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Jensen–Shannon divergence based novel loss functions for Bayesian neural networks
No full textBayesian neural networks (BNNs) are state-of-the-art machine learning methods that can naturally regularize and systematically quantify uncertainties using their stochastic parameters. Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence-based variational inference used in BNNs suffer from unstable optimization and challenges in approximating light-tailed posteriors due to the unbounded nature of the KL divergence. To resolve these issues, we formulate a novel loss function for BNNs based on a new modification to the generalized Jensen–Shannon (JS) divergence, which is bounded. In addition, we propose a Geometric JS divergence-based loss, which is computationally efficient since it can be evaluated analytically. We found that the JS divergence-based variational inference is intractable, and hence employed a constrained optimization framework to formulate these losses. Our theoretical analysis and empirical experiments on multiple regression and classification data sets suggest that the proposed losses perform better than the KL divergence-based loss, especially when the data sets are noisy or biased. Specifically, there are approximately 5% and 8% improvements in accuracy for a noise-added CIFAR-10 dataset and a regression dataset, respectively. There is about 13% reduction in false negative predictions of a biased histopathology dataset. In addition, we quantify and compare the uncertainty metrics for the regression and classification tasks
PLC-Controlled Intelligent Conveyor System with AI-Enhanced Vision of Efficient Waste Sorting
Get PDFCurrent waste sorting mechanisms, particularly those relying on manual processes, semi-automated systems, or technologies without Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, are hindered by inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and limited scalability, reducing their effectiveness in meeting growing waste management demands. This study introduces a prototype waste sorting machine that integrates an AI-driven vision system with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) for high-accuracy automated waste sorting. The system, powered by the YOLOv8 deep learning model, achieved sorting accuracies of 88% for metal cans, 75% for paper, and 91% for plastic bottles, with an overall precision of 90%, a recall of 80%, and a mean average precision (mAP50) of 86%. The vision system provides real-time classification, while the PLC manages conveyor and actuator operations to ensure seamless sorting. Experimental results in a controlled environment validate the system’s high accuracy, minimal processing delays, and scalability for industrial recycling applications. This innovative integration of AI vision with PLC automation enhances sorting efficiency, reduces ecological impacts, and minimizes labor dependency. Furthermore, the system aligns with sustainable waste management practices, promoting circular economy principles and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Terminology in ecology and evolutionary biology disproportionately harms marginalized groups
No full textThe discipline of ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) has long grappled with issues of inclusivity and representation, particularly for individuals with systematically excluded and marginalized backgrounds or identities. For example, significant representation disparities still persist that disproportionately affect women and gender minorities; Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); individuals with disabilities; and people who are LGBTQIA+. Recent calls for action have urged the EEB community to directly address issues of representation, inclusion, justice, and equity. One aspect of this endeavor is to examine the use of EEB\u27s discipline-specific language and terminology, which may have the potential to perpetuate unjust systems and isolate marginalized groups. Through a mixed-methods survey, we examined how members of the EEB community perceive discipline-specific terminology, including how they believe it can be harmful and which terms they identified as problematic. Of the 795 survey respondents, we found that almost half agreed that there are harmful terms in EEB and that many individuals from marginalized groups responded that they have been harmed by such terminology. Most of the terms identified as harmful relate to race, ethnicity, and immigration; sex and gender; geopolitical hierarchies; and historical violence. Our findings suggest there is an urgent need for EEB to confront and critically reassess its discipline-specific terminology. By identifying harmful terms and their impacts, our study represents a crucial first step toward dismantling deeply rooted exclusionary structures in EEB. We encourage individuals, communities, and institutions to use these findings to reevaluate language used in disciplinary research, teaching and mentoring, manuscripts, and professional societies. Rectifying current harms in EEB will help promote a more just and inclusive discipline
Climate change aggravates bird mortality in pristine tropical forests
Get PDFStable understory microclimates within undisturbed rainforests are often considered refugia against climate change. However, this assumption contrasts with emerging evidence of Neotropical bird population declines in intact rainforests. We assessed the vulnerability of resident rainforest birds to climatic variability, focusing on dry season severity characterized by hotter temperatures and reduced rainfall. Analyzing 4264 individual bird captures over 27 years, we found that harsher Amazonian dry seasons significantly reduced apparent survival for 24 of 29 species, with longer-lived species being more strongly affected. Our model predicted that a 1°C increase in average dry season temperature would reduce the mean apparent survival of the understory bird community by 63%. These findings directly link climate change to declining bird survival in the Amazon, challenging the notion that pristine rainforests can fully protect their biodiversity under increasingly severe climate conditions
Humination Modification: A Green Approach to Improve the Material Properties of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Sapwood
Get PDFRecently, wood modification with environmentally friendly modification agents has received special attention. To this end, this study was conducted to use humin fractions, in combination with citric acid (CA) and succinic acid (SA), as reaction catalysts for the modification of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood. The effects of humination modification were evaluated by means of dimensional stability, static and dynamic mechanical properties, thermal stability, crystalline structure, and biological durability tests on modified samples and compared with the unmodified reference ones. According to the results, the dimensional stability of the huminated samples significantly increased, and this increase with the presence of catalysts was higher than the sole humin-modified samples. The static mechanical properties were considerably improved by 17-24% in the modulus of rupture (MOR) and by 11-12% in the modulus of elasticity (MOE). An apparent increase in the storage modulus of huminated wood was also determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Although the thermal degradation of the samples was slightly shifted to lower temperatures after humination, the modification effect was more pronounced on the residual mass retention compared to the unmodified samples. The biological durability against white and brown rot fungi was also significantly improved by the humination modification. Overall, the humination modification showed huge potential as a green approach to enhance the wood properties for outdoor applications
Perspectives on usability and adoption of a new ACL injury prevention programme for female handball players: a mixed methods approach
Get PDFEffective injury prevention programmes (IPPs) hold promise for mitigating ACL injuries in female handball players, yet adherence remains a challenge. This mixed methods study explores the relationship between programme usability characteristics and the potential effectiveness of a newly developed ACL IPP through survey and interview data from 23 female handball players aged 15-18 and their four coaches. Players\u27 knee abduction moment (KAM) was measured during a cutting task and used to measure potential effectiveness. Findings reveal significant correlations between reductions in KAM and players\u27 perceived effectiveness of the programme in reducing ACL injury risk and their intention to use it (Spearman\u27s rho (r) -0.52, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.1, p=0.02 and r -0.46, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.03, p=0.04, respectively). Coaches and players identified efficiency and perceived effectiveness as key factors influencing programme adoption. Concerns regarding programme length and doubts about exercise efficacy and transferability emerged as barriers, while perceived effectiveness, efficiency and enjoyability were facilitators for programme use. Players\u27 suggestions for programme improvement included shortening the duration and incorporating playful elements. Design thinking sessions yielded strategies to optimise time efficiency and integrate IPPs into existing training routines. The study reaffirms the importance of balancing programme effectiveness with practicality and clear communication about its purpose and benefits to facilitate programme adoption. Enhancing programme usability and involving all end-users in the design process are crucial steps toward promoting the acceptance and adoption of IPPs among target populations
A measurement of the all-particle energy spectrum of cosmic rays from 10\u3csup\u3e13\u3c/sup\u3e to 10\u3csup\u3e15\u3c/sup\u3eeV using HAWC
No full textWe report the total energy spectrum of cosmic rays in the energy interval from 10TeV to 1PeV, which lies in the energy region where both direct and indirect cosmic ray experiments overlap. The all-particle spectrum was obtained from an unfolding analysis of 5.3 years of data collected with the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory for zenith angles smaller than or equal to 35°. The study was carried out in the framework of the QGSJET-II-04 hadronic interaction model. The measured spectrum confirms the presence of a knee-like feature at tens of TeV. In our analysis, the position of this softening is found at 40.2±1.0(stat.)−6.4+6.2(sys.)TeV. The measured spectral indices before and after the break are γ1=−2.53±0.01(stat.)−0.05+0.04(sys.) and γ2=−2.71±0.01(stat.)−0.04+0.03(sys.), respectively
Platinum nanoparticles in cancer therapy: chemotherapeutic enhancement and ROS generation
No full textPlatinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) offer significant promise in cancer therapy by enhancing the therapeutic effects of platinum-based chemotherapies like cisplatin. These nanoparticles improve tumor targeting, reduce off-target effects, and help overcome drug resistance. PtNPs exert their anti-cancer effects primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, PtNPs interact with cellular signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK, sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy. Advances in PtNP synthesis focus on optimizing size, shape, and surface modifications to enhance biocompatibility and targeting. Functionalization with biomolecules allows selective tumor delivery, while smart release systems enable controlled drug release. In vivo studies have shown that PtNPs significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating their safety and efficacy. This review explores PtNPs\u27 mechanisms of action, nanotechnology advancements, and challenges in biocompatibility, with a focus on their potential integration into cancer treatments
Post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in sweetpotato by Ib-miR2111 and IbKFB: Implications for health promotion
Get PDFIntroduction: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a genetically intricate hexaploid crop. The purple-fleshed variety, enriched with anthocyanin pigments, is an outstanding source for creating high-value functional products. Previous research on anthocyanin biosynthesis has primarily focused on the above-ground plant parts at the transcriptional level. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in underground tuberous roots of sweet potato remain largely unexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms of Ib-miR2111 and its target gene IbKFB in anthocyanin synthesis in sweet potato. Methods: Genetic manipulation techniques were used to validate the function of Ib-miR2111 and IbKFB in anthocyanin biosynthesis in sweet potato. To investigate how IbKFB works, a series of protein interaction assays, including yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), GST pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and ubiquitination, were conducted. Additionally, the impact of anthocyanin extracts from the genetically modified sweet potato lines on inflammatory cells morphology, cytokine expression, and cell proliferation were evaluated using in vitro assays. Results: Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) varieties exhibited elevated Ib-miR2111 expression compared to white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP) varieties, with an inverse expression pattern in IbKFB. Genetic manipulations, including overexpression, CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts, and targeted mutations, confirmed their critical roles in anthocyanin modulation. Furthermore, IbKFB\u27s interactions and ubiquitination with phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 1 (IbPAL1) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (IbGAPCp1) were elucidated, revealing intricate regulatory mechanisms. Enhanced anthocyanin content showed significant effects on inflammatory cell morphology, cytokine expression, and cell proliferation. Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of Ib-miR2111 and IbKFB in anthocyanin biosynthesis and suggests potential health benefits of anthocyanin-rich sweet potatoes
The Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 3: Drosophilids of the Northwest
Get PDFThe Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 3: Drosophilids of the Northwest provides an introduction to the flies of the family Drosophilidae of the Northwest of the United States. The book strives to facilitate identification of most of the drosophilid species in this region and provides remarks on interesting aspects of their biology and suggestions for future research on them. The book is intended for researchers, teachers, and students wishing to discover the diversity of these flies.
View the 3 Volume Series of The Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids here: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/fruitflies/
Access The Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 1: Midwest and Northeast here: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/oabooks/1/
Access The Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 2: Drosophilids of the Southeast here: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/oabooks/3/https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/oabooks/1010/thumbnail.jp