Small Spikes Research Articles

FLTrans-Net: Transformer-based feature learning network for wheat head detection

The accurate identification of wheat heads is critical for assessing production and managing agricultural fields effectively. One major challenge lies in detecting overlapping and small wheat spikes amidst complex backgrounds. Recent advancements in deep learning, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), have been employed to address this challenge. However, conventional CNNs often struggle with capturing global interdependencies due to their focus on local features and limited scale invariance. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a Transformer-based Feature Learning Network (FLTrans-Net). FLTrans-Net aims to learn discriminative features while reducing background noise. The methodology comprises three key components: a Multi-Scale Fusion Block, a Spatial Attention Block, and a Lightweight RetinaNet Detection Block. The Multi-Scale Fusion Block integrates high-scale and low-scale features to extract multi-scale representations, essential for detecting small-sized wheat heads in complex backgrounds. The Spatial Attention Block utilizes transformer encoders to highlight salient object characteristics, enhancing the model’s performance. Additionally, a Lightweight RetinaNet Detection Block is incorporated to capture potentially valuable features extracted by preceding blocks. Experimental results demonstrate FLTrans-Net’s effectiveness in wheat head detection in challenging field environments, indicating its potential for real-time deployment on resource-constrained devices. Overall, FLTrans-Net represents a significant advancement in wheat head detection, offering both efficacy and efficiency in handling complex agricultural landscapes.

TRICHINELLA AND AT LEAST THREE SPECIES OF SARCOCYSTIS PARASITIZE THE MUSCLES OF BOBCATS (LYNX RUFUS) FROM MISSISSIPPI.

Muscles of 25 bobcats (Lynx rufus) from remote areas of Mississippi in 2017 were tested for parasites. Testing for Sarcocystis infections included microscopic examination of fresh unstained muscle squashes, pepsin digestion of hearts and tongues, and histological sections of paraffin-embedded tissues. Sarcocystis spp. infections were detected in the muscles of 21 (84%) by a combination of methods. Sarcocysts were detected in the unstained tongue squashes of 2 bobcats. Sarcocystis sp. bradyzoites were detected in the pepsin digests of 3 of 19 hearts, and 12 of 19 tongues. In paraffin-embedded histological sections, sarcocysts were detected in 7 of 25 hearts, 17 of 25 tongues, and 5 of 23 limb muscles. Based on the character of the cyst wall, at least 3 morphologic types of sarcocysts were detected: those with small spikes on the cyst wall, corresponding to Sarcocystis felis, those with long villar protrusions, corresponding to Sarcocystis neurona, and those lacking visible cyst wall protrusions, representing an unidentified type of sarcocyst. Myositis associated with sarcocysts was seen in the tongues of 3, and in the limb muscles of 1 bobcat. Multilocus genotyping of the DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded sections from 2 bobcats, employing 18S, 28S, COI, ITS-1, and 5.8S and rpoB genes, diagnosed Sarcocystis caninum, S. felis, Sarcocystis lutrae, and S. neurona. An encapsulated species of Trichinella was identified in the tongue of 1; it represents the first documented occurrences in bobcats from Mississippi. Taken together, these observations suggest intensive exposure of these wild carnivores to Trichinella tissue cysts, implies predation or scavenging on these tissues promotes parasite transmission, and raises caution concerning zoonotic risk when such meat is rendered for human consumption.

Effects of disturbed transmitted shock and interface coupling on heavy gas layer evolution

Development of a heavy gas layer with an upstream single-mode interface and a downstream planar interface accelerated by a shock wave is investigated. By considering the amplitude variation of the transmitted shock and interface coupling, a modified model is established, which provides good predictions on the linear growth rates of the perturbations on both interfaces. Through the model, the perturbation growth of the downstream interface can be frozen by choosing a suitable layer width. In such a shocked layer, interface coupling has an ignorable effect on the nonlinear evolution of the upstream interface but significantly changes the nonlinear evolution of the downstream interface. A new dimensionless approach is proposed to scale the nonlinear growth of the middle spike on the downstream interface. Finally, through modal analysis, we find that the pressure perturbations rather than interface coupling result in the formation of the small spike on the bubble head of the downstream interface.

Reducing the spike rate of deep spiking neural networks based on time-encoding

A primary objective of Spiking Neural Networks is a very energy-efficient computation. To achieve this target, a small spike rate is of course very beneficial given the event-driven nature of such a computation. A network that processes information encoded in spike timing can, by its nature, have such a sparse event rate, but, as the network becomes deeper and larger, the spike rate tends to increase without any improvements in the final accuracy. If, on the other hand, a penalty on the excess of spikes is used during the training, the network may shift to a configuration where many neurons are silent, thus affecting the effectiveness of the training itself. In this paper, we present a learning strategy to keep the final spike rate under control by changing the loss function to penalize the spikes generated by neurons after the first ones. Moreover, we also propose a 2-phase training strategy to avoid silent neurons during the training, intended for benchmarks where such an issue can cause the switch off of the network.

Internal Medicine and Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program Website Traffic Patterns Across Two Institutions and Five Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) Cycles.

Background Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spring 2020, medical residency program recruitment has become increasingly web-based due to the transition to virtual interviews. Although social media use by residency programs has soared during this time, applicant surveys show that official program websites remain the most used online resource. According to survey-based studies, the content that applicants favor on program websites tends to mirror their priorities in choosing programs. However, it is unclear whether applicant-reported priorities in program choice and website content truly drive program website traffic. In this analysis, we will elucidate website traffic patterns from two Internal Medicine residency programs and two Internal Medicine-Pediatrics programs, both in terms of the thematic content of high-traffic pages and changes in traffic patterns throughout the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application cycle. We will provide novel, data-driven guidance to residency program leadership regarding website content. Methodology For each of the four programs included in the analysis, total pageviews on a monthly basis were obtained for the annual ERAS application cycles taking place from 2017 through 2022. For one Internal Medicine program, data was only available for its current website from 2020 to 2022. The mean monthly pageviews were calculated for each page within each website. The total site traffic trends across each year and within high-traffic months were totaled as well. Results As expected, the highest traffic period for all programs in all years was the days before the application deadline, with a secondary, smaller spike in traffic around Match Day. In general, the most popular pages for all four programs were thematically in line with the top five applicant priorities in the 2022 National Resident Matching Program applicant survey, namely, geographic location, goodness of fit, program reputation, work/life balance, and current program residents. Three of the websites featured unique content that unexpectedly proved to be as popular as the top survey-reported topics, such as pages related to a new major clinical site, a new integrated subspecialty pathway, and, most profoundly, a pipeline program for certain applicants from groups that are underrepresented in medicine. Alumni career content was also heavily trafficked across all four programs. Conclusions Program directors should plan twice-yearly updates to residency program websites, timed to be finished by the start of the ERAS cycle in the fall, and again just before Match Day in March. Program directors should include specific, up-to-date information about unique program features. Future research should incorporate a more diverse variety of programs, software-based page content analysis, and traffic source data.

Benign epileptiform variants in EEG: A comprehensive study of 3000 patients

BackgroundThe analysis of EEG demands expertise and keen observation to distinguish epileptiform discharges from benign epileptiform variants (BEVs), a frequent source of erroneous interpretation. The prevalence of BEVs varies based on geographical, racial, and ethnic characteristics. However, most data on BEVs originates from Western populations, and additional studies on different cohorts would enrich the existing literature. MethodsWe reviewed EEGs from our institutional database to study the prevalence of benign epileptiform variants and analyzed their frequency, topography, and other characteristics. Additionally, we investigated the co-existence of epileptiform discharges with BEVs. ResultsWe identified 296 patients with BEVs after reviewing 3000 EEGs (9.9%). The most common BEV was small sharp spikes (SSS), observed in 114 patients (3.8%). Wicket waves, 6 Hz spike and slow wave, 14 and 6 Hz positive bursts, and Rhythmic Temporal Theta of Drowsiness (RTTD) were identified in 67 (2.2%), 40 (1.3%), 39 (1.3%), and 35 (1.16%) patients, respectively and one patient with Subclinical Rhythmic EEG Discharges in Adults (SREDA). Additionally, we observed the co-existence of epileptiform discharges with BEVs, most commonly with SSS (27.8%). ConclusionsThe present study is a large study with 3000 EEGs to describe the BEV characteristics. BEVs were seen in 9.9% of patients, BSSS being the most common. There were minor differences in frequency, gender or age distribution compared to existing literature. We demonstrated the co-existence of epileptiform discharges. Morphological characteristics remain the cornerstone in recognising BEVs. EEG readers need to be aware of features of BEVs to avoid wrongly interpretation.

Predicting Flood Event Class Using a Novel Class Membership Function and Hydrological Modeling

AbstractPredicting flood event classes aids in the comprehensive investigation of flood behavior dynamics and supports flood early warning and emergency plan development. Existing studies have mainly focused on historical flood event classification and the prediction of flood hydrographs or certain metrics (e.g., magnitude and timing) but have not focused on predicting flood event classes. Our study proposes a new approach for predicting flood event classes based on the class membership functions of flood regime metrics and hydrological modeling. The approach is validated using 1446 unimpacted flood events in 68 headstream catchments widely distributed across China. The new approach performs well, with class hit rates of 68.3% ± 0.4% for all events; 65.8% ± 0.6%, 56.8% ± 0.9%, and 69.5% ± 0.9% for the small, moderate and high spike flood event classes, respectively; and 82.5% ± 1.2% and 75.4% ± 1.1% for the moderate and high dumpy flood event classes, respectively. Furthermore, it performs better in the basins of northern China than in those of southern China, particularly for the small spike flood event class in the Songliao and Yellow River Basins, with hit rates of 80.0% ± 3.2% and 78.8% ± 3.2%, respectively. Our results indicate that the new approach will help improve the prediction performance of flood events and their corresponding classes, and provide deep insights into the comprehensive dynamic patterns of flood events for early warning and control management.

Seasonality of influenza-like illness and short-term forecasting model in Chongqing from 2010 to 2022

BackgroundInfluenza-like illness (ILI) imposes a significant burden on patients, employers and society. However, there is no analysis and prediction at the hospital level in Chongqing. We aimed to characterize the seasonality of ILI, examine age heterogeneity in visits, and predict ILI peaks and assess whether they affect hospital operations.MethodsThe multiplicative decomposition model was employed to decompose the trend and seasonality of ILI, and the Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average with exogenous factors (SARIMAX) model was used for the trend and short-term prediction of ILI. We used Grid Search and Akaike information criterion (AIC) to calibrate and verify the optimal hyperparameters, and verified the residuals of the multiplicative decomposition and SARIMAX model, which are both white noise.ResultsDuring the 12-year study period, ILI showed a continuous upward trend, peaking in winter (Dec. - Jan.) and a small spike in May-June in the 2–4-year-old high-risk group for severe disease. The mean length of stay (LOS) in ILI peaked around summer (about Aug.), and the LOS in the 0–1 and ≥ 65 years old severely high-risk group was more irregular than the others. We found some anomalies in the predictive analysis of the test set, which were basically consistent with the dynamic zero-COVID policy at the time.ConclusionThe ILI patient visits showed a clear cyclical and seasonal pattern. ILI prevention and control activities can be conducted seasonally on an annual basis, and age heterogeneity should be considered in the health resource planning. Targeted immunization policies are essential to mitigate potential pandemic threats. The SARIMAX model has good short-term forecasting ability and accuracy. It can help explore the epidemiological characteristics of ILI and provide an early warning and decision-making basis for the allocation of medical resources related to ILI visits.

Discovery of Asymmetric Spike-like Structures of the 10 au Disk around the Very Low-luminosity Protostar Embedded in the Taurus Dense Core MC 27/L1521F with ALMA

Recent Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations have revealed an increasing number of compact protostellar disks with radii of less than a few tens of astronomical units and that young Class 0/I objects have an intrinsic size diversity. To deepen our understanding of the origin of such tiny disks, we have performed highest-resolution configuration observations with ALMA at a beam size of ∼0.″03 (4 au) on the very low-luminosity Class 0 protostar embedded in the Taurus dense core MC 27/L1521F. The 1.3 mm continuum measurement successfully resolved a tiny, faint (∼1 mJy) disk with a major axis length of ∼10 au, one of the smallest examples in the ALMA protostellar studies. In addition, we detected spike-like components in the northeastern direction at the disk edge. Gravitational instability or other fragmentation mechanisms cannot explain the structures, given the central stellar mass of ∼0.2 M ⊙ and the disk mass of ≳10−4 M ⊙. Instead, we propose that these small spike structures were formed by a recent dynamic magnetic flux transport event due to interchange instability that would be favorable to occur if the parental core has a strong magnetic field. The presence of complex arc-like structures on a larger (∼2000 au) scale in the same direction as the spike structures suggests that the event was not single. Such episodic, dynamical events may play an important role in maintaining the compact nature of the protostellar disk in the complex gas envelope during the main accretion phase.

Treatment options and outcomes for delayed scapular anatomical neck fractures: a case report and review of the literature

IntroductionScapular anatomical neck fractures are among the most infrequent shoulder girdle fractures. Only seven radiologically confirmed cases of scapular anatomical neck fractures have been documented in the literature to date, of which only one case underwent delayed surgery.Case presentationA 34-year-old male Persian patient with morbid obesity was diagnosed with a scapula anatomical neck fracture after a motor vehicle collision. The radiographic assessment of the patient indicated an increase in the scapular glenopolar angle (73.9°). Due to concurrent chest and head injuries, surgical intervention was deferred until 6 weeks following the injury. The posterolateral limited Dupont–Evrard approach was used because of the patient’s extremely high body mass index. Two plates were utilized to achieve stable fixation of the glenoid neck fracture. Following a 1 year follow-up period, complete fracture union was successfully attained, resulting in a constant score of 79.ConclusionsThe most accurate radiographic indicators of these fractures are a superior fracture line located laterally to the coracoid process, a small inferior spike, and an elevated glenopolar angle. The only tendon attached to the glenoid is the long head of the triceps, making these fractures unstable; therefore, surgery is required in the majority of instances. The small size of the fractured component makes stabilization more difficult. Overall, anatomical scapular neck fractures are extremely uncommon and distinguished from other scapular fractures by their unique radiological and biomechanical characteristics. This case highlights the challenges encountered when managing scapular fractures in patients with morbid obesity. The delayed surgical intervention and the choice of surgical approach tailored to the patient’s specific anatomical and physiological considerations proved to be effective in achieving a favorable outcome.

Role of RIPK1 kinase in neuronal-glial network adaptation under hypoxic conditions

Cerebral hypoxia is a condition characterized by a reduced oxygen supply to tissues that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. In hypoxia, intracellular signaling cascades are activated, ultimately leading to various forms of nerve cell death. The initiation of necroptosis under hypoxic conditions is governed by PIPK1 kinase, and its inhibition could potentially offer neuroprotection against hypoxic damage [1–3]. Studies investigating the effects of blocking RIPK1 kinase on the activity of neuronal-glial networks are currently lacking. Consequently, RIPK1 kinase constitutes a promising objective for further exploration. Thus, the aim of this work is to examine the part played by RIPK1 kinase in the adjustment of neuronal-glial networks amid hypoxia. The study focused on primary cultures of nerve cells in the hippocampus of mouse embryos belonging to the C57Bl/6 line. Hypoxia was induced in vitro on the 14th day of culturing the nerve cells. The RIPK1 kinase inhibitor was administered 20 minutes prior to, during, and after the hypoxia intervention. After 7 days of the stress induction, the calcium and bioelectrical activity of the neuron-glial networks were evaluated. Calcium activity was assessed via the Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-1, AM (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) using a Zeiss LSM 800 confocal laser scanning microscope (Carl Zeiss, Germany). The experiments assessed total percentage of oscillating cells in culture, the frequency, and duration of calcium events. The analysis of bioelectrical activity was conducted using the MEA 60 multi-electrode arrays from Multichannel Systems. The registered signal from the arrays was processed through the MEAMAN algorithms in MATLAB (Certificate of State Registration of Computer Program No. 2012611190). The average number of small network packages and spikes was estimated. Under physiological conditions, spontaneous calcium activity is observed by the 21st day of neuron-glial network development. The percentage of cells exhibiting calcium events is 60.64 ± 3.68%, the frequency of calcium oscillations is 1.52±0.22 osc/min, and the duration is 9.63±0.75 s. During hypoxia modeling, the percentage of cells exhibiting calcium events decreased to 34.77±4.08%, and the frequency of calcium oscillations decreased to 0.64±0.08 osc/min. The inhibition of RIPK1 kinase maintains the percentage of cells exhibiting calcium events at the level of intact cultures, which is 60.38±3.4%. By the 21st day of culturing primary nerve cell cultures under physiological conditions, spontaneous bioelectrical activity forms. This is indicated by parameters such as the average number of small network clusters and spikes. Hypoxia modeling has a negative impact on the development of spontaneous bioelectrical activity. In the “Intact” group, the average number of small network packs was 36.12±4.27 packs per 10 minutes, while in the cell culture with hypoxia, it was 15.87±3.03 packs per 10 minutes. Additionally, the “Intact” group had an average of 90.22±12.32 spikes, while the cell culture with hypoxia had only 11.58±4.7 spikes. However, blocking RIPK1 kinase during hypoxia preserved the average number of small network packs (23,49±2,14 packs/10 min). Thus, inhibiting RIPK1 kinase under hypoxic conditions preserves the proportion of cells that exhibit spontaneous calcium events and partially preserves spontaneous bioelectrical activity.

Analysing transitions from a Turing instability to large periodic patterns in a reaction-diffusion system

Analytically tracking patterns emerging from a small amplitude Turing instability to large amplitude remains a challenge as no general theory exists. In this paper, we consider a three component reaction-diffusion system with one of its components singularly perturbed, this component is known as the fast variable. We develop an analytical theory describing the periodic patterns emerging from a Turing instability using geometric singular perturbation theory. We show analytically that after the initial Turing instability, spatially periodic patterns evolve into a small amplitude spike in the fast variable whose amplitude grows as one moves away from onset. This is followed by a secondary transition where the spike in the fast variable widens, its periodic pattern develops two sharp transitions between two flat states and the amplitudes of the other variables grow. The final type of transition we uncover analytically is where the flat states of the fast variable develop structure in the periodic pattern. The analysis is illustrated and motivated by a numerical investigation. We conclude with a preliminary numerical investigation where we uncover more complicated periodic patterns and snaking-like behaviour that are driven by the three transitions analysed in this paper. This paper provides a crucial step towards understanding how periodic patterns transition from a Turing instability to large amplitude.

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Drosophila Model of Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, partially correlated with genetic origin, affecting over 70 million individuals worldwide. Despite the clinical importance of epilepsy, the functional analysis of neural activity in the central nervous system is still to be developed. Recent advancements in imaging technology, in combination with stable expression of genetically encoded calcium indicators, such as GCaMP6, have revolutionized the study of epilepsy at both brain-wide and single-cell resolution levels. Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a tool for investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying epilepsy due to its sophisticated molecular genetics and behavioral assays. In this study, we present a novel and efficient protocol for ex vivo calcium imaging in GCaMP6-expressing adult Drosophila to monitor epileptiform activities. The whole brain is prepared from cac, a well-known epilepsy gene, knockdown flies for calcium imaging with a confocal microscope to identify the neural activity as a follow-up to the bang-sensitive seizure-like behavior assay. The cac knockdown flies showed a higher rate of seizure-like behavior and abnormal calcium activities, including more large spikes and fewer small spikes than wild-type flies. The calcium activities were correlated to seizure-like behavior. This methodology serves as an efficient methodology in screening the pathogenic genes for epilepsy and exploring the potential mechanism of epilepsy at the cellular level.

Large-eddy simulations of compressible Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence with miscible fluids using spatial gradient model

Large-eddy simulations (LES) and implicit LES (ILES) of three-dimensional compressible Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence with miscible fluids are performed and compared with direct numerical simulation (DNS) at the Atwood number At=0.5 and stratification parameters Sr = 1.0 and 4.0. Three sub-grid-scale (SGS) models including constant-coefficient spatial gradient model (CSGM), dynamic Smagorinsky model (DSM), and dynamic mixed model (DMM) are considered. The CSGM model achieves a high accuracy by using the velocity gradients at the neighboring LES grids. The a priori tests show that the CSGM model has significantly higher correlation coefficients and lower relative errors than traditional SGS models. In the a posteriori tests, the probability density functions of SGS terms predicted by the CSGM model are consistent with the filtered DNS results. The CSGM model can accurately predict the small bubble and spike structures, resulting in good predictions of mixing heights and concentration fields. The instantaneous structures, spectra, and statistics of velocity and vorticity fields are also examined, showing the excellent performance of the CSGM model compared to the ILES, DSM, and DMM models. Moreover, the predictions of the temperature and pressure fields by the CSGM model are significantly better than the traditional SGS models and ILES.

Electric field simulation of multi-needle water bath electrospinning and the structural properties of SCN/PAN micro/nanofiber composite yarns

Multi-needle water bath electrospinning is one of the most efficient methods used to prepare micro/nanofiber composite yarns. The nanofiber structure can be targeted and regulated to obtain high-performance composite yarns. To explore the effect of the receiving distance on the structure and properties of micro/nanofiber composite yarns, polyacrylonitrile nanofibers were uniformly coated on silver-coated nylon yarn via a four-needle continuous water bath electrospinning method. The electric field distribution at different receiving distances was simulated by ANSYS finite element analysis software, and the effects of electric field distribution on the structure and properties of the micro/nanofiber composite yarns were studied. The results indicated that the peak electric field intensity appeared at the tip of the needles and decreased with the increase in the receiving distance. The receiving distance was constant, and the field intensity was lower when the direction of the centerline of the needle tip was farther away from the tip; however, the field intensity at the conductive core yarn was higher than that in the surrounding area (small spikes). The average field intensity of the small spikes at 180 mm was only 1/4 of that at 80 mm. When the receiving distance increased within a certain range (100∼140 mm), the nanofibers had a smooth surface and good separation, their diameters decreased continuously and the porosity changed inversely. With a further increase in the receiving distance, the nanofibers gradually bonded, their diameter increased and the porosity showed the opposite trend. The coating rate of the nanofibers showed a decreasing trend, and the mechanical properties of the micro/nano composite yarns were improved. When the receiving distance was 100 mm, the porosity reached 38.94%, and the breaking force, breaking elongation and breaking strength were 13.71 ± 1.36 cN, 22.76 ± 6.62% and 0.15 ± 0.02 cN·dtex−1, respectively. Upon consideration of all the above factors, the receiving distance of 100 mm is appropriate.

Normal variants and artifacts: importance in EEG interpretation.

Overinterpretation of EEG is an important contributor to the misdiagnosis of epilepsy. For the EEG to have a high diagnostic value and high specificity, it is critical to recognize waveforms that can be mistaken for abnormal patterns. This article describes artifacts, normal rhythms, and normal patterns that are prone to being misinterpreted as abnormal. Artifacts are potentials generated outside the brain. They are divided into physiologic and extraphysiologic. Physiologic artifacts arise from the body, and include EMG, eyes, various movements, EKG, pulse, and sweat. Some physiologic artifacts can be useful for interpretation such as EMG and eye movements. Extraphysiologic artifacts arise from outside the body, and in turn can be divided into the environments (electrodes, equipment, cellphones) and devices within the body (pacemakers, neurostimulators) Normal rhythms can be divided into awake patterns (alpha rhythm and its variants, mu rhythm, lambda waves, posterior slow waves of youth, HV-induced slowing, photic driving, photomyogenic response) and sleep patterns (POSTS, vertex waves, spindles, K complexes, sleep-related hypersynchrony, frontal arousal rhythm). Breach can affect both awake and sleep rhythms. Normal variants or variants of uncertain clinical significance include variants that may have been considered abnormal in the early days of EEG but are now considered normal. These include wicket spikes and wicket rhythms (the most common normal pattern over-read as epileptiform), small sharp spikes (aka benign epileptiform transients of sleep), rhythmic midtemporal theta of drowsiness (aka psychomotor variant), Cigánek rhythm (aka midline theta), 6 Hz phantom spike-wave, 14&6 Hz positive spikes, subclinical rhythmic epileptiform discharges of adults (SREDA), slow fused transients, occipital spikes of blindness, and temporal slowing of the elderly. Correctly identifying artifacts and normal patterns can help avoid overinterpretation and misdiagnosis. This is an educational review paper addressing a learning objective of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) curriculum.

An improved YOLOv5-based algorithm for small wheat spikes detection

An improved YOLOv5-based algorithm for small wheat spikes detection

Focal epilepsy: EEG interictal patterns and etiology correlation (S35.009)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To evaluate the relationship between certain scalp interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and the underlying seizure pathology. <h3>Background:</h3> Ictal characteristic patterns in focal epilepsy have been observed to be highly associated with certain pathologies and identifying such patterns can act as a predictor for possible underling etiology and to guide further investigations in work up of epilepsy. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Retrospective analysis of the interictal, ictal, and postictal epileptiform discharges recorded from scalp EEG based on frequency, amplitude, distribution, and morphology. <h3>Results:</h3> Independent or asynchronous bursts of IEDs in the form of spike trains consisting of monomorphic alpha frequencies with crescendo amplitudes, at times preceded or followed by 2–3 Hz slow waves, were associated with FCD. IEDs of spike trains with crescendo amplitudes and frequencies 5–6 Hz small spikes followed by 6–8 Hz higher amplitudes spikes with sharp peaks per second, then followed by 1–3 Hz slow waves, and at times showed broad field to the contralateral side were associated with heterotopia. An isolated spike-slow wave discharge confined to the temporal electrodes without broad field ipsilaterally were associated with MTS of possible dentate and proper hippocampus origin. IEDs of spike-slow wave discharges with broad field to the ipsilateral side were associated with MTS of possible hippocampal and para-hippocampal origin. Irregular 1–2 Hz spikes/sharp waves-slow waves and appearing as irregular “M shape” correlated with neocortical gliosis. Spike/sharp-slow wave complexes with broad field ipsilaterally and contralaterally while sustaining higher amplitudes ipsilaterally, might indicate kindling. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Scalp EEG provides information about different epileptic parameters. IEDs are heterogeneous in terms of pattern and underlying mechanisms. EEG is not only a method to prove the presence of an epileptic focus, but can also correlate with the underlying etiology, and can be a useful tool to guide medical and surgical interventions. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Lagnf has nothing to disclose. Dr. Souidan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alsherbini has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Detroit Medical Center. Prof. ANDRADE MACHADO has nothing to disclose. Dr. Elsayed has nothing to disclose.

Domestic violence assault during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal community study

BackgroundThe consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been far-reaching, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. Of particular concern is the impact on individuals experiencing domestic violence (DV), an urgent public health issue. There have been numerous reports of pandemic-related surges in DV, and it has been speculated that prolonged periods of state-mandated isolation may be the source of these surges. The current study utilized publicly available records to examine fluctuations in DV coinciding with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in a diverse metropolitan county.MethodsData were extracted from local police blotters and mapping engines in Orange County, California (United States), documenting police-reported DV assault. All incidents were coded for time to examine the time course of DV among other types of assault, allowing for a longitudinal view of incidents over a 66-week window. Changepoint analyses were used to determine whether and when DV assaults changed when mapped with coinciding tightening or loosening of restrictions county-wide. Piecewise regression analyses evaluated whether any detected fluctuations were statistically meaningful.ResultsIn Santa Ana, rates saw a small but significant spike in the week following the first major lockdown in March 2020 (b = .04, SE = .02, t = 2.37, p = .01), remaining stable at this higher level thereafter (b = -.003, SE = .003, t = -1.29, p = .20). In Anaheim, no meaningful change in DV assault rates was observed at any time interval.ConclusionResults suggest that surges in DV vary between communities and that systemic issues may set the stage for the surge of an already endemic problem.

Pathogenicity of Aspergillus fumigatus in Experimental Infection of Different Developmental Stages of Clarias gariepinus

Aims: This study aimed to investigating the pathogenicity of Aspergillus fumigatus in the experimental infection of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings and juvenile catfish.&#x0D; Experimental Procedure: Aspergillus fumigatus used for this study was isolated from the gills and liver of infected juveniles presented for microbial diagnostic examination, cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar for 3 – 4 days, and identified at the Aquatic Animal and Wildlife Laboratory (AAWL), Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan.&#x0D; Methodology: One hundred and forty healthy eight-week old Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (average weight of 4g) and 140 healthy sixteen-week old juvenile (average weight of 10g) were purchased from a commercial fish farms in Ibadan. The fingerlings and juveniles were randomly divided into seven groups, each with 20 fish in five litters of water. The fungal suspension containing 3.2 X 106 spores/ml of Aspergillus fumigatus was used for the pathogenicity test. Six groups were infected by immersion in water containing fungal spores at the rates of 2ml/L and 5ml/L for fingerlings and juveniles respectively. The clinical signs, skin lesions and mortality were observed daily for 14 days.&#x0D; Results: Aspergillus fumigatus isolated in this study has green spiked conidia; and the size of the conidia is 2.5µm. The conidia have a smooth surface and small spikes covering their surface. Moreover, the mortality rate was significantly (p = 0.40) higher in infected fingerlings (80%) than juveniles (62%) at fourteen days post-infection. The gross lesions observed during experimental infection of fingerlings and juveniles included exophthalmia, atrophied barbel, congested trunk kidney, hyperemia of gill filaments, and skin depigmentation. The histopathological organ changes caused by Aspergillus fumigatus were obvious in the liver and gills. Vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes and necrosis of some melanomacrophage cells, in addition, severe erosion of the primary and secondary lamellae, were observed in infected juveniles.&#x0D; Conclusion: Aspergillus fumigatus causes high mortality in fingerlings and juvenile of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus).