Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Practices and opinions of New Zealand beef cattle farmers towards bovine viral diarrhoea control in relation to real and perceived herd serological status

ABSTRACT Aims: To investigate the seroprevalence of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus among 75 beef herds and seroconversion in cattle during early pregnancy, and to determine the practices and opinions of farmers towards BVD control and their association with real and perceived herd serological status. Methods: Blood samples were collected before mating in 75 beef herds across New Zealand from 15 unvaccinated heifers that had delivered their first calf that season. Serum samples were tested for BVD antibodies using ELISA individually, and after pooling samples for each farm. Animals that were antibody-negative were retested at either pregnancy diagnosis or weaning. Farmers were asked to complete a detailed survey about herd demographics, BVD testing and vaccination practices, and opinions towards national BVD control. Results: Based on the pooled serum antibody ELISA results, there were 28/75 (37%) negative herds, 15/75 (20%) suspect herds, and 32/75 (43%) positive herds. Of 1,117 animals sampled 729 (65.3%) tested negative for BVD virus antibodies; when retested, 47/589 (8.0%) animals from 13/55 (24%) herds had seroconverted. Among 71 famers providing survey responses 11 (15%) believed their herd was infected with BVD, 24 (34%) were unsure and 36 (51%) did not think their herd was infected. Only 19/71 (18%) farmers had performed any BVD testing within the past 5 years and 50/70 (71%) had not vaccinated any cattle for BVD. Support for national BVD eradication programme was strong in 51/71 (56%) respondents, but the biggest challenge to BVD control was considered to be famer compliance. Compared to farmers who did not think their herd was infected, more farmers who thought BVD was present in their herds had previously tested for BVD, would consider testing all replacement calves, and would support establishing a national BVD database; fewer would consider purchasing BVD tested or vaccinated cattle only. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Only 15% of the beef farmers in this study believed their herds were infected with BVD virus and few of them had undertaken BVD screening. Nevertheless many were supportive of implementing a national BVD control programme. It is likely that the lack of farmer awareness around BVD and the failure of farmers to recognise the potential impacts in their herds are hindering progress in controlling the disease in New Zealand. There are opportunities for New Zealand veterinarians to be more proactive in helping beef farmers explore BVD management options.
Risk of malignancy in the various categories of the UK Royal College of Pathologists Thy terminology for thyroid FNA cytology: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The UK Royal College of Pathologists Thy terminology for reporting thyroid fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), first published in 2009 is used throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, in some parts of Italy and Switzerland and elsewhere. There is no review of the literature or meta‐analysis of the risk of malignancy (ROM) in the various categories of the UK Thy terminology. The goal of this study was to establish the published ROM for each Thy category and compare the results with other existing terminology systems for which similar meta‐analyses are available.
Biometric recognition of newborns and infants by non-contact fingerprinting: lessons learned

Despite years of effort, reliable biometric identification of newborns and young children has remained elusive. In this paper, we review the importance of trusted identification methods, the biometric landscape for infants and adults, barriers and success stories, and we discuss specific failure modes particular to young children. We then describe our approach to infant identification using non-contact optical imaging of fingerprints. We detail our technology development history, including Human-Centered Design methods, various iterations of our platform, and how these iterations addressed failure modes in the identification process. We close with a brief description of our clinical trial of newborns and infants at an urban hospital in Mexico and report preliminary results that show high accuracy, with matching rates consistent with acceptable field-performance for reliable biometric identification in large populations.
Salt or fish (or salted fish)? The Bronze Age specialised sites along the Tyrrhenian coast of Central Italy: New insights from Caprolace settlement

In 2017, an excavation led by the Groningen Institute of Archaeology and in collaboration with the Tor Vergata University of Rome, took place on two small islands in the Caprolace lagoon (Sabaudia, Italy), where Middle Bronze Age layers had previously been reported. Combining the results of an environmental reconstruction of the surroundings and a detailed study of the pottery assemblages, we were able to trace a specialised area on the southern island, in all probability devoted to salt production by means of the briquetage technique. The latter basically consists of boiling a brine through which a salt cake is obtained. The technique was widespread all over Europe, from Neolithic to Roman Times. Since the evidence points to an elite-driven workshop, this result has deep implications for the development of the Bronze Age socio-economic framework of Central Italy. Pottery evidence also suggests that in the Bronze Age sites along the Tyrrhenian coast of Central Italy where briquetage has already been hypothesised, more complex processes may have taken place. On the northern island, we collected a large number of so-called pedestals, which are characteristic features of briquetage, while chemical analyses point to salt or fish sauce production, like the roman liquamen, in a Middle Bronze Age domestic context.
Nonstationary Discrete Convolution Kernel for Multimodal Process Monitoring

Data-driven process monitoring has benefited from the development and application of kernel transformations, especially when various types of nonlinearity exist in the data. However, when dealing with the multimodality behavior that is frequently observed in the process operations, the most widely used radial basis function (RBF) kernel has limitations in describing process data collected from multiple normal operating modes. In this article, we highlight this limitation via a synthesized example. In order to account for the multimodality behavior and improve the fault detection performance accordingly, we propose a novel nonstationary discrete convolution kernel, which derives from the convolution kernel structure, as an alternative to the RBF kernel. By assuming the training samples to be the support of the discrete convolution, this new kernel can properly address these training samples from different operating modes with diverse properties and, therefore, can improve the data description and fault detection performance. Its performance is compared with RBF kernels under a standard kernel principal component analysis framework and with other methods proposed for multimode process monitoring via numerical examples. Moreover, a benchmark data set collected from a pilot-scale multiphase flow facility is used to demonstrate the advantages of the new kernel when applied to an experimental data set.
Reconstruction of the Suprascapular Nerve in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: A Comparison of Nerve Grafting and Nerve Transfers.

BACKGROUND Shoulder external rotation recovery in brachial plexus birth injury is often limited. Nerve grafting to the suprascapular nerve and transfer of the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve are commonly performed to restore shoulder external rotation, but the optimal surgical technique has not been clearly demonstrated. We investigated whether there was a difference between nerve grafting and nerve transfer in terms of shoulder external rotation recovery or secondary shoulder procedures. METHODS This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 145 infants with brachial plexus birth injury who underwent reconstruction with nerve grafting to the suprascapular nerve (n = 59) or spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfer (n = 86) with a minimum follow-up of 18 months (median, 25.7 months [interquartile range, 22.0, 31.2 months]). The primary outcome was the Active Movement Scale (AMS) score for shoulder external rotation at 18 to 36 months. The secondary outcome was secondary shoulder surgery. Two-sample Wilcoxon and t tests were used to analyze continuous variables, and the Fisher exact test was used to analyze categorical variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative risk of subsequent shoulder procedures, and the proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS The grafting and transfer groups were similar in Narakas type, preoperative AMS scores, and shoulder subluxation. The mean postoperative shoulder external rotation AMS scores were 2.70 in the grafting group and 3.21 in the transfer group, with no difference in shoulder external rotation recovery between the groups (difference, 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.31 to 1.33]). A greater proportion of the transfer group (24%) achieved an AMS score of >5 for shoulder external rotation compared with the grafting group (5%) (odds ratio, 5.9 [95% CI, 1.3 to 27.4]). Forty percent of the transfer group underwent a secondary shoulder surgical procedure compared with 53% of the grafting group; this was a significantly lower subsequent surgery rate (HR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.95]). CONCLUSIONS Shoulder external rotation recovery in brachial plexus birth injury remains disappointing regardless of surgical technique, with a mean postoperative AMS score of 3, 17% of infants achieving an AMS score of >5, and a high frequency of secondary shoulder procedures in this study. Spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfers were associated with a higher proportion of infants achieving functional shoulder external rotation (AMS score of >5) and fewer secondary shoulder procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Long-term outcome of brain structure in female preterm infants: possible associations of liberal versus restrictive red blood cell transfusions

Abstract Background Preterm infants who receive differential red blood cell (RBC) transfusions at birth may show brain structure differences across development, including abnormalities in white matter (WM) structure and organization. This study investigated long-term outcomes of brain structure in female infants born preterm, at an average age of 13 years old, who received red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the neonatal period according to a liberal or restrictive approach. Results from this study will increase understanding of the effects of transfusion on the developing brain. Study design and methods This follow-up study included female preterm infants who participated in a clinical trial and had been randomized at birth to either a liberal or restrictive hematocrit threshold. Brain structures were measured in childhood using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Due to the low number of females in the restrictive transfusion group at follow-up, additional females were recruited for inclusion. Main outcome measures included cerebral and subcortical brain region volumes. Results Total intracranial volume was significantly decreased in females who were randomized to higher average hematocrit levels at birth. Infants in the liberal transfusion group had proportionately smaller volumes in all measures of regional cerebral WM and subcortical brain volumes, reaching significance for temporal lobe WM and caudate volumes. Conclusion Female premature infants who received a liberal transfusion threshold at birth had decreased WM volumes, which suggests the potential long-term neurodevelopmental risks associated with liberal transfusion practices.
Repository corticotropin injection in patients with advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis: retrospective analysis of medical records

Background: Repository corticotropin injection (RCI) has regulatory approval for many indications, including symptomatic sarcoidosis. This large case series of patients with advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis treated with RCI describes patient characteristics, RCI utilization patterns, concomitant therapies, and physicians’ assessments of treatment response. Methods: Patients ⩾18 years with symptomatic sarcoidosis, treated with RCI in the previous 36 months, who had completed a course of RCI or received RCI for ⩾6 months at the time of data collection were included. Results: The study included 302 patients (mean age, 51 years; 52%, women) with a mean 4.8 years since initial diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Most patients (76%) had extrapulmonary involvement, primarily in the skin (28%), joints (25%), heart (22%), and eyes (22%); 34% had multiple (⩾2) organ involvement. The mean duration of RCI treatment was 32.5 weeks, with 61.6% of patients continuing RCI therapy for ⩾6 months. The RCI utilization pattern indicated an individualized approach to therapy, with a higher starting dose associated with a shorter duration of therapy compared with a lower starting dose. The percentage of patients who used corticosteroids decreased from 61.3% during the 3 months before initiation of RCI to 12.9% 3 months after RCI therapy; the mean daily dose of corticosteroid decreased from 18.2 mg to 9.9 mg. The proportion of patients given <10 mg/day of prednisone increased from 21% before RCI use to 47% 3 months after RCI use. According to physicians’ assessments of change in patients’ health status after RCI therapy, overall status improved in 95% of patients, overall symptoms in 73%, lung function in 38%, and inflammation in 33%. Conclusions: The findings suggest that RCI is a viable treatment option for patients with advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis and provide insights on patient characteristics and practice patterns to help clinicians determine appropriate use. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
A Prospective Study on Risk Factors for Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging

Abstract Background Olfactory dysfunction (OD) refers to a reduced or absent ability to smell. OD negatively impacts health and quality of life and its prevalence increases with advancing age. Since OD may be an early marker of dementia and impending death, more knowledge regarding risk factors of OD in aging is warranted. The objective was therefore to explore longitudinally which demographic, genetic, clinical, lifestyle, and cognitive factors predict the development of OD. Methods The study included participants aged 60–90 years from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K), who did not have OD at baseline and were reassessed with an odor identification task at a 6-year follow-up (n = 1,004). Risk factors of OD were assessed with multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results The percentage of incident OD cases was 14.2% over 6 years in the total sample and this number increased monotonically with age. Increasing age, carrying the ε4 allele of the APOE gene, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease, and current smoking were found to be risk factors for the development of OD, whereas better olfactory identification and verbal episodic memory proficiency at baseline were identified as protective factors. Conclusions In addition to nonmodifiable factors (age and genetic risk), several modifiable risk factors of OD were identified. This suggests that it might be possible to reduce OD incidence through the management of vascular risk factors and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
Genome‐wide analysis of small RNAs from Odontoglossum ringspot virus and Cymbidium mosaic virus synergistically infecting Phalaenopsis

Summary Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) are the two most prevalent viruses infecting orchids and causing economic losses worldwide. Mixed infection of CymMV and ORSV could induce intensified symptoms as early at 10 days post‐inoculation in inoculated Phalaenopsis amabilis, where CymMV pathogenesis was unilaterally enhanced by ORSV. To reveal the antiviral RNA silencing activity in orchids, we characterized the viral small‐interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) from CymMV and ORSV singly or synergistically infecting P. amabilis. We also temporally classified the inoculated leaf‐tip tissues and noninoculated adjacent tissues as late and early stages of infection, respectively. Regardless of early or late stage with single or double infection, CymMV and ORSV vsiRNAs were predominant in 21‐ and 22‐nt sizes, with excess positive polarity and under‐represented 5ʹ‐guanine. While CymMV vsiRNAs mainly derived from RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase‐coding regions, ORSV vsiRNAs encompassed the coat protein gene and 3ʹ‐untranslated region, with a specific hotspot residing in the 3ʹ‐terminal pseudoknot. With double infection, CymMV vsiRNAs increased more than 5‐fold in number with increasing virus titres. Most vsiRNA features remained unchanged with double inoculation, but additional ORSV vsiRNA hotspot peaks were prominent. The potential vsiRNA‐mediated regulation of the novel targets in double‐infected tissues thereby provides a different view of CymMV and ORSV synergism. Hence, temporally profiled vsiRNAs from taxonomically distinct CymMV and ORSV illustrate active antiviral RNA silencing in their natural host, Phalaenopsis, during both early and late stages of infection. Our findings provide insights into offence–defence interactions among CymMV, ORSV and orchids.
Clinical and Laboratory Parameters of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog Treatment Effectiveness in Children with Precocious Puberty

OBJECTIVE: There are no doubts about the clinical benefits of treatment with GnRH analogs for patients diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP). However, laboratory monitoring of CPP is still a matter of considerable controversy in the literature. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the cut-off values of stimulated LH that determine gonadotrophic suppression. METHODS: Twenty-four girls, on treatment with leuprorelin acetate (LA) at 3.75 mg IM every 28 days, were studied. The clinical parameters used to indicate clinical effectiveness were regression or maintenance of sexual characteristics according to the Tanner stage, growth velocity reduction, reduction or maintenance of the difference between bone age and chronological age and maintenance or improvement of the final height prediction. For the laboratory effectiveness test, basal estradiol, LH, and FSH levels were collected before and 1 and 2 h after the administration of 3.75 mg LA. RESULTS: Eleven girls showed improvement in all clinical parameters, and their effectiveness tests were compared to those of the other patients to calculate the cut-off values, which were ≤3.64 IU/L (p=0.004*) for LH after 1 h and ≤6.10 IU/L (p<0.001*) for LH after 2 h. CONCLUSION: The LH response after the LA stimulation test, associated with clinical data and within a context of CPP, constitutes a reliable and feasible resource and can assist in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
Loneliness and hostility in older adults: A cross-lagged model.

Loneliness takes a meaningful toll on individuals' physical and mental well-being. One of its possible consequences is the perception that others are not to be trusted and are a source of wrongdoing, defined as cynical hostility. At the same time, cynical hostility could also deter individuals from seeking the comfort of close social relationships. We use the Health and Retirement Study to test a cross-lagged model of hostility and loneliness in a sample of 7500 older adults. The results suggest that there are bidirectional associations between hostility and loneliness. The findings are discussed in light of existing theories on human development, and practical implications are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Association of Receiving Multiple, Concurrent Fracture-Associated Drugs With Hip Fracture Risk

Key Points Question Is the concurrent receipt of 2 fracture-associated drugs associated with increased risk of hip fracture? Findings In this cohort study, 11 million person-years of Medicare data revealed that the receipt of multiple fracture-associated drugs was common among older US residents. Concurrent receipt of 2 or more such drugs was associated with a more than 2-fold increase in hip fracture risk, with some specific combinations appearing especially hazardous, including commonly prescribed drugs, such as opioids, antidepressants, and sedatives. Meaning If confirmed, results of this cohort study suggest caution when combining fracture-associated medications, especially when use is discretionary, alternatives exist, or baseline fracture risk is high.
Inhibition of SARS-CoV 3CL protease by flavonoids

Abstract There were severe panics caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus. Therefore, researches targeting these viruses have been required. Coronaviruses (CoVs) have been rising targets of some flavonoids. The antiviral activity of some flavonoids against CoVs is presumed directly caused by inhibiting 3C-like protease (3CLpro). Here, we applied a flavonoid library to systematically probe inhibitory compounds against SARS-CoV 3CLpro. Herbacetin, rhoifolin and pectolinarin were found to efficiently block the enzymatic activity of SARS-CoV 3CLpro. The interaction of the three flavonoids was confirmed using a tryptophan-based fluorescence method, too. An induced-fit docking analysis indicated that S1, S2 and S3′ sites are involved in binding with flavonoids. The comparison with previous studies showed that Triton X-100 played a critical role in objecting false positive or overestimated inhibitory activity of flavonoids. With the systematic analysis, the three flavonoids are suggested to be templates to design functionally improved inhibitors.
CYTOLOGICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF CANINE SKIN AND ADNEXAE CELL TUMOURS

Out of 65 cases studied, 14 were cutaneous epithelial cell tumours which were diagnosed histologically as papilloma (1), squamous cell carcinoma (3), basal cell carcinoma (2), anaplastic carcinoma (2), sebaceous gland adenoma (2), ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma (1) and perianal gland adenoma (3). The tumour cells appeared as round to caudate cells. Cytologically, papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma showed keratinised epithelial cells; basal cell carcinoma with small cuboidal cells, arranged tightly in linear pattern with oval nucleus, fine chromatin and indistinct nucleolus; sebaceous gland adenoma with epithelial cells having vacuoles in the cytoplasm and undifferentiated basal cells; perianal gland adenoma with hepatoid and reserve cells, and ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma having caudate cells with pale cytoplasm. An algorithm was developed to differentiate epithelial tumours cytologically.