Action Recognition in Videos: from Motion Capture Labs to the Web

This paper presents a survey of human action recognition approaches based on visual data recorded from a single video camera. We propose an organizing framework which puts in evidence the evolution of the area, with techniques moving from heavily constrained motion capture scenarios towards more challenging, realistic, "in the wild" videos. The proposed organization is based on the representation used as input for the recognition task, emphasizing the hypothesis assumed and thus, the constraints imposed on the type of video that each technique is able to address. Expliciting the hypothesis and constraints makes the framework particularly useful to select a method, given an application. Another advantage of the proposed organization is that it allows categorizing newest approaches seamlessly with traditional ones, while providing an insightful perspective of the evolution of the action recognition task up to now. That perspective is the basis for the discussion in the end of the paper, where we also present the main open issues in the area.Comment: Preprint submitted to CVIU, survey paper, 46 pages, 2 figures, 4 table

Allosteric activation of Hsp70 reduces mutant huntingtin levels, the clustering of N-terminal fragments, and their nuclear accumulation

AIMS: Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a mutant huntingtin protein that misfolds, yields toxic N-terminal fragments, aggregates, and disrupts proteostasis. The Hsp70 chaperone is a potential therapeutic target as it prevents proteotoxicity by favouring protein folding, disaggregation, or degradation. We tested the hypothesis that allosteric Hsp70 activation with a pharmacological mimetic of the Hsp70 co-chaperone Hip, YM-1, could modulate huntingtin proteostasis. MAIN METHODS: We used HD cell models expressing either N-terminal or full-length huntingtin. Using single-cell analysis we studied huntingtin aggregation in different cellular compartments by fluorescence microscopy. Protein interaction was evaluated by immunoprecipitation, while protein levels were quantified by immunofluorescence and western-blot. KEY FINDINGS: N-terminal huntingtin interacted with Hsp70 and increased its levels. Treatment with YM-1 reduced N-terminal huntingtin clustering and nuclear aggregation. Full-length mutant huntingtin also interacted with Hsp70, and treatment with YM-1 reduced huntingtin levels when combined with Hsp70 induction by heat shock. Mechanistically, YM-1 increases the Hsp70 affinity for substrates, promoting their proteasomal degradation. Consistently, YM-1 reduced the levels of ubiquitinated proteins. Interestingly, YM-1 accumulated in mitochondria, interfered with its Hsp70 isoform involved in protein import, and increased NRF1 levels, a regulator of proteasome genes. We thus suggest that YM-1 may trigger the coordination of mitochondrial and cytosolic proteostasis, enhancing protein degradation. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings show that the strategy of allosteric Hsp70 activation holds potential for HD. While drug efficacy may be limited to tissues with elevated Hsp70, combined therapies with Hsp70 elevating strategies could harness the full potential of allosteric Hsp70 activators for HD

Can the mitochondrial malondialdehyde content be an useful tool to distinguish ecological quality of Petromyzon marinus habitat?

The sea lamprey is an anadromous species that migrates twice during its life cycle between freshwater and seawater. Microphagous larvae generally spend 4–5 years burrowed in the substrate of rivers and streams before undergoing metamorphosis that ends with the beginning of the juvenile trophic migration. Once metamorphosis is complete, sea lamprey juvenile downstream migrants are fully tolerant to 35 PSU seawater. Pollution resulting from industrial effluents may disturb the seawater acclimatization causing oxidative damages, and ultimately may lead to a decrease of sea lamprey population. The aim of this study was to compare salt acclimation of sea lamprey juveniles captured in river basins with different levels of aquatic pollution, using mitochondrial glutathione and malondialdehyde of gills and liver as markers of physiological stress and cell damages. The results showed that juveniles from Lima basin exhibited the highest levels of mitochondrial malondialdehyde in gills, even though significant changes in the stress markers of mitochondrial gills of all animals subject to salt acclimation were not detected. In addition, an increase in the oxidative damages of hepatic mitochondria of macrophthalmia from Vouga basin suggests the occurrence of metabolic failures with the potential to disturb the capacity to adaptation to the marine environment

Hepatic mitochondrial content in malondialdehyde may be a marker of sea lamprey contact with atrazine

The atrazine attracts special attention as pollutant because of itspersistence in the aquatic environment. Although this herbicide has been studied in teleost, its toxicity in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus is still poorly understood. Oxidative stress may occur if chemical pollutants contribute to block the capacity of mitochondria to generate ATP with continuous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disturbing the success of P. marinus seawater acclimation. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate how atrazine influences the malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) contents of gills and liver mitochondria of juveniles from Lima river basin, Portugal during salt acclimation. Sampling occurred at the beginning of the P. marinus downstream migration. The sampled juveniles were transported alive to the laboratory and maintained in 200 l tanks with LSS 8 life support system. Two groups of 40 specimens were hold in tanks with 50 or 100 lg/l atrazine, during 30 days. The salinity was gradually increased from 0 to 35 psu,following a three step procedure during a 30 days period. The control group was maintained in freshwater without atrazine. Mitochondria obtained by centrifugation at 15000 g, 30 min, 4°C, of tissues homogenates prepared in 50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5 buffer were used in determination of ROS, MDA, GSH and GSSG by fluorescence. The statistical analysis were performed by ANOVA I and Duncan (p < 0.05), using SPSS 22 for Windows.The results showed that in P. marinus juveniles, no significant changes in the markers of oxidative stress and cell damages were detected in the mitochondrial gills. Nevertheless, in the animals exposed to 50 lg/l atrazine the content in glutathione and GSSG increased. A similar pattern of stress markers was detected in hepatic mitochondria. However, in the presence of atrazine, the MDA level of the mitochondria of liver increased threefold in the animals during salt acclimation. The high level of mitochondrial damages, detected in the hepatic mitochondria of macrophthalmia treated with atrazine, suggests that herbicide exposure caused metabolic failures which can disturb the adaptation of these specimens to the oceanic feeding phase. The hepatic mitochondrial MDA levels of P. marinus, may eventually detect sea lamprey contact with chlorine herbicides

Top Quarks as a Window to String Resonances

We study the discovery potential of string resonances decaying to $t\bar{t}$ final state at the LHC. We point out that top quark pair production is a promising and an advantageous channel for studying such resonances, due to their low Standard Model background and unique kinematics. We study the invariant mass distribution and angular dependence of the top pair production cross section via exchanges of string resonances. The mass ratios of these resonances and the unusual angular distribution may help identify their fundamental properties and distinguish them from other new physics. We find that string resonances for a string scale below 4 TeV can be detected via the $t\bar{t}$ channel, either from reconstructing the $t\bar{t}$ semi-leptonic decay or recent techniques in identifying highly boosted tops.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure

Effectiveness and safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid treatment for knee and hip osteoarthritis: network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of different preparations and doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and paracetamol for knee and hip osteoarthritis pain and physical function to enable effective and safe use of these drugs at their lowest possible dose. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, Embase, regulatory agency websites, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to 28 June 2021. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Randomised trials published in English with ≥100 patients per group that evaluated NSAIDs, opioids, or paracetamol (acetaminophen) to treat osteoarthritis. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The prespecified primary outcome was pain. Physical function and safety outcomes were also assessed. REVIEW METHODS: Two reviewers independently extracted outcomes data and evaluated the risk of bias of included trials. Bayesian random effects models were used for network meta-analysis of all analyses. Effect estimates are comparisons between active treatments and oral placebo. RESULTS: 192 trials comprising 102 829 participants examined 90 different active preparations or doses (68 for NSAIDs, 19 for opioids, and three for paracetamol). Five oral preparations (diclofenac 150 mg/day, etoricoxib 60 and 90 mg/day, and rofecoxib 25 and 50 mg/day) had ≥99% probability of more pronounced treatment effects than the minimal clinically relevant reduction in pain. Topical diclofenac (70-81 and 140-160 mg/day) had ≥92.3% probability, and all opioids had ≤53% probability of more pronounced treatment effects than the minimal clinically relevant reduction in pain. 18.5%, 0%, and 83.3% of the oral NSAIDs, topical NSAIDs, and opioids, respectively, had an increased risk of dropouts due to adverse events. 29.8%, 0%, and 89.5% of oral NSAIDs, topical NSAIDs, and opioids, respectively, had an increased risk of any adverse event. Oxymorphone 80 mg/day had the highest risk of dropouts due to adverse events (51%) and any adverse event (88%). CONCLUSIONS: Etoricoxib 60 mg/day and diclofenac 150 mg/day seem to be the most effective oral NSAIDs for pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis. However, these treatments are probably not appropriate for patients with comorbidities or for long term use because of the slight increase in the risk of adverse events. Additionally, an increased risk of dropping out due to adverse events was found for diclofenac 150 mg/day. Topical diclofenac 70-81 mg/day seems to be effective and generally safer because of reduced systemic exposure and lower dose, and should be considered as first line pharmacological treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The clinical benefit of opioid treatment, regardless of preparation or dose, does not outweigh the harm it might cause in patients with osteoarthritis. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO number CRD42020213656

2019 international consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations : summary from the basic life support; advanced life support; pediatric life support; neonatal life support; education, implementation, and teams; and first aid task forces

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has initiated a continuous review of new, peer-reviewed, published cardiopulmonary resuscitation science. This is the third annual summary of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. It addresses the most recent published resuscitation evidence reviewed by International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Task Force science experts. This summary addresses the role of cardiac arrest centers and dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the role of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adults and children, vasopressors in adults, advanced airway interventions in adults and children, targeted temperature management in children after cardiac arrest, initial oxygen concentration during resuscitation of newborns, and interventions for presyncope by first aid providers. Members from 6 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation task forces have assessed, discussed, and debated the certainty of the evidence on the basis of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, and their statements include consensus treatment recommendations. Insights into the deliberations of the task forces are provided in the Justification and Evidence to Decision Framework Highlights sections. The task forces also listed priority knowledge gaps for further research

Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe

The sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linnaeus) is both an invasive non-native species in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and an imperiled species in much of its native range in North America and Europe. To compare and contrast how understanding of population ecology is useful for control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in Europe, we review current understanding of the population ecology of the sea lamprey in its native and introduced range. Some attributes of sea lamprey population ecology are particularly useful for both control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in the native range. First, traps within fish ladders are beneficial for removing sea lampreys in Great Lakes streams and passing sea lampreys in the native range. Second, attractants and repellants are suitable for luring sea lampreys into traps for control in the Great Lakes and guiding sea lamprey passage for conservation in the native range. Third, assessment methods used for targeting sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes are useful for targeting habitat protection in the native range. Last, assessment methods used to quantify numbers of all life stages of sea lampreys would be appropriate for measuring success of control in the Great Lakes and success of conservation in the native range