Detection and Localization of Albas Velvet Goats Based on YOLOv4.

In order to achieve goat localization to help prevent goats from wandering, we proposed an efficient target localization method based on machine vision. Albas velvet goats from a farm in Ertok Banner, Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, were the main objects of study. First, we proposed detecting the goats using a shallow convolutional neural network, ShallowSE, with the channel attention mechanism SENet, the GeLU activation function and layer normalization. Second, we designed three fully connected coordinate regression network models to predict the spatial coordinates of the goats. Finally, the target detection algorithm and the coordinate regression algorithm were combined to localize the flock. We experimentally confirmed the proposed method using our dataset. The proposed algorithm obtained a good detection accuracy and successful localization rate compared to other popular algorithms. The overall number of parameters in the target detection algorithm model was only 4.5 M. The average detection accuracy reached 95.89% and the detection time was only 8.5 ms. The average localization error of the group localization algorithm was only 0.94 m and the localization time was 0.21 s. In conclusion, the method achieved fast and accurate localization, which helped to rationalize the use of grassland resources and to promote the sustainable development of rangelands.

Photodynamic Therapy with Liposomes Encapsulating Photosensitizers with Aggregation-Induced Emission.

As a noninvasive treatment, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising strategy against tumors. It is based on photosensitizer (PS)-induced phototoxicity after irradiation. However, most clinically approved PSs will be widely distributed in normal tissues, especially in the skin, where they will induce phototoxicity on exposure to light. Therefore, patients must remain in a dark room for up to several weeks during or after a PDT. Herein, we proposed a strategy of aggregation-induced emission PSs (AIE-PSs) entrapped in liposomes with controlled photosensitization. The AIE-PSs begin to lose their photosensitivity when entrapped in liposomes. After liposomes have carried AIE-PSs into tumor tissues, the AIE-PSs will be released and immediately reaggregate in a targeted area as the liposomes are decomposed. Their photosensitivity can be triggered at turn-on state and induce cytotoxicity. Two different types of AIE molecules were synthesized and entrapped by liposomes, respectively, to verify the PDT features against tumors in vitro and in vivo. The results indicate that, using this strategy, the photosensitivity of AIE-PS can be controlled and PDT can be treated under normal working conditions, not necessarily in a dark room.

[Comparison of the current situation of the randomized controlled trials in the treatment of anxiety with acupuncture at home and abroad].

OBJECTIVE: Through comparing the literature on the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for anxiety in Chinese and English versions, the participants, the interventions and the outcomes of the therapeutic effect evaluation in acupuncture treatment for anxiety were analyzed so as to provide the references to the high quality clinical research in the future. METHODS: The literature was retrieved on RCTs of acupuncture for anxiety at home and abroad. According to the principles and the methods of the evidence-based medicine, the information on the type of clinical research, participants, interventions and outcomes was extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 106 valid papers of the Chinese and English versions were collected. In the study at home and abroad, the concepts and recognitions were indistinct among anxiety disorder, anxious emotion and secondary anxiety disorder. The diagnostic criteria were different. Regarding the intervention, the body acupuncture was predominated in the study at home and abroad, focusing on the mind regulation. The acupoints were mainly selected for tranquilizing the mind, promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and removing irritability. Additionally, the auricular acupuncture was often adopted in the treatment of anxious emotion in foreign countries. Regarding the outcomes in the effect evaluation, the scales were not so standardized in the selection and application. The analysis was limited on the factors of the anxiety scales and the survival quality. CONCLUSION: There are the differences in the diagnostic criteria, participant inclusion, intervention and outcomes in the clinical research of anxiety treated with acupuncture at home and abroad. A rigorous design is required in the high quality clinical research for the evaluation on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on anxiety.

Moxibustion using different habitat moxa floss for moderate to severe primary knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a three-armed randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory, moxa floss is the best material for moxibustion; the effect of moxibustion is closely related to the habitats of moxa floss, among which Qichun County, Hubei Province, China, is considered as the genuine origin. However, this view has not been validated by clinical studies. Moxibustion has been proven effective in alleviating pain and improving physical function and quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This trial aims to determine whether the habitat of moxa floss contributes to the effect of moxibustion and to validate the effectiveness of moxibustion for KOA. METHODS: This is a three-armed, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial. A total of 350 patients with moderate to severe primary KOA will be randomly allocated to groups A, B, or C with a 2:2:1 ratio. Moxa stick moxibustion using moxa floss from different habitats will be applied in two experimental groups: group A, moxa floss from the habitat of Qichun County, Hubei Province, China; and group B, moxa floss from the habitat of Nanyang County, Henan Province. Group C will use non-moxa floss for sham moxibustion as control. Patients will be treated for 20 min per session, for three sessions per week for 2 weeks, and followed up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change from baseline in the pain score of the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at week 2. Secondary outcomes will include a change in the WOMAC pain score at week 6; the visual analogue scale for knee pain, the total WOMAC score, the WOMAC stiffness score, the WOMAC function score, the patient global assessment, and the responder criteria at weeks 2 and 6. Adverse events will be assessed throughout the study. DISCUSSION: This trial will help to identify the effectiveness of moxibustion for KOA and whether the habitat of moxa floss contributes to the effect of moxibustion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Acupuncture-Moxibustion Clinical Trial Registry: AMCTR-IOR-16000007 . Registered on 29 February 2016.

Design and Optimization of FBG Implantable Flexible Morphological Sensor to Realize the Intellisense for Displacement.

The measurement accuracy of the intelligent flexible morphological sensor based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) structure was limited in the application of geotechnical engineering and other fields. In order to improve the precision of intellisense for displacement, an FBG implantable flexible morphological sensor was designed in this study, and the classification morphological correction method based on conjugate gradient method and extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm was proposed. This study utilized finite element simulations and experiments, in order to analyze the feasibility of the proposed method. Then, following the corrections, the results indicated that the maximum relative error percentages of the displacements at measuring points in different bending shapes were determined to be 6.39% (Type 1), 7.04% (Type 2), and 7.02% (Type 3), respectively. Therefore, it was confirmed that the proposed correction method was feasible, and could effectively improve the abilities of sensors for displacement intellisense. In this paper, the designed intelligent sensor was characterized by temperature self-compensation, bending shape self-classification, and displacement error self-correction, which could be used for real-time monitoring of deformation field in rock, subgrade, bridge, and other geotechnical engineering, presenting the vital significance and application promotion value.

The Efficacy of Acupuncture on Anthropometric Measures and the Biochemical Markers for Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Many previous studies have shown the potential therapeutic effect of acupuncture for metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, most of these studies were limited by short durations of observation and a lack of sham acupuncture as control. We designed a randomized controlled trial, used sham acupuncture as the control, and evaluated the efficacy over 12 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up. METHODS/DESIGN: The study was designed as a multicentre, parallel-group, randomized, double-blinded trial. 40 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: treatment group (treated with acupuncture) and control group (treated with sham acupuncture). Outcomes were measured at 4, 8, and 12 weeks and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: 33 participants (17 in acupuncture group and 16 in control group) completed the treatment and the follow-up. Decreases from baseline in mean waist circumference (WC) and weight at the end of treatment were 4.85 cm (95% CI [2.405,5.595]) and 4.00 kg (95% CI [1.6208,4.4498]) in acupuncture group and 1.62 cm and 1.64 kg in control group (P < 0.01). The changes in mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and blood pressure in acupuncture group were greater than the changes in control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture decreases WC, HC, HbA1c, TG, and TC values and blood pressure in MetS.

Recommendations for acupuncture in clinical practice guidelines of the national guideline clearinghouse.

OBJECTIVE: To organize the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) related to acupuncture included in the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) to systematically summarize the diseases and disorders most commonly treated with acupuncture, the strength of recommendations for acupuncture and the quality of evidence. METHODS: The NGC database was systematically searched for guidelines that included acupuncture as an intervention. Two independent reviewers studied the summaries and the full texts of the guidelines and included guidelines based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty-nine guidelines were collected with 80 recommendations. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument was used to assess the quality of these guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 80 recommendations on acupuncture, 49 recommendations were clearly for acupuncture, 25 recommendations were against acupuncture and 6 recommendations did not indicate any clear recommendations, 37 recommendations were for painful diseases/disorders, and 12 recommendations were for non-painful diseases/disorders. Locomotor system disorders were the most common in the painful diseases/disorders category. Out of all the recommendations for acupuncture, most recommendations (87.76%) were weak in strength, and most of the evidence (40.84%) was of low quality. CONCLUSIONS: In the National Guideline Clearinghouse, the recommendations for acupuncture focus on painful diseases/disorders. The recommendations in the guidelines are not high in strength, and most of the evidence is moderate or low in quality.

[Distribution of algesia sensitized acupoints in the patients of intestinal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To judge whether algesia sensitization of some acupoints is existed and whether the acupoint algesia sensitization area is expanded in the patients of intestinal cancer. METHODS: Totally, 30 patients of intestinal cancer and 30 healthy subjects were included. The electronic Von Fray was used to determine the pressure-pain thresholds at 13 acupoints relevant with gastrointestinal disorders and the reference points at the sites 1 cun and 2 cun lateral to those points as well as the sites at the corresponding nerve segments. Compared with the pressure-pain thresholds at the reference points of the different segments, the relative value was calculated. The changes were analyzed in the pressure-pain thresholds at the relevant acupoints on the body surface in the patients of intestinal cancer as compared with the relative pressure-pain thresholds in the healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The pressure-pain thresholds at Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), Quchi (LI 11) and Dachangshu (BL 25) in the patients of intestinal cancer were all significantly reduced as compared with those of the healthy subjects (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001). At the non-acupoint sites 1 cun and 2 cun lateral to those acupoints as well as at the sites of the same segments, the pressure-pain thresholds were reduced significantly as compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001). Particularly, the sensitization zone of Yinlingquan (SP 9) focused on the acupoint, the site 1 cun lateral to it as well as the non-acupoint sites of the same segments (P<0.01, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The acupoint sensitization is displayed at Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), Quchi (LI 11), Dachangshu (BL 25) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) and the sensitization area is expended in the patients of intestinal cancer.

Multilayer Microcapsules for FRET Analysis and Two-Photon-Activated Photodynamic Therapy.

Microcapsules obtained by layer-by-layer assembly provide a good platform for biological analysis owing to their component diversity, multiple binding sites, and controllable wall thickness. Herein, different assembly species were obtained from two-photon dyes and traditional photosensitizers, and further assembled into microcapsules. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was shown to occur between the two-photon dyes and photosensitizers. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with one- and two-photon lasers, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy were used to analyze the FRET effects in the microcapsules. The FRET efficiency could easily be controlled through changing the assembly sequence. Furthermore, the capsules are phototoxic upon one- or two-photon excitation. These materials are thus expected to be applicable in two-photon-activated photodynamic therapy for deep-tissue treatment.

Efficacy and safety of using a warming needle for persistent allergic rhinitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Many previous studies have shown the potential therapeutic effect of acupuncture for allergic rhinitis. Most of these studies, however, were limited by the short duration of observations and lack of sham acupuncture as the control group. Our preliminary experiments showed that the use of a warm needling achieved a much more persistent effect in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) compared with simple acupuncture therapy. Hence, we have designed a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which the first-line medication loratadine will be used as the control group, and the effect of warm needling therapy will be evaluated through long-term observation. METHODS/DESIGN: The trial is designed as a multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, single-blinded (outcome assessors), non-inferiority trial. A total of 98 patients with persistent AR will be randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the treatment group will be treated with warm needling at GV14 and acupuncture at EX-HN3, ST2, LI20, EX-HN8, GV23, LU7, LU5 and LI4 three times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. Patients in the control group will be treated with oral loratadine 10 mg/day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) from baseline to that at 6 months after treatment during the follow-up period. The secondary outcomes will include the Total Non-nasal Symptom Score and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, changes in the TNSS from baseline to that at 2 and 4 weeks during treatment, and 3 months after treatment during the follow-up period. Outcomes will be measured at 2 and 4 weeks, and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Any side effects of treatment will be observed and recorded. DISCUSSION: We expect that the study results will provide evidence to determine the effects of warm needling compared with loratadine. Our final goal of the study is to evaluate the difference in the short-term and long-term effects between the two therapeutic methods, especially the long-term effect of warm needling. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02339714 . Registered on 14 January 2015.

Fabrication and characterizations of oligopyrrole doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid in reverse microemulsion.

The pyrrole-oligomer nanoparticles doped dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) have been fabricated in water-DBSA-isopropyl alcohol-isooctane reverse microemulsion, since DBSA could play the roles of both surfactant and dopant. We have found the optimum synthetic conditions by the analysis of factors affecting the yield and conductivity of oligopyrrole. The effect of solubility on the improved properties of DBSA-oligopyrrole in some organic solvents was studied employing UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. This indicates that doping and pyrrole-oligomers may improve the poor processibility of PPy. Its environmentally stable properties were characterized by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The maximum room temperature conductivity of products is 8.01 S/cm using the four-probe technique. The pyrrole-oligomers have been determined by the analysis of molecular weight measurement, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis were employed to investigate the formation of DBSA-oligopyrrole complexes. Correspondingly, the structural properties of DBSA-oligopyrrole were studied by infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrographs (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).