (97.4%) them had a bachelor’s degree. The obtained results suggested that 83.3% of the research units had poor knowledge; concerning performance, 78.2% of the study subjects had poor performance in the preoperative examination of the patient. The level of knowledge of research units was significantly related to education (P=0.033). Furthermore, the examined individuals’ performance was significantly related to their work experience (P=0.029). Conclusion: The present study findings indicated that anesthesiologists were unaware of the beneficial and adverse effects of ginger on anesthesia and surgery of patients and failed to well assess the patient respecting ginger overdose and diet. Therefore, considering the importance of herbal medicines and their effects on the surgical process and treatment of patients, it is suggested to provide training workshops and informing the staff.
Towards the Use of Adsorption Methods for the Removal of Purines from Beer

Beer corresponds to a fermented alcoholic beverage composed of several components, including purine compounds. These molecules, when ingested by humans, can be catabolized into uric acid, contributing to uric acid’s level increase in serum, which may lead to hyperuricemia and gout. To assure a proper management of this disease, physicians recommend restrictive dietary measures, particularly by avoiding the consumption of beer. Therefore, it is of relevance to develop efficient methods to remove purine compounds from alcoholic beverages such as beer. In this review, we provide an introduction on fermented alcoholic beverages, with emphasis on beer, as well as its purine compounds and their role in uric acid metabolism in the human body in relation to hyperuricemia and gout development. The several reported enzymatic, biological and adsorption methods envisaging purine compounds’ removal are then reviewed. Some enzymatic and biological methods present drawbacks, which can be overcome by adsorption methods. Within adsorption methods, adsorbent materials, such as activated carbon or charcoal, have been reported and applied to beer or wort samples, showing an excellent capacity for adsorbing and removing purine compounds. Although the main topic of this review is on the removal of purine compounds from beer, other studies involving other matrices rather than beer or wort that are rich in purines are included, since they provide relevant clues on designing efficient removal processes. By ensuring the selective removal of purine compounds from this beverage, beer can be taken by hyperuricemic and gouty patients, avoiding restrictive dietary measures, while decreasing the related healthcare economic burden.
The impact of a carbon tax implementation on non-CO2 gas emissions: the case of Japan

ABSTRACT Carbon taxation affects carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through the price of fossil fuels, and hence can also affect emissions of air pollutants. Based on this fact, this study aims at exploring the impact of the carbon tax in Japan on various pollutants’ emissions, using a regression-based approach. The main contribution of this study is to assess the impact of a tax that is mainly directed at cutting CO2, on other gases, namely sulphur dioxide (SO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOX), as well as analyzing the impact of this tax on different sectors of the Japanese economy. Our results imply that the introduction of the carbon tax in Japan effectively reduced non-CO2 greenhouse gases (GHGs) and pollutants, even when controlling for demographic and economic variables. The results of this study can be explained by a partial decoupling of fossil fuel consumption and GHG emissions, possibly through investment in anti-pollution measures.
Chemical Structural Features of Humic-like Substances (HULIS) in Urban Atmospheric Aerosols Collected from Central Tokyo with Special Reference to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra

We measured 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of Humic-like substances (HULIS) in urban atmospheric aerosols isolated by diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) resin to characterize their chemical structure. HULIS isolated by DEAE resin were characterized by relatively high contents of aromatic protons and relatively low contents of aliphatic protons in comparison with HULIS isolated by HLB resin, while the contents of protons bound to oxygenated aliphatic carbon atoms were similar. These results were consistent with the results of the 13C NMR analysis and indicate that hydrophobic components were more selectively adsorbed onto HLB, while DEAE resins selectively retained aromatic carboxylic acids. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the chemical structural features of HULIS were significantly different between spring and summer samples and that these disparities were reflective of their different sources. The estimated concentrations of HULIS in spring were found to be regulated by vehicle emissions and pollen dispersion, while the behavior of HULIS in summer was similar to photochemical oxidant and nitrogen dioxide concentrations. The proportion of aliphatic protons for summer samples was higher than that for spring samples, while the proportion of aromatic protons for summer samples was lower than that for spring samples. These seasonal changes of the chemical structure may also involve in their functional expression in the atmosphere.
Does Systemic Methotrexate Therapy Induce Azole Resistance among Endogenous Candida Strains?

Background: Research confirms that Candida spp. incubated with methotrexate develop multi-drug resistance to azoles, but it is not clear whether this phenomenon occurs in vivo in patients treated with cytostatics. The aim of the study was to assess whether systemic methotrexate therapy induces resistance to azoles among endogenous Candida strains in patients with rheumatological diseases. Methods: The test group consisted of 52 rheumatological patients on methotrexate therapy, who have never been exposed to fluconazole. The control group was composed of 49 individuals who have never been exposed to either methotrexate or fluconazole. Oral swab and clinical information were obtained from each participant. The acquired material was cultured, then each strain was isolated and identified (MALDI TOF). Subsequently, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for fluconazole was determined. Results: MIC values ranged from <0.125 to 64 µg/mL with the most common result <0.125 µg/mL. Samples obtained from 4 patients of the test group and 2 patients of the control group contained strains resistant to fluconazole. Conclusions: Despite slightly higher incidence of fluconazole-resistant strains among patients on systemic methotrexate therapy, we found no solid evidence to support the hypothesis that methotrexate induces resistance to azoles among endogenous Candida strains in patients with rheumatological diseases.
Calcification responses of subtropical corals to ocean acidification: a case study from Sesoko Island, Okinawa, Japan

We investigated the effect of five levels of pCO2-adjusted seawater (300 μatm [pre-industrial] to 1200 μatm [near-future]) on calcification rates of six coral species: Acropora nasuta, A. tenuis, Montipora digitata, Pocillopora damicornis, Porites cylindrica, and Galaxea fascicularis, which are common species in the subtropical Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. In most species, declines in calcification rates were pCO2-dependent as previously reported. Responses to lower pH seawater significantly differed among species in common-garden tanks. Corals showed both linear and non-linear responses to a wide range of seawater pCO2, which could be attributable to physiological differences in inter-species. Our results are consistent with previous studies and suggest that the responses of corals to ocean acidification can vary among species.
A Comprehensive Review of Intelligent Islanding Schemes and Feature Selection Techniques for Distributed Generation System

Detection of unintentional islanding, defined as inadvertently separation of distributed generators (DGs) from the utility grid, is a major challenging issue for modern distribution networks. Islanding detection becomes problematic especially when the local generation matches or closely matches the local load. Therefore, there are strict requirements for accurate, fast, and reliable islanding detection of renewables and DG-based systems. Various islanding schemes have been proposed in the literature, which can be categorized as remote, local, and intelligent-classifier-based schemes. Recently, intelligent schemes have gained attention due to their superior properties and advantages relative to traditional approaches. This paper overviews the shift in research from traditional schemes to intelligent islanding schemes. It also highlights the major obstacles, challenges, advantages and disadvantages, and future research directions of intelligent schemes. In this study, the intelligent-classifier-based islanding detection schemes presented over the last decade are analyzed objectively and comprehensively from all aspects of islanding detection. This research further highlights feature selection schemes and the most common parameters used for islanding detection. Finally, based on a detailed and critical analysis, the findings and potential recommendations are presented.
ioengineered Myocardial Grafts Without a caffold evelopment of Engineered Cell Sheets

p f l p h everal recent basic research studies have described urgical methods for cardiac repair using tissue cardioyoplasty. This review summarizes recent advances in ardiac repair using bioengineered tissue from the viewoint of the cardiac surgeon. We conclude that the results f many basic and preclinical studies indicate that biongineered tissue can be adapted to conventional surgial techniques. However, no clinical studies have yet
Assessment of LSTM, Conv2D and ConvLSTM2D Prediction Models for Long-Term Wind Speed and Direction Regression Analysis

This paper assessed the model performance accuracies of 3 forecast-based architectures (Long Short-Term Memory, LSTM; Convolutional Neural Network, Conv2D and hybrid ConvLSTM2D) for multivariate inputs to multi-steps wind speed and direction forecasts. These high-level neural network-based architectures were setup with the Keras sequential models trained to learn the historical patterns from the processed weather input datasets. To build these forecast models, the sampled time series weather observations at different station heights were obtained and reshaped for network layer compatibility, while the Adamax algorithm for the network optimization was considered. The trained and evaluated model performances with different input data sequences (normalized/un-normalized) were assessed while the forecast results were also compared with the Actual and Conv1D models. Upon optimal network training, the Conv2D model returned MSE, MAE and RMSE estimated values of 0.82, 4.48 and 0.91 %, respectively; the LSTM model returned 1.03, 4.75 and 1.01 %; while the ConvLSTM2D model returned 2.11, 10.13 and 1.45 %, respectively. Also, Conv2D validated model values of 3.16, 14.73 and 1.77 % were obtained %, respectively; 3.21, 14.98 and 1.82, for the LSTM-based; while ConvLSTM2D model returned 3.27, 15.92 and 1.91 %, respectively. Studied finding results show that better prediction and evaluation could be achieved for all the trained model architectures as compared to the untrained models. Also, from the predicted model results, the Keras sequential models were found to be useful for replicating the time-series historical wind speed and direction based on the well-tuned model hyperparameters as well as the input sequence structure