3D Dual-Fusion: Dual-Domain Dual-Query Camera-LiDAR Fusion for 3D Object Detection

Fusing data from cameras and LiDAR sensors is an essential technique to achieve robust 3D object detection. One key challenge in camera-LiDAR fusion involves mitigating the large domain gap between the two sensors in terms of coordinates and data distribution when fusing their features. In this paper, we propose a novel camera-LiDAR fusion architecture called, 3D Dual-Fusion, which is designed to mitigate the gap between the feature representations of camera and LiDAR data. The proposed method fuses the features of the camera-view and 3D voxel-view domain and models their interactions through deformable attention. We redesign the transformer fusion encoder to aggregate the information from the two domains. Two major changes include 1) dual query-based deformable attention to fuse the dual-domain features interactively and 2) 3D local self-attention to encode the voxel-domain queries prior to dual-query decoding. The results of an experimental evaluation show that the proposed camera-LiDAR fusion architecture achieved competitive performance on the KITTI and nuScenes datasets, with state-of-the-art performances in some 3D object detection benchmarks categories.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

Photoactivation of Millimeters Thick Liquid Crystal Elastomers with Broadband Visible Light Using Donor–Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts

Light-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli-responsive materials that facilitate the conversion of light energy into a mechanical response. In this work, a novel polysiloxane-based LCE with donor-acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA) side-chains is synthesized using a late-stage functionalization strategy. It is demonstrated that this approach does not compromise the molecular alignment observed in the traditional Finkelmann method. This easy, single-batch process provides a robust platform to access well-aligned, light-responsive LCE films with thickness ranging from 400 µm to a 14-layer stack that is 5 mm thick. Upon irradiation with low-intensity broadband visible light (100-200 mW cm-2), these systems undergo 2D planar actuation and complete bleaching. Conversely, exposure to higher-intensity visible light induces bending followed by contraction (300 mW cm-2). These processes are repeatable over several cycles. Finally, it is demonstrated how light intensity and the resulting heat generation influences the photothermal stationary state equilibrium of DASA, thereby controlling its photoresponsive properties. This work establishes the groundwork for advancement of LCE-based actuators beyond thin film and UV-light reliant systems

Realization of Non-Hermitian Hopf Bundle Matter

Line excitations in topological phases are a subject of particular interest because their mutual linking structures encode robust topological information of matter. It has been recently shown that the linking and winding of complex eigenenergy strings can classify one-dimensional non-Hermitian topological matter. However, in higher dimensions, bundles of linked strings can emerge such that every string is mutually linked with all the other strings. Interestingly, despite being an unconventional topological structure, a non-Hermitian Hopf bundle has not been experimentally clarified. Here, we make the first attempt to explore the non-Hermitian Hopf bundle by visualizing the global linking structure of spinor strings in the momentum space of a two-dimensional electric circuit. By exploiting the flexibility of reconfigurable couplings between circuit nodes, we can study the non-Hermitian topological phase transition and gain insight into the intricate structure of the Hopf bundle. Furthermore, we find that the emergence of a higher-order skin effect in real space is accompanied by the linking of spinor strings in momentum space, revealing a bulk-boundary correspondence between the two domains. The proposed non-Hermitian Hopf bundle platform and visualization methodology pave the way to design new topologically robust non-Hermitian phases of matter

Attenuating the EGFR-ERK-SOX9 axis promotes liver progenitor cell‐mediated liver regeneration in zebrafish

The liver is a highly regenerative organ, but its regenerative capacity is compromised in severe liver injury settings. In chronic liver diseases, the number of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) correlates proportionally to disease severity, implying that their inefficient differentiation into hepatocytes exacerbates the disease. Moreover, LPCs secrete pro‐inflammatory cytokines; thus, their prolonged presence worsens inflammation and induces fibrosis. Promoting LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation in patients with advanced liver disease, for whom liver transplantation is currently the only therapeutic option, may be a feasible clinical approach since such promotion generates more functional hepatocytes and concomitantly reduces inflammation and fibrosis. Here, using zebrafish models of LPC‐mediated liver regeneration, we present a proof‐of‐principle of such therapeutics by demonstrating a role for the EGFR signaling pathway in differentiation of LPCs into hepatocytes. We found that suppression of EGFR signaling promoted LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation via the MEK‐ERK‐SOX9 cascade. Pharmacological inhibition of EGFR or MEK/ERK promoted LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation as well as genetic suppression of the EGFR‐ERK‐SOX9 axis. Moreover, Sox9b overexpression in LPCs blocked their differentiation into hepatocytes. In the zebrafish liver injury model, both hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells contributed to LPCs. EGFR inhibition promoted the differentiation of LPCs regardless of their origin. Notably, short‐term treatment with EGFR inhibitors resulted in better liver recovery over the long term. Conclusion: The EGFR‐ERK‐SOX9 axis suppresses LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation during LPC‐mediated liver regeneration. We suggest EGFR inhibitors as a pro‐regenerative therapeutic drug for patients with advanced liver disease

Molecular-scale substrate anisotropy and crowding drive long-range nematic order of cell monolayers

The ability of cells to reorganize in response to external stimuli is important in areas ranging from morphogenesis to tissue engineering. Elongated cells can co-align due to steric effects, forming states with local order. We show that molecular-scale substrate anisotropy can direct cell organization, resulting in the emergence of nematic order on tissue scales. To quantitatively examine the disorder-order transition, we developed a high-throughput imaging platform to analyze velocity and orientational correlations for several thousand cells over days. The establishment of global, seemingly long-ranged order is facilitated by enhanced cell division along the substrate's nematic axis, and associated extensile stresses that restructure the cells' actomyosin networks. Our work, which connects to a class of systems known as active dry nematics, provides a new understanding of the dynamics of cellular remodeling and organization in weakly interacting cell collectives. This enables data-driven discovery of cell-cell interactions and points to strategies for tissue engineering.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figure

Correction: Park et al. Synergistic Effect of MWCNT and Carbon Fiber Hybrid Fillers on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag Composites. Crystals 2020, 10, 1139

In the original article [...

Species-specific characteristics of the biofilm generated in silicone tube: an in vitro study

Abstract Background To investigate characteristics of biofilm which is usually found in silicone tube for nasolacrimal duct surgery and can be the root of chronic bacterial infections eventually resulted in surgical failure. Methods To form a biofilm, sterile silicone tube was placed in culture media of Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium matruchotii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Streptococcus pneumonia. Biofilms formed on these silicone tubes were fixed with 95% ethanol and stained with 0.1% crystal violet. After staining, the optical densities of biofilms were measured using spectrophotometer on a weekly basis for 12 weeks. Results Staphylococcus aureus group and Pseudomonas aeruginosa group formed significantly more amounts of biofilms compared to the control group. The maximum optical densities of the two groups were found on week 3–4 followed by a tendency of decrease afterwards. However, the amounts of biofilms formed in other groups of silicone tubes were not statistically significant from that of the control group. Conclusions Bacterial species that could form biofilm on silicone tube included Staphylococcus aureus (week 3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Week 4). It is important to first consider that the cause of infection around 1 month after silicone tube intubation can be Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Studying Droplet-Size Dependent Molecular Behavior in the Charged Nanodroplet

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Synergistic Effect of MWCNT and Carbon Fiber Hybrid Fillers on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag Composites

Herein, we investigated the synergistic effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and carbon fiber (CF) hybrid fillers on electrical and mechanical characteristics of alkali-activated slag (AAS) composites. Many studies on AAS composites have been conducted in the past; however, not much progress has been made regarding characteristics of AAS composites with hybrid conductive fillers. The specimens with different mix proportions were fabricated in the present study, and numerous material characteristics, including flowability, electrical resistivity, and compressive strength of AAS composites were measured. In addition, the synergistic effects were investigated through scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the 0.5 wt.% of MWCNTs and CFs lead the effects of the bridging and reducing crack propagation, thereby improving its electrical and mechanical performances. The filler exceeding a percolation point improved the electrical performance of the AAS composites; however, it interfered with the hydration process during the curing period, and caused a decrease in compressive strength of AAS composites

Benign mixed tumor of the lacrimal sac

Neoplasms of the lacrimal drainage system are uncommon, but potentially life-threatening and are often difficult to diagnose. Among primary lacrimal sac tumors, benign mixed tumors are extremely rare. Histologically, benign mixed tumors have been classified as a type of benign epithelial tumor. Here we report a case of benign mixed tumor of the lacrimal sac