Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint Denoising/Compression of Image Contours via Shape Prior and Context Tree

The advent of depth sensing technologies means that the extraction of object contours in images—a common and important pre-processing step for later higher level computer vision tasks like object detection and human action recognition—has become easier. However, captured depth images contain acquisition noise and the detected contours suffer from errors as a result. In this paper, we propose to jointly denoise and compress detected contours in an image for bandwidth-constrained transmission to a client, who can then carry out aforementioned application-specific tasks using the decoded contours as input. First, we prove theoretically that in general a joint denoising/compression approach can outperform a separate two-stage approach that first denoises then encodes contours lossily. Adopting a joint approach, we propose a burst error model that models typical errors encountered in an observed string of directional edges. We then formulate a rate-constrained maximum a posteriori problem that trades off the posterior probability of an estimated string given with its code rate. We design a dynamic programming algorithm that solves the posed problem optimally, and propose a compact context representation called total suffix tree that can reduce complexity of the algorithm dramatically. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first in the literature to study the problem of joint denoising/compression of image contours and offer a computation-efficient optimization algorithm. Experimental results show that our joint denoising/compression scheme can reduce bitrate by up to 18% compared with a competing separate scheme at comparable visual quality.
Sex-based differences in veterans with pulmonary hypertension: Results from the veterans affairs-clinical assessment reporting and tracking database

Women have an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension (PH) but better survival compared to men. Few studies have explored sex-based differences in population-based cohorts with PH. We sought to determine whether sex was associated with hemodynamics and survival in US veterans with PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] ≥ 25 mm Hg) from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking database. The relationship between sex and hemodynamics was assessed with multivariable linear mixed modeling. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare survival by sex for those with PH and precapillary PH (mPAP ≥ 25 mm Hg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure [PAWP] ≤ 15 mm Hg and pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR] > 3 Wood units) respectively. The study population included 15,464 veterans with PH, 516 (3%) of whom were women; 1,942 patients (13%) had precapillary PH, of whom 120 (6%) were women. Among those with PH, women had higher PVR and pulmonary artery pulse pressure, and lower right atrial pressure and PAWP (all p <0.001) compared with men. There were no significant differences in hemodynamics according to sex in veterans with precapillary PH. Women with PH had 18% greater survival compared to men with PH (adjusted HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.97, p = 0.020). Similarly, women with precapillary PH were 29% more likely to survive as compared to men with PH (adjusted HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.98, p = 0.040). In conclusion, female veterans with PH have better survival than males despite higher pulmonary afterload.
Nutritional quality of food items on fast-food ‘kids’ menus’: comparisons across countries and companies

Abstract Objective To compare energy (calories), total and saturated fats, and Na levels for ‘kids’ menu’ food items offered by four leading multinational fast-food chains across five countries. Design A content analysis was used to create a profile of the nutritional content of food items on kids’ menus available for lunch and dinner in four leading fast-food chains in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. Setting Food items from kids’ menus were included from four fast-food companies: Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), McDonald's and Subway. These fast-food chains were selected because they are among the top ten largest multinational fast-food chains for sales in 2010, operate in high-income English-speaking countries, and have a specific section of their restaurant menus labelled ‘kids’ menus’. Results The results by country indicate that kids’ menu foods contain less energy (fewer calories) in restaurants in the USA and lower Na in restaurants in the UK. The results across companies suggest that kids’ menu foods offered at Subway restaurants are lower in total fat than food items offered at Burger King and KFC, and food items offered at KFC are lower in saturated fat than items offered at Burger King. Conclusions Although the reasons for the variation in the nutritional quality of foods on kids’ menus are not clear, it is likely that fast-food companies could substantially improve the nutritional quality of their kids’ menu food products, translating to large gains for population health.
Sexual dimorphism in the inflammatory response to traumatic brain injury

The activation of resident microglial cells, alongside the infiltration of peripheral macrophages, are key neuroinflammatory responses to traumatic brain injury (TBI) that are directly associated with neuronal death. Sexual disparities in response to TBI have been previously reported; however it is unclear whether a sex difference exists in neuroinflammatory progression after TBI. We exposed male and female mice to moderate‐to‐severe controlled cortical impact injury and studied glial cell activation in the acute and chronic stages of TBI using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization analysis. We found that the sex response was completely divergent up to 7 days postinjury. TBI caused a rapid and pronounced cortical microglia/macrophage activation in male mice with a prominent activated phenotype that produced both pro‐ (IL‐1β and TNFα) and anti‐inflammatory (Arg1 and TGFβ) cytokines with a single‐phase, sustained peak from 1 to 7 days. In contrast, TBI caused a less robust microglia/macrophage phenotype in females with biphasic pro‐inflammatory response peaks at 4 h and 7 days, and a delayed anti‐inflammatory mRNA peak at 30 days. We further report that female mice were protected against acute cell loss after TBI, with male mice demonstrating enhanced astrogliosis, neuronal death, and increased lesion volume through 7 days post‐TBI. Collectively, these findings indicate that TBI leads to a more aggressive neuroinflammatory profile in male compared with female mice during the acute and subacute phases postinjury. Understanding how sex affects the course of neuroinflammation following brain injury is a vital step toward developing personalized and effective treatments for TBI.
Ejaculate evolution in external fertilizers: Influenced by sperm competition or sperm limitation?

The evolution of sperm quality and quantity is shaped by various selective processes, with sperm competition generally considered the primary selective agent. Particularly in external fertilizers, however, sperm limitation through gamete dispersal can also influence gamete investments, but empirical data examining this effect are limited. Here, we studied the relative importance of sperm competition and the spawning conditions in explaining the macroevolutionary patterns of sperm size and number within two taxa with external fertilization but differences in their reproductive biology. In frogs, sperm swim slowly but for up to hours as they penetrate the gelatinous egg coating, whereas fish sperm typically swim fast, are very short‐lived (seconds to minutes), and often face a relatively higher risk of being moved away from the ova by currents. Our phylogenetic models and path analyses revealed different trajectories of ejaculate evolution in these two taxa. Sperm size and number responded primarily to variation in sperm competition in the anurans, but more strongly to egg number and water turbulence in the fishes. Whereas the results across anurans align with the general expectation that sexual selection is the main driver of ejaculate evolution, our findings across the fishes suggest that sperm limitation has been underappreciated.
Dental staining after doxycycline use in children

Abstract Background The use of doxycycline has been avoided before 8 years of age due to known dental staining caused by tetracyclines, although doxycycline differs from classical tetracyclines in many ways. Doxycycline is still an important antimicrobial agent, but its dental safety is not well studied. Objectives To examine the state of permanent teeth after doxycycline exposure in children <8 years of age. Methods Details of doxycycline treatment were collected from medical records. After the eruption of permanent teeth the dental status was examined by an experienced paediatric dentist for detection of dental staining and enamel hypoplasia. The resulting dental photographs were evaluated by a second independent experienced paediatric dentist. Results The mean age of 38 study subjects at the time of doxycycline treatment was 4.7 years (range 0.6–7.9 years, SD 2.3). The doxycycline dose was 10 mg/kg/day (varying from 8 to 10 mg/kg/day) for the first 2–3 days and 5 mg/kg/day (varying from 2.5 to 10 mg/kg/day) thereafter. The mean length of the treatment was 12.5 days (SD 6.0) and ranged from 2 to 28 days. Tetracycline-like staining or enamel hypoplasia of developing teeth was detected in none of the subjects. Conclusions Doxycycline treatment of small children does not seem to induce permanent tooth staining.
Prognostication in Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Using the Ossific Nucleus Center Edge Angle

Background: The aim of this paper was to determine the prognostic potential of the ossific nucleus center edge angle (ONCEA) in patients below 5 years of age treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) to predict final outcome and the need for a secondary procedure. Methods: The interobserver and intraobserver reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient for measurement of the ONCEA. The ONCEA was divided a priori into 3 groups: group A≥10 degrees, group B −9 to 9 degrees, and group C ⩽−10 degrees. Final outcome was measured using the McKay score and Severin classification. The presence of osteonecrosis was recorded at final follow-up. Results: One hundred one patients with 133 dislocated hips underwent closed or open reduction for DDH. Mean age at presentation was 19 months with a mean age at final follow-up of 12.4 years. A significant difference was shown in a comparison of the 3 ONCEA groups using the McKay score, Severin classification, and need for a secondary procedure. Eighty seven of the 101 patients underwent ONCEA reliability measurements. The ONCEA was shown to have a mean intrarater reliability of 0.89, and a mean interrater reliability of 0.77. Conclusions: The ONCEA is a reliable measurement in predicting medium-term outcome of the hip post reduction in children under the age of 5 years with DDH and might be useful as a predictor for a secondary procedure before the age of 5 years. Level of Evidence: Level III—prognostic case control study. Clinical Relevance: This case control study shows the importance of measuring the ONCEA within 6 months of removing the final cast after reduction of a dislocated hip and its implications for further management and outcome.
Nucleation of nitric acid hydrates in polar stratospheric clouds by meteoric material

Abstract. Heterogeneous nucleation of crystalline nitric acid hydrates in polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) enhances ozone depletion. However, the identity and mode of action of the particles responsible for nucleation remains unknown. It has been suggested that meteoric material may trigger nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT, or other nitric acid phases), but this has never been quantitatively demonstrated in the laboratory. Meteoric material is present in two forms in the stratosphere: smoke that results from the ablation and re-condensation of vapours, and fragments that result from the break-up of meteoroids entering the atmosphere. Here we show that analogues of both materials have a capacity to nucleate nitric acid hydrates. In combination with estimates from a global model of the amount of meteoric smoke and fragments in the polar stratosphere we show that meteoric material probably accounts for NAT observations in early season polar stratospheric clouds in the absence of water ice.
Pasture Feeding Changes the Bovine Rumen and Milk Metabolome

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two pasture feeding systems—perennial ryegrass (GRS) and perennial ryegrass and white clover (CLV)—and an indoor total mixed ration (TMR) system on the (a) rumen microbiome; (b) rumen fluid and milk metabolome; and (c) to assess the potential to distinguish milk from different feeding systems by their respective metabolomes. Rumen fluid was collected from nine rumen cannulated cows under the different feeding systems in early, mid and late lactation, and raw milk samples were collected from ten non-cannulated cows in mid-lactation from each of the feeding systems. The microbiota present in rumen liquid and solid portions were analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while 1H-NMR untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed on rumen fluid and raw milk samples. The rumen microbiota composition was not found to be significantly altered by any feeding system in this study, likely as a result of a shortened adaptation period (two weeks’ exposure time). In contrast, feeding system had a significant effect on both the rumen and milk metabolome. Increased concentrations of volatile fatty acids including acetic acid, an important source of energy for the cow, were detected in the rumen of TMR and CLV-fed cows. Pasture feeding resulted in significantly higher concentrations of isoacids in the rumen. The ruminal fluids of both CLV and GRS-fed cows were found to have increased concentrations of p-cresol, a product of microbiome metabolism. CLV feeding resulted in increased rumen concentrations of formate, a substrate compound for methanogenesis. The TMR feeding resulted in significantly higher rumen choline content, which contributes to animal health and milk production, and succinate, a product of carbohydrate metabolism. Milk and rumen-fluids were shown to have varying levels of dimethyl sulfone in each feeding system, which was found to be an important compound for distinguishing between the diets. CLV feeding resulted in increased concentrations of milk urea. Milk from pasture-based feeding systems was shown to have significantly higher concentrations of hippuric acid, a potential biomarker of pasture-derived milk. This study has demonstrated that 1H-NMR metabolomics coupled with multivariate analysis is capable of distinguishing both rumen-fluid and milk derived from cows on different feeding systems, specifically between indoor TMR and pasture-based diets used in this study.
Off-the-shelf tissue engineered heart valves for in situ regeneration: current state, challenges and future directions

ABSTRACT Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is continuously evolving and is expected to surpass surgical valve implantation in the near future. Combining durable valve substitutes with minimally invasive implantation techniques might increase the clinical relevance of this therapeutic option for younger patient populations. Tissue engineering offers the possibility to create tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs) with regenerative and self-repair capacities which may overcome the pitfalls of current TAVR prostheses. Areas covered: This review focuses on off-the-shelf TEHVs which rely on a clinically-relevant in situ tissue engineering approach and which have already advanced into preclinical or first-in-human investigation. Expert commentary: Among the off-the-shelf in situ TEHVs reported in literature, the vast majority covers pulmonary valve substitutes, and only few are combined with transcatheter implantation technologies. Hence, further innovations should include the development of transcatheter tissue engineered aortic valve substitutes, which would considerably increase the clinical relevance of such prostheses.
Influence of fatigue on some electrical ageing mechanisms of polymers

The role of fatigue in the electrical endurance of crosslinked polyethylene and polypropylene and in water treeing in crosslinked polyethylene is discussed. Analysis of existing experimental results shows that the number of AC field cycles is a much better normalising parameter of electrical aging than time. It also suggests that the water-tree length and density increase logarithmically with the number of cycles, apparently independently of the test frequency.
Cultured bone on biomaterial substrates : a tissue engineering approach to treat bone defects

In the present thesis, a tissue engineering approach to treat bone defects was investigated. Such strategy was based on the use of patient own cultured bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in association with biomaterials to produce autologous living bone equivalents. When engineering such implants, three main factors had to be taken into account: (i) the cells, (ii) the culture technology and (iii) the biomaterial scaffolds. The capacity of BMSCs to proliferate, differentiate along the osteogenic lineage and form a bone like tissue was demonstrated in various in vitro assays making use of biochemical, immunological, microscopic and gene expression techniques. The ability of the cells to produce bone in vivo was established using an ectopic (extra osseous) implantation model. Results indicated that BMSC cultures were composed of a heterogeneous population containing a subpopulation of cells with high proliferative capacity and with potential to differentiate into bone forming cells. Both the growth and the differentiation pattern of these cells could be manipulated, to a certain degree, through the use of bioactive factors during culture. After implantation, the bone forming capacity of the cultures proved to be related to the amount of early osteoprogenitors and precursors cells that could be induced into starting the osteogenic differentiation process. In bone marrow aspirates, this subpopulation appeared to decrease with donor age and to be strongly dependent on the donor, indicating that the aspiration procedure plays an important role in the obtained bone marrow cell population. In order to evaluate the in vivo bone formation capacity of BMSC cultures prior to implantation, an experimental method was developed in which the amount of early osteoprogenitors and precursors cells could be quantified. With regard to the technology design, data indicated that the culture of cells on the biomaterial scaffolds prior to implantation resulted in implants with faster in vivo bone forming ability as compared to scaffolds implanted after cell seeding. In addition, two biodegradable polymeric systems were proposed as scaffolds to be used in the described bone engineering approach after evaluating their ability to support bone marrow cell growth, differentiation and in vivo bone formation. In summary, although the complete knowledge of the factors controlling BMSC rowth and osteogenic differentiation still needs to be further expanded, the obtained results suggest that the bone tissue engineering approach described in this thesis presents a great potential for the repair of bone defects and will become an advantageous alternative to the traditional autologous bone grafting.
Development and Validation of Empirically Derived Frequency Criteria for NSSI Disorder Using Exploratory Data Mining

Research suggesting nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) may belong in a distinct diagnostic category has led to the inclusion of NSSI disorder in the DSM–5 section for future study. There has been limited research, however, examining the validity of Criterion A (the frequency criterion). The current study aimed to examine the validity of the frequency criterion of NSSI disorder through the use of an exploratory data mining method, structural equation modeling trees, as a way to determine a NSSI frequency that optimally discriminates pathological NSSI from normative behavior among undergraduate students (n = 3,559), 428 who engaged in NSSI in the previous year. The model included psychopathology symptomology found to be comorbid with NSSI and cognitive-affective deficits commonly associated with NSSI. Results demonstrated a first split between individuals with 0 and 1 act of NSSI in the past year, as was expected. Among individuals with 1 or more previous acts, the optimal split was between those with 5 and 6 NSSI acts in the past year. Results from the current study suggest that individuals with 6 acts of NSSI in past year, compared with those with 5 acts or less, may represent a more severe group of self-injurers. These individuals reported higher levels of related psychopathology symptomology and cognitive-affective deficits, in addition to decreased quality of life. Findings have potential implications for the proposed frequency criteria of NSSI disorder and how pathological NSSI is characterized.
Sex differences in human fatigability: mechanisms and insight to physiological responses

Sex‐related differences in physiology and anatomy are responsible for profound differences in neuromuscular performance and fatigability between men and women. Women are usually less fatigable than men for similar intensity isometric fatiguing contractions. This sex difference in fatigability, however, is task specific because different neuromuscular sites will be stressed when the requirements of the task are altered, and the stress on these sites can differ for men and women. Task variables that can alter the sex difference in fatigability include the type, intensity and speed of contraction, the muscle group assessed and the environmental conditions. Physiological mechanisms that are responsible for sex‐based differences in fatigability may include activation of the motor neurone pool from cortical and subcortical regions, synaptic inputs to the motor neurone pool via activation of metabolically sensitive small afferent fibres in the muscle, muscle perfusion and skeletal muscle metabolism and fibre type properties. Non‐physiological factors such as the sex bias of studying more males than females in human and animal experiments can also mask a true understanding of the magnitude and mechanisms of sex‐based differences in physiology and fatigability. Despite recent developments, there is a tremendous lack of understanding of sex differences in neuromuscular function and fatigability, the prevailing mechanisms and the functional consequences. This review emphasizes the need to understand sex‐based differences in fatigability to shed light on the benefits and limitations that fatigability can exert for men and women during daily tasks, exercise performance, training and rehabilitation in both health and disease.