The first Facial Landmark Tracking in-the-Wild Challenge: benchmark and results

Detection and tracking of faces in image sequences is among the most well studied problems in the intersection of statistical machine learning and computer vision. Often, tracking and detection methodologies use a rigid representation to describe the facial region 1, hence they can neither capture nor exploit the non-rigid facial deformations, which are crucial for countless of applications (e.g., facial expression analysis, facial motion capture, high-performance face recognition etc.). Usually, the non-rigid deformations are captured by locating and tracking the position of a set of fiducial facial landmarks (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth etc.). Recently, we witnessed a burst of research in automatic facial landmark localisation in static imagery. This is partly attributed to the availability of large amount of annotated data, many of which have been provided by the first facial landmark localisation challenge (also known as 300-W challenge). Even though now well established benchmarks exist for facial landmark localisation in static imagery, to the best of our knowledge, there is no established benchmark for assessing the performance of facial landmark tracking methodologies, containing an adequate number of annotated face videos. In conjunction with ICCV’2015 we run the first competition/challenge on facial landmark tracking in long-term videos. In this paper, we present the first benchmark for long-term facial landmark tracking, containing currently over 110 annotated videos, and we summarise the results of the competition

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Sequences in Kiev: Findings Among Key Populations

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Ukraine has been driven by a rapid rise among people who inject drugs, but recent studies have shown an increase through sexual transmission. Methods: Protease and reverse transcriptase sequences from 876 new HIV diagnoses (April 2013–March 2015) in Kiev were linked to demographic data. We constructed phylogenetic trees for 794 subtype A1 and 64 subtype B sequences and identified factors associated with transmission clustering. Clusters were defined as ≥2 sequences, ≥80% local branch support, and maximum genetic distance of all sequence pairs in the cluster ≤2.5%. Recent infection was determined through the limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay. Sequences were analyzed for transmitted drug resistance mutations. Results Thirty percent of subtype A1 and 66% of subtype B sequences clustered. Large clusters (maximum 11 sequences) contained mixed risk groups. In univariate analysis, clustering was significantly associated with subtype B compared to A1 (odds ratio [OR], 4.38 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.56–7.50]); risk group (OR, 5.65 [95% CI, 3.27–9.75]) for men who have sex with men compared to heterosexual males; recent, compared to long-standing, infection (OR, 2.72 [95% CI, 1.64–4.52]); reported sex work contact (OR, 1.93 [95% CI, 1.07–3.47]); and younger age groups compared with age ≥36 years (OR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.10–3.05] for age ≤25 years). Females were associated with lower odds of clustering than heterosexual males (OR, 0.49 [95% CI, .31–.77]). In multivariate analysis, risk group, subtype, and age group were independently associated with clustering (P < .001, P = .007, and P = .033, respectively). Eighteen sequences (2.1%) indicated evidence of transmitted drug resistance. Conclusions Our findings suggest high levels of transmission and bridging between risk groups

Impact of CD4 and CD8 dynamics and viral rebounds on loss of virological control in HIV controllers

Objective: HIV controllers (HICs) spontaneously maintain HIV viral replication at low level without antiretroviral therapy (ART), a small number of whom will eventually lose this ability to control HIV viremia. The objective was to identify factors associated with loss of virological control. Methods: HICs were identified in COHERE on the basis of \ue2\u89\ua55 consecutive viral loads (VL) \ue2\u89\ua4500 copies/mL over \ue2\u89\ua51 year whilst ART-naive, with the last VL \ue2\u89\ua4500 copies/mL measured \ue2\u89\ua55 years after HIV diagnosis. Loss of virological control was defined as 2 consecutive VL &gt;2000 copies/mL. Duration of HIV control was described using cumulative incidence method, considering loss of virological control, ART initiation and death during virological control as competing outcomes. Factors associated with loss of virological control were identified using Cox models. CD4 and CD8 dynamics were described using mixed-effect linear models. Results: We identified 1067 HICs; 86 lost virological control, 293 initiated ART, and 13 died during virological control. Six years after confirmation of HIC status, the probability of losing virological control, initiating ART and dying were 13%, 37%, and 2%. Current lower CD4/CD8 ratio and a history of transient viral rebounds were associated with an increased risk of losing virological control. CD4 declined and CD8 increased before loss of virological control, and before viral rebounds. Discussion: Expansion of CD8 and decline of CD4 during HIV control may result from repeated low-level viremia. Our findings suggest that in addition to superinfection, other mechanisms, such as low grade viral replication, can lead to loss of virological control in HICs

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase&nbsp;1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation&nbsp;disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age&nbsp; 6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score&nbsp; 652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc&nbsp;= 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N&nbsp;= 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in&nbsp;Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Development of effective hospital-based antibiotic stewardship program. The role of infectious disease specialist

Excessive antibiotic consumption and misuse is one of the main factors responsible for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and has been associated with increased health care costs. Active intervention is necessary in changing antimicrobial prescribing practices. The Infection Control Committee and the administration of our hospital decided to implement an antibiotic stewardship program beginning in January 2016 in order to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and to combat antibiotic resistance through improved prescribing practices. The antimicrobial stewardship team includes an ID specialist, physicians, infection control nurses, a microbiologist and a pharmacist who are responsible for the implementation of the program. Preauthorization by an ID specialist and prospective review is necessary for all pharmacy orders of antibiotics under restriction. Pre-intervention, we collected Pharmacy and hospital data regarding antibiotic consumption and numbers of patient-days for the years 2013-2015. We calculated antibiotic use in Defined Daily Doses (DDDs)/100 patient-days. After one year, the antibiotic stewardship program was effective in reducing consumption of most antibiotics. The result of the implementation of the program in our hospital was a reduction about 17% of antibiotic DDDs/100 patient-days and about 21% of the antibiotic cost/100 patient-days. Education is an essential element of our program in order to influence prescribing behavior. Lectures and brochures are used to supplement strategies. Antibiotic stewardship programs have been shown from many studies to improve patient outcomes, reduce antibiotic resistance and save money

Las lagunas estratigráficas y las superficies negativas en arqueología

9 páginas, 8 figuras.[EN] Owing much to geological research, archaeological stratigraphy and its tools and principles are developed through continuous experiences following a model of critical study and reflection. In this case, we have attempted to approach the issue of stratigraphic gaps, a concept that includes various processes (hiatuses, erosional gaps) and that we have identified through negative surfaces. Their definition and documentation is often vital in archaeological analysis and historical archaeology.[ES] La estratigrafía arqueológica, deudora de la investigación geológica, templa sus herramientas y desarrolla sus principios gracias a las continuas experiencias llevadas a cabo de acuerdo a un modelo de trabajo y reflexión crítico. En este caso, hemos pretendido un acercamiento al tema de las lagunas estratigráficas, concepto que encierra distintos procesos (hiatos, vacíos erosionales) y que identificamos gracias a las superficies negativas. Su definición y documentación es, a menudo, clave en el análisis arqueológico de la arquitectura histórica.Peer reviewe

Variable packet size buffered crossbar (CICQ) switches

Abstract — One of the most widely used architectures for packet switches is the crossbar. A special version of a it is the buffered crossbar, where small buffers are associated with the crosspoints. The advantages of this organization, when compared to the unbuffered architecture, is that it needs much simpler and slower scheduling circuits, while it can shape the switched traffic according to a given set of Quality of Service (QoS) criteria in a more efficient way. Furthermore, by supporting variable length packets throughout a buffered crossbar: a) there is no need for segmentation and reassembly circuits, b) no internal speedup is necessary, and c) synchronization between the input and output clock domains is simplified. In this paper we present an architecture, a hardware implementation analysis, and a performance evaluation of such a buffered crossbar. The proposed organization is simple, yet powerful and can be easily implemented using today’s technologies. Our evaluation shows that it outperforms most of the existing packet switch architectures, while its hardware cost is kept to a minimum. 1

Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Acquisition of Colistin-Resistant KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: a Matched Case-Control Study▿

A matched 1:3 case-control study investigated factors predicting colistin-resistant versus colistin-susceptible KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae acquisition and its impact on patient outcomes. Case patients were more often admitted from other institutions (P = 0.019) and had longer therapy with β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors (P = 0.002) and higher overall mortality (P = 0.05). All 52 study isolates were clonally related, suggesting horizontal dissemination. None of these parameters independently predicted colistin resistance, which probably occurred in a susceptible KPC-KP strain that was subsequently disseminated horizontally

Urine 8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Purpose Cellular RNA is less compact than DNA, more easily accessible to ROS and therefore could be more susceptible to oxidative damage. This study was conceived in order to analyze the RNA oxidative damage in the urine of patients undergoing operation for colorectal cancer (CRC), to compare with healthy controls, and correlate with the stage. Materials and methods The study population was constituted by a group of 147 patients and a group of 128 healthy controls. Urine and blood samples were collected before the colonoscopy in all participants and 24 hours post-operatively for those who underwent surgery. Urine 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) was determined as marker of RNA oxidation, and serum uric acid (UA) as antioxidant marker. Results Preoperatively, 8-OHG (ng/ml) values of CRC patients were found to be significantly higher than those of controls (p = 0.001). More specifically, stages II/III had significantly higher 8-OHG values (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007) than stages 0/I. Post-operatively, 8-OHG values were similar to controls (p = 0.053). Preoperatively, UA values (mg/dl) were significantly lower (p = 0.001), while postoperatively were similar to controls (p = 0.069). Conclusion Oxidative RNA damage occurs in CRC patients. Stages II/III are associated with higher values of 8-OHG than stages 0/I. 8-OHG could act as a marker for the identification of patients with advanced disease