LAMM: Language-Assisted Multi-Modal Instruction-Tuning Dataset, Framework, and Benchmark

Large language models have become a potential pathway toward achieving artificial general intelligence. Recent works on multi-modal large language models have demonstrated their effectiveness in handling visual modalities. In this work, we extend the research of MLLMs to point clouds and present the LAMM-Dataset and LAMM-Benchmark for 2D image and 3D point cloud understanding. We also establish an extensible framework to facilitate the extension of MLLMs to additional modalities. Our main contribution is three-fold: 1) We present the LAMM-Dataset and LAMM-Benchmark, which cover almost all high-level vision tasks for 2D and 3D vision. Extensive experiments validate the effectiveness of our dataset and benchmark. 2) We demonstrate the detailed methods of constructing instruction-tuning datasets and benchmarks for MLLMs, which will enable future research on MLLMs to scale up and extend to other domains, tasks, and modalities faster. 3) We provide a primary but potential MLLM training framework optimized for modalities' extension. We also provide baseline models, comprehensive experimental observations, and analysis to accelerate future research. Codes and datasets are now available at https://github.com/OpenLAMM/LAMM.Comment: 37 pages, 33 figures. Code available at https://github.com/OpenLAMM/LAMM ; Project page: https://openlamm.github.io

Prostaglandin signalling regulates ciliogenesis by modulating intraflagellar transport

Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that mediate signal transduction in a variety of tissues. Despite their importance, the signalling cascades that regulate cilium formation remain incompletely understood. Here we report that prostaglandin signalling affects ciliogenesis by regulating anterograde intraflagellar transport (IFT). Zebrafish leakytail (lkt) mutants show ciliogenesis defects, and the lkt locus encodes an ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCC4). We show that Lkt/ABCC4 localizes to the cell membrane and exports prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a function that is abrogated by the Lkt/ABCC4T804M mutant. PGE2 synthesis enzyme cyclooxygenase-1 and its receptor, EP4, which localizes to the cilium and activates the cyclic-AMP-mediated signalling cascade, are required for cilium formation and elongation. Importantly, PGE2 signalling increases anterograde but not retrograde velocity of IFT and promotes ciliogenesis in mammalian cells. These findings lead us to propose that Lkt/ABCC4-mediated PGE2 signalling acts through a ciliary G-protein-coupled receptor, EP4, to upregulate cAMP synthesis and increase anterograde IFT, thereby promoting ciliogenesis

Laparoscopy Combined with Enhanced Recovery Pathway in Ileocecal Resection for Crohn’s Disease: A Randomized Study

Background and Aims. Laparoscopic approach is recommended as the first-choice option for simple ileocecal resections. However, there are no randomized trials that have focused on patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) treated by laparoscopy and enhanced recovery pathway. The aim of the present study is to prospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcomes of laparoscopy with enhanced recovery pathway for CD patients undergoing ileocecal resection. Methods. A consecutive cohort of 32 CD patients who underwent laparoscopic ileocecal resection between December 2015 and December 2016 was randomized to enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) group or standard care group. Primary outcome was total postoperative hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were time to first flatus and stool, pain scores, morbidity, reoperation rate, readmission rate, and in-hospital costs. Results. Compliance with the ERAS was high for all items (≥90%) except the items of abdominal drains and early fluid intake. A significantly earlier return of bowel function was observed in the ERAS group. Compared with the standard care group, patients in the ERAS group had shorter postoperative hospital stay and lower in-hospital costs (5.19 ± 1.28 versus 9.94 ± 3.33 days, P<0.001; 2.70 ± 0.50 versus 3.73 ± 0.75 ten thousand RMB, P<0.001, respectively). Other parameters did not show any significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions. Laparoscopic approach within an ERAS perioperative care program is a safe and effective treatment combination for CD patients requiring ileocecal resection. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02777034)

Optimal Operation of Interprovincial Hydropower System Including Xiluodu and Local Plants in Multiple Recipient Regions

This paper focuses on the monthly operations of an interprovincial hydropower system (IHS) connected by ultrahigh voltage direct current lines. The IHS consists of the Xiluodu Hydropower Project, which ranks second in China, and local plants in multiple recipient regions. It simultaneously provides electricity for Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces and thus meets their complex operation requirements. This paper develops a multi-objective optimization model of maximizing the minimum of total hydropower generation for each provincial power grid while considering network security constraints, electricity contracts, and plant constraints. The purpose is to enhance the minimum power in dry season by using the differences in hydrology and regulating storage of multiple rivers. The TOPSIS method is utilized to handle this multi-objective optimization, where the complex minimax objective function is transformed into a group of easily solved linear formulations. Nonlinearities of the hydropower system are approximatively described as polynomial formulations. The model was used to solve the problem using mixed integer nonlinear programming that is based on the branch-and-bound technique. The proposed method was applied to the monthly generation scheduling of the IHS. Compared to the conventional method, both the total electricity for Guangdong Power Grid and Zhejiang Power Grid during dry season increased by 6% and 4%, respectively. The minimum monthly power also showed a significant increase of 40% and 31%. It was demonstrated that the hydrological differences between Xiluodu Plant and local hydropower plants in receiving power grids can be fully used to improve monthly hydropower generation

Rhox6 regulates the expression of distinct target genes to mediate mouse PGCLC formation and ESC self-renewal

Abstract Background Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) not only retain the property of self-renewal but also have the ability to develop into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs). However, knowledge about the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation is still limited. Rhox6, a member of the homeobox family that is located on the X chromosome, is highly expressed within PGCLCs in vivo and in vitro. However, the detailed effects of Rhox6 on PGCLC specification and mESC maintenance remain unclear. Results In this study, we found that overexpression of Rhox6 favors the formation of PGCLCs, while depletion of Rhox6 inhibits the generation of PGCLCs. Mechanistically, Rhox6 directly induces the expression of Nanos3 during the specification of PGCLCs. Subsequently, downregulation of Nanos3 expression is sufficient to decrease the ability of Rhox6 to induce PGCLC formation. Moreover, we found that depletion of Rhox6 expression facilitates the self-renewal of mESCs. High-throughput sequencing revealed that suppression of Rhox6 transcription significantly increases the expression of pluripotency genes. Functional studies further demonstrated that Rhox6 directly represses the transcription of Tbx3. Therefore, knockdown of the expression of the latter impairs the self-renewal of mESCs promoted by Rhox6 downregulation. Conclusions Our study reveals that overexpression of Rhox6 is beneficial for PGCLC generation through induction of Nanos3, while downregulation of Rhox6 contributes to mESC self-renewal by increasing Tbx3. These findings help elucidate the early development of mouse embryos

Cytotoxic Compounds from Marine Fungi: Sources, Structures, and Bioactivity

Marine fungi, such as species from the Penicillium and Aspergillus genera, are prolific producers of a diversity of natural products with cytotoxic properties. These fungi have been successfully isolated and identified from various marine sources, including sponges, coral, algae, mangroves, sediment, and seawater. The cytotoxic compounds derived from marine fungi can be categorized into five distinct classes: polyketides, peptides, terpenoids and sterols, hybrids, and other miscellaneous compounds. Notably, the pre-eminent group among these compounds comprises polyketides, accounting for 307 out of 642 identified compounds. Particularly, within this collection, 23 out of the 642 compounds exhibit remarkable cytotoxic potency, with IC50 values measured at the nanomolar (nM) or nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL) levels. This review elucidates the originating fungal strains, the sources of isolation, chemical structures, and the noteworthy antitumor activity of the 642 novel natural products isolated from marine fungi. The scope of this review encompasses the period from 1991 to 2023

Identification of Genetic Variations and Candidate Genes Responsible for Stalk Sugar Content and Agronomic Traits in Fresh Corn via GWAS across Multiple Environments

The stem and leaves of fresh corn plants can be used as green silage or can be converted to biofuels, and the stalk sugar content and yield directly determine the application value of fresh corn. To identify the genetic variations and candidate genes responsible for the related traits in fresh corn, the genome-wide scan and genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) were performed. A total of 32 selective regions containing 172 genes were detected between sweet and waxy corns. Using the stalk sugar content and seven other agronomic traits measured in four seasons over two years, the GWAS identified ninety-two significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Most importantly, seven SNPs associated with the stalk sugar content were detected across multiple environments, which could explain 13.68&ndash;17.82% of the phenotypic variation. Accessions differing in genotype for certain significant SNPs showed significant variation in the stalk sugar content and other agronomic traits, and the expression levels of six important candidate genes were significantly different between two materials with different stalk sugar content. The genetic variations and candidate genes provide valuable resources for future studies of the molecular mechanism of the stalk sugar content and establish the foundation for molecular marker-assisted breeding of fresh corn

Graphene field effect transistor for ultrasensitive label-free detection of ATP and Adenosine

Because of unique electrical and structural properties, graphene has attracted widespread attention in biosensing applications. In this paper, a single layer of graphene was grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Using graphene as the electric channel, a graphene field effect transistor (G-FET) biosensor was fabricated and used to detect adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine. Compared with traditional methods, the G-FET biosensor has the advantages of higher sensitivity and better stability. The sensor showed high performance and achieved a detection limit down to 0.5 pM for both ATP and adenosine. Moreover, the G-FET biosensor showed an excellent linear electrical response to ATP concentrations in a broad range from 0.5 pM to 50 μM. The developed graphene biosensor has high sensitivity, simple operation, and fast analysis speed, which may provide a new feasible direction to detect ATP and adenosine. Healthy sexually mature male laboratory Wistar rats, weighing 180-200 gr (“FSUE “Nursery of laboratory animals “Rappolovo”) and having been placed under quarantine not less than for 14 days, were selected for the experiment