Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Autonomous Robotic Minimally Invasive Ultrasound Scanning and Vessel Reconstruction on Non-Planar Surfaces

Autonomous robotic Ultrasound (US) scanning has been the subject of research for more than 2 decades. However, little work has been done to apply this concept into a minimally invasive setting, in which accurate force sensing is generally not available and robot kinematics are unreliable due to the tendon-driven, compliant robot structure. As a result, the adequate orientation of the probe towards the tissue surface remains unknown and the anatomy reconstructed from scan may become highly inaccurate. In this work we present solutions to both of these challenges: an attitude sensor fusion scheme for improved kinematic sensing and a visual, deep learning based algorithm to establish and maintain contact between the organ surface and the US probe. We further introduce a novel scheme to estimate and orient the probe perpendicular to the center line of a vascular structure. Our approach enables, for the first time, to autonomously scan across a non-planar surface and navigate along an anatomical structure with a robotically guided minimally invasive US probe. Our experiments on a vessel phantom with a convex surface confirm a significant improvement of the reconstructed curved vessel geometry, with our approach strongly reducing the mean positional error and variance. In the future, our approach could help identify vascular structures more effectively and help pave the way towards semi-autonomous assistance during partial hepatectomy and the potential to reduce procedure length and complication rates.
Instanton Effects in Three Flavor QCD

Recently it was shown that in QCD-like theories with Nf > N, where Nf is the number of light avors and N is the number of colors, there are correlation functions that vanish in perturbation theory and at short distances receive dominant, calculable contributions from small instantons. Here we extend the set of such objects to theories with Nf = N, which includes real QCD, and discuss their application as a calibration of lattice computations at small quark mass. We revisit the related issue of the u quark mass and its additive renormalization by small instantons, and discuss an alternative test of mu = 0 on the lattice.
Macular pigment optical density of hyperopic anisometropic amblyopic patients measured by fundus reflectometry

Purpose Hyperopic anisometropia is a major cause of amblyopia and may be associated with macular pigment optical density (MPOD) reduction. To explore whether the MPOD changes in hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia, we measured the MPOD using fundus reflectometry in eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia and normal vision. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2017 to June 2017. Forty subjects (25 males and 15 females) between the ages of 6 and 10 years were recruited. The subjects' eyes were divided into two groups: amblyopic eyes (best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) not more than 20/25 or BCVA of two eyes differing by two or more lines) and fellow eyes. All enrolled subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including extraocular motility assessment, cover-uncover testing, and refractive error (noncycloplegic), BCVA, axial length (AL), macular foveal thickness (MFT) and MPOD (Visucam® 200, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany). Results The MPOD of amblyopic and fellow eyes was 0.12 ± 0.03 log units and 0.13 ± 0.04 log units, respectively, with a significant difference (P = 0.026). The MFT of amblyopic and fellow eyes was 241.28 ± 13.95 and 237.13 ± 16.02 μm, respectively, revealing that the MFT was significantly higher in amblyopic eyes than in fellow eyes (P = 0.028). Conversely, there was no correlation between the MPOD and MFT in the two groups. Conclusions This study is the first to report that the MPOD is decreased in hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia. In this study, no correlation between the MPOD and MFT was found. In the future, factors that induce a decrease in the MPOD in eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia should be explored in a large-sample study with follow-up observation.
Comparing the B and T cell-mediated immune responses in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving mRNA or inactivated COVID-19 vaccines

Acquiring protective immunity through vaccination is essential, especially for patients with type 2 diabetes who are vulnerable for adverse clinical outcomes during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with immune dysfunction. Here, we evaluated the impact of T2D on the immunological responses induced by mRNA (BNT162b2) and inactivated (CoronaVac) vaccines, the two most commonly used COVID-19 vaccines. The study consisted of two parts. In Part 1, the sera titres of IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) alpha receptor binding domain (RBD), their neutralizing capacity, and antigen-specific CD4+T and CD8+T cell responses at 3-6 months after vaccination were compared between BNT162b2 (n=60) and CoronaVac (n=50) vaccinees with or without T2D. Part 2 was a time-course study investigating the initial B and T cell responses induced by BNT162b2 among vaccinees (n=16) with or without T2D. Our data showed that T2D impaired both cellular and humoral immune responses induced by CoronaVac. For BNT162b2, T2D patients displayed a reduction in CD4+T-helper 1 (Th1) differentiation following their first dose. However, this initial defect was rectified by the second dose of BNT162b2, resulting in comparable levels of memory CD4+ and CD8+T cells, anti-RBD IgG, and neutralizing antibodies with healthy individuals at 3-6 months after vaccination. Hence, T2D influences the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines depending on their platform. Our findings provide a potential mechanism for the susceptibility of developing adverse outcomes observed in COVID-19 patients with T2D and received either CoronaVac or just one dose of BNT162b2.
Molecular characterization of Brucella spp. from seropositive herds of cattle farmed at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in Rwanda

Seroprevalence studies showed that brucellosis is prevalent in cattle in Rwanda with no recent study on the characterization of Brucella spp. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize Brucella spp. in seropositive herds of cattle farmed at the wildlife–livestock–human interface. Whole blood samples (n = 118), milk (n = 41), and vaginal swabs (n = 51) were collected from 64 seropositive herds. All samples (n = 210) were inoculated onto modified Centro de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agroalimentaria (CITA) selective medium. Cultures were analyzed to detect Brucella spp. using 16S−23S ribosomal DNA interspacer region (ITS) PCR, the Brucella cultures were speciated using AMOS and Bruce-ladder PCR assays. Brucella spp. were detected in 16.7% (35/210) of the samples established from the samples using ITS-PCR. The AMOS PCR assay identified mixed Brucella abortus and B. melitensis (n = 6), B. abortus (n = 7), and B. melitensis (n = 1) from cultures from blood samples; mixed B. abortus and B. melitensis (n = 1) and B. abortus (n = 4) from cultures from milk samples; mixed B. abortus and B. melitensis (n = 6), B. abortus (n = 8), and B. melitensis (n = 1) from cultures from vaginal swabs. Bruce-ladder PCR assay confirmed B. abortus and B. melitensis cultures. The isolation of Brucella spp. was significantly associated with districts, with the Nyagatare district having more isolates than other districts (p = 0.01). This study identified single or mixed B. abortus and B. melitensis infections in cattle samples in Rwanda, which emphasizes the need to improve brucellosis control at the wildlife–livestock–human interface and raise the awareness of cattle keepers, abattoir workers, laboratory personnel, and consumers of cattle products.
Partial transpose of two disjoint blocks in XY spin chains

We consider the partial transpose of the spin reduced density matrix of two disjoint blocks in spin chains admitting a representation in terms of free fermions, such as XY chains. We exploit the solution of the model in terms of Majorana fermions and show that such partial transpose in the spin variables is a linear combination of four Gaussian fermionic operators. This representation allows to explicitly construct and evaluate the integer moments of the partial transpose. We numerically study critical XX and Ising chains and we show that the asymptotic results for large blocks agree with conformal field theory predictions if corrections to the scaling are properly taken into account.
Structural and electronic properties of the active site of [ZnFe] SulE

The function of the recently isolated sulerythrin (SulE) has been investigated using a combination of structural and electronic analyses based on quantum mechanical calculations. In the SulE structure of Fushinobu et al. (2003), isolated from a strictly aerobic archaeon, Sulfolobus tokadaii, a dioxygen-containing species was tentatively included at the active site during crystallographic refinement although the substrate specificity of SulE remains unclear. Studies have suggested that a structurally related enzyme, rubrerythrin, functions as a hydrogen peroxide reductase. Since SulE is a truncated version of rubrerythrin, the enzymes are hypothesized to function similarly. Hence, using available X-ray crystallography data (1.7 Å), we constructed various models of SulE containing a ZnII–Fe active site, differing in the nature of the substrate specificity (O2, H2O2), the oxidation level and the spin state of the iron ion, and the protonation states of the coordinating glutamate residues. Also, the substrate H2O2 is modeled in two possible configurations, differing in the orientation of the hydrogen atoms. Overall, the optimized geometries with an O2 substrate do not show good agreement with the experimentally resolved geometry. In contrast, excellent agreement between crystal structure arrangement and optimized geometries is achieved considering a H2O2 substrate and FeII in both spin states, when Glu92 is protonated. These results suggest that the dioxo species detected at the [ZnFe] active site of sulerythrin is H2O2, rather than an O2 molecule in agreement with experimental data indicating that only the diferrous oxidation state of the dimetal site in rubrerythrin reacts rapidly with H2O2. Based on our computations, we proposed a possible reaction pathway for substrate binding at the ZnFeII site of SulE with a H2O2 substrate. In this reaction pathway, Fe or another electron donor, such as NAD(P)H, catalyzes the reduction of H2O2 to water at the zinc–iron site.
Hypertension in chronic kidney disease: What lies behind the scene

Hypertension is a frequent condition encountered during kidney disease development and a leading cause in its progression. Hallmark factors contributing to hypertension constitute a complexity of events that progress chronic kidney disease (CKD) into end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Multiple crosstalk mechanisms are involved in sustaining the inevitable high blood pressure (BP) state in CKD, and these play an important role in the pathogenesis of increased cardiovascular (CV) events associated with CKD. The present review discusses relevant contributory mechanisms underpinning the promotion of hypertension and their consequent eventuation to renal damage and CV disease. In particular, salt and volume expansion, sympathetic nervous system (SNS) hyperactivity, upregulated renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), oxidative stress, vascular remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, and a range of mediators and signaling molecules which are thought to play a role in this concert of events are emphasized. As the control of high BP via therapeutic interventions can represent the key strategy to not only reduce BP but also the CV burden in kidney disease, evidence for major strategic pathways that can alleviate the progression of hypertensive kidney disease are highlighted. This review provides a particular focus on the impact of RAAS antagonists, renal nerve denervation, baroreflex stimulation, and other modalities affecting BP in the context of CKD, to provide interesting perspectives on the management of hypertensive nephropathy and associated CV comorbidities.
How to coordinate the use and conservation of natural resources in protected areas: From the perspective of tourists’ natural experiences and environmentally responsible behaviours

One of the important purposes of opening protected areas to the public is providing tourists with natural experience products and education so as to stimulate their environmentally responsible behaviours (ERBs) and achieve sustainability. However, there are often contradictions between the recreational use of natural resources and eco-environmental protection, and scholars have not directly determined whether natural experiences always trigger tourist ERBs. To fill this gap, we study the formation of ERBs (including environmentally friendly behaviours, environmental concern-based behaviours and sustainable behaviours) by integrating the mechanisms of tourists’ experiences (including sensory experience, mental involvement and norm arousal) and their effects on ERBs. The results of a sample of 682 tourists at a National Nature Reserve in China affirm that there are spillover effects among tourists’ experiences and that tourists’ experiences influence ERBs. Sensory experience and norm arousal positively affect people’s environmentally friendly behaviours, their behaviours that are based on their concern for the environment and their sustainable behaviours. While mental involvement has a positive impact on environmentally friendly behaviours, a negative impact on sustainable behaviours, and no effect on people’s environmental concern-based behaviours. In addition, mental involvement and norm arousal play an important role in mediating the impacts of sensory experience on ERBs. This study explores the relationship between use and conservation of natural resources via tourists’ experiences and ERBs, and it reveals that tourists’ experience stays in mental involvement, which may not conducive to eco-environmental conservation in the protected areas. It opens the field for future research paths in the exploration of the paradox that emerges out of the natural experience and tourists’ ERBs and provides insights into and points to ecological implications for reserve managers and tourism operators.
The determinants of investment fraud: A machine learning and artificial intelligence approach

Investment fraud continues to be a severe problem in the Canadian securities industry. This paper aims to employ machine learning algorithms and artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict investment in Canada. Data for this study comes from cases heard by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) between June 2008 and December 2019. In total, 406 cases were collected and coded for further analysis. After data cleaning and pre-processing, a total of 385 cases were coded for further analysis. The machine learning algorithms and artificial neural networks were able to predict investment fraud with very good results. In terms of standardized coefficient, the top five features in predicting fraud are offender experience, retired investors, the amount of money lost, the amount of money invested, and the investors' net worth. Machine learning and artificial intelligence have a pivotal role in regulation because they can identify the risks associated with fraud by learning from the data they ingest to survey past practices and come up with the best possible responses to predict fraud. If used correctly, machine learning in the form of regulatory technology can equip regulators with the tools to take corrective actions and make compliance more efficient to safeguard the markets and protect investors from unethical investment advisors.
Case report: NAFLD and maple syrup urine disease: Is there an interplay between branched-chain amino acids and fructose consumption?

Background The worldwide increase in pediatric overweight and obesity, in parallel with the global increase in the consumption of sucrose and fructose, is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Elevated branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a metabolic feature related to obesity and an early risk factor for insulin resistance and NAFLD. However, few studies have assessed metabolic risk factors and nutritional status in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) patients under restricted BCAA and high carbohydrate diets. Methods and results Herein, we present a pilot report of a 17-year-old boy with classic MSUD with poor diet compliance and high fructose consumption, mainly during early adolescence. At that time, he was overweight and developed features of metabolic syndrome, including persistently elevated liver enzymes and hepatic steatosis. He underwent liver transplantation at the age of 13 years to prevent the risk of progressive cognitive impairment. Two months later, NAFLD relapsed in the graft, despite a better BCAA balance and weight loss. Nevertheless, 6 months after dietary restriction of fructose consumption, NAFLD had sustainably improved. Conclusion Childhood overweight and fructose overconsumption are wellestablished driving forces in the development of pediatric NAFLD. However, their role in the early onset and progression of NAFLD in the allograft remains to be established. Furthermore, it is not known whether the dysmetabolic state associated with elevated BCAAs may be contributory. Further studies are required with a cohort of MSUD subjects to validate our findings and to ascertain the possible interaction between a BCAA imbalance and dietary intake in the development of NAFLD.
ADHD diagnosis and methylphenidate consumption in children and adolescents: A systematic analysis of health databases in France over the period 2010–2019

Context ADHD is the most common mental disorder in school-aged children. In France, methylphenidate is the only drug authorized for ADHD. Here, we describe the pattern of ADHD diagnosis and methylphenidate prescription to children and adolescents from 2010 to 2019. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all beneficiaries of the French general health insurance scheme (87% of the population, 58 million people). We extracted information for all children and adolescents aged 0–17 years who received: (1) A diagnosis of ADHD (34,153 patients). (2) At least one methylphenidate prescription (144,509 patients). We analyzed the clinical, demographic, institutional, and social parameters associated with ADHD diagnosis and methylphenidate consumption in France. Results The ADHD diagnosis among children and adolescents increased by 96% between 2010 and 2019. ADHD diagnosis affects more boys than girls. About 50.6% of children hospitalized with a diagnosis of ADHD in 2017 also had another psychiatric diagnosis. The rate of children hospitalized with an ADHD diagnosis and treated with MPH varied between 56.4 and 60.1%. The median duration of MPH treatment for a 6-year-old ADHD child initiated in 2011 is 7.1 years. In 2018, 62% of ADHD children were receiving at least one psychotropic medication. Between 2010 and 2019, methylphenidate prescription increased by +56% for incidence and +116% for prevalence. The prevalence of methylphenidate prescription reached between 0.61 and 0.75% in 2019. Boys are predominantly medicated. The median duration of treatment among 6-year-olds in 2011 was 5.5 years. The youngest children received the longest treatment duration. Diagnoses associated with methylphenidate prescription did not always correspond to the marketing authorization. Among children receiving the first prescription of methylphenidate, 22.8% also received one or more other psychotropic drugs during the same year. A quarter of initiations and half of renewals were made outside governmental recommendations. Educational and psychotherapeutic follow-up decreased from 4.1% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2019. French children and adolescents, who were the youngest in their class were more likely to be diagnosed (55%) and prescribed methylphenidate (54%). Children from disadvantaged families had an increased risk of ADHD diagnosis (41.4% in 2019) and methylphenidate medication (25.7% in 2019).
The differences in learning motivation of college freshmen in Northwest China

The study aimed to investigate the learning motivation of freshmen from a university in Northwest China, which can supply a reference for improving their learning quality and objectives. Data were collected from 800 freshmen of different majors with a learning motivation questionnaire. Differences in learning motivation between different majors, genders, regions, and students are studied. The results show that gender, seeking knowledge orientation, and material pursuit have significant effects on students’ learning motivation. The gender had a significant impact on personal achievement and the only child or not had an obvious effect on material pursuit, while other factors had no obvious difference in gender, regional, and only child or not, while other factors on the gender, regional, and whether the one-child had no obvious difference. According to the results of the research, measures to improve learning motivation are proposed. Our research results provide a reference for improving learning attitude and the quality of universities.
How perceived scarcity predicted cooperation during early pandemic lockdown

Both material resources (jobs, healthcare), and socio-psychological resources (social contact) decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated whether individual differences in perceived material and socio-psychological scarcity experienced during the pandemic predicted preference for cooperation, measured using two Public Good Games (PGGs), where participants contributed money or time (i.e., hours indoors contributed to shorten the lockdown). Material scarcity had no relationship with cooperation. Increased perceived scarcity of socio-psychological wellbeing (e.g., connecting with family) predicted increased preference for cooperation, suggesting that missing social contact fosters prosociality, whilst perceived scarcity of freedom (e.g., limited movement) predicted decreased willingness to spend time indoors to shorten the lockdown. The importance of considering individual differences in scarcity perception to best promote norm compliance is discussed.