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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Pose estimation of metal parts plays a vital role in industrial grasping areas. It is challenging to obtain complete point clouds of metal parts because of their...
Pose estimation of metal parts plays a vital role in industrial grasping areas. It is challenging to obtain complete point clouds of metal parts because of their reflective properties. This study introduces an approach for recovering the 6D pose of CAD-known metal parts from images captured by a single RGB camera. The proposed strategy only requires RGB images without depth information. The core idea of the proposed method is to use multiple views to estimate the metal parts' pose. First, the pose of metal parts is estimated in the first view. Second, ray casting is employed to simulate additional views with the corresponding status of the metal parts, enabling the calculation of the camera's next best viewpoint. The camera, mounted on a robotic arm, is then moved to this calculated position. Third, this study integrates the known camera transformations with the poses estimated from different viewpoints to refine the final scene. The results of this work demonstrate that the proposed method effectively estimates the pose of shiny metal parts.
PubMed: 38894199
DOI: 10.3390/s24113408 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Copy number variations (CNVs) critically influence individual genetic diversity and phenotypic traits. In this study, we employed whole-genome resequencing technology to...
Copy number variations (CNVs) critically influence individual genetic diversity and phenotypic traits. In this study, we employed whole-genome resequencing technology to conduct an in-depth analysis of 50 pigs from five local swine populations [Rongchang pig (RC), Wuzhishan pig (WZS), Tibetan pig (T), Yorkshire (YL) and Landrace (LR)], aiming to assess their genetic potential and explore their prospects in the field of animal model applications. We identified a total of 96,466 CNVs, which were subsequently integrated into 7112 non-redundant CNVRs, encompassing 1.3% of the swine genome. Functional enrichment analysis of the genes within these CNVRs revealed significant associations with sensory perception, energy metabolism, and neural-related pathways. Further selective scan analyses of the local pig breeds RC, T, WZS, along with YL and LR, uncovered that for the RC variety, the genes and were found to be closely related to fat metabolism and cardiovascular health. In the T breed, the genes and were associated with immune response and connective tissue characteristics. As for the WZS breed, the genes and were primarily linked to fat storage and anti-inflammatory responses. In summary, this research underscores the pivotal role of CNVs in fostering the diversity and adaptive evolution of pig breeds while also offering valuable insights for further exploration of the advantageous genetic traits inherent to China's local pig breeds. This facilitates the creation of experimental animal models tailored to the specific characteristics of these breeds, contributing to the advancement of livestock and biomedical research.
Topics: Animals; DNA Copy Number Variations; Swine; Whole Genome Sequencing; China; Breeding; Genetic Variation; Genome; Evolution, Molecular
PubMed: 38892031
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115843 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024In plant models such as , phosphatidic acid (PA), a key molecule of lipid signaling, was shown not only to be involved in stress responses, but also in plant development...
In plant models such as , phosphatidic acid (PA), a key molecule of lipid signaling, was shown not only to be involved in stress responses, but also in plant development and nutrition. In this article, we highlight lipid signaling existing in crop species. Based on open access databases, we update the list of sequences encoding phospholipases D, phosphoinositide-dependent phospholipases C, and diacylglycerol-kinases, enzymes that lead to the production of PA. We show that structural features of these enzymes from model plants are conserved in equivalent proteins from selected crop species. We then present an in-depth discussion of the structural characteristics of these proteins before focusing on PA binding proteins. For the purpose of this article, we consider RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGUEs (RBOHs), the most documented PA target proteins. Finally, we present pioneering experiments that show, by different approaches such as monitoring of gene expression, use of pharmacological agents, ectopic over-expression of genes, and the creation of silenced mutants, that lipid signaling plays major roles in crop species. Finally, we present major open questions that require attention since we have only a perception of the peak of the iceberg when it comes to the exciting field of phospholipid signaling in plants.
PubMed: 38891340
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111532 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jun 2024This work aimed to investigate the change in fingerprint depth and the recovery rule of fingerprint biological recognition function after repairing finger abdominal...
BACKGROUND
This work aimed to investigate the change in fingerprint depth and the recovery rule of fingerprint biological recognition function after repairing finger abdominal defects and rebuilding fingerprint with a free flap.
METHOD
From April 2018 to March 2023, we collected a total of 43 cases of repairing finger pulp defects using the free flap of the fibular side of the great toe with the digital nerve. After surgery, irregular follow-up visits were conducted to observe fingerprint clarity, perform the ninhydrin test or detect visible sweating with the naked eye. We recorded fingerprint clarity, nail shape, two-point discrimination, cold perception, warm perception and fingerprint recognition using smartphones. The reconstruction process of the repaired finger was recorded to understand the changes in various observation indicators and their relationship with the depth of the fingerprint. The correlation between fingerprint depth and neural repair was determined, and the process of fingerprint biological recognition function repair was elucidated.
RESULT
All flaps survived, and we observed various manifestations in different stages of nerve recovery. The reconstructed fingerprint had a clear fuzzy process, and the depth changes of the fingerprint were consistent with the changes in the biological recognition function curve.
CONCLUSION
The free flap with the digital nerve is used to repair finger pulp defects. The reconstructed fingerprint has a biological recognition function, and the depth of the fingerprint is correlated with the process of nerve repair. The fingerprint morphology has a dynamic recovery process, and it can reach a stable state after 6-8 months.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Free Tissue Flaps; Middle Aged; Finger Injuries; Soft Tissue Injuries; Young Adult; Recovery of Function; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Toes; Fingers; Treatment Outcome; Fibula; Adolescent; Aged
PubMed: 38890706
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07563-2 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Although 3D reconstruction has been widely used in many fields as a key component of environment perception, existing technologies still have the potential for further...
Although 3D reconstruction has been widely used in many fields as a key component of environment perception, existing technologies still have the potential for further improvement in 3D scene reconstruction. We propose an improved reconstruction algorithm based on the MVSNet network architecture. To glean richer pixel details from images, we suggest deploying a DE module integrated with a residual framework, which supplants the prevailing feature extraction mechanism. The DE module uses ECA-Net and dilated convolution to expand the receptive field range, performing feature splicing and fusion through the residual structure to retain the global information of the original image. Moreover, harnessing attention mechanisms refines the 3D cost volume's regularization process, bolstering the integration of information across multi-scale feature volumes, consequently enhancing depth estimation precision. When assessed our model using the DTU dataset, findings highlight the network's 3D reconstruction scoring a completeness (comp) of 0.411 mm and an overall quality of 0.418 mm. This performance is higher than that of traditional methods and other deep learning-based methods. Additionally, the visual representation of the point cloud model exhibits marked advancements. Trials on the Blended MVS dataset signify that our network exhibits commendable generalization prowess.
PubMed: 38890489
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64805-y -
Geoderma Regional Jun 2024In the Eastern Gangetic Plain (EGP) soil hydrology is a major determinant of land use and also governs the ecosystem services derived from cropping systems, particularly...
In the Eastern Gangetic Plain (EGP) soil hydrology is a major determinant of land use and also governs the ecosystem services derived from cropping systems, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice fields. To characterize patterns of soil hydrology in these, daily field monitoring of water levels was conducted during the monsoon () season in a comparatively wet (2021) and dry (2022) year with flooding depth and drainage tracked with field water tubes across 47 (2021) and 183 (2022) locations. Fields were clustered into hydrologic response types (HRT) which can then be used for land surface modelling, land use recommendations, and to target agronomic interventions that contribute to sustainable development outcomes. Clusters based on two methods of summarizing a single information source were compared. The information source was a time-series of field water-level observations, and the two methods were (1) the original time-series and their first differences and (2) a set of derived hydrologic descriptors that are conceptually related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Clustering was (1) by k-means with an optimization of cluster numbers and (2) by hierarchical clustering with the same number of clusters as identified by k-means. Hydrologic behaviour shifted dramatically between growing seasons, and it was not possible to identify consistent HRT's across years. The clusters had only a weak relation with soil properties, almost no relation with farmer perception of relative landscape position, and no relation with rice establishment method. Clusters based on time-series were moderately well predicted in the dry year 2022 by optimized random forest models, with the most important predictors being the number of irrigations, seasonal precipitation, pre-monsoon groundwater levels, seasonal groundwater level change, and pH, this latter as a surrogate for landscape position and other soil properties. In the wet year 2021 clusters were (poorly) predicted by just seasonal precipitation and pre-monsoon groundwater levels. This shows the complex relation of soil hydrology with landscape position and land management, as well as synoptic climate. By contrast, clusters based on the descriptors were not well-matched with those from the time-series, and could not be well predicted by random forest models. This shows that different clustering criteria may result in different interpretations of the landscape hydrology and thus different heuristics for anticipating the hydrology of a given field under different management choices.
PubMed: 38887654
DOI: 10.1016/j.geodrs.2024.e00784 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2024A shift away from diets high in animal-based foods towards diets high in plant-based foods is desirable considering human health, environmental sustainability, and...
BACKGROUND
A shift away from diets high in animal-based foods towards diets high in plant-based foods is desirable considering human health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. As the food environment plays a crucial role in shaping consumption patterns, understanding of how changes in the food environment can facilitate plant-based consumption is crucial for the so-called protein transition. The current study aims to garner insight into barriers and facilitators for food outlet managers to take action to stimulate plant-based consumption within a local food environment.
METHODS
Using a maximum-variation sample approach, we examined possible barriers and facilitators to promote plant-based consumption across different types of food outlets located within a geographically shared food environment (a city in the Netherlands). We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews among food outlet managers and applied multi-stage thematic analysis to the interview transcripts.
RESULTS
Most managers underscored the urgency of shifting towards more plant-based diets, and perceived a growing demand for plant-based products. However, three barriers hindered most of them from taking decisive action: Managers' perception of low consumer demand for plant-based food options; fear of consumer resistance when stimulating plant-based food options; and limited behavioral agency to offer attractive plant-based food options. The few managers who made changes, or intend to make changes, are individuals with high intrinsic motivation, knowledge and skills.
CONCLUSIONS
The present work suggests the key for change towards a food environment stimulating plant-based consumption lies in addressing three (perceived) barriers shared among diverse outlets. These are partly different from barriers for stimulating healthy consumption in general. Furthermore, current changes appear to be driven incidentally by individuals who are motivated and able to stimulate more plant-based purchases among a small targeted group of consumers.
Topics: Humans; Netherlands; Diet, Vegetarian; Food Supply; Qualitative Research; Interviews as Topic; Health Promotion
PubMed: 38886701
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19121-5 -
International Journal of Telemedicine... 2024Teleradiology allows distant facilities to electronically transmit images for interpretation, thereby bridging the radiology service gap between urban and rural areas....
Barriers and Facilitators Experienced During the Implementation of Web-Based Teleradiology System in Public Hospitals of the Northwest Ethiopia: An Interpretive Description Study.
Teleradiology allows distant facilities to electronically transmit images for interpretation, thereby bridging the radiology service gap between urban and rural areas. The technology improves healthcare quality, treatment options, and diagnostic accuracy. However, in low resource settings like Ethiopia, teleradiology services are limited, posing challenges for implementation. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the factors that facilitated or hindered the implementation of web-based teleradiology in the public hospitals of the South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. In this study, a purposive sampling method was employed to select seventeen participants, including hospital managers, physicians, emergency surgeons, and radiologists, for an in-depth interview (IDI). The interviews were conducted from March to May 2023. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using an abductive coding technique at the semantic/explicit level. Data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted face-to-face and virtually, with audio recordings transcribed, translated, and analyzed using Open Code version 4.02 software. Trustworthiness was ensured through prolonged engagement, reflective journaling, and review by coauthors. The study examined eight main themes, with barriers to sustainable teleradiology implementation falling into five categories: technological, organizational, environmental, individual, and workflow and communication. Conversely, identified facilitators included improved radiology service efficiency, system accessibility, collaboration opportunities, and user trust in the radiology ecosystem. Within each theme, factors with potential impacts on teleradiology system sustainability were identified, such as the lack of system handover mechanisms, absence of a central image consultation center, and inadequate staffing of full-time radiologists and technical personnel. The study highlights the positive user perception of a web-based teleradiology system's user-friendliness and efficiency. Overcoming challenges and leveraging facilitators are crucial for optimizing teleradiology and improving service delivery and patient outcomes. A centralized consultation center with dedicated radiologists and technical personnel is recommended for maximizing efficiency.
PubMed: 38883327
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5578056 -
BMC Surgery Jun 2024We describe a surgical technique for ACL reconstruction combined with anterolateral structure reinforcement and report early clinical follow-up results.
PURPOSE
We describe a surgical technique for ACL reconstruction combined with anterolateral structure reinforcement and report early clinical follow-up results.
METHODS
The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons are braided into 5 strands and the ACL femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel are created. The graft is passed through the tunnel with the use of a traction suture and the tibial end is fixed with absorbable interference screws at 30° of knee flexion. The ACL graft traction suture is used as an anterolateral reconstruction structure to pass through the proximal exit of the ACL femoral tunnel and then through the depth of the iliotibial bundle to the anterior to Gerdy's tubercle, a bony tunnel is created from the anterior to Gerdy's tubercle to the goose foot, and the traction suture is passed through this bony tunnel to form a Loop structure at 20° of knee flexion. Between March 2021 and May 2022 IKDC score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score were performed preoperatively and 6-12 months postoperatively in 24 consecutive patients who met the indications for this procedure and underwent surgery. The patient's maximum flexion angle, the circumference of the thigh, and the stress X-ray between the operated and healthy knee were measured.
RESULTS
Patients showed significant improvement in IKDC score, Lysholm score and Tegner score at a mean follow-up of 7 months postoperatively compared to preoperatively. No significant increase in anterior tibial displacement was found between the patient's operated side and the healthy side.
CONCLUSION
The Loop technique ACLR combined with ALSA can be used in patients with an ACL tear combined with a high degree of positive pivot shift. The patient's subjective perception was significantly improved from the preoperative period and knee stability was restored.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
IV, therapeutic study.
Topics: Humans; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Adult; Male; Female; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Follow-Up Studies; Suture Techniques; Range of Motion, Articular; Middle Aged; Tendons; Tibia; Adolescent
PubMed: 38877438
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-024-02439-7 -
Cortex; a Journal Devoted To the Study... Jun 2024Understanding the neural substrate of altered conscious states is an important cultural, scientific, and clinical endeavour. Although hypnosis causes strong shifts in...
Understanding the neural substrate of altered conscious states is an important cultural, scientific, and clinical endeavour. Although hypnosis causes strong shifts in conscious perception and cognition, it remains largely unclear how hypnosis affects information processing in cortical networks. Here we manipulated the depth of hypnotic states to study information processing between cortical regions involved in attention and awareness. We used high-density Electroencephalography (EEG) to record resting-state cortical activity from 30 hypnosis experts during two hypnotic states with different depth. Each participant entered a light and a deep hypnotic state as well as two well-matched control states. Bridging top-down and lateralisation models of hypnosis, we found that interhemispheric frontoparietal connectivity distinguished hypnosis and control conditions, while no difference was found between the two hypnotic states. Using a graph-theoretic measure, we revealed that the amount of information passing through individual nodes (measured via betweenness centrality) is reduced during hypnosis relative to control states. Finally, we found that theta power was enhanced during hypnosis. Our result contributes to the current discussion around a role for theta power in bringing about hypnotic states, as well as other altered conscious states. Overall, our findings support the notion that altered top-down control in frontoparietal regions facilitates hypnosis by integrating information between cortical hemispheres.
PubMed: 38865762
DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.05.008