Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep Learning-based Virtual Refocusing of Out-of-Plane Images for Ultrasound Computed Tomography

Ultrasound computed tomography (USCT) has attracted increasing attention for the potential to quantify the acoustic properties of tissues. The three-dimensional (3D) image can be reconstructed by stacking a group of cross-sectional USCT images with sub-millimeter isotropic spatial resolution. However, the interval of the slice images is set in millimeter-scale with a trade-off of imaging speed and axial resolution, resulting in a loss of axial information and a deviation in volumetric measurements. This paper demonstrates a framework based on a deep neural network to virtually refocus a two-dimensional USCT image onto the user-defined 3D surfaces without relying on any additional axial scanning, increasing the number of slice images by 40 times. In the training stage, an input image is appended with a distance matrix (DM) that represents the distance of the target plane from the plane of input image along the axial direction, each image is refocused to a series of planes ranging from -5mm to 5mm with a step size of 0.25mm, that is, 20 planes above and 20 planes below, thus forming around 16000 image pairs. The residual U-Net learns to refocus an input image appended with a DM to a user-define plane. Once the training is complete, a virtual 3D image stack can be generated when provided with a single image appended with a series of DMs. The proposed framework can virtually refocus a single image to multiple user-define planes represented by different DMs, enabling the USCT 3D imaging with sub-millimeter slice intervals.
Association Between Renal Function and Troponin T Over Time in Stable Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background People with reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) often have elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels. It remains unclear how cTnT levels develop over time in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to prospectively study the association between cTnT and GFR over time in older advanced‐stage CKD patients not on dialysis. Methods and Results The EQUAL (European Quality Study) study is an observational prospective cohort study in stage 4 to 5 CKD patients aged ≥65 years not on dialysis (incident estimated GFR, <20 mL/min/1.73 m²). The EQUAL cohort used for the purpose of this study includes 171 patients followed in Sweden between April 2012 and December 2018. We used linear mixed models, adjusted for important groups of confounders, to investigate the effect of both measured GFR and estimated GFR on high‐sensitivity cTnT (hs‐cTnT) trajectory over 4 years. Almost all patients had at least 1 hs‐cTnT measurement elevated above the 99th percentile of the general reference population (≤14 ng/L). On average, hs‐cTnT increased by 16%/year (95% CI, 13–19; P<0.0001). Each 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower mean estimated GFR was associated with a 23% (95% CI, 14–31; P<0.0001) higher baseline hs‐cTnT and 9% (95% CI, 5–13%; P<0.0001) steeper increase in hs‐cTnT. The effect of estimated GFR on hs‐cTnT trajectory was somewhat lower than a previous myocardial infarction (15%), but higher than presence of diabetes mellitus (4%) and male sex (5%). Conclusions In CKD patients, hs‐cTnT increases over time as renal function decreases. Lower CKD stage (each 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 lower) is independently associated with a steeper hs‐cTnT increase over time in the same range as other established cardiovascular risk factors.
Discussion of: Hallin, C.; Almström, B.; Larson, M., and Hanson, H., 2019. Longshore Transport Variability of Beach Face Grain Size: Implications for Dune Evolution. Journal of Coastal Research, 35(4), 751–764.

INTRODUCTION In their abstract, Hallin et al. (2019) state that their application of the McLaren Model incorrectly identified the direction of longshore transport based on a sequence of 58 beach face samples. In the article itself, the authors contradict the abstract by presenting the STA results, which show that both directions (N and S) were identified as being statistically significant (i.e. the results were ambiguous). The contradiction is noteworthy because the authors interpret the STA statistics without apparent understanding of what the results mean. The statement made in the abstract is untrue. For a direction of transport to be considered for acceptance, there can only be one statistically acceptable trend (or two provided they are both in the same direction). Ambiguous trends (i.e. two trends that are statistically acceptable in both directions) were in fact presented in the article, for which only one conclusion can be made, namely, that there is no preferred transport direction (not a wrong direction) contained in the chosen sequence of samples selected for testing. Masselink (1992) wrote an article similar to Hallin et al.’s paper titled ‘‘Longshore variation of grain size distribution along the coast of the Rhône delta, southern France: A test of the ‘McLaren Model. ’’’ In it, Masselink undertook his STA in exactly the same ‘‘black-box’’ way as the present authors and also concluded that the McLaren Model had failed to work. The authors referred to Masselink (1992) twice, each time using this article to support their conclusion that the McLaren Model could not provide ‘‘the correct answer. ’’ In 1993, McLaren published a reinterpretation of Masselink’s STA and included a detailed description of how to apply the McLaren Model correctly (McLaren, 1993). Hallin et al. neither discussed nor referenced such a fundamentally important article that was entirely relevant to the apparent objectives of their paper. Like Masselink, the authors concluded that the STA had failed because the results disagreed with an assumption (in this case, the assumption was that the net longshore sediment transport direction on the 6.5 km length of Ängelholm Beach, Sweden, is N to S). Rather than questioning that assumption, the authors preferred to reject the ambiguous finding of the STA result (i.e. that there is no preferred transport direction down the full length of the beach). McLaren (2014) discussed and provided a number of examples showing how serious and expensive environmental errors can occur when models of assumptions (dynamic models) are favored over the reality provided by conceptual models of understanding (kinematic models), where the latter are only possible using empirically derived observations (requiring no assumptions whatsoever), which are fundamental to the STA approach.
The flux switching motor, a DC motor without magnets or brushes

This paper describes a new class of electric motor, with a field winding and an armature winding, both of which are on the stator. The motor has no brushes or permanent magnets. Its motor characteristics are shown to be similar to those of a DC machine. Control of the armature windings can be achieved with very simple electronic circuits resulting in a very low cost and reliable variable speed drive. An experimental flux switching motor has been constructed and tested in conjunction with two new power converter circuits.
Measurement of the real part of the Clausius–Mossotti factor of dielectrophoresis for Brownian particles

A method is proposed for measuring the real part of the Clausius–Mossotti factor ( Kr ) of dielectrophoresis for Brownian particles based on a solution of the Smoluchowski equation using a designed polydimethysilloxane microchannel with planar hyperbolic electrodes on its glass substrate. An approximate two‐dimensional spring‐like dielectrophoretic force is generated in the device, and the data necessarily measured is the time evolution of the in‐plane particle displacement undergoing confined Brownian motion. Validity of the measurement was checked against the zeta potentials in the literature based on the classical theory of surface conductance using polystyrene particles of size of one micron. As the dielectrophoretic force depends on Kr , which is usually unknown for bio‐particles and some engineered particles, and is seldom measured; this study is important from the academic point of view and could be helpful for the manipulation and characterization of sub‐micron particles using dielectrophoresis. Extension of the method to the measurement of permanent dipole moment and total polarizability of particle was developed theoretically and discussed by incorporating an optical tweezer into the present device.
Molecular Imaging: a Novel Tool To Visualize Pathogenesis of Infections In Situ

Molecular imaging is an emerging technology that enables the noninvasive visualization, characterization, and quantification of molecular events within living subjects. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a clinically available molecular imaging tool with significant potential to study pathogenesis of infections in humans. ABSTRACT Molecular imaging is an emerging technology that enables the noninvasive visualization, characterization, and quantification of molecular events within living subjects. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a clinically available molecular imaging tool with significant potential to study pathogenesis of infections in humans. PET enables dynamic assessment of infectious processes within the same subject with high temporal and spatial resolution and obviates the need for invasive tissue sampling, which is difficult in patients and generally limited to a single time point, even in animal models. This review presents current state-of-the-art concepts on the application of molecular imaging for infectious diseases and details how PET imaging can facilitate novel insights into infectious processes, ongoing development of pathogen-specific imaging, and simultaneous in situ measurements of intralesional antimicrobial pharmacokinetics in multiple compartments, including privileged sites. Finally, the potential clinical applications of this promising technology are also discussed.
Organ donation attitudes and general self-efficacy: exploratory views from a rural primary care setting.

INTRODUCTION Behavioral determinants can enable or hinder motivation towards registration and donorship and, subsequently, action or inertia towards organ donation. Nevertheless, there is limited information about the role of self-efficacy in relation to organ donation awareness and presumed consent among individuals and their families. The aim of this study was to explore knowledge, attitudes and general self-efficacy as behavioral determinants for organ donation among rural primary care attendants, in order to tailor awareness strategies for reversing inertia within an opt-out system. METHODS This was a prospective face-to-face survey during regularly scheduled appointments of 203 attendants at a rural primary care unit in northern Greece. Responses to a 12-item adapted 'Organ donation awareness' questionnaire measuring knowledge, attitudes and awareness were related to participants' General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale score. Hierarchical modelling of a multiple linear regression model was adopted with GSE score added. RESULTS About one-third of respondents (34.0%) had discussed presumed consent with a partner, family member or friend. More than half (54.2%) were concerned that donated organs might be used without consent for other purposes, such as medical research. A total of 30% found organ donation unacceptable because of religious beliefs. Organ donation awareness was not influenced by respondents' specific characteristics, but was significantly related to the GSE score (standard β=0.155, p=0.033). CONCLUSION Overall, organ donation perceptions among rural primary care recipients were determined by knowledge of the presumed consent procurement system, pre-conceptions, religious beliefs, altruism and GSE scores. The association of self-efficacy with raised awareness could potentially explain the gap between high intent to consent as a donor and subsequent lack of follow-up action. Further comparative research across behavioral determinants between rural/urban groups is needed in order to tailor awareness strategies suitable for an opt-out system.
Goal-setting and attainment in prolonged disorders of consciousness – development of a structured approach

ABSTRACT Aims: To develop a structured goal-set for use in programs for the assessment and management of prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of goals from a consecutive cohort of patients (n = 162) admitted to a specialist in-patient PDOC program in the UK from 2007 to 2018. Overall goal attainment was examined with Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) using the GAS-Light method. Rates of individual goal-setting and achievement were examined for both standardized objectives (n = 2959) and personalized goals (n = 661). Goal statements from the personalized goals were independently reviewed and mapped to the domains of the existing structured objective set to identify any missing goal areas. Results: Mean outcome GAS T-scores were 47.2 (95% CI: 46.7, 47.6) and 47.7 (95% CI: 46.7, 48.8), respectively, for the standardized and personally set goals. These were closely correlated (r = 0.482, p < .001) with no significant difference between them. Analysis of goal achievement within each domain identified goals that were/were not likely to be achieved. An initial structured set of 20 standardized objectives in 12 domains was expanded and re-organized to produce a final-structured goal-set of 36 objectives in 18 domains. Conclusions: Developed through real-life clinical practice, this first published structured goal-set for PDOC programs now requires testing in other services/settings.
Determinants of frailty development and progression using a multidimensional frailty index: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Objective To identify modifiable risk factors for development and progression of frailty in older adults living in England, as conceptualised by a multidimensional frailty index (FI). Methods Data from participants aged 50 and over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) was used to examine potential determinants of frailty, using a 56-item FI comprised of self-reported health conditions, disabilities, cognitive function, hearing, eyesight, depressive symptoms and ability to carry out activities of daily living. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to measure frailty development (n = 7420) and linear regression models to measure frailty progression over 12 years follow-up (n = 8780). Results Increasing age (HR: 1.08 (CI: 1.08–1.09)), being in the lowest wealth quintile (HR: 1.79 (CI: 1.54–2.08)), lack of educational qualifications (HR: 1.19 (CI: 1.09–1.30)), obesity (HR: 1.33 (CI: 1.18–1.50) and a high waist-hip ratio (HR: 1.25 (CI: 1.13–1.38)), being a current or previous smoker (HR: 1.29 (CI: 1.18–1.41)), pain (HR: 1.39 (CI: 1.34–1.45)), sedentary behaviour (HR: 2.17 (CI: 1.76–2.78) and lower body strength (HR: 1.07 (CI: 1.06–1.08)), were all significant risk factors for frailty progression and incidence after simultaneous adjustment for all examined factors. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that there may be scope to reduce both frailty incidence and progression by trialling interventions aimed at reducing obesity and sedentary behaviour, increasing intensity of physical activity, and improving success of smoking cessation tools. Furthermore, improving educational outcomes and reducing poverty may also reduce inequalities in frailty.
Preventive antibiotic treatment of calves: emergence of dysbiosis causing propagation of obese state‐associated and mobile multidrug resistance‐carrying bacteria

In agriculture, antibiotics are used for the treatment and prevention of livestock disease. Antibiotics perturb the bacterial gut composition but the extent of these changes and potential consequences for animal and human health is still debated. Six calves were housed in a controlled environment. Three animals received an injection of the antibiotic florfenicol (Nuflor), and three received no treatment. Faecal samples were collected at 0, 3 and 7 days, and bacterial communities were profiled to assess the impact of a therapy on the gut microbiota. Phylogenetic analysis (16S‐rDNA) established that at day 7, antibiotic‐treated microbiota showed a 10‐fold increase in facultative anaerobic Escherichia spp, a signature of imbalanced microbiota, dysbiosis. The antibiotic resistome showed a high background of antibiotic resistance genes, which did not significantly change in response to florfenicol. However, the maintenance of Escherichia coli plasmid‐encoded quinolone, oqxB and propagation of mcr‐2, and colistin resistance genes were observed and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The microbiota of treated animals was enriched with energy harvesting bacteria, common to obese microbial communities. We propose that antibiotic treatment of healthy animals leads to unbalanced, disease‐ and obese‐related microbiota that promotes growth of E. coli carrying resistance genes on mobile elements, potentially increasing the risk of transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria to humans.
The “PICUS” system in the detection of defects on panel paintings and wooden boards

The technique of panel painting played a particularly significant role in Italian art, especially between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, before canvas came into general use. The conservation of panel paintings, however, is complex and largely depends on the original materials and techniques used to create the support and the many layers of preparation for painting. The state of conservation is influenced also by the history of stress/deformation that the painting has undergone and the microclimatic conditions in which it is exposed. The large thermo-hygrometric variation induces changes in the structure of the wood and can create cracks even for the gypsum which is more rigid than the wood and can develop dangerous detachments. Recently, a low-cost, portable test system for the measurement of detachments between layers of architectural coatings, called PICUS, inspired by the method used by restorers during diagnosis and conservation interventions, has been successfully developed. The same system was then tested to acquire information about the execution technique, the state of conservation and previous interventions of stratified structures such as paintings on wood.
Postnatal β2 adrenergic treatment improves insulin sensitivity in lambs with IUGR but not persistent defects in pancreatic islets or skeletal muscle

Previous studies in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have shown that adrenergic dysregulation was associated with low insulin concentrations and greater insulin sensitivity. Although whole‐body glucose clearance is normal, 1‐month‐old lambs with IUGR at birth have higher rates of hindlimb glucose uptake, which may compensate for myocyte deficiencies in glucose oxidation. Impaired glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in IUGR lambs is due to lower intra‐islet insulin availability and not from glucose sensing. We investigated adrenergic receptor (ADR) β2 desensitization by administering oral ADRβ modifiers for the first month after birth to activate ADRβ2 and antagonize ADRβ1/3. In IUGR lambs ADRβ2 activation increased whole‐body glucose utilization rates and insulin sensitivity but had no effect on isolated islet or myocyte deficiencies. IUGR establishes risk for developing diabetes. In IUGR lambs we identified disparities in key aspects of glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion and insulin‐stimulated glucose oxidation, providing new insights into potential mechanisms for this risk.
Controlled Antenatal Thyroid Screening II: effect of treating maternal sub-optimal thyroid function on child behaviour.

CONTEXT & OBJECTIVES The Controlled Antenatal Thyroid Screening (CATS) study was the first randomised controlled trial to investigate effects of treating suboptimal-gestational-thyroid-function (SGTF) on child cognition. Since observational studies indicated that SGTF may also increase symptoms of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the CATS cohort was used to investigate whether treatment of mothers affected their children's behavior. DESIGN & PARTICIPANTS Mothers (N=475) completed 3 questionnaires, strengths and difficulties (SDQ), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social communication (SCQ, used as a screen for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)), about their children (aged 9.5 years). Group comparisons of total scores, numbers of children above clinical thresholds and association between high maternal FT4 (>97.5th percentile of the UK cohort, 'over-treated') and child neurodevelopment were reported. RESULTS There were no differences in total scores between normal-GTF (n=246), treated (n=125) and untreated (n=104) SGTF groups. More children of treated mothers scored above clinical thresholds, particularly the over-treated. Scores were above thresholds in SDQ conduct 22% vs 7%, SCQ total scores 7% vs 1%, and ADHD hyperactivity 17% vs 5% when comparing over-treated (n=40) and untreated (N=100) respectively. We identified significantly higher mean scores for SDQ conduct (adjusted mean difference (AMD) 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.021 to 1.431, P=0.040, effect size 0.018) and ADHD hyperactivity (AMD 1.60, CI 0.361 to 2.633, P=0.003, effect size 0.028) comparing over-treated with normal-GTF children. CONCLUSIONS There was no overall association between SGTF and offspring ADHD, ASD or behavior questionnaire scores. However, children of 'over-treated' mothers displayed significantly more ADHD symptoms and behavioral difficulties than normal-GTF. Thyroxine supplementation during pregnancy requires monitoring to avoid over-treatment.
Prevalence and Impact of Treatment Crossover in Cardiac Surgery Randomized Trials: A Meta‐Epidemiologic Study

Background Crossover dilutes treatment effect and reduces statistical power of intention‐to‐treat analysis. We examined incidence and impact on cardiac surgery randomized controlled trial (RCT) outcomes of crossover from experimental to control interventions, or vice versa. Methods and Results MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched, and RCTs (≥100 patients) comparing ≥2 adult cardiac surgical interventions were included. Crossover from the initial treatment assignment and relative risks (RRs) for each trial's primary end point and mortality at longest available follow‐up were extracted. All RRs were calculated as >1 favored control group and <1 favored experimental arm. Primary outcome was the effect estimate for primary end point of each RCT, and secondary outcome was all‐cause mortality; both were appraised as RR at the longest follow‐up available. Sixty articles reporting on 47 RCTs (25 440 patients) were identified. Median crossover rate from experimental to control group was 7.0% (first quartile, 2.0%; third quartile, 9.7%), whereas from control to experimental group, the rate was 1.3% (first quartile, 0%; third quartile, 3.6%). RRs for primary end point and mortality were higher in RCTs with higher crossover rate from experimental to control group (RR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.94–1.07] versus RR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.66–0.97] and RR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.95–1.11] versus RR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.82–1.07], respectively). Crossover from control to experimental group did not alter effect estimates for primary end point or mortality (RR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.63–1.05] versus RR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.86–1.04] and RR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.73–1.07] versus RR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.95–1.09], respectively). Conclusions Crossover from experimental to control group is associated with outcomes of cardiac surgery RCTs. Crossover should be minimized at designing stage and carefully appraised after study completion.