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Automatic labeling of 3D facial acupoint landmarks
Get PDFAs special marks on a human face, facial landmarks reflect the facial features of various parts of the face, which is crucial in biomedicine and medical imaging. In addition, facial landmarks are also important features in computer vision such as face detection, face recognition, facial pose estimation, and facial animation. In this paper, we construct a 3D facial acupoint annotated dataset by labeling 37 facial acupoints on 846 neutral face triangle mesh on the FaceScape dataset. Based on these annotated data, we use a feature template matching method to realize the automatic annotation of 37 acupoints on triangle meshes. We used 40 meshes as the training set to extract the geometric patterns of 3D acupoints and then measured the performance of the automatic labeling algorithm on 20 meshes and 806 meshes as the test sets. In the training process, we extract the tangent plane for each landmark, project the neighbor vertices of the landmark to the tangent plane, and construct the feature image with R × R resolution through the bounding box of the projected points. In the testing process, we use the pattern images extracted during training to find the average features and use them as a guide to optimize the predicted landmarks. The experimental results show that our automatic acupoint labeling method has achieved good results
A qualitative study on the integration of artificial intelligence in cultural heritage conservation
Get PDFThe widespread adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technologies heralds an era of expanding possibilities in the domain of cultural heritage conservation. This paradigm shift is marked by a confluence of innovative methodologies, including digital twin mapping, digital archiving, and enhanced preservation strategies, aimed at safeguarding the vestiges of our shared past. The application of AI within this field represents a frontier where technology and tradition intersect, offering new vistas for the preservation of historical structures and artifacts that are at risk of deterioration or oblivion. This article endeavors to elucidate the perspectives of professionals within the conservation domain on the integration of AI technologies, drawing upon a comprehensive review of scholarly discourse and the insights derived from a qualitative study. These discussions brought forth rich insights from a spectrum of professionals, each contributing unique perspectives based on their domain expertise and experiences. Participants included conservationists, archaeologists, museum curators, technologists, architects, and restorers, among others, whose collective wisdom paints a multifaceted picture of the challenges and opportunities AI presents in this field
Wheat Grass Attenuates Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Rhabdomyolysis in a Rat Model of Crush Syndrome
No full textBackground: Crush syndrome or what is also known as traumatic rhabdomyolysis, is the leading cause of death following extrication from structural collapse due to earthquakes. Rhabdomyolysis is one of the most common reasons for acute kidney injury (AKI). The present study was designed to investigate the potential curative effect of wheat grass (WG) in acute kidney injury induced by glycerol (rat model of crush syndrome). Methods: Following a 24-hour period of water deprivation, male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 rats each): The first group received an intramuscular (IM) injection of an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline into the hind limbs in divided dosages. The second group received IM injection of a single dose of 50% v/v glycerol in 0.9% saline (10 mL/kg), in equally divided doses to both hind limbs. The third group was injected a single dose of 50% v/v glycerol in 0.9% saline (10 mL/kg), into the hind limbs in divided dosages; then, the animals were administered WG (75 mg/kg, p.o.) twice per day for 3 successive days. The fourth group received only WG (75 mg/kg, p.o.) twice per day for 3 successive days. At the end of the experiments, animals were sacrificed; blood and kidneys were collected. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and catalase (CAT) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatine kinase (CK) were estimated using assay kits. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was measured using immunohistochemical analysis. Using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the renal level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined. Histopathological examination was also performed. Results: The levels of BUN, SCr, the rhabdomyolysis marker CK, the oxidative damage marker MDA, and the inflammatory markers IL-6, IL-18, and NF-κB as well as the tubular injury markers KIM-1 and NGAL are increased in glycerol administration group. All these markers were significantly attenuated in those animals when treated with WG. Also, treatment with WG significantly improved GST, SOD, and CAT activities in glycerol-treated animals. In addition, histopathological changes induced by glycerol in renal tissue were highly improved in animals given WG. Conclusions: The current findings demonstrate that WG has the ability to attenuate acute kidney injury secondary to rhabdomyolysis induced by glycerol in rats by modulating oxidative stress, as well as inflammatory and rhabdomyolysis markers
Regulation of Chemotactic Effects on Brain Vascular Endothelial Cells by the Targeted Chemokine Receptor Signaling Pathway of Treponema pallidum
No full textBackground: Syphilis, an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum, poses a severe threat to the central nervous system (CNS). Despite the well-established affinity of the spirochete for the CNS, the specific regulatory mechanisms of Treponema pallidum on chemokine receptors in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) remain unclear. Therefore, our study aims to investigate the impact of Treponema pallidum on the expression of chemokine receptors in HBMEC, focusing on the chemokines Chemokine (C-X-C motif) Ligand 7 (CXCL7) and Chemokine (C-X-C motif) Ligand 13 (CXCL13). Methods: The serum samples from 60 neurosyphilis patients and 60 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed. The HBMEC cells were exposed to active and inactivated Treponema pallidum and the expressions of chemokines (CXCL7 and CXCL13), both at gene and protein levels, were assessed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot analysis. Additionally, Transwell migration assays were employed to investigate the impact on HL-60 cell chemotaxis. Results: Neurosyphilis patients exhibited elevated serum levels of CXCL7 and CXCL13 compared to controls. Exposure of HBMEC to active Treponema pallidum significantly increased the expression of CXCL7 and CXCL13 both at mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, active Treponema pallidum enhanced the chemotactic ability of HBMEC for HL-60 cells, while inactivated Treponema pallidum did not show any effect. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assays revealed a significant decrease in HBMEC cell viability upon exposure to Treponema pallidum. Conclusion: Active Treponema pallidum upregulates CXCL7 and CXCL13 expression in HBMEC, promoting chemotaxis and enhancing the migratory potential of HL-60 cells. This suggests a potential role for these interactions in the pathogenesis of neurosyphilis. Future studies should consider more complex blood-brain barrier (BBB) models and assess the activation and phagocytic capabilities of migrated cells
Water droplet distribution for non-circular sprinkler nozzles
Get PDFObjective: The study sought to investigate the distribution law of the diameter, velocity, and kinetic energy of water droplets in specially designed nozzles. Method: An indoor windless water droplet dispersion test on the PY15 rocker-arm sprinkler was performed using a video raindrop spectrometer at five working pressures: 100 kPa, 150 kPa, 200 kPa, 250 kPa, and 300 kPa. Result: The equal-flow nozzle has the following range: circle > rhombus > ellipse; the shape coefficient of the special-shaped nozzle decreases with increasing outlet diameter and increases with increasing aspect ratio; the diameter of the rhombus nozzle’s water droplet increases radially. Conclusion: Under the same working pressure, the diameter of the water droplet at the end decreases as the form coefficient increases. The wider the outlet’s diameter, the longer the range and the greater the increase in the velocity of the water droplets. The larger the aspect ratio, the shorter the range and the greater the average diameter and velocity of the droplets. The elliptical nozzle has the lowest droplet velocity increase as droplet diameter increases. The impacting kinetic energy and growth range of water droplets per unit volume at the same position decrease as the pressure increases. Along the radial direction, the droplet velocity and diameter are logarithmic, while the droplet kinetic energy and diameter are exponential and linear functions. The relationship between the shape coefficient, outlet diameter, aspect ratio, and droplet distribution characteristics of the shaped nozzle can be simulated using the fitting coefficients of the three droplet distribution prediction models, all of which are above 0.9
Genetically modified agriculture. A bioethical evaluation of a case from Colombian
Get PDFTransgenic technology promises to eradicate hunger and poverty worldwide, among other sustainable development goals, and as a result, its acceptance is increasing. However, there are perspectives that highlight the challenges raised by such expansion. This paper is a reflection on a study effort on the bioethical consequences of using transgenic technology in agriculture in Colombia. The goal is to prove that this adoption poses a bioethical danger. The paper, on the one hand, addresses the problem that arises from confronting arguments for and against the adoption of this technology, while also noting the absolute importance of the economic aspect in the provision of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the general difficulties of Colombian national regulations regarding GMO control and surveillance. Finally, it discusses the bioethical implications of adoption, beginning with the illusion of a transformational technology and progressing via the political will of the government to its eventual delivery to consumers
Advancing sustainable agriculture with beneficial microbes: Enhancing crop growth and yield for food security and human health
Get PDFThe application of biofertilizers (beneficial microbes) represents a transformative paradigm in modern agriculture. This paper delves into the multifaceted benefits of biofertilizers in the context of crop production. It examines how biofertilizers work their magic in enhancing crop growth, yield, and quality, underpinning their pivotal role in sustainable agriculture. Beyond these primary advantages, the paper explores the ripple effects of biofertilizer utilization, where it emerges as a linchpin in the global quest for food security. Biofertilizers not only reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture but also contribute to improving human health. This paper synthesizes current knowledge, revealing that biofertilizers have emerged as a potent tool in addressing the challenges of modern agriculture, from crop enhancement to environmental conservation and public health. It serves as a call to action for their wider adoption, heralding the era of biofertilizers as a cornerstone of sustainable agricultural practices
Dialect diversity, element agglomeration and city size—Empirical Test Based on satellite lighting data
Get PDFSince the reform and opening up, China's urbanization has developed rapidly Behind the rapid urbanization is the imbalance and insufficiency of urban development From the perspective of social and cultural diversity, this paper explores the impact of the diversity of dialect types on urban scale The diversity of dialects leads to the division of trust, hinders the cross regional flow of factors, affects the agglomeration effect of factors, and then affects the expansion of urban scale Using the diversity index of regional dialect types and 2016 nppviirs urban night light index, this paper empirically studies the impact of dialect diversity on urban scale The measurement results show that: Dialect diversity has a significant negative impact on urban scale On average, the addition of one dialect category will lead to a 4.5% decline in the size of the city measured by the night light index 55%. A series of robustness tests and causal identification show that the estimation result in this paper is the causal relationship of robustnessfurther empirical research shows that dialect diversity mainly affects the expansion of urban scale by hindering the flow and agglomeration of labor, capital and technological factorsthe Enlightenment of this study: To build a diversified and inclusive modern city, we need to weigh the costs and benefits of cultural diversity and unity, break cultural barriers, eliminate cultural prejudices, improve social trust, and give full play to the complementary effects brought by multiculturalis
Biodiversity and environment in cities—A case study of birds in urban and suburban areas of Japan
Get PDFIn Japan, the environmental degradation in the urban and urban fringe area advanced from rapid economic growth to begin at the mid-1950s. The environmental aggravation such as large-scale development of the city with little consideration of environment, air pollution and the noise and so on had a big influence at the biological diversity. The habitation space of the creature is decreased or disappeared, and biological diversity suddenly is decreased. This tendency continued after stability of the economic growth of the mid-1970s. The environment of the urban area was not desirable space for the creatures. In addition, it decreased the ecosystem service. However, this problem lies in administration and private consciousness, and improves the consciousness of inhabitants and the reduction of the pollution, as well as the maintenance and creation of the urban greening advanced, and the environment of the urban area was improve
The distribution characteristics of heavy metal contamination in the central segment of Xiaonan River, Shenyang
Get PDFThe middle segment of Xiaonan River, which feeds into the Puhe River, was chosen for research. Samples including its water, river bottom mud, river bank soil, and nearby vegetation were collected from six monitoring sites. These samples were analyzed by ICP-OES to determine heavy metal distribution. The results showed that main contamination of heavy metals in the Xiaonan River are Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Notably, Cr and Zn are in high levels, and Cr surpassed the limit of third-grade standard, indicating severe contamination. By using the potential ecological risk index method, Cd showed a high coefficient, severely damaging the surface water and riparian soil. The migration patterns of Cr and Zn were different. Cr tended to accumulate more in riverbank soils, while Zn showed higher concentrations in river bottom mud. Plants of nearby vegetation showed minimal absorption and transfer capabilities for Cd, while Ni transferred most. By applying the ecological risk index, potential pollution sources were inferred to assess each metal's distribution, so to offer a basis from its origin, and to protect the ecological health of the Puhe River Basin