Generic Tubelet Proposals for Action Localization

We develop a novel framework for action localization in videos. We propose the Tube Proposal Network (TPN), which can generate generic, class-independent, video-level tubelet proposals in videos. The generated tubelet proposals can be utilized in various video analysis tasks, including recognizing and localizing actions in videos. In particular, we integrate these generic tubelet proposals into a unified temporal deep network for action classification. Compared with other methods, our generic tubelet proposal method is accurate, general, and is fully differentiable under a smoothL1 loss function. We demonstrate the performance of our algorithm on the standard UCF-Sports, J-HMDB21, and UCF-101 datasets. Our class-independent TPN outperforms other tubelet generation methods, and our unified temporal deep network achieves state-of-the-art localization results on all three datasets

Exploring the components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods: A netnography approach

This study aims to explore and ascertain the components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods of international travellers. This study offers insights into the factors influencing local food tourists’ evaluation of destination experiences of a sharing economy platform. A netnography approach is applied to understand the meal-sharing experience and 957 online reviews are examined which were posted on Eatwith by visitors who participated in the meal-sharing economy platform in Rome (Italy) between 2013 and 2020. Findings reveal seven components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods: authenticity, social interaction, local hospitality, awe, local culture, novelty, and servicescape. Findings show that participants can interpret their meal-sharing experience in different ways. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research that uses online reviews to explore and understand the meal-sharing experience with local foods. This study has unique theoretical contribution by exploring the components of meal-sharing experience with local foods, as well as practical implications for service providers in order to enhance their service and experience quality

Optimization of lovastatin production from Aspergillus fumigatus

AbstractThe present investigation, focused on screening of various fungal species for Lovastatin production using different agro-based wastes, also, for maximizing lovastatin productivity by isolated Aspergillus fumigatus using response surface methodology (RSM). The following substrates (Olive cake; Pea pods; sugarcane bagasse; wheat bran; rice hulls; beet peel; Potato peel and groundnut shells) were screened to evaluate their effectiveness for lovastatin production, using different fungal species, (Aspergillus niger; Rhizopus oligosporus; Penicillium citrinum and isolated Aspergillus fumigatus) under solid state fermentation (SSF). Wheat bran was the most suitable substrate for lovastatin production with all fungal species. Optimum conditions of lovastatin production by wheat bran have been attained efficiently by response surface methodology (RSM) using isolated Aspergillus fumigatus under solid state fermentation (SSF). The lovastatin yield of (3.353mg/g DFM) was obtained at an optimum temperature of 28°C; pH of 5.00; initial moisture content of 70% and incubation period of 12days. This Lovastatin has the possibility to use in different therapeutic applications

Effects of Probiotic on Comfort and Body Care Behaviors of Broilers Reared at Different Stocking Densities

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of probiotic on comfort and body care behaviors of broilers reared at two different densities. Two hundred and forty chicks were subdivided into four groups, two groups were reared under low stocking density (LSD); 10 bird/m2 and another 2 groups were reared under high stocking density (HSD); 15 bird/m2. In each density, one group was supplemented with probiotic in the drinking water and the other was not supplemented. Normal behavior of birds was recorded throughout the growing cycle twice a week, using video camera (Sony, Japan). Then after, comfort (standing, lying and sleeping), body care (preening, dust bathing, wing/leg stretching and head scratching) and aggressive behaviors of birds were analyzed. HSD reduced comfort behavior compared to low density without probiotic group. Standing frequency was significantly increased at the 6th week of the growing cycle. In addition, interrupted lying bouts frequency was increased and the non-interrupted lying bouts (frequency and duration) were decreased significantly. Moreover, preening frequency was decreased. However, aggressive behavior was not observed in all groups. Probiotic supplementation didn’t alter comfort, aggressive and body care behaviors of broilers at both densities in comparison to low density without probiotic group. However, birds stocked at high stocking density and supplemented with probiotic showed no alterations in all behavioral patterns compared to HSD group without probiotic supplementation. Data suggested that the used probiotic in this study was unable to improve comfort and body care behaviors of broilers reared at low stocking density and failed to alleviate impacts of high density stress on these behaviors

Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of probiotic in improving welfare of broilers reared under low stocking density (LSD) and mitigating high stocking density (HSD) stress. A total number of 240 chicks were sub divided into four groups with three replicates for each. Two groups were reared under LSD (10 bird/m2).; 48 chicks (16 bird/ replicate) for each and another 2 groups were reared under HSD (15 bird/m2); 72 chicks (24 bird/ replicate). At each density, one group was supplemented with Protexin® and the other was not supplemented. Blood corticosterone (CS) level was measured and behavior of broilers was recorded weekly. At the end of the growing cycle, behavioral welfare fear response test (time of first attempt to stand, number of attempts to stand and tonic immobility duration) was performed and brain monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) concentrations were measured. As a result, HSD stress increased the time birds spent to perform the first attempt to stand and prolonged TI duration. However, Protexin® supplementation only reduced the time of first attempt to stand at higher density without alteration of the number of attempts required to induce TI. No significant improvement in fear response in LSD birds supplied with Protexin®. Furthermore, HSD stress decreased feeding, drinking and walking duration. However, Protexin® supplementation improved feeding, drinking and walking behaviors at LSD and did not improve behaviors of birds at HSD. Moreover, HSD increased CS levels at the 4th, 5th and 6th week of the growing cycle. However, Protexin® supplementation had a decreasing effect on CS levels in the birds reared at HD at the last two weeks of the growing cycle. In addition, brain serotonin concentration was increased in birds reared at HD without Protexin® supplementation and showed no alteration in that supplemented with the probiotic at LSD and HSD. Data suggests that, Protexin® supplementation may be beneficial in improving welfare (behavior al indicator) of broilers reared at LSD and alleviate some effects of HSD stress on birds

Detection and Identification of Helicobacter pullorum in Poultry Species in Upper Egypt

This work aimed to detect, identify and study the epidemiology of Helicobacter pullorum in avian species in Upper Egypt. A total of 1800 samples, including cloacal swabs, cecal swabs and livers were collected from chickens, turkeys and ducks in five different governorates in Upper Egypt. Using conventional phenotypic methods for isolation and identification, Helicobacter pullorum could be identified only from chickens with percentage 39.33% and no presence of the organism in turkeys and ducks. Sixteen randomly selected phenotypically identified Helicobacter pullorum isolates were confirmed using PCR assay based on 16S rRNA gene. In conclusion, conventional phenotypic methods for detection and differentiation of Helicobacter pullorum are often hampered by many limitations, while molecular methods, and PCR, in particular, have marked an important step forward in bacterial diagnostics and can provide a sensitive and rapid alternative method for detection and identification and highlights the potential of PCR technology in routine detection and identification of pathogens

Sagitol C, a new cytotoxic pyridoacridine alkaloid from the sponge Oceanapia sp.

AbstractA new pyridoacridine alkaloid named sagitol C (2) together with two known compounds; kuanoniamine C (1) and sagitol (3) were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of the Indonesian sponge Oceanapia sp. Their chemical structures were established on the basis of physical and spectroscopic methods 1D and 2D NMR, in addition to mass spectrometry and comparison with literature data. Sagitol C was found to exhibit cytotoxic activity when tested against different cancer cell lines

Spontaneous ovulation and pregnancy in women with polycystic ovarian disease; a cross sectional study

Background: Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, with a prevalence of approximately 5-10%. This study aims to assess the rate of spontaneous ovulation and pregnancy in patients. The present study was a cross sectional study conducted at Woman's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.Methods: The current study was a cross sectional study carried out in Assiut Women's Health Hospital between the 1st October 2016 and 31st July 2017. The patients were selected as infertile patients with PCOD. The patient ages range between 20 and 35 years. The BMI is between 18 and 30 Kg/m2. The main outcome measure was the rate of spontaneous ovulation and spontaneous pregnancy in the 3 cycles.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 26.64±4.59 years and the mean BMI was 24.46±2.62Kg/m2. The sonographic ovarian volume was 12.47±0.69 mm3 for the right ovary and 12.74±0.73 mm3 for the left ovary. No difference in the serum FSH, LH, FSH/LH ratio and prolactin over the 3 consecutive cycles. The rate of spontaneous ovulation in the 3 cycles was 6 women (8.6%) and 2 cases (2.8%) became pregnant spontaneously during the study period. There is no statistical significant difference between ovulating and non-ovulating women according to the BMI and ovarian volume.Conclusions: The present study concluded that the rate of spontaneous ovulation was 8.6% in women with PCOD within 3 cycles with no adverse effects of drugs or surgical interference