In computer-vision feature extraction algorithms, compressing the image into a sparse set of trackable keypoints, empowers navigation-critical systems such as Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) in autonomous robots, and also other applications such as augmented reality and 3D reconstruction. Most of those applications are performed in battery-powered gadgets featuring in common a very st

Background: Most studies on long-term follow-up of patients with COVID-19 focused on hospitalised patients. No prospective study with structured follow-up has been performed in non-hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Objectives: To assess long-COVID and post-COVID (WHO definition: symptomatic at least 12 weeks), describe lingering symptoms, their impact on daily activities, and general practice v

Background: Previous research suggests that interactions between preschool teachers and children in early care and educational contexts can contribute to the child’s positive attachment development and socioemotional adjustment. Objective: Investigate how the transition process to preschool is organized and whether various ways of organizing it may differently influence family–teacher relationship

Aims. Stars with strong enhancements of r-process elements are rare and tend to be metal-poor, generally with [Fe/H] < -2 dex, and located in the halo. In this work, we aim to investigate a candidate r-process enriched bulge star with a relatively high metallicity of [Fe/H] ~ -0.65 dex and to compare it with a previously published r-rich candidate star in the bulge. Methods. We reconsidered the ab

People that produce bad outcomes can thereby become the fitting targets of blame, the fitting intensity of which is determined by the badness of the outcomes. In the following paper, I suggest that the amount of blame instances that people are fitting targets of is also determined by the weight of the badness of the outcomes. I use the example of online blame as a paradigmatic case where the amoun

MK-801, also called dizocilpine, is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist widely used in animal research to model schizophrenia-like phenotypes. Although its effects in rodents are well characterised, little is known about the outcomes of this drug in other organisms. In this study, we characterise the effects of MK-801 on the locomotion, sleep, and negative geotaxis of the fruit fly

Context. The solar vicinity is currently populated by a mix of stars with various chemo-dynamic properties, including stars with a high metallicity compared to the Sun. Dynamical processes such as churning and blurring are expected to relocate such metal-rich stars from the inner Galaxy to the solar region. Aims. We report the identification of a set of old super-metal-rich (+0.15 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ +0.50

Context.Gaia's third data release provides radial velocities for 33 million stars and spectroscopically derived atmospheric parameters for more than 5 million targets. When combined with the astrometric data, these allow us to derive orbital and stellar parameters that are key to understanding the stellar populations of the Milky Way and to perform Galactic archaeology. Aims. We used the calibrate

Context. The high quality of the Gaia mission data has allowed for studies of the internal kinematics of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) to be undertaken in unprecedented detail, providing insights into the non-axisymmetric structure of its disc. Recent works by the Gaia Collaboration have already made use of the excellent proper motions of Gaia DR2 and Gaia EDR3 for a first analysis of this sort

Seaweeds (macroalgae) are gaining attention as potential sustainable feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals. This comparative study focuses on the characterization of the microbial production of alcohols from fermentable carbohydrates in the hydrolysate of the macroalgae Laminaria digitata as raw material. The potential of a hydrolysate as a carbon source for the production of selecte

Fungal tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus and Candida spp. is a recognized complication after lung transplantation, but knowledge of the incidence of Candida tracheobronchitis is lacking. The diagnosis relies on fungal cultures in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), but cultures have low specificity. We aimed to evaluate the one-year incidence of fungal tracheobronchitis after lung transplan

Background: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are essential mediators in the expansive growth and invasiveness of rheumatoid synovitis, and patients with a fibroblastic-rich pauci-immune pathotype respond poorly to currently approved antirheumatic drugs. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) has been reported to directly modulate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) FLSs and to hold both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties

Fire strongly impacts the composition and structure of ecosystems, with consequences yet to be understood. We used Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to map fire frequency and fire intensity and investigate their effects on miombo woodlands (MW) of central Mozambique. Tree species diversity was evaluated and compared using rarefaction curves. Non-metric multidimensional sca

International lawyers ascribe to the lex specialis principle three distinctly different meanings. Thus, lex specialis is referred to, first, as a norm designed to resolve conflicts between entire categories of norms; secondly, as a norm designed to resolve conflicts on a case-by-case basis; and, thirdly, as a rule of interpretation designed to avoid the occurrence of normative conflicts, rather th

Biobased plastics are seen as promising alternative material to reduce negative environmental impacts of plastic food packaging. Despite many years of development efforts of biobased plastics, the current commercial use of them is still low indicating barriers to their application. The purpose of this interview study is to explore the perceptions of industry stakeholders towards the use of biobase

The number of hip fractures per year worldwide is estimated to reach 6 million by the year 2050. Despite the many advantages of regional blockades when managing pain from such a fracture, these are used to a lesser extent than general analgesia. One reason is that the opportunities for training and obtaining clinical experience in applying nerve blocks can be a challenge in many clinical settings.

Purpose: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the potential benefit from 2 probiotic bacteria of the species Lactiplantibacillus plantarum against radiation therapy–induced comorbidities. Methods and Materials: Women (>18 years of age) scheduled for radiation therapy because of gynecologic cancer were randomly allocated to consume placebo or either low-dose probiotics (1 × 1

Economically feasible bioethanol process from lignocellulose requires efficient fermentation by yeast of all sugars present in the hydrolysate. However, when exposed to lignocellulosic hydrolysate, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is challenged with a variety of inhibitors that reduce yeast viability, growth, and fermentation rate, and in addition damage cellular structures. In order to evaluate the capab