134125 research outputs found
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A review of instruction-guided image editing
Full text linkThe rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as large language models (LLMs) and multimodal learning frameworks has transformed digital content creation and manipulation. Traditional visual editing tools require significant expertise, limiting accessibility. Recent strides in instruction-guided editing have enabled intuitive interaction with visual content, using natural language as a bridge between user intent and complex editing operations. This survey reviews how AI-implemented instruction-guided image editing models – including approaches rooted in generative adversarial networks and diffusion models – empower users to achieve precise visual modifications without deep technical knowledge. By synthesizing over 100 publications, we examine multimodal integration for fine-grained content control, compare existing literature, and highlight how these AI applications support creative visual storytelling, design workflows, and multimedia production. We also identify key challenges to stimulate further research. Interested readers are encouraged to access our repository at https://github.com/tamlhp/awesome-instructional-editing .Full Tex
Parenting satisfaction and broader autism phenotype associated with depression, anxiety and stress in caregivers of infants showing early autistic features
No full textWhile parenting self-efficacy and broader autism phenotype (BAP) have been linked to caregiver depression, anxiety and stress at specific points in time, their influence on longer-term mental health trajectories remains unknown, especially for caregivers who participate in support programs for their infants with very-early autistic features. Through secondary analysis of a longitudinal randomized control trial dataset, using latent growth curve analysis we explored the pattern and personal predictors of caregiver depression, anxiety and stress trajectories over a two-year period in a sample of 100 families of infants with early autistic features (when aged 12 months to 3 years) where families had been randomized to receive a parent-mediated support program or community care as usual. While caregivers were estimated to have stable, low-level depression, anxiety and stress on average, for some individuals, stable and high levels of these were associated with low parenting satisfaction, and higher BAP traits of pragmatic language difficulties and rigidity. There was no evidence that participation in the caregiver-mediated support program had predicted caregiver mental health outcomes. Caregivers of infants with early autism features who themselves present with early, sustained mental health symptoms may benefit from additional specific mental health support.Full Tex
Catalyzing collective action in evidence-based parenting support: A model for effective research alliances
No full textObjective: The purpose of this article was to present a model for effective research alliances that facilitate collective action to advance scientific fields. The Parenting and Family Research Alliance (PAFRA) was used as an exemplar to illustrate its application. Background: Fields of research must continuously evolve to address ever-changing challenges. Despite the need for collaboration toward such evolution, parenting and family intervention researchers often operate within individualistic environments. Research alliances offer a solution by fostering collective action that surpasses individual capabilities. Method: This article proposed a model for effective research alliances, encompassing inputs, mechanisms, processes, impacts, and outcomes. Results: Inputs included the organizational bases for collective action, which are supported by mechanisms of collaboration. Processes were the specific activities undertaken toward immediate and intermediate impacts, which are aligned with broader, aspirational outcomes. The PAFRA served as a case exemplar of implementing this model toward furthering the field of evidence-based parenting support. Conclusion: The proposed model demonstrates how structured collaboration can overcome individualistic research constraints, fostering innovation and translation. Future research should examine how different alliance structures influence sustainability and impact across diverse scientific fields. Implications: Alliances like PAFRA can bring together previously disconnected actors to drive meaningful advancements in science, policy, and practice, enabling unified responses to the ever-evolving landscape of complex challenges.Full Tex
Seismic and progressive collapse strain rate effects on the compressive, tensile and shear mechanical properties of softwood Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
No full textThis study experimentally investigates the strain rate effects encountered during seismic and progressive collapse events on the parallel- and perpendicular-to-grain compressive and tensile mechanical properties, as well as edge shear properties, of softwood Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). Specifically, it examines (1) the compression Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), strength, and ductility, (2) the tension and shear strengths of the material. Tests were performed to induce failure between 200 s (quasi-static) and 0.2 s (short-term loading). In total 360 tests were performed. The material was found to be sensitive to the range of strain rates investigated, though the degree of sensitivity varied depending on the type of loading. Between the two extreme strain rates, the parallel-to-grain compression and edge shear strengths increased by 14.6 %, and 17.8 %, respectively, but the perpendicular-to-grain compression ductility decreased by 24.2 % under short-term loading. The latter result may have significant implications in the design of connections and energy absorption during seismic events. The MOE and the tensile strength, both parallel- and perpendicular-to-grain, remained largely stable, showing no significant differences across strain rates. The study indicates that the one-size-fits-all short-term load duration factors used in international standards may need to be tailored to the specific failure mode.Full Tex
Unveiling the User Experience Design of Mobile Animations from the Cognitive and Emotional Perspective
No full textExisting research lacks a framework to analyze how mobile animations affect cognition and emotion. This study combines eye-tracking and the PAD scale within Garrett’s UX framework, examining how animation properties across structural, framework, and presentation layers shape user perception. The results show that: (1) Dynamic stimuli capture attention faster than static counterparts, particularly when task-relevant, though irrelevant animation may cause distraction; (2) Accelerated motions outperform uniform and decelerated animations in initial attentional capture, revealing a clear hierarchy of effectiveness; (3) Distinct transition styles evoke differentiated emotional responses—left-to-right slides induce mildness, bottom-to-top and zoom-in transitions elicit surprise, while hard cuts predominantly evoke boredom. This research contributes a novel, empirically-grounded framework that systematically maps specific animation parameters to cognitive and emotional outcomes. The findings offer actionable design guidelines for optimizing mobile animation implementation, bridging the gap between animation design principles and user psychology in human–computer interaction.Full Tex
Detection of Placental Extracellular Vesicle Biomarker with Terbium Coordination Polymer
No full textPreeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, with altered placental function being a key contributor to its pathogenesis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from the placenta have emerged as promising biomarkers for early diagnosis of preeclampsia. However, current EV isolation techniques face challenges related to specificity, yield, and preservation of vesicle integrity. In this proof-of-concept study, we develop a work scheme for the selective isolation of placental EVs and the detection of messenger RNA (mRNA) biomarkers. The coordination polymer is formed using terbium ions and guanosine monophosphate, with the incorporation of monoclonal antibodies targeting placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), a marker of trophoblast-derived EVs. Our results show that antibody-functionalized terbium coordination polymer particles efficiently captured PLAP-positive EVs, which could be gently released, preserving their integrity for downstream analysis. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the recovery of intact EVs, while Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis is performed for the detection of KISS1 mRNA, a potential biomarker for preeclampsia. This method offers a gentle, efficient, and specific approach for EV isolation, providing a valuable tool for studying placental dysfunction and advancing biomarker analysis in preeclampsia.No Full Tex
A Diffusion-Retarded Strategy for Practical Zn–I2 Batteries Under Harsh Conditions
No full textZinc–iodine (Zn–I2) batteries attract increasing attention for inherent safety and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges like sluggish iodine kinetics and polyiodide shuttle effect seriously impede their practical viability. Herein, we develop a diffusion-retarded strategy, where carbon cage-encapsulated Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles are tailored on scalable carbon paper substrates as iodine cathodes to simultaneously retard polyiodide shuttle effect and accelerate iodine species reaction kinetics. Specifically, the physical barrier formed by carbon cage and porous fiber effectively retards the diffusion of polyiodides, while the intermodulated single-atom Cu sites and adjacent Zn sites in Cu–ZnO nanoparticles show remarkable catalytic activity and chemisorption for iodine species, respectively. Hence, the obtained Zn–I2 batteries exhibit an ultra-low polarization voltage of 26.7 mV (1 A g−1) and endure an ultra-long cycle life over 40 000 cycles at 5 A g−1. Notably, the batteries maintain over 5000 cycles with a capacity degradation rate of barely 0.007% per cycle at 60 °C, while the capacity decline is 20.8 mAh g−1 under −20 °C (vs. 25 °C), as well as over 1150 cycles at a negative/positive (N/P) ratio of 2.5. Overall, high-performance Zn–I2 batteries under harsh conditions through the diffusion-retarded strategy provide valuable guidance for rational cathode designs toward practical Zn–I2 battery systems.No Full Tex
Virtual reality mediated brain-computer interface training improves sensorimotor neuromodulation in unimpaired and post spinal cord injury individuals
Full text linkReal-time brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that decode electroencephalograms (EEG) during motor imagery (MI) are powerful adjuncts to rehabilitation after neurotrauma. Further, immersive virtual reality (VR) could complement BCIs by delivering visual and auditory sensory feedback (VR biofeedback) congruent to user’s MI, enabling task-oriented therapies. Yet, therapeutic outcomes rely on user’s proficiency in evoking MI to attain volitional BCI-commanded VR interaction. While previous studies have explored multi-session BCIs, we investigated the impact of longitudinal training on sensorimotor neuromodulation using BCI combined with VR-mediated externally-cued and self-paced lower-limb MI tasks. The EEG-based BCI was coupled with real-time VR biofeedback congruent with the MI task. Over multiple training sessions in laboratory conditions, five unimpaired individuals progressively learnt to improve control over their EEG during MI virtual walking, corresponding with increased BCI classification accuracy. Further, similar improvements were found with four individuals with chronic complete spinal cord injury (SCI) using the system in real-world neurorehabilitation settings. These findings demonstrate that unimpaired and SCI impaired individuals learnt to control their sensorimotor EEG associated with MI tasks through VR-mediated BCI training, which was associated with improved BCI classification accuracy. Our findings highlight the potential of VR-mediated BCIs in enhancing neuromodulation, providing a foundation for future rehabilitation therapies.Full Tex
Lattice Oxygen-Mediated Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction
No full textDespite extensive studies on CO2 electroreduction, the specific roles of lattice oxygen atoms and hydroxyl groups in the catalytic process are not yet well established. A critical challenge remains in determining whether these lattice oxygen species actively participate in the reaction pathway. Here, we report a lattice oxygen-mediated CO2RR using Sn3O2(OH)2 as a model catalyst for formate electrosynthesis. Employing operando 17O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we provide direct experimental evidence that formate products (HC17OO– or HC17O17O–) on isotopically labeled Sn317O2(17OH)2 originate from lattice 17O atoms via the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM). Complementary density functional theory calculations further support the feasibility of a LOM route, which is fundamentally different from the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism in the CO2RR. The comprehensive operando XAFS analysis and XRD characterizations reveal that the Sn3O2(OH)2 structure is stabilized by chelation with C2O42– ligands. These findings provide new mechanistic insights and design principles for developing highly active and stable oxide catalysts for CO2RR via lattice oxygen participation.No Full Tex
Phase-1 Cardiac Rehabilitation in Acute Heart Failure: Development of an Early Mobilization Algorithm Through Delphi Consensus
No full textPurpose:
Literature on early mobilization and exercise training in patients recovering from acute heart failure (AHF) is promising. However, there lacks uniformity in the time of initiation, exercise prescription, safety criteria, and termination criteria. Thus, the aim was to develop a mobilization algorithm for patients recovering from AHF.
Methods:
A modified web-based Delphi process was undertaken involving 15 panelists from across the globe. In Round 1, new variables, modifications to suggested variables, and agreement-disagreement within the panelists were obtained. In Round 2, agreement on a 5-point Likert scale was obtained. In Round 3, the algorithm was compiled, and excluded statements were discussed via web-based calls. The new variables were grouped into themes via an inductive process. The level of agreement and rating for each statement were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentages. We used Kappa statistics to examine the level of agreement between the panelists for each criterion. The consensus criterion was defined a priori as statements with a mean rating of ≥4 on the 5-point Likert scale by ≥70% of the panelists and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) of ≥0.3 between panelists.
Results:
From Round 1, 54 new variables were obtained. More than two-thirds (118/170, 69%) of statements reached consensus and reported a fair level of agreement between panelists (W ≥ 0.3). The final algorithm with all its criteria received a 100% (13/13) consensus.
Conclusion:
Physician-referral criteria, physiotherapy assessment process, exercise prescription, safety criteria, and termination criteria were formulated for early mobilization and exercise training for patients recovering from AHF.No Full Tex