Executable Knowledge Base for Virtual Chat System

A virtual chat system enables the end user to interact with knowledge base by chatting with a virtual assistant. Besides knowledge article, a virtual assistant can also perform automation flows such as restart a virtual machine, reset the password for a PC. In many virtual chat systems, AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) is used to train the virtual agent to interact with human beings. It is also possible to integrate knowledge system and automation flow system with AIML interpreter to quickly empower virtual assistances with various domain knowledge. The disclosure provides a method to convert or link an automation flow to virtual agent understandable and executable format and enable them to perform and interact seamlessly with the users, the knowledge base system and the automation system

CCDWT-GAN: Generative Adversarial Networks Based on Color Channel Using Discrete Wavelet Transform for Document Image Binarization

To efficiently extract the textual information from color degraded document images is an important research topic. Long-term imperfect preservation of ancient documents has led to various types of degradation such as page staining, paper yellowing, and ink bleeding; these degradations badly impact the image processing for information extraction. In this paper, we present CCDWT-GAN, a generative adversarial network (GAN) that utilizes the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) on RGB (red, green, blue) channel splited images. The proposed method comprises three stages: image preprocessing, image enhancement, and image binarization. This work conducts comparative experiments in the image preprocessing stage to determine the optimal selection of DWT with normalization. Additionally, we perform an ablation study on the results of the image enhancement stage and the image binarization stage to validate their positive effect on the model performance. This work compares the performance of the proposed method with other state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods on DIBCO and H-DIBCO ((Handwritten) Document Image Binarization Competition) datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that CCDWT-GAN achieves a top two performance on multiple benchmark datasets, and outperforms other SOTA methods

Classification of second harmonic generation effect in magnetic materials

The second harmonic generation (SHG) effect is a powerful tool for characterizing the magnetic structures of materials. Bridging the connection between the SHG effect and the symmetries of magnetic materials has been at the frontier of fundamental research in condensed matter physics. The construction of a complete and exclusive classification of SHG effect of magnetic materials offers a straightforward approach to insight into these intriguing connections. In this work, we proposed a comprehensive classification of the SHG effect in magnetic materials using \emph{isomorphic group} method. Seven types of SHG effect in magnetic materials have been classified by considering the symmetries of the magnetic phases and the corresponding parent phases. This classification clearly depicts the physical origins of the SHG effect in magnetic materials with various symmetries. Specifically, the classification predicts that the magnetism could also purely contribute to the even parts (not invariant under time reversal operation, or $i$-type) of the SHG effect, which enriches the conventional understandings. In addition, a dictionary containing SHG and linear magneto-optic effect of magnetic materials in MANGDATA database is further established. The first-principles calculations on some representative magnetic materials further validate the effectiveness of the proposed classification. Our findings provide an efficient way to reveal the underlying physics of the SHG effect in magnetic materials, and can help us to explore magnetic properties via the SHG effect more conveniently and instructively

Notch-RBP-J Signaling Regulates the Mobilization and Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells by Dynamic Modulation of CXCR4 Expression in Mice

Bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have therapeutic potentials in promoting tissue regeneration, but how these cells are modulated in vivo has been elusive. Here, we report that RBP-J, the critical transcription factor mediating Notch signaling, modulates EPC through CXCR4. In a mouse partial hepatectomy (PHx) model, RBP-J deficient EPC showed attenuated capacities of homing and facilitating liver regeneration. In resting mice, the conditional deletion of RBP-J led to a decrease of BM EPC, with a concomitant increase of EPC in the peripheral blood. This was accompanied by a down-regulation of CXCR4 on EPC in BM, although CXCR4 expression on EPC in the circulation was up-regulated in the absence of RBP-J. PHx in RBP-J deficient mice induced stronger EPC mobilization. In vitro, RBP-J deficient EPC showed lowered capacities of adhering, migrating, and forming vessel-like structures in three-dimensional cultures. Over-expression of CXCR4 could at least rescue the defects in vessel formation by the RBP-J deficient EPC. These data suggested that the RBP-J-mediated Notch signaling regulated EPC mobilization and function, at least partially through dynamic modulation of CXCR4 expression. Our findings not only provide new insights into the regulation of EPC, but also have implications for clinical therapies using EPC in diseases

FAST observations of an extremely active episode of FRB 20201124A: II. Energy Distribution

We report the properties of more than 800 bursts detected from the repeating fast radio burst (FRB) source FRB 20201124A with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) during an extremely active episode on UTC September 25-28, 2021 in a series of four papers. In this second paper of the series, we mainly focus on the energy distribution of the detected bursts. The event rate initially increased exponentially but the source activity stopped within 24 hours after the 4th day. The detection of 542 bursts in one hour during the fourth day marked the highest event rate detected from one single FRB source so far. The bursts have complex structures in the time-frequency space. We find a double-peak distribution of the waiting time, which can be modeled with two log-normal functions peaking at 51.22 ms and 10.05 s, respectively. Compared with the emission from a previous active episode of the source detected with FAST, the second distribution peak time is smaller, suggesting that this peak is defined by the activity level of the source. We calculate the isotropic energy of the bursts using both a partial bandwidth and a full bandwidth and find that the energy distribution is not significantly changed. We find that an exponentially connected broken-power-law function can fit the cumulative burst energy distribution well, with the lower and higher-energy indices being $-1.22\pm0.01$ and $-4.27\pm0.23$, respectively. Assuming a radio radiative efficiency of $\eta_r = 10^{-4}$, the total isotropic energy of the bursts released during the four days when the source was active is already $3.9\times10^{46}$ erg, exceeding $\sim 23\%$ of the available magnetar dipolar magnetic energy. This challenges the magnetar models invoking an inefficient radio emission (e.g. synchrotron maser models).Comment: 26 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Research in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Electroacupuncture for relieving itching in atopic eczema: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial

BackgroundAtopic eczema (AE) is a common atopic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2.1–4.9% of the population in different countries. Pruritus, one of the most burdensome symptoms, is often underestimated for the problems it can cause, creating a vicious loop of itching, scratching, and lichenification. Therefore, further research into practical and safe treatments that relieve itchy symptoms and enhance skin protection is key to overcoming AE. Acupuncture, with or without electrical stimulation, is one of the most commonly used therapeutic measures to treat AE. This trial aimed to objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of the electroacupuncture (EA) antipruritic technique in AE pruritus and obtain high-level clinical evidence for the popularization and application of EA for AE.Methods and analysisThis multicenter, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial is planned to transpire from April 15, 2023, to June 30, 2025. We will recruit 132 participants with AE (44 per group). Participants will be assigned randomly to three equal-sized groups: EA, sham electroacupuncture, and sham acupuncture. Treatment will be administered three times a week during the 2-week intervention phase. The primary outcome measure is the Visual Analog Scale, with a numeric rating scale to evaluate pruritus. Secondary outcome measures include the Eczema Area and Severity Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index. Other outcome measures include physical examination, serum IgE, and safety evaluation. The number, nature, and severity of adverse events will be carefully recorded.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, 22Y11922200. Registered 3 September 2022, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov