Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Deep Learning Model for Automatic Segmentation of Intraparenchymal and Intraventricular Hemorrhage for Catheter Puncture Path Planning

Intracerebral hemorrhage is the subtype of stroke with the highest mortality rate, especially when it also causes secondary intraventricular hemorrhage. The optimal surgical option for intracerebral hemorrhage remains one of the most controversial areas of neurosurgery. We aim to develop a deep learning model for the automatic segmentation of intraparenchymal and intraventricular hemorrhage for clinical catheter puncture path planning. First, we develop a 3D U-Net embedded with a multi-scale boundary aware module and a consistency loss for segmenting two types of hematoma in computed tomography images. The multi-scale boundary aware module can improve the model's ability to understand the two types of hematoma boundaries. The consistency loss can reduce the probability of classifying a pixel into two categories at the same time. Since different hematoma volumes and locations have different treatments. We also measure hematoma volume, estimate centroid deviation, and compare with clinical methods. Finally, we plan the puncture path and conduct clinical validation. We collected a total of 351 cases, and the test set contained 103 cases. For intraparenchymal hematomas, the accuracy can reach 96$ \% $ when the proposed method is applied for path planning. For intraventricular hematomas, the proposed model's segmentation efficiency and centroid prediction are superior to other comparable models. Experimental results and clinical practice show that the proposed model has potential for clinical application. In addition, our proposed method has no complicated modules and improves efficiency, with generalization ability.
Global report on COVID-19 vaccination and reasons not to vaccinate among adults with intellectual disabilities: Results from secondary analyses of Special Olympics’ program planning

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people with intellectual disabilities worldwide. The objective of this study was to identify global rates of COVID-19 vaccination and reasons not to vaccinate among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) associated with country economic income levels. The Special Olympics COVID-19 online survey was administered in January-February 2022 to adults with ID from 138 countries. Descriptive analyses of survey responses include 95% margins of error. Logistic regression and Pearson Chi-squared tests were calculated to assess associations with predictive variables for vaccination using R 4.1. 2 software. Participants (n = 3560) represented 18 low (n = 410), 35 lower-middle (n = 1182), 41 upper-middle (n = 837), and 44 high (n = 1131) income countries. Globally, 76% (74.8–77.6%) received a COVID-19 vaccination while 49.5% (47.9–51.2%) received a COVID-19 booster. Upper-middle (93% (91.2–94.7%)) and high-income country (94% (92.1–95.0%)) participants had the highest rates of vaccination while low-income countries had the lowest rates (38% (33.3–42.7%)). In multivariate regression models, country economic income level (OR = 3.12, 95% CI [2.81, 3.48]), age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.03, 1.05]), and living with family (OR = 0.70, 95% CI [0.53, 0.92]) were associated with vaccination. Among LLMICs, the major reason for not vaccinating was lack of access (41.2% (29.5–52.9%)). Globally, concerns about side effects (42%, (36.5–48.1%)) and parent/guardian not wanting the adult with ID to vaccinate (32% (26.1–37.0%)) were the most common reasons for not vaccinating. Adults with ID from low and low-middle income countries reported fewer COVID-19 vaccinations, suggesting reduced access and availability of resources in these countries. Globally, COVID-19 vaccination levels among adults with ID were higher than the general population. Interventions should address the increased risk of infection for those in congregate living situations and family caregiver apprehension to vaccinate this high-risk population.
A quantitative approach to study the adaptation of rhythmic eye movements and the resulting tonic eye deviation in larval zebrafish

To optimize performance during vital tasks, animals are capable of tuning rhythmic neural signals that drive repetitive behaviors, such as motor reflexes under constant sensory stimuli. In the oculomotor system, animals track the moving image during slow phases while repetitively resetting the eye position from the eccentricity during quick phases. During optokinetic response (OKR), larval zebrafish occasionally show a delayed quick phase; thus, the eyes remain tonically deviated from the center. In this study, we scrutinized OKR in larval zebrafish under a broad range of stimulus velocities to determine the parametric property of the quick‐phase delay. A prolonged stimulation revealed that the slow‐phase (SP) duration—the interval between two quick phases—was tuned increasingly over time toward a homeostatic range, regardless of stimulus velocity. Attributed to this rhythm control, larval zebrafish exhibited a tonic eye deviation following slow phases, which was especially pronounced when tracking a fast stimulus over an extended time period. In addition to the SP duration, the fixation duration between spontaneous saccades in darkness also revealed a similar adaptive property after the prolonged optokinetic stimulation. Our results provide a quantitative description of the adaptation of rhythmic eye movements in developing animals and pave the way for potential animal models for eye movement disorders.
Predominance of DS‐1‐like G8P[8] rotavirus reassortant strains in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand, 2018–2020

Rotavirus A (RVA) is an important cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children. This study aims to investigate the molecular epidemiology of RVA in children hospitalized with AGE in Chiang Rai, Thailand in 2018–2020 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Of 302 samples, RVA was detected in 11.6% (35 samples): 11.3% (19/168) in 2018–2019 and 11.9% (16/134) in 2019–2020. G8P[8] was the predominant genotype at 68.4% in 2018–2019 and 81.2% in 2019–2020. G1P[8] (15.8%), G2P[4] (5.3%), G3P[8] (10.5%) in 2018–2019, and G9P[8] (18.8%) in 2019–2020 were also detected. Whole‐genome analysis of G8P[8] revealed a DS‐1‐like genetic backbone: G8‐P[8]‐I2‐R2‐C2‐M2‐A2‐N2‐T2‐E2‐H2. Phylogenetically, the VP7 genes of G8P[8] clustered in a major lineage with previously published 51 DS‐1‐like G8P[8] reference strains, closely related to 13 G8P[8] strains from Thailand and China. These G8P[8] strains contained two unique amino acid substitutions (A125S and N147D) in the VP7 antigenic epitopes. In addition, the VP1 and NSP2 genes of G8P[8] clustered in lineages separated from the DS‐1‐like G8P[8] reference strains with a high genetic divergence but were closely related to G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], or G9P[8]. Several amino acid differences were observed in the VP7 and VP8* antigenic epitopes of G8P[8] compared with RVA vaccine strains. Homology modeling confirmed that these different amino acid residues were located on the surface‐exposed area of the structure. Taken together, the genetic analysis clearly defines the Chiang Rai DS‐1‐like G8P[8] strains as a novel reassortant strain that might have evolved genetically through reassortment events and consequently received their VP1 and NSP2 genes from locally cocirculating‐RVA genotypes.
Placental epigenetic marks related to gestational weight gain reveal potential genes associated with offspring obesity parameters

Offspring exposed to gestational obesity have an increased risk for chronic diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetics may play a mechanistic role in metabolic programming. This study aimed to identify placental DNA methylation marks associated with gestational weight gain (GWG) and to study their association with offspring obesity parameters at school age.
Non-conservative mass transfers in Algols

We applied a revised model for non-conservative mass transfer in semi-detached binaries to 18 Algol-type binaries showing orbital period increase or decrease in their parabolic O − C diagrams. The combined effect of mass transfer and magnetic braking due to stellar wind was considered when interpreting the orbital period changes of these 18 Algols. Mass transfer was found to be the dominant mechanism for the increase in orbital period of 10 Algols (AM Aur, RX Cas, DK Peg, RV Per, WX Sgr, RZ Sct, BS Sct, W Ser, BD Vir, XZ Vul) while magnetic braking appears to be the responsible mechanism for the decrease in that of 8 Algols (FK Aql, S Cnc, RU Cnc, TU Cnc, SX Cas, TW Cas, V548 Cyg, RY Gem). The peculiar behaviour of orbital period changes in three W Ser-type binary systems (W Ser, itself a prototype, RX Cas and SX Cas) is discussed. The empirical linear relation between orbital period ( P ) and its rate of change (d P / d t ) was also revised.
Stay home, stay safe? Public health assumptions about how we live with COVID

ABSTRACT The COVID pandemic has had an uneven impact on families and communities, exacerbating existing structural disadvantage. We demonstrate that the construction of the pandemic by policymakers as primarily a medical problem has shaped the public health response in such a way as to hide the resulting lack of access to necessities for many and deterioration in people’s wellbeing. We interviewed social welfare service providers in an urban area of high cultural and linguistic diversity and low socioeconomic advantage, about their experiences in the 2021 lockdown period. Our findings highlight the unanticipated impacts of the public health response on people who cannot be recognised in the normative subjects constructed by policy. We bring to the fore the hidden experiences behind the government-reported COVID health statistics and explore the (dis)integration of services that support survival. To avoid worsening structural disadvantage, policy responses to crisis require conceptualising the problem and its solutions from diverse standpoints, built on an understanding of the different elements that shape who we are and the way we live.
Numerical Modeling of Free Surface Flow over a Broad-Crested Rectangular Weir

Numerical simulations of free surface flow over a broad-crested rectangular weir are conducted by using the volume of fraction (VOF) method and three different turbulence models, the k-e, RNG k-ω and k-ω SST models. The governing equations are solved by a second-order accurate finite volume method and the grid sensitivity study of solutions is carried out. The numerical results are evaluated by comparing the solutions with experimental and numerical results of Kirkgoz et al. (2008) and some non-dimensionalized experimental results obtained by Moss (1972) and Zachoval et al. (2012). The results show that the present numerical model can reasonably reproduce the experimental results, while three turbulent models yield different numerical predictions of two distinct zones of flow separation, the first zone is in front of the upstream edge of the weir and the second is created immediately behind the upstream edge of the weir where the flow is separated to form the separation bubble. The standard k-e model appears to significantly underestimate the size of both separation zones and the k-ω SST model slightly over-estimates the first separation zone in front of the weir. The RNG k-e model predicts both separation zones in overall good agreement with the experimental measurement, while the k-ω SST model yields the best numerical prediction of separation bubble at the upstream edge of the weir.
A combinatorial neural network exhibiting episodic and semantic memory properties for spatio-temporal patterns

A model is described in which three types of memory--episodic memory, complex sequence memory and semantic memory--coexist within a single distributed associative memory. Episodic memory stores traces of specific events. Its basic properties are: high capacity, single-trial learning, memory trace permanence, and ability to store non-orthogonal patterns. Complex sequence memory is the storage of sequences in which states can recur multiple times: e.g. (A B B A C B A). Semantic memory is general knowledge of the degree of featural overlap between the various objects and events in the world. The model's initial version, TEMECOR-I, exhibits episodic and complex sequence memory properties for both uncorrelated and correlated spatio-temporal patterns. Simulations show that its capacity increases approximately quadratically with the size of the model. An enhanced version of the model, TEMECOR-II, adds semantic memory properties. The TEMECOR-I model is a two-layer network that uses a sparse, distributed internal representation (IR) scheme in its layer two (L2). Noise and competition allow the IRs of each input state to be chosen in a random fashion. This randomness effects an orthogonalization in the input-to-IR mapping, thereby increasing capacity. Successively activated IRs are linked via Hebbian learning in a matrix of horizontal synapses. Each L2 cell participates in numerous episodic traces. A variable threshold prevents interference between traces during recall. The random choice of IRs in TEMECOR-I precludes the continuity property of semantic memory: that there be a relationship between the similarity (degree of overlap) of two IRs and the similarity of the corresponding inputs. To create continuity in TEMECOR-II, the choice of the IR is a function of both noise ($\Lambda$) and signals propagating in the L2 horizontal matrix and input-to-IR map. These signals are deterministic and shaped by prior experience. On each time slice, TEMECOR-II computes an expected input based on the history-dependent influences, then computes the difference between the expected and actual inputs. When the current situation is completely familiar, $\Lambda$ = 0 and the choice of IRs is determined by the history-dependent influences. The resulting IR has large overlap with previously-used IRs. As perceived novelty increases, so does $\Lambda$, with the result that the overlap between the chosen IR and any previously-used IRs decreases.
Effects of dietary quality, physical activity and weight loss on glucose homeostasis in persons with and without prediabetes in the PREMIER trial

We examined the contribution of changes in diet quality, physical activity and weight loss to improvements in insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR index) and fasting glucose concentrations in a long‐term behavioural trial. Furthermore, we compared the effects of lifestyle changes on glycaemic markers for individuals with and without prediabetes.
Effect of strontium ranelate and cerium oxide addition in the diet on bone quality and expression level of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase genes in broiler chicken

Abstract Background In the modern broiler industry, leg and gait disorders are considerable problems. Fast‐growing broilers are especially susceptible to bone abnormalities, causing major problems for broiler producers. Strontium ranelate (SrR) has been used successfully for the treatment of osteoporosis in humans. In addition, cerium oxide (CeO) is an anti‐stress agent applied in the biological system. Methods This study was conducted to investigate the effect of SrR, CeO, and their combinations on tibia quality in broilers. A total of 384 one‐day‐old Ross chicks were divided into six treatments, with four replicates per treatment (16 birds per replicate). The control group was fed a standard diet, and other groups were fed SrR at levels 450, 900 mg/kg feed, CeO at levels 300 and 600 mg/kg feed and a combination of 450 SrR + 300 CeO mg/kg feed. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone strength (BS), tibia area, tibia weight, bone Length, bone diameter, minerals in tibia bone of male broilers, alkaline phosphatase gene (ALP) and osteocalcin gene (OC) in male broilers were analysed. Results The results showed that the addition of SrR and CeO had no significant influence (p > 0.01) on BMD, BMC, BS, bone weight, bone length and bone diameter. While there was a significant interaction between sex and treatments, especially in the combination group, BS in females significantly (p < 0.01) increased compared to the control group. Generally, females were found to be more responsive to treatments than males. Significant increases in gene expression were noticed in OC with the addition of low levels of SrR and CeO and mixed group compared to the control. The gene expression of ALP was increased significantly only in a combination group compared to the control group. Conclusion It is concluded that SrR and CeO can be used as beneficial additives in the feed to improve the tibia quality of broilers.
Metagenomics of the Gut Microbiome in Parkinson's Disease: Prodromal Changes

Prior studies on the gut microbiome in Parkinson's disease (PD) have yielded conflicting results, and few studies have focused on prodromal (premotor) PD or used shotgun metagenomic profiling to assess microbial functional potential. We conducted a nested case–control study within 2 large epidemiological cohorts to examine the role of the gut microbiome in PD.
Behavioral adjustment moderates the effect of neuroticism on brain volume relative to intracranial volume.

OBJECTIVE The present study examined whether the effect of neuroticism on brain structure is moderated by behavioral adjustment. BACKGROUND Neuroticism is widely thought to be harmful to health. However, recent work using proinflammatory biomarkers showed that this effect depends on behavioral adjustment, the willingness and ability to adjust and cope with environmental contingencies, such as different opinions of others or unpredictable life situations. Here, we sought to extend this observation to "brain health" by testing total brain volume (TBV). METHOD Using a community sample of 125 Americans, we examined structural magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and quantified TBV. We tested whether the effect of neuroticism on TBV was moderated by behavioral adjustment, net of intracranial volume, age, sex, educational achievement, and race. RESULTS Behavioral adjustment significantly moderated the effect of neuroticism on TBV, such that neuroticism was associated with lower TBV only when behavioral adjustment was low. There was no such effect when behavioral adjustment was high. CONCLUSION The present findings suggest that neuroticism is not debilitating to those who constructively cope with stress. Implications are further discussed.
Why Animal Experiments Are Still Indispensable in Bone Research: A Statement by the European Calcified Tissue Society

Major achievements in bone research have always relied on animal models and in vitro systems derived from patient and animal material. However, the use of animals in research has drawn intense ethical debate and the complete abolition of animal experimentation is demanded by fractions of the population. This phenomenon is enhanced by the reproducibility crisis in science and the advance of in vitro and in silico techniques. 3D culture, organ‐on‐a‐chip, and computer models have improved enormously over the last few years. Nevertheless, the overall complexity of bone tissue cross‐talk and the systemic and local regulation of bone physiology can often only be addressed in entire vertebrates. Powerful genetic methods such as conditional mutagenesis, lineage tracing, and modeling of the diseases enhanced the understanding of the entire skeletal system. In this review endorsed by the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), a working group of investigators from Europe and the US provides an overview of the strengths and limitations of experimental animal models, including rodents, fish, and large animals, as well the potential and shortcomings of in vitro and in silico technologies in skeletal research. We propose that the proper combination of the right animal model for a specific hypothesis and state‐of‐the‐art in vitro and/or in silico technology is essential to solving remaining important questions in bone research. This is crucial for executing most efficiently the 3R principles to reduce, refine, and replace animal experimentation, for enhancing our knowledge of skeletal biology, and for the treatment of bone diseases that affect a large part of society. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Nutritional status and growth of children and adolescents with and without cerebral palsy in eastern Uganda: A longitudinal comparative analysis

There is a need to understand the growth and burden of malnutrition in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to design appropriate inclusive nutrition strategies. We compared the nutritional status and four-year longitudinal growth of a population-based cohort of children and adolescents (C&A) with CP (n = 97; 2–17 years; 55/42 M/F), and an age and sex matched group without CP (n = 91; 2-17y; 50/41 M/F) in rural Uganda. The cohorts were assessed in 2015 and 2019 for weight, height, social demographic characteristics, and feeding related factors. Nutritional status was determined using the World Health Organization (WHO) Z-scores. Wilcoxon sign rank and Mann-Whitney tests were used to test within and between group differences. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine predictors of the change in growth. Approximately two thirds (62/97 (64%)) of C&A with CP were malnourished (with <-2SD in any of the WHO Z-scores), especially those with feeding difficulties (OR = 2.65; P = 0.032), and those who needed to be fed (OR = 3.8; P = 0.019). Both the CP and non-CP groups deviated negatively from the WHO reference growth curve for height, with a significantly slower growth in the CP group (median change score of height-for-age Z score (HAZ) between assessments = -0.80(-1.56, 0.31), p<0.01), than the non-CP group (median HAZ change score = -0.27(-0.92,0.34, p = 0.034). There was a statistically significant group difference in the median HAZ change score between the CP and non-CP groups (z = -2.21, p = 0.026). Severity of motor impairment measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-level) correlated negatively (r = -1.37,95%CI -2.67, -0.08) with the change in HAZ scores among the CP group. Children and adolescents with severe motor impairments exhibit an increased risk of malnutrition and growth retardation compared to their age matched peers without CP, which underscores the need to develop inclusive community-based nutrition strategies for children with cerebral palsy.