3-D motion recovery via low rank matrix analysis

Skeleton tracking is a useful and popular application of Kinect. However, it cannot provide accurate reconstructions for complex motions, especially in the presence of occlusion. This paper proposes a new 3-D motion recovery method based on lowrank matrix analysis to correct invalid or corrupted motions. We address this problem by representing a motion sequence as a matrix, and introducing a convex low-rank matrix recovery model, which fixes erroneous entries and finds the correct low-rank matrix by minimizing nuclear norm and `1-norm of constituent clean motion and error matrices. Experimental results show that our method recovers the corrupted skeleton joints, achieving accurate and smooth reconstructions even for complicated motions

3-D motion recovery via low rank matrix restoration on articulation graphs

This paper addresses the challenge of 3-D skeleton recovery by exploiting the spatio-temporal correlations of corrupted 3D skeleton sequences. A skeleton sequence is represented as a matrix. We propose a novel low-rank solution that effectively integrates both a low-rank model for robust skeleton recovery based on temporal coherence, and an articulation-graph-based isometric constraint for spatial coherence, namely consistency of bone lengths. The proposed model is formulated as a constrained optimization problem, which is efficiently solved by the Augmented Lagrangian Method with a Gauss-Newton solver for the subproblem of isometric optimization. Experimental results on the CMU motion capture dataset and a Kinect dataset show that the proposed approach achieves better recovery accuracy over a state-of-the-art method. The proposed method has wide applicability for skeleton tracking devices, such as the Kinect, because these devices cannot provide accurate reconstructions of complex motions, especially in the presence of occlusion

Spatio-temporal reconstruction for 3D motion recovery

—This paper addresses the challenge of 3D motion recovery by exploiting the spatio-temporal correlations of corrupted 3D skeleton sequences. We propose a new 3D motion recovery method using spatio-temporal reconstruction, which uses joint low-rank and sparse priors to exploit temporal correlation and an isometric constraint for spatial correlation. The proposed model is formulated as a constrained optimization problem, which is efficiently solved by the augmented Lagrangian method with a Gauss-Newton solver for the subproblem of isometric optimization. Experimental results on the CMU motion capture dataset, Edinburgh dataset and two Kinect datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves better motion recovery than state-of-the-art methods. The proposed method is applicable to Kinect-like skeleton tracking devices and pose estimation methods that cannot provide accurate estimation of complex motions, especially in the presence of occlusion

The prebiotic effects of oats on blood lipids, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects compared with rice: a randomized, controlled trial

20openInternationalInternational coauthor/editorPhytochemicals derived from oats are reported to possess a beneficial effect on modulating dyslipidemia, specifically on lowering total and LDL cholesterol. However, deeper insights into its mechanism remain unclear. In this randomized controlled study, we assigned 210 mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects from three study centers across China (Beijing, Nanjing, and Shanghai) to consume 80 g of oats or rice daily for 45 days. Plasma lipid profiles, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and fecal microbiota were measured. The results showed that total cholesterol (TC) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) decreased significantly with both oats and rice intake after 30 and 45 days. The reduction in TC and non-HDL-C was greater in the participants consuming oats compared with rice at day 45 (p = 0.011 and 0.049, respectively). Oat consumption significantly increased the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Roseburia, and the relative abundance of Dialister, Butyrivibrio, and Paraprevotella, and decreased unclassified f-Sutterellaceae. In the oat group, Bifidobacterium abundance was negatively correlated with LDL-C (p = 0.01, r = −0.31) and, TC and LDL-C were negatively correlated to Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (p = 0.02, r = −0.29; p = 0.03, r = −0.27, respectively). Enterobacteriaceae, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were positively correlated with plasma butyric acid and valeric acid concentrations and negatively correlated to isobutyric acid. HDL-C was negatively correlated with valeric acid (p = 0.02, r = −0.25) and total triglyceride (TG) was positively correlated to isovaleric acid (p = 0.03, r = 0.23). Taken together, oats consumption significantly reduced TC and LDL-C, and also mediated a prebiotic effect on gut microbiome. Akkermansia muciniphila, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and plasma SCFA correlated with oat-induced changes in plasma lipids, suggesting prebiotic activity of oats to modulate gut microbiome could contribute towards its cholesterol-lowering effect.openXu, Dengfeng; Feng, Meiyuan; Chu, YiFang; Wang, Shaokang; Shete, Varsha; Tuohy, Kieran M; Liu, Feng; Zhou, Xirui; Kamil, Alison; Pan, Da; Liu, Hechun; Yang, Xian; Yang, Chao; Zhu, Baoli; Lv, Na; Xiong, Qian; Wang, Xin; Sun, Jianqin; Sun, Guiju; Yang, YuexinXu, D.; Feng, M.; Chu, Y.; Wang, S.; Shete, V.; Tuohy, K.M.; Liu, F.; Zhou, X.; Kamil, A.; Pan, D.; Liu, H.; Yang, X.; Yang, C.; Zhu, B.; Lv, N.; Xiong, Q.; Wang, X.; Sun, J.; Sun, G.; Yang, Y

Production status and research advancement on root rot disease of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in China

China is the largest producer of faba bean with a total harvested area of 8.11×105 ha and a total production of 1.69 ×106 tons (dry beans) in 2020, accounting for 30% of the world production. Faba bean is grown in China for both fresh pods and dry seed. East China cultivates large seed cultivars for food processing and fresh vegetables, while northwestern and southwestern China grow cultivars for dry seeds, with an increased production of fresh green pods. Most of the faba bean is consumed domestically, with limited exports. The absence of unified quality control measures and simple traditional cultivation practices contributes to the lower competitiveness of the faba bean industry in international markets. Recently, new cultivation methods have emerged with improved weed control, as well as better water and drainage management, resulting in higher quality and income for producers. Root rot disease in faba bean is caused by multiple pathogens, including Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Pythium spp. Fusarium spp. is the most prevalent species causing root rot in faba bean crops and is responsible for severe yield loss, with different species causing the disease in different regions in China. The yield loss ranges from 5% to 30%, up to 100% in severely infected fields. The management of faba bean root rot disease in China involves a combination of physical, chemical, and bio-control methods, including intercropping with non-host crops, applying rational nitrogen, and treating seeds with chemical or bio-seed treatments. However, the effectiveness of these methods is limited due to the high cost, the broad host range of the pathogens, and potential negative impacts on the environment and non-targeted soil organisms. Intercropping is the most widely utilized and economically friendly control method to date. This review provides an overview of the current status of faba bean production in China, the challenges faced by the industry due to root rot disease, and the progress in identifying and managing this disease. This information is critical for developing integrated management strategies to effectively control root rot in faba bean cultivation and facilitating the high-quality development of the faba bean industry

The OpenMolcas Web: A Community-Driven Approach to Advancing Computational Chemistry

The developments of the open-source OpenMolcas chemistry software environment since spring 2020 are described, with a focus on novel functionalities accessible in the stable branch of the package or via interfaces with other packages. These developments span a wide range of topics in computational chemistry and are presented in thematic sections: electronic structure theory, electronic spectroscopy simulations, analytic gradients and molecular structure optimizations, ab initio molecular dynamics, and other new features. This report offers an overview of the chemical phenomena and processes OpenMolcas can address, while showing that OpenMolcas is an attractive platform for state-of-the-art atomistic computer simulations

Complete mitochondrial genome of the important phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Botryosphaeriales, Ascomycota)

Macrophomina phaseolina is a Catastrophic plant pathogen, which can cause serious reduction in crop production. In the current study, the mitochondrial genome of M. phaseolina is assembled and annotated. The mitogenome of M. phaseolina is a circular molecule of 101,198 bp. The overall nucleotide content is 34.95% A, 35.25% T, 13.30% C, 16.50% G, with a CG content of 29.80%. The mitogenome contains 42 genes, including 14 protein coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and 26 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated protein sequences from 15 taxa of five orders in Ascomycota indicated that M. phaseolina is clustered in the order Botryosphaeriales. This study would have a positive impact on the molecular biology research and biological control of Macrophomina fungi in the future

Research Advances in Functional Constituents of Chickpea

Based on the generalization and summary of the research on the functional constituents of chickpea at home and abroad in recent years, the research advances in some rich functional constituents including isoflavones, proteins and peptides, carbohydrates, saponins and trace elements in chickpeas was reviewed in this paper. It provides a basis for the research, development and utilization of the functional constituents of chickpea in the future

Feasibility of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy in patients with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

Background Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is essential life support in patients with severe acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. However, biopsies should be considered for some patients with unknown aetiology. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) in such patients. Methods All patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure of unknown aetiology who underwent TBLC with VV-ECMO support were retrospectively reviewed. Patients’ characteristics, ventilation settings, procedure parameters, complications, pathological diagnosis and survival were summarised and analysed. Results Eight female and five male patients with VV-ECMO support underwent TBLC. The median age was 58 (interquartile range (IQR) 38–67) years old. Concurrent diseases were present in 10 of the 13 patients, seven of which were immunosuppressed. The median time between biopsy and VV-ECMO establishment was 2.0 (IQR 0.5–6.5) days. No patient died from the procedure. Neither pneumothorax nor severe bleeding occurred in any of the patients. Five of the 13 patients experienced moderate bleeding, and all bleeding events were successfully controlled with prophylactic balloon blockers. Pathological diagnosis by TBLC was obtained in all patients, and the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar damage was made in nine of them. Conclusions In patients with VV-ECMO support, the TBLC procedure is generally safe when standardised bleeding prophylaxis is in place. TBLC contributes to identifying underlying aetiologies in patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure of unknown aetiology

Effect of acupoint hot compress on postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery: a randomized clinical trial

Importance: acupoint hot compress during the early postpartum period may benefit patients after a vaginal delivery, but the evidence of this effect is limited.Objective: to assess whether acupoint hot compress involving the abdominal, lumbosacral, and plantar regions could reduce the incidence of postpartum urinary retention, relieve postpartum uterine contraction pain, prevent emotional disorders, and promote lactation.Design, setting, and participants: this multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted at 12 hospitals in China. Pregnant patients were screened for eligibility (n = 13 949) and enrolled after vaginal delivery (n = 1200) between January 17 and August 15, 2021; data collection was completed on August 18, 2021. After vaginal delivery, these participants were randomized 1:1 to either the intervention group or control group. Statistical analysis was based on per-protocol population.Interventions: participants in the control group received routine postpartum care. Participants in the intervention group received routine postpartum care plus 3 sessions of a 4-hour acupoint hot compress involving the abdominal, lumbosacral, and plantar regions within 30 minutes, 24 hours, and 48 hours after delivery.Main outcomes and measures: the primary outcome was the incidence of postpartum urinary retention, defined as the first urination occurring more than 6.5 hours after delivery and/or use of an indwelling catheter within 72 hours after delivery. The secondary outcomes were postpartum uterine contraction pain intensity (assessed with the visual analog scale [VAS]), depressive symptoms (assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and lactation conditions (including lactation initiation time, breastfeeding milk volume, feeding mood and times, and newborn weight).Results: of the 1200 participants randomized, 1085 completed the study (537 in the intervention group and 548 in the control group, with a median [IQR] age of 26.0 [24.0-29.0] years). Participants in the intervention group compared with the control group had significantly decreased incidence of postpartum urinary retention (relative risk [RR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35-0.98; P = .03); improved postpartum uterine contraction pain when measured at 6.5 hours (median [IQR] VAS score, 1 [1-2] vs 2 [1-2]; P &lt; .001), 28.5 hours (median [IQR] VAS score, 1 [0-1] vs 1 [1-2]; P &lt; .001), 52.5 hours (median [IQR] VAS score, 1 [0-1] vs 1 [0-1]; P &lt; .001), and 76.5 hours (median [IQR] VAS score, 0 [0-1] vs 0 [0-1]; P = .01) after delivery; reduced depressive symptoms (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54-0.98; P = .01); and increased breastfeeding milk volume measured at 28.5, 52.5, and 76.5 hours after delivery. No adverse events occurred in either of the 2 groups.Conclusions and relevance: results of this trial showed that acupoint hot compress after vaginal delivery decreased postpartum urinary retention, uterine contraction pain, and depressive symptoms and increased breastfeeding milk volume. Acupoint hot compress may be considered as an adjunctive intervention in postnatal care that meets patient self-care needs.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2000038417</p