Deep Learning Based Stage-wise Two-dimensional Speaker Localization with Large Ad-hoc Microphone Arrays

While deep-learning-based speaker localization has shown advantages in challenging acoustic environments, it often yields only direction-of-arrival (DOA) cues rather than precise two-dimensional (2D) coordinates. To address this, we propose a novel deep-learning-based 2D speaker localization method leveraging ad-hoc microphone arrays, where an ad-hoc microphone array is composed of randomly distributed microphone nodes, each of which is equipped with a traditional array. Specifically, we first employ convolutional neural networks at each node to estimate speaker directions. Then, we integrate these DOA estimates using triangulation and clustering techniques to get 2D speaker locations. To further boost the estimation accuracy, we introduce a node selection algorithm that strategically filters the most reliable nodes. Extensive experiments on both simulated and real-world data demonstrate that our approach significantly outperforms conventional methods. The proposed node selection further refines performance. The real-world dataset in the experiment, named Libri-adhoc-node10 which is a newly recorded data described for the first time in this paper, is online available at https://github.com/Liu-sp/Libri-adhoc-nodes10

Relationship between hydrogeochemical characteristics of hot springs and seismic activity in the Jinshajiang fault zone, Southeast Tibetan Plateau

Significant anomalous hydrogeochemical changes in hot spring water are detected during strong seismic cycles. It is now necessary to clarify the relationship between tectonic movements, earthquakes and the evolution of hot springs. In this paper, laboratory analyses of major, trace elements, δD, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr values of 28 hot spring waters in the Jinshajiang fault zone (JSJFZ) in the northwestern boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan block were conducted. The results showed that the primary source of water for JSJFZ hot springs was atmospheric precipitation. The geothermal reservoir temperature variation based on the silicon enthalpy mixing model ranged from 73 to 272°C. And the circulation depth range was 1.2–5.4 km. The segmentation characteristics of the 87Sr/86Sr values were related to the influence of source rocks on groundwater cycle processes. A conceptual model of the hydrologic cycle of hot springs explained the spatial distribution of earthquakes associated with tectonic movements. The Batang segment had the strongest water-rock reaction, the highest reservoir temperature and the deepest circulation depth; meanwhile, it was also an earthquake prone area. The fluid circulation of the JSJFZ corresponds well with the seismicity, which indicates that the hydrological characteristics of the hot spring water in a fracture zone play a crucial role in receiving information on seismic activity

Land-use change interacts with island biogeography to alter bird community assembly

Anthropogenic activities have reshaped biodiversity on islands worldwide. However, it remains unclear how island attributes and land-use change interactively shape multiple facets of island biodiversity through community assembly processes. To answer this, we conducted bird surveys in various land-use types (mainly forest and farmland) using transects on 34 oceanic land-bridge islands in the largest archipelago of China. We found that bird species richness increases with island area and decreases with isolation, regardless of the intensity of land-use change. However, forest-dominated habitats exhibited lower richness than farmland-dominated habitats. Island bird assemblages generally comprised species that share more similar traits or evolutionary histories (i.e., functional and/or phylogenetic clustering) than expected if assemblages were randomly assembled. Contrary to our expectations, we observed that bird assemblages in forest-dominated habitats were more clustered on large and close islands, whereas assemblages in farmland-dominated habitats were more clustered on small islands. These contrasting results indicate that land-use change interacts with island biogeography to alter the community assembly of birds on inhabited islands. Our findings emphasize the importance of incorporating human-modified habitats when examining the community assembly of island biota, and further suggest that agricultural landscapes on large islands may play essential roles in protecting countryside island biodiversity

Extracellular vesicle-mediated communication between CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and tumor cells

Tumors pose a significant global public health challenge, resulting in numerous fatalities annually. CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in combating tumors; however, their effectiveness is compromised by the tumor itself and the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in reduced efficacy of immunotherapy. In this dynamic interplay, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as pivotal mediators, facilitating direct and indirect communication between tumors and CD8+ T cells. In this article, we provide an overview of how tumor-derived EVs directly regulate CD8+ T cell function by carrying bioactive molecules they carry internally and on their surface. Simultaneously, these EVs modulate the TME, indirectly influencing the efficiency of CD8+ T cell responses. Furthermore, EVs derived from CD8+ T cells exhibit a dual role: they promote tumor immune evasion while also enhancing antitumor activity. Finally, we briefly discuss current prevailing approaches that utilize functionalized EVs based on tumor-targeted therapy and tumor immunotherapy. These approaches aim to present novel perspectives for EV-based tumor treatment strategies, demonstrating potential for advancements in the field

Land-use change interacts with island biogeography to alter bird community assembly

Anthropogenic activities have reshaped biodiversity on islands worldwide. However, it remains unclear how island attributes and land-use change interactively shape multiple facets of island biodiversity through community assembly processes. To answer this, we conducted bird surveys in various land-use types (mainly forest and farmland) using transects on 34 oceanic land-bridge islands in the largest archipelago of China. We found that bird species richness increases with island area and decreases with isolation, regardless of the intensity of land-use change. However, forest-dominated habitats exhibited lower richness than farmland-dominated habitats. Island bird assemblages generally comprised species that share more similar traits or evolutionary histories (i.e., functional and/or phylogenetic clustering) than expected if assemblages were randomly assembled. Contrary to our expectations, we observed that bird assemblages in forest-dominated habitats were more clustered on large and close islands, whereas assemblages in farmland-dominated habitats were more clustered on small islands. These contrasting results indicate that land-use change interacts with island biogeography to alter the community assembly of birds on inhabited islands. Our findings emphasize the importance of incorporating human-modified habitats when examining the community assembly of island biota, and further suggest that agricultural landscapes on large islands may play essential roles in protecting countryside island biodiversity

Construction and verification of prognostic nomogram for early-onset esophageal cancer

This study aimed to build up nomogram models to evaluate overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in early-onset esophageal cancer (EOEC). Patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer (EC) from 2004 to 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Clinicopathological characteristics of younger versus older patients were compared, and survival analysis was performed in both groups. Independent related factors influencing the prognosis of EOEC were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, which were incorporated to construct a nomogram. The predictive capability of the nomogram was estimated by the concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). A total of 534 younger and 17,243 older patients were available from the SEER database. Younger patients were randomly segmented into a training set (n = 266) and a validation set (n = 268). In terms of the training set, the C-index of the OS nomogram was 0.740 (95% CI: 0.707-0.773), and that of the CSS nomogram was 0.752 (95% CI: 0.719-0.785). In view of the validation set, the C-index of OS and CSS were 0.706 (95% CI: 0.671-0.741) and 0.723 (95% CI: 0.690-0.756), respectively. Calibration curves demonstrated the consistent degree of fit between actual and predicted values in nomogram models. From the perspective of DCA, the nomogram models were more beneficial than the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) and the SEER stage for EOEC. In brief, the nomogram model can be considered as an individualized quantitative tool to predict the prognosis of EOEC patients to assist clinicians in making treatment decisions

An intelligent neural stem cell delivery system for neurodegenerative diseases treatment

Transplanted stem cells constitute a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurological disorders. Emerging evidence indicates that a negative microenvironment, particularly one characterized by the acute inflammation/immune response caused by physical injuries or transplanted stem cells, severely impacts the survival of transplanted stem cells. In this study, to avoid the influence of the increased inflammation following physical injuries, an intelligent, double‐layer, alginate hydrogel system is designed. This system fosters the matrix metalloproeinases (MMP) secreted by transplanted stem cell reactions with MMP peptide grafted on the inner layer and destroys the structure of the inner hydrogel layer during the inflammatory storm. Meanwhile, the optimum concentration of the arginine‐glycine‐aspartate (RGD) peptide is also immobilized to the inner hydrogels to obtain more stem cells before arriving to the outer hydrogel layer. It is found that blocking Cripto‐1, which promotes embryonic stem cell differentiation to dopamine neurons, also accelerates this process in neural stem cells. More interesting is the fact that neural stem cell differentiation can be conducted in astrocyte‐differentiation medium without other treatments. In addition, the system can be adjusted according to the different parameters of transplanted stem cells and can expand on the clinical application of stem cells in the treatment of this neurological disorder