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The human brain can effortlessly perform vision processes using the visual system, which helps solve multi-object tracking (MOT) problems. However, few algorithms simulate human strategies for solving MOT. Therefore, devising a method that simulates human activity in vision has become a good choice for improving MOT results, especially occlusion. Eight brain strategies have been studied from a cognitive perspective and imitated to build a novel algorithm. Two of these strategies gave our algorithm novel and outstanding results, rescuing saccades and stimulus attributes. First, rescue saccades were imitated by detecting the occlusion state in each frame, representing the critical situation that the human brain saccades toward. Then, stimulus attributes were mimicked by using semantic attributes to reidentify the person in these occlusion states. Our algorithm favourably performs on the MOT17 dataset compared to state-of-the-art trackers. In addition, we created a new dataset of 40,000 images, 190,000 annotations and 4 classes to train the detection model to detect occlusion and semantic attributes. The experimental results demonstrate that our new dataset achieves an outstanding performance on the scaled YOLOv4 detection model by achieving a 0.89 mAP 0.5.

This research presents a pioneering investigation into friction stir processing (FSP) of different aluminum alloys reinforced with silicon nitride powders (Si 3 N 4 ). By optimizing FSP parameters, such as stir tool profile and cooling medium, this study aims to enhance the microstructure and mechanical properties. The findings of this research contribute to the development of advanced FSP techniques for improving the performance of these alloys in different industries. FSP of three aluminum alloys (1050, 2011, and 6063) reinforced with Si 3 N 4 powders was conducted under different processing parameters was investigated. Tensile tests and hardness evaluations were conducted to assess the mechanical properties. The best combinations of processing parameters were defined using the Taguchi L 27 orthogonal array, while a response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design of three factors and three levels was employed to develop the relationship between the FSP parameters (material type, pin profile, and cooling rate). The selected outputs included yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), hardness (Hv), and elongation percentage (El%). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to identify the significant process parameters affecting the responses. The results after FSP on Al plates indicate that the optimum UTS and YS values are achieved by performing FSP on 2011 AA with a conical pin profile and under indirect air-cooling. The highest hardness value was obtained under the same conditions but with indirect R-410 A cooling. Conversely, the optimum value of El% was reached by conducting FSP on 1050 AA with a cylindrical pin profile and indirect R-410a cooling. The maximum UTS, YS, El, and HV values are 286 MPa, 167 MPa, 40%, and 118 HV, respectively. Material type (M) was the primary dominant parameter affecting mechanical properties, while the cooling media ranked second.

Reactive axillary lymph nodes (ALN) may occur post-COVID-19 vaccination. This may be confused with malignant nodal metastases on oncological imaging. We aimed to determine the reactive ALN incidence and duration on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography – computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT), and its relationship with gender, age and vaccine type. A retrospective study was performed. Two-hundred and four eligible patients had 18F-FDG PET-CT between 01 January 2021 and 31 March 2021, post-vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Image analysis was performed on dedicated workstations. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Thirty-six per cent of patients had reactive ALN until 10 weeks post-vaccination; reducing in frequency and intensity with time. Women were more likely to have reactive ALN compared with men. The frequency and intensity were higher in patients aged <65 years compared with those aged ≥65 years. However, no difference was found between both vaccine types in our study cohort. Physicians’ awareness of COVID-19 vaccine-related reactive ALN on 18F-FDG PET-CT is important to avoid inappropriate upstaging of cancers.

The present study was performed on 180-day-old commercial Cobb chicks to assess the effects of the probiotic candidate Enterococcus faecalis -1, the Poulvac Escherichia coli vaccine, and their combination on growth parameters, intestinal microbial composition, immune response, and protection against challenge with the avian pathogen E. coli O78. The experimental groups were as follows: G1, basal diet; G2, basal diet and challenge with O78 at 28 days of growth; G3, basal diet, vaccination with Poulvac (1 and 15 days), and challenge with O78 at 28 days of growth; G4, basal diet, E. faecalis -1 supplementation for the first 3 days of growth, and challenge with O78 at 28 days of growth; G5, basal diet, E. faecalis -1 supplementation for the first 3 days of growth, vaccination with Poulvac (1 and 15 days), and challenge with O78 at 28 days of growth; G6, basal diet and E. faecalis -1 supplementation for the first 3 days of growth. The results showed that E. faecalis -1 in drinking water significantly improved the growth performance and immune response, increased the total Enterococcus counts, reduced the mortality, and decreased the visceral invasion by O78 in challenged broilers. While the effect of the Poulvac vaccine alone or with E. faecalis -1 was not significant compared with that of the E. faecalis -1 supplement, the vaccine improved the growth rate and decreased the mortality and visceral invasion by APEC O78 in challenged broilers. These results showed that E. faecalis -1 supplementation and routine vaccination with the Poulvac vaccine could improve the growth performance and immune response of broiler chickens and protect against challenge with APEC O78.

The current study conducted to investigate the effects of a multi-strain commercial probiotic mix and prebiotic (isomaltooligosaccharide, IMO) on broiler performance parameters, cecal microbiota composition, and protection against challenge with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) O78. For this purpose, 101-day-old Cobb chicks were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (G)—G01: basal diet, G02: basal diet and challenged with E. coli O78 at 28 days old, G03: basal diet with probiotic mix and challenged with E. coli O78 at 28 days old, and G04: basal diet with IMO and challenged with E. coli O78 at 28 days old. Results showed that weekly body weights in G03 were heavier ( P  < 0.05) than those of G01 and G02 at the fourth and fifth week. The body gain at the fourth and fifth week was higher ( P  < 0.05) in G03 than those of the other groups. The hot carcass weight (g) was significantly higher in broiler chickens kept in G03 and G04 compared with those in the control groups (G01 and G02). The probiotic mix and IMO significantly increased the total lactobacilli and total lactobacilli-enterococci populations in the ceca of treated broilers, respectively compared with those in the control groups. The treated broilers (G03 and G04) also showed lower mortality percentage and E. coli recovery rates the liver and spleen than those in G02. It was concluded that probiotic mix or IMO significantly improved the growth performance and modulated the intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens challenged with APEC O78.

 Radio-over-fiber (RoF) systems have been widely investigated due to such advantages of optical fiber as low loss, large bandwidth, and transparent characteristics for radio signal transmission. By utilizing RoF systems, various radio frequency (RF) signals including cellular services and wireless local area network (WLAN) signals can be efficiently distributed to densely populated areas or outdoor ranges. This paper investigates RoF transport systems that have the potential to offer large transmission capacity, significant mobility and flexibility, as well as economic advantage due to its broad bandwidth and low attenuation characteristics. The high performance of RoF communication systems are investigated against traditional optical communication systems using different coding formats over wide range of the affecting operating parameters. Moreover we have analyzed the transmission bit rates and products per channel based standard single mode fiber made of both silica-doped and plastic materials with using modified Shannon technique in addition to use different coding format such as non-return-to-zero (NRZ) code for ultra long haul transmission applications. We have taken into account the bit error rate (BER) for RoF systems with comparing it with traditional optical fiber communication systems as a proof for improvement of signal to noise ratio.

Water deficit has devastating impacts on legume production, particularly with the current abrupt climate changes in arid environments. The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an effective approach for producing natural nitrogen and attenuating the detrimental effects of drought stress. This study investigated the influence of inoculation with the PGPR Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae (USDA 2435) and Pseudomonas putida (RA MTCC5279) solely or in combination on the physio-biochemical and agronomic traits of five diverse Vicia faba cultivars under well-watered (100% crop evapotranspiration [ETc]), moderate drought (75% ETc), and severe drought (50% ETc) conditions in newly reclaimed poor-fertility sandy soil. Drought stress substantially reduced the expression of photosynthetic pigments and water relation parameters. In contrast, antioxidant enzyme activities and osmoprotectants were considerably increased in plants under drought stress compared with those in well-watered plants. These adverse effects of drought stress reduced crop water productivity (CWP) and seed yield‐related traits. However, the application of PGPR, particularly a consortium of both strains, improved these parameters and increased seed yield and CWP. The evaluated cultivars displayed varied tolerance to drought stress: Giza-843 and Giza-716 had the highest tolerance under well-watered and moderate drought conditions, whereas Giza-843 and Sakha-4 were more tolerant under severe drought conditions. Thus, co-inoculation of drought-tolerant cultivars with R. leguminosarum and P. putida enhanced their tolerance and increased their yield and CWP under water-deficit stress conditions. This study showed for the first time that the combined use of R. leguminosarum and P. putida is a promising and ecofriendly strategy for increasing drought tolerance in legume crops.