CSI-F: A Human Motion Recognition Method Based on Channel-State-Information Signal Feature Fusion.

The recognition of human activity is crucial as the Internet of Things (IoT) progresses toward future smart homes. Wi-Fi-based motion-recognition stands out due to its non-contact nature and widespread applicability. However, the channel state information (CSI) related to human movement in indoor environments changes with the direction of movement, which poses challenges for existing Wi-Fi movement-recognition methods. These challenges include limited directions of movement that can be detected, short detection distances, and inaccurate feature extraction, all of which significantly constrain the wide-scale application of Wi-Fi action-recognition. To address this issue, we propose a direction-independent CSI fusion and sharing model named CSI-F, one which combines Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU). Specifically, we have introduced a series of signal-processing techniques that utilize antenna diversity to eliminate random phase shifts, thereby removing noise influences unrelated to motion information. Later, by amplifying the Doppler frequency shift effect through cyclic actions and generating a spectrogram, we further enhance the impact of actions on CSI. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this method, we conducted experiments on datasets collected in natural environments. We confirmed that the superposition of periodic actions on CSI can improve the accuracy of the process. CSI-F can achieve higher recognition accuracy compared with other methods and a monitoring coverage of up to 6 m.

Effect of acupuncture treatment on smoking cessation in smokers from Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of smokers treated with acupuncture for smoking cessation in Hong Kong. METHODS: A total of 2051 subjects were recruited in a clinical pilot research project "acupuncture for smoking cessation", which was conducted jointly by Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Hong Kong Pok Oi Hospital from January of 2011 to December of 2013. The characteristics of study subjects, including baseline information, smoking background, intention to quit and influencing factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The majority of subjects treated with acupuncture for smoking cessation in Hong Kong was male (66.7% ), but the proportion of female smokers in this study (33.3%) was higher than that of female smokers in Hong Kong population (13.8%, P < 0.05). Subjects were at the mean age of 43.83 years old, of which the percentage of females aged 31-40 years was the highest (38.8% , P < 0.05). The mean duration of smoking was 25.49 years. The number of cigarettes smoked per day was 17.57 cigarettes. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was 5.29 points. Most of the subjects had attempted quitting smoking (81.42% ). The confidence index (7.44 points) and the readiness to quit smoking (8.13 points) were high. Subjects quitting smoking were mostly due to health cause (81.91%). The majority of subjects were at the level of middle school (61.63%). The higher the educational level was, the lower the tobacco dependence was and the higher the confidence in successfully quitting smoking was. 50.27% of subjects chose acupuncture for smoking cessation mainly through friends, television and network publicity. Subjects who had received acupuncture had the highest confidence index, while those who wanted to try a new method had the lower confidence index. smoking cessation mainly through friends, television and network publicity. Subjects who had received acupuncture had the highest confidence index, while those who wanted to try a new method had the lower confidence index. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture for smoking cessation was more popular in female smokers, especially those aged 31-40 years. The effectiveness of acupuncture-smoking cessation was most significant in the smokers over 60.

GDI2 deletion alleviates neurodegeneration and memory loss in the 5xFAD mice model of Alzheimer's disease.

Accumulation of insoluble deposits of amyloid ß-peptide (Aß), derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, represents one of the major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Perturbations in APP transport and hydrolysis could lead to increased Aß production. However, the precise mechanisms underlying APP transport remain elusive. The GDP dissociation inhibitor2 (GDI2), a crucial regulator of Rab GTPase activity and intracellular vesicle and membrane trafficking, was investigated for its impact on AD pathogenesis through neuron-specific knockout of GDI2 in 5xFAD mice. Notably, deficiency of GDI2 significantly ameliorated cognitive impairment, prevented neuronal loss in the subiculum and cortical layer V, reduced senile plaques as well as astrocyte activation in 5xFAD mice. Conversely, increased activated microglia and phagocytosis were observed in GDI2 ko mice. Further investigation revealed that GDI2 knockout led to more APP co-localized with the ER rather than the Golgi apparatus and endosomes in SH-SY5Y cells, resulting in decreased Aß production. Collectively, these findings suggest that GDI2 may regulate Aß production by modulating APP intracellular transport and localization dynamics. In summary, our study identifies GDI2 as a pivotal regulator governing APP transport and process implicated in AD pathology; thus highlighting its potential as an attractive pharmacological target for future drug development against AD.

Deficiency of the Tmem232 Gene Causes Male Infertility with Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagellum in Mice.

The axoneme and accessory structures of flagella are critical for sperm motility and male fertilization. Sperm production needs precise and highly ordered gene expression to initiate and sustain the many cellular processes that result in mature spermatozoa. Here, we identified a testis enriched gene transmembrane protein 232 (Tmem232), which is essential for the structural integrity of the spermatozoa flagella axoneme. Tmem232 knockout mice were generated for in vivo analyses of its functions in spermatogenesis. Phenotypic analysis showed that deletion of Tmem232 in mice causes male-specific infertility. Transmission electron microscopy together with scanning electron microscopy were applied to analyze the spermatozoa flagella and it was observed that the lack of TMEM232 caused failure of the cytoplasm removal and the absence of the 7th outer microtubule doublet with its corresponding outer dense fiber (ODF). Co-IP assays further identified that TMEM232 interacts with ODF family protein ODF1, which is essential to maintain sperm motility. In conclusion, our findings indicate that TMEM232 is a critical protein for male fertility and sperm motility by regulating sperm cytoplasm removal and maintaining axoneme integrity.

RBM46 is essential for gametogenesis and functions in post-transcriptional roles affecting meiotic cohesin subunits.

RBM46 is a germ cell-specific RNA-binding protein required for gametogenesis, but the targets and molecular functions of RBM46 remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that RBM46 binds at specific motifs in the 3'UTRs of mRNAs encoding multiple meiotic cohesin subunits and show that RBM46 is required for normal synaptonemal complex formation during meiosis initiation. Using a recently reported, high-resolution technique known as LACE-seq and working with low-input cells, we profiled the targets of RBM46 at single-nucleotide resolution in leptotene and zygotene stage gametes. We found that RBM46 preferentially binds target mRNAs containing GCCUAU/GUUCGA motifs in their 3'UTRs regions. In Rbm46 knockout mice, the RBM46-target cohesin subunits displayed unaltered mRNA levels but had reduced translation, resulting in the failed assembly of axial elements, synapsis disruption, and meiotic arrest. Our study thus provides mechanistic insights into the molecular functions of RBM46 in gametogenesis and illustrates the power of LACE-seq for investigations of RNA-binding protein functions when working with low-abundance input materials.

Quantitative Analysis of Berberidis Cortex via Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by Single Marker (QAMS) Combined with Fingerprint and Chemometrics Methods.

Berberidis Cortex is rich in alkaloids, and many of them have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities. However, few research studies have focused on the quantitative analysis of multiple components from Berberidis Cortex. In this study, a new quality evaluation strategy for Berberidis Cortex was developed and validated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which involved single marker, fingerprint, and stoichiometric methods. Using berberine hydrochloride as an internal reference, the relative correction factors of palmatine hydrochloride, magnoline, and jatrorrhizine hydrochloride were 2.4537, 0.9783, and 1.0035, respectively, and their durabilities were also well performed. In addition, both methods mentioned above were used to compare the mass fractions of four isoquinoline alkaloids in ten batches of Berberidis Cortex from different origins. These results indicated that the approach applied in this study was accurate and feasible. The fingerprints of these ten batches of Berberidis Cortex were established, and eleven components were identified with the similarity greater than 0.993. Both cluster and principal component analysis were carried out based on the peak area of these components, the results demonstrated that these ten batches of Berberidis Cortex were divided into two groups and the distribution of the medicinal material was basically consistent. Therefore, quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS) can be widely used in the quality control of Berberidis Cortex as theoretical basis.

[Characteristics of Mercury Emissions from Coal-fired Power Plants in Chongqing].

Four typical coal-fired power plants in Chongqing, representing two different boiler types (circulating fluidized bed boiler and pulverized coal boiler), were chosen to investigate mercury emission characteristics through a mercury mass balance method by analyzing mercury contents in all input and output raw materials in order to accurately estimate mercury emissions. The results showed coal with mercury concentrations ranging (80.77±6.39)-(266.83±4.71) µg·kg-1 could be a significant contributor of input mercury in these four studied power plants. Most mercury output from these power plants entered into solid waste with high proportion of mercury entering the fly ash in CFB plants and entering the fly ash and desulfurization gypsum in PC plants. Mercury removal efficiencies of studied plants were in the range of 72.89%-96.05%, and these efficiencies in CFB plants were higher than those in PC plants. The mercury emission factors for EFelectricity and EFcoal of these four plants were 4.66-29.47 µg·(kW·h)-1 and 8.55-71.77 mg·t-1, respectively. The mercury emission was also calculated to be 6.13-429.17 g·d-1. Mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants were associated with the content of mercury in coal, boiler type, generation load, pollution control equipment, and so on. To control the mercury emissions, more attention should be paid to improving the generation load, increasing the mercury removal efficiency of flue gas cleaning equipment, and strengthening the supervision of solid waste re-utilization.

[Characteristics of Mercury Emissions from Modern Dry Processing Cement Plants in Chongqing].

Three typical modern dry processing cement plants in Chongqing were chosen to investigate mercury emission characteristics and its source and fate through a mercury mass balance method by analyzing mercury contents in all input and output materials. The results showed that limestone was the main source of mercury in three cement plants followed by coal, and their mercury concentrations were (0.025±0.001)-(0.032±0.002) mg·kg-1and (0.080±0.002)-(0.110±0.012) mg·kg-1, respectively. The highest mercury level in all required input materials was (0.447±0.007)-(0.525±0.009) mg·kg-1 for gypsum, while the mercury content of other raw materials were very low. Most of the mercury released from these cement plants entered into flue gas, and the mercury of gypsum entered into cement. The mercury emission fluxes were calculated to be (73.42±8.10)-(215.18±10.75) g·d-1 in these three selected plants. The mercury emission factors for clinke and cement (EFclinker and EFcement) were (0.016±0.001)-(0.049±0.001) g·t-1 and (0.011±0.000)-(0.036±0.001) g·t-1, respectively, which were significantly lower than that employed in cement industry according to the foreign mercury emission factors in the past.

Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation in Hong Kong: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study.

This was a prospective multicenter observational study, aiming to explore the effects of acupuncture on smoking cessation in Hong Kong. From March of 2010 to August of 2015, a total of 5202 smokers were recruited based on inclusion criteria and treated with acupuncture for 8 weeks. As a result, 2940 subjects finished the study with a drop-out rate of 43.48%. The self-reported 7-day point abstinence rate was 34.00% in Week 8 and 18.40% in Week 52. The exhaled carbon monoxide level and the number of cigarettes smoked per day were reduced significantly after treatment. The time to relapse was calculated to be 38.71 days. In addition, "cigarettes smoked per day," "Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence," "total sessions of acupuncture," "whether finished 8 acupuncture treatments in the first month," and "total sessions of acupuncture" were believed to be essential factors for abstinence success. It was concluded that acupuncture was a safe method for smoking cessation and was effective in helping smokers to quit; therefore, acupuncture could be considered as one of the methods to help smokers quit. Further studies regarding the effect differences between acupuncture and medications were needed to clarify the overall benefits of acupuncture.

Predictors for Smoking Cessation with Acupuncture in a Hong Kong Population.

Background. Observational studies of smoking cessation with acupuncture have been reported widely; however, few researchers have focused on its predictors. Objective. This paper attempts to explore the predictors for smoking cessation with acupuncture in a Hong Kong population, aiming to provide references for clinical treatment in the future. Methods. We performed a secondary analysis of data from our observational study "Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation (2011-2014)" in Hong Kong. A total of 23 indexes were selected as possible predictors, and study participants with complete information of 23 indexes were included. By taking 8-week and 52-week smoking cessation results as dependent variables, binary logistic regression method was used to identify the predictors. Additionally, based on an M5P decision-tree algorithm, an equation of "successful rate of smoking cessation with acupuncture" was calculated. Results. (1) 2,051 study participants were included in total. (2) According to the results of binary logistic regression, variables including treatment location, total number of acupuncture sessions received, and whether the study participants received at least 6 sessions of acupuncture were taken as the short-term predictors; gender, treatment location, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and total number of acupuncture sessions received were taken as the long-term predictors. (3) According to study participants' FTND, treatment location, and number of cigarettes smoked/day, the equation of "successful rate of smoking cessation with acupuncture" was established. Conclusion. Receiving sufficient and qualified acupuncture is the leading factor for short-term smoking cessation with acupuncture, whereas individual factors and smoking background play a more important role in long-term smoking cessation with acupuncture.

Predicting future blood demand from thalassemia major patients in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: In Hong Kong, thalassemia major (TM) patients utilized up to 9.5% of blood supply in 2009. For long-term management of blood supply, we predicted the future blood demand of TM patients for the next 10 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: Annual individual transfusion data in 2005-2009 and demographic information of 381 TM patients were obtained from the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service database. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was fitted to establish the potential relations of blood demand with age, sex, body weight, year of transfusion and splenectomy, accounted for within-patient correlation. The fitted model was used to predict future blood demand for the existing patients by accounting for expected change in body weight and mortality rate. We also predicted the number of new cases in the future based on age- and sex-specific TM incidence and official population projections. Future blood demand was predicted by combining blood demand from the existing and new patients. Female (RR = 0.94, p = 0.006) and history of splenectomy (RR = 0.85, p<0.001) were significantly associated with lower blood demand, while age and weight had an inverted U-shape relation with maximal blood demand at around 24 years of age and 71.8 kg, respectively. We predicted that the total blood demand would increase 0.81% annually from 13,459 units in 2009 to 15,183 units in 2024, with new TM cases accounting for 31.7% of the overall blood demand in 2024. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that future annual blood demand from TM patients would steadily increase in the next 10 years. Reducing incidence of TM cases in the future (by improving public education, antenatal care, prenatal diagnosis) and minimizing blood use among existing TM cases (e.g. with hemopoietic stem cell transplantation) can help relieve the burden on management of future blood demand.