TransNet: A Transfer Learning-Based Network for Human Action Recognition

Human action recognition (HAR) is a high-level and significant research area in computer vision due to its ubiquitous applications. The main limitations of the current HAR models are their complex structures and lengthy training time. In this paper, we propose a simple yet versatile and effective end-to-end deep learning architecture, coined as TransNet, for HAR. TransNet decomposes the complex 3D-CNNs into 2D- and 1D-CNNs, where the 2D- and 1D-CNN components extract spatial features and temporal patterns in videos, respectively. Benefiting from its concise architecture, TransNet is ideally compatible with any pretrained state-of-the-art 2D-CNN models in other fields, being transferred to serve the HAR task. In other words, it naturally leverages the power and success of transfer learning for HAR, bringing huge advantages in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Extensive experimental results and the comparison with the state-of-the-art models demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed TransNet in HAR in terms of flexibility, model complexity, training speed and classification accuracy

Physical Therapy Treatment Of A Patient With Chronic Low Back Pain And A Previous History Of A Substance Abuse Disorder: A Case Report

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that an estimated 27 million people in the United States have reported use of an illicit drug within the past month. Low back pain continues to be a major cause of disability in the United States, with an estimated 70 percent of adults experiencing low back pain at some point during their lifetime. Active exercise programs that include pain education and cognitive behavioral therapy demonstrated significant superior outcome at reducing pain intensity, anxiety/depression, disability, and fear-avoidance compared to therapeutic exercise and manual therapy alone for patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. With both illicit and prescription drug use rising in the US, it is likely clinicians will encounter patients with substance abuse disorders, as well as opiate induced hyperalgesia. The use of psychologically informed practice may be beneficial in this patient population. There is ample research on various approaches to treating low back pain, however there is limited research investigating the efficacy of treatment for patients with low back pain and a previous history of opioid dependency. The purpose of this case report was to describe the physical therapy treatment, including pain management strategies, for a patient with low back pain, a previous history of opioid dependency (oxycodone), and apparent opiate induced hyperalgesia.https://dune.une.edu/pt_studcrposter/1103/thumbnail.jp

Microplastic ingestion and enzymatic responses in Mytilus galloprovincialis reared at the vicinities of an aquaculture station

[eng] Aquaculture is a potential source of microplastics (MPs) that could be strong stressors for marine organisms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of MPs derived from aquaculture in antioxidant defences and oxidative stress markers in gills of Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were distributed in three areas with different impacts: inside aquaculture cages, Control 1 (located inside Andratx harbour) and Control 2 (located in a no-anthropized area). Samples were obtained along three different time periods in May (T0), July (T60) and in September (T120). At each sampling period, mussels’ biometric measurements were taken, and tissue samples were kept frozen for biochemical determinations and to determine the intake of MPs. An increase in MPs intake was detected throughout the study, and this increase was significantly higher in samples from the aquaculture cages. Similarly, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase) were significantly higher in samples from cages at T120. Additionally, a similar tendency was observed in glutathione-s-transferase, with a higher activity in the aquaculture cages at T60 and T120. Malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein derivates as a marker of oxidative damage were also measured and samples from aquaculture cages presented higher oxidative stress markers, mainly in T120. In conclusion, living in environments exposed to aquaculture activities at sea may imply a higher intake of MPs which in turn might cause an antioxidant response in M. galloprovincialis which is not enough to avoid oxidative damage

Induction of detoxification systems in wild red mullet Mullus surmuletus after microplastic ingestion

Marine litter greatly affects marine species and ecosystems (1), however there is little evidence of physiological responses of vertebrates to plastic exposure. In this study, wild mullets Mullus surmuletus were obtained from fishing vessels operating in Mallorca Island (W Mediterranean). Stomach content analyses and identification under microscope determined that 28% of the samples had ingested microplastics. Liver samples of surmullets with and without microplastic ingestion were analysed to determine physiological effects. Results suggest an induction of the detoxification system in M. surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 but no oxidative stress or cellular damage

BREAKING THE PARADIGM: MARINE SEDIMENTS HOLD TWO-FOLD MICROPLASTICS THAN SEA SURFACE WATERS AND ARE DOMINATED BY FIBERS

Marine compartments are often considered independent environments in studies on plastic pollution (Ali et al., 2021). Consequently, little is known about microplastic (MPs) distribution amongst those habitats closely linked. Here, we perform an interactive assessment of MPs abundance and composition from the pelagic habitat to beaches integrating shallow seafloor sediments of a coastal Mediterranean marine protected area and evaluating MPs ingestion in holothurians, echinoderms, molluscs, and fishes inhabiting the area. We observed a gradient in the accumulation of MPs from the sea surface (0.17 ± 0.39 MPs/m2) to the seafloor (76 ± 108 MPs/m2) and beach sediment (13418 ± 28787 MPs/m2), with a skip of two orders of magnitude. Microplastic abundances fit with those reported for more anthropized Mediterranean areas and suggest coastal environments as potential debris sinking areas. Fibers dominate all the studied habitats. Holothurians showed the highest general MPs and fibers ingestion occurrence (91%), with greater values (9.48 ± 8.05 MPs/individual and 8.24 ± 7.95 fibers/individual) than those reported previously (Bulleri et al., 2021). Considering ecological key role, species distribution, and MPs ingestion values, we suggest Holothuroidea as suitable bioindicators for plastic pollution, particularly for fibers. Fibers are composed primarily of cellulose acetate (29%), whereas styrofoam of polystyrene (64%), and films, fragments, and filaments of a variable percentage of polyethylene and polypropylene. Differences found in the polymer composition amongst plastics´ morphologies are reflected in the variability observed between habitats and marine organisms. Particularly the polymer composition of fibers coincides with that of one of the MPs ingested by invertebrates. Results suggest that shape is a key plastic characteristic in determining polymer distribution patterns along with habitats and in marine species. Finally, this study highlights once again the importance and urgency of local and global actions needed to mitigate plastic pollution and particularly fiber release into the marine environment

Meningothelial Cells React to Elevated Pressure and Oxidative Stress

BACKGROUND: Meningothelial cells (MECs) are the cellular components of the meninges enveloping the brain. Although MECs are not fully understood, several functions of these cells have been described. The presence of desmosomes and tight junctions between MECs hints towards a barrier function protecting the brain. In addition, MECs perform endocytosis and, by the secretion of cytokines, are involved in immunological processes in the brain. However, little is known about the influence of pathological conditions on MEC function; e.g., during diseases associated with elevated intracranial pressure, hypoxia or increased oxidative stress. METHODS: We studied the effect of elevated pressure, hypoxia, and oxidative stress on immortalized human as well as primary porcine MECs. We used MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) bioreduction assays to assess the proliferation of MECs in response to treatment and compared to untreated control cells. To assess endocytotic activity, the uptake of fluorescently labeled latex beads was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: We found that exposure of MECs to elevated pressure caused significant cellular proliferation and a dramatic decrease in endocytotic activity. In addition, mild oxidative stress severely inhibited endocytosis. CONCLUSION: Elevated pressure and oxidative stress impact MEC physiology and might therefore influence the microenvironment of the subarachnoid space and thus the cerebrospinal fluid within this compartment with potential negative impact on neuronal function

L'Escala d'Intensitat de Suports (EIS): un instrument per promoure el benestar de les persones arnb discapacitat intel·lectual

L'Escala d'irtensitat de Suports (EIS) és un instrument que té per finalitat avaluar les necessitats de suport, determinar-ne intensitat, supervisar-ne el progrés i avaluar els de les persores amb discapacitat intelectual. Aquesta escala intenta donar resposta als problemes de definció i mesura deis suports que deriven de 'La definició de 1992". L'objectiu de l'article és fer una presentació i descripció l'EIS, les seves característiques principals i la proposta d'adaptació i validació a la població catalana amb discapacitat intel·lectual. En els comentaris finals, es valora positivament el fet de disposar en català d'instrumen d'aquestes característiques, tant per a les mateixes persones arnb discapacitat com per als serveis i institucions dedicats a la seva atenció i, en definitiva, per a la millora de la qualitat de vid

Pooled analysis of who surgical safety checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods: In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results: Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89⋅6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60⋅6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0⋅17, 95 per cent c.i. 0⋅14 to 0⋅21, P < 0⋅001) or low (363 of 860, 42⋅2 percent; OR 0⋅08, 0⋅07 to 0⋅10, P < 0⋅001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference −9⋅4 (95 per cent c.i. −11⋅9 to −6⋅9) per cent; P < 0⋅001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+12⋅1 (+7⋅0 to +17⋅3) per cent; P < 0⋅001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0⋅60, 0⋅50 to 0⋅73; P < 0⋅001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low-and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion: Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries