Foundation Model Based Native AI Framework in 6G with Cloud-Edge-End Collaboration

Future wireless communication networks are in a position to move beyond data-centric, device-oriented connectivity and offer intelligent, immersive experiences based on task-oriented connections, especially in the context of the thriving development of pre-trained foundation models (PFM) and the evolving vision of 6G native artificial intelligence (AI). Therefore, redefining modes of collaboration between devices and servers and constructing native intelligence libraries become critically important in 6G. In this paper, we analyze the challenges of achieving 6G native AI from the perspectives of data, intelligence, and networks. Then, we propose a 6G native AI framework based on foundation models, provide a customization approach for intent-aware PFM, present a construction of a task-oriented AI toolkit, and outline a novel cloud-edge-end collaboration paradigm. As a practical use case, we apply this framework for orchestration, achieving the maximum sum rate within a wireless communication system, and presenting preliminary evaluation results. Finally, we outline research directions for achieving native AI in 6G.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Prolonged administration of total glucosides of paeony improves intestinal immune imbalance and epithelial barrier damage in collagen-induced arthritis rats based on metabolomics-network pharmacology integrated analysis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation and joint damage with complex pathological mechanisms. In recent years, many studies have shown that the dysregulation of intestinal mucosal immunity and the damage of the epithelial barrier are closely related to the occurrence of RA. Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) have been used clinically for the treatment of RA in China for decades, while the pharmacological mechanism is still uncertain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulatory effect and mechanism of TGP on intestinal immunity and epithelial barrier in RA model rats. The results showed that TGP alleviated immune hyperfunction by regulating the ratio of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ in different lymphocyte synthesis sites of the small intestine, including Peyer’s patches (PPs), intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), and lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs). Specially, TGP first exhibited immunomodulatory effects on sites close to the intestinal lumen (IELs and LPLs), and then on PPs far away from the intestinal lumen as the administration time prolonged. Meanwhile, TGP restores the intestinal epithelial barrier by upregulating the ratio of villi height (V)/crypt depth (C) and expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin). Finally, the integrated analysis of metabolomics-network pharmacology was also used to explore the possible regulation mechanism of TGP on the intestinal tract. Metabolomics analysis revealed that TGP reversed the intestinal metabolic profile disturbance in CIA rats, and identified 32 biomarkers and 163 corresponding targets; network pharmacology analysis identified 111 potential targets for TGP to treat RA. By intersecting the results of the two, three key targets such as ADA, PNP and TYR were determined. Pharmacological verification experiments showed that the levels of ADA and PNP in the small intestine of CIA rats were significantly increased, while TGP significantly decreased their ADA and PNP levels. In conclusion, purine metabolism may play an important role in the process of TGP improving RA-induced intestinal immune imbalance and impaired epithelial barrier

Genome-Wide Identification of MicroRNAs in Response to Low Nitrate Availability in Maize Leaves and Roots

BACKGROUND: Nitrate is the major source of nitrogen available for many crop plants and is often the limiting factor for plant growth and agricultural productivity especially for maize. Many studies have been done identifying the transcriptome changes under low nitrate conditions. However, the microRNAs (miRNAs) varied under nitrate limiting conditions in maize has not been reported. MiRNAs play important roles in abiotic stress responses and nutrient deprivation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we used the SmartArray™ and GeneChip® microarray systems to perform a genome-wide search to detect miRNAs responding to the chronic and transient nitrate limiting conditions in maize. Nine miRNA families (miR164, miR169, miR172, miR397, miR398, miR399, miR408, miR528, and miR827) were identified in leaves, and nine miRNA families (miR160, miR167, miR168, miR169, miR319, miR395, miR399, miR408, and miR528) identified in roots. They were verified by real time stem loop RT-PCR, and some with additional time points of nitrate limitation. The miRNAs identified showed overlapping or unique responses to chronic and transient nitrate limitation, as well as tissue specificity. The potential target genes of these miRNAs in maize were identified. The expression of some of these was examined by qRT-PCR. The potential function of these miRNAs in responding to nitrate limitation is described. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Genome-wide miRNAs responding to nitrate limiting conditions in maize leaves and roots were identified. This provides an insight into the timing and tissue specificity of the transcriptional regulation to low nitrate availability in maize. The knowledge gained will help understand the important roles miRNAs play in maize responding to a nitrogen limiting environment and eventually develop strategies for the improvement of maize genetics

Influencing factors analysis of anammox bacteria cultured by mixing denitrifying-anammox

In order to get the optimal growth conditions of anammox bacteria, the mature-cultured anammox granule sludge is used to investigate the influencing factors. The effects of temperature, pH value, COD and influent substrate (NO-2-N and NH+4-N) on anammox bacteria activity are investigated. The results demonstrate that the optimal temperature is 40 ℃ and the optimal pH value is between 7.0~8.0 for anammox bacteria. The anammox bacteria activity is not inhibited severely when COD concentration is lower than 100 mg/L, while the denitrifying bacteria is dominant and inhibits the anammox bacteria activity when COD concentration is higher than 100 mg/L. When the influent NH+4-N and NO-2-N concentration are lower than 1 540 mg/L and 140 mg/L respectively, the anammox bacteria activity is not inhibited severely. Controlling the optimal growth conditions of anammox technical helps the rapid growth of anammox bacteria, which establishes the foundation for the rapid start-up of anammox reactor

How can the combination of entrepreneurship policies activate regional innovation capability? A comparative study of Chinese provinces based on fsQCA

The global innovation environment is undergoing major changes. Driven by its entrepreneurship policy, China's innovation level has gradually improved, but the regional gap remains large. As previous studies mainly focused on the net impact of entrepreneurship policy on innovation, knowledge on the combination of entrepreneurship policies to improve regional innovation capability is still lacking. To fill this gap in the literature, this study uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on data from 31 provinces in China to explore how five entrepreneurship policies (i.e., technology transfer, fiscal and tax, digital transformation, talent, and government innovation management policy) jointly affect regional innovation capability. The results show that these five entrepreneurship policies are sufficient conditions for high regional innovation capability, and three paths can produce high innovation capability. Therefore, local governments need to formulate appropriate entrepreneurship policies to address the actual situation. This study has important management significance for formulating entrepreneurship policies worldwide, especially in developing countries

Denitrification characteristics of a sulfur autotrophic denitrification reactor

The denitrification characteristics of a sulfur autotrophic denitrification reactor are investigated. The results show that domestication of sulfur autotrophic bacteria is completed within 15 days after biofilm formation in the reactor, which is shorter than other similar researches. The nitrogen removal rate remains over than 90%, and the denitrification rate reaches 18.5 mg N/(L·h) with influent NO-3-N of 70 mg/L , influent pH of 8 and HRT of 4.3 h . Thiobacillus denitrificans are observed in the whole reactor when domestication finishes, while it is more abundant in the middle and lower part. The optimal influent NO-3-N concentration for the reactor is 50 mg/L, the optimal temperature is 30~35 ℃, the optimal influent pH is 7~8, and the nitrogen removal rate is over than 90%

Determination of the Deacetylation Degree of Chitooligosaccharides

The methods for determination of chitosan content recommended in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the European Pharmacopoeia are not applicable for evaluation of the extent of deacetylation (deacetylation degree, DD) in chitooligosaccharides (COS). This study explores two different methods for assessment of DD in COS having relatively high and low molecular weights: an acid-base titration with bromocresol green indicator and a first order derivative UV spectrophotometric method for assessment of DD in COS. The accuracy of both methods as a function of molecular weight was also investigated and compared to results obtained using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Our study demonstrates two simple, fast, widely adaptable, highly precise, accurate, and inexpensive methods for the effective determination of DD in COS, which have the potential for widespread commercial applications in developing country

Effects of carbodiimide combined with ethanol–wet bonding pretreatment on dentin bonding properties: an in vitro study

Purpose This study evaluated the combined effects of Carbodiimide (EDC) and ethanol–wet bonding (EWB) pretreatment on the bond strength and resin–dentin surface. Methods Phosphoric acid-etched dentin specimens were randomly divided into five groups based on the following pretreatments: deionized water (control), EWB, 0.3M EDC in water (EDCw), EDC water solution combined EWB (EDCw + EWB), and 0.3M EDC in ethanol (EDCe). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of collagen fibrils on the demineralized dentin matrix in each group after pretreatment. The adhesives Prime & Bond NT (PB) (Dentsply De trey, Konstanz, Germany) or Single bond 2 (SB) (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) was applied after pretreatments, and a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was used to evaluate the quality of resin tags. The degree of conversion (DC) of the adhesive was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The dentin was first bonded with resin and bathed in water at 37 °C for 24 h. Half of them were subjected to 10, 000 cycles in a thermocycler between 5 °C and 55 °C before a microshear bond strength (µSBS) test. The statistical methods were Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a Tukey post hoc test at α = 0.05. Results The µSBS was significantly affected by pretreatments (p < 0.001), adhesives (p < 0.001), and aging conditions (p < 0.001) as revealed by the three-way ANOVA. The EDCw, EDCw + EWB, and EDCe groups significantly increased the µSBS; the EDCw + EWB and EDCe groups produced the highest µSBS. In the EDC-containing groups, the SEM showed at the collagen fibrils in the dentin matrix formed a three-dimensional network structure in the tubules after cross-linking into sheets, and the hybrid layer formed thicker resin tags under a CLSM. In the EDC-containing groups, the CLSM observed an increase in the length of resin tags. PB showed a higher DC and bonding strength than SB, and the five pretreatment groups tested did not affect the DC of the two adhesives. Conclusions In etch–and–rinse bonding system, EDC combined with EWB pretreatment can improve the quality of the hybrid layer and enhance the mechanical properties of demineralized dentin matrix. Pretreatment with EDC–ethanol solution may be a new clinically friendly option for enhancing dentin bonding durability

The Economic Burden Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Middle-Aged and Elderly People with Chronic Diseases in China

Coexisting physical diseases and depressive symptoms exacerbate morbidity and disability, but their incremental economic burden remains unclear. We used cross-sectional data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) survey in 2018 to estimate the economic burden associated with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly people with chronic diseases. A multivariable regression model was used to assess the annual health care utilization, expenditures, and productivity loss of depressive symptoms among people with 12 common chronic diseases. We found that depressive symptoms were associated with higher incremental economic burdens, as the total health care costs increased by 3.1% to 85.0% and annual productivity loss increased by 1.6% to 90.1%. Those with cancer or malignant tumors had the largest economic burden associated with depressive symptoms, with CNY 17,273.7 additional annual health care costs and a loss of CNY 2196.2 due to additional annual productivity loss. The effect of depressive symptoms on the economic burden of patients with chronic conditions did not increase by the number of chronic conditions. Considering the high economic burden associated with depressive symptoms among patients with chronic conditions, it is important to consider the mental health of patients in chronic disease treatment and management