FishMOT: A Simple and Effective Method for Fish Tracking Based on IoU Matching

The tracking of various fish species plays a profoundly significant role in understanding the behavior of individual fish and their groups. Present tracking methods suffer from issues of low accuracy or poor robustness. In order to address these concerns, this paper proposes a novel tracking approach, named FishMOT (Fish Multiple Object Tracking). This method combines object detection techniques with the IoU matching algorithm, thereby achieving efficient, precise, and robust fish detection and tracking. Diverging from other approaches, this method eliminates the need for multiple feature extractions and identity assignments for each individual, instead directly utilizing the output results of the detector for tracking, thereby significantly reducing computational time and storage space. Furthermore, this method imposes minimal requirements on factors such as video quality and variations in individual appearance. As long as the detector can accurately locate and identify fish, effective tracking can be achieved. This approach enhances robustness and generalizability. Moreover, the algorithm employed in this method addresses the issue of missed detections without relying on complex feature matching or graph optimization algorithms. This contributes to improved accuracy and reliability. Experimental trials were conducted in the open-source video dataset provided by idtracker.ai, and comparisons were made with state-of-the-art detector-based multi-object tracking methods. Additionally, comparisons were made with idtracker.ai and TRex, two tools that demonstrate exceptional performance in the field of animal tracking. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other approaches in various evaluation metrics, exhibiting faster speed and lower memory requirements. The source codes and pre-trained models are available at: https://github.com/gakkistar/FishMO

MSGNet: multi-source guidance network for fish segmentation in underwater videos

Fish segmentation in underwater videos provides basic data for fish measurements, which is vital information that supports fish habitat monitoring and fishery resources survey. However, because of water turbidity and insufficient lighting, fish segmentation in underwater videos has low accuracy and poor robustness. Most previous work has utilized static fish appearance information while ignoring fish motion in underwater videos. Considering that motion contains more detail, this paper proposes a method that simultaneously combines appearance and motion information to guide fish segmentation in underwater videos. First, underwater videos are preprocessed to highlight fish in motion, and obtain high-quality underwater optical flow. Then, a multi-source guidance network (MSGNet) is presented to segment fish in complex underwater videos with degraded visual features. To enhance both fish appearance and motion information, a non-local-based multiple co-attention guidance module (M-CAGM) is applied in the encoder stage, in which the appearance and motion features from the intra-frame salient fish and the moving fish in video sequences are reciprocally enhanced. In addition, a feature adaptive fusion module (FAFM) is introduced in the decoder stage to avoid errors accumulated in the video sequences due to blurred fish or inaccurate optical flow. Experiments based on three publicly available datasets were designed to test the performance of the proposed model. The mean pixel accuracy (mPA) and mean intersection over union (mIoU) of MSGNet were 91.89% and 88.91% respectively with the mixed dataset. Compared with those of the advanced underwater fish segmentation and video object segmentation models, the mPA and mIoU of the proposed model significantly improved. The results showed that MSGNet achieves excellent segmentation performance in complex underwater videos and can provide an effective segmentation solution for fisheries resource assessment and ocean observation. The proposed model and code are exposed via Github1

Biological Effects and Applications of Chitosan and Chito-Oligosaccharides

The numerous functional properties and biological effects of chitosan and chito-oligosaccharides (COS) have led to a significant level of interest, particularly with regard to their potential use in the agricultural, environmental, nutritional, and pharmaceutical fields. This review covers recent studies on the biological functions of COS and the impacts of dietary chitosan and COS on metabolism. The majority of results suggest that the use of chitosan as a feed additive has favorable biological effects, such as antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, cholesterol reducing, and immunomodulatory effects. The biological impacts reviewed herein may provide a new appreciation for the future use of COS

Stationary distribution and persistence of a stochastic mathematical model for prostate cancer with pulsed therapy

Intermittent androgen deprivation therapy is one of the most commonly used therapeutic regimens for treating prostate cancer. Immunotherapy with dendritic cells, which act as the most robust antigen-presenting cells, are regarded as an effective method for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. This paper utilizes impulsive differential equations to describe the combinations of a dendritic cell vaccine and intermittent androgen therapy with white noise. The tumour-free solution is obtained and the unique global positive solution of the system is explored. Then it is proved that the solutions of the system are stochastic ultimately bounded and stochastically permanent. In addition, threshold conditions for the extinction and persistence of prostate cancer cells are derived, and the stationary distribution and ergodicity of the system are investigated. Finally, numerical studies and the biological significance of the results are discussed

Neodymium promotion on the low-temperature hydrothermal stability of a Cu/SAPO-34 NH3-SCR monolith catalyst

Nd modified Cu/SAP0-34 catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx, by NH3 (NH3-SCR) is prepared by wet-impregnation method and the catalytic performance and low-temperature hydrothermal (LTH) stability are evaluated. The catalyst shows little effect on the fresh activity but presents excellent LTH resistance by the incorporation of Nd. After LTH treatment, the catalytic performance barely changed for CuNd/SAPO-34, while significantly de'graded for Cu/SAPO-34 below 400 degrees C. Meanwhile, the NOx conversion at 200 degrees C for the aged catalyst is enhanced from 64% to 86% by adding Nd. In addition, the catalysts are characterized using N-2 sorption, XRD, SEM, DRIFTS, H-2-TPR and XPS. The results reveal that the destruction of zeolite framework by the attack of vapor is evidently inhibited and the stability of copper species is also improved during LTH treatment by the introduction of Nd. Consequently, the LTH stability of CuNd/SAPO-34 is much better than that of Cu/SAPO-34. (C) 2017 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Advances in the Multiphase Vortex-Induced Vibration Detection Method and Its Vital Technology for Sustainable Industrial Production

Fluid-induced vibration detection technology for the multiphase sink vortex can help achieve efficient, safe, and low-carbon sustainable industrial production in various areas such as the marine, aerospace, and metallurgy industries. This paper systematically describes the basic principles and research status in light of the important issues related to this technology in recent years. The primary issues that occur in practical application are highlighted. The vital technologies involved, such as the vortex-formation mechanism, interface dynamic evolution, the shock vibration response of thin-walled shells, and vortex-induced vibration signal processing algorithms, are analyzed. Based on in-depth knowledge of the technology, some significant scientific challenges are investigated, and further research prospects are suggested. The research results show that this technology can achieve the real-time detection of vortex-induced vibration states. Two future research directions are those of exploring multiphysical field coupling under harsh conditions and more accurate modeling methods for multiphase coupling interfaces. Regarding vortex-induced vibration, forced-vibration characters with various restriction conditions, the forced-vibration displacement response of liquid-filled shells, intrinsic properties influenced by random excitation forces, and highly effective distortion-detection algorithms will continue to attract more attention. The associated results could give technical support to various fields, including energy-efficiency improvement in manufacturing processes, tidal power generation condition monitoring, and the performance optimization of low-carbon energy components

Total laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma under a single surgical position

Abstract Background To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of total laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUTUC) under a single surgical position. Methods The medical data of 89 UUTUC patients were collected, who were treated in our institution from Jan 2016 to Jun 2018. The 45 cases that underwent total laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with a single position were allocated in the test group, while the 44 patients who received retroperitoneal laparoscopy combined with hypogastric oblique incision were assigned in the control group. We compared the two groups in perioperative indicators and tumor recurrence rate and analyzed the clinical effect of the new surgical treatment of UUTUC. Results All 89 operations for UUTUC were successful and had no conversion to open surgery. No obvious complications occurred during the perioperative period. The test group had significantly shorter average operation time (96.58 ± 8.56 min versus 147.45 ± 9.16 min), less blood loss (39.58 ± 4.15 ml versus 46.50 ± 4.58 ml), earlier ambulation (7.47 ± 1.01 h versus 11.39 ± 1.82 h), and shorter length of stay in hospital (6.98 ± 1.14 days versus 9.89 ± 1.51 days) (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of the test group at 1 h, 12 h, and 24 h after operation were lower compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the tumor stage, tumor grade, postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery time, follow-up time, and tumor recurrence rate between the two groups. Conclusions Compared with the traditional surgical methods, the total laparoscopic treatment of UUTUC under a single surgical position had advantages of shorter operation time, less blood loss, and early postoperative ambulation. The new operative method could shorten the length of stay and accelerate recovery of patients, and it is a viable surgical procedure which deserved clinical application and promotion. Trial registration Our trial was approved and has been registered in the ethics committee of the Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital (Approval NO.[2015]171)

Uncertainty Representation of Natural Frequency for Laminated Composite Cylindrical Shells Considering Probabilistic and Interval Variables

Due to manufacturing errors, inaccurate measurement and working conditions changes, there are many uncertainties in laminated composite cylindrical shells, which causes the variation of vibration characteristics, and has an important influence on the overall performance. Therefore, an uncertainty representation methodology of natural frequency for laminated composite cylindrical shells is proposed, which considers probabilistic and interval variables simultaneously. The input interval variables are converted into a probabilistic density function or cumulative distribution function based on a four statistical moments method, and a unified probabilistic uncertainty analysis method is proposed to calculate the uncertainty of natural frequency. An adaptive Kriging surrogate model considering probabilistic uncertainty variables is established to accurately represent the natural frequency of laminated composite cylindrical shells. Finally, the dimensionless natural frequency of three-layer, five-layer and seven-layer laminated composite cylindrical shells with uncertainty input parameters is accurately represented. Compared with the Monte Carlo Simulation results, the mean error and standard deviation error are reduced to less than 0.07% and 4.7%, respectively, and the execution number of calculation function is significantly decreased, which fully proves the effectiveness of the proposed method

Storage Stability and In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Liposomal Betacyanins from Red Pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

In order to address the poor stability of the betacyanins from red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus, HP), which are considered as good sources of natural colorant, liposomal-encapsulation technique was applied in this study. Thin-layer dispersion method was employed to prepare HP betacyacnin liposomes (HPBL). The formulation parameters for HPBL were optimized, and the characteristics, stability, and release profile of HPBL in in vitro gastrointestinal systems were evaluated.Results showed that an HP betacyanin encapsulation efficiency of 93.43 &plusmn; 0.11% was obtained after formulation optimization. The HPBL exhibited a narrow size distribution of particle within a nanometer range and a strong electronegative &zeta;-potential. By liposomal encapsulation, storage stability of HP betacyanin was significantly enhanced in different storage temperatures. When the environmental pH ranged from 4.3&ndash;7.0, around 80% of HP betacyanins were preserved on Day 21 with the liposomal protection. The loss of 2,2&prime;-Diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and color deterioration of HPBL were developed in accordance with the degradation of HP betacyanins during storage. In in vitro gastrointestinal digestion study, with the protection of liposome, the retention rates of HP betacyanins in vitro were enhanced by 14% and 40% for gastric and intestinal digestion, respectively.This study suggested that liposomal encapsulation was an effective approach to stabilize HP betacyanins during storage and gastrointestinal digestion, but further investigations were needed to better optimize the liposomal formulation and understand the complex liposomal system

Xiaoyao Kangai Jieyu Fang, a Chinese Herbal Formulation, Ameliorates Cancer-Related Depression Concurrent with Breast Cancer in Mice via Promoting Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity

Diagnosis with breast cancer is a major life event that elicits increases in depressive symptoms for up to 50% of women. Xiaoyao Kangai Jieyu Fang (XYKAJY) is derived from a canonical TCM formula, Xiaoyao San (XYS), which has a history of nearly 1000 years for treating depression. The aim of this study was to investigate whether XYKAJY alleviates depression-like behavior and breast tumor proliferation in breast cancer mice then explore the mechanisms underlying its action on HPA axis and hippocampal plasticity further. XYKAJY was treated at the high dose of 1.95 g/mL and 0.488 g/mL, after 21 days of administration. Different behaviors, monoamine neurotransmitters, tumor markers, and the index of HPA axis were detected to evaluate depressive-like symptoms of breast cancer mice. Also, the pathological changes of the tumor, hippocampus, and the expressions of GR, NR2A, NR2B, CAMKII, CREB, and BDNF were detected. In this study, XYKAJY formulation significantly improved the autonomic behavior, reduced the incubation period of feeding, and reversed the typical depressive-like symptoms in breast cancer mice. Also, it reduced the content of CORT, ACTH, CRH, and CA125, CA153, CEA in the blood, protected the pathological changes of the hippocampus and tumor, upregulated the expression of GR, CREB, and BDNF in the hippocampus, and significantly decreased the expression of NR2A, NR2B, and CaMKII. These results provide direct evidence that XYKAJY effectively alleviates depression-like behaviors and tumor proliferation in vehicle mice with ameliorates hippocampus synaptic plasticity dysfunctions