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EHIN: Early-aware hierarchical interaction network for weakly-supervised referring image segmentation
No full textReferring image segmentation (RIS) aims to segment target regions in images based on natural language descriptions. Although weakly-supervised RIS frameworks have been proposed to reduce reliance on costly manual annotations, their performance remains limited due to both the low quality of pseudo-labels and the inherent difficulty in achieving effective interaction between visual and textual features. In this paper, we propose a novel weakly-supervised framework named Early-aware Hierarchical Interaction Network (EHIN). The proposed network includes two key components, which are designed to enhance pseudo-label generation and improve the interaction between visual and textual features for RIS, respectively. First, EHIN incorporates an Early-aware Contrastive Learning Module (ECLM) that enhances feature discrimination by leveraging contrastive learning to distinguish target features from background noise. By integrating the module early into the processing pipeline, ECLM operates on raw image features directly, preserving richer visual details while reducing reliance on labeled data and thus improving the reliability of pseudo-labels. Second, EHIN integrates a Hierarchical Interaction Prompt Module (HIPM) to facilitate comprehensive interaction between visual and textual features and enhance subsequent feature fusion. Extensive experimental results on four benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed EHIN outperforms the state-of-the-art RIS. Code is available at https://github.com/CDUT-DBGroup/MFP-TRIS
Religious education and the supreme court: Implications for Northern Ireland and beyond
No full textThe Supreme Court decision in JR87, Re Application for Judicial Review attracted considerable media interest and has been used by groups such as Humanists UK and the National Secular Society to call for reform of the laws on religious education and worship in schools not only in Northern Ireland, where the school in the case was based, but in the other nations of the UK. This article explores what the Supreme Court judgment actually said. It is undoubtedly an important decision. However, it is somewhat narrower and more technical than it might appear from the headlines. The judgment confirms that that where the teaching of religion is not objective, critical and pluralistic then this amounts to indoctrination that is contrary to human rights law and that the existence of a right to opt out of such learning would not necessarily justify this. This decision will have serious ramifications in Northern Ireland and beyond but mostly where (a) religious teaching is not objective, critical and pluralistic and (b) reliance is currently placed on parental opt outs to ensure that this is compatible with human rights laws. This calls into question, in particular, laws on collective worship in all schools and laws on religious education in schools with a religious character
The power of words: Neurodiversity, authenticity, and inclusion in the creative writing classroom,
No full textNovel adenovirus vaccine vectors lacking thrombosis-associated interactions with Platelet Factor 4
No full textThe adenoviral vector-based AstraZeneca and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with rare cases of thrombosis, believed to be triggered among other factors by vector binding to the blood protein platelet factor 4 (PF4). To identify vectors with lower thrombosis risk, we screened 50 natural and hexon-modified adenoviruses (Ad). Unlike the applied COVID-19 vaccines and most tested vectors, Ad34 and Ad80 as well as Ad5 vectors with deleted or chemically shielded hexon hyper-variable region 1 (HVR1), did not bind to PF4. Furthermore, interactions with PF4 substantially modified Ad5 infectivity in various immortalized and primary cells, suggesting that PF4 may influence existing vector tropism. Finally, HVR1-deleted Ad5 and Ad34 vectors expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 domain were tested as vaccine candidates in mice and induced robust cellular immune responses. Therefore, the identified PF4 non-binding vectors may represent safe and efficient candidates for clinical applications
Breaking the trade-off between Pt chemical state and active site density by SiOx engineering on Pt/TiO2 for complete propane oxidation
No full textThe elimination of propane is a key task in reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. Supported platinum-based catalysts hold promise for complete propane oxidation, but the trade-off between Pt chemical state and active site density remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a high-performance, low-Pt-loading catalyst (Pt@SiOx/TiO2 with 0.2 wt% Pt loading) using a SiOx interfacial engineering strategy on TiO2-supported Pt (Pt/TiO2) to address this trade-off. Unlike conventional Pt/TiO2 catalysts, the amorphous SiOx layers strategically modulate the Pt-TiO2 interaction by uniformly covering the TiO2 surface, leading to a higher proportion of active metallic Pt nanoparticles with an optimized size (∼5 nm). Simultaneously, the engineered Pt-SiOx interface functions as additional reactive sites, synergistically enhancing the catalytic activity alongside the active metallic Pt species. Mechanistic analysis revealed that both Pt@SiOx/TiO2 and Pt/TiO2 catalysts exhibit strong C–H bond activation capabilities, while SiOx modification further enhances the ability to cleave intermediate C–C/Cdouble bondC bonds. Consequently, the Pt@SiOx/TiO2 catalyst achieved an 80 °C reduction in the temperature at which 90 % propane conversion and a 27-fold increase in reaction rate compared to the Pt/TiO2 catalyst during complete propane oxidation. This study provides a valuable strategy for realizing cost-effective VOCs oxidation catalysts
Distance based charges in Great Britain
No full textWe estimate the reduction in tax revenues that would result from the electrification of road transport in Great Britain over the period 2025-2050 and a revenue-neutral distance-based charge to recoup these revenues. Our model uses the assumptions and data from the Common Analytical Scenarios produced by the Department for Transport (2023a, b). We find that under fast decarbonisation scenarios the revenues from fuel duty, VAT on the pre-tax price of fuel and on fuel duty, practically disappear, and under slow decarbonisation scenarios, they decrease substantially by 2050. The decrease is between 40% and 50%. Our revenue-neutral distance-based charge is designed to vary with vehicle type and trip purpose (work/non- work), and ranges from 0.4 to 3.8 pence per km in 2025, to 2.2 to 34.6 pence per km in 2050, depending on the vehicle type/trip purpose combination, the scenario, and the elasticity assumed. Importantly, although it applies on top of the fuel duties and is payable by both electric vehicles and fossil fuel vehicles, electric vehicles continue to offer significant cost savings
Prevalence of infertility among nationally representative women in Japan: a cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified systematic sampling design
Get PDFObjective: According to the 2021 Japanese National Fertility Survey, more than one-third of couples
expressed concerns about infertility. However, no study in Japan has estimated the prevalence of
infertility according to the World Health Organization definition (12 months of infertility). This
study aimed to estimate the prevalence of infertility based on this definition.
Study design: A cross-sectional study design.
Methods: The survey was conducted in 2024 using a two-stage stratified systematic sampling design
(response rate: 40.0%). Among 1,200 women aged 25–49 years (total participants), 853 were
married or cohabiting with a male partner (cohabiting participants). There were 35 women aged 25–
44 years, at risk of pregnancy, and actively trying to conceive (current duration participants).
Lifetime and period prevalence were estimated using direct (self-reported) and current duration
methods.
Results: Among cohabiting participants, the lifetime and period prevalence of infertility were 37.8%
(95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.4%–40.4%) and 6.5% (95% CI: 5.1%–8.4%), respectively. Period
prevalence among current duration participants was 23.1% (95% CI: 12.1%–43.9%). Help-seeking
behaviour was reported by 51.1% of those with lifetime infertility. Older age groups exhibited higher
lifetime prevalence and lower period prevalence of infertility. Higher educational attainment was
associated with lower lifetime and period prevalence of infertility and a higher help-seeking rate.
Conclusion: While period prevalence estimated using direct and current duration methods was
consistent with international findings, lifetime prevalence estimated using direct method was higher,
possibly due to older age distribution, delayed parenthood, shorter or ambiguous reproductive
intention, and infrequent sexual activity
Impact of unilateral maximal dentate activation on nitrergic neuron distribution in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, amygdala and habenula
Get PDFMesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common form of epilepsy involving the hippocampus. While hippocampal circuits have been extensively studied, increasing evidence suggests that extrahippocampal structures, including the amygdala and habenula, may contribute to seizure propagation and epileptogenesis. Among modulators of excitability, nitric oxide (NO) is a key regulator, although its role in mTLE remains controversial, with both pro- and anticonvulsant effects reported.
We used maximal dentate activation (MDA) in the dentate gyrus, elicited by repeated unilateral perforant path stimulation in rats, a well-established model for studying early mechanisms of epileptogenesis in mTLE. Repeated stimulation progressively shortened MDA onset latency and prolonged seizure duration, reflecting enhanced network excitability. To assess acute nitrergic alterations, an exploratory neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemical study wase performed in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, amygdala and habenula to determine whether repeated seizures could induce early changes in nitrergic neuronal expression.
Histochemical analysis revealed region- and layer-specific changes in nitrergic neurons after MDA. In CA1 and CA3, reductions were observed in the stratum oriens, accompanied by an increased density in the CA3 pyramidal layer. The subiculum exhibited a depletion driven by a decrease of nitrergic neurons in the hemisphere contralateral to the stimulation, whereas the entorhinal cortex, basolateral amygdala and medial habenula were largely unaffected. In the lateral habenula, MDA did not alter the overall mean of the density of nitrergic neurons, but it increased it in the stimulated hemisphere and decreased it in the contralateral one.
This preliminary study reveals adaptations that may indicate a sensitivity of nitrergic neurons to paroxysmal dentate activity and provide a basis for further exploring the potential involvement of NO-related pathways in limbic network responses and TLE-relevant mechanisms and treatments
Systematic study of electrochemical performance of nickel iron hydroxide (NiFe(OH) 2 ) electrocatalyst at high current densities in alkaline seawater solutions
Get PDFRenewable energy for green hydrogen production presents a promising avenue for sustainable energy storage. However, the increasing demand for green hydrogen may strain freshwater resources. The direct electrolysis of seawater is considered an alternative, but high anion concentration in seawater poses challenges. This study focuses on testing cost-effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to facilitate hydrogen generation from seawater electrolysis. The investigation of electrodeposited nickel-iron hydroxide (NiFe(OH)2) on a microelectrode in alkaline seawater solutions shows promising results for achieving low overpotentials at high current densities. In alkaline simulated seawater (1 M KOH and 0.5 M NaCl), the electrode exhibited low overpotentials of 278 and 305 mV at 333 K, to reach current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm−2, respectively. Furthermore, in alkaline natural seawater, the electrode exhibited low overpotentials of 347 and 382 mV at 333 K, to reach 500 and 1000 mA cm−2, respectively. To deliver a current density of 2000 mA cm−2, the catalyst requires overpotentials of only 341 mV in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M NaCl solution and 409 mV in alkaline Absolute Ocean, a standardised seawater solution. Overall, the findings from this study provide a benchmark to contribute to the understanding of an effective, low-cost, easy-to-synthesize OER catalyst for seawater electrolysis, offering a practical solution for hydrogen generation