Time Lapse Research Articles

Examining Links Between Distinct Affective States and Tobacco Lapse During a Cessation Attempt Among African Americans: A Cohort Study.

Affect states are posited to play a pivotal role in addiction-related processes, including tobacco lapse (i.e., smoking during a quit attempt), and distinct affective states (e.g., joy vs. happiness) may differentially influence lapse likelihood. However, few studies have examined the influence of distinct affective states on tobacco lapse. This study examines the influence of 23 distinct affect states on tobacco lapse among a sample of tobacco users attempting to quit. Participants were 220 adults who identified as African American (50% female, ages 18-74). Ecological momentary assessment was used to assess affect and lapse in real-time. Between and within-person associations testing links between distinct affect states and lapse were examined with multilevel modeling for binary outcomes. After adjusting for previous time's lapse and for all other positive or negative affect items, results suggested that at the between-person level, joy was associated with lower odds of lapse, and at the within-person level, attentiveness was associated with lower odds of lapse. Results also suggested that at the between-person level, guilt and nervous were associated with higher odds of lapse, and at the within-person level, shame was associated with higher odds of lapse. The present study uses real-time, real-world data to demonstrate the role of distinct positive and negative affects on momentary tobacco lapse. This work helps elucidate specific affective experiences that facilitate or hinder the ability to abstain from tobacco use during a quit attempt.

Landscape changes and watershed erosion in Prince George's County, Maryland

AbstractThis study evaluated erosion rates and sediment production in streams, and factors potentially influencing them throughout the Anacostia, Patuxent, and Potomac (non‐Anacostia) River watersheds within Prince George's County, Maryland, US. As part of the County's watershed‐scale biological monitoring program, from approx. 1999 to 2008, permanent monuments were established to allow measurement of stream channel cross‐sectional (XS) area. The intent of this study was to characterize the intensity and spatial distribution of fluvial geomorphic instability across the county and use the results to target and plan stormwater management and stream restoration actions. For this study, 78 stream locations were re‐surveyed in 2020, representing a time lapse of from 12 to 21 years. Data collected included XS dimensions, modified Wolman 100‐particle pebble counts, and reach‐specific soil bulk density. Land use/land cover data were compiled from the National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD), precipitation from the National Weather Service Center for Environmental Information (NCEI), and soils from the Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey (NRCS/WSS). We calculated percent change in XS area, rates of erosion, sediment yield, and assigned geomorphic classifications, and interpreted them in the context of spatial positions relative to changes in land cover characteristics. Sediment yields among the 78 reaches exhibited a combination of those undergoing enlargement/erosion (67.9%), reduction/deposition (25.6%), and the remaining 6.4% with essentially no change over the period of record. Of the top 20 most geomorphically active reaches surveyed in the County, 12 are in the Anacostia River basin, with the other scattered among the Patuxent River and Potomac River basins.

Determining Factors of Audit Delay With Audit Quality as a Moderating Variable

Audit delay is a critical aspect in the realm of financial auditing, reflecting the time lapse between the end of a financial reporting period and the completion of the audit. This delay can be influenced by various factors. Understanding these determinants is crucial for improving the effectiveness and timeliness of audit processes. This research aims to analyze the influence of Profitability, Liquidity and Leverage on Audit Delay using Audit Quality as a moderating variable. This research is quantitative research. The sampling technique was purposive sampling and the sample size was 78 company data. The data used is secondary data. Data collection was carried out using documentary data. The analysis techniques in this research are the classic assumption test, F test, determination test, and T test using the SPSS application. The research results show that 1) Profitability has no effect on Audit Delay, 2) Liquidity has no effect on Audit Delay, 3) Leverage has a significant negative effect on Audit Delay, 4) Audit Quality is able to moderate the influence of liquidity and leverage on Audit Delay.

QTL for the Kinematic Traits That Define the Arabidopsis Root Elongation Zone and Their Relationship to Gravitropism.

Cell expansion in a discrete region called the elongation zone drives root elongation. Analyzing time lapse images can quantify the expansion in kinematic terms as if it were fluid flow. We used horizontal microscopes to collect images from which custom software extracted the length of the elongation zone, the peak relative elemental growth rate (REGR) within it, the axial position of the REGR peak, and the root elongation rate. Automation enabled these kinematic traits to be measured in 1575 Arabidopsis seedlings representing 162 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of Cvi and Ler ecotypes. We mapped ten quantitative trait loci (QTL), affecting the four kinematic traits. Three QTL affected two or more traits in these vertically oriented seedlings. We compared this genetic architecture with that previously determined for gravitropism using the same RIL population. The major QTL peaks for the kinematic traits did not overlap with the gravitropism QTL. Furthermore, no single kinematic trait correlated with quantitative descriptors of the gravitropism response curve across this population. In addition to mapping QTL for growth zone traits, this study showed that the size and shape of the elongation zone may vary widely without affecting the differential growth induced by gravity.

Drying Stages of Blood Drops

Blood is one of the most important & most frequently encountered evidence in criminal investigation. It can be found in almost every type of criminal activity involving physical violence like murders, robberies, rape cases, etc. Blood stain may found on location such as seen of occurrence, the culprit, the victim, the weapon, of offence, the vehicle and the route taken by the culprit. The position, size & shape of the stain often help in reconstruction of crime seen. The stain may be in the form of splashes, smears, & pools. The colour of the bloodstains varies accordingly to their age, the amount of blood present, and the nature of the material. As bloodstain increases in age, they progress through series of colour changes from red to reddish brown to green & eventually to dark brown to black. When blood is exposed to an external environment the drying process on various surfaces is initiate. Size, volume, nature of target surface, & influence of external environment such as temperature humidity, air flow affects the drying time of bloodstain. The drying of bloodstain is initially around the edges or periphery and proceeds inward to the central portion of the stain as the drying process continues. Drying time and skeletonization are both important alteration of blood. Presence of significant dried & clotted blood on surface at a scene indicates a significant time lapse between blood shade & the observation of the blood.

3D scanning a crime scene to enhance juror understanding of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis evidence

There are numerous crime scene investigation applications of 3D scanning that have been previously documented. This paper documents the application of a 3D point cloud in the presentation of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis evidence to mock jurors. 150 mock jurors viewed a presentation of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis evidence from a murder trial in the UK. After viewing the evidence, the participants were tested on their knowledge of the evidence and repeated the test again 2 weeks later; to simulate criminal trial conditions; whereby there is a time lapse between the initial viewing of evidential material and deliberation. This paper found that the mock jurors who additionally viewed a 3D flythrough of a point cloud of the crime scene, better retained knowledge of the evidence over time, reported a greater ability to visualise the crime scene and had higher levels of interest in the evidence. Crucially, the 3D flythrough group did not report different levels of confidence in the accuracy of their memories of the evidence, nor different levels of emotional arousal to the group that viewed the evidence without the 3D presentation. Together, these findings suggest that 3D scanning of crime scenes, and the resultant point cloud’s presentation to jurors, could add further value to the justice system when spatial information, such as Bloodstain Pattern Analysis evidence, is presented.

Restoration/ Rehabilitation of Prestige in Islamic Sharia and Afghan Statutory Laws

Aim: Human dignity or being human in term of his/her soul, property, honor, status need to be respected. Unfortunately, sometimes it has been witnessed that human being is confronting outrage, accusation, abuse, humiliation, etc., that affects their soul, property, honor and status. These all acts are considered illegal and prohibited in Holy Quran, Hadiths and Jurisprudence. If a person is exposed to such disgraceful activities, his/her status has to be rehabilitated and restored. Both material and intellectual remedies are suggested and approved by Law, that scholars know it as General Rehabilitation/ Restoration of Prestige.
 Methods: The doctrinal research methodology and a descriptive, explanatory, and analytical research approaches were used in this study. It is worth mentioning that this study was entirely based on library sources. The sources are textbooks, scholarly published and unpublished journal articles, law reports, and online websites related to the research area.
 Results: This study found that most of the Afghan academicians and legal scholars believe that if someone’s prestige is affected due to a crime committed by others or itself, in both situation one’s prestige has to be recovered. That Islamic law indicates it as repentance and remorse though substantive law suggest two ways i.e. statutory rehabilitation/restoration of prestige and judicial rehabilitation/restoration of prestige.
 Conclusion: Human dignity and sympathy call for respecting others honor, prestige and privilege. If someone’s prestige and dignity is violated due to a cruel act, the perpetrator has to be convicted by court, that the victim’s prestige, privilege, and status is renovated and restored.
 Recommendations: As many people in Afghanistan are illiterate and do not know the importance of restoration of prestige, the judges should declare the principle of both law and court-based rehabilitation with the time lapse within their verdict and criminals will know the importance in the future.

Identifying Determinants of Food Security Using Panel Data Analysis: Evidence from Maghreb Countries

Countries and international bodies are focusing on agriculture as a route to achieving sustainable food security. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine the determinants of food security. It investigates the effects of gross domestic product deflator (GDPD), rural population, arable area, agricultural workers, farmers, agricultural exports, and agricultural imports on agricultural performance, which is a metric of food security. This study uses time lapse data models of a sample from the group of Maghreb states, namely Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania, for the 2003–2018 period. All these data were collected from the statistical reports of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. The results provide evidence of the significant positive impacts of gross domestic product, arable areas, and agricultural exports on the agricultural sector’s performance, which results in achieving food security. However, the results indicate that the rural population and the number of workers in the agricultural sector have a significantly negative relationship with agricultural sector performance. In terms of agricultural imports, the results do not show a relationship between agricultural imports and agricultural sector performance. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study conducted in the Maghreb states, including five countries. This study alerts policymakers to issues regarding the importance of having effective policies that could enhance the performance of agricultural production to achieve food security in the Maghreb states. Policymakers must improve the investment climate in North African countries to encourage investors to enter the agricultural sector.

Diagnostic Delay of Celiac Disease in Childhood

The extent and factors associated with risk of diagnostic delay in pediatric celiac disease (CD) are poorly understood. To investigate the diagnostic delay of CD in childhood, and to assess factors associated with this delay. Multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional study (2010-2019) of pediatric (aged 0-18 years) patients with CD from 13 pediatric tertiary referral centers in Italy. Data were analyzed from January to June 2023. The overall diagnostic delay (ie, the time lapse occurring from the first symptoms or clinical data indicative of CD and the definitive diagnosis), further split into preconsultation and postconsultation diagnostic delay, were described. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models for factors associated with diagnostic delay were fitted. Factors associated with extreme diagnostic delay (ie, 1.5 × 75th percentile) and misdiagnosis were assessed. A total of 3171 patients with CD were included. The mean (SD) age was 6.2 (3.9) years; 2010 patients (63.4%) were female; and 10 patients (0.3%) were Asian, 41 (1.3%) were Northern African, and 3115 (98.3%) were White. The median (IQR) overall diagnostic delay was 5 (2-11) months, and preconsultation and postconsultation diagnostic delay were 2 (0-6) months and 1 (0-3) month, respectively. The median (IQR) extreme overall diagnostic delay (586 cases [18.5%]) was 11 (5-131) months, and the preconsultation and postconsultation delays were 6 (2-120) and 3 (1-131) months, respectively. Patients who had a first diagnosis when aged less than 3 years (650 patients [20.5%]) showed a shorter diagnostic delay, both overall (median [IQR], 4 [1-7] months for patients aged less than 3 years vs 5 [2-12] months for others) and postconsultation (median [IQR], 1 [0-2] month for patients aged less than 3 years vs 2 [0-4] months for others). A shorter delay was registered in male patients, both overall (median [IQR], 4 [1-10] months for male patients vs 5 [2-12] months for female patients) and preconsultation (median [IQR], 1 [0-6] month for male patients vs 2 [0-6] months for female patients). Family history of CD was associated with lower preconsultation delay (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% CI, 0.47-0.74) and lower overall extreme diagnostic delay (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56-0.99). Neurological symptoms (78 patients [21.5%]; OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.03-1.78), gastroesophageal reflux (9 patients [28.1%]; OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.02-3.42), and failure to thrive (215 patients [22.6%]; OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.31-2.00) showed a more frequent extreme diagnostic delay. A previous misdiagnosis (124 patients [4.0%]) was more frequently associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, osteopenia, and villous atrophy (Marsh 3 classification). In this cross-sectional study of pediatric CD, the diagnostic delay was rather short. Some factors associated with risk for longer diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis emerged, and these should be addressed in future studies.

Embryos from vitrified vs. fresh oocytes in an oocyte donation program: a comparative morphokinetic analysis

To compare the morphokinetic pattern of human embryos originating from vitrified oocytes with those derived from freshly collected oocytes in oocyte donation cycles. A retrospective observational study SETTING: Embryolab Fertility Clinic, Embryology lab, Thessaloniki, Greece PATIENT(S): The study included embryos from 421 vitrified oocytes from 58 oocyte donation cycles and 196 fresh oocytes from 23 oocyte donation cycles. None MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Key time parameters, dynamic events, fertilization rate, degeneration rate, cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate. Survival rate of vitrified oocytes was 92.58% (±7.42). Fertilization rate was significantly different in the two groups (VITRI group: 71.92% ± 20.29 and CONTROL group: 80.65% ± 15.22, p=0.045) whereas degeneration, cleavage, blastocyst, pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, implantation and live birth rates were not significantly different between embryos derived from fresh or vitrified oocytes. Time lapse analysis showed no significant difference in any key time parameter. However, when examining dynamic parameters, CC1 [t2 - tPB2: from the second polar body extrusion(tPB2) up to 2 cells (t2)] showed significant difference (p=0.004) whereas CC1a [t2 - tPNf: from fading of the pronuclei (tPNf) up to 2 cells (t2)] was at the threshold of significance (p=0.057). CC1 in vitrified oocytes exhibited a comparatively slower progression in contrast to fresh oocytes. Conversely, CC1a in vitrified oocytes demonstrated faster progression compared to fresh oocytes. Noteworthily, these temporary deviations had minimal impact on the subsequent development. Despite the clinical outcomes showing a decrease in the vitrified group, none of them reached statistical significance. This lack of significance could be attributed to the limited study's size.

Determination of malvidin-3,5-diglucoside content in wines from Cabernet Cortis and three Italian-resistant hybrids, with preliminary evaluation of oenological glycosidases for enzyme-induced breakdown of malvidin-3,5-diglucoside and malvidin-3-glucoside

ABSTRACT The content of malvin (malvidin-3,5-diglucoside) was determined in a set of wines obtained from Cabernet Cortis and other three recently introduced grape-resistant hybrids (Cabernet Volos, Merlot Khantus and Merlot Khorus) produced in South Tyrol (Italy), to establish their conformity to legal requirements and suggest winemaking approaches for their production and use. Different skin maceration times and ageing periods were considered for the wines investigated. Malvin content exceeded the limit of 15 mg/L, imposed by the Italian government for the commercialization of wines, in 18 out of 21 samples and showed a significant decrease during wine ageing (by about 40–50% every 12-month period) with the scarce effect of maceration time and fermentation temperature. Single-cultivar wines became suitable for commercialization after ca. 7 years ageing, following traditional winemaking approaches. The use of two commercial enzymatic pectolytic preparations indicated for aroma enhancement and possessing β-glucosidase activity was also investigated at two different dosages, to increase the degradation rate of malvin in wines after winemaking. They are unsuitable for significant malvin content decrease within a 6-month time lapse.

Characteristics of pedestrian evacuation from narrow seated area considering exit failure: experimental and simulation results

Narrow seated spaces with multiple exits are prevalent structures in public buildings, underscoring the paramount importance of facilitating swift evacuation in such constrained environments. In this study, we first conducted evacuation experiments in a realistic narrow seated area. By manipulating different availability conditions for two exits located at the ends of the long aisle, we studied the effects of unpredictable exit failures, specifically, how the exit switch and explicit guidance influence the evacuation process. The movement characteristics are explored in several aspects, such as pre-evacuation time, aisle conflicts, speed, distance headway, evacuation time, and time lapse. We found that once people have encountered the exit failure condition, they would demonstrate enhanced preparedness in subsequent trials, leading to expedited exit switches. With explicit guidance, people would be less hesitant and move faster in the main aisle. The fine-grid cellular automata model is extended based on the experimental observations to verify its feasibility in simulating this process. Conflict resolution and turning behavior are incorporated for a more nuanced description. The effects of the exit switch are parameterized through the informed probability and the speed reduction.

Enhancing Image Alignment in Time-Lapse-Ground-Penetrating Radar through Dynamic Time Warping

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a rapid and non-destructive geophysical technique widely employed to detect and quantify subsurface structures and characteristics. Its capability for time lapse (TL) detection provides essential insights into subsurface hydrological dynamics, including lateral flow and soil water distribution. However, during TL-GPR surveys, field conditions often create discrepancies in surface geometry, which introduces mismatches across sequential TL-GPR images. These discrepancies may generate spurious signal variations that impede the accurate interpretation of TL-GPR data when assessing subsurface hydrological processes. In responding to this issue, this study introduces a TL-GPR image alignment method by employing the dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm. The purpose of the proposed method, namely TLIAM–DTW, is to correct for geometric mismatch in TL-GPR images collected from the identical survey line in the field. We validated the efficacy of the TLIAM–DTW method using both synthetic data from gprMax V3.0 simulations and actual field data collected from a hilly, forested area post-infiltration experiment. Analyses of the aligned TL-GPR images revealed that the TLIAM–DTW method effectively eliminates the influence of geometric mismatch while preserving the integrity of signal variations due to actual subsurface hydrological processes. Quantitative assessments of the proposed methods, measured by mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE), showed significant improvements. After performing the TLIAM–DTW method, the MAE and RMSE between processed TL-GPR images and background images were reduced by 96% and 78%, respectively, in simple simulation scenarios; in more complex simulations, MAE declined by 27–31% and RMSE by 17–43%. Field data yielded reductions in MAE and RMSE of >82% and 69%, respectively. With these substantial improvements, the processed TL-GPR images successfully depict the spatial and temporal transitions associated with subsurface lateral flows, thereby enhancing the accuracy of monitoring subsurface hydrological processes under field conditions.

Desalination and nutrient removal from tertiary treated urban wastewater by a radial capacitive deionizer

This study focused on removing salts and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from tertiary treated urban wastewater by capacitive deionization. The performance of a pilot-scale radial capacitive deionizer subjected to varying feed flow rates during the purification stage and constant flow rates during the reject stage was evaluated. This operational strategy aimed to maximize the water recovery rates of the system, with electrical adjustments being made proportionally to the water recovery rate. Lower hydraulic loads resulted in the radial capacitive deionizer removing more ions from the sewage, albeit with higher specific energy consumption. Optimal operational conditions reduced conductivity by 92.8 %, with a specific energy consumption of 2.17 kWhm−3. Significant removals of ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, and orthophosphate ions were observed, with average specie reductions of up to 84, 91.4, 100, and 60.5 %, respectively. Higher rates of treated water recovery resulted in lower ion removal reduction and energy consumption. The limiting step of the process referred to ion desorption, requiring the correct adjustment of the time lapse, flow rate, and applied electrical voltage to ensure the efficiency of the subsequent purification stage. A loss of efficiency was observed when the process was run continuously, thus emphasizing the strategic significance of capacitor rinsing during the rejection phase across multiple subsequent treatment cycles.

Time Lapse Measurement of Reservoir’s Parameters Change due to CO2 Injection in Parigi Carbonate West Java

CO2 injection is a process that involves injecting carbon dioxide gas into various substances or environments for different purposes. This technique, also called Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) or Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), aims to prevent or reduce carbon dioxide emissions from reaching the atmosphere as they would affect climate change and also global warming. CCUS can also use the captured carbon dioxide for various purposes, such as enhancing oil recovery, producing fuels, chemicals, or building materials, or storing it underground or underwater. In this study, we investigated the phenomena of CO2 injection in Parigi carbonate rock from West Java. Our study involved various laboratory measurements of Parigi carbonate rock, focusing on changes in porosity due to CO2 injection. The porosity changes were observed using micro images analysis from microscope time-lapse analysis, CT-Scan, and laboratory helium porosity meter. The laboratory measurements of CO2 injection in brine water showed that the pH of the water can decrease to below 5, creating an acidic environment that induces dissolution of the pore structure. We measure the effect of CO2 injection to the Parigi carbonate samples by time lapse measurement strategy. Results of the laboratory measurements showed that the porosity increased during CO2 injection and the mass of the samples decreased during the CO2 injection process. These phenomena suggest that CO2 may induce dissolution of carbonate rock. Furthermore, the changes in porosity confirm that there is a chemical reaction during CO2 injection processes in Parigi carbonate.

A quantitative analysis on bidirectional pedestrian flows through angled corridors

This paper investigates turning characteristics of bidirectional pedestrian flows with controlled experiment under laboratory condition. Compared with straight walking bidirectional flow, pedestrian lane width of turning bidirectional flow narrows after turning, which indicates that pedestrians are suppressed a lot by the opposite flow when turning. The fundamental diagrams are almost the same in the density range between 1.5 ped/m2 and 3.2 ped/m2 for the straight and turning bidirectional flows. However, the density, velocity and specific flow profiles of the turning bidirectional flow are different from those of straight bidirectional flow. The density in the turning area for θ = 45º scene is larger compared with that for θ = 90º and 135º scene, and the maximal local density reaches 6 ped/m2. The region where pedestrian lanes are formed by pedestrians leaving the turning area has relatively large values of velocity and specific flow. Furthermore, position-velocity relation and the cumulative distribution of time lapse in the corridor are investigated. The results obtained can offer more insights into pedestrian dynamics of the turning bidirectional flow.

Oviduct and endometrial epithelium improve in vitro produced bovine embryo developmental kinetics.

In vitro embryo production in cattle greatly impacts blastomere biochemistry, embryo rate of development and pre- and post-transfer survival. In vivo, the bovine embryo migrates through the oviduct isthmus before entering the uterus on approximately Day 4 of development where it remains unattached within the uterine lumen until Day 20 of gestation. During this time, the embryo is sequentially exposed to oviduct followed by endometrial secretions that support embryonic development. Considering this, we tested the effect of culturing in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos sequentially in oviduct epithelial (OEp; Days 1-3) followed by endometrial epithelial (EEp) or EEp and fibroblast cell (EEp/F; Days 4-8) conditioned media on embryonic development using a time lapse monitoring system. Compared to Control, culturing IVP embryos in EEp or EEp/F conditioned media without prior culture in OEp conditioned media increased blastocyst formation (P < 0.05) and reduced the time to blastocyst formation (P < 0.05). Culturing IVP bovine embryos in OEp conditioned media followed by EEp or EEp/F conditioned media, however, had the greatest impact on embryo developmental kinetics and increased morula and blastocyst formation (P < 0.05) and reduced time to formation (P < 0.05). Day 8 blastocyst cell numbers, diameter and quality were not significantly different, although, blastocyst quality scores were less (indicative of better quality) for all cell conditioned media compared to Control. In conclusion, IVP bovine embryo development may be improved using a sequential embryo culture system involving bovine oviduct followed by endometrial cell conditioned media.

Characteristics, management, and outcome of tuberculosis after liver transplant: A case series and literature review

BackgroundLiver transplant recipients are at risk of tuberculosis, which is particularly difficult-to diagnose and to treat in this population. MethodsRetrospective study of all cases of tuberculosis diagnosed from 2007 to 2022 in the French network of liver transplant sites. ResultsTwenty-three liver transplant recipients were diagnosed with tuberculosis (six females, median age 59 years [interquartile range, 54–62]), with a median time lapse of 10 months [5–40.5] after transplant, and 38 days [26–60] after symptoms onset. Primary modes of pathogenesis were latent tuberculosis reactivation (n = 15) and transplant-related transmission (n = 3). Even though most patients with pre-transplant data had risk factors for tuberculosis (11/20), IFN-gamma release assay was performed in only three. Most cases involved extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (20/23, 87 %). With median follow-up of 63 months [24–108], five patients died (22 %), including four tuberculosis-related deaths. ConclusionsExtrapulmonary tuberculosis is a severe disease in liver transplant recipients. Systematic pre-transplant screening of latent tuberculosis may prevent most of them.

The Human Digi-real Duality

Current technologies allow acquiring whatever amount of data (even big data), from whatever system (object, component, mechanism, network, implant, machinery, structure, asset, etc.), during whatever time lapse (secs, hours, weeks, years). Therefore, potentially it is possible to fully characterize any system for any time we need, with the possible consequence of creating a virtual copy, namely the digital twin (DT) of the system. When technology of DT meets an augmented reality scenario, the augmented digital twin (ADT) arises, when DT meets an artificial intelligence environment, the intelligent digital twin (IDT) arises. DTs, ADTs and IDTs are successfully adopted in electronics, mechanics, chemistry, manufacturing, science, sport, and more, but when adopted for the human body it comes out the human digital twin (HDT) or alternatively named virtual human simulator (VHS). When the VHS incorporates information from surroundings (other VHSs and environment), taking a cue from the particle-wave duality (the mix of matter and energy), we can name this super-VHS as the human digi-real duality (HDRD). This work is focused on defining the aforementioned acronyms, on evidencing their differences, advantages and successful case adoptions, but highlighting technology limits too, and on foreseeing new and intriguing possibilities.

High-volume, label-free imaging for quantifying single-cell dynamics in induced pluripotent stem cell colonies.

To facilitate the characterization of unlabeled induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) during culture and expansion, we developed an AI pipeline for nuclear segmentation and mitosis detection from phase contrast images of individual cells within iPSC colonies. The analysis uses a 2D convolutional neural network (U-Net) plus a 3D U-Net applied on time lapse images to detect and segment nuclei, mitotic events, and daughter nuclei to enable tracking of large numbers of individual cells over long times in culture. The analysis uses fluorescence data to train models for segmenting nuclei in phase contrast images. The use of classical image processing routines to segment fluorescent nuclei precludes the need for manual annotation. We optimize and evaluate the accuracy of automated annotation to assure the reliability of the training. The model is generalizable in that it performs well on different datasets with an average F1 score of 0.94, on cells at different densities, and on cells from different pluripotent cell lines. The method allows us to assess, in a non-invasive manner, rates of mitosis and cell division which serve as indicators of cell state and cell health. We assess these parameters in up to hundreds of thousands of cells in culture for more than 36 hours, at different locations in the colonies, and as a function of excitation light exposure.