Residual attention-based tracking-by-detection network with attention-driven data augmentation

Tracking-by-detection (TBD) is a significant framework for visual object tracking. However, current trackers are usually updated online based on random sampling with a probability distribution. The performance of the learning-based TBD trackers is limited by the lack of discriminative features, especially when the background is full of semantic distractors. We propose an attention-driven data augmentation method, in which a residual attention mechanism is integrated into the TBD tracking network as supplementary references to identify discriminative image features. A mask generating network is used to simulate changes in target appearances to obtain positive samples, where attention information and image features are combined to identify discriminative features. In addition, we propose a method for mining hard negative samples, which searches for semantic distractors with the response of the attention module. The experiments on the OTB2015, UAV123, and LaSOT benchmarks show that this method achieves competitive performance in terms of accuracy and robustness.     

Recent advances in carbon nanotubes-based microwave absorbing composites

With the blossom of information industry, electromagnetic wave technology shows increasingly potential in many fields. Nevertheless, the trouble caused by electromagnetic waves has also drawn extensive attention. For instance, electromagnetic pollution can threaten information safety in vital fields and the normal function of delicate electronic devices. Consequently, electromagnetic pollution and interference become an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become a potential candidate to deal with these problems due to many advantages, such as high dielectric loss, remarkable thermodynamic stability, and low density. With the appearance of climbing demands, however, the carbon nanotubes combining various composites have shown greater prospects than the single CNTs in microwave absorbing materials. In this short review, recent advances in CNTs-based microwave absorbing materials were comprehensively discussed. Typically, we introduced the electromagnetic wave absorption mechanism of CNTs-based microwave absorbing materials and generalized the development of CNTs-based microwave absorbers, including CNTs-based magnetic metal composites, CNTs-based ferrite composites, and CNTs-based polymer composites. Ultimately, the growing trend and bottleneck of CNTs-based composites for microwave absorption were analyzed to provide some available ideas to more scientific workers.     

Modeling Sialidosis with Neural Precursor Cells Derived from Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Sialidosis, caused by a genetic deficiency of the lysosomal sialidase gene (NEU1), is a systemic disease involving various tissues and organs, including the nervous system. Understanding the neurological dysfunction and pathology associated with sialidosis remains a challenge, partially due to the lack of a human model system. In this study, we have generated two types of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with sialidosis-specific NEU1^G227R and NEU1^V275A/R347Q mutations (sialidosis-iPSCs), and further differentiated them into neural precursor cells (iNPCs). Characterization of NEU1^G227R- and NEU1^V275A/R347Q- mutated iNPCs derived from sialidosis-iPSCs (sialidosis-iNPCs) validated that sialidosis-iNPCs faithfully recapitulate key disease-specific phenotypes, including reduced NEU1 activity and impaired lysosomal and autophagic function. In particular, these cells showed defective differentiation into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, while their neuronal differentiation was not notably affected. Importantly, we found that the phenotypic defects of sialidosis-iNPCs, such as impaired differentiation capacity, could be effectively rescued by the induction of autophagy with rapamycin. Our results demonstrate the first use of a sialidosis-iNPC model with NEU1^G227R- and NEU1^V275A/R347Q- mutation(s) to study the neurological defects of sialidosis, particularly those related to a defective autophagy–lysosome pathway, and may help accelerate the development of new drugs and therapeutics to combat sialidosis and other LSDs.     

The Chemistry of DPPH· Free Radical and Congeners

Since the discovery in 1922 of 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH^·), the chemistry of such open-shell compounds has developed continuously, allowing for both theoretical and practical advances in the free radical chemistry area. This review presents the important, general and modern aspects of the chemistry of hydrazyl free radicals and the science behind it.     

Preparation and Evaluation of a Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System Loaded with Heparin Phospholipid Complex

A self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) was developed to enhance the absorption of heparin after oral administration, in which heparin was compounded with phospholipids to achieve better fat solubility in the form of heparin-phospholipid (HEP-Pc) complex. HEP-Pc complex was prepared using the solvent evaporation method, which increased the solubility of heparin in n-octanol. The successful preparation of HEP-Pc complex was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, NMR, and SEM. A heparin lipid microemulsion (HEP-LM) was prepared by high-pressure homogenization and characterized. HEP-LM can enhance the absorption of heparin after oral administration, significantly prolong activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) in mice, and reduce fibrinogen (FIB) content. All these outcomes indicate that HEP-LM has great potential as an oral heparin formulation.     

Metabolic Profiling of VOCs Emitted by Bacteria Isolated from Pressure Ulcers and Treated with Different Concentrations of Bio-AgNPs

Considering the advent of antibiotic resistance, the study of bacterial metabolic behavior stimulated by novel antimicrobial agents becomes a relevant tool to elucidate involved adaptive pathways. Profiling of volatile metabolites was performed to monitor alterations of bacterial metabolism induced by biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs). Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis were isolated from pressure ulcers, and their cultures were prepared in the presence/absence of bio-AgNPs at 12.5, 25 and 50 µg mL⁻¹. Headspace solid phase microextraction associated to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was the employed analytical platform. At the lower concentration level, the agent promoted positive modulation of products of fermentation routes and bioactive volatiles, indicating an attempt of bacteria to adapt to an ongoing suppression of cellular respiration. Augmented response of aldehydes and other possible products of lipid oxidative cleavage was noticed for increasing levels of bio-AgNPs. The greatest concentration of agent caused a reduction of 44 to 80% in the variety of compounds found in the control samples. Pathway analysis indicated overall inhibition of amino acids and fatty acids routes. The present assessment may provide a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms of bio-AgNPs and how the metabolic response of bacteria is untangled.     

Achieving fabrication of highly transparent Y2O3 ceramics via air pre-sintering by deionization treatment of suspension

An easy albeit quite effective deionization suspension treatment was adopted to alleviate the detrimental effects related to the hydrolysis of Y₂O₃ in an aqueous medium. Fabrication of highly transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics with a fine grain size via air pre-sintering and post–hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment without using any sintering additive was achieved using the treated suspensions. The hydrolysis issue of Y₂O₃ powder in an aqueous medium was effectively alleviated by using deionization treatment, and a well-dispersed suspension with a low concentration of dissolved Y³⁺ species was obtained. The dispersed suspensions were consolidated by the centrifugal casting method, and the green bodies derived from the suspension of 35.0 vol% solid loading showed an improved homogeneity with a relative density of 52.1%. Fully dense Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic with high transparency was obtained by pre-sintering consolidated green compacts at a low temperature of 1400°C for 16 h in air followed by a post-HIP treatment at 1550°C for 2 h under 200 MPa pressure. The sample had a fine average grain size of 690 nm. The in-line transmittance of the sample reached 83.3% and 81.8% at 1100 nm and 800 nm, respectively, very close to the theoretical values of Y₂O₃.     

Thermal depolarization and electromechanical hardening in Zn2+-doped Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-BaTiO3

Na_1/2Bi_1/2TiO₃-based materials have been earmarked for one of the first large-volume applications of lead-free piezoceramics in high-power ultrasonics. Zn²⁺-doping is demonstrated as a viable route to enhance the thermal depolarization temperature and electromechanically harden (1-y)Na_1/2Bi_1/2TiO₃-yBaTiO₃ (NBT100yBT) with a maximum achievable operating temperature of 150 °C and mechanical quality factor of 627 for 1 mole % Zn²⁺-doped NBT6BT. Although quenching from sintering temperatures has been recently touted to enhance T_F-R, with quenching the doped compositions featuring an additional increase in T_F-R by 17 °C, it exhibits negligible effect on the electromechanical properties. The effect is rationalized considering the missing influence on conductivity and therefore, negligible changes in the defect chemistry upon quenching. High-resolution diffraction indicates that Zn²⁺-doped samples favor the tetragonal phase with enhanced lattice distortion, further corroborated by ²³Na Nuclear Magnetic Resonance investigations.     

Optimization of room-temperature TCR of polycrystalline La0.9-xSrxK0.1MnO3 ceramics by Sr adjustment

High-density La_0.9-xSr_xK_0.1MnO₃ ceramics (LSKMO, A-site = La, Sr and K, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) are successfully fabricated by using facile sol-gel method. Electrical properties are performed by using combination of phenomenological percolation (PP) model, double exchange (DE) mechanism, and Jahn-Teller (JT) effect. Moreover, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are employed to analyze the structure and morphology of LSKMO ceramics. Valence states and ionic stoichiometry are assessed by using X-ray photoemission spectrometry. Results reveal that Sr²⁺ ions, substituting La³⁺ ions, significantly influenced DE mechanism and JT effect. In addition, Sr-doping plays essential role in improving electrical properties of LSKMO ceramics. At optimal doping content of x = 0.09, peak temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the resistivity is found to be 11.56% K^?1 at 297.15 K, which is optimal TCR for A-site K-occupied perovskite manganese oxides. These results confirm that polycrystalline LSKMO ceramics render high room-temperature TCR values due to Sr-doping.