LFS-GAN: Lifelong Few-Shot Image Generation

We address a challenging lifelong few-shot image generation task for the first time. In this situation, a generative model learns a sequence of tasks using only a few samples per task. Consequently, the learned model encounters both catastrophic forgetting and overfitting problems at a time. Existing studies on lifelong GANs have proposed modulation-based methods to prevent catastrophic forgetting. However, they require considerable additional parameters and cannot generate high-fidelity and diverse images from limited data. On the other hand, the existing few-shot GANs suffer from severe catastrophic forgetting when learning multiple tasks. To alleviate these issues, we propose a framework called Lifelong Few-Shot GAN (LFS-GAN) that can generate high-quality and diverse images in lifelong few-shot image generation task. Our proposed framework learns each task using an efficient task-specific modulator - Learnable Factorized Tensor (LeFT). LeFT is rank-constrained and has a rich representation ability due to its unique reconstruction technique. Furthermore, we propose a novel mode seeking loss to improve the diversity of our model in low-data circumstances. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed LFS-GAN can generate high-fidelity and diverse images without any forgetting and mode collapse in various domains, achieving state-of-the-art in lifelong few-shot image generation task. Surprisingly, we find that our LFS-GAN even outperforms the existing few-shot GANs in the few-shot image generation task. The code is available at Github.Comment: 20 pages, 19 figures, 14 tables, ICCV 2023 Poste

An Analysis of the Difference between Direct and Automated Anthropometric Measurement Using a 3-D Tool for the Age Group of 70-85 Elderly

In this study, the suitability of an automated anthropometry method was evaluated by comparing the data of direct measurement and automated measurement, and considered is the potential modification of automated methods based the results of the study

Facile fabrication of two-dimensional inorganic nanostructures and their conjugation to nanocrystals

Nanocomposites of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanosheets and inorganic nanocrystals are fabricated. Freestanding atomically flat gamma-AlOOH nanosheets (thickness <1 nm) are synthesized from a one-pot hydrothermal reaction. The freestanding and binder-free film composed of the gamma-AlOOH nanosheets is fabricated by sedimentation. Because they have positive zeta potentials in the pH range below ca. 9.3, the gamma-AlOOH nanosheets can function as positively charged 2D inorganic matrices in a broad pH range. By solution phase (pH 7.0) mixing of the gamma-AlOOH nanosheets (zeta potential: 30.7 +/- 0.8 mV) and inorganic nanocrystals with negative surface charge, including Au nanoparticles, Au nanorods, CdSe quantum dots, CdSe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots and CdSe nanorods, the nanocomposites are self-assembled via electrostatic interactions. Negatively charged inorganic nanostructures with a wide range of chemical compositions, shapes, sizes, surface ligands and adsorbates can be used as building blocks for gamma-AlOOH nanocomposites. Adsorption densities of inorganic nanocrystals on the nanocomposites can be controlled by varying concentrations of nanocrystal solutions. Nanocomposite films containing alternating layers of gamma-AlOOH and nanocrystals are obtained by a simple drop casting method.close3

Effects of HA and NA glycosylation pattern changes on the transmission of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in guinea pigs

AbstractAvian influenza H7N9 virus has posed a concern of potential human-to-human transmission by resulting in seasonal virus-like human infection cases. To address the issue of sustained human infection with the H7N9 virus, here we investigated the effects of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) N-linked glycosylation (NLG) patterns on influenza virus transmission in a guinea pig model. Based on the NLG signatures identified in the HA and NA genetic sequences of H7N9 viruses, we generated NLG mutant viruses using either HA or NA gene of a H7N9 virus, A/Anhui/01/2013, by reverse genetics on the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus backbone. For the H7 HA NLG mutant viruses, NLG pattern changes appeared to reduce viral transmissibility in guinea pigs. Intriguingly, however, the NLG changes in the N9 NA protein, such as a removal from residue 42 or 66 or an addition at residue 266, increased transmissibility of the mutant viruses by more than 33%, 50%, and 16%, respectively, compared with a parental N9 virus. Given the effects of HA-NA NLG changes with regard to viral transmission, we then generated the HA-NA NLG mutant viruses harboring the H7 HA of double NLG addition and the N9 NA of various NLG patterns. As seen in the HA NLG mutants above, the double NLG-added H7 HA decreased viral transmissibility. However, when the NA NLG changes occurred by a removal of residue 66 and an addition at 266 were additionally accompanied, the HA-NA NLG mutant virus recovered the transmissibility of its parental virus. These demonstrate the effects of specific HA-NA NLG changes on the H7N9 virus transmission by highlighting the importance of a HA-NA functional balance

Elevated circulating monocytes and monocyte activation in COVID-19 convalescent individuals

BackgroundMonocytes and macrophages play a pivotal role in inflammation during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their contribution to the development of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are not fully elucidated.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted comparing plasma cytokine and monocyte levels among three groups: participants with pulmonary PASC (PPASC) with a reduced predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [DLCOc, <80%; (PG)]; fully recovered from SARS-CoV-2 with no residual symptoms (recovered group, RG); and negative for SARS-CoV-2 (negative group, NG). The expressions of cytokines were measured in plasma of study cohort by Luminex assay. The percentages and numbers of monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes) and monocyte activation (defined by CD169 expression) were analyzed using flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.ResultsPlasma IL-1Ra levels were elevated but FGF levels were reduced in PG compared to NG. Circulating monocytes and three subsets were significantly higher in PG and RG compared to NG. PG and RG exhibited higher levels of CD169+ monocyte counts and higher CD169 expression was detected in intermediate and non-classical monocytes from RG and PG than that found in NG. Further correlation analysis with CD169+ monocyte subsets revealed that CD169+ intermediate monocytes negatively correlated with DLCOc%, and CD169+ non-classical monocytes positively correlated with IL-1α, IL-1β, MIP-1α, Eotaxin, and IFN-γ.ConclusionThis study present evidence that COVID convalescents exhibit monocyte alteration beyond the acute COVID-19 infection period even in convalescents with no residual symptoms. Further, the results suggest that monocyte alteration and increased activated monocyte subsets may impact pulmonary function in COVID-19 convalescents. This observation will aid in understanding the immunopathologic feature of pulmonary PASC development, resolution, and subsequent therapeutic interventions

Evolution of local structural motifs in colloidal quantum dot semiconductor nanocrystals leading to nanofaceting

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) have shown remarkable promise for optoelectronics, energy harvesting, photonics, and biomedical imaging. In addition to optimizing quantum confinement, the current challenge is to obtain a better understanding of the critical processing steps and their influence on the evolution of structural motifs. Computational simulations and electron microscopy presented in this work show that nanofaceting can occur during nanocrystal synthesis from a Pb-poor environment in a polar solvent. This could explain the curved interfaces and the olivelike-shaped NCs observed experimentally when these conditions are employed. Furthermore, the wettability of the PbS NCs solid film can be further modified via stoichiometry control, which impacts the interface band bending and, therefore, processes such as multiple junction deposition and interparticle epitaxial growth. Our results suggest that nanofaceting in NCs can become an inherent advantage when used to modulate band structures beyond what is traditionally possible in bulk crystals

Opportunities and challenges in sustainable treatment and resource reuse of sewage sludge: A review

Sludge or waste activated sludge (WAS) generated from wastewater treatment plants may be considered a nuisance. It is a key source for secondary environmental contamination on account of the presence of diverse pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, heavy metals, etc.). Innovative and cost-effective sludge treatment pathways are a prerequisite for the safe and environment-friendly disposal of WAS. This article delivers an assessment of the leading disposal (volume reduction) and energy recovery routes such as anaerobic digestion, incineration, pyrolysis, gasification and enhanced digestion using microbial fuel cell along with their comparative evaluation, to measure their suitability for different sludge compositions and resources availability. Furthermore, the authors shed light on the bio-refinery and resource recovery approaches to extract value added products and nutrients from WAS, and control options for metal elements and micro-pollutants in sewage sludge. Recovery of enzymes, bio-plastics, bio-pesticides, proteins and phosphorus are discussed as a means to visualize sludge as a potential opportunity instead of a nuisance

HAWAII COVID-19 HOSPITAL FATALITY RATES IN RACE AND ETHNICITY -RCMI conf

Hospital Fatality rates in Hawaii by Race and Ethnicit