Biometric identification of dairy cows via real-time facial recognition.

Biometrics methods, which currently identify humans, can potentially identify dairy cows. Given that animal movements cannot be easily controlled, identification accuracy and system robustness are challenging when deploying an animal biometrics recognition system on a real farm. Our proposed method performs multiple-cow face detection and face classification from videos by adjusting recent state-of-the-art deep-learning methods. As part of this study, a system was designed and installed at four meters above a feeding zone at the Volcani Institute's dairy farm. Two datasets were acquired and annotated, one for facial detection and the second for facial classification of 77 cows. We achieved for facial detection a mean average precision (at Intersection over Union of 0.5) of 97.8% using the YOLOv5 algorithm, and facial classification accuracy of 96.3% using a Vision-Transformer model with a unique loss-function borrowed from human facial recognition. Our combined system can process video frames with 10 cows' faces, localize their faces, and correctly classify their identities in less than 20 ms per frame. Thus, up to 50 frames per second video files can be processed with our system in real-time at a dairy farm. Our method efficiently performs real-time facial detection and recognition on multiple cow faces using deep neural networks, achieving a high precision in real-time operation. These qualities can make the proposed system a valuable tool for an automatic biometric cow recognition on farms.

Machine vision-based automatic lamb identification and drinking activity in a commercial farm.

Using ear tags, farmers can track specific data for individual lambs such as age, medical records, body condition scores, genetic abnormalities; to make data-based decisions. However, automatic reading of ear tags using Radio Frequency Identification requires (a) an antenna, (b) a reader, (c) comparable reading standards; consequently, such a system can be expensive and impractical for a large group of lambs, especially in situations where animals are not required to have a compulsory Electronic identification, contrary to the case in Europe, where it is mandatory. Therefore, this paper proposes a machine vision system for indoor animals to identify individual lambs using existing ear tags. Using a camera that is installed such that the trough is visible, the drinking behaviour of the lambs can be automatically monitored. Data from different lamb groups in two different pens were collected. The identification algorithm includes a number of steps: (1) Detecting the lambs' face, and its ear tags in each image; (2) Cropping each ear tag image and discerning the digits on it to obtain the tag number; (3) Tracking each lamb throughout the visit using a tracking algorithm; (4) Recovering the ear tag number using an algorithm that incorporates a list of the ear tag numbers of the lambs in each pen, and the predictions for each lamb in each frame. The You Only Look Once deep learning object detection algorithm was applied to locate and localise the lamb's face and the digits in an image. The models' datasets contained 1 160 and 2 165 images for the training set, and 325 and 616 images for the validation set, respectively. The algorithm output includes the identity of each lamb that came to drink, and its duration. The identification system resulted in a total accuracy of 93% for the data tested, which consisted of approximately 900 visits to the drinking stations, and was collected in real time in a natural environment. The ground truth of each video of a visit was obtained by human observation by studying the video. We checked if there was indeed a visit to the water trough and if so we registered the ear tag number of each lamb whose head was above the water trough. Thus, identifying lambs in a commercial pen using a relatively inexpensive and easily installed system consisting of a RGB camera and a computer vision-based algorithm has potential for farm management.

Response rate to a single dose of vinblastine administered to dogs with treatment-naive multicentric lymphoma.

Vincristine is included in vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy protocols, which are the gold-standard treatment for high-grade canine lymphoma. Vincristine can result in relatively high rates of gastrointestinal toxicity, whereas vinblastine is generally well tolerated and thus may represent an under-utilized and minimally toxic alternative to vincristine. Our objective was to determine the response rate and toxicity associated with a single dose of vinblastine administered to dogs with treatment-naïve, intermediate to large-cell, multicentric lymphoma. Twenty client-owned dogs were enrolled with signed owner consent. A Simon's minimax, phase II, two-stage trial was performed to test the efficacy of vinblastine administered at 2 mg/m2 IV followed by a pilot trial of vinblastine at 2.5 mg/m2 . No dogs were administered concurrent steroids or other chemotherapy. One out of 14 dogs receiving vinblastine at 2 mg/m2 demonstrated a partial response. Three out of five dogs demonstrated a partial response to vinblastine at 2.5 mg/m2 . Gastrointestinal toxicity was infrequent and low grade for both groups. The majority of dogs (80%) in the 2.5 mg/m2 dosing group developed neutropenia 1-week post administration. Vinblastine was well tolerated but minimally efficacious at a dose of 2 mg/m2 IV in dogs with treatment-naive, multicentric lymphoma. Because of poor response rates, treatment at this dose is not recommended. A small subset of dogs administered 2.5 mg/m2 had significantly improved response rates (P = 0.04), suggesting that higher doses may have improved efficacy, although further research is indicated to confirm these preliminary findings.

State of the art and recommendations. Kangaroo mother care: application in a high-tech environment.

UNLABELLED: Since Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) was developed in Colombia in the 1970s, two trends in clinical application emerged. In low income settings, the original KMC model is implemented. This consists of continuous (24 h/day, 7 days/week) and prolonged mother/parent-infant skin-to-skin contact; early discharge with the infant in the kangaroo position; (ideally) exclusive breastfeeding; and, adequate follow-up. In affluent settings, intermittent KMC with sessions of one or a few hours skin-to-skin contact for a limited period is common. As a result of the increasing evidence of the benefits of KMC for both infants and families in all intensive care settings, KMC in a high-tech environment was chosen as the topic for the first European Conference on KMC, and the clinical implementation of the KMC model in all types of settings was discussed at the 7th International Workshop on KMC. Kangaroo Mother Care protocols in high-tech Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) should specify criteria for initiation, kangaroo position, transfer to/from KMC, transport in kangaroo position, kangaroo nutrition, parents' role, modification of the NICU environment, performance of care in KMC, and KMC in case of infant instability. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the original KMC method, with continuous skin-to-skin contact whenever possible, is recommended for application in high-tech environments, although scientific evaluation should continue.

Towards universal Kangaroo Mother Care: recommendations and report from the First European conference and Seventh International Workshop on Kangaroo Mother Care.

UNLABELLED: The hallmark of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is the kangaroo position: the infant is cared for skin-to-skin vertically between the mother's breasts and below her clothes, 24 h/day, with father/substitute(s) participating as KMC providers. Intermittent KMC (for short periods once or a few times per day, for a variable number of days) is commonly employed in high-tech neonatal intensive care units. These two modalities should be regarded as a progressive adaptation of the mother-infant dyad, ideally towards continuous KMC, starting gradually and progressively with intermittent KMC. The other components in KMC are exclusive breastfeeding (ideally) and early discharge in kangaroo position with strict follow-up. Current evidence allows the following general statements about KMC in affluent and low-income settings: KMC enhances bonding and attachment; reduces maternal postpartum depression symptoms; enhances infant physiologic stability and reduces pain, increases parental sensitivity to infant cues; contributes to the establishment and longer duration of breastfeeding and has positive effects on infant development and infant/parent interaction. Therefore, intrapartum and postnatal care in all types of settings should adhere to a paradigm of nonseparation of infants and their mothers/families. Preterm/low-birth-weight infants should be regarded as extero-gestational foetuses needing skin-to-skin contact to promote maturation. CONCLUSION: Kangaroo Mother Care should begin as soon as possible after birth, be applied as continuous skin-to-skin contact to the extent that this is possible and appropriate and continue for as long as appropriate.

State of the art and recommendations. Kangaroo mother care: application in a high-tech environment.

UNLABELLED: Since Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) was developed in Colombia in the 1970s, two trends in clinical application emerged. In low-income settings, the original KMC modelis implemented. This consists of continuous (24 h/day; 7 days/week) and prolonged mother/parent-infant skin-to-skin contact; early discharge with the infant in the kangaroo position; (ideally) exclusive breastfeeding and, adequate follow up. In affluent settings, intermittent KMC with sessions of one or a few hours skin-to-skin contact for a limited period is common. As a result of the increasing evidence of the benefits of KMC for both infants and families in all intensive care settings, KMC in a high-tech environment was chosen as the topic for the first European Conference on KMC, and the clinical implementation of the KMC modelin all types of settings was discussed at the 7th International Workshop on KMC Kangaroo Mother Care protocols in high-tech Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) should specify criteria for initiation, kangaroo position, transfer to/from KMC, transport in kangaroo position, kangaroo nutrition, parents'role, modification of the NICU environment, performance of care in KMC, and KMCin case of infant instability. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the original KMC method, with continuous skin-to-skin contact whenever possible, is recommended for application in high-tech environments, although scientific evaluation should continue.

The management of severe acetabular bone defects in revision hip arthroplasty using modular porous metal components.

We investigated the early results of modular porous metal components used in 23 acetabular reconstructions associated with major bone loss. The series included seven men and 15 women with a mean age of 67 years (38 to 81), who had undergone a mean of two previous revisions (1 to 7). Based on Paprosky's classification, there were 17 type 3A and six type 3B defects. Pelvic discontinuity was noted in one case. Augments were used in 21 hips to support the shell and an acetabular component-cage construct was implanted in one case. At a mean follow-up of 41 months (24 to 62), 22 components remained well fixed. Two patients required rerevision of the liners for prosthetic joint instability. Clinically, the mean Harris Hip Score improved from 43.0 pre-operatively (14 to 86) to 75.7 post-operatively (53 to 100). The mean pre-operative Merle d'Aubigné score was 8.2 (3 to 15) and improved to a mean of 13.7 (11 to 18) post-operatively. These short-term results suggest that modular porous metal components are a viable option in the reconstruction of Paprosky type 3 acetabular defects. More data are needed to determine whether the system yields greater long-term success than more traditional methods, such as reconstruction cages and structural allografts.

Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Mother-infant separation postbirth is common in Western culture. Early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) begins ideally at birth and involves placing the naked baby, covered across the back with a warm blanket, prone on the mother's bare chest. According to mammalian neuroscience, the intimate contact inherent in this place (habitat) evokes neurobehaviors ensuring fulfillment of basic biological needs. This time may represent a psychophysiologically 'sensitive period' for programming future behavior. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of early SSC on breastfeeding, behavior, and physiological adaptation in healthy mother-newborn dyads. SEARCH STRATEGY: Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's and Neonatal Group's Trials Registers (August 2006), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1976 to 2006). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized and quasi-randomized clinical trials comparing early SSC with usual hospital care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information. MAIN RESULTS: Thirty studies involving 1925 participants (mother-infant dyads), were included. Data from more than two trials were available for only 8-of-64 outcome measures. We found statistically significant and positive effects of early SSC on breastfeeding at one to four months postbirth (10 trials; 552 participants) (odds ratio (OR) 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08 to 3.07), and breastfeeding duration (seven trials; 324 participants) (weighted mean difference (WMD) 42.55, 95% CI -1.69 to 86.79). Trends were found for improved summary scores for maternal affectionate love/touch during observed breastfeeding (four trials; 314 participants) (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.52, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.98) and maternal attachment behavior (six trials; 396 participants) (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.72) with early SSC. SSC infants cried for a shorter length of time (one trial; 44 participants) (WMD -8.01, 95% CI -8.98 to -7.04). Late preterm infants had better cardio-respiratory stability with early SSC (one trial; 35 participants) (WMD 2.88, 95% CI 0.53 to 5.23). No adverse effects were found. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Limitations included methodological quality, variations in intervention implementation, and outcome variability. The intervention may benefit breastfeeding outcomes, early mother-infant attachment, infant crying and cardio-respiratory stability, and has no apparent short or long-term negative effects. Further investigation is recommended. To facilitate meta-analysis, future research should be done using outcome measures consistent with those in the studies included here. Published reports should clearly indicate if the intervention was SSC and include means, standard deviations, exact probability values, and data to measure intervention dose.

Randomized controlled trial of skin-to-skin contact from birth versus conventional incubator for physiological stabilization in 1200- to 2199-gram newborns.

AIM: Conventional care of prematurely born infants involves extended maternal-infant separation and incubator care. Recent research has shown that separation causes adverse effects. Maternal-infant skin-to-skin contact (SSC) provides an alternative habitat to the incubator, with proven benefits for stable prematures; this has not been established for unstable or newborn low-birthweight infants. SSC from birth was therefore compared to incubator care for infants between 1200 and 2199 g at birth. METHODS: This was a prospective, unblinded, randomized controlled clinical trial; potential subjects were identified before delivery and randomized by computerized minimization technique at 5 min if eligible. Standardized care and observations were maintained for 6 h. Stability was measured in terms of a set of pre-determined physiological parameters, and a composite cardio-respiratory stabilization score (SCRIP). RESULTS: 34 infants were analysed in comparable groups: 3/18 SSC compared to 12/13 incubator babies exceeded the pre-determined parameters (p < 0.001). Stabilization scores were 77.11 for SSC versus 74.23 for incubator (maximum 78), mean difference 2.88 (95% CI: 0.3-5.46, p = 0.031). All 18 SSC subjects were stable in the sixth hour, compared to 6/13 incubator infants. Eight out of 13 incubator subjects experienced hypothermia. CONCLUSION: Newborn care provided by skin-to-skin contact on the mother's chest results in better physiological outcomes and stability than the same care provided in closed servo-controlled incubators. The cardio-respiratory instability seen in separated infants in the first 6 h is consistent with mammalian "protest-despair" biology, and with "hyper-arousal and dissociation" response patterns described in human infants: newborns should not be separated from their mothers.

Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Early skin-to-skin contact involves placing the naked baby prone on the mother's bare chest at birth or soon afterwards (< 24 hour). This could represent a 'sensitive period' for priming mothers and infants to develop a synchronous, reciprocal, interaction pattern, provided they are together and in intimate contact. Routine separation shortly after hospital birth is a uniquely Western cultural phenomenon that may be associated with harmful effects including discouragement of successful breastfeeding. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of early skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding, behavior, and physiology in mothers and their healthy newborn infants. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group and Neonatal Group trials registers (December 2002), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2002), MEDLINE (1976 to 2002). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized and quasi-randomized clinical trials comparing early skin-to-skin contact with usual hospital care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We contacted study authors for additional information. We collected adverse effects information from the trials. MAIN RESULTS: Seventeen studies, involving 806 participants, were included. We found statistically significant and positive effects of early skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding at one to three months postbirth (odds ratio (OR) 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10 to 4.22), breastfeeding duration (weighted mean difference (WMD) 41.99, 95% CI 13.97 to 70.00), maintenance of infant temperature in the neutral thermal range (OR 12.18, 95% CI 2.04 to 72.91), infant blood glucose (WMD 11.07, 95% CI 3.97 to 18.17), infant crying (OR 21.89, 95% CI 5.19 to 92.30) and summary scores of maternal affectionate love/touch (SMD 0.73, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.11) during an observed breastfeeding within the first few days postbirth. We found no statistically significant benefit of early skin-to-skin contact for other major clinical variables: breastmilk maturation, maternal chest circumference, infant heart rate. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Limitations included the methodological quality of the studies, variations in the implementation of the intervention and outcome variability. Early skin-to-skin contact appears to have some clinical benefit especially regarding breastfeeding outcomes and infant crying and has no apparent short or long-term negative effects. Further investigation is recommended. To facilitate meta-analysis of the data, future research in this area should involve outcome measures consistent with those used in the studies included here. Published reports should also clearly indicate if the intervention was skin-to-skin contact and include means, standard deviations and exact probability values.

Acute hepatitis E virus infection presenting as a prolonged cholestatic jaundice.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enteric virus that usually causes a self-resolving hepatitis; although, it may be fatal, especially in pregnant women. Although HEV is endemic in Israel, there have been no recent local outbreaks. We report the case of a 70-year-old man who presented with painless jaundice. Ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography scan revealed gallstones, with no evidence of cholecystitis and no dilatation of the intra-or extrahepatic bile ducts. An open cholecystectomy was performed with intraoperative cholangiography. There was no evidence of choledocholithiasis. A subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was normal. His bilirubin level subsequently increased to a maximum of 25 mg/dL, and his gamma-glutamyl-transferase level reached 1,400 U/L. There was no evidence of any autoimmune or metabolic disease, and routine viral serology was normal except for immunoglobulin G to hepatitis A virus. A liver biopsy revealed an acute cholestatic picture. The jaundice resolved slowly after a period of 6 months. Hepatitis E virus RNA was isolated from the acute-phase serum and was not detectable in the convalescent serum. This case is a unique example of chronic cholestatic jaundice that we think is caused by acute HEV infection.

Kangaroo mother care in the nursery.

Kangaroo mother care is becoming an integral part of the care of low birth weight infants worldwide. It provides economic savings to families and health care facilities and many physiologic and psychobehavioral benefits to mothers and infants, the most important of which is the promotion of successful breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding, of human milk over formula, and of feeding from the breast per se, are beyond dispute, and so KMC should be actively promoted. The full impact of KMC on breastfeeding low birth weight infants is yet to be realized.

Comparison of microbicides for efficacy in protecting mice against vaginal challenge with herpes simplex virus type 2, cytotoxicity, antibacterial properties, and sperm immobilization.

BACKGROUND: Currently, a number of different over-the-counter spermicides and potential microbicides under development are in various phases of clinical trials. It is difficult to know how the various formulations would compare with each other or how efficacious they would be because no existing microbicides are commercially available. GOAL: To evaluate, in a standardized manner, various parameters of potential microbicides. STUDY DESIGN: In an effort to make a comprehensive comparison, several potential microbicides and over-the-counter vaginal products were assayed for their efficacy in protecting mice from infection by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), for their cytotoxicity to human vaginal epithelial cells, for their effect on the growth rate of L acidophilus, and for their spermicidal activity. Test formulations were K-Y Plus, Gynol II, Advantage S, Replens, BufferGel, No Fertil, Carrageenan, and PC-550. Additionally, several formulations were evaluated for their use as a possible placebo in microbicide clinical trials. RESULTS: The formulations tested fell into three categories of efficacy in protecting mice from HSV-2 infection. The most efficacious were Carraguard and PC-550. All the other test formulations except methyl cellulose afforded varying degrees of protection against herpes simplex virus-2 infection. It was found that formulations containing the surfactant N9 had a cytotoxic effect on human vaginal cells, inhibited the growth rate of L acidophilus, and exhibited spermicidal activity. In addition, it was found that Replens, BufferGel, No Fertil, and the Carbopol formulation might have some effect on sperm motility. Also, K-Y Jelly significantly inhibited the growth rate of L acidophilus. CONCLUSION: Evaluating formulations under the same testing conditions can help to distinguish among potential formulations that are likely to show promise as safe and effective microbicides.

Kinetic framework for ligation by an efficient RNA ligase ribozyme.

The class I RNA ligase ribozyme, isolated previously from random sequences, performs an efficient RNA ligation reaction. It ligates two substrate RNAs, promoting the attack of the 3'-hydroxyl of one substrate upon the 5'-triphosphate of the other substrate with release of pyrophosphate. This ligation reaction has similarities to the reaction catalyzed by RNA polymerases. Using data from steady-state kinetic measurements and pulse-chase/pH-jump experiments, we have constructed minimal kinetic frameworks for two versions of the class I ligase, named 207t and 210t. For both ligases, as well as for the self-ligating parent ribozyme, the rate constant for the chemical step (k(c)) is log-linear with pH in the range 5.7-8.0. At physiological pH, the k(c) is 100 min(-1), a value similar to those reported for the fastest naturally occurring ribozymes. At higher pH, product release is limiting for both 207t and 210t. The 210t ribozyme, with its faster product release, attains multiple-turnover rates (k(cat) = 360 min(-1), pH 9.0) exceeding those of 207t and other reported ribozyme reactions. The kinetic framework for the 210t ribozyme describes the limits of this catalysis and suggests how key steps can be targeted for improvement using design or combinatorial approaches.

The structural basis for terminator recognition by the Rho transcription termination factor.

The E. coli Rho protein disengages newly transcribed RNA from its DNA template, helping terminate certain transcripts. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the RNA-binding domain of Rho complexed to an RNA ligand. Filters that screen both ligand size and chemical functionality line the primary nucleic acid-binding site, imparting sequence specificity to a generic single-stranded nucleic acid-binding fold and explaining the preference of Rho for cytosine-rich RNA. The crystal packing reveals two Rho domain protomers bound to a single RNA with a single base spacer, suggesting that the strong RNA-binding sites of Rho may arise from pairing of RNA-binding modules. Dimerization of symmetric subunits on an asymmetric ligand is developed as a model for allosteric control in the action of the intact Rho hexamer.