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Automatic pose estimation in newborn infants: Lessons from the Baby Grow study
Get PDFAdvances in computational techniques—particularly machine learning—have expanded opportunities to analyse early infant motor repertoires, especially in naturalistic settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the strengths, limitations, and performance of state-of-the-art pose estimation algorithms in challenging, home-based video conditions. We analysed 22 videos recorded by parents using mobile phones from eight newborns in the Baby Grow study, at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age. The videos varied in clothing (common onesie, babygrow, vest), background (grey, black, coloured), lighting (with/without shadows), and camera angles (top, front, bottom). From these, 2,640 frames were extracted and manually annotated to serve as ground truth. We tested demo versions of MediaPipe, OpenPose, PCT, RTMpose, Sapiens, and VitPose, and evaluated performance using object keypoint similarity (OKS), percentage of correct keypoints (PCKh), speed, and accuracy. RTMpose showed the highest overall accuracy, while MediaPipe had the fastest processing speed. However, when balancing speed and accuracy at ratios of 70:30, 50:50, and 30:70, MediaPipe’s speed compensated for its lower accuracy, making it a strong candidate for practical applications. Model performance varied under different environmental conditions, with RTMpose, Sapiens, and VitPose being the most robust. As infant movement research increasingly shifts to real-world environments, selecting appropriate models and ensuring video quality are essential. Our findings show that (1) new models outperform legacy tools like OpenPose, and (2) video context and model selection significantly affect pose estimation accuracy
Generalisation of automatic tumour segmentation in histopathological whole-slide images across multiple cancer types
Get PDFDeep learning is expected to aid pathologists in tasks such as tumour segmentation. We developed a general tumour segmentation model for histopathological images and examined its performance in different cancer types. The model was developed using over 20,000 whole-slide images from over 4000 patients with colorectal, endometrial, lung, or prostate carcinoma. Performance was validated in pre-planned analyses on external cohorts with over 3000 patients across six cancer types. Exploratory analyses included over 1500 additional patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Average Dice coefficient was over 80% in all validation cohorts with en bloc resection specimens and in The Cancer Genome Atlas cohorts. No performance loss was observed when comparing the general model with single-cancer models specialised in cancer types from the development set. In conclusion, extensive and rigorous evaluations demonstrate that generic tumour segmentation by a single model is possible across cancer types, patient populations, sample preparations and slide scanners
Scrub and murine typhus seroprevalence among blood donors in Laos
Get PDFBackground: Scrub typhus and murine typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia typhi, respectively, are important causes of febrile illness in Laos. Although several studies have assessed rickettsial infection in selected provinces, the nationwide distribution remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate exposure to scrub typhus group (STG) and typhus group (TG) across twelve provinces of Laos and identify potential hotspots. Methodology: We screened 1,200 serum samples from blood donors (100 per province) for STG and TG IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Samples with optical density ≥ 0.5 were confirmed by immunofluorescence assays (IFA). Results: Overall seroprevalence was 7.26% (95%CI:5.93-8.87) for STG and 4.09% (95% CI:3.11-5.37) for TG. STG seroprevalence was highest in Huaphan (27%), Oudomxay (19%) and Xiangkhuang (17%), all in northern Laos. TG seroprevalence was 10% in both Oudomxay (north) and Attapue (south). Compared with Vientiane Capital, these provinces had significantly higher seropositivity. No significant association was observed with age group. STG seropositivity was higher in males, whereas TG seropositivity was higher in females. Conclusion: Rickettsial infections are widespread in Laos, with STG seroprevalence concentrated in the north and TG seroprevalence present in both the north and south, guiding future research priorities and informing targeted public health interventions
Examining the role of systemic inflammation as a mediator of the glycaemia-brain volume associations in women
Get PDFPrevious studies have found that diabetes and its mechanistic factors (e.g., glycaemia) are associated with poorer cognitive and brain health. There is also growing evidence of sex differences in how diabetes manifests itself and impacts the brain. The mechanisms through which this association manifests itself are still poorly understood, but the possible role of inflammation has been proposed. This study aims to explore whether the relationship between mid-life glycaemia and brain volumes in later-life in women is mediated by systemic inflammation. The sample consisted of female participants from the National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) who underwent neuroimaging as part of the Insight 46 sub-study. Path analysis models were then constructed between glycaemic markers (age 60−64) and brain health outcomes (age 69−71) with adjustments for social and metabolic confounders (age 60−64). Although fasting glucose was associated with higher GlycA levels (β = 0.05 [0.01, 0.10], p = 0.005), associations with CRP and IL-6 were weaker and not statistically significant (e.g., IL-6: β = 0.10 [−0.04, 0.30], p = 0.102). However, we did not find evidence that inflammatory markers were associated with brain volume outcomes (e.g., IL-6 and whole brain volume: β = −3.4 [−8.1, 1.3], p = 0.092; IL-6 and grey matter volume: β = −0.4 [−1.9, 1.0], p = 0.512). Consequently, indirect (mediated) effects via systemic inflammation were not observed. This suggests that alternative mechanisms beyond inflammation may contribute to the relationship between mid-life glycaemia and later-life brain health
“(John) Joseph”: a fifth-century Greek translator of Jeremiah
No full textIn the margins of the ninth or tenth century manuscript Rahlfs 86 (Barberinus 549) there are around one hundred short readings and glosses to the LXX text of Jeremiah. These readings are attributed to a certain ‘Joseph’ and marked by the siglum ιω´. In the first volume of his Origenis Hexaplorum quod supersunt…, Frederick Field briefly discussed the possible provenance of this translator and his glosses. The readings are also included in the second apparatus of Joseph Ziegler’s Göttingen edition of LXX Jeremiah, along with some brief remarks in the introduction. In 1961 Balduino Kipper listed the biblical references for which the readings are preserved. He noted the freedom of the renderings, the occasional affinities with Jerome’s iuxta Hebraeos Latin version (perhaps via Sophronius), and the frequent divergences from LXX. His findings were included in the Introducción to the Greek versions of the Bible by Natalio Fernández Marcos. The availability of new tools for research in classical and biblical studies has made it possible to build further on Kipper’s research. Yet there is still much we do not know about this enigmatic translation from the fifth century, whose surviving fragments would surely also have intrigued our greatly missed colleague, Jim Aitken
Multiplex PCR to Differentiate Monkeypox Virus Clades
Get PDFWe designed a multiplex quantitative PCR to differentiate monkeypox virus clades. For clinical samples collected in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, sensitivity was 78% (95% CI 67.67%-86.14%) and specificity 94% (95% CI 80.84%-99.30%); for samples with cycle thresholds <35, sensitivity was 98% (95% CI 91.72%-99.96%) and specificity 94% (95% CI 80.84%-99.30%)
Prevalence and associated factors of nutritional status among children under 5 years: a community-based cross-sectional study in Bhimdatta municipality, Kanchanpur, Nepal
Get PDFObjective: To assess the nutritional status and identify associated factors among children under 5 years residing in Ward 10 of Bhimdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur District, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal. Design: Community-based cross-sectional study. Setting: Ward 10 of Bhimdatta Municipality, the second-largest ward by population within the municipality. Participant: A total of 248 children aged 6–59 months were selected using simple random sampling from a list of eligible children compiled through the local vitamin A supplementation programme. Children who were ill for more than 7 days, had physical deformities or whose mothers were illiterate were excluded. Data were collected between 2 January and 25 May 2024. Outcome measures: Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric indicators—height-for-age (stunting), weight-for-height (wasting) and weight-for-age (underweight)—according to WHO Child Growth Standards. Measurements were taken using a ShorrBoard to the nearest 0.1 cm, and WHO Anthro V.3.1.0 was used to generate Z-scores. Data were analysed using EpiData V.3.1 and SPSS V.20. Descriptive statistics were computed, and χ2 tests identified candidate variables for multinomial logistic regression to determine factors associated with nutritional status. Results: The study found that 35.08% of children under 5 years in Ward 10 were affected by some form of under-nutrition. A significant association was observed between under-nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding practices (p<0.05), underscoring the importance of early infant feeding practices. Model adequacy was confirmed using likelihood ratio and Pearson’s χ2 tests. Conclusions: Under-nutrition remains a major public health concern among children under 5 years in Bhimdatta Municipality. Interventions focusing on promoting exclusive breastfeeding, improving maternal education and strengthening household food security are recommended to enhance child nutritional outcomes
Robust magnetic polaron percolation in the antiferromagnetic CMR system EuCd 2 P 2
Get PDFThe interplay between magnetism and charge transport is central to understanding colossal magnetoresistance (CMR), a phenomenon well studied in ferromagnets. Recently, antiferromagnetic (AFM) EuCd2P2 has attracted considerable interest due to its remarkable CMR, for which magnetic fluctuations and the formation of ferromagnetic clusters have been proposed as key mechanisms. Here we provide direct evidence that these effects originate from the formation and percolation of magnetic polarons. We employ a complementary set of sensitive probes that allows for a direct comparison of electronic and magnetic properties on multiple time scales revealing pronounced electronic and magnetic phase separation below T* ≈ 2TN. These measurements indicate an inhomogeneous, percolating electronic system below T* and well above the magnetic ordering temperature TN = 11 K. In applied magnetic fields, the onset of the pronounced negative MR in the paramagnetic regime emerges at a universal critical magnetization. The characteristic size of the magnetic polarons near the percolation threshold is estimated to be ~6−10 nm. Our results establish dynamic polaron percolation within an AFM matrix as the microscopic origin of CMR in EuCd2P2, providing a unified framework for magnetotransport in Eu-based correlated semiconductors
Art and aesthetic appreciation by description
No full textWhile perceptual experience seems necessary for appreciating some artworks, it does not seem necessary for appreciating others. We must arguably see a painting or a reproduction of it if we are to appreciate it and listen to a performance or recording of a work of music if we are to appreciate it. However, there are some artworks the appreciation of which does not require us to perceive them or recordings, reproductions or copies of them. Descriptions of the non-aesthetic properties of some artworks can put those with the requisite background knowledge in a position to appreciate them. The phenomenon of appreciation by description is philosophically interesting because it promises to tell us something about the resources required to appreciate artworks. The puzzle of appreciation by description is why descriptions of the non-aesthetic properties of some artworks could enable us to appreciate the artworks they describe, while descriptions of the non-aesthetic properties of other artworks could not. My aim is to develop a solution to the puzzle that illuminates both the general requirements for appreciation the conditions a face-to-face experience, reproduction, copy or description must meet if it is to enable appreciation of the artwork it describes