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Digital imaging has become ubiquitous in the consumer space, from DSLR and mirrorless cameras to billions of smartphones equipped with an array of image sensors. The systems are limited in the range of light and color that they can represent by a number of constraints like sensor photosite well depth and quantum efficiency, bit depth during signal conversion, system noise, and heavy data compression. The following work aims to improve the capability of these imaging systems in capturing scenes under challenging lighting conditions with full temporal coherence, avoiding all ghosting artifacts caused by motion. In this dissertation, I describe methods based on knowledge and intuitions of classical color and imaging science, so that the learned networks are robust, performant, and lightweight relative to the state of the art. I present methods that focus on single frame high dynamic range imaging through making full use of the image sensor data and intelligently tuning the sensor to provide more useful data for perceptually informed processing.

Abstract Objectives We applied an escalation antibiogram to community urine data to assess how presumptive resistance to first-line antibiotics for cystitis affects resistance to antibiotics used to treat pyelonephritis. Methods We extracted susceptibility data from Escherichia coli isolates grown from urine samples from general practice during a 5 year period (2019–2023) in a region served by three NHS hospital trusts. Female patients over 18 years old were included, giving a total of 130 514 isolates. We applied a Bayesian model to estimate antibiotic resistance rates for oral pyelonephritis antibiotics, when presuming resistance to each of the first-line antibiotics used for cystitis. The model estimates the probability of resistance with 95% credible intervals and was applied to a variety of patient groups based on age and history of recurrent urinary tract infections. Results Resistance to cystitis antibiotics has a marked effect on the probability of resistance to oral antibiotics used to treat pyelonephritis. In particular, amoxicillin/clavulanate should be avoided for pyelonephritis if resistance to pivmecillinam is presumed, because predicted resistance rates exceed 50%. For patients with presumed resistance to nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim, the optimal pyelonephritis antibiotic depends on both age group and history of past infections. Conclusions Analysis using an escalation antibiogram informed by our Bayesian model is a useful tool to support empirical antibiotic prescribing for pyelonephritis. It provides an estimate of local resistance rates and a comparison of antibiotic options with a measure of the uncertainty in the data.

Neuropathologic examination of 3 patients with Alzheimer disease in the Elan Pharmaceuticals trial using antibodies specific for different Aβ species showed in one case, 4 months after the immunization, evidence of a stage of active plaque clearance with \"moth-eaten\" plaques and abundant Aβ phagocytosis by microglia. At 1 to 2 years after immunization, 2 cases showed extensive areas cleared of plaques (69% and 86% of the temporal cortex was plaque-free). Cortex cleared of plaques in all 3 cases had a characteristic constellation of features, including a very low plaque burden, sparse residual dense plaque cores, and phagocytosed Aβ within microglia. There was resolution of tau-containing dystrophic neurites, although other features of tau pathology (tangles and neuropil threads) remained and cerebral amyloid angiopathy persisted. Although most antibodies generated by Aβ42 immunization in humans bind the intact N-terminus, immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies showed clearance of all major species of Aβ (Aβ40, Aβ42, and N-terminus truncated Aβ). Aβ immunotherapy can clear all Aβ species from the cortex. However, if it is to be used for treatment of established Alzheimer disease, then the residual tau pathology and cerebral amyloid angiopathy require further study.

The findings of this study suggest that while the FRR score provides a reasonable indication of financial fragility over a subsequent five-year period, the FRR score is little better than a coin flip in predicting whether a religiously affiliated higher education institution will be financially troubled enough to close within the subsequent five years. The study found that using a multi-factor model to predict closure results in higher predictive accuracy during the observed period.

Over the next decade of LHC operation the instantaneous luminosity will reach up 7.5 times the design value with over 200 interactions per bunch-crossing. This will pose unprecedented challenges for the ATLAS trigger system. We report on a prototype of the High Level Trigger software that maximizes commonality with offline reconstruction software while retaining the key aspects of trigger functionality including regional reconstruction and early event rejection. We report on the first experience of migrating trigger algorithms to this new framework and present the next steps towards a full implementation of the ATLAS trigger within AthenaMT.

The key limitation of all previous clinical studies is that no gold standard for LTBI exists (2). [...]the interpretation of negative IGRA results in immunosuppressed patients is difficult, because it is currently impossible to distinguish true absence of TB infection from a false-negative result caused by immunosuppression. Background-corrected interferon-γ, interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-γ–inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations in (A) antigen-stimulated (n = 13) and (B) positive control (n = 18) samples in standard assay sets and sets with added cyclosporin and tacrolimus. [...]considering our results together with previous data showing that the performance of TSTs is also impaired in immunosuppressed patients, both currently used LTBI screening tests should be regarded as unreliable in patients receiving calcineurin inhibitors. Development of a human γ interferon enzyme immunoassay and comparison with tuberculin skin testing for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Despite extensive research characterizing cancer pathology, it’s heterogeneity still challenges our ability to design consistently successful therapeutic strategies for some cancer types. Indeed, divergent outcomes in patients presenting with the same tumor type, and receiving the same treatment, are commonplace. The variety of pathogenic pathways in cancer is a challenge, but it also presents an opportunity to approach treatment from a more personalized perspective. Fundamentally, cancer can be thought of as a type of aberrant shift in the transcriptional network driving the cell’s molecular machinery. Characterizing this altered transcriptional network offers the possibility of enhanced patient stratification and ultimately, more effective therapeutic strategies. Here we use Taiji, a multi-omics method that leverages chromatin accessibility and gene expression data to create and analyze a model of the cell’s active transcriptional network. We apply Taiji to a universe of patient samples, identifying the key transcription factors (TFs) driving certain cancers. Using the importance of TFs and the strength of TF-gene regulatory relationships as criteria, we stratify patients and identify subclusters within classically-defined cancer subtypes. We demonstrate that those subclusters correlate with clinically relevant phenotypes and computationally predict oncogenic pathways driving their divergent physical characteristics. Taken together, we demonstrate the ability of a novel multi-omics method of transcription network analysis to characterize the tumors of individual cancer patients, offering the potential for more personalized diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To examine a new neurological sign that uses synergistic oppositional movements of the arms to evaluate for non-organic upper extremity weakness. Methods Patients with unilateral arm weakness were tested in a standing or sitting position with the elbows flexed at 30°. The examiner held both forearms near the wrists while asking the patient to flex or extend the normal arm at the elbow and simultaneously feeling for flexion or extension of the contralateral (paretic) arm. In patients with organic paresis, there was not a significant detectable force of contralateral opposition of the paretic limb. Patients with non-organic arm weakness had detectable strength of contralateral opposition in the paretic arm when the normal arm was tested. Results The test was first performed on 23 patients with no complaint of arm weakness. Then, 31 patients with unilateral arm weakness were tested (10 with non-organic weakness and 21 with organic weakness). The elbow flex-ex sign correctly identified the cause of weakness in all cases. Conclusions The elbow flex-ex sign is useful in differentiating between functional and organic arm paresis.

This note includes a measurement of the Bos decay parameters in the Bs→J/ψφ channel and a measurement of the B0 meson proper decay time and decay width using the statistics collected by the ATLAS experiment in Run I of the LHC. The first result presents the measurement of the CP -violating phase φs, the decay width Γs and the width difference between the mass eigenstates ΔΓs. The second result presents the measurement of the width difference ΔΓd, which is extracted from the measurement of the lifetime dependence of B0→J/ψKs and B0→J/ψK*° decays. The obtained results are φs = 0.098 ± 0.084(stat.) ± 0.040(syst.) rad. and ΔΓd/Γd = (-0.1 ± 1.1(stat.) ± 0.9(syst.)) × 10-2.

Carrying capabilities of drones and their easy accessibility to the public have led to an increase in crimes committed using drones in recent years. For this reason, the need for forensic analysis of drones captured from the crime scenes and the devices used for these drones is also paramount. This paper presents the extraction and identification of important artefacts from the recorded flight data as well as the associated mobile devices using open source tools and some basic scripts developed to aid the analysis of two popular drone systems- the DJI Phantom 3 Professional and Parrot AR. Drone 2.0. Although different drones vary in their operations, this paper extends the extraction and analysis of the data from the drones and associated devices using some generic methods which are forensically sound adhering to the guidelines of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).