Utilizing Grounded SAM for self-supervised frugal camouflaged human detection

Visually detecting camouflaged objects is a hard problem for both humans and computer vision algorithms. Strong similarities between object and background appearance make the task significantly more challenging than traditional object detection or segmentation tasks. Current state-of-the-art models use either convolutional neural networks or vision transformers as feature extractors. They are trained in a fully supervised manner and thus need a large amount of labeled training data. In this paper, both self-supervised and frugal learning methods are introduced to the task of Camouflaged Object Detection (COD). The overall goal is to fine-tune two COD reference methods, namely SINet-V2 and HitNet, pre-trained for camouflaged animal detection to the task of camouflaged human detection. Therefore, we use the public dataset CPD1K that contains camouflaged humans in a forest environment. We create a strong baseline using supervised frugal transfer learning for the fine-tuning task. Then, we analyze three pseudo-labeling approaches to perform the fine-tuning task in a self-supervised manner. Our experiments show that we achieve similar performance by pure self-supervision compared to fully supervised frugal learning

Evaluation of Insertion Energy as Novel Parameter for Dental Implant Stability

Insertion energy has been advocated as a novel measure for primary implant stability, but the effect of implant length, diameter, or surgical protocol remains unclear. Twenty implants from one specific bone level implant system were placed in layered polyurethane foam measuring maximum insertion torque, torque–time curves, and primary stability using resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Insertion energy was calculated as area under torque–time curve applying the trapezoidal formula. Statistical analysis was based on analysis of variance, Tukey honest differences tests and Pearson’s product moment correlation tests (α = 0.05). Implant stability (p = 0.01) and insertion energy (p < 0.01) differed significantly among groups, while maximum insertion torque did not (p = 0.17). Short implants showed a significant decrease in implant stability (p = 0.01), while reducing implant diameter did not cause any significant effect. Applying the drilling protocol for dense bone resulted in significantly increased insertion energy (p = 0.02) but a significant decrease in implant stability (p = 0.04). Insertion energy was not found to be a more reliable parameter for evaluating primary implant stability when compared to maximum insertion torque and resonance frequency analysis

Visualization of Spatial Knowledge with Ontology Trees and Adaptable Search Result Grids in the Era of Web 3.0

Loskyll, M., Heckmann, D., & Glahn, C. (2009). Visualization of Spatial Knowledge with Ontology Trees and Adaptable Search Result Grids in the Era of Web3.0. In K. Tochtermann & H. Maurer (Eds.), Proceedings of the I-Know'09, 9th International Conference on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Technologies (pp. 385-390). Graz, Austria: Verlag der Technischen Universität Graz.With the emerging trend of Web 3.0 and the resulting huge amount of user generated semantically-enriched data, improved ways of knowledge visualization and human computer interaction are needed. We present several techniques of visualizing particularly spatial knowledge in largely scalable, clear structured ontology trees on the web. In addition, we describe the representation of search results with a combined approach consisting of Ajax-based grids and Google Maps.The research presented in this paper is partially conducted within the GRAPPLE project (http://www.grapple-project.org) funded by the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme

Less Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation in Term Newborns than in Adults

Background: Newborns are prone to infections, which are independent predictors of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are structures composed of chromatin and antimicrobial molecules that capture and kill pathogens. NETs may play an important role in the innate immune system and, thus, might be associated with impaired neonatal immune function. Objectives: This study aimed to compare NET formation between term neonates and healthy adults. We additionally investigated the effects of gestational age, birth weight, mode of delivery, gender, and perinatal infections. Methods: We collected cord blood from 57 term infants (mean gestational age, 39.1 weeks) and 9 late preterm infants (35 weeks), and peripheral blood from 18 healthy adult donors. Neutrophils were isolated, and then NET formation was induced using three different stimulants: N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or lipopolysaccharide. NETs were immunohistochemically stained and analyzed with regard to NET percentage and NET area. Results: With all three stimuli, healthy term infants showed a lower NET percentage than the adult control group (p < 0.0001 each). The groups also differed in NET area, but the significance level was lower. Following PMA stimulation, we observed greater reductions in NET percentage and NET area in preterm than term infants. Conclusions: The lower NET formation observed in term infants compared to adults likely contributes to the reduced neonatal immune response. NET formation appeared to be even further decreased in late preterm neonates. There remains a need for further investigations of NET formation in more immature preterm infants

Impact of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Underweight on Cord Blood Metabolome: An Analysis of the Population-Based Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP)

Intrauterine growth restriction leads to an altered lipid and amino acid profile in the cord blood at the end of pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy underweight is an early risk factor for impaired fetal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) of <18.5 kg/m 2 , as early as at the beginning of pregnancy, is associated with changes in the umbilical cord metabolome. In a sample of the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNIP) birth cohort, the cord blood metabolome of n = 240 newborns of mothers with a ppBMI of <18.5 kg/m 2 with n = 208 controls (ppBMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ) was measured by NMR spectrometry. A maternal ppBMI of <18.5 kg/m 2 was associated with increased concentrations of HDL4 cholesterol, HDL4 phospholipids, VLDL5 cholesterol, HDL 2, and HDL4 Apo-A1, as well as decreased VLDL triglycerides and HDL2 free cholesterol. A ppBMI of <18.5 kg/m 2 combined with poor intrauterine growth (a gestational weight gain (GWG) < 25th percentile) was associated with decreased concentrations of total cholesterol; cholesterol transporting lipoproteins (LDL4, LDL6, LDL free cholesterol, and HDL2 free cholesterol); LDL4 Apo-B; total Apo-A2; and HDL3 Apo-A2. In conclusion, maternal underweight at the beginning of pregnancy already results in metabolic changes in the lipid profile in the cord blood, but the pattern changes when poor GWG is followed by pre-pregnancy underweight

Groundwater resources in the ECOWAS region : expected aquifer productivity

The Groundwater resources in the ECOWAS region map has been developed to raise awareness of the potential and limitations of groundwater resources in the ECOWAS region of West Africa. Groundwater plays an important role in supporting agricultural and domestic water supply in West Africa, with more than 50 % of the population currently dependent on groundwater for their main drinking water source (Danert 2020; JMP 2020). Groundwater could play an increasingly important role in adapting to climate change in West Africa, which is projected to cause „increases in drying and agricultural and ecological droughts as well as delayed onset and retreat of the monsoon season“ (IPCC 2021). This new map, Groundwater resources in the ECOWAS region, is a contribution to the World-wide Hydrogeological Mapping and Assessment Programme (WHYMAP) of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP). It was developed under the auspices of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) Pan-African Groundwater Program (APAGroP), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Water Resources Coordination Centre (WRCC), and the Niger Basin Authority (NBA). The map was produced by a consortium comprising the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), British Geological Survey (BGS), Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM), Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), and the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC). Map development was funded by the geological surveys themselves, UNESCO, and a contribution to BRGM by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A map draft was reviewed by a group of hydrogeologists with regional groundwater expertise. The printed map was released at the 9th World Water Forum in Dakar, 2022, accompanied by this Technical Note. The map, the technical note, and the digital dataset of the expected aquifer productivity map are available for download on the WHYMAP-website (www.whymap.org); the inset maps on the respective institutions’ websites (cf. 4.2 Inset maps)

Colchicum autumnale

Introduction. Goitre with euthyroid function or with subclinical or mild hyperthyroidism due to thyroid autonomy is common. In anthroposophic medicine various thyroid disorders are treated with Colchicum autumnale (CAU). We examined the effects of CAU in patients with goitre of both functional states. Patients and methods. In an observational study, 24 patients with goitre having suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with normal or slightly elevated free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) (group 1, n=12) or normal TSH, fT3, and fT4 (group 2, n=12) were included. After 3 months and after 6 to 12 months of CAU treatment, we investigated clinical pathology using the Hyperthyroid Symptom Scale (HSS), hormone status (TSH, fT4, and fT3), and thyroidal volume (tV). Results. After treatment with CAU, in group 1 the median HSS decreased from 4.5 (2.3–11.8) to 2 (1.3–3) (p<0.01) and fT3 decreased from 3.85 (3.5–4.78) to 3.45 (3.3–3.78) pg/mL (p<0.05). In group 2 tV (13.9% (18.5%–6.1%)) and TSH (p<0.01) were reduced. Linear regression for TSH and fT3 in both groups indicated a regulative therapeutic effect of CAU. Conclusions. CAU positively changed the clinical pathology of subclinical hyperthyroidism and thyroidal volume in patients with euthyroid goitre by normalization of the regulation of thyroidal hormones

Etude préliminaire du contenu sporo-pollinique et caractérisation des grès ferrugineux de la formation du Continental Terminal, Bassin de Kandi (Nord-Est Bénin)

The sporo-pollenic study of the oolitic ironstone of the Kandi Basin in the northeastern part of Benin allowed a paleoenvironmental reconstitution during the Oligocene and Miocene periods. The Taxonomic diversity is characterized by grasses including "graminidites neogenicus" and arecaceae represented by "Hyphaene Thebaica", characteristic of "hot and dry tropical environments". These species also characterize a grassy savannah. The graminidites neogenicus is a Miocene flagship and the ferruginous sandstone of the Continental Terminal has been dated of Oligocene in age. We thus attribute an Oligo-Miocene age to the Formation of the Continental Terminal of the Kandi Basin. While the medium has long been considered azo, microscopic analysis has revealed plant fossils made up mostly of fruits. The oolitic iron ore of the Kandi Basin took place in a reducing lacustrine environment in which plants such as gramineae (Graminidites neogenicus) and arecaceae (Hyphaene Thebaica) lived.L’étude sporo-pollinique des grès de la formation du Continental Terminal du Bassin de Kandi, au Nord-Est du Bénin, a permis de faire une ébauche de reconstitution paléoenvironnementale pour la période allant de l’Oligocène au Miocène. La diversité taxonomique est représentée par des graminées notamment par l’espèce Graminidites neogenicus et des arecaceae représentés par l’espèce Hyphaene Thebaica, caractéristiques des "milieux tropicaux chauds et sec". Ces espèces caractérisent également une savane herbeuse. Le Graminidites neogenicus est une espèce phare du Miocène et les grès ferrugineux du Continental Terminal ont été datés de l’Oligocène. Nous attribuons ainsi un âge Oligo-Miocène à la formation du Continental Terminal du Bassin de Kandi. Alors que le milieu est longtemps considéré comme azoïque, l’analyse microscopique a révélé des fossiles végétaux constitués majoritairement de fruits. Le minerai de fer oolithique du Bassin de Kandi s’est donc mis en place dans un milieu lacustre de type réducteur, dans lequel vivaient des végétaux tels que les gramineae (Graminidites neogenicus) et les arecaceae (Hyphaene Thebaica)

Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Variants and Neonatal Outcome in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Infants

Background: Induction of lung maturation by prenatal steroid treatment has become the standard of care for pregnant women at risk for preterm birth. In addition to the beneficial effects on lung maturation, prenatal steroids have been shown to reduce the incidence of neonatal death, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. However, little is known about the role of interindividual differences in corticoid sensitivity arising from polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene. Objectives: To assess the impact of GR polymorphisms N363S (rs56149945), R23K (rs6190), and BclI (rs41423247) on neonatal outcome. Methods: The GR polymorphisms N363S, R23K, and BclI were examined in 10,490 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants from 49 German tertiary level neonatal units (German Neonatal Network, GNN) with respect to neonatal outcome. Results: Infants carrying the BclI genotype were at higher risk to develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (OR 1.12 per BclI allele, 95% CI: 1.02-1.23, p = 0.013) in a logistic regression model adjusted for gestational age, mechanical ventilation, and small for gestational age status. A similar relative risk was seen in the children (89.4%) who received antenatal betamethasone treatment (OR 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.27, p = 0.003), whereas no such effect was detectable in infants without antenatal steroids. N363S and R23K did not show any stable association with neonatal outcome parameters. Conclusion: Except for a slightly higher risk of BPD in carriers of the GRBclI variant, the GR gene polymorphisms BclI, N363S, and R23K did not affect neonatal outcome parameters in this large multicenter cohort of VLBW preterm infants