Centerline extraction is the basic and key procedure in line-structured laser 3-D scanners. In this article, we propose a hardware-oriented algorithm for fast and accurate extraction of a laser ...centerline based on the Hessian matrix. The algorithm is divided into three low-coupling modules that can be processed in parallel-coarse positioning, linewidth estimation, and precise positioning module. In the coarse positioning module, a window slider is used to traverse all image pixels in the raster-scan mode for collecting local image features, based on which the potential region of interest (ROI) containing laser lines is detected. In the linewidth estimation module, the second-order moment features in the detected ROI are calculated to estimate the linewidth according to the local rectangular similarity characteristics of the laser line. In the precise positioning module, the optimal Gaussian template estimated by the linewidth is convolved with the ROI to obtain the Hessian matrix. Based on the Hessian matrix, the normal direction of the laser line is obtained, and the second-order Taylor expansion is performed in that direction to determine the subpixel position of the center point. Finally, non-maximum suppression is used to remove noise points and obtain the most reliable single-pixel centerline. The proposed algorithm is evaluated using thousands of sample images with different materials, exposure times, and laser line shapes, and it presents high robustness for subpixel precision extraction. By implementing the proposed algorithm on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a high-speed, high-precision laser centerline extraction system is achieved, which operates at 1350 frames/s for a 1-million-pixel video stream.
Learning motivation is important for students to master professional knowledge. Teaching strategies play a role in promoting learning motivation and cultivating nursing students' critical thinking.
...To apply the Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction (ARCS) model-based motivational teaching strategies in a community nursing course and evaluate the effects on learning motivation, critical thinking, and self-learning ability.
A mixed-methods study using a quasi-experimental design and descriptive qualitative analysis.
Thirty-six third-year nursing students were divided into two groups. The experimental group was exposed to motivational teaching strategies based on the ARCS model in the 12-week community nursing course. The control group received traditional teaching. Students' critical thinking, self-learning ability and academic performance were quantitatively assessed, with t-tests performed to compare learning outcomes. Qualitative outcomes were evaluated through semi-structured interviews, analyzed by using thematic analysis.
Students in the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater critical thinking and higher test scores than those in the control group. The self-learning ability and learning motivation of the students exposed to ARCS were also strengthened, and students reported high levels of satisfaction with the motivational teaching strategies.
Applying the ARCS model-based motivational teaching strategies in community nursing courses is feasible and associated with improved learning motivation and outcomes among Chinese nursing undergraduates.
Intensive observations and WRF-Chem simulations are applied in this study to investigate the adverse impacts of regional transport on the PM
(fine particulate matter; diameter ≤2.5 μm) changes in ...Shanghai during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 lockdown. As the local atmospheric oxidation capacity was observed to be generally weakened, strong regional transport carried by the frequent westerly winds is suggested to be the main driver of the unexpected pollution episodes, increasing the input of both primary and secondary aerosols. Contributing 40%-80% to the PM
, the transport contributed aerosols are simulated to exhibit less decreases (13.2%-21.8%) than the local particles (37.1%-64.8%) in urban Shanghai due to the lockdown, which largely results from the less decreased industrial and residential emissions in surrounding provinces. To reduce the influence of the transport, synergetic emission control, especially synergetic ammonia control, measures are proved to be effective strategies, which need to be considered in future regulations.
The wintertime haze day (HD) in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of China shows a significant upward trend during the past decades due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization. Besides the ...enhanced anthropogenic emission, climate change also plays the important role in the long term HD variations. In this study, the significant decadal variation of wintertime HD during the period 1960–2012 in YRD is examined by the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, featured as less HD occurrence before 1980 and more occurrence after 2000. The numerical simulations by the global transport and chemical model (Model for Ozone and Related chemical Tracers, MOZART) with the same emission inventory suggest 8.4% enhancement of wintertime PM2.5 (particulate matter with the equivalent diameter of air dynamics less than or equal to 2.5μm) mass concentration in YRD during 2001–2009 compared with that during 1971–1979 attributed to meteorological changes, indicating the significant effect of climate anomaly on the decadal variations of wintertime HD. Through the composite analysis on the atmospheric dynamical and thermal conditions based on the reanalysis data, the faster warming in the lower and middle troposphere over the continent in the recent decade is suggested to be important for the out-of-phase decadal HD variation in YRD. The thermal anomaly not only reverses the zonal thermal difference of land-sea to stimulate the anomalous southerlies over YRD leading to reduced prevailing north wind in winter, but also develops the deep inversion below the mid-troposphere to enhance the atmospheric stability. As a result, more frequent and persistent air stagnations in recent decade are expected for the reduction of atmospheric horizontal dispersion and vertical diffusion capacity leading to more occurrence of wintertime HD in YRD.
The wintertime haze day (HD) in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of China shows significant upward trend during the past decades due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization. Besides the enhanced anthropogenic emission, climate change also plays the important role on the long term HD variations. This study suggests that the warming anomaly in the lower and middle troposphere over the continent around YRD in recent decade affects the decadal variation of wintertime HD with two aspects. First, reversing the zonal thermal difference crosses YRD to stimulate anomalous southerlies leading to reduced seasonal prevailing north wind. Secondly, developing the deep inversion below the mid-troposphere to enhance the atmospheric stability. As a result of the response to the thermal anomaly, more frequent and persistent air stagnations in recent decade are expected to result in the reduction for the atmospheric horizontal dispersion and the vertical diffusion capacity leading to more occurrence of wintertime HD in YRD. Display omitted
•The wintertime HD presents significantly decadal variations during 1960–2012 in YRD.•The climate anomaly has import role on the decadal variability of wintertime HD in YRD.•The faster warming in lower and middle troposphere is conductive to more HD occurrence in YRD.
Abstract Introduction The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) pediatric section now requires every pediatric residency program to report the developmental progress of each of ...its residents in each of the 21 pediatric milestones. Pediatric program directors are expected to educate faculty and residents on how to assess the pediatric milestones. To date, most of the education has consisted of theoretical framework and potential tools to evaluate resident performance of milestones. This video was developed primarily as a faculty development tool for the pediatric milestones, using the medical knowledge milestone as an example. Methods The video demonstrates a typical inpatient pediatric medical team rounding. Specifically, it contains a typical inpatient rounding scenario with an attending, two residents, and a medical student. The scenario was the presentation of a toddler with an acute wheezing episode (a common pediatric inpatient diagnosis) and the team members arriving at the most appropriate diagnosis based on medical knowledge and knowledge of resources (pediatric milestone of medical knowledge). During the video learners complete the included Demographics, Character Rating, and Feedback Form, before participating in a debriefing. Results This resource was produced as a scholarly project for the Association of Pediatric Program Directors Leadership in Educational Academic Development (LEAD). The full project was described to the entire LEAD 2014 cohort in March 2014. It has also been shared with at least 12 program directors, with > 90% noting that it has “very helpful” or “helpful” and 100% wanting additional information. Two programs reported using it with their faculty and thought it was very helpful. Discussion This resource has several limitations. Firstly, the participants must have baseline knowledge of the Pediatric Milestone Project and agree that Milestones are a good way to evaluate learners. If this is not the case, the participants' discussion may focus on the validity of Milestones as a means to evaluate resident performance, as opposed to how to effectively evaluate learners using the Milestones. Secondly, participants should understand that while this video demonstrates a common scenario, residents should demonstrate behaviors consistently over time to be evaluated at that level. However, the greatest strength of this educational resource is its universality. It can also be tailored to complement any curricula for both faculty and residents.
Background and Purpose
Amiodarone is one of the most effective anti‐arrhythmic drugs available, but its clinical applications are limited by toxic side effects including optic toxicity. The purpose ...of this study was to investigate the toxic effect of amiodarone on D407 cells (a human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cell line) and the mechanisms of the protective effect of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1).
Experimental Approach
The involvement of the kinases, Akt and ERK, was analysed by Western blot. Intracellular accumulation of ROS was measured using fluorophotometric quantification. A pharmacological approach with inhibitors was used to investigate the pathways involved in the protective action of IGF‐1.
Key Results
Amiodarone concentration‐dependently augmented the production of ROS, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in D407 cells. IGF‐1 time‐ and concentration‐dependently reversed these effects of amiodarone and protected D407 cells from amiodarone‐mediated toxicity. Amiodarone inhibited the pAkt but not pErk, and IGF‐1 reversed this inhibitory effect of amiodarone. However, IGF‐1 failed to suppress amiodarone‐induced cytotoxicity in the presence of PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 suggesting the direct involvement of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, in vivo rat flash electroretinogram (FERG) recordings showed that IGF‐1 reverses the amiodarone‐induced decrease in a‐ and b‐waves. The immunocytochemistry findings confirmed that vitreous IGF‐1 injections promote the survival of RPE cells in rat retina treated with amiodarone.
Conclusion and Implications
IGF‐1 can protect RPE cells from amiodarone‐mediated injury via the PI3K/Akt pathway in vivo and in vitro. IGF‐1 has potential as a protective drug for the prevention and treatment of amiodarone‐induced optic toxicity.
PDF
