Learning Explicit Contact for Implicit Reconstruction of Hand-held Objects from Monocular Images

Reconstructing hand-held objects from monocular RGB images is an appealing yet challenging task. In this task, contacts between hands and objects provide important cues for recovering the 3D geometry of the hand-held objects. Though recent works have employed implicit functions to achieve impressive progress, they ignore formulating contacts in their frameworks, which results in producing less realistic object meshes. In this work, we explore how to model contacts in an explicit way to benefit the implicit reconstruction of hand-held objects. Our method consists of two components: explicit contact prediction and implicit shape reconstruction. In the first part, we propose a new subtask of directly estimating 3D hand-object contacts from a single image. The part-level and vertex-level graph-based transformers are cascaded and jointly learned in a coarse-to-fine manner for more accurate contact probabilities. In the second part, we introduce a novel method to diffuse estimated contact states from the hand mesh surface to nearby 3D space and leverage diffused contact probabilities to construct the implicit neural representation for the manipulated object. Benefiting from estimating the interaction patterns between the hand and the object, our method can reconstruct more realistic object meshes, especially for object parts that are in contact with hands. Extensive experiments on challenging benchmarks show that the proposed method outperforms the current state of the arts by a great margin.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figure

A Dynamic Task Allocation Algorithm for Heterogeneous UUV Swarms

Aiming at the task allocation problem of heterogeneous unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) swarms, this paper proposes a dynamic extended consensus-based bundle algorithm (DECBBA) based on consistency algorithm. Our algorithm considers the multi-UUV task allocation problem that each UUV can individually complete multiple tasks, constructs a “UUV-task” matching matrix and designs new marginal utility, reward and cost functions for the influence of time, path and UUV voyage. Furthermore, in view of the unfavorable factors that restrict the underwater acoustic communication range between UUVs in the real environment, our algorithm complete dynamic task allocation of UUV swarms with optimization in load balance indicator by the update of the UUV individual and the task completion status in the discrete time stage. The performance indicators (including global utility and task completion rate) of the dynamic task allocation algorithm in the scenario with communication constraints can be well close to the static algorithm in the ideal scenario without communication constraints. The simulation experiment results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper can quickly and efficiently obtain the dynamic and conflict-free task allocation assignment of UUV swarms with great performance

Remote cerebellar hemorrhage following repeated lumbar punctures

Abstract Background Remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) is a rare complication in neurosurgery. No case of RCH secondary to repeated lumbar punctures (LPs) has been previously reported. Case presentation A 49-year-old man presented with impaired consciousness following persistent fever. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed high opening pressure, elevated white blood cells, increased protein level, and decreased glucose level, resulting in a diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis. Treatment with repeated LPs and intrathecal injection of ceftriaxone resulted in an improvement in neurological symptoms. However, on day 31 of treatment, brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed streaky bleeding in bilateral cerebellum (zebra sign), leading to a diagnosis of RCH. Close observation and repeated brain MRI imaging without specific treatments led to the absorption of bilateral cerebellar hemorrhage, and the patient was discharged with improved neurological symptoms. Repeated brain MRI scans one month after discharge showed that bilateral cerebellar hemorrhage had improved, and had disappeared one year after discharge. Conclusion We reported a rare occurrence of LPs-induced RCH presenting as isolated bilateral inferior cerebellar hemorrhage. Clinicians should be vigilant of the risk factors for RCH, closely monitoring patients' clinical symptoms and neuroimaging findings to determine the need for specialized treatment. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of LPs and managing any potential complications appropriately

The Impact of Sediment–Water Ratio and Hydraulic Residence Time on the Release of Inorganic Nitrogen from Sediments in the Pearl River Delta

Black-odorous water bodies in the Pearl River Delta have been treated. However, the re-release of nitrogen (N)-containing compounds in sediment can cause a relapse of black-odorous water bodies. Sediment–water ratio (SWR) and hydraulic residence time (HRT) influence pollutant release. Therefore, how to control SWR and HRT during the treatment process has become an urgent problem. This study focuses on the dynamic release of endogenous inorganic N from sediments into overlying water in a river channel of Dongguan City, Guangdong Province. Physicochemical parameters (dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), NH4+-N, NO3−-N, NO2−-N, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), Fe and total phosphorus (TP)) of overlying water were monitored under different SWRs (0.71, 0.38, and 0.16) and HRTs (13 days and 6.5 days), and the nitrogen release flux under different conditions was compared. Finally, the correlation and influence pathways among environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that SWR significantly affected DO, pH, ORP, and sediment N release fluxes while prolonging HRT-promoted denitrification. DIN → NO2−-N → DO pathway had a total effect of 19.6%, and DIN may promote low DO concentration via NO2− oxidation. Maintaining reasonable SWR and HRT can reduce the release of inorganic N from sediment into the overlying water. This study provides a theoretical basis for controlling black-odorous water bodies

End-to-End Diverse Metasurface Design and Evaluation Using an Invertible Neural Network

Employing deep learning models to design high-performance metasurfaces has garnered significant attention due to its potential benefits in terms of accuracy and efficiency. A deep learning-based metasurface design framework typically comprises a forward prediction path for predicting optical responses and a backward retrieval path for generating geometrical configurations. In the forward design path, a specific geometrical configuration corresponds to a unique optical response. However, in the inverse design path, a single performance metric can correspond to multiple potential designs. This one-to-many mapping poses a significant challenge for deep learning models and can potentially impede their performance. Although representing the inverse path as a probabilistic distribution is a widely adopted method for tackling this problem, accurately capturing the posterior distribution to encompass all potential solutions remains an ongoing challenge. Furthermore, in most pioneering works, the forward and backward paths are captured using separate models. However, the knowledge acquired from the forward path does not contribute to the training of the backward model. This separation of models adds complexity to the system and can hinder the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the design framework. Here, we utilized an invertible neural network (INN) to simultaneously model both the forward and inverse process. Unlike other frameworks, INN focuses on the forward process and implicitly captures a probabilistic model for the inverse process. Given a specific optical response, the INN enables the recovery of the complete posterior over the parameter space. This capability allows for the generation of novel designs that are not present in the training data. Through the integration of the INN with the angular spectrum method, we have developed an efficient and automated end-to-end metasurface design and evaluation framework. This novel approach eliminates the need for human intervention and significantly speeds up the design process. Utilizing this advanced framework, we have effectively designed high-efficiency metalenses and dual-polarization metasurface holograms. This approach extends beyond dielectric metasurface design, serving as a general method for modeling optical inverse design problems in diverse optical fields

Sex differences in the effects of repeated ketamine infusions on bone markers in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression

Abstract Background Patients with depression, especially women, are associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). Traditional antidepressants are associated with negative effects on BMD. Few studies have examined the effect of ketamine on BMD, and it remains unclear whether there are sex differences in the effects of ketamine on BMD in patients with depression. Methods A total of 102 patients with unipolar and bipolar depression were administered six infusions of intravenous ketamine over a 12-day period. Plasma levels of eight bone markers were examined at baseline, 24 h after the sixth infusion and again 2 weeks (Days 13 and 26). Results Linear mixed models showed all bone markers had significant time main effect (all p < 0.05). Compared with baseline, the whole sample showed increased levels of leptin and osteoprotegerin at Days 13 and 26, as well as Dickkopf-related protein 1 at Day 13, and decreased levels of osteocalcin, sclerostin, osteopontin, parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor 23 at Days 13 and 26 (all p < 0.05). Females had a higher level of leptin at Days 13 and 26, and lower levels of osteocalcin and sclerostin at Day 13 than males (all p < 0.05). Increases of leptin were associated with depressive symptom improvements at Day 13 and Day 26 in females (both p < 0.05). In males, higher baseline osteocalcin levels were associated with greater depressive symptom improvement at Day 26 (β = 0.414, p = 0.009). Conclusions Our results suggest that repeated ketamine infusions may be associated with modulation of bone markers in patients with depression and present sex differences. Baseline osteocalcin level may be served as a predictor for the antidepressant effects of ketamine in males. Trial registration Data were derived from an open label clinical trial, which was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-OOC-17012239). Registered 26 May 2017. http://www.chictr.org.c

Hot Electron-Driven Photocatalysis Using Sub-5 nm Gap Plasmonic Nanofinger Arrays

Semiconductor photocatalysis has received increasing attention because of its potential to address problems related to the energy crisis and environmental issues. However, conventional semiconductor photocatalysts, such as TiO2 and ZnO, can only be activated by ultraviolet light due to their wide band gap. To extend the light absorption into the visible range, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) has been widely used. Noble metal NPs can couple incident visible light energy to strong LSPR, and the nonradiative decay of LSPR generates nonthermal hot carriers that can be injected into adjacent semiconductor material to enhance its photocatalytic activity. Here we demonstrate that nanoimprint-defined gap plasmonic nanofinger arrays can function as visible light-driven plasmonic photocatalysts. The sub-5 nm gaps between pairs of collapsed nanofingers can support ultra-strong plasmon resonance and thus boost the population of hot carriers. The semiconductor material is exactly placed at the hot spots, providing an efficient pathway for hot carrier injection from plasmonic metal to catalytic materials. This nanostructure thus exhibits high plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light. The hot carrier injection mechanism of this platform was systematically investigated. The plasmonic enhancement factor was calculated using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and was consistent with the measured improvement of the photocatalytic activity. This platform, benefiting from the precise controllable geometry, provides a deeper understanding of the mechanism of plasmonic photocatalysis

SOX on tumors, a comfort or a constraint?

Abstract The sex-determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG) box (SOX) family, composed of 20 transcription factors, is a conserved family with a highly homologous HMG domain. Due to their crucial role in determining cell fate, the dysregulation of SOX family members is closely associated with tumorigenesis, including tumor invasion, metastasis, proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness and drug resistance. Despite considerable research to investigate the mechanisms and functions of the SOX family, confusion remains regarding aspects such as the role of the SOX family in tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and contradictory impacts the SOX family exerts on tumors. This review summarizes the physiological function of the SOX family and their multiple roles in tumors, with a focus on the relationship between the SOX family and TIME, aiming to propose their potential role in cancer and promising methods for treatment

Attenuated Salmonella carrying siRNA-PD-L1 and radiation combinatorial therapy induces tumor regression on HCC through T cell-mediated immuno-enhancement

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent type of aggressive liver cancer, accounts for the majority of liver cancer diagnoses and fatalities. Despite recent advancements in HCC treatment, it remains one of the deadliest cancers. Radiation therapy (RT) is among the locoregional therapy modalities employed to treat unresectable or medically inoperable HCC. However, radioresistance poses a significant challenge. It has been demonstrated that RT induced the upregulation of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells, which may affect response to PD-1-based immunotherapy, providing a rationale for combining PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with radiation. Here, we utilized attenuated Salmonella as a carrier to explore whether attenuated Salmonella carrying siRNA-PD-L1 could effectively enhance the antitumor effect of radiotherapy on HCC-bearing mice. Our results showed that a combination of siRNA-PD-L1 and radiotherapy had a synergistic antitumor effect by inhibiting the expression of PD-L1 induced by radiation therapy. Mechanistic insights indicated that the combination treatment significantly suppressed tumor cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and stimulated immune cell infiltration and activation in tumor tissues. Additionally, the combination treatment increased the ratios of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and NK cells from the spleen in tumor-bearing mice. This study presents a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment, especially for patients with RT resistance