Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-Clutter Gaussian Inverse Wishart PHD Filter for Extended Target Tracking

The extended target Gaussian inverse Wishart probability hypothesis density (ET-GIW-PHD) filter overestimates the number of targets under high clutter density. The reason for this is that the source of measurements cannot be determined correctly if only the number of measurements is used. To address this problem, we proposed an anti-clutter filter with hypothesis testing, we take into account the number of measurements in cells, the target state and spatial distribution of clutter to decide whether the measurements in cell are clutter. Specifically, the hypothesis testing method is adopted to determine the origination of the measurements. Then, the likelihood functions of targets and clutter are deduced based on the information mentioned above, resulting in the likelihood ratio test statistic. Next, the likelihood ratio test statistic is proved to be subject to a chi-square distribution and a threshold corresponding to the confidence coefficient is introduced and the measurements below this threshold are considered as clutter. Then the correction step of ET-GIW-PHD is revised based on hypothesis testing results. Extensive experiments have demonstrated the significant performance improvement of our proposed method.
Association between Free Thyroxine Levels and Diabetic Retinopathy in Euthyroid Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT Background: This study aimed to evaluate the association between thyroid parameters and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 911 euthyroid patients with T2DM (539 men and 372 women; mean age, 60.81 ± 12.93 years) were enrolled. Clinical factors were assessed and free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured. DR was diagnosed using fundus fluorescein angiography. Results: Compared with patients without DR (n = 718), patients with DR (n = 193) exhibited lower FT3 (4.40 ± 0.58 vs. 4.50 ± 0.51 pmol/L; P = .019) and FT4 (14.86 ± 2.09 vs. 15.91 ± 2.18 pmol/L; P < .001) and higher TSH (1.86 [1.22, 2.66] vs. 1.58 [1.14, 2.34] µIU/mL; P = .015) levels. After adjustment for potential DR risk factors, patients in the highest tertile of plasma FT4 levels had a 0.332-fold likelihood of developing DR compared with those in the lowest tertile of plasma FT4 levels (Ptrend < 0.001). The prevalence of DR showed a significantly decreasing trend across the three tertiles based on FT4 levels (31.35%, 19.08% and 13.16%; Ptrend < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for the presence of proliferative DR. Conclusion: These findings suggest that low-normal FT4 levels are associated with the prevalence of DR in euthyroid patients with T2DM.
Anti-MSP-10 IgG indicates recent exposure to Plasmodium vivax infection in the Peruvian Amazon.

BACKGROUND Serological tools for the accurate detection of recent malaria exposure are needed to guide and monitor malaria control efforts. IgG responses against P. vivax and P. falciparum merozoite surface protein-10 (MSP10) were measured as a potential way to identify recent malaria exposure in the Peruvian Amazon. METHODS A field-based study included 470 participants in a longitudinal cohort who completed a comprehensive evaluation: light microscopy and PCR on enrollment; at least one monthly follow-up by light microscopy; a second PCR; and serum and dried blood spots for serological analysis at the end of the follow-up. IgG titers against novel mammalian cell-produced recombinant PvMSP10 and PfMSP10 were determined by ELISA. RESULTS During the follow-up period, 205 participants were infected, including 171 with P. vivax, 26 with P. falciparum, 6 with infections by both species but at different times, and 2 with mixed infections. Exposure to P. vivax was more accurately identified when serological responses to PvMSP10 were obtained from serum (sensitivity, 58.1%; specificity, 81.8%; AUC: 0.76) than from dried blood spots (sensitivity, 35.2; specificity, 83.5%; AUC: 0.64) (PAUC < 0.001). Sensitivity was highest (serum, 82.9%; dried blood spot, 45.7%) with confirmed P. vivax infections occurring 7-30 days before sample collection; sensitivity decreased significantly in relation to time since last documented infection. PvMSP10 serological data did not show evidence of inter-species cross-reactivity. Anti-PfMSP10 responses poorly discriminated between P. falciparum exposed- and non-exposed individuals (AUC = 0.59, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Anti-PvMSP10 IgG indicates recent exposure to P. vivax at the population level in the Amazon region. Serum, not dried blood spots, should be used for such serological tests.
Neurourology and Urodynamics

Inserm U1179, UFR des sciences de la santé, University of Versailles Saint‐Quentin, Montigny‐le‐Bretonneux, France Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, APHP—Raymond‐ Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France Department of Neurourology and Urodynamics Unit, APHP—Tenon Hospital, Pierre et Marie Curie Medical School, Paris, France Department of Urology, APHP—Pitié‐ Salpétrière Hospital, Pierre et Marie Curie Medical School, Paris, France
Clinical and virological findings in patients with Usutu virus infection, northern Italy, 2018

Background Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, which shares its transmission cycle with the phylogenetically related West Nile virus (WNV). USUV circulates in several European countries and its activity has increased over the last 5 years. Aim To describe human cases of USUV infection identified by surveillance for WNV and USUV infection in the Veneto Region of northern Italy in 2018. Methods From 1 June to 30 November 2018, all cases of suspected autochthonous arbovirus infection and blood donors who had a reactive WNV nucleic acid test were investigated for both WNV and USUV infection by in-house molecular methods. Anti-WNV and anti-USUV IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA and in-house immunofluorescence assay, respectively; positive serum samples were further tested by WNV and USUV neutralisation assays run in parallel. Results Eight cases of USUV infection (one with neuroinvasive disease, six with fever and one viraemic blood donor who developed arthralgia and myalgia) and 427 cases of WNV infection were identified. A remarkable finding of this study was the persistence of USUV RNA in the blood and urine of three patients during follow-up. USUV genome sequences from two patients shared over 99% nt identity with USUV sequences detected in mosquito pools from the same area and clustered within lineage Europe 2. Conclusions Clinical presentation and laboratory findings in patients with USUV infection were similar to those found in patients with WNV infection. Cross-reactivity of serology and molecular tests challenged the differential diagnosis.
We are What We Eat: Impact of Food from Short Supply Chain on Metabolic Syndrome

Food supply in the Mediterranean area has been recently modified by big retail distribution; for instance, industrial retail has favored shipments of groceries from regions that are intensive producers of mass food, generating a long supply chain (LSC) of food that opposes short supply chains (SSCs) that promote local food markets. However, the actual functional role of food retail and distribution in the determination of the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been studied hitherto. The main aim of this study was to test the effects of food chain length on the prevalence of MetS in a population accustomed to the Mediterranean diet. We conducted an observational study in Southern Italy on individuals adhering to the Mediterranean diet. We examined a total of 407 subjects (41% females) with an average age of 56 ± 14.5 years (as standard deviation) and found that being on the Mediterranean diet with a SSC significantly reduces the prevalence of MetS compared with the LSC (SSC: 19.65%, LSC: 31.46%; p: 0.007). Our data indicate for the first time that the length of food supply chain plays a key role in determining the risk of MetS in a population adhering to the Mediterranean diet.
The Regulatory Role of MicroRNA in Hepatitis-B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HBV-HCC) Pathogenesis

The incidence and mortality of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) is an intractable public health problem in developing countries that is compounded by limited early detection and therapeutic options. Despite the early promise of utilizing the regulatory role of miRNA in liver cancer, this field remains largely in the work-in-progress phase. This exploratory review paper adopts a broad focus in order to collate evidence of the regulatory role of miRNA in each stage of the HBV-HCC continuum. This includes the regulatory role of miRNA in early HBV infection, chronic inflammation, fibrosis/cirrhosis, and the onset of HCC. The paper specifically investigates HBV dysregulated miRNA that influence the expression of the host/HBV genome in HBV-HCC pathogenesis and fully acknowledges that this does not cover the full spectrum of dysregulated miRNA. The sheer number of dysregulated miRNA in each phase support a hypothesis that future therapeutic interventions will need to consider incorporating multiple miRNA panels.
Methods and Early Recruitment of a Community-Based Study of Cognitive Impairment Among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites: The BASIC-Cognitive Study.

BACKGROUND As the Mexican American (MA) population grows and ages, there is an urgent need to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment or dementia (CID), cognitive trajectories, and identify community resource needs. The Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC)-Cognitive project is a population-based study to address these issues among older MAs and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) and their informal care providers. OBJECTIVE Present the methodology and initial recruitment findings for the BASIC-Cognitive project. METHOD Random, door-to-door case ascertainment is used in Nueces County, Texas, to recruit community-dwelling and nursing home residents ≥65 and informal care providers. Households are identified from a two-stage area probability sample, using Census data to aim for equal balance of MAs and NHWs. Individuals with cognitive screens indicative of possible CID complete neuropsychological assessment (Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol from the Health and Retirement Study). Informal care providers complete comprehensive interview and needs assessment. Study pairs repeat procedures at 2-year follow-up. Asset and concept mapping are performed to identify community resources and study care providers' perceptions of needs for individuals with CID. RESULTS 1,030 age-eligible households were identified, or 27% of households for whom age could be determined. 1,320 individuals were age-eligible, corresponding to 1.3 adults per eligible household. Initial recruitment yielded robust participation in the MA eligible population (60% of 689 individuals that completed cognitive screening). CONCLUSION The BASIC-Cognitive study will provide critical information regarding the prevalence of CID in MAs, the impact of caregiving, and allocation of community resources to meet the needs of this population.
Belarusian in utero cohort: A new opportunity to evaluate the health effects of prenatal and early-life exposure to ionising radiation

In April 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear accident resulted in wide-scale contamination of Belarus with significantly elevated levels of radioiodine isotopes, mainly iodine-131 (131I), and long-lived radiocaesium isotopes, mainly caesium-137 (137Cs). Various groups of the population were affected by exposure to ionising radiation, including pregnant women and their foetuses. This paper describes the methods and results related to the establishment of a cohort of 2965 Belarusian people exposed in utero due to Chernobyl fallout. The cohort consists of individuals whose mothers resided in the most radioactively contaminated areas in Belarus at the time of the accident. Prenatal and postnatal doses to the thyroid due to intake of 131I, external irradiation and ingestion of radiocaesium isotopes were estimated for all cohort members. Ongoing research on this unique cohort will provide important information on adverse health effects following prenatal and postnatal exposure to radioiodine and radiocaesium isotopes, for which available epidemiological data are scant.
Food Advertising and Prevention of Childhood Obesity in Spain: Analysis of the Nutritional Value of the Products and Discursive Strategies Used in the Ads Most Viewed by Children from 2016 to 2018

In Spain, 40% of children are overweight or obese. Television advertising is a widely acknowledged factor contributing to high-calorie food intake. This study longitudinally correlates some variables involved in childhood obesity prevention strategies in Spain. A mixed-methods approach was used. A quantitative analysis of audience data was conducted to determine the advertising campaigns most viewed by Spanish children from 2016 to 2018. The Nutri-score system was applied to determine the nutritional quality of the food advertised. A content analysis and a study of the discursive strategies used as an advertising ploy was undertaken. The results were examined in relation to the regulatory framework of the Spanish PAOS Code for the co-regulation of food advertising aimed at children. The study shows that Spanish advertising aimed at children mostly advertises very low nutritional value products. Moreover, these campaigns violate the PAOS Code in terms of the use of language in relation to the product, its benefits, and the appearance of popular characters. Our findings suggest a direct association between low nutritional value food ads and discursive strategies based on the intangible and extrinsic characteristics of these products. There remains the need for stricter legislation that takes into consideration the nutritional value of advertised foods and the language used in their hedonistic advertising.
Remedial effect of Boswellia serrata on thermal burn injuries.

Background: It has been shown that inflammation and insufficient blood vessel formation delay wound healing، whereas Boswellia serrata، besides anti-inflammatory activity، increases blood vessel formation. Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effect of Boswellia serrata in promoting burn injuries healing in BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study، a burn wound was created by placing a 1.5 cm2 hot plate on the back of animals. Fifty four mice were designated in four equal groups، counting 14 each. Three groups of animals were treated with Boswellia 2%، silver sulfadiazine and vaseline two times per day for 21 days. The fourth group represented the control group. The total percentage of wound healing and time required for complete healing were evaluated and compared between groups، using the ANOVA test. Results: Results showed that the effect of Boswellia on wound healing was statistically significant compared to the control group (P Conclusions: Boswellia serrata is clearly effective for burn injuries healing and might be used in
Obstructive sleep apnoea in adults

Over the past 30 years OSA has evolved from being a very rare disorder, almost solely characterised by loud snoring and daytime sleepiness, to a common systemic disorder with multiple adverse consequences, which affect a substantial percentage of the middle-aged population. Obesity is the strongest risk factor, but not the only pathogenic mechanism. Other important mechanisms include differences in craniofacial dimensions and even lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and sleeping position. Given the systemic effects, there is developing evidence for the role of OSA as an independent risk factor for: excessive sleepiness with increased risk of traffic accidents, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis), myocardial infarction, stroke, impaired glucose metabolism, neurodegeneration, and both cancer mortality and incident cancer. Subjects with untreated OSA have increased mortality and are at higher risk when undergoing surgical procedures. The major clinical challenge today is how simplified diagnostic procedures can confirm or reject the possibility of OSA in various situations.
Enhancement of photovoltaic efficiency in CdSexTe1−x (where 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1): insights from density functional theory

Recent advancements in CdTe photovoltaic efficiency have come from selenium grading, which reduces the band gap and significantly improves carrier lifetimes. In this work, density functional theory calculations were performed to understand the structural and electronic effects of Se alloying. Special quasirandom structures were used to simulate a random distribution of Se anions. Lattice parameters decrease linearly as Se concentration increases in line with Vegard’s Law. The simulated band gap bowing shows strong agreement with experimental values. Selenium, by itself, does not introduce any defect states in the band gap and no significant changes to band structure around the point are found. Band offset values suggest a reduction of recombination across the CdSeTe/MgZnO interface at , which corresponds with the Se concentration used experimentally. Band structure analysis of two cases and x = 0.4375, shows a change from dominant Cd/Te contributions in the conduction band minimum to Cd/Se contributions as Se concentration is increased, hinting at a change in optical transition characteristics. Further calculations of optical absorption spectra suggest a reduced transition probability particularly at higher energies, which confirms experimental predictions that Se passivates the non-radiative recombination centres.
Spatio-Temporal Attention Model for Foreground Detection in Cross-Scene Surveillance Videos

Foreground detection is an important theme in video surveillance. Conventional background modeling approaches build sophisticated temporal statistical model to detect foreground based on low-level features, while modern semantic/instance segmentation approaches generate high-level foreground annotation, but ignore the temporal relevance among consecutive frames. In this paper, we propose a Spatio-Temporal Attention Model (STAM) for cross-scene foreground detection. To fill the semantic gap between low and high level features, appearance and optical flow features are synthesized by attention modules via the feature learning procedure. Experimental results on CDnet 2014 benchmarks validate it and outperformed many state-of-the-art methods in seven evaluation metrics. With the attention modules and optical flow, its F-measure increased 9% and 6% respectively. The model without any tuning showed its cross-scene generalization on Wallflower and PETS datasets. The processing speed was 10.8 fps with the frame size 256 by 256.
Polyclonal antibody-based immunoassay of vitellogenin in Van fish (Alburnus tarichi)

ABSTRACT Van Lake is the third largest closed lake in the world and the biggest lake in Turkey. An ELISA method has developed with the aim of determining the pollution caused by estrogens and estrogen-like chemicals that have come to the lake Van in recent years. First, the vitellogenin in estrogen-treated male fish plasma was purified by ion exchange chromatography, injected into rats, and the obtained polyclonal antibodies were tested for specificity by Western blot and immunohistochemical methods. Immunohistochemical labeling of the vitellogenin-synthesized liver resulted in the intense marking of the liver of the animals injected with estrogen, while no markings were observed in the control group. The limit of detection of the developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 4.6 µg L−1, and the working range was 7.8 to 2000 µg L−1. Intra- and inter-assay variations were 13.0 % and 13.3%. The highest level of vitellogenin in male fishes measured was 23.56 µg mL−1.
Comprehensive treatment of diabetic hallux gangrene with lower extremity vascular disease: A case report

Diabetic foot is a serious complication in patients with diabetes. It is caused by diabetes combined with lower extremity vascular lesions and neuropathy so that a wound does not heal for a long time. In severe cases, it may lead to bone marrow infection and bone destruction, with a high disability and fatality rate. This report describes the case of a patient with diabetic hallux gangrene with lower extremity vascular disease, which was treated by surgical debridement, ozone therapy, and vascular interventional surgery. Using this treatment, the diabetic foot can be cured better and faster, and a satisfactory effect can be achieved.
Visible light‐Driven AgBr/AgCl@MIL‐101(Fe) Composites For Removal of Organic Contaminant From Wastewater

Microwave‐solvothermal synthesized MIL‐101(Fe) was successfully loaded by silver halides (AgCl and AgBr) by simple precipitation method. The XRD, FESEM mapping, XPS and DRS measurements reveal the successful fabrication of composite photocatalyst. The results suggested that silver halides altered surface charge, surface area and pore size distribution of MIL‐101(Fe). The 20%AgBr@MIL‐101(Fe) composite has strong tendency to remove the cationic/anionic dyes (96% of rhodamine B, 100% of malachite green and 92% of methyl orange) from wastewater after 30 min of adsorption and 90 min under visible light irradiation. The composite photocatalyst revealed the photodegradation stability up to four cycles. The formation of mesopores improves the adsorption ability of the composites for large organic molecules, while loaded silver halides might inhibit the recombination of electron‐hole pairs; those were responsible for enhancing the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. ESR suggested O2·- , ·OH were responsible for dye degradation in visible light by composite photocatalysts. The photocatalytic mechanism of the composite was also explained in this work.
Bilateral apex pubis distance：a novel index for follicular development and egg laying status in domestic hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

ABSTRACT 1. Measures of the bilateral apex pubis (BAP) in White Leghorn (WLH) hens aged from 16 to 64 weeks (from the time ovaries were completely undeveloped to senility) were ranked into various groups so the relationship between external traits (BAP distance, comb length, comb height, wattle length, wattle height, body weight) and internal traits (largest ovarian follicle diameter (LFD) and oviduct weight and length) could be determined. 2. Using correlation and regression analysis with data from 16 weeks of age to the onset of lay, measurements of the apex pubis showed a strong correlation with LFD (r = 0.80, P < 0.01) and oviduct weight (r = 0.80, P < 0.01). 3. Multiple comparisons among WLH hens from 16 to 43 weeks of age showed that the BAP distance increased in all groups ranked by LFD or by laying period. 4. In the late laying period (>60 weeks of age), BAP distance showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in long-term non-laying hens compared to laying hens. 5. These findings suggest BAP distance can serve as an index for evaluating the onset and probable stages of follicular development during sexual maturation and/or aid in the identification and selection of non-laying hens during reproduction.