k-nearest neighbors prediction and classification for spatial data

We propose a nonparametric predictor and a supervised classification based on the regression function estimate of a spatial real variable using k-nearest neighbors method (k-NN). Under some assumptions, we establish almost complete or sure convergence of the proposed estimates which incorporate a spatial proximity between observations. Numerical results on simulated and real fish data illustrate the behavior of the given predictor and classification method

Nlrp6 promotes recovery after peripheral nerve injury independently of inflammasomes

Background: NOD-like receptors (Nlrs) are key regulators of immune responses during infection and autoimmunity. A subset of Nlrs assembles inflammasomes, molecular platforms that are activated in response to endogenous danger and microbial ligands and that control release of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-18. However, their role in response to injury in the nervous system is less understood. Methods: In this study, we investigated the expression profile of major inflammasome components in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and explored the physiological role of different Nlrs upon acute nerve injury in mice. Results: While in basal conditions, predominantly members of NOD-like receptor B (Nlrb) subfamily (NLR family, apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIPs)) and Nlrc subfamily (ICE-protease activating factor (IPAF)/NOD) are detected in the sciatic nerve, injury causes a shift towards expression of the Nlrp family. Sterile nerve injury also leads to an increase in expression of the Nlrb subfamily, while bacteria trigger expression of the Nlrc subfamily. Interestingly, loss of Nlrp6 led to strongly impaired nerve function upon nerve crush. Loss of the inflammasome adaptor apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and effector caspase-1 and caspase-11 did not affect sciatic nerve function, suggesting that Nlrp6 contributed to recovery after peripheral nerve injury independently of inflammasomes. In line with this, we did not detect release of mature IL-1 beta upon acute nerve injury despite potent induction of pro-IL-1 beta and inflammasome components Nlrp3 and Nlrp1. However, Nlrp6 deficiency was associated with increased pro-inflammatory extracellular regulated MAP kinase (ERK) signaling, suggesting that hyperinflammation in the absence of Nlrp6 exacerbated peripheral nerve injury. Conclusions: Together, our observations suggest that Nlrp6 contributes to recovery from peripheral nerve injury by dampening inflammatory responses independently of IL-1 beta and inflammasomes

Conversations about financial hardship should not be off limits.

Poverty is both a cause and an outcome of mental health distress. Poverty-driven household food insecurity directly affects health outcomes including obesity and diabetes, mental health, and leads to poor health condition management, increased health care use and hospital admissions, and premature death. In the UK, in the context of the current and looming cost of living crisis it is sobering to reflect on that fact that at the start of the COVID pandemic it was estimated that UK households in the highest deprivation quintile would need to spend 65% of their household income to follow the Eatwell plate, healthy eating guidelines

The Evaluation and Assessment of Body Image Perception and Distortion in Men

Background: Perceptual body image distortion can be defined as a discrepancy between an individual’s mental representation of their body and their actual body size and shape, and is associated with negative physical and psychological health outcomes. Current methods to assess perceptual body image in men tend to utilise poor imagery, lack ecological validity, focus on Body Mass Index (BMI) variation, and demonstrate little consideration of males-pecific body concerns and ideals. Aims: This thesis presents 6 research studies that aimed to: (i) develop novel visual body stimuli that overcome current limitations of existing measures, (ii) evaluate their reliability and validity in estimating perceptual body image in community-based male samples, and (iii) improve our understanding of the methodological and individual factors that influence visual male body size and weight judgements. Methods and Results: Study 1 evaluated the accuracy of men’s visual body size discriminations using figures ranging in BMI from underweight to obese. This study identified the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) of body size between pairs of figures using a method of constant stimuli, providing evidence of perceptual discriminations consistent with Weber’s law. This informed the development of two male figure scales with a perceptual underpinning for the BMI differentiation between figures. Preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of these figure scales in estimating men’s current and ideal body perceptions was provided in Study 2. In Study 3, a calibrated mapping between male body shape, fat mass and muscle mass was developed using a database of 3D body scans and body composition measurements. Principal component analysis identified main components of shape variation that were visually modelled as a function of fat mass and muscle mass to develop an interactive body scale. The face validity of this scale was evaluated in Study 4 through fat and muscle ratings of the body model calibrated for points along each body composition dimension. Findings indicated that men were able to visually perceive changes in both dimensions as intended. Preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of this interactive scale was provided in Study 5. Study 6 investigated the accuracy of categorical male body weight judgements, using 3D body scans presented at 2- and 8-viewpoints. Categorical weight perceptions and weight-loss beliefs were found to be directly related to the BMI and viewpoint of the stimuli, as well as the individual’s sex and attitudinal body image. Conclusion: Several novel visual body stimuli have been developed that present high-quality imagery, wide variation in body size and shape, precise calibration to measurements of body composition, and/or consider visual discriminations of male body weight. Preliminary evidence for the reliability, validity, and suitability of these measures among community-based male samples has been provided, with recommendations for further evaluations and potential modifications. This thesis has also given insights into individual and methodological factors that influence male body weight judgements and supports the visualisation of male body composition in perceptual body image measures

Postoperative Cast Immobilization Might Be Unnecessary after Pelvic Osteotomy for Children with Developmental Hip Dysplasia::A Systematic Review

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common disorder of atypical hip development. Pelvic osteotomy (e.g., according to Salter, Pemberton or Dega) may be indicated for children with DDH at walking age. The most popular postoperative treatment is a hip spica cast. Alternative postoperative options include abduction braces and non-weightbearing protocols combined with physical therapy. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the most effective form of postoperative treatment after unilateral pelvic osteotomy in children with DDH in terms of clinical and radiological outcomes and complications. Methods: A systematic review was conducted and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines and registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews. Articles were selected from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases. The quality of all (non-)randomized included studies was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. Results: The search strategy yielded 3524 articles. Fourteen articles with 367 total hips were included in this review. A total of 312 hips were treated with spica casts, 49 with abduction braces and 6 with non-weightbearing protocols. The quality of evidence was moderate (MINORS, 3–12 points). All types of postoperative treatments had good clinical outcomes overall, without secondary displacement of the osteotomy. Clinical outcomes for spica casts were reported according to McKay’s criteria in 135 hips, with 123 excellent and 12 good results. Clinical outcomes for abduction braces showed satisfaction for all parents (49 of 49). The radiological outcome was overall well preserved with any postoperative treatment. There was a higher complication rate with the use of hip spica casts, including avascular necrosis, pain complaints and superficial infections. Conclusion: This systematic review showed no benefit of postoperative spica casts compared with abduction braces and avoidance of weightbearing after simple pelvic osteotomy for residual DDH

Supply optimization for a pulp and paper mill network

A real case of procurement planning of wood fiber between a paper mill and fiber suppliers, e.g. sawmills, is modelled and validated. Several sourcing options are available to the paper mill (in-house sawmills, external sawmills, trading sawmills, and partners). The model optimizes the choice of suppliers, determines the supply option (contract or spot market) and decides the quantities to order for each period as well as the contractual annual volume guarante

Postoperative Cast Immobilization Might Be Unnecessary after Pelvic Osteotomy for Children with Developmental Hip Dysplasia::A Systematic Review

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common disorder of atypical hip development. Pelvic osteotomy (e.g., according to Salter, Pemberton or Dega) may be indicated for children with DDH at walking age. The most popular postoperative treatment is a hip spica cast. Alternative postoperative options include abduction braces and non-weightbearing protocols combined with physical therapy. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the most effective form of postoperative treatment after unilateral pelvic osteotomy in children with DDH in terms of clinical and radiological outcomes and complications. Methods: A systematic review was conducted and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines and registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews. Articles were selected from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases. The quality of all (non-)randomized included studies was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. Results: The search strategy yielded 3524 articles. Fourteen articles with 367 total hips were included in this review. A total of 312 hips were treated with spica casts, 49 with abduction braces and 6 with non-weightbearing protocols. The quality of evidence was moderate (MINORS, 3–12 points). All types of postoperative treatments had good clinical outcomes overall, without secondary displacement of the osteotomy. Clinical outcomes for spica casts were reported according to McKay’s criteria in 135 hips, with 123 excellent and 12 good results. Clinical outcomes for abduction braces showed satisfaction for all parents (49 of 49). The radiological outcome was overall well preserved with any postoperative treatment. There was a higher complication rate with the use of hip spica casts, including avascular necrosis, pain complaints and superficial infections. Conclusion: This systematic review showed no benefit of postoperative spica casts compared with abduction braces and avoidance of weightbearing after simple pelvic osteotomy for residual DDH

Fgf and Sdf-1 Pathways Interact during Zebrafish Fin Regeneration

The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1) was originally identified as a pre-B cell stimulatory factor but has been recently implicated in several other key steps in differentiation and morphogenesis. In addition, SDF1 as well as FGF signalling pathways have recently been shown to be involved in the control of epimorphic regeneration. In this report, we address the question of a possible interaction between the two signalling pathways during adult fin regeneration in zebrafish. Using a combination of pharmaceutical and genetic tools, we show that during epimorphic regeneration, expression of sdf1, as well as of its cognate receptors, cxcr4a, cxcr4b and cxcr7 are controlled by FGF signalling. We further show that, Sdf1a negatively regulates the expression of fgf20a. Together, these results lead us to propose that: 1) the function of Fgf in blastema formation is, at least in part, relayed by the chemokine Sdf1a, and that 2) Sdf1 exerts negative feedback on the Fgf pathway, which contributes to a transient expression of Fgf20a downstream genes at the beginning of regeneration. However this feedback control can be bypassed since the Sdf1 null mutants regenerate their fin, though slower. Very few mutants for the regeneration process were isolated so far, illustrating the difficulty in identifying genes that are indispensable for regeneration. This observation supports the idea that the regeneration process involves a delicate balance between multiple pathways