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Autonomous object tracking with vision based control using a 2DOF robotic arm
Abstract The tracking of moving object by implementing robot manipulator is one of the challenging task for many applications such as manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, healthcare, space, military, entertainment, etc. In the deployment of robotic manipulators with real-time object tracking for aforementioned important applications, the proper sensor surveillance and ensuring stability are major challenges. The purpose of this study is to design a precise and responsive object-tracking system by eliminating the complexities related to tedious mechanisms, rigidity, requirement of multiple sensors, etc. which are commonly associated with traditional systems. The robotic arms can be effectively designed to track moving objects autonomously with vision-based control. In comparison with different classical and traditional servoing approaches, the image-based visual servoing (IBVS) is more advantageous in vision-based control. The present article describes a new approach for IBVS-based tracking control of 2-degree-of-freedom (DOF) robotic arm by including object identification and trajectory tracking based crucial components. To solve the issues associated with IBVS, an accurate deep learning-based object detection framework is employed. The presented framework is utilized to detect and locate the objects in real-time. Further, an effective vision-based control technique is designed to control the 2-DOF robotic arm with the help of real-time response of object detection system. The validation of proposed control strategy is done by performing a simulation and experimental investigations with CoppeliaSim robot simulator and 2-DOF robotic arm, respectively. The findings reveal that the proposed deep learning controller for the vision-based 2-DOF robotic arm achieves good levels of accuracy and response time while performing visual servoing tasks. Furthermore, thorough discussion on possibility of using data-driven learning technique has been explored to improve the robustness and adaptability of the presented control scheme.
Unraveling the evolutionary patterns of construction accidents: a risk assessment framework based on average mutual information theory
The complete chloroplast genome sequences of three Cypripedium species and their phylogenetic analysis
Abstract Cypripedium macranthos Swartz, C. × ventricosum Swartz, and C. shanxiense S. C. Chen were highly promising ornamental plants. In this study, the latest complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. macranthos, C. × ventricosum, and C. shanxiense were reported using correct sample material from their native range, and their phylogenetic relationships with other related species were investigated preliminarily. The whole chloroplast genome lengths of C. macranthos, C. × ventricosum, and C. shanxiense were 181,030 bp, 175,385 bp, and 177,627 bp, respectively, with total GC contents of 34.56%, 34.48%, and 34.42%, respectively. Based on the maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree from the chloroplast genome sequences and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, it was confirmed that C. × ventricosum is most closely related to C. calceolus, and the idea that C. × ventricosum is an interspecific hybrid between C. calceolus and C. macranthos is supported. By integrating the results of phylogenetic analysis, genomic structural comparison, and considerations of sampling locations, it is evident that the former chloroplast genome of C. macranthos is inaccurate. This study provides crucial information for research on the phylogeny, genetics, and conservation of C. macranthos, C. × ventricosum, and C. shanxiense.
Direct and averted gaze modulate the event-related brain responses to social exclusion signals
Abstract Social exclusion is a negative experience in social interaction which can be modulated by the perceived eye gaze. In our Cyberball study, we asked how gaze direction – direct versus averted – affects the processing of social exclusion by using electroencephalogram (EEG) methods. Participants encountered neutral gazes in the inclusion phase (Block1) and then either direct or averted gazes during the exclusion phase (Block2). We measured self-reports on Need-Threat Questionnaires (belonging, control, meaningful existence, self-esteem) and negative mood, along with event-related potentials (ERPs), specifically the P3 component (P300) - an indicator of expectation violation. Findings demonstrated that the P3 amplitude showed differential changes between gaze conditions during the transition from inclusion to exclusion, with direct gaze eliciting stronger neural responses. This difference signals that direct gaze enhances the expected participation, thus sensitizing participants for exclusionary signals. Simultaneously, self-reports indicated that the transition evoked weaker negative emotions in the direct gaze group and stronger negative emotions in the averted gaze group, signalling that direct gaze also serves as an affiliative signal. These results illuminate how gaze directions shape cognitive and emotional reactions to social exclusion. However, further research is necessary to unravel these effects amidst other non-verbal cues and fully comprehend their impact on neural and behavioural responses to social exclusion.
Association between dietary selenium intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease in US adults: a population-based study
Reporting complete chloroplast genome of endangered red mulberry, useful for understanding hybridization and phylogenetic relationships
Longitudinal seismic responses of large diameter shield tunnel crossing liquefied bank slope
Electric-field sensing with driven-dissipative time crystals in room-temperature Rydberg vapor
QKD protected fiber-based infrastructure for time dissemination
Anchor point based image registration for absolute scale topographic structure detection in microscopy
Abstract Microscopy images obtained through remote sensing often suffer from misalignment and deformation, complicating accurate data analysis. As experimental instruments improve and scientific discoveries deepen, the volume of data requiring processing continues to grow. Image registration can contribute to microscopy automation, which enables more efficient data analysis and experimental workflows. For this implementation, image processing techniques that can handle both image registration and localized object analysis are required. This research introduces a computer interface designed to calibrate and analyze specific structures with prior knowledge of the observed target. Our method achieves image registration by aligning anchor points, which correspond to the coordinates of a structural model within the image. It employs homography transform to correct images, restoring them to their original, undistorted form, thus enabling consistent quantitative comparisons across different images on an absolute scale. Additionally, the method provides valuable information from the registered anchor points, allowing for the precise localization of local objects in the structure. We demonstrate this technique across various microscopy scenarios at different scales and evaluate its precision against a keypoint detection AI approach from our previous research, which promises its enhancement in microscopy data analysis and automation.
Performance of piezoelectric beam type energy harvester under flow-induced vibration
Abstract The objective of this research is to study the hydrodynamics and performance of piezoelectric PZT-5A patches in the context of turbulent fluid flow, with a specific focus on the impact of structural positioning on output performance. The numerical three-dimensional model consists of piezoelectric PZT-5A patches affixed to beams and positioned inside a uniform circular pipe. The modeling and simulation of the piezo-beams are conducted using ANSYS-Fluent software to analyze the vortex shedding phenomenon, which occurs due to induced vibrations from the interaction of the fluid with the PZT beams. A vorticity analysis is included to better understand the flow dynamics around the structures, revealing insights into the flow patterns that enhance energy harvesting. Additionally, a grid independence study is performed to ensure that the numerical results are reliable and not dependent on the grid resolution. This study confirmed that the results are consistent across different mesh densities, providing confidence in the accuracy of the simulations. The study also explores how turbulent flow increases the output voltage. It examines the effect of varying the spacing distance between two structures, considering three cases with distances of $$d_2=0.0505$$ d 2 = 0.0505 m, 0.101 m, and 0.202 m, to evaluate their influence on natural frequencies and voltage output. The results indicate that the spacing significantly affects energy transfer and voltage generation, with the optimal configuration observed at $$d_2=0.202$$ d 2 = 0.202 m. The maximum voltage value of 0.41264 V is observed from the structures across a broad frequency range. This voltage can be utilized in micro-scale applications such as cell phone charging, glowing LED lights, and bulbs, and can also be stored in batteries for future use.
Evaluating the impact of waste marble on the compressive strength of traditional concrete using machine learning
Trend and burden of adult cancer-related hospitalizations in the United States
Abstract To calculate national trends and estimates of cancer-related hospitalizations, hospital outcomes, and hospitalization costs. The current study was a retrospective analysis of National Inpatient Sample data, collected during 2008 to 2019. Adult cancer hospitalizations were identified by Clinical Classifications Software codes. We estimated weighted frequencies, proportions, and trends in cancer-related hospitalizations, hospital outcomes, and hospitalization costs. The primary outcome of the study was cancer-related hospitalizations, and secondary outcomes were the reasons for hospitalization, disposition status, hospital length of stay, and hospitalization cost. There were 371 million weighted hospitalizations during 2008 to 2019, of which 15.1% (56 million) were cancer related. The most common cancer types were breast cancer (11.9%), secondary malignancies (11.2%), and prostate cancer (10.3%), and the most common reasons for cancer-related hospitalizations were septicemia (4.8%), pneumonia (4.7%), and complications of surgical procedures or medical care (3.1%). Trend analysis showed that the total number of cancer-related hospitalizations increased from 12,963 to 16,500 per 100,000 hospitalizations during the study period (relative increase, 27.3%). Mortality rates decreased from 5.1% to 4.0% (relative decrease, 21.6%), while hospital length of stay decreased from 3.5 to 3.2 days (relative decrease, 8.6%), during the study period. Disposition to home or short-term facilities decreased (relative decrease, 3.1%), while to long-term facilities increased (relative increase, 20.6%) during the same period. Total hospitalization cost increased from $55.5 billion in 2008 to $76.4 billion in 2019 (relative increase, 37.7%). Our study provides preliminary estimates and findings for developing an evidence base for understanding cancer-related hospitalizations.
Frequency and risk factors of metabolic associated fatty liver disease among medical students in Egypt
Abstract Metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing global concern. This study assessed the frequency of hepatic steatosis and MAFLD, alongside their associated risk factors, among medical students at Suez University, Egypt. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to April 2023 among 84 medical students aged ≥ 18 years. Data on anthropometric parameters, body composition, and lifestyle were collected through self-administered questionnaires, InBody analysis, and FibroScan. MAFLD diagnosis required steatosis (≥ 238 dB/m) with obesity, metabolic dysfunction, or both. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Hepatic steatosis was present in 25% of participants, while MAFLD frequency was 13.1%. Participants with MAFLD exhibited higher body weight (82.34 ± 10.78 kg vs. 65.84 ± 10.61 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (29.05 ± 3.66 vs. 22.90 ± 3.23 kg/m2, p < 0.001), waist circumference (88.73 ± 8.73 cm vs. 78.10 ± 7.96 cm, p < 0.001), BMR (1566.09 ± 27.37 vs. 1429.86 ± 93.44 kcal/day, p < 0.001), and fat mass (32.74 ± 7.25% vs. 23.91 ± 8.60%, p < 0.001). Binary regression analysis revealed increased body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and BMR as significant risk factors for MAFLD. An elevated fat mass percentage with a reduced muscle mass percentage highlighted the sarcopenic obesity role in MAFLD progression. Extreme weight reduction can exacerbate hepatic fat accumulation. Poor sleep quality, a sedentary lifestyle, and an unhealthy diet are also significant predictors. The widespread frequency of steatosis and MAFLD highlights the pressing need to tackle this silent epidemic among young Egyptian adults.
Regulatory mechanism and prognostic value of sex hormone pathways connected with metabolism and immune signaling in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Bromodomain and extraterminal protein inhibitor JQ1 induces maturation arrest and disrupts the cytoplasmic organization in mouse oocytes under in vitro conditions
Abstract JQ1, a small cell-permeable molecule is known for its potent inhibitory action on bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins. Although earlier studies have shown its inhibitory effect on male gametogenesis, limited information is available about its influence on oocyte development. Since BET genes are known to exhibit regulatory functions on oocyte development and maturation, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of JQ1 on oocyte developmental competence under in vitro conditions. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were collected from adult Swiss albino mice and subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) in the presence of various concentrations of JQ1 (25, 50, and 100 μM). The metaphase II (MII) stage oocytes were assessed for cytoplasmic organization and functional competence at 24 h after IVM. A significant decrease in nuclear maturation (at 50 and 100 μM), symmetric cytokinesis, altered distribution of mitochondria and cortical granules, poorly organized actin and meiotic spindle, misaligned chromosomes, and elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress was observed in JQ1-exposed oocytes. Presence of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), in IVM medium resulted in significant reduction in JQ1-induced oxidative stress and symmetric cytokinesis. Administration of JQ1 (50 mg/kg, intra peritoneal) to adult Swiss albino mice primed with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) did not affect the ovulation. However, a high degree of oocyte degeneration, elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and GRP78 expression was observed in JQ1-administered mice. In conclusion, our study reveals that BET inhibitor JQ1 has detrimental effects on oocyte function and development.
Epidemiologic investigation on neurological complications following neuraxial anesthesia in 2.7 million cases in Southwest China
Abstract Neuraxial anesthesia provides effective anesthesia and analgesia for surgery, but may cause neurological complications. The rate of neurological complications in China remains unclear. This study conducted a retrospective epidemiological investigation of neurological complications following neuraxial anesthesia in Guangxi, southwest China. This survey used the “Golden Data” platform to distribute questionnaires to anesthesiology departments across hospitals of varying levels in Guangxi, gathering data on neuraxial anesthesia methods and associated neurological complications from 2013 to 2022. Detailed patient information was recorded, with missing data supplemented by phone. The Adverse Event Reporting System was also utilized to verify and supplement cases, supported by peer review. The study analyzed the incidence and clinical characteristics of neurological complications after neuraxial anesthesia. A comprehensive survey was conducted across 243 hospitals, encompassing 2,723,615 cases of neuraxial anesthesia. The survey identified 1208 cases of neurological complications, with an incidence of 0.44‰, primarily occurring in patients undergoing obstetrics, gynecology, orthopedics, urology, and general surgery. The complications included transient nerve syndrome (999 cases), spinal injury (188 cases), cauda equina syndrome (13 cases), spinal hematoma (5 cases), anterior spinal artery syndrome (2 cases), and conus medullaris injury (1 case). The incidence of neurological complications associated with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (0.53‰) was significantly higher than that of epidural anesthesia (0.21‰) and spinal anesthesia (0.35‰) (P < 0.001). Among the patients, 97.3% achieved full recovery, while 2.7% (30 cases) suffered permanent neurological damage. Although neurological complications are relatively rare, comprehensive preoperative assessment, adherence to standardized protocols, and vigilance regarding potential complications are essential.
A comparison between radiomic biological age and chronological age in estimating kidney function
Abstract Accurate kidney function estimation hinges on essential markers of age and body size. The relative benefit of both markers has been debated with the emerging biological age and novel body size descriptors. We used radiomic biomarkers of age-related changes in body composition to construct new biological age indices as covariates of kidney function. A retrospective cohort of hospitalized patients with plasma concentrations of aminoglycosides and computed tomography images were evaluated. Aminoglycoside clearance served as a kidney function surrogate. A population pharmacokinetic model was constructed to determine whether biological age indices improved aminoglycoside clearance estimation compared to chronological age. The final dataset included 156 patients (51.92% female) with a median (minimum-maximum) age and body weight of 58 [21, 93] years and 81 [43.8, 139.3] Kg. A 1-compartment clearance model with linear elimination, incorporating biological index, serum creatinine, and drug type best fits the concentration-time data. The best radiomic biological age model included dorsal muscle group area, bone mineral density, visceral fat area, and subcutaneous fat density. The radiomic biological age model offered a modest improvement over the chronological age model. This work offers a proof-of-concept, highlighting the potential for more precise methods for aging-related kidney function estimation to aid personalized pharmacotherapy.
Protective effects of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 against cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive dysfunction in zebrafish
Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BL21 on reproductive health in zebrafish (Danio rerio), focusing on hormonal modulation, sperm vitality, and overall reproductive function improvement. Adult male zebrafish of the wild-type AB strain were divided into four groups: control (CTL), model control with cyclophosphamide-induced oligospermia (CS), probiotic-treated (BL21), and a positive control treated with clomiphene citrate (CC). All groups, except CTL, were exposed to cyclophosphamide from day 1 to day 9 to induce reproductive dysfunction, with subsequent monitoring until day 16. Key metrics assessed included body and testicular weight, sperm vitality, male courtship behavior, hormone levels, sperm DNA fragmentation, and gene expression of PCNA, NANOG, ZBTB16, mTOR, DDX4, CYP26A1, and ALDH1A2. In this study, BL21 demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in treating reproductive dysfunction in zebrafish. Metabolomic analysis revealed that BL21 influenced crucial pathways, notably upregulating mTOR signaling and isoflavone biosynthesis, while downregulating the TCA cycle and pyruvate metabolism, suggesting a broad biochemical impact. The probiotic treatment notably improved testicular weight (p < 0.01) and sperm count and vitality (p < 0.001) compared to the cyclophosphamide-induced model control, underscoring its efficacy in enhancing reproductive parameters. Additionally, BL21 intervention led to a marked increase in chasing behavior and sex hormone levels, surpassing those of the positive control. The treatment also significantly reduced sperm DNA fragmentation (p < 0.001) and increased the expression of genes crucial for spermatogenesis and testicular function (p < 0.05), confirming its potential to restore reproductive health at multiple biological levels. These results highlight the promise of BL21 as a multi-faceted agent for improving reproductive health, warranting further investigation in clinical settings. Probiotic BL21 enhances reproductive parameters in zebrafish by modulating hormone levels, improving sperm quality, and positively affecting reproductive behavior. These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications of probiotics in managing reproductive health issues.