Prompt-Based Graph Convolution Adversarial Meta-Learning for Few-Shot Text Classification

Deep learning techniques have demonstrated significant advancements in the task of text classification. Regrettably, the majority of these techniques necessitate a substantial corpus of annotated data to achieve optimal performance. Meta-learning has yielded intriguing outcomes in few-shot learning tasks, showcasing its potential in advancing the field. However, the current meta-learning methodologies are susceptible to overfitting due to the mismatch between a small number of samples and the complexity of the model. To mitigate this concern, we propose a Prompt-based Graph Convolutional Adversarial (PGCA) meta-learning framework, aiming to improve the adaptability of complex models in a few-shot scenario. Firstly, leveraging prompt learning, we generate embedding representations that bridge the downstream tasks. Then, we design a meta-knowledge extractor based on a graph convolutional neural network (GCN) to capture inter-class dependencies through instance-level interactions. We also integrate the adversarial network architecture into a meta-learning framework to extend sample diversity through adversarial training and improve the ability of the model to adapt to new tasks. Specifically, we mitigate the impact of extreme samples by introducing external knowledge to construct a list of class prototype extensions. Finally, we conduct a series of experiments on four public datasets to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method

Orexin-B Augments Voltage-Gated L-Type Ca2+ Current via Protein Kinase C-Mediated Signalling Pathway in Ovine Somatotropes.

Orexins, orexigenic neuropeptides, are secreted from lateral hypothalamus and orexin receptors are expressed in the pituitary. Since growth hormone (GH) secreted from pituitary is integrally linked to energy homeostasis and metabolism, we studied the effect of orexin-B on voltage-gated Ca2+ currents and the related signalling mechanisms in primary cultured ovine somatotropes using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. With a bath solution containing TEA-Cl (40 mM) and Tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1 µM), three subtypes of Ca2+ currents, namely the long-lasting (L), transient (T), and N currents, were isolated using different holding potentials (-80 and -30 mV) in combination with specific Ca2+ channel blockers (nifedipine and omega-conotoxin). About 75% of the total current amplitude was contributed by the L current, whereas the N and T currents accounted for the rest. Orexin-B (1-100 nM) dose-dependently and reversibly increased only the L current up to approximately 125% of the control value within 4-5 min. Neither a specific protein kinase A (PKA) blocker (H89, 1 µM) nor an inhibitory peptide (PKI, 10 µM) had any effect on the increase in L current by orexin-B. The orexin-B-induced increase in the L current was abolished by concurrent treatment with calphostin C (Cal-C, 100 nM), protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitory peptide (PKC19-36, 1 µM), or by pretreatment with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) (0.5 µM) for 16 h (a downregulator of PKC). Orexin-B also increased in vitro GH secretion in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that orexin-B increases the L-type Ca2+ current and GH secretion through orexin receptors and PKC-mediated signalling pathways in ovine somatotropes

Dysfunction of the Default Mode Network in Drug-Naïve Parkinson’s Disease with Mild Cognitive Impairments: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Objective: Cognitive impairments are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can even occur in the early stages. The default mode network (DMN) is highly relevant for cognitive processes; however, it remains largely unknown if changes in the DMN connectivity are related to the cognitive decline in drug-naïve early-stage PD patients with a mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study used resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) to explore the brain connectivity of the DMN in early-stage drug-naïve PD patients with MCI.Method: We recruited 32 early-stage drug-naïve PD patients and 22 matched healthy controls (HC). Among the PD patients, 14 were classified as having MCI (PD-MCI) and 18 were classified as having unimpaired cognition (PD-CU). The functional integration of the DMN was evaluated by a seed-based correlation approach.Results: The brain connectivity analysis revealed reduced functional connectivity (FC) in both PD subgroups compared with HC. The PD-MCI group showed a significant reduction in FC between the DMN and a set of regions, including the precentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, insula, anterior inferior parietal lobule and middle frontal gyrus. Compared to the PD-CU group, the PD-MCI group demonstrated a significantly decreased FC in the middle frontal and middle temporal gyri. Additionally, compared to HC, the PD-MCI group had a significantly decreased FC within the DMN, mainly in the FC between the hippocampal formation and inferior frontal gyrus, between the posterior cingulate cortex and posterior inferior parietal lobule, and between the anterior temporal lobe and inferior frontal gyrus. Compared to the PD-CU group, the only significantly decreased FC within the DMN in the PD-MCI group was between the anterior temporal lobe and inferior frontal gyrus. In all PD patients, the decreased FC between anterior temporal lobe and middle temporal gyrus was positively correlated with attention/working performance, and the reduced FC between the hippocampal formation and inferior frontal gyrus was also positively correlated with memory function.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that an altered DMN connectivity characterizes PD-MCI patients. These findings may be helpful for facilitating the further understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying MCI in PD. However, our results are preliminary, and further investigation is needed

The Influence of Different Drying Methods on Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Saffron from China

More and more saffron has been cultivated in China because of the increasing saffron demand, but no paper has studied the influence of drying methods on the quality of Chinese saffron. In this paper, three different dehydration treatments applied in actual production were evaluated: dehydration with electric oven, vacuum oven, and microwave. We determined that the highest quality of saffron will be obtained when fresh saffron is treated at higher temperatures (no more than 70°C) for a long time by electric oven drying and vacuum oven drying. In microwave drying, treatments at lower microwave power and longer time benefit the quality of saffron. In addition, the influence of the drying method on antioxidants in saffron is discussed. The correlation between individual saffron profiles and the antioxidant value was estimated by spectrum-effect relationships analysis

Gold-catalyzed post-Ugi alkyne hydroarylation for the synthesis of 2-quinolones

A series of propargylamides containing an electron-rich benzene ring was prepared through the Ugi reaction of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline with various propiolic acids, aldehydes and isocyanides. Subjecting these adducts to a gold-catalyzed intramolecular alkyne hydroarylation process allowed to efficiently construct the 2-quinolone core bearing a branched substituent on the nitrogen atom.status: publishe

Gold-catalyzed post-Ugi alkyne hydroarylation for the synthesis of 2-quinolones

A series of propargylamides containing an electron-rich benzene ring was prepared through the Ugi reaction of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline with various propiolic acids, aldehydes and isocyanides. Subjecting these adducts to a gold-catalyzed intramolecular alkyne hydroarylation process allowed to efficiently construct the 2-quinolone core bearing a branched substituent on the nitrogen atom