Comprehensive Attribute Prediction Learning for Person Search by Language.

Person search by language refers to searching for the interested pedestrian images given natural language sentences, which requires capturing fine-grained differences to accurately distinguish different pedestrians, while still far from being well addressed by most of the current solutions. In this paper, we propose the Comprehensive Attribute Prediction Learning (CAPL) method, which explicitly carries out attribute prediction learning, for improving the modeling capabilities of fine-grained semantic attributes and obtaining more discriminative visual and textual representations. First, we construct the semantic ATTribute Vocabulary (ATT-Vocab) based on sentence analysis. Second, the complementary context-wise and attribute-wise attribute predictions are simultaneously conducted to better model the high-frequency in-vocab attributes in our In-vocab Attribute Prediction (IAP) module. Third, to additionally consider the out-of-vocab semantics, we present the Attribute Completeness Learning (ACL) module for better capturing the low-frequency attributes outside the ATT-Vocab, obtaining more comprehensive representations. Combining the IAP and ACL modules together, our CAPL method has obtained the currently state-of-the-art retrieval performance on two widely-used benchmarks, i.e., CUHK-PEDES and ICFG-PEDES datasets. Extensive experiments and analyses have been carried out to validate the effectiveness and generalization capacities of our CAPL method.

Simultaneous analysis of the oxidation of solvent-extracted and cold-pressed green coffee oil during accelerated storage using 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

Green coffee oil (GCO) extracted from green coffee beans, is known for its antioxidant and anticancer properties, and has been increasingly utilised in cosmetic and other consumer products. However, lipid oxidation of GCO fatty acid components during storage may be harmful to human health, and there remains a need to understand the evolution of GCO chemical component oxidation. In this study, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C NMR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the oxidation status of solvent-extracted and cold-pressed GCO under accelerated storage conditions. Results show that the signal intensity of oxidation products gradually increased with increasing oxidation time, while unsaturated fatty acid signals gradually weakened. Five different types of GCO extracts were clustered according to their properties, except for minor overlapping in the two-dimensional plane of the principal component analysis. Partial least squares-least analysis results demonstrate that oxidation products (δ = 7.8-10.3 ppm), unsaturated fatty acids (δ = 5.28-5.42 ppm), and linoleic acid (δ = 2.70-2.85 ppm) in 1H NMR can be used as characteristic indicators of GCO oxidation levels. Furthermore, the kinetics curves of unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic, and linolenic acyl groups all fit an exponential equation with high coefficients of GCO for 36 days under accelerated storage conditions. Our results show that the current NMR system is a fast, easy-operated and convenient tool for the oxidation process monitoring and quality control of GCO.

Effects of coffee pericarp and litter mulsching on soil microbiomes diversity and functions in a tropical coffee plantation, South China.

In recent decades, ecological cyclic cultivation models have attracted increasing attention, primarily because the decomposition of crop residues and litter enhances soil organic matter content, thereby altering the soil microenvironment and regulating the diversity and functions of soil microbial communities. However, the effects of different coffee waste mulching on the diversity of soil microbial communities and their functions are still unclear. Therefore, this study set up four kinds of covering treatments: uncovered coffee waste (C), covered coffee litter (L), covered coffee pericarp (P), and both covered coffee litter and pericarp (PL). The results showed that compared to the control, coffee pericarp mulching significantly increased the soil available potassium (SAK) content by 18.45% and alkali hydrolyzed N (SAN) content by 17.29%. Furthermore, coffee pericarp mulching significantly increased bacterial richness and diversity by 7.75 and 2.79%, respectively, while litter mulching had little effect on bacterial abundance and diversity was smaller. The pericarp mulching significantly increased the abundance of Proteus by 22.35% and the abundance of Chlamydomonas by 80.04%, but significantly decreased the abundance of Cyanobacteria by 68.38%, while the coffee litter mulching significantly increased the abundance of Chlamydomonas by 48.28%, but significantly decreased the abundance of Cyanobacteria by 73.98%. The increase in soil SAK promoted bacterial Anoxygenic_photoautotrophy, Nitrogen_respiration, Nitrate_respiration, Nitrite_respiration, and Denitrification functions. The above results indicate that the increase in available soil potassium and alkali hydrolyzed N content under coffee pericarp cover is the main reason for promoting the diversity and richness of bacterial community and promoting the changes in bacterial community structure and function. The use of coffee pericarps in coffee plantations for ecological recycling helps to improve the diversity of the soil microbial community and maintain the relative stability of the microbial community structure and function, promoting soil health conservation and the sustainable development of related industries.

Comparison of the effect of extraction methods on the quality of green coffee oil from Arabica coffee beans: Lipid yield, fatty acid composition, bioactive components, and antioxidant activity.

In this study, ultrasonic/microwave-assisted extraction (UMAE), microwave-assisted extraction (UAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) were applied to extract green coffee oil (GCO), and the physicochemical indexes, fatty acids, tocopherols, diterpenes, and total phenols as well as antioxidant activity of GCO were investigated and compared. The results indicated that the extraction yield of UMAE was the highest (10.58 ± 0.32%), while that of PLE was the lowest (6.34 ± 0.65%), and linoleic acid and palmitic acid were the major fatty acids in the GCO, ranging from 40.67% to 43.77% and 36.57% to 38.71%, respectively. A large proportion of fatty acids and phytosterols were not significantly influenced by the four extraction techniques. However, tocopherols, diterpenes, total phenols, and the free radical scavenging activity were significantly different among these four GCOs. Moreover, structural changes in the coffee residues were explored by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Overall, the high antioxidant activity of GCO demonstrated that it can be used as a highly economical natural product in the food and agricultural industries.

Chemical composition, structural and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber obtained from coffee peel using different extraction methods.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chemical, enzymatic, chemical-enzymatic, ultrasound-assisted enzymatic, and shear emulsifying-assisted enzymatic extraction methods on the physicochemical, structural, and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber from coffee peel. We found that the highest extraction yield of soluble dietary fiber was obtained using the shear emulsifying-assisted enzymatic method, and that similar protein contents were obtained from coffee peel using the enzymatic and shear emulsifying-assisted enzymatic methods. Compared with the other extraction methods, shear emulsifying-assisted enzymatic processing resulted in a higher water-holding capacity (7.05 g/g) and oil-holding capacity (3.61 g/g), but a lower emulsifying capacity (58.50%) when compared with that of chemical, enzymatic, and chemical-enzymatic processings. The soluble dietary fiber obtained from coffee peel using shear emulsifying-assisted enzymatic extraction was also characterized by the highest glucose absorption activity (228.06 mg/g), and enzymatic processing resulted in the highest nitrite ion absorption capacity (10.09 mg/g, pH = 2). These results indicated that shear emulsifying-assisted enzymatic extraction method was the most appropriate extraction method for coffee peel soluble dietary fiber.

Cellular analysis of a novel mutation p. Ser287Tyr in TOR1A in late-onset isolated dystonia.

BACKGROUND: Variations in TOR1A were thought to be associated with early-onset isolated dystonia. The variant S287Y (NM_000113.2: c.860C > A, p. Ser287Tyr, rs766483672) was found in our late-onset isolated dystonia patient. This missense variant is adjacent to R288Q (c.863G > A, p. Arg288Gln), which was reported to be associated with isolated dystonia. The potentially pathogenic role of S287Y is not conclusively known. METHODS: Cytological and molecular biological analyses were performed in vitro to determine whether this variant damages the structure and function of the cell. RESULTS: Compared with the SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing wild-type TOR1A, the cells overexpressing the protein with S287Y have an enlarged peri-nuclear space. The same changes in nuclear morphology were also found in the cells overexpressing the pathogenic variants ΔE (NM_000113.2:c.904_906delGAG, p. Glu302del), F205I (NM_000113.2:c.613 T > A, p. Phe205Ile), and R288Q (NM_000113.2:c.863G > A, p. Arg288Gln). Mutated proteins with S287Y presented a higher tendency to form dimers under reducing conditions. The same tendencies were observed in other mutated proteins but not in wild-type torsinA. CONCLUSIONS: TorsinA with S287Y damages the structure of the cell nucleus and may be a novel pathogenic mutation that causes isolated dystonia.

Characterization of the Lipid Oxidation Process of Robusta Green Coffee Beans and Shelf Life Prediction during Accelerated Storage.

The lipid oxidation process of Robusta green coffee beans was characterized during accelerated storage for 20 days at 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C. The conventional oxidation indexes and fatty acid compositions were evaluated, and the shelf life of the green coffee beans was predicted using the Arrhenius model. The acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, total oxidation value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and free fatty acid content increased throughout storage, while the moisture content, p-anisidine value, and unsaturated fatty acid content decreased, which suggests that lipid oxidation occurred during accelerated storage. The predicted shelf life of green coffee bean samples were 57.39 days, 44.44 days, and 23.12 days when stored at 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C, respectively. This study provided scientific evidence of the impact of lipid oxidation on the loss of quality during the accelerated storage of green coffee beans.

Resequencing 93 accessions of coffee unveils independent and parallel selection during Coffea species divergence.

Coffea arabica, C. canephora and C. excelsa, with differentiated morphological traits and distinct agro-climatic conditions, compose the majority of the global coffee plantation. To comprehensively understand their genetic diversity and divergence for future genetic improvement requires high-density markers. Here, we sequenced 93 accessions encompassing these three Coffea species, uncovering 15,367,960 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNPs are unequally distributed across different genomic regions and gene families, with two disease-resistant gene families showing the highest SNP density, suggesting strong balancing selection. Meanwhile, the allotetraploid C. arabica exhibits greater nucleotide diversity, followed by C. canephora and C. excelsa. Population divergence (FST), population stratification and phylogeny all support strong divergence among species, with C. arabica and its parental species C. canephora being closer genetically. Scanning of genomic islands with elevated FST and structure-disruptive SNPs contributing to species divergence revealed that most of the selected genes in each lineage are independent, with a few being selected in parallel for two or three species, such as genes in root hair cell development, flavonols accumulation and disease-resistant genes. Moreover, some of the SNPs associated with coffee lipids exhibit significantly biased allele frequency among species, being valuable for interspecific breeding. Overall, our study not only uncovers the key population genomic patterns among species but also contributes a substantial genomic resource for coffee breeding.

Evaluation of the impact of different drying methods on the phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and in vitro digestion of green coffee beans.

We investigated the effects of different drying methods (room temperature drying, heat pump drying, freeze drying, microwave vacuum drying [MVD], and combined microwave power vacuum drying) on the active ingredients of green coffee beans. We specifically focused on eleven phenolic acids, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (LPO), and enzyme activity, and the bio-accessibility in vitro and bioavailability of phenolics and antioxidant activities were also evaluated. MVD-treated beans had the lowest PPO activity and the highest contents of 5-caffeoylquinic acid (1.39 g/100 g DW), 3-feruloylquinic acid (0.25 g/100 g DW), 4-feruloylquinic acid (0.25 g/100 g DW), 5-feruloylquinic acid (1.52 g/100 g DW), and TPC (5.98 g GAE/100 g DW), and the highest antioxidant activity. MVD was the least time-consuming (0.63 hr/kg) and energy-consuming (1.88 kwh/kg) method. Moreover, the strongest inhibition of LPO and α-glucosidase was observed in MVD-treated beans. Thus, MVD is suggested to be the most suitable drying technique for the preservation of phenolic compounds and bioactivities of green coffee beans.

Comparative evaluation of the volatile profiles and taste properties of roasted coffee beans as affected by drying method and detected by electronic nose, electronic tongue, and HS-SPME-GC-MS.

In this study, room-temperature drying, solar drying, heat pump drying (HPD), hot-air drying, and freeze drying were applied to investigate the volatile profiles and taste properties of roasted coffee beans by using electronic nose, electronic tongue, and headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Results indicated that the drying process markedly affected pH, total titratable acidity, total solids, and total soluble solids. Significant differences existed among all samples based on drying method; and the HPD method was superior for preserving ketones, phenols, and esters. Principal component analysis (PCA) combined with E-nose and E-tongue radar charts as well as the fingerprint of HS-SPME-GC-MS could clearly discriminate samples from different drying methods, with results obtained from hierarchical cluster analysis (the Euclidean distance is 0.75) being in agreement with those of PCA. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for the dehydration of coffee beans and other similar thermo-sensitive agricultural products.

Effect of Microwave Vacuum Drying on the Drying Characteristics, Color, Microstructure, and Antioxidant Activity of Green Coffee Beans.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of microwave vacuum drying (MVD) on the drying characteristics and quality attributes of green coffee beans. We specifically focused on the effective moisture diffusion coefficient (Deff), surface temperature, glass transition temperature (Tg), water state, and microstructure. The kinetics of color changes during drying, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS) were also characterized. Microwave power during MVD affected the porosity of coffee beans, their color, TPC, and antioxidant activity. The Allometric 1 model was the most suitable for simulating surface temperature rise kinetics. Thermal processing of green coffee beans resulted in increased b*, L*, ΔE, and TPC values, and greater antioxidant capacity. These findings may provide a theoretical reference for the technical improvement, mechanisms of flavor compound formation, and quality control of dried green coffee beans.

Deletion variant rs35153737 in TOR1A is associated with isolated dystonia in a Southwestern Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND: TOR1A plays a very important role in early-onset isolated dystonia. Studying the association between the common variants of this gene and dystonia can help us understand the connection between TOR1A mutations and this disease. METHODS: The TOR1A exon 5 was sequenced in 223 isolated dystonia patients and 210 age-adjusted controls. Patients and controls all came from Southwest China. RESULTS: The following two common variants were found in the 3'-UTR of TOR1A: NM_000113.2:c.*414delG (rs35153737) and NM_000113.2:c.*824delG (rs3842225). The rs35153737 variant showed a statistically significant association with dystonia using the allele model (P=0.035) and the dominant genetic model (P=0.018); however, no association between rs3842225 and dystonia was found. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that there is an association between rs35153737 and dystonia in a southwestern Chinese population, and it may be caused by high linkage disequilibrium between this deletion and potential pathogenic variants in TOR1A.

A rare variant in TOR1A exon 5 associated with isolated dystonia in southwestern Chinese.

BACKGROUND: TOR1A has been proposed as an important genetic factor in early-onset isolated dystonia. Variants located in the 3' untranslated region of TOR1A are of particular importance because they may influence gene expression, although related studies are limited. The objectives of the present study focused on variants in the TOR1A 3' untranslated region. METHODS: The last exon of TOR1A was sequenced in 229 cases with isolated dystonia and in 210 controls. In addition, 471 controls were tested to determine the frequency of the variants in the 3' untranslated region. RESULTS: Except for c.904_906delGAG, 3 rare sequence variants (NM_000113.2:c.*454T>A, NM_000113.2:c.860C>A [rs766483672], and NM_000113.2:c.*302T>A [rs563498119]) were found only in the patients. The c.*302T>A variant was located in the conserved region of the human microRNA (hsa-miR-494) binding site. A luciferase reporter assay showed that c.*302T>A significantly altered gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Population frequencies, computational analyses, and function experiments in this study implied that c.*302T>A is associated with dystonia. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.