Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UCTransNet: Rethinking the Skip Connections in U-Net from a Channel-wise Perspective with Transformer

Most recent semantic segmentation methods adopt a U-Net framework with an encoder-decoder architecture. It is still challenging for U-Net with a simple skip connection scheme to model the global multi-scale context: 1) Not each skip connection setting is effective due to the issue of incompatible feature sets of encoder and decoder stage, even some skip connection negatively influence the segmentation performance; 2) The original U-Net is worse than the one without any skip connection on some datasets. Based on our findings, we propose a new segmentation framework, named UCTransNet (with a proposed CTrans module in U-Net), from the channel perspective with attention mechanism. Specifically, the CTrans (Channel Transformer) module is an alternate of the U-Net skip connections, which consists of a sub-module to conduct the multi-scale Channel Cross fusion with Transformer (named CCT) and a sub-module Channel-wise Cross-Attention (named CCA) to guide the fused multi-scale channel-wise information to effectively connect to the decoder features for eliminating the ambiguity. Hence, the proposed connection consisting of the CCT and CCA is able to replace the original skip connection to solve the semantic gaps for an accurate automatic medical image segmentation. The experimental results suggest that our UCTransNet produces more precise segmentation performance and achieves consistent improvements over the state-of-the-art for semantic segmentation across different datasets and conventional architectures involving transformer or U-shaped framework. Code: https://github.com/McGregorWwww/UCTransNet.
Dermal exposure to cobalt studied in vitro in keratinocytes – effects of cobalt exposure on inflammasome activated cytokines, and mRNA response

Abstract Background Cobalt is a dermal sensitizer, and keratinocytes respond to cobalt exposure by releasing proinflammatory mediators, regulating the immune response. Objective To determine the effect of cobalt on the inflammasome associated cytokine- and gene expression in cultured human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Cultivation in low- or high calcium conditions model separate differentiation states of keratinocytes in the skin. Method HaCaT cells in two different states of differentiation were exposed to cobalt chloride and caspase-1 activity as well as the production of IL-1β, IL-18 and gene expression of IL1B, IL18, NLRP3, CASP1, and PYCARD was quantified. Results High cobalt chloride exposure mediated significant increase in caspase-1 activity, cytokine levels, and IL1B and NLRP3 expression with a corresponding regulatory decrease for CASP1 and PYCARD expression. No difference between high- and low calcium culturing conditions modelling differentiation states was detected. Conclusions Our data suggest that HaCaT cells respond with inflammmasome associated activity upon cobalt exposure in a concentration-dependent manner. These mechanisms could be of importance for the understanding of the pathophysiology behind allergic sensitization to dermal cobalt exposure.
Machine Learning-Enabled Data Rate Prediction for 5G NSA Vehicle-to-Cloud Communications

In order to satisfy the ever-growing Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of innovative services, cellular communication networks are constantly evolving. Recently, the 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) mode has been deployed as an intermediate strategy to deliver high-speed connectivity to early adopters of 5G by incorporating Long Term Evolution (LTE) network infrastructure. In addition to the technological advancements, novel communication paradigms such as anticipatory mobile networking aim to achieve a more intelligent usage of the available network resources through exploitation of context knowledge. For this purpose, novel methods for proactive prediction of the end-to-end behavior are seen as key enablers. In this paper, we present a first empirical analysis of client-based end-to-end data rate prediction for 5G NSA vehicle-to-cloud communications. Although this operation mode is characterized by massive fluctuations of the observed data rate, the results show that conventional machine learning methods can utilize locally acquirable measurements for achieving comparably accurate estimations of the end-to-end behavior.
Confirming the Existence of Twin Stars in a NICER Way

We demonstrate that future radius measurements of the NICER mission have the potential to reveal the existence of a strong phase transition in dense neutron star matter by confirming the existence of so-called twin stars, compact star configurations with the same mass but different radii. The latest radius constraints from NICER for the pulsars J0740+6620 as well as J0030+0451 are discussed using relativistic mean field equations of state with varying stiffness, connected with a first-order phase transition to quark matter. We show that twin star solutions are compatible with the new radius constraint but are located at radii below the present constraints from NICER, serving as a smoking gun for a strong phase transition in neutron star matter. This scenario is realized if a strong phase transition takes place in neutron stars of the first branch with masses above 2 M ⊙.
Comparative Profiling of Salivary Cortisol and Salivary DHEA-S Among Healthy Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women

Abstract During pregnancy, circulatory cortisol levels increase, remaining steady over the second-third trimester. In contrast, profile of salivary cortisol during pregnancy is debatable, more influenced by factors like time of sample collection in the day. Circulatory DHEA-S decrease by at least 50% over the second-third trimester of pregnancy. However, profile of salivary DHEA-S is unclear. Objective was to determine changes in salivary cortisol and DHEA-S in healthy pregnant women, compared to non-pregnant women during late morning-early afternoon sampling to avoid fluctuations associated with other times. Pregnant women in their second-third trimester prospectively (n=500) and non-pregnant women (n=133) were enrolled in study with informed consent. Live birth outcome with no pregnancy complications and≥2.5 Kg infant birth weight were included. Concentrations of salivary cortisol and DHEA-S were determined through ELISA assays. Compared to non-pregnant women, pregnant women demonstrated significant increases in salivary cortisol [median (interquartile range)=4.2 (5.1) nmol/l vs. 17.2 (13.9) nmol/l, p<0.001] and salivary DHEA-S median (interquartile range)=2.7 (2.9) nmol/l vs. 3.8 (3.2) nmol/l, p<0.001). Consistently, quartile scores representing higher levels of salivary cortisol and DHEA-S concentrations demonstrated significant association with pregnancy. Quartile scores representing higher salivary cortisol/DHEA-S ratio demonstrated significant association with pregnancy. Study suggests the indicated time range of saliva sampling might best parallel the established profile of circulatory cortisol in pregnant women. However, unlike cortisol, study indicates that the salivary DHEA-S profile is distinct from the well-known profile of circulatory DHEA-S during pregnancy. A combinatorial approach involving both salivary and circulatory compartments could provide comprehensive picture of DHEA-S and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis during pregnancy.
Persistent gravitational wave observables: Curve deviation in asymptotically flat spacetimes

In the first paper in this series, a class of observables that generalized the gravitational wave memory effect were introduced and given the name"persistent gravitational wave observables. "These observables are all nonlocal in time, nonzero in spacetimes with gravitational radiation, and have an observable effect that persists after the gravitational waves have passed. In this paper, we focus on the persistent observable known as"curve deviation,"and we compute the observable using the Bondi-Sachs approach to asymptotically flat spacetimes at the leading, nontrivial order in inverse Bondi radius. The curve deviation is related to the final separation of two observers who have an initial separation, initial relative velocity, and relative acceleration. The displacement gravitational wave memory effect is the part of the curve deviation that depends on the initial separation and is the entire contribution for initially comoving, inertial observers at large Bondi radius. The spin and center-of-mass memory effects are contained within the dependence of the curve deviation on the initial relative velocity, and the dependence of the curve deviation on relative acceleration contains observables distinct from these known memory effects. We find that the full curve deviation observable can be written in terms of differences in nonradiative data before and after the radiation (which we call the"charge"contribution), along with a nonlinear"flux"contribution that vanishes in the absence of gravitational radiation. This splitting generalizes the notion of"ordinary"and"null"memory that exists for the displacement, spin, and center-of-mass gravitational wave memory effects to the full curve deviation observable.
LipGene: Lipschitz Continuity Guided Adaptive Learning Rates for Fast Convergence on Microarray Expression Data Sets

Hyperparameter tuning, specifically tuning of learning rate, can often be a time-consuming process, especially when dealing with large data sets. A mathematical foundation in the choice of learning rate can minimize tuning efforts. We propose the application of a novel adaptive learning rate paradigm, guided by Lipschitz continuity of the loss functions (LipGene), to the task of Gene Expression Inference using shallow neural networks. We utilize Mean Absolute Error and Quantile loss separately for training. Our adaptive learning rate, which is dynamically computed for each epoch, is based on the principle of Lipschitz constant and requires no tuning. Experimentally, we prove that our proposed approach greatly surpasses conventional choices of learning rates in terms of both speed of convergence and generalizability. Advocating the principle of Parsimonious Computing, our method can reduce compute infrastructure required for training by using smaller networks with a minimal compromise on the prediction error.
Facial Anatomical Landmark Detection Using Regularized Transfer Learning With Application to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Recognition

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) caused by prenatal alcohol exposure can result in a series of cranio-facial anomalies, and behavioral and neurocognitive problems. Current diagnosis of FAS is typically done by identifying a set of facial characteristics, which are often obtained by manual examination. Anatomical landmark detection, which provides rich geometric information, is important to detect the presence of FAS associated facial anomalies. This imaging application is characterized by large variations in data appearance and limited availability of labeled data. Current deep learning-based heatmap regression methods designed for facial landmark detection in natural images assume availability of large datasets and are therefore not well-suited for this application. To address this restriction, we develop a new regularized transfer learning approach that exploits the knowledge of a network learned on large facial recognition datasets. In contrast to standard transfer learning which focuses on adjusting the pre-trained weights, the proposed learning approach regularizes the model behavior. It explicitly reuses the rich visual semantics of a domain-similar source model on the target task data as an additional supervisory signal for regularizing landmark detection optimization. Specifically, we develop four regularization constraints for the proposed transfer learning, including constraining the feature outputs from classification and intermediate layers, as well as matching activation attention maps in both spatial and channel levels. Experimental evaluation on a collected clinical imaging dataset demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively improve model generalizability under limited training samples, and is advantageous to other approaches in the literature.
The concreteness advantage in lexical decision does not depend on perceptual simulations.

words are typically more difficult to identify than concrete words in lexical-decision, word-naming, and recall tasks. This behavioral advantage, known as the concreteness effect, is often considered as evidence for embodied semantics, which emphasizes the role of sensorimotor experience in the comprehension of word meaning. In this view, online sensorimotor simulations triggered by concrete words, but not by abstract words, facilitate access to word meaning and speed up word identification. To test whether perceptual simulation is the driving force underlying the concreteness effect, we compared data from early-blind and sighted individuals performing an auditory lexical-decision task. Subjects were presented with property words referring to abstract (e.g., "logic"), concrete multimodal (e.g., "spherical"), and concrete unimodal visual concepts (e.g., "blue"). According to the embodied account, the processing advantage for concrete unimodal visual words should disappear in the early blind because they cannot rely on visual experience and simulation during semantics processing (i.e., purely visual words should be abstract for early-blind people). On the contrary, we found that both sighted and blind individuals are faster when processing multimodal and unimodal visual words compared with abstract words. This result suggests that the concreteness effect does not depend on perceptual simulations but might be driven by modality-independent properties of word meaning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Cyclopentenone and wickerol derivatives from the marine algicolous fungus Trichoderma atroviride A-YMD-9-4

Abstract A new cyclopentenone derivative, 4-hydroxyhypocrenone A, and a new naturally-occurring wickerol derivative, 8-acetoxywickerol A, as well as two known compounds, hypocrenone A and wickerol B, were purified from Trichoderma atroviride A-YMD-9-4, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine red alga Gracilaria verrucosa. The structures and relative configurations of two new isolates were established by a combination of 1 D/2D NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configuration of 1 was assigned on the basis of ECD data analyzed by quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited weak inhibition of one or two marine phytoplankton species. Graphical Abstract
Social Media Use Predicts Greater Liking in In-Person Initial Interactions

Does how people generally engage with their online social networks relate to offline initial social interactions? Using a large-scale study of first impressions (N = 806, Ndyad = 4,565), we examined how different indicators of social media use relate to the positivity of dyadic in-person first impressions, from the perspective of the participants and their interaction partners. Many forms of social media use (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, passive) were associated with liking and being liked by others more, although some forms of use (e.g., Facebook, active) were not associated with liking others or being liked by others. Furthermore, most associations held controlling for extraversion and narcissism. Thus, while some social media use may be generally beneficial for offline social interactions, some may be unrelated, highlighting the idea that how, rather than how much, people use social media can play a role in their offline social interactions.
Evaluation of Paediatric Critical Care Needs and Practice in Nigeria: Paediatric Residents' Perspective

Background There is a dire need for paediatric critical care (PCC) services, but their availability in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria is not well defined. Objective We evaluated self-reported PCC practice, resources, and perceived challenges in various zones of the country, using paediatric residents' perspective. Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey, carried out at an Intensive Course in Paediatrics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Participants' PCC practice and perceived adequacy of PCC resources and services were assessed using a 100 mm uncalibrated visual analogue scale (VAS). A comparison between northern and southern zones was done. A 2-sided p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 143 residents participated in the study, 37.1% of them were male, and 62.9% were female. Their mean age was 34.6 ± 3.2 years. They were mainly (86.7%) from federal institutions across the country. Less than a half (46.7%) of the trainees attended to critically ill children daily, but only 4 out of every 10 respondents stated that such severely ill children survived till hospital discharge; 12.1% of the trainees had PICUs in their institutions. Financial constraints hindered PICU admissions. PCC staff were relatively fewer in northern zones than southern zones (p < 0.05). Their perceived adequacy of PCC equipment and services were low (VAS scores 32.7 ± 2.6 and 30.9 ± 2.8, respectively) with a strong positive correlation between the two measurements (r = 0.839; p < 0.001). Conclusion There is an unmet need for PCC practice in Nigerian tertiary hospitals with a resultant low survival rate of critically ill children. PCC training curricula and improved critical care resources are desirable in the setting.
The Impact of Motivational Interviewing on Self-care and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Background Self-care is an integral component of successful chronic heart failure (HF) management. Structured educational programs have already been shown to be effective in improving self-care, but some patients show resistance and little motivation for change. Objective The objective of this study was to compare efficacy in improving self-care and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for an educational intervention based on motivational interviewing (MI) compared with a conventional educational intervention. Methods This experimental pretest-posttest study with an equivalent historical control group included 93 patients in the intervention group and 93 matched patients in the control group. Participants attended a first visit after HF hospitalization discharge and 6 to 7 follow-up visits during 6 months. The European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior scale and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire were used to assess self-care and HRQoL, respectively. Data on mortality and hospital readmissions were collected as adverse events. Results Self-care improved significantly more in the MI-based intervention group than in the control group (P = .005). Although both self-care and HRQoL improved in both groups over time (P < .05), there was no significant between-group difference in terms of HRQoL improvement over time (P = .13). Conclusions Our findings suggest that MI delivered by MI-trained nurses is effective in significantly improving self-care by patients with HF. Nonetheless, further studies are required to evaluate the impact of MI on other outcomes, such as HRQoL and adverse clinical events.
Use of Fosfomycin Etest To Determine In Vitro Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates of Enterobacterales Other than Escherichia coli, Nonfermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli, and Gram-Positive Cocci

Clinical isolates of Enterobacterales other than Escherichia coli (EOTEC), nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli, and Gram-positive cocci were tested for susceptibility to fosfomycin using Etest and reference agar dilution. Applying EUCAST (v. 11.0, 2021) intravenous fosfomycin breakpoints, Etest MICs for EOTEC showed essential agreement (EA), categorical agreement (CA), major error (ME), and very major error (VME) rates of 70.4%, 88.4%, 4.1%, and 32.1%, respectively. ABSTRACT Clinical isolates of Enterobacterales other than Escherichia coli (EOTEC), nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli, and Gram-positive cocci were tested for susceptibility to fosfomycin using Etest and reference agar dilution. Applying EUCAST (v. 11.0, 2021) intravenous fosfomycin breakpoints, Etest MICs for EOTEC showed essential agreement (EA), categorical agreement (CA), major error (ME), and very major error (VME) rates of 70.4%, 88.4%, 4.1%, and 32.1%, respectively. No species of EOTEC tested with acceptable rates for all of EA (≥90%), CA (≥90%), ME (≤3%), and VME (≤3%). Etest MICs for Enterococcus faecalis, interpreted using CLSI oral/urine criteria (M100, 2021) showed EA, CA, minor error, ME, and VME rates of 98.5%, 81.2%, 18.8%, 0%, and 0%. Against Staphylococcus aureus, EA, CA, and ME rates were 84.1%, 98.7%, and 1.3% (EUCAST intravenous criteria). S. aureus isolates with fosfomycin MICs of >32 μg/ml (resistant) were not identified by agar dilution. We conclude that performing fosfomycin Etest on isolates of S. aureus will reliably identify fosfomycin-susceptible isolates with low, acceptable rates of MEs and VMEs. Testing of urinary isolates of E. faecalis by Etest is associated with an unacceptably high rate of minor errors (18.8%) but low, acceptable rates of MEs and VMEs when results are interpreted using CLSI criteria. Isolates of EOTEC tested by Etest with resulting MICs interpreted by EUCAST criteria were associated with an unacceptably high VME rate (32.1%). In vitro testing of clinical isolates beyond E. coli, E. faecalis, and S. aureus to determine susceptibility to fosfomycin is problematic with current methods and breakpoints.
The Effect of Scheduled Intravenous Acetaminophen in an Enhanced Recovery Protocol Pathway in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Procedures: A Prospective, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) utilize multi-modal analgesia regimens. Individual regimen components should be evaluated for their analgesic efficacy. We evaluated the effect of scheduled intravenous (IV) acetaminophen within an ERP on analgesia and recovery after a major abdominal surgery. DESIGN This study is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. SETTING The study setting was a tertiary care, academic medical center. SUBJECTS Adult patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgical procedures. METHODS Patients in group A received 1g IV acetaminophen, while patients in group P received IV placebo every six hours for 48 hours postoperatively within an ERP. Pain scores, opioid requirements, nausea and vomiting, time to oral intake and mobilization, length of stay, and patient satisfaction scores were measured and compared. RESULTS From 412 patients screened, 154 patients completed the study (Group A: 76, Group P: 78). Primary outcome was the number of patients with unsatisfactory pain relief, defined as a composite of average Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores above 5 and requirement of IV patient-controlled analgesia for pain relief during the first 48 hours postoperatively, and was not significantly different between the two groups (33 (43.4%) in group A versus 42 (53.8%) patients in group P, p=0.20). Opioid consumption was comparable between two groups. Group A utilized significantly less postoperative rescue antiemetics compared to group P (41% vs. 58%, p= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Scheduled administration of IV acetaminophen did not improve postoperative analgesia or characteristics of postoperative recovery in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery within an ERP pathway.