Boosting Conversational Question Answering with Fine-Grained Retrieval-Augmentation and Self-Check

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) aims to generate more reliable and accurate responses, by augmenting large language models (LLMs) with the external vast and dynamic knowledge. Most previous work focuses on using RAG for single-round question answering, while how to adapt RAG to the complex conversational setting wherein the question is interdependent on the preceding context is not well studied. In this paper, we propose a conversation-level RAG approach, which incorporates fine-grained retrieval augmentation and self-check for conversational question answering (CQA). In particular, our approach consists of three components, namely conversational question refiner, fine-grained retriever and self-check based response generator, which work collaboratively for question understanding and relevant information acquisition in conversational settings. Extensive experiments demonstrate the great advantages of our approach over the state-of-the-art baselines. Moreover, we also release a Chinese CQA dataset with new features including reformulated question, extracted keyword, retrieved paragraphs and their helpfulness, which facilitates further researches in RAG enhanced CQA

Construction and immunological characterization of CD40L or GM-CSF incorporated Hantaan virus like particle

Infection of Hantaan virus (HTNV) usually causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). China has the worst epidemic incidence of HFRS as well as high fatality. Inactivated whole virus has been used for HFRS vaccination, however there are still problems such as safety concerns. CD40 ligand (CD40L) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are well-known immune stimulating molecules that can enhance antigen presenting, lymphocytes activation and maturation, incorporation of CD40L and GM-CSF to the surface of virus like particles (VLPs) can greatly improve the vaccination effect. We constructed eukaryotic vectors expressing HTNV M segment and S segment, as well as vectors expressing HTNV M segment with CD40L or GM-CSF, our results showed successful production of CD40L or GM-CSF incorporated HTNV VLPs. In vitro stimulation with CD40L or GM-CSF anchored HTNV VLP showed enhanced activation of macrophages and DCs. CD40L/GM-CSF incorporated VLP can induce higher level of HTNV specific antibody and neutralizing antibody in mice. Immunized mice splenocytes showed higher ability of secreting IFN-γ and IL-2, as well as enhancing CTL activity. These results suggest CD40L/GM-CSF incorporated VLP can serve as prospective vaccine candidate

Mine personnel fusion location system

For problems that mine personnel location system based on traditional received signal strength indication (RSSI) fingerprint location algorithm had heavy workload in fingerprint database collection during off-line stage and was easily influenced by underground environment, and the location system based on pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) algorithm had accumulative error, a mine personnel fusion location system was proposed which was based on an improved RSSI fingerprint location algorithm and PDR algorithm. The system uses intelligent terminals consisting of GS1011 controller and MPU9150 inertial sensor to send the data of inertial sensor, RSSI and timestamp to location server on the ground through underground WiFi network. The location server fuses location information of RSSI fingerprinting location algorithm and PDR algorithm by use of extended Kalman filter, so as to realize underground personnel location. The test result shows that the average location error of the system is 1.79 m and smaller than the one of RSSI fingerprint location algorithm or PDR algorithm, and location accuracy satisfies underground personnel location requirement

Pore Connectivity Characterization of Lacustrine Shales in Changling Fault Depression, Songliao Basin, China: Insights into the Effects of Mineral Compositions on Connected Pores

Pore connectivity of lacustrine shales was inadequately documented in previous papers. In this work, lacustrine shales from the lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation in the Changling Fault Depression (CFD) were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP), low pressure gas (CO2 and N2) sorption (LPGA) and spontaneous fluid imbibition (SFI) experiments. The results show that pores observed from FE-SEM images are primarily interparticle (interP) pores in clay minerals and organic matter (OM) pores. The dominant pore width obtained from LPGA and MICP data is in the range of 0.3–0.7 nm and 3–20 nm. The slopes of n-decane and deionized (DI) water SFI are in the range of 0.34–0.55 and 0.22–0.38, respectively, suggesting a mixed wetting nature and better-connected hydrophobic pores than hydrophilic pores in the Shahezi shales. Low pore connectivity is identified by the dominant nano-size pore widths (0.3–20 nm), low DI water SFI slopes (around 0.25), high geometric tortuosity (4.75–8.89) and effective tortuosity (1212–6122). Pore connectivity follows the order of calcareous shale > argillaceous shale > siliceous shale. The connected pores of Shahezi shales is mainly affected by the high abundance and coexistence of OM pores and clay, carbonate minerals host pores

Fractal characteristics of nanopores in lacustrine shales of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, NW China

To further understand fractal characteristics of nanopores in lacustrine shales, core samples from Chang-7 and Chang-9 members of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, southern Ordos Basin were investigated. Total organic carbon content, vitrinite reflectance, X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and low pressure N2 physisorption (LPNP) experiments were performed. The Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) method was applied to characterize the fractal dimensions using LPNP isotherms. Two fractal dimensions (D1 and D2) were determined at relative pressures of 0-0.45 and 0.45-1, respectively. The Chang-7 shales have a D1 and D2 range of 2.17-2.36 and 2.46-2.63, while the Chang-9 shales have D1values of 2.23-2.40 and D2 values of 2.46-2.64. Fractal dimensions of the selected lacustrine shales are affected by shale mineral compositions and pore structure parameters. Positive correlations of D1 and D2 with clay minerals and quartz contents, and negative correlations of D1 and D2 with TOC contents were presented in the present study. Observations of few organic matter pores and abundant inorganic pores hosted in the Yanchang shales may contribute to these correlations. In addition, comparisons of matrix composition, nanopore fractal characteristics between the Chang-7 shales and the Chang-9 shales suggest that the latter may have more irregular and heterogeneous pore structure

The Impacts of Matrix Compositions on Nanopore Structure and Fractal Characteristics of Lacustrine Shales from the Changling Fault Depression, Songliao Basin, China

The Lower Cretaceous Shahezi shales are the targets for lacustrine shale gas exploration in Changling Fault Depression (CFD), Southern Songliao Basin. In this study, the Shahezi shales were investigated to further understand the impacts of rock compositions, including organic matters and minerals on pore structure and fractal characteristics. An integrated experiment procedure, including total organic carbon (TOC) content, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), low pressure nitrogen physisorption (LPNP), and mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP), was conducted. Seven lithofacies can be identified according to on a mineralogy-based classification scheme for shales. Inorganic mineral hosted pores are the most abundant pore type, while relatively few organic matter (OM) pores are observed in FE-SEM images of the Shahezi shales. Multimodal pore size distribution characteristics were shown in pore width ranges of 0.5⁻0.9 nm, 3⁻6 nm, and 10⁻40 nm. The primary controlling factors for pore structure in Shahezi shales are clay minerals rather than OM. Organic-medium mixed shale (OMMS) has the highest total pore volumes (0.0353 mL/g), followed by organic-rich mixed shale (ORMS) (0.02369 mL/g), while the organic-poor shale (OPS) has the lowest pore volumes of 0.0122 mL/g. Fractal dimensions D1 and D2 (at relative pressures of 0⁻0.5 and 0.5⁻1 of LPNP isotherms) were obtained using the Frenkel⁻Halsey⁻Hill (FHH) method, with D1 ranging from 2.0336 to 2.5957, and D2 between 2.5779 and 2.8821. Fractal dimensions are associated with specific lithofacies, because each lithofacies has a distinctive composition. Organic-medium argillaceous shale (OMAS), rich in clay, have comparatively high fractal dimension D1. In addition, organic-medium argillaceous shale (ORAS), rich in TOC, have comparatively high fractal dimension D2. OPS shale contains more siliceous and less TOC, with the lowest D1 and D2. Factor analysis indicates that clay contents is the most significant factor controlling the fractal dimensions of the lacustrine Shahezi shale

Prognosis and influencing factors of follicular thyroid cancer

Abstract Objectives Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) is prone to distant metastasis, and patients with distant metastasis often have poor prognosis. In this study, the impact of metastasis and other relevant factors on the prognosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma was examined. Methods This was a retrospective study. Data were obtained from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center and Hangzhou First People's Hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from January 2009 to June 2021 for 153 FTC patients. The patients were assigned into three groups according to their distant metastasis: distant metastasis at initial diagnosis (M1), distant metastasis during follow‐up (M2), and no evidence of distant metastasis over the course of the study (M0). Data were collected and summarized on clinical data, laboratory parameters, imaging features, postoperative pathologic subtypes, and metastases. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to perform the univariate and multivariate analysis. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to evaluate cancer‐specific survival (CSS). Results Based on metastasis, the patients were assigned into three groups, including 31 in the M1 group, 15 in the M2 group, and 107 in the M0 group. These individuals were followed up for an average of 5.9 years, and the group included 46 patients with distant metastasis (31 confirmed at diagnosis and 15 found during follow‐up). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), surgery method, postoperative adjuvant therapy, histologic subtype, nodule size, calcification, TSH, and distant metastasis all impacted prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that histologic subtype (widely invasive; HR: 7.440; 95% CI: 3.083, 17.954; p < 0.001), nodule size (≥40 mm; HR: 8.622; 95% CI: 3.181, 23.369; p < 0.001) and distant metastasis (positive; HR: 6.727; 95% CI: 2.488, 18.186; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of follicular thyroid cancer. Conclusions Histologic subtype, nodule size, and distant metastasis are important risk factors for the prognosis of follicular thyroid cancer. Patients with metastatic follicular thyroid cancer have a poor prognosis, especially with metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis. As a result, this group of patients requires individualized treatment and closer follow‐up

High B (s) Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy with high impurity tolerance

High B (s) Fe82.5Si3B13P0.5C0.2Cu0.8 alloys with high impurity tolerance were successfully developed and prepared into ribbons with fully amorphous and uniform nanocrystalline microstructure. By comparing samples made with industrial grade and pure raw materials, it is found that the impurities in the commonly used industrial grade raw materials mainly affect the amorphous forming ability and amorphous structure of the as-spun ribbons. The effects of impurities on crystallization behaviors and magnetic properties can be inhibited in the amorphous ribbon production process for the alloys with a high impurity tolerance. The Fe82.5Si3B13P0.5C0.2Cu0.8 nanocrystalline alloy ribbons prepared with industrial grade raw materials exhibit excellent magnetic properties, containing high B (s) over 1.79 T, low H (c) of 9.5 A/m and maximum permeability (mu (m)) of 4 x 10(4), which are similar to the samples made with pure raw materials with unacceptable high cost. Combining the low cost of raw materials, good manufacturability and excellent magnetic properties, the present Fe82.5Si3B13P0.5C0.2Cu0.8 alloy will become a promising candidate for mass production and also provide a good reference for future development of high B (s) nanocrystalline alloys