Divergent Effects of Factors on Crash Severity under Autonomous and Conventional Driving Modes Using a Hierarchical Bayesian Approach

Influencing factors on crash severity involved with autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been paid increasing attention. However, there is a lack of comparative analyses of those factors between AVs and human-driven vehicles. To fill this research gap, the study aims to explore the divergent effects of factors on crash severity under autonomous and conventional (i.e., human-driven) driving modes. This study obtained 180 publicly available autonomous vehicle crash data, and 39 explanatory variables were extracted from three categories, including environment, roads, and vehicles. Then, a hierarchical Bayesian approach was applied to analyze the impacting factors on crash severity (i.e., injury or no injury) under both driving modes with considering unobserved heterogeneities. The results showed that some influencing factors affected both driving modes, but their degrees were different. For example, daily visitors\u27 flowrate had a greater impact on the crash severity under the conventional driving mode. More influencing factors only had significant impacts on one of the driving modes. For example, in the autonomous driving mode, mixed land use increased the severity of crashes, while daytime had the opposite effects. This study could contribute to specifying more appropriate policies to reduce the crash severity of both autonomous and human-driven vehicles especially in mixed traffic conditions

NeRF-Texture: Synthesizing Neural Radiance Field textures

Texture synthesis is a fundamental problem in computer graphics that would benefit various applications. Existing methods are effective in handling 2D image textures. In contrast, many real-world textures contain meso-structure in the 3D geometry space, such as grass, leaves, and fabrics, which cannot be effectively modeled using only 2D image textures. We propose a novel texture synthesis method with Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) to capture and synthesize textures from given multi-view images. In the proposed NeRF texture representation, a scene with fine geometric details is disentangled into the meso-structure textures and the underlying base shape. This allows textures with meso-structure to be effectively learned as latent features situated on the base shape, which are fed into a NeRF decoder trained simultaneously to represent the rich view-dependent appearance. Using this implicit representation, we can synthesize NeRF-based textures through patch matching of latent features. However, inconsistencies between the metrics of the reconstructed content space and the latent feature space may compromise the synthesis quality. To enhance matching performance, we further regularize the distribution of latent features by incorporating a clustering constraint. In addition to generating NeRF textures over a planar domain, our method can also synthesize NeRF textures over curved surfaces, which are practically useful. Experimental results and evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach

BENEFICAL THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF CHINESE HERBAL XINJI′ERKANG FORMULA ON HYPERTENSION-INDUCED RENAL INJURY IN THE 2-KIDNEY-1-CLIP HYPERTENSIVE RATS

Background: Increase in evidence shows that the role of kidney injury in hypertension is important. Xinji′erkang (XJEK), a Chinese herbal formula, has been identified as an effective preparation in the treatment of coronary heart disease and myocarditis. We have previously demonstrated that XJEK attenuate oxidative stress and hypertension target organ damage. The aim of this study was to assess the renal protective function of XJEK. Materials and Methods: Two Kidney One Clip (2K1C) model was adopted to induce hypertension in rats. We submitted male Sprague Dawley (150-180) g rats to either renal artery clipping or sham operation. Renal hypertension was established after four weeks of surgery. Rats were randomized divided into the four groups: sham-operated group (Sh-Op) (n=10), two-kidney, one-clip hypertension group (2K1C) (n=10), Xinji′erkang treatment group (XJEK) (n=10) and Fosinopril (n=10) treatment group. Drugs were administered orally daily for four weeks. Systolic pressures were measured every week using the tail-cuff apparatus. 24h before death, urine samples were collected for detect of urinary proteins. The kidney weight (KW) index was expressed as kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW). The histological changes were investigated by hematoxylin and eosin and Van Gieson staining. Immunohistochemical assay was employed to observe the intra-renal transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) protein expression. Serum creatinine (SCR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were assayed by automatic biochemical analyzer. ELISA kit was used to assay Angiotensin II (Ang II) and TGF-β1 content in serum. Results: Administration of XJEK markedly alleviated the rise in blood pressure and declined LKW/BW ratio. Histo-pathological injuries including hypertrophic glomerular, glomerular sclerosis, glomerular and interstitial fibrosis were attenuated. XJEK also decreased SCR, BUN, urinary proteins in 24h urine, serum Ang II and TGF-β1 concentrations and the intra-renal TGF-β1 protein expression. Conclusion: XJEK therapy in the 2K1C hypertensive rats affects the rise in blood pressure and ameliorates the severity of kidney injury. The protective effect is most likely due to the ability of XJEK to affect the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) and the TGF-β systems

Vitamin D Binding Protein Affects the Correlation of 25(OH)D and Frailty in the Older Men

Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) may alter the biologic activity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The objective of our present study was to determine the joint effect of serum 25(OH)D and DBP on the risk of frailty. Five hundred sixteen male participants aged 70 years or older were recruited in Changsha city and its surrounding area in Hunan province of China. Frailty was defined as the presence of at least three of the five following criteria: weakness, low physical activity, slow walking speed, exhaustion, and weight loss. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between 25(OH)D and DBP levels. Odds ratios (ORs) for frailty were evaluated across quartiles of 25(OH)D and DBP levels, adjusted age, education, and body mass index. The results showed that participants in the lowest quartile of 25(OH)D and the highest quartile of DBP levels, the lowest quartile of 25(OH)D and the lowest quartile of DBP levels, and those in the the lower quartile of 25(OH)D and lowest quartile of DBP levels had significantly higher OR of being frail compared with those in the highest quartile of 25(OH)D and lowest quartile of DBP, with OR of 3.18 (95% CI: 1.46–4.56, P<0.05), 2.63 (95% CI: 1.31–3.68, P<0.01), and 2.52 (95% CI: 1.22–3.52, P<0.05), respectively. The results indicate that the joint effect of serum 25(OH)D and DBP levels is associated with the risk of frailty, and serum DBP levels affects 25(OH)D-frailty relationship in the older men

A novel scoring system for the quantitative prediction of prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia

BackgroundAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic malignancy. Patient prognosis cannot be accurately assessed in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk stratification subgroups based on the current criteria. This study aimed to develop a novel prognostic score model for the quantitative prediction of prognosis in AML.ResultsWe developed a prognostic risk scoring model of AML using differentially expressed genes to predict prognosis in patients with AML. Furthermore, we evaluated the effectiveness and clinical significance of this prognostic model in 4 AML cohorts and 905 patients with AML. A prognostic risk scoring model of AML containing eight prognosis-related genes was constructed using a multivariate Cox regression model. The model had a higher predictive value for the prognosis of AML in the training and validation sets. In addition, patients with lower scores had significantly better overall survival (OS) and even-free survival (EFS) than those with higher scores among patients with intermediate-risk AML according to the NCCN guidelines, indicating that the model could be used to further predict the prognosis of the intermediate-risk AML populations. Similarly, patients with high scores had remarkably poor OS and EFS in the normal-karyotype populations, indicating that the scoring model had an excellent predictive performance for patients with AML having normal karyotype.ConclusionsOur study provided an individualized prognostic risk score model that could predict the prognosis of patients with AML

AMI en Latinoamérica Aproximación, análisis y propuesta de medición sobre el contexto de la Alfabetización Mediática e Informacional en América Latina

Esta tesis doctoral desarrolla una metodología para la evaluación de la alfabetización mediática e informacional (AMI), que se basa en los marcos propuestos por la UNESCO (2011, 2013) y la Comisión Europea (Celot y Pérez Tornero, 2009), brindando una adaptación de las recomendaciones diseñadas por estos dos grandes representantes de la AMI aplicable al contexto específico de América Latina. También hace una revisión de literatura sobre las teorías generales relacionadas con la alfabetización mediática e informacional, así como de estudios en AMI llevados a cabo en diferentes países, principalmente en los once seleccionados para esta investigación. De esta manera, se plantea un enfoque amplio sobre la AMI que tiene en cuenta diversos autores e instituciones que trabajan en este campo (ACRL, 2000; Ainley et al., 2012; NAP-ICTL, 2012; Pérez-Tornero, 2007; UNESCO, 2008; Celot y Pérez-Tornero 2009; Lau y Cortés, 2009; Renee Hobbs, 2010; UNESCO, 2011, 2013; Giraldo et al., 2014, entre otros). Teorías relacionadas con la edu-comunicación, la alfabetización mediática, estudios de medios, alfabetización informacional, alfabetización TIC/digital, alfabetizaciones múltiples, etc., han sido comparadas y analizadas. El resultado es la creación de un marco teórico sólido tanto sobre la competencia mediática como sobre la evaluación del contexto AMI. El estudio se basa en un profundo análisis de contenidos que sistematiza variables relacionadas con políticas públicas, planes de estudios, planes nacionales en TIC, seguridad cibernética y elementos relacionados con la AMI en general (alfabetización informacional, alfabetización digital, competencia mediática) en los once países estudiados. También tiene en cuenta un amplio cuestionario aplicado a una muestra de 44 expertos en AMI provenientes de Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, México, Panamá, Perú, República Dominicana, Uruguay y Venezuela. La investigación muestra cómo los países de América Latina se están adaptando a la sociedad del conocimiento -a velocidades bastante diferentes- y describe (y se centra en ello) un escenario de rápido movimiento en el que se observa la manera en que algunos países de la región comienzan a concentrar sus esfuerzos en acciones que van más allá de la fase embrionaria de generación de oportunidades de acceso a las TIC (infraestructura TI en general, programas 1:1, ciber-centros, construcción de redes, etc.). También muestra cómo los países del mismo nivel de ingresos (medio-alto) han llevado a cabo diferentes estrategias digitales que, en algunos casos, han conducido a resultados de alto impacto. El resultado de esta investigación es una propuesta de "Índice de preparación AMI" y un amplio primer mapeo de los factores que favorecen a la AMI en la región.This thesis develops an assessment methodology on Media and Information Literacy (MIL), which is based on the frameworks proposed by UNESCO (2011, 2013) and the European Commission (Celot & Pérez Tornero, 2009), adapting the directions given by these two major representatives in the field of MIL to the specific context of Latin America. It also makes a literature review on media and information literacy general theories as well as on MIL studies carried out in different countries, mainly in the eleven selected for this research. A broad approach to MIL is drafted taking into account several authors and institutions working on this field (ACRL, 2000; Ainley et al., 2012; NAP-ICTL, 2012; Pérez-Tornero, 2007; UNESCO, 2008; Celot & Pérez-Tornero, 2009; Lau & Cortés, 2009; Renee Hobbs, 2010; UNESCO, 2011, 2013; Giraldo et al., 2014, among others). Theories related to edu-communication, media literacy, media studies, information literacy, digital/ICT literacy, multiple literacies, etc. have been compared and analyzed. The result is the creation of a robust theoretical framework both on media competence and on MIL context assessment. The study relies on a deep content analysis that systematizes variables related to public policy, school curriculum, ICT plans, cyber-security, and media and information literacy elements (informational literacy, digital literacy, media competence) in the eleven countries studied. It also takes into account a comprehensive questionnaire with a sample of 44 MIL experts from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. The research shows how countries in Latin America are adapting to the Knowledge Society -at very different speeds- and describes (and focuses on) a fast-moving scenario where some countries of the region are starting to concentrate their efforts on actions that go beyond the embryonic stage of generating opportunities to access ICT (general IT infrastructure, 1:1 programs, cyber-centers, networks building, etc.). It also shows how countries on the same income level (mid-high) have run very different digital strategies which, in some cases, have led to high impact outcomes. The result of this research is a "MIL Readiness Index" proposal and a rich first mapping of the MIL enabling factors in the region

Toward controllable and predictable synthesis of high-entropy alloy nanocrystals.

High-entropy alloy (HEA) nanocrystals have attracted extensive attention in catalysis. However, there are no effective strategies for synthesizing them in a controllable and predictable manner. With quinary HEA nanocrystals made of platinum-group metals as an example, we demonstrate that their structures with spatial compositions can be predicted by quantitatively knowing the reduction kinetics of metal precursors and entropy of mixing in the nanocrystals under dropwise addition of the mixing five-metal precursor solution. The time to reach a steady state for each precursor plays a pivotal role in determining the structures of HEA nanocrystals with homogeneous alloy and core-shell features. Compared to the commercial platinum/carbon and phase-separated counterparts, the dendritic HEA nanocrystals with a defect-rich surface show substantial enhancement in catalytic activity and durability toward both hydrogen evolution and oxidation. This quantitative study will lead to a paradigm shift in the design of HEA nanocrystals, pushing away from the trial-and-error approach

A longitudinal resource for population neuroscience of school-age children and adolescents in China

During the past decade, cognitive neuroscience has been calling for population diversity to address the challenge of validity and generalizability, ushering in a new era of population neuroscience. The developing Chinese Color Nest Project (devCCNP, 2013–2022), the first ten-year stage of the lifespan CCNP (2013–2032), is a two-stages project focusing on brain-mind development. The project aims to create and share a large-scale, longitudinal and multimodal dataset of typically developing children and adolescents (ages 6.0–17.9 at enrolment) in the Chinese population. The devCCNP houses not only phenotypes measured by demographic, biophysical, psychological and behavioural, cognitive, affective, and ocular-tracking assessments but also neurotypes measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain morphometry, resting-state function, naturalistic viewing function and diffusion structure. This Data Descriptor introduces the first data release of devCCNP including a total of 864 visits from 479 participants. Herein, we provided details of the experimental design, sampling strategies, and technical validation of the devCCNP resource. We demonstrate and discuss the potential of a multicohort longitudinal design to depict normative brain growth curves from the perspective of developmental population neuroscience. The devCCNP resource is shared as part of the “Chinese Data-sharing Warehouse for In-vivo Imaging Brain” in the Chinese Color Nest Project (CCNP) – Lifespan Brain-Mind Development Data Community (https://ccnp.scidb.cn) at the Science Data Bank

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Measurement of the top quark forward-backward production asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric and chromomagnetic moments in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV

Abstract The parton-level top quark (t) forward-backward asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric (d̂ t) and chromomagnetic (μ̂ t) moments have been measured using LHC pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected in the CMS detector in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. The linearized variable AFB(1) is used to approximate the asymmetry. Candidate t t ¯ events decaying to a muon or electron and jets in final states with low and high Lorentz boosts are selected and reconstructed using a fit of the kinematic distributions of the decay products to those expected for t t ¯ final states. The values found for the parameters are AFB(1)=0.048−0.087+0.095(stat)−0.029+0.020(syst),μ̂t=−0.024−0.009+0.013(stat)−0.011+0.016(syst), and a limit is placed on the magnitude of | d̂ t| &lt; 0.03 at 95% confidence level. [Figure not available: see fulltext.