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UDG-Prom: A unified dense-guided semantic prompting for cross-domain few-shot image segmentation
Get PDFLarge Vision Models (LVMs), exemplified by the Segment Anything Model (SAM), contain powerful general knowledge from extensive pre-training, yet they often underperform in highly specialized domains. Building large models tailored for each domain is usually impractical due to the substantial cost of data collection and training. Therefore, a key challenge is how to tap into SAM’s strong knowledge base and transfer it effectively to new, domain-specific tasks, especially under Cross-Domain or Few-Shot constraints. Previous efforts have leveraged prior knowledge from foundation models for transfer learning; however, they typically target specific tasks and exhibit limited robustness in broader applications. To tackle this issue, we propose a Unified Dense-Guided Semantic Prompting framework (UDG-Prom), a new paradigm for Cross-Domain Few-Shot Segmentation (CD-FSS). First, a Multi-level Adaptation Framework (MAF) is used for integrated feature extraction as prior knowledge. Then, we incorporate a Task-Adaptive Auto Meta Prompt (TA2MP) module to enable the extraction of class-domain-agnostic features and generate high-quality, learnable visual prompts. By combining learnable prompts with a structured model and prototype disentanglement, this method retains SAM’s prior knowledge and effectively adapts to CD-FSS through category and domain cues. Extensive experiments on four benchmarks show that our model not only surpasses state-of-the-art CD-FSS approaches but also achieves a remarkable improvement in average accuracy
Metagenomics-based characterization of fecal microbiome and resistome of laying hens during the production cycle
Get PDFThe extensive use of antimicrobials in livestock has accelerated the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), raising serious global concerns. Poultry feces are recognized as important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their associated mobile genetic elements (MGEs); however, the microbial community characteristics and ARG profiles of laying hens across different laying stages remain poorly understood. In this study, 40 fecal samples were collected from laying hens at five sampling points, including the early laying stage (HE), three peak laying stages (HPI, HPII, and HPIII), and the late laying stage (HL), with eight randomly selected samples per stage. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was conducted to characterize the taxonomic structure and functional profiles of the intestinal microbiota and to systematically analyze the diversity and distribution patterns of ARGs. The results showed that most ARGs were harbored by bacteria belonging to the phyla Pseudomonadota and Bacillota, with Escherichia coli serving as the primary carrier of antibiotic resistance genes. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between the co-abundance and co-occurrence of ARGs and MGEs, suggesting that MGEs play a key role in facilitating ARG dissemination. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the prevalence of ARGs in laying hens across different laying stages and may inform strategies to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance in poultry production systems
Becoming Underutilised: Indigenous Crops and Foodways in Colonial Kenya
Get PDFThe material properties of ‘underutilised’ indigenous African crops have gained increasing attention in efforts to combat food insecurity. Understanding the opportunities and barriers to reviving indigenous crops today must begin by making sense of how such foodstuffs became underutilised in the first place. This article traces the transformation of foodways centred around indigenous crops in colonial Kenya (1890s–1963). Drawing on archival evidence and 79 oral histories from Baringo and Bomet counties, it explores how crop materialities, colonial state-making and local resistance shaped patterns of agrarian change that marginalised, but by no means eradicated, indigenous crops and foodways. Although key drivers of change stemmed from interactions between crop materialities and political-economic forces central to settler colonial domination in Kenya, we argue that nutritional knowledges, extreme weather events and pest outbreaks were important contributors to government interventions and local defence of foodways. We conclude by reflecting on the resurgence of indigenous crops
“My bloody leg” – The lived experience of arthrofibrosis after total knee arthroplasty
Get PDFPurpose: Arthrofibrosis following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a recognised complication resulting in severe stiffness with limited options for treatment. To date, little is known about the lived experiences of those affected. This study aimed to understand the perceived impact of arthrofibrosis, the experience of the treatment pathway, and perceptions of barriers to optimal care. Methods: Participants who had undergone elective TKA with postoperative arthrofibrosis, were recruited from three NHS orthopaedic units. All interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview schedule, digitally recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fourteen patients were recruited. Four themes were developed from the data: Adjusting to Loss: Erosion of Function and Identity – the impact on function was overwhelming and significantly impaired social functioning. This resulted in self-reported adverse mental health outcomes. Seeking Clarity and Compassion: Navigating Communication with Healthcare Professionals – many participants described inconsistency in advice given post-TKA, particularly concerning exercise. Many felt that they had unmet needs related to their rehabilitation. Making Sense of a Stalled Recovery: The Quest for Answers, Solutions and Hope – significant emotional labour was invested in understanding what was happening to their knee. Commitment and Constraint: Navigating Rehabilitation in Everyday Life – participants described a commitment to post-operative exercise regimes; all had integrated exercises into daily activities but continued to face challenges. Conclusions: The experience of arthrofibrosis after TKA is disruptive, distressing and frustrating. Future development of interventions and clinical pathways should ensure person-centred approaches that offer consistency and clarity of advice, particularly regarding exercise. Contribution of paper: • This paper provides a rich account of the lived experience of arthrofibrosis after total knee arthroplasty, highlighting the significant disruption to biopsychosocial functioning. • Individuals’ experiences were framed by a quest for understanding, but their communication with healthcare professionals was typically perceived as inadequate and inconsistent. • Exercise was identified as a crucial component of rehabilitation, with individuals expressing commitment to their programmes. Other treatment adjuncts were rarely discussed. • The results support the future development of person-centred, non-reductionist interventions that meet informational needs and support active patient involvement. Study Registration number: NCT05459259
Biomass & coal co-milling: Old hat or the route to decarbonization for coal power dependent economies via novel particle size partitioning analysis
Get PDFDespite the global push towards net zero, coal remains a dominant energy source in many economies. Biomass co-firing offers coal powered dependent economies a transitional decarbonization pathway, yet co-milling remains a critical barrier due to the contrasting fracture mechanics of coal and biomass and lack of understanding in the partitioning of milled blends. This study aims to overcome some of these challenges by investigating the co-milling behaviour of wood pellets and palm kernel shell (PKS), with 7 coals (5 Australian, 1 Indonesian and 1 Colombian) using a ball and race mill with pneumatic classification. These two biomasses were blended with each coal at 10 % and 40 % wt/wt. The milling performance was evaluated using particle size distribution (PSD) statistical analysis, novel application of thermal characterisation on the milled size fractions, and application of Von Rittinger's comminution theory to rank grindability. Results demonstrate that while PKS exhibits mill choking when milled alone, co-milling enables complete milling, indicating a synergistic effect. Thermogravimetric analysis of size fractions enables the first reported estimation of biomass and coal partitioning within co-milled products. The Von Rittinger constant ranking revealed that softer coals require disproportionately higher energy when blended with biomass, particularly at higher blend ratios. Predictive models based on parent material PSD and thermal composition were developed to estimate co-milled particle size and specific energy consumption, showing good agreement at low blend ratios and highlighting synergistic effects at higher biomass contents. This study provides new insights into the physical and thermal partitioning of co-milled biomass and coal blends, demonstrating that co-milling can mitigate biomass milling limitations and improve throughput. The findings support the development of predictive models for PSD and energy consumption based on the parent material properties, offering practical guidance for the transition towards lower-carbon energy systems
Experimental study of rectangular CFDST beams with eccentric inner tubes under three-point bending
Get PDFThe structural performance of concrete-filled double skin tubular (CFDST) beams is examined in this study. Stainless steel rectangular hollow sections (RHS) were used as the outer tubes, while steel circular, square and rectangular hollow sections (CHS, SHS and RHS) were used as the inner tubes. The inner tubes were eccentrically positioned in the tensile zone of the cross-sections to enhance the bending moment capacity. A total of 30 CFDST specimens was tested under three-point bending. Three levels of inner tube eccentricity were investigated. The nominal compressive strength of the infilled-concrete ranged from 40 to 120 MPa. The full moment-deflection responses, bending moment capacities and failure modes of the investigated CFDST beams are reported and discussed herein. It was observed that increasing the inner tube eccentricity enhanced the bending moment capacity by up to 18% and increasing the concrete compressive strength from C40 to C120 led to a maximum improvement of 50% in bending moment capacity. Additionally, the experimental bending moment capacities were compared against predictions determined from current European, American and Chinese standards for composite carbon steel members. It was shown that the existing design provisions yielded conservative and scattered predictions for the investigated CFDST beams. Developments required in the current design provisions in relation to their application to the studied cross-sections include improved allowance for the strain hardening of stainless steel, concrete confinement and shear-bending interaction. These factors are to be addressed in future research
Does vaccinating calves against Mycoplasmopsis bovis (formerly Mycoplasma bovis) reduce clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease?
Get PDFSedentary behavior and dimensions of stress: a scoping and mapping review
Get PDFBackgroundStress is a multidimensional construct comprising stressor exposure, psychological responses, biological responses, and psychological distress. These stress dimensions have distinct measurement targets and disease implications. Sedentary behavior is associated with adverse mental and physical health, but its relation to specific stress dimensions remains unclear, hindering the development of mechanism-informed interventions and public health guidance. This scoping and mapping review synthesized evidence linking sedentary behavior and six stress dimensions.MethodsFollowing PRISMA-ScR and a preregistered protocol, seven databases were systematically searched from inception to September 2024 for quantitative studies testing associations between posture-defined sedentary behavior and six a priori-determined stress dimensions: (1) stressor exposure frequency; (2-3) acute and chronic psychological responses; (4-5) acute and chronic biological responses; and (6) psychological distress.ResultsOf the 144 included studies, most were cross-sectional (65%), used self-reported measures of sedentary behavior (71%), and included populations from high-income countries (79%). Significant positive relationships with sedentary behavior were most consistent for acute biological stress responses (11/15 studies, 73%), psychological distress (28/39, 72%), and stressor exposure frequency (5/7, 71%). Chronic psychological responses (41/69, 59%) showed less consistent evidence of a significant positive association, and links with acute psychological and chronic biological responses were largely null.ConclusionThere is a need for longitudinal and experimental studies, device-based and domain-specific sedentary behavior measures, and more geographically and socioeconomically diverse samples to strengthen the generalizability of the evidence base beyond predominantly high-income settings. Our findings suggest future sedentary behavior meta-analyses and intervention trials should prioritize acute biological responses, psychological distress, and stressor exposure
Examining neuroimaging biomarkers, plasma biomarkers and cognitive functions in patients with recovered COVID-19 infection: a multicentre study using 7T MRI
Get PDFWe examined the impact of COVID-19 hospitalization on neuroimaging biomarkers and the association of these neuroimaging biomarkers with cognitive measures and plasma biomarkers. A total of 179 dementia-free people, including 52 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, across four medical centres in the USA and UK underwent 7T brain MRI scans, cognitive tests and blood collection. We found that hospitalized patients exhibited a comparable white matter hyperintensity burden, lower total hippocampal volume and lower plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein concentration, along with poorer memory performance, compared to age-matched non-hospitalized participants. Higher white matter hyperintensity burden was associated with older age, worse cognitive scores and higher plasma biomarker levels; higher total hippocampal volume was associated with younger age, better cognitive scores and lower plasma phosphorylated tau levels. However, these correlation coefficients did not differ between the hospitalized and non-hospitalized groups. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the long-term impact of COVID-19-related hospitalization
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