Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acceleration of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography Using Compressed Sensing at 1.5 and 3 T: A Clinical Feasibility Study

Objectives Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an established technique in routine magnetic resonance examination. By applying the compressed sensing (CS) acceleration technique to conventional MRCP sequences, scan time can be markedly reduced. With promising results at 3 T, there is a necessity to evaluate the performance at 1.5 T due to wide scanner availabilities. Aim of this study is to test the feasibility of accelerated 3-dimensional (3D) MRCP with extended sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution (SPACE) using CS in navigator triggering and in a single breath-hold in a clinical setting at 1.5 T and 3 T and compare it with a conventional navigator-triggered 3D SPACE-MRCP. Materials and Methods Phantom measurements were performed to adapt sequence parameters. Conventional 3D SPACE-MRCP in navigator triggering (STD_MRCP) as well as CS-accelerated 3D SPACE-MRCP acquired in navigator triggering and in a single breath-hold (CS_MRCP and CS_BH_MRCP) was performed in 66 patients undergoing clinically induced MRI of the pancreatobiliary system at 1.5 T and 3 T. Image quality evaluation was performed by 2 independent radiologists. Dedicated statistics were performed (P < 0.05 considered significant). Results In patient imaging, CS_MRCP was superior to STD_MRCP and CS_BH_MRCP in aspects of overall image quality at 1.5 T (P = 0.01; P < 0.001) and 3 T (P = 0.002; P = 0.013). Overall image quality in CS_BH_MRCP was inferior compared with STD_MRCP and CS_MRCP at 1.5 T. At 3 T, overall image quality in CS_BH_MRCP was superior to STD_MRCP (P = 0.001). Scan time was reduced by 25% to 46% covering 5% of k-space (CS_MRCP at 1.5 and 3 T) and 97% covering 3.6% of k-space (CS_BH_MRCP at 1.5 and 3 T). Conclusions Compressed sensing-accelerated MRCP is feasible in clinical routine at 1.5 and 3 T offering major reduction of acquisition time. When applying a single breath-hold CS imaging, field strengths of 3 T are recommended.
Neuropsychological Difficulties Associated with Dopa Responsive Dystonia

A young girl with l-dopa responsive dystonia showed significant improvements in motor function but had ongoing complaints of neuropsychological difficulties. A neuropsychological evaluation was undertaken to understand the nature of her difficulties. Intellectual function, attention, executive function, and academic attainment were assessed using published psychometric tests. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning was found to be age appropriate. Particular difficulties were identified with working memory, visual selective attention, dual attention, and processing speed which were having a significant impact upon the child and her family. The importance of a thorough neuropsychological evaluation is discussed in helping to appropriately manage and support the child with this chronic but rare health condition.
A local supplementary diet improves reproductive performance in does and growth in kids of small East African x Norwegian Landrace Goats

In the tropical countries including Tanzania the major and economical feeds for ruminants are natural pastures. Yet, these feeds are oftentimes seasonal and are of poor quality such that they alone cannot meet optimum nutritional requirements for high producing ruminants such as dairy goats. Therefore, it has been adviced to supplement such animals with concentrate to increase production and gain profit. However, commercial concentrates are expensive and are not commonly used by farmers. For this reasons, animals are either not supplemented or are supplemented at very low levels with whatsoever available feeds. We believe that in Tanzania dairy goats are underfed and this situation has negative effects on the animals. We therefore conducted this study in 117 dairy goats (43 does and 74 kids) to confirm our hypothesis on one hand and show how supplementation is not always expensive. The feed was made from ingredients obtained in the local vicinities at a cheap price. These are available all over the country. Data were collected and analyzed using relevant tools and models including weighing, body condition score (BCS) scale and statistical software. Our high level diet was 600 grams (g) of a feed comprising of maize brans, sunflower seed cake and a few mixed minerals. It is common in many farms to provide only 200 g of maize brans. We report better performance for weights and BCS in dairy does fed a high level diet and better growing kids from these animals. Keywords: Cross breeding, Dairy goats, Indigenous goats, Nutrition, Tanzania
The Unusual Effectiveness of Averaging in GAN Training

We examine two different techniques for parameter averaging in GAN training. Moving Average (MA) computes the time-average of parameters, whereas Exponential Moving Average (EMA) computes an exponentially discounted sum. Whilst MA is known to lead to convergence in bilinear settings, we provide the -- to our knowledge -- first theoretical arguments in support of EMA. We show that EMA converges to limit cycles around the equilibrium with vanishing amplitude as the discount parameter approaches one for simple bilinear games and also enhances the stability of general GAN training. We establish experimentally that both techniques are strikingly effective in the non-convex-concave GAN setting as well. Both improve inception and FID scores on different architectures and for different GAN objectives. We provide comprehensive experimental results across a range of datasets -- mixture of Gaussians, CIFAR-10, STL-10, CelebA and ImageNet -- to demonstrate its effectiveness. We achieve state-of-the-art results on CIFAR-10 and produce clean CelebA face images. \footnote{~The code is available at \url{this https URL}}
Early Seizure Detection with an Energy-Efficient Convolutional Neural Network on an Implantable Microcontroller

Implantable, closed-loop devices for automated early detection and stimulation of epileptic seizures are promising treatment options for patients with severe epilepsy that cannot be treated with traditional means. Most approaches for early seizure detection in the literature are, however, not optimized for implementation on ultra-low power microcontrollers required for long-term implantation. In this paper we present a convolutional neural network for the early detection of seizures from in- tracranial EEG signals, designed specifically for this purpose. In addition, we investigate approximations to comply with hardware limits while preserving accuracy. We compare our approach to three previously proposed convolutional neural networks and a feature-based SVM classifier with respect to detection accuracy, latency and computational needs. Evaluation is based on a comprehensive database with long-term EEG recordings. The proposed method outperforms the other detectors with a median sensitivity of 0.96, false detection rate of 10.1 per hour and median detection delay of 3.7 seconds, while being the only approach suited to be realized on a low power microcontroller due to its parsimonious use of computational and memory resources.
Five Years after Implementation of Urban Family Physician Program in Fars Province of Iran: Are People's Knowledge and Practice Satisfactory?

Introduction: Urban family physician program (UFPP) was launched in Fars province of Iran in 2012. We aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of people toward this 5-year-old program. Methods: In this population-based study, through a multistage random sampling from 6 cities of Fars province, 1350 people older than 18 years were interviewed. For data collection, a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics and items about knowledge and practice toward UFPP was used. Results: The mean age of the interviewees was 42.4 ± 14.2 years; male (674; 49.9%)-to-female (651; 48.2%) ratio was 1.03. Mean score of knowledge was 4.2 ± 1.7 (out of 14), while 961 (71.1%) had < 50% of the desirable knowledge. Mean score of practice was 4.4 ± 1.3 (out of 9), while only 443 (32.8%) had a good performance toward this program. Knowledge and practice did not show a significant correlation (r = 0.06, P = 0.05). Among cities, the highest and the lowest mean of knowledge belonged to Pasargad (5.6 ± 2.1) and Lar (3.0 ± 1.0) (P < 0.001), respectively. Pasargad (4.8 ± 1.4) had also the highest level of practice compared to Farashband (3.8 ± 1.4) which had the lowest score (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that supplemental insurance coverage (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, %95 confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–3.9), female gender (OR = 1.9, %95 CI: 1.2–2.9) and higher level of education (OR = 1.7, %95 CI: 1.1–2.5) were the significant determinants of knowledge, while practice in those who were not covered by supplemental insurance was better (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.5). Conclusions: After 5 years of implementation of UFPP, knowledge and practice of people toward UFPP are not satisfactory. This finding calls for a serious revision in some aspects of UFFP.
Mama Mach and Papa Mach: Parental Machiavellianism in Relation to Dyadic Coparenting and Adolescents’ Perception of Parental Behaviour

Parental personality is a main contributor to parenting outcomes. However, research on parental personality and parenting or coparenting behaviour is scarce. These few studies showed that disagreeableness and neuroticism are consequently related to negative parenting outcomes. Machiavellianism is an antagonistic and socially aversive personality trait. Machiavellianism has been linked to unfavourable outcomes in several different types of relationships (e.g., romantic relationships, workplace relationships). Using self-report measures, I investigated the association between parental Machiavellianism, adolescents’ perceptions of parenting behaviour, and parent reported coparenting in a sample of 98 families raising adolescents. According to the results, Machiavellianism was positively related to adolescents’ perceptions of rejecting and overprotective parenting behaviour in mothers. With regard to coparenting, fathers’ Machiavellianism had a negative effect both on their own and on their spouses’ reports of coparenting quality. Differences between fathers’ and mothers’ results are discussed with regard to their functions in the parent-child interaction and in the spousal dyad.
The gamma-glutamyl transferase to platelet ratio and the FIB-4 score are noninvasive markers to determine the severity of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B infection

Abstract Objective Noninvasive liver fibrosis evaluation is an important issue in chronic hepatitis B infection, and may be assessed using transient elastography (Fibroscan) or with blood markers. We compared the value of Fibroscan with that of a panel of routine serum markers. Materials and methods We recruited 278 chronic hepatitis B patients who underwent Fibroscan and HBV DNA testing. Fibroscan assessments were made, and blood taken for the measurement of the gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to platelet ratio (GPR), platelet count, aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), international normalised ratio (INR), total cholesterol, trigylcerides, bilirubin, mean platelet volume (MPV), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Results A fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) and GPR were higher and platelets were lower in mild liver fibrosis than in non-liver fibrosis. GGT, AST, ALT, INR, MPV, APRI, FIB-4, GPR, and NLR were higher, and platelet and cholesterol were lower in severe liver fibrosis than in mild liver fibrosis. Elevated GPR (Odds ratio 95% CI 9.1 [1.66–50.0] p = 0.011) and FIB-4 (2.3 [1.2–4.2], p = 0.01) were associated with greater risk of liver fibrosis. The areas under the curve (AUC) were for GPR 0.84 at a cut-off of 0.299 and for FIB-4 0.82 at cut-off 1.571. Conclusions FIB-4 and GPR may be useful blood markers for evaluating the severity of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients. Further prospective study is required to validate these noninvasive blood markers in a clinical practice.
Assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of enniatin-A in vitro

ABSTRACT Enniatin A (EN-A) is a Fusarium mycotoxin which is a common contaminant in grains and especially in maize and it causes serious loss of product. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cell line, and genotoxic effects of EN-A using chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), micronuclei (MN) and comet assays in human lymphocytes. The cells were treated with 0.07, 0.14, 0.29, 0.57, 1.15, 2.29, 4.59 and 9.17 μM concentrations of EN-A. It exhibited cytotoxic effects in HeLa cell lines especially when the concentrations were increased. The half-inhibitory value (IC50) was determined as 1.15 μM concentration for 24 h and 0.57 μM concentration for 48 h. However, EN-A failed to affect the frequency of CAs, SCEs and MN in human lymphocytes. Only a slight increase was observed in the frequency of SCEs at 0.57 μM concentration over 48 h. The replication (RI) and nuclear division (NDI) indices were not affected. On the contrary, EN-A decreased the mitotic index (MI) significantly at all concentrations compared to the negative control and solvent control (except at 0.29 μM for 24 h, and except at 0.14, 0.29 and 0.57 μM for 48 h). Treatments over 2.29 μM showed toxic effects in human lymphocytes. EN-A significantly increased comet tail intensity (except at 0.07 and 0.57 μM) in isolated human lymphocytes. The results of this study demonstrate that EN-A has an obvious cytotoxic effect especially when the EN-A concentration was increased. In addition, EN-A could exhibit a mild genotoxic effect.
Associations between obesity candidate gene polymorphisms (fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO), melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR)) and dietary intake in pregnant women

Abstract Genetic variants associated with dietary intake may be important as factors underlying the development of obesity. We investigated the associations between the obesity candidate genes (fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO), melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor) and total energy intake and percentage of energy from macronutrients and ultra-processed foods before and during pregnancy. A sample of 149 pregnant women was followed up in a prospective cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A FFQ was administered at 5–13 and 30–36 weeks of gestation. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR. Associations between polymorphisms and the outcomes were investigated through multiple linear regression and ANCOVA having pre-pregnancy dietary intake as a covariate. The A-allele of FTO-rs9939609 was associated with a −6·5 % (95 % CI −12·3, −0·4) decrease in the percentage of energy from protein and positively associated with the percentage of energy from carbohydrates before pregnancy (β=2·6; 95 % CI 0·5, 4·8) and with a 13·3 % (95 % CI 0·7, 27·5) increase in the total energy intake during pregnancy. The C-allele of MC4R-rs17782313 was associated with a −7·6 % (95 % CI −13·8, −1·0) decrease in the percentage of energy from protein, and positively associated with the percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods (β=5·4; 95 % CI 1·1, 9·8) during pregnancy. ANCOVA results revealed changes in dietary intake from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy for FTO-rs9939609 (percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods, P=0·03), MC4R-rs17782313 (total energy intake, P=0·02) and LEP-rs7799039 (total energy intake, P=0·04; percentage of energy from protein, P=0·04). These findings suggest significant associations between FTO-rs9939609, MC4R-rs17782313 and LEP-rs7799039 genes and the components of dietary intake in pregnant women.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: [A lowered probability of pregnancy in females in the USA aged 25–29 who received a human papillomavirus vaccine injection]

Statement of Retraction Retraction: “A lowered probability of pregnancy in females in the USA aged 25–29 who received a human papillomavirus vaccine injection” We, the Editor and Publisher of Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A have retracted the following article: Gayle DeLong, “A lowered probability of pregnancy in females in the USA aged 25–29 who received a human papillomavirus vaccine injection,” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, Volume 81, Issue 14, Pages 661-674, DOI 10.1080/15287394.2018. 1477640 Following review and publication of the article, we were alerted to concerns about the scientific validity of the study. As a result, we sought advice on the methodology, analysis and interpretation from a number of experts in the field. All of the post-publication reports we received described serious flaws in the statistical analysis and interpretation of the data in this paper, and we have therefore taken the decision to retract it. The author has been notified of our decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.
Screening for pre‐eclampsia by maternal factors and biomarkers at 11–13 weeks' gestation

To examine the performance of screening for early, preterm and term pre‐eclampsia (PE) at 11–13 weeks' gestation by maternal factors and combinations of mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI), serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A).
Effects of AttM lactonase on the pathogenicity of Streptomyces scabies

The biosynthesis of phytotoxin thaxtomin A (TXT) constitutes the major pathogenicity determinant in Streptomyces scabies, the most widely studied phytopathogen causing scab disease in potato and other root crops. It is recognized that S. scabies regulates its pathogenicity via γ‐butyrolactone (GBL)‐dependent quorum sensing (QS) signalling. AttM, from Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 strain, has recently been proposed to have GBL‐assimilative capacity. Here, we presented the introduction of A. tumefaciens‐derived attM gene into S. scabies using the Escherichia coli–Streptomyces shuttle vector pIJ8600 via intergeneric conjugation, followed by the investigation of secondary metabolism (mycelium growth, TXT production and pathogenicity) in S. scabies attM exconjugants (S.s/attM) in comparison with their wild‐type parent strain (S.s/WT). Among the resultant S.s/attM exconjugants, attM was found to be integrated into S. scabies chromosome as analysed by Southern blotting. Moreover, S.s/attM failed to evoke the disease symptoms in planta and displayed altered morphological differentiation in contrast to S.s/WT. The abolishment of TXT production in S.s/attM substantiated the loss of pathogenicity and also implied that attM, when constitutively expressed in S. scabies, could paralyse its GBL signalling pathway. Altogether, lactonase‐coding gene attM would be useful in a quorum quenching strategy for plant protection via suppressing TXT production and pathogenicity of S. scabies.
Optimization of Maximal Rate of Heart Rate Increase Assessment in Runners

ABSTRACT Purpose: Correlations between fatigue-induced changes in exercise performance and maximal rate of heart rate (HR) increase (rHRI) may be affected by exercise intensity during assessment. This study evaluated the sensitivity of rHRI for tracking performance when assessed at varying exercise intensities. Method: Performance (time to complete a 5-km treadmill time-trial [5TTT]) and rHRI were assessed in 15 male runners following 1 week of light training, 2 weeks of heavy training (HT), and a 10-day taper (T). Maximal rate of HR increase (measured in bpm·s−1) was the first derivative maximum of a sigmoidal curve fit to HR data recorded during 5 min of running at 8 km·h−1 (rHRI8km·h−1), and during subsequent transition to 13 km·h−1 (rHRI8–13km·h−1) for a further 5 min. Results: Time to complete a 5-km treadmill time-trial was likely slower following HT (effect size ± 90% confidence interval = 0.16 ± 0.06), and almost certainly faster following T (–0.34 ± 0.08). Maximal rate of HR increase during 5 min of running at 8 km·h−1 and rHRI8–13km·h−1 were unchanged following HT and likely increased following T (0.77 ± 0.45 and 0.66 ± 0.62, respectively). A moderate within-individual correlation was found between 5TTT and rHRI8km·h−1 (r value ± 90% confidence interval = –.35 ± .32). However, in a subgroup of athletes (n = 7) who were almost certainly slower to complete the 5TTT (4.22 ± 0.88), larger correlations were found between the 5TTT and rHRI8km·h−1 (r = –.84 ± .22) and rHRI8–13km·h−1 (r = –.52 ± .41). Steady-state HR during rHRI assessment in this group was very likely greater than in the faster subgroup (≥ 1.34 ± 0.86). Conclusion(s): The 5TTT performance was tracked by both rHRI8km·h−1 and rHRI8–13km·h−1. Correlations between rHRI and performance were stronger in a subgroup of athletes who exhibited a slower 5TTT. Individualized workloads during rHRI assessment may be required to account for varying levels of physical conditioning.
Bidirectional Relations of Impulsive Personality and Alcohol Use Across Three Waves of Data Collection

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the bidirectional relations between alcohol use and three impulsive personality traits, to advance understanding of risk processes. Participants: 525 college students (mean age = 18.95 years) recruited in August 2008 and 2009 and followed up annually for three years. Methods: Personality and past/current substance use were assessed. Results: T2 sensation seeking mediated the predictive relationship between T1 and T3 alcohol use, and T2 alcohol use mediated the predictive relationship between T1 and T3 sensation seeking. In addition, T2 alcohol problems mediated the predictive relationship between T1 alcohol use and T3 negative urgency. Conclusions: Findings support a bidirectional relationship between sensation seeking and alcohol use, and drinking anticipates drinking problems, which predict increases in negative urgency. For some individuals, there appears to be an ongoing process of increased risk in the form of increases in both drinking and high-risk personality traits.