Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aberrant visual pathway development in albinism: From retina to cortex

Albinism refers to a group of genetic abnormalities in melanogenesis that are associated neuronal misrouting through the optic chiasm. We perform quantitative assessment of visual pathway structure and function in 23 persons with albinism (PWA) and 20 matched controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT), volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging and visual evoked potentials (VEP). PWA had a higher streamline decussation index (percentage of total tractography streamlines decussating at the chiasm) compared with controls (Z = −2.24, p = .025), and streamline decussation index correlated weakly with inter‐hemispheric asymmetry measured using VEP (r = .484, p = .042). For PWA, a significant correlation was found between foveal development index and total number of streamlines (r = .662, p < .001). Significant positive correlations were found between peri‐papillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and optic nerve (r = .642, p < .001) and tract (r = .663, p < .001) width. Occipital pole cortical thickness was 6.88% higher (Z = −4.10, p < .001) in PWA and was related to anterior visual pathway structures including foveal retinal pigment epithelium complex thickness (r = −.579, p = .005), optic disc (r = .478, p = .021) and rim areas (r = .597, p = .003). We were unable to demonstrate a significant relationship between OCT‐derived foveal or optic nerve measures and MRI‐derived chiasm size or streamline decussation index. Our novel tractographic demonstration of altered chiasmatic decussation in PWA corresponds to VEP measured cortical asymmetry and is consistent with chiasmatic misrouting in albinism. We also demonstrate a significant relationship between retinal pigment epithelium and visual cortex thickness indicating that retinal pigmentation defects in albinism lead to downstream structural reorganisation of the visual cortex.
Eye position effects in monkey cortex. I. Visual and pursuit-related activity in extrastriate areas MT and MST.

We studied the effect of eye position on visual and pursuit-related activity in neurons in the superior temporal sulcus of the macaque monkey. Altogether, 109 neurons from the middle temporal area (area MT) and the medial superior temporal area (area MST) were tested for influence of eye position on their stimulus-driven response in a fixation paradigm. In this paradigm the monitored eye position signal was superimposed onto the stimulus control signal while the monkey fixated at different locations on a screen. This setup guaranteed that an optimized stimulus was moved across the receptive field at the same retinal location for all fixation locations. For 61% of the MT neurons and 82% of the MST neurons the stimulus-induced response was modulated by the position of the eyes in the orbit. Directional selectivity was not influenced by eye position. One hundred sixty-eight neurons exhibited direction-specific responses during smooth tracking eye movements and were tested in a pursuit paradigm. Here the monkey had to track a target that started to move in the preferred direction with constant speed from five different locations on the screen in random order. Pursuit-related activity was modulated by eye position in 78% of the MT neurons as well as in 80% of the MST neurons tested. Neuronal activity varied linearly as a function of both horizontal and vertical eye position for most of the neurons tested in both areas, i.e., two-dimensional regression planes could be approximated to the responses of most of the neurons. The directions of the gradients of these regression planes correlated neither with the preferred stimulus direction tested in the fixation paradigm nor with the preferred tracking direction in the pursuit paradigm. Eighty-six neurons were tested with both the fixation and the pursuit paradigms. The directions of the gradients of the regression planes fit to the responses in both paradigms tended to correlate with each other, i.e., for more than two thirds of the neurons the angular difference between both directions was less than +/-90 degrees. The modulatory effect of the position of the eyes in the orbit proved to balance out at the population level for neurons in areas MT and MST, tested with the fixation as well as the pursuit paradigm. Results are discussed in light of the hypothesis of an ongoing coordinate transformation of the incoming sensory signals into a nonretinocentric representation of the visual field.
Energy-modulated x-ray fluorescence and luminescence emissions from therapeutic nanoparticles

In this study, we have investigated the possibility of modulating x-ray fluorescence (XF) and x-ray luminescence (XL) emissions from therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs) by fine-tuning the energy of incident x-rays from benchtop x-ray sources. We have carried out detailed experimental studies to determine the strength of XF and XL emissions from Y2O3:Eu3+ and LaF3:Tb3+ NPs being irradiated with x-rays from benchtop x-ray sources operated with different tube-voltages and coupled to various filter configurations. These studies demonstrated that low-energy x-rays with average energy at around 10–15 keV are the most efficient to stimulate XL emission from the Y2O3:Eu3+ and LaF3:Tb3+ NPs. The efficiency falls quickly when x-ray energies go above or below the optimum energy range. As one would expect, x-rays with average energy just above the corresponding absorption edge of the target metal would be the most efficient in inducing XF emission. In this study, we have also demonstrated that one could fine-tune the incident x-ray energy to modulate the XL and XF emissions, such as (a) selectively inducing either XL or XF emission from the same type of NPs, (b) inducing preferential XL activation of Y2O3:Eu3+ over LaF3:Eu3+ or controlling the ratio of XL activation of these two types of NPs, and (c) introducing preferential XF emission from one type of NPs over the other. As a potential application, one could optimize the energy-characteristics of the incident x-rays to facilitate multiplexed combinatorial delivery of photodynamic therapy (X-PDT), where different agents could be administrated and then selectively activated in user-defined spatial and temporal patterns to fulfill combinatorial therapeutic effects. The understanding gained through this study could prove critical for enhancing the therapeutic delivery in X-PDT, and for attaining high-quality x-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) and x-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) images while minimizing the x-ray dose to the sample.
Novel pH-sensitive zinc phthalocyanine assembled with albumin for tumor targeting and treatment

Purpose Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) has been applied widely in photodynamic therapy (PDT) with high ROS-production capacity and intense absorption in the near-infrared region. However, weak tumor targeting and the aggregation tendency of ZnPc seriously affect the therapeutic effect of PDT. Therefore, overcoming the aggregation of ZnPc and enhancing its antitumor effect were the purpose of this study. Methods In this study, we first found that the aggregation behaviors of the photosensitizer ZnPc(TAP)4, ZnPc substituted by tertiary amine groups, were regulated finely by pH and that ZnPc(TAP)4 could be disaggregated gradually as the pH descended. ZnPc(TAP)4 and human serum albumin (HSA) molecules were assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) for tumor targeting. Meanwhile, the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel (Ptx) was loaded into HSA NPs together with ZnPc(TAP)4 for dual antitumor effects. HSA NPs loading both ZnPc(TAP)4 and Ptx (NP–ZnPc[TAP]4–Ptx) were characterized by particle size and in vitro release. Cytotoxicity, subcellular localization, tumor targeting, and anticancer effect in vivo were investigated respectively. Results We found that NP–ZnPc(TAP)4–Ptx had good stability with qualifying particle size. Interestingly, ZnPc(TAP)4 was released from the NPs and the photodynamic activity enhanced in the acidic environment of tumor. In addition, NP–ZnPc(TAP)4–Ptx had prominent cytotoxicity and time-dependent subcellular localization characteristics. Through a three-dimensional animal imaging system, NP–ZnPc(TAP)4–Ptx showed much-enhanced tumor targeting in tumor-bearing mice. Above all, NP–ZnPc(TAP)4–Ptx was demonstrated to have the synergistic anticancer effect of PDT and chemotherapy. Conclusion NP–ZnPc(TAP)4–Ptx had enhanced tumor targeting for the pH-sensitive property of ZnPc(TAP)4 and the transport function of HSA. NP–ZnPc(TAP)4–Ptx possessed a double-anticancer effect through the combination of ZnPc(TAP)4 and Ptx. This drug-delivery system may also be used to carry chemotherapy drugs other than Ptx for improving antitumor effects.
Based on the Health Index Model to Research the Discipline Ranking and Discipline Construction Policy

Construction of the world first-class university and the first-class discipline, is a major strategic decision made by the CPC central committee and the state council, in this environment, study of the healthy discipline development in colleges and universities has a certain practical significance. This article with the healthy development of discipline as the research object, based on the InCites and ESI database, to construct First-level discipline evaluation index system, using PCA method determine the index weight in the DHI (Discipline health index) model, establishing the healthy development of discipline empirical formula ,Dividing the discipline health level standard. Researches show that: (1) Top 100 colleges and universities in the QS chemistry discipline ranking, The health level Presents pyramid shape, about 32% of the college distribution within the partition between 0-60 partition;(2)In the health level rating , American colleges and universities keep in the top three, the average score of the three institutions discipline health index is up to 96.17 points;(3)Some universities ranking in DHI model change is bigger, we need to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the advantages and disadvantages of discipline in the colleges and universities. Keywords: Discipline ranking, PCA, DHI model,Health index, Policy analysis DOI : 10.7176/PPAR/9-3-02 Publication date :March 31 st 2019
Oximetry as an Accurate Tool for Identifying Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea in Patients With Acute Stroke.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent in patients with acute stroke. SDB is often underdiagnosed and associated with neurological deterioration and stroke recurrence. Polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) is typically used as the diagnostic modality; however, it may not be feasible to use regularly in patients with acute stroke. We investigated the predictive performance of pulse oximetry, a simpler alternative, to identify SDB. METHODS The records of 254 patients, who were admitted to Boston Medical Center for acute stroke and underwent HSAT, were retrospectively reviewed. Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) from pulse oximetry channel were compared to respiratory event index (REI) obtained from HSAT devices. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ODI were calculated, and different ODI cutoff values to predict SDB were proposed. RESULTS ODI had a strong correlation (r = .902) and agreement with REI. ODI was accurate in predicting SDB at different REI thresholds (REI ≥ 5, REI ≥ 15, and REI ≥ 30 events/h) with the area under the curve (AUC) of . 965, . 974, and . 951, respectively. An ODI ≥ 5 events/h rules in the presence of SDB (specificity 91.7%, PPV 96.3%). An ODI ≥ 15 events/h rules in moderate to severe SDB (specificity 96.4%, PPV 95%) and an ODI < 5 events/h rules out moderate to severe SDB (sensitivity 100%, NPV 100%). CONCLUSIONS Nocturnal pulse oximetry has a high diagnostic accuracy in predicting moderate to severe SDB in patients with acute stroke. Oximetry can be a simple modality to rapidly recognize patients with more severe SDB and facilitate the referral to the confirmation sleep study.
Layer-Parallel Training of Deep Residual Neural Networks

Residual neural networks (ResNets) are a promising class of deep neural networks that have shown excellent performance for a number of learning tasks, e.g., image classification and recognition. Mathematically, ResNet architectures can be interpreted as forward Euler discretizations of a nonlinear initial value problem whose time-dependent control variables represent the weights of the neural network. Hence, training a ResNet can be cast as an optimal control problem of the associated dynamical system. For similar time-dependent optimal control problems arising in engineering applications, parallel-in-time methods have shown notable improvements in scalability. This paper demonstrates the use of those techniques for efficient and effective training of ResNets. The proposed algorithms replace the classical (sequential) forward and backward propagation through the network layers by a parallel nonlinear multigrid iteration applied to the layer domain. This adds a new dimension of parallelism across layers that is attractive when training very deep networks. From this basic idea, we derive multiple layer-parallel methods. The most efficient version employs a simultaneous optimization approach where updates to the network parameters are based on inexact gradient information in order to speed up the training process. Using numerical examples from supervised classification, we demonstrate that the new approach achieves similar training performance to traditional methods, but enables layer-parallelism and thus provides speedup over layer-serial methods through greater concurrency.
HER2 immunohistochemical scores provide prognostic information for patients with HER2‐type invasive breast cancer

Invasive breast cancer patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) immunohistochemical (IHC) scores of 3+ or 2+ with reflex in‐situ hybridisation (ISH) positivity are suitable for anti‐HER2 therapies. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the prognoses between IHC 3+ patients and IHC 2+/ISH+ patients are different.
Structural, elastic and vibrational properties of celestite, SrSO4, from synchrotron x-ray diffraction, thermal diffuse scattering and Raman scattering

In order to resolve inconsistencies encountered in published data for SrSO, the elasticity and the phase stability of celestite has been studied using thermal diffuse scattering, high pressure powder synchrotron x-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and DFT calculations. The structure of SrSO is found to be stable up to 62 GPa at ambient temperature. The preferred values for the components of the elastic stiffness tensor have been determined using x-ray thermal diffuse scattering and are (in GPa): , , , , , , , , . The preferred value for the bulk modulus is GPa. This work shows that thermal diffuse scattering collected at two temperatures allows the determination of the full elastic tensor of crystals with low space group symmetry.
The influence of different composite mixtures (PLA/HA) manufactured with additive laser technology on the ability of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa to form biofilms.

PURPOSE Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive coccus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacterium) are the leading etiologic agents of biofilm-related, life-threatening infections in patients after orthopaedic implantations. The aim of the present paper is to estimate the ability of these two bacterial strains to form a biofilm on bioresorbable composites manufactured from polylactide (PLA) and hydroxyapatite (HA) with the use of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) method. METHODS Microbiological tests were conducted on two variants of a solid specimen made with additive laser technology. Samples with different content of hydroxyapatite were made, with appropriate manufacturing parameters to ensure stability of both composite ingredients. The geometry of samples was obtained by tech- nical computed tomography. Microbiological tests determined the number of bacterial cells after incubation. RESULTS The results indicate significantly decreased ability of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa to form biofilms on the surface of materials with higher content of hy- droxyapatite ceramics. CONCLUSIONS The data may be useful for future applications of SLS technology in the production of bioresorbable PLA/HA medical implants.
The Internet of Things in Health Care in Oxford: Protocol for Proof-of-Concept Projects

Background Demands on health services across are increasing because of the combined challenges of an expanding and aging population, alongside complex comorbidities that transcend the classical boundaries of modern health care. Continuing to provide and coordinate care in the current manner is not a viable route to sustain the improvements in health outcomes observed in recent history. To ensure that there continues to be improvement in patient care, prevention of disease, and reduced burden on health systems, it is essential that we adapt our models of delivery. Providers of health and social care are evolving to face these pressures by changing the way they think about the care system and, importantly, how to involve patients in the planning and delivery of services. Objective The objective of this paper is to provide (1) an overview of the current state of Internet of Things (IoT) and key implementation considerations, (2) key use cases demonstrating technology capabilities, (3) an overview of the landscape for health care IoT use in Oxford, and (4) recommendations for promoting the IoT via collaborations between higher education institutions and industry proof-of-concept (PoC) projects. Methods This study describes the PoC projects that will be created to explore cost-effectiveness, clinical efficacy, and user adoption of Internet of Medical Things systems. The projects will focus on 3 areas: (1) bring your own device integration, (2) chronic disease management, and (3) personal health records. Results This study is funded by Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund. The study started in March 2018, and results are expected by the end of 2019. Conclusions Embracing digital solutions to support the evolution and transformation of health services is essential. Importantly, this should not simply be undertaken by providers in isolation. It must embrace and exploit the advances being seen in the consumer devices, national rollout of high-speed broadband services, and the rapidly expanding medical device industry centered on mobile and wearable technologies. Oxford University Hospitals and its partner providers, patients, and stakeholders are building on their leading position as an exemplar site for digital maturity in the National Health Service to implement and evaluate technologies and solutions that will capitalize on the IoT. Although early in the application to health, the IoT and the potential it provides to make the patient a partner at the center of decisions about care represent an exciting opportunity. If achieved, a fully connected and interoperable health care environment will enable continuous acquisition and real-time analysis of patient data, offering unprecedented ability to monitor patients, manage disease, and potentially deliver early diagnosis. The clinical benefit of this is clear, but additional patient benefit and value will be gained from being able to provide expert care at home or close to home. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/12077
Growth and Reproductive Performance of Rangeland Beef-Cattle as Influenced by Controlled and Uncontrolled Populations of Horn Flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract A 4-yr study was conducted on native rangeland to assess the growth and reproductive performance of cows (Bos taurus) infested with naturally occurring seasonal populations of horn flies (Haematobia irritans). One hundred five Angus × Hereford cow-calf pairs were evaluated as a randomized complete block that was replicated across 4 yr. Cows were approximately 39 d postpartum at the beginning of each yearly trial and were randomly allocated to either an untreated control (UTC) or an insecticide-treated (TRT) herd. Horn fly populations were monitored throughout each yearly replication and blood serum progesterone levels were used to estimate postpartum interval lengths and days to pregnancy. Initial body weights of cows were collected in May with final body weights and calf weaning weights acquired in October of each year. Monthly horn fly control ranged from 85.55 to 99.57% throughout the 4 yr. Cows within UTC herds maintained on average 530.10 ± 94.74 more (P = 0.0015) flies per animal than TRT. However, no differences were detected between treatment groups for any of the reproductive parameters evaluated (P > 0.05). Despite a lack of difference in the reproductive parameters measured, TRT cows gained more (P = 0.0492) weight throughout the fly seasons when compared to UTC cattle. Furthermore, calves paired with insecticide-treated cows tended (P = 0.0680) to wean 16.28 ± 8.04 kg heavier than calves paired with cows exposed to naturally occurring horn fly populations.
NiMARE: Neuroimaging Meta-Analysis Research Environment

We present NiMARE (Neuroimaging Meta‑Analysis Research Environment; RRID:SCR_0173981), a Python library for neuroimaging meta‑analyses and metaanalysis‑related analyses. NiMARE is an open source, collaboratively‑developed package that implements a range of meta‑ analytic algorithms, including coordinate‑ and image‑based meta‑analyses, automated annotation, functional decoding, and meta‑analytic coactivation modeling. By consolidating meta‑analytic methods under a common library and syntax, NiMARE makes it straightforward for users to employ the appropriate approach for a given analysis. In this paper, we describe NiMARE’s architecture and the methods implemented in the library. Additionally, we provide example code and results for each of the available tools in the library.
Two–level reverse Bohlman transsoseous approach for treatment of symptomatic pseudarthrosis

Abstract Surgical treatment for high-grade spondylolisthesis with high sacral slope remains controversial and no definitive gold standard procedure has been identified. The Bohlman technique, in which a fibular strut is reamed posteriorly across the L5–S1 disc space in an oblique, inferior to superior trajectory, has been increasingly utilized. Recently, a Reverse Bohlman technique has been described, in which a graft is reamed anteriorly across a single disc space in a superior to inferior trajectory. Case Report A 55 year-old male with complete lumbarization of S1 (referred to as L6) and previous L5–L6–S1 posterior instrumented fusion presented, with progressively worsening low back pain and lower extremity radicular pain. After failing conservative management, he underwent a 2-level Reverse Bohlman approach to place a titanium mesh interbody graft (cage) anteriorly from L5 to S1, crossing the L5–6 and L6–S1 disc spaces. Here we describe for the first time a Reverse Bohlman technique spanning two disc spaces in a patient with a transitional lumbosacral anomaly and high sacral slope. At 6 months post-operative follow up, the patient reported near complete resolution of symptoms.