Existing weakly-supervised semantic segmentation methods using image-level annotations typically rely on initial responses to locate object regions. However, such response maps generated by the ...classification network usually focus on discriminative object parts, due to the fact that the network does not need the entire object for optimizing the objective function. To enforce the network to pay attention to other parts of an object, we propose a simple yet effective approach that introduces a self-supervised task by exploiting the sub-category information. Specifically, we perform clustering on image features to generate pseudo sub-categories labels within each annotated parent class, and construct a sub-category objective to assign the network to a more challenging task. By iteratively clustering image features, the training process does not limit itself to the most discriminative object parts, hence improving the quality of the response maps. We conduct extensive analysis to validate the proposed method and show that our approach performs favorably against the state-of-the-art approaches.
Chitosan has been utilized as a popular biopolymer to fabricate hydrogels for biomedical applications. However, chitosan hydrogels are generally too brittle to mimic the deformability of the ...extracellular matrix in many tissues and organs. In particular, the role of the varied crosslinkers in determining the elasticity of chitosan hydrogels is lack of discussion. Here, three aldehyde‐functionalized crosslinkers (i.e., aldehyde‐modified poly(xylitol sebacate)‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol) (APP), glutaraldehyde (GA), and polydextran aldehyde (PDA)) are used to react with quaternized chitosan (QCS) through imine bonds to form hydrogels. The microstructures, mechanical performances, and cytocompatibility of the three hydrogels are systematically investigated. The APP/QCS hydrogels presented the best compressive and stretch properties among the three hydrogels. The mechanical property and antibacterial activity of APP/QCS hydrogels can be further modulated using varied QCS amounts, where more QCS contributed higher stiffness and stretchability as well as better bacterial inhibition to the APP/QCS hydrogels. Taken together, it is demonstrated that the inherent elastomeric characteristic of APP crosslinker provides the desirable elasticity and stretchability to QCS hydrogels compared to the other aldehyde‐functionalized crosslinkers of GA and PDA. This strategy of using multivalent elastomeric crosslinkers to fabricate deformable chitosan hydrogels can expand the use of chitosan hydrogels in tissue engineering applications.
Three aldehyde‐functionalized crosslinkers (i.e., poly(xylitol sebacate)‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol) (APP), glutaraldehyde (GA), and polydextran aldehyde (PDA)) are used to react with quaternized chitosan (QCS) through imine bonds to form hydrogels. The microstructures, mechanical performances, and cytocompatibility of the three hydrogels are systematically investigated. The inherent elastomeric characteristic of APP crosslinker provides the desirable elasticity and stretchability to QCS hydrogels.
Recent animal studies have supported that Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) can reduce the severity of anxiety and depression. However, previous studies did not focus on the sleep quality and ...mood of humans. This study determines whether PS128 reduces the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms, regulates autonomic nervous system function, and improves sleep quality. Forty participants between 20 and 40 years of age with self-reported insomnia were randomly assigned to two groups, a PS128 group and a placebo group, in a double-blind trial. Participants took two capsules of either PS128 or a placebo after dinner for 30 days. Study measures included subjective depressive symptoms, anxiety and sleep questionnaires, and miniature-polysomnography recordings at baseline and on the 15th and 30th days of taking capsules. Overall, all outcomes were comparable between the two groups at baseline and within the 30-day period, yet some differences were still found. Compared to the control group, the PS128 group showed significant decreases in Beck Depression Inventory-II scores, fatigue levels, brainwave activity, and awakenings during the deep sleep stage. Their improved depressive symptoms were related to changes in brain waves and sleep maintenance. These findings suggest that daily administration of PS128 may lead to a decrease in depressive symptoms, fatigue level, cortical excitation, and an improvement in sleep quality during the deep sleep stage. Daily consumption of PS128 as a dietary supplement may improve the depressive symptoms and sleep quality of insomniacs, although further investigation is warranted.
Continued efforts are made for the utilization of CO2 as a C1 feedstock for regeneration of valuable chemicals and fuels. Mechanistic study of molecular (electro‐/photo‐)catalysts disclosed that ...initial step for CO2 activation involves either nucleophilic insertion or direct reduction of CO2. In this study, nucleophilic activation of CO2 by complex (NO)2Fe(μ‐MePyr)2Fe(NO)22− (2, MePyr=3‐methylpyrazolate) results in the formation of CO2‐captured complex (NO)2Fe(MePyrCO2)− (2‐CO2, MePyrCO2=3‐methyl‐pyrazole‐1‐carboxylate). Single‐crystal structure, spectroscopic, reactivity, and computational study unravels 2‐CO2 as a unique intermediate for reductive transformation of CO2 promoted by Ca2+. Moreover, sequential reaction of 2 with CO2, Ca(OTf)2, and KC8 established a synthetic cycle, 2 → 2‐CO2 → (NO)2Fe(μ‐MePyr)2Fe(NO)2 (1) → 2, for selective conversion of CO2 into oxalate. Presumably, characterization of the unprecedented intermediate 2‐CO2 may open an avenue for systematic evaluation of the effects of alternative Lewis acids on reduction of CO2.
In anionic 2, a nucleophilic pyrazolate ligand, the neutral {Fe(NO)2}10 unit, and the K‐18‐crown‐6‐ether+ countercation work in concert to promote the capture and nucleophilic activation of CO2 through the assembly of stable 2‐CO2. Relying on the one‐electron reduction power of the {Fe(NO)2}10 core in the anionic complex (NO)2Fe(MePyrCO2)−, addition of dicationic Ca2+ further initiates the C−C coupling of activated/reduced CO2 and yields precipitated calcium oxalate.
According to the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC–NE) theory, activity of the LC, the major releaser of NE in the brain, regulates inhibitory control. As there is reciprocal communication between ...circulating epinephrine and the LC, plasma epinephrine is used as the index of LC–NE activity. The aim of this crossover randomized controlled trial is to expand on previous findings by investigating the effects of free‐weight, multiple‐joint, and structural barbell resistance exercises. Previous studies have had some methodological limitations, such as failure to report the process of randomization, absence of resistance exercise familiarization before the maximal strength testing, and lack of protocol publication. To address these issues, this study incorporates resistance exercise familiarization, transparent reporting of randomization, and submission as a registered report. The results suggest that a single session of resistance exercise (barbell squat, press, and deadlift) with an intensity of 65%–78% 1RM for five repetitions (70%–90% relative intensity) and three sets with 3‐min rest intervals improved Stroop congruent reaction time (RT) only (t(27) = −2.663, mean reduction = −15 ms, p = .013, 95% CI −26, −3). No significant enhancements were observed in Stroop incongruent RT, inhibitory control as indexed by Stroop effect, or inhibitory control as indexed by the RT difference between the Stroop task and the simple reaction task. Moreover, the alterations in plasma epinephrine levels did not significantly associate with changes in any measure of cognitive performance.
By addressing previous methodological limitations and employing a registered report format, this study provides more reliable findings on the effects of acute resistance exercise on cognitive performance. We found that, although acute resistance exercise enhances a certain cognitive outcome measured by the Stroop task, the improvement does not appear to be associated with changes in plasma epinephrine.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has been defined as unexplained relapsing or persistent fatigue for at least 6 consecutive months. Immuno-inflammatory pathway, bacterial infection, and other causes ...play essential roles in CFS. Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common causes of foregut inflammation, leading to peptic ulcer disease (PUD). This study aimed to analyze the risk of CFS development between patients with and without PUD. Other related factors were also analyzed. We performed a retrospective, nationwide cohort study identifying patients with or without PUD respectively by analyzing the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID2000), Taiwan. The overall incidence of CFS was higher in the PUD cohort than in the non- PUD cohort (HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.75-2.30), with the same adjusted HR (aHR) when adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. The sex-specific PUD cohort to the non-PUD cohort relative risk of CFS was significant in both genders. The age-specific incidence of CFS showed incidence density increasing with age in both cohorts. There is an increased risk of developing CFS following PUD, especially in females and the aging population. Hopefully, these findings can prevent common infections from progressing to debilitating, chronic conditions such as CFS.
Aims
The study aimed to explore farmers' self‐care behaviours including oral hygiene, remaining natural teeth, cardiometabolic risks, hepatitis, risk of stroke and their determinant factors.
Methods
...This cross‐sectional study was conducted between June 2020 and March 2021 in the south‐western remote areas of Taiwan. We recruited current farmers who participated in an annual community health screening conducted by a collaborated local hospital. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews using a semi‐structured questionnaire. Blood samples were drawn and stored in the central laboratory of the cooperating hospital. The study outcomes included cardiometabolic risks, the remaining natural teeth, and farmers' self‐care behaviours including oral hygiene, adopting a healthy diet and substance use.
Results
Overall, 183 current farmers (55.2% women, aged 66.9 ± 11.7 years) were enrolled. Abnormal blood pressure, high risk of stroke, metabolic syndrome and hepatitis C virus infection were found among the participants. The average remaining teeth were 12.1, 73.2% of participants had <20 teeth; 90.2% and 71% did not undergo regular dental check‐ups and scaling or use dental floss, respectively. The determinant factors associated with the remaining teeth included a high risk of stroke, teeth scaling and dental floss use. Although only 3.8% felt mentally distressed, many farmers were unaware of having potential cardiometabolic diseases and curable viral hepatitis, and only two had received antiviral treatment.
Conclusion
The farmers in this study had a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risks, a high probability of stroke, inadequate number of remaining teeth and poor oral hygiene behaviours. These findings can provide evidence to develop health promotion programmes for farmers.
Impact
This study demonstrates the health needs of farmers. We strongly recommend that community nurses empower farmers to engage in self‐care behaviours through tailored health promotion programmes. For instance, by discussing cardiometabolic risk prevention from the farmers' perspectives to improve their health literacy.
Candida albicans is a leading cause of intravascular catheter-related infections. The capacity for biofilm formation has been proposed to contribute to the persistence of this fungal pathogen on ...catheter surfaces. While efforts have been devoted to identifying microbial factors that modulate C. albicans biofilm formation in vitro, our understanding of the host factors that may shape C. albicans persistence in intravascular catheters is lacking. Here, we used multiphoton microscopy to characterize biofilms in intravascular catheters removed from candidiasis patients. We demonstrated that, NETosis, a type of neutrophil cell death with antimicrobial activity, was implicated in the interaction of immune cells with C. albicans in the catheters. The catheter isolates exhibited reduced filamentation and candidalysin gene expression, specifically in the total parenteral nutrition culture environment. Furthermore, we showed that the ablation of candidalysin expression in C. albicans reduced NETosis and conferred resistance to neutrophil-mediated fungal biofilm elimination. Our findings illustrate the role of neutrophil NETosis in modulating C. albicans biofilm persistence in an intravascular catheter, highlighting that C. albicans can benefit from reduced virulence expression to promote its persistence in an intravascular catheter.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Simultaneous transmission of fifth-generation (5G) millimeter-wave (MMW) and sub-THz signals through a fiber-free-space optical (FSO)-5G new radio (NR) converged system is successfully achieved. It ...is an inventive demonstration that utilizes a cross medium of optical fiber, optical wireless, and RF wireless to enhance the aggregate transmission rate to 60 Gb/s. We transmitted 20 Gb/s in the 50-GHz MMW, 100-GHz sub-THz, and 150-GHz sub-THz bands at the same time through the seamless fiber-FSO-5G NR convergence, comprising 20-km single-mode fiber (SMF), 500-m optical wireless, and 2-m (50-GHz MMW)/1-m (100-GHz sub-THz)/0.5-m (150-GHz sub-THz) 5G wireless transmissions. Sufficiently low bit error rate (< forward error correction criterion of 3.8×10 −3 ) and error vector magnitude (<third-generation partnership project limit of 12.5%) are attained to satisfy the requirements of 5G NR communications in MMW and sub-THz bands. This newly-built fiber-FSO-5G NR converged system shows promise for the development of long-haul wired-wireless transmissions with wider service areas and higher access data rates.
BAM-1020 and TEOM-FDMS have undergone rigorous testing and analysis protocols to become the Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) monitors and serve as reliable near real-time monitors for compliance with ...the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and references for low-cost PM2.5 sensor calibration. However, differences between the FEM and FRM (Federal Reference Method) data still exist, which cause inconsistency in PM2.5 measurements. This study carried out the field tests across five geographically diverse stations in different seasons in Taiwan with 265 daily samples collected by the collocated BAM-1020 and TEOM-FDMS and the FRM sampler and found that the biases between the FEM and FRM values increased with the decreasing PM2.5 concentrations and varied with ambient conditions. The measurement uncertainties exist in the BAM-1020 were mainly due to the aerosol water content, while the TEOM-FDMS always over-measured PM2.5 compared to the FRM sampler since it corrects for the evaporation loss of semi-volatile particle materials. To reduce the biases between the FEM monitors and FRM samplers, empirical equations based on PM2.5 concentrations (μg m−3), temperature (oC), and relative humidity (%) were derived to convert the FEM data to the FRM data. After correction, the mean normalized biases were decreased from +1.67 ± 12.43% to +0.63 ± 8.75% for the BAM-1020 and from +13.86 ± 14.50% to −0.85 ± 9.0% for the TEOM-FDMS. Also, the same empirical equation was used to convert the FRM PM2.5 values to the “true” or “actual” PM2.5 values represented by the TEOM-FDMS with the bias reduced from −10.76 ± 11.42% to +1.33 ± 8.44% after conversion.
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•The FRM under-measures PM2.5 due to evaporation loss while the TEOM-FDMS provides “actual” PM2.5 value.•The BAM-1020 over-measures or under-measures PM2.5 due to aerosol water content and evaporation loss, respectively.•Differences between the FEM and FRM values vary with the PM2.5 concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity.•The empirical equations can be used to convert the FEM data to FRM data or the FRM data to “actual” PM2.5 value.
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