Class Incremental Learning via Likelihood Ratio Based Task Prediction

Class incremental learning (CIL) is a challenging setting of continual learning, which learns a series of tasks sequentially. Each task consists of a set of unique classes. The key feature of CIL is that no task identifier (or task-id) is provided at test time. Predicting the task-id for each test sample is a challenging problem. An emerging theory-guided approach (called TIL+OOD) is to train a task-specific model for each task in a shared network for all tasks based on a task-incremental learning (TIL) method to deal with catastrophic forgetting. The model for each task is an out-of-distribution (OOD) detector rather than a conventional classifier. The OOD detector can perform both within-task (in-distribution (IND)) class prediction and OOD detection. The OOD detection capability is the key to task-id prediction during inference. However, this paper argues that using a traditional OOD detector for task-id prediction is sub-optimal because additional information (e.g., the replay data and the learned tasks) available in CIL can be exploited to design a better and principled method for task-id prediction. We call the new method TPL (Task-id Prediction based on Likelihood Ratio). TPL markedly outperforms strong CIL baselines and has negligible catastrophic forgetting. The code of TPL is publicly available at https://github.com/linhaowei1/TPL

Proteomics of Nasonia vitripennis and the effects of native Wolbachia infection on N. vitripennis

Background Nasonia vitripennis, a parasitic wasp, is a good model organism to study developmental and evolutionary genetics and to evaluate the interactions between insect hosts and their symbionts. Wolbachia may be the most prevalent endosymbiont among insect species due to their special ability to improve the fitness of the infected hosts. Transinfection of bacteria or fungi could substantially alter the expression of host immune system components. However, few studies have focused on the effects of native Wolbachia infection. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the proteomics of N. vitripennis following Wolbachia infection. Methods We studied the proteomics of N. vitripennis following native Wolbachia infection and in antibiotic-treated Wolbachia-free samples using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, accompanying with some ecological experiments. Results In total, 3,096 proteins were found to be associated with a wide range of biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components. Interestingly, there were few significant changes in immune or reproductive proteins between samples with and without Wolbachia infection. Differentially expressed proteins were involved in the binding process, catalytic activity, and the metabolic process, as confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Discussion Invasion of any pathogen or bacterium within a short time can cause an immunoreaction in the host. Our results implied that during the long process of coexistence, the immune system of the host was not as sensitive as when the symbiont initially infected the host, implying that the organisms had gradually adjusted to cohabitation

Defect-regulated charge carrier dynamics in two-dimensional ZnO/MoS2 heterostructure

Van der Waals ZnO/MoS2 heterostructure has been experimentally demonstrated as one of the potential candidates for photocatalyst, however, the charge carrier dynamics upon photoexcitation still remains unclear. By using nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations, we mainly focus on the influences of interfacial point defects on photogenerated charge separation in the ZnO/MoS2. The results reveal that oxygen vacancy in ZnO layer can induce a higher hole transfer efficiency compared to the pristine ZnO/MoS2, which attributes to the enhanced nonadiabatic coupling, originating from an out-of-plane vibration mode of S atoms, a decreased energy gap for intralayer hole transfer and stronger energy state oscillation. Alternatively, S vacancy in MoS2 introducing additional energy states in the band gap of ZnO/MoS2, serves as charge carrier recombination channels, and significantly reduces charge carrier lifetime, while doping O atom in S vacancy can compensate this effect. This study provides helpful guidance to design functional devices for solar energy photovoltaic conversion, based on two-dimensional ZnO/MoS2 heterostructures

Clinical perspectives and outcomes of the giant breast phyllodes tumor and sarcoma: a real-world retrospective study

Abstract Background Giant breast malignant phyllodes tumor or sarcoma (GBPS) are rare entities with diameter larger than 10 cm and variously histological pleomorphisms. This disease poses a significant threat to the quality of life of individuals, and its prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of GBPS in a real-world retrospective cohort. Methods We collected GBPS (diameter > 10 cm, n = 10) and BPS (diameter ≤ 10 cm, n = 126) from patients diagnosed with sarcoma or malignant phyllodes tumor between 2008 and 2022. We analyzed clinical characteristics, histological status, treatment, and local recurrence using the Fisher’s exact test between GBPS (diameter > 10 cm) and BPS (diameter ≤ 10 cm) cohort. We described overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) using Kaplan–Meier curves and identified risk factors for local recurrence using logistic regression. The tumor size, age at diagnosis, and differential immunohistochemistry markers of breast sarcoma or phyllodes tumor to determine the prognosis of GBPS. Results In our retrospective analysis of breast malignancies, we identified 10 cases of GBPS and 126 cases of BPS, corresponding to a GBPS prevalence of 0.17% (10/6000). The median age was 38.5 years (inter-quartile range, IQR: 28.25–48.5 years). During the follow-up of period (median: 80.5 months, IQR: 36.75–122 months), the local recurrence (LR) rate was 40% and 20.6%, respectively. Clinical characteristics of young age (HR:2.799, 95%CI -00.09276—0.017, p < 0.05) and cytological characteristics of marked stromal atypia (HR:0.88, 95% CI 0.39–1.40, p < 0.05) were risk factors for the poor prognosis of GBPS by COX regression model analysis. The Kaplan–Meier curves of GBPS 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 31.5 months and 40 months, respectively, and were not associated with adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy. Conclusion We recommend mastectomy with a clear surgical margin as the preferred treatment for GBPS. Age and stromal atypia are significantly associated with recurrence. Adjuvant radiation therapy is advised; however, there was no improvement in overall survival. There is no consensus on the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy and genetic methods, highlighting the need for further research into this aggressive tumor. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach involving a dedicated team for the management of GBPS

Fracture Fillings and Implication of Fluid Activities in Volcanic Rocks: Dixi Area in Kelameili Gas Field, Junggar Basin, Northwestern China

The Carboniferous Batamayineishan Formation of the Kelameili Gas Field is a specific weathered crust-related volcanic reservoir that has a significant production rate in the Junggar Basin, Northwestern China, attributed to debatable processes of fluid evolution. The results suggest that various types of fluids occurring in volcanic rocks lead to the filling of quartz and calcite in fractures and their associated alteration haloes. The silica that formed quartz veins was mainly derived from deep hydrothermal fluids, while the carbon dioxide that formed calcite veins originated from sources characterized by mixing and alteration of deep hydrothermal and hydrocarbon fluids. Siliceous hydrothermal fluids rich in sulphur dioxide and other volatile components were driven by a pressure gradient and buoyancy, and circulated both laterally and vertically along the fractures, forming quartz veins and tension fractures under different temperature conditions. Moreover, changes in salinity, pressure, and carbon dioxide of deep fluids, varying from acidic to weakly alkaline, resulted in earlier calcite precipitation in contraction fractures and weathered fractures. Tectonic uplift resulted in the long-term exposure of volcanic rocks, where fresh water mixed with the partially alkaline fluid escaping the basin to form calcite cements, thus retaining the characteristics of a seepage environment in the weathered fractures. Structural fractures occurred due to tectonic movements during the burial period. Filling and leakage of hydrocarbons caused pore fluids to convert from acidic to alkaline, precipitating late sparry calcite in dissolution fractures. Late hydrothermal fluid metasomatism, brought about by infiltration into the permeable zone, caused partial dissolution of local calcite along cleavage cracks

Symbiont dynamics of the Tibetan tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract Background Characterization of the microbial diversity and symbiont dynamics of ticks may help to understand the development of ticks and reveal new strategies to control tick-transmitted pathogens, which has not yet been explored in the Tibetan tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis. This tick species is widely distributed in the Tibetan Plateau, and is recognized as one of the primary parasites affecting domestic and wild animals. Methods In the present study, the endosymbionts of H. tibetensis were characterized using diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (diagnostic PCR), and further evaluated for tissue distribution and population dynamics at each developmental stage of ticks and in tissues at different reproductive statuses by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results Two symbionts were found in H. tibetensis, and named as CLS-Ht (Coxiella-like symbiont in H. tibetensis) and RLS-Ht (Rickettsia-like symbiont in H. tibetensis). They showed 100% infection rate in both females and males of H. tibetensis. CLS-Ht and RLS-Ht can be observed within eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults, which indicates vertical transmission in H. tibetensis. CLS-Ht was specifically distributed in the female ovaries and Malpighian tubules, whereas RLS-Ht was detected within ovaries, Malpighian tubules, salivary glands and midguts of the ticks. Real-time qPCR suggested that adult ticks carried the largest amount of CLS-Ht and RLS-Ht with CLS-Ht having a significantly higher presence in females than in males (P < 0.05), whereas the presence of RLS-Ht showed no significant differences between sexes. In the ovaries, CLS-Ht distribution reached a peak at one day post-engorgement, and then gradually declined to a lower level, whereas no change was observed in RLS-Ht. In Malpighian tubules, the amount of both symbionts displayed an increasing trend with time post-engorgement. In midguts and salivary glands, the amount of RLS-Ht showed no significant differences. Conclusion Two novel endosymbionts (CLS-Ht and RLS-Ht) were characterized in H. tibetensis both showing a high prevalence and stable vertical transmission. The described tissue distribution and population dynamics might imply the important functions of these symbionts during the development and reproduction of ticks

Development of a necroptosis-related gene signature and the immune landscape in ovarian cancer

Abstract Background Necroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis. However, the role of necroptosis in ovarian cancer (OC) remains unclear. The present study investigated the prognostic value of necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) and the immune landscape in OC. Methods The gene expression profiling and clinical information were downloaded from the TCGA and GTEx databases. Differentially expressed NRGs (DE-NRGs) between OC and normal tissueswere identified. The regression analyses were conducted to screen the prognostic NRGs and construct the predictive risk model. Patients were then divided into high- and low-risk groups, and the GO and KEGG analyses were performed to explore bioinformatics functions between the two groups. Subsequently, the risk level and immune status correlations were assessed through the ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms. The tumor mutation burden (TMB) and the drug sensitivity were also analyzed based on the two-NRG signature in OC. Results Totally 42 DE-NRGs were identified in OC. The regression analyses screened out two NRGs (MAPK10 and STAT4) with prognostic values for overall survival. The ROC curve showed a better predictive ability in five-year OS using the risk score. Immune-related functions were significantly enriched in the high- and low-risk group. Macrophages M1, T cells CD4 memory activated, T cells CD8, and T cells regulatory infiltration immune cells were associated with the low-risk score. The lower tumor microenvironment score was demonstrated in the high-risk group. Patients with lower TMB in the low-risk group showed a better prognosis, and a lower TIDE score suggested a better immune checkpoint inhibitor response in the high-risk group. Besides, cisplatin and paclitaxel were found to be more sensitive in the low-risk group. Conclusions MAPK10 and STAT4 can be important prognosis factors in OC, and the two-gene signature performs well in predicting survival outcomes. Our study provided novel ways of OC prognosis estimation and potential treatment strategy

Mechanical Mechanism and Shaping Effect of Tunnel Blasting Construction in Rock with Weak Interlayer

The weak interlayer, as a problematic geological body during tunnel construction, greatly influences the propagation of the blasting stress wave, the blasting excavation qualities, and the explosion efficiency. A series of numerical models were established to study the changes in the propagation process of blasting stress waves and the failure morphology of the surrounding rock mass, aiming to reveal the weak interlayer’s influence mechanism. The result indicates that the weak interlayer’s existence reduces the propagation velocity and stress peak of the stress wave at barred zones but strengthens the peak stress at reflection zones, which leads to an asymmetrical distribution of rock damage. Furthermore, the type and distribution of the weak interlayer were classified and generalized into four types. The tunnel blasting outlines under different types of weak interlayers are derived through numerical modeling for designing references. A strategy to resist tunnel overbreak and underbreak was proposed combined with previous work. The actual blasting solution is compared to the designed blasting solution with optimised blasting parameters

EfficientViT: Memory Efficient Vision Transformer with Cascaded Group Attention

Vision transformers have shown great success due to their high model capabilities. However, their remarkable performance is accompanied by heavy computation costs, which makes them unsuitable for real-time applications. In this paper, we propose a family of high-speed vision transformers named EfficientViT. We find that the speed of existing transformer models is commonly bounded by memory inefficient operations, especially the tensor reshaping and element-wise functions in MHSA. Therefore, we design a new building block with a sandwich layout, i.e., using a single memory-bound MHSA between efficient FFN layers, which improves memory efficiency while enhancing channel communication. Moreover, we discover that the attention maps share high similarities across heads, leading to computational redundancy. To address this, we present a cascaded group attention module feeding attention heads with different splits of the full feature, which not only saves computation cost but also improves attention diversity. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate EfficientViT outperforms existing efficient models, striking a good trade-off between speed and accuracy. For instance, our EfficientViT-M5 surpasses MobileNetV3-Large by 1.9% in accuracy, while getting 40.4% and 45.2% higher throughput on Nvidia V100 GPU and Intel Xeon CPU, respectively. Compared to the recent efficient model MobileViT-XXS, EfficientViT-M2 achieves 1.8% superior accuracy, while running 5.8x/3.7x faster on the GPU/CPU, and 7.4x faster when converted to ONNX format. Code and models are available at https://github.com/microsoft/Cream/tree/main/EfficientViT.Comment: CVPR 202