Peeling Decoding of LDPC Codes with Applications in Compressed Sensing

We present a new approach for the analysis of iterative peeling decoding recovery algorithms in the context of Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes and compressed sensing. The iterative recovery algorithm is particularly interesting for its low measurement cost and low computational complexity. The asymptotic analysis can track the evolution of the fraction of unrecovered signal elements in each iteration, which is similar to the well-known density evolution analysis in the context of LDPC decoding algorithm. Our analysis shows that there exists a threshold on the density factor; if under this threshold, the recovery algorithm is successful; otherwise it will fail. Simulation results are also provided for verifying the agreement between the proposed asymptotic analysis and recovery algorithm. Compared with existing works of peeling decoding algorithm, focusing on the failure probability of the recovery algorithm, our proposed approach gives accurate evolution of performance with different parameters of measurement matrices and is easy to implement. We also show that the peeling decoding algorithm performs better than other schemes based on LDPC codes

Context-Aware Sparse Deep Coordination Graphs

Learning sparse coordination graphs adaptive to the coordination dynamics among agents is a long-standing problem in cooperative multi-agent learning. This paper studies this problem and proposes a novel method using the variance of payoff functions to construct context-aware sparse coordination topologies. We theoretically consolidate our method by proving that the smaller the variance of payoff functions is, the less likely action selection will change after removing the corresponding edge. Moreover, we propose to learn action representations to effectively reduce the influence of payoff functions' estimation errors on graph construction. To empirically evaluate our method, we present the Multi-Agent COordination (MACO) benchmark by collecting classic coordination problems in the literature, increasing their difficulty, and classifying them into different types. We carry out a case study and experiments on the MACO and StarCraft II micromanagement benchmark to demonstrate the dynamics of sparse graph learning, the influence of graph sparseness, and the learning performance of our method

Molecular epidemiology of dengue viruses in southern China from 1978 to 2006

To investigate molecular epidemiology of dengue viruses (DENV) in southern China, a total of 14 dengue isolates were collected in southern China during each epidemic year between 1978 and 2006 and their full-length genome sequences were obtained by using RT-PCR method. The E gene sequences from additional 6 dengue fever patients in Guangzhou in 2006 were also obtained by using RT-PCR method. Combined with DENVs sequences published in GenBank, phylogenetic analysis and recombination analysis were performed. One hundred and twenty-five E gene sequences and 60 complete genome sequences published in the GenBank were also involved. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there was a wide genetic diversity of DENVs isolated in southern China. DENV-1 strains exist in almost all of the clades of genotype I and IV except the Asia 1 clade of genotype I; DENV-2 stains are grouped into four of the five genotypes except American genotype. DENV-4 strains are grouped into 2 genotypes (I and II). Phylogenetic analysis also showed that all DENV-4 isolates and two DENV-2 isolates were closely related to the prior isolates from neighboring Southeast Asia countries. The DENV-1 strain isolated during the 2006 epidemic is highly homologous to the strains isolated during the 2001 epidemic

Plasma metabonomics of classical swine fever virus-infected pigs

Classical swine fever (CSF) is an infectious disease caused by Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), which is characterized by depression, high fever, extensive skin bleeding, leukopenia, anorexia, alternating constipation, and diarrhea. Hemorrhagic infarction of the spleen is the main characteristic pathological change following CSFV infection. Large-scale outbreaks of CSF are rare in China and are mainly distributed regionally. The clinical symptoms of CSF are not obvious, and show variation from typical to atypical symptoms, which makes diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and pathology challenging. In recent years, the incidence of CSF-immunized pig farms in China has increased and new CSFV gene subtypes have appeared, posing new challenges to the prevention and control of CSF in China. Changes in metabolites caused by viral infection reflect the pathogenic process. Metabonomics can reveal the trace metabolites of organisms; however, plasma metabonomics of CSFV-infected pigs have rarely been investigated. Therefore, we used an established pig CSFV infection model to study changes in plasma metabolites. The results showed significant differences in forty-five plasma metabolites at different time periods after CSFV infection in pigs, with an increase in twenty-five metabolites and a decrease in twenty metabolites. These changed metabolites were mainly attributed to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid cycle, sugar metabolism, and fat metabolism. Thirteen metabolic pathways changed significantly in CSFV-infected pigs, including tricarboxylic acid cycle, inositol phosphate metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism,lysine degradation, alanine, aspartate and glutamic acid metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, β-alanine metabolism, lysine degradation, arginine and proline metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism. Among these, changes in fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism occurred at all time periods post-infection. These results indicate that CSFV infection in pigs could seriously alter metabolic pathways

Changes in Physicochemical Properties and Flavor Characteristics of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. Fruit Vinegar during Fermentation

This paper investigated the compositional changes of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. fruit vinegar during fermentation. By using Rosa roxburghii Tratt. as raw material and using the whole liquid fermentation technique, fruit vinegar was prepared by fermenting alcoholic and acetic acids simultaneously. The physicochemical properties of the fermentation process were dynamically monitored. Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and the odor activity value (OAV) were utilized to analyze volatile flavor components. As fermentation proceeded, soluble solids, pH, total sugars, and reduced sugars decreased, while total acid and VC contents increased. From the original juice to the end of acetic acid fermentation, the total acid and VC contents ranged from 1.86 g/100 mL and 956.82 mg/100 mL to 6.79 g/100 mL and 1275.88 mg/100 mL. Oxalic acid, quinic acid, pyruvic acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and fumaric acid showed varying degrees of increasing (P<0.05). By contrast, formic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid exhibited little variation. A total of 92 volatile compounds were detected in the Rosa roxburghii Tratt. fruit vinegar, and with the addition of OAV analysis, ten volatile compounds were identified as key aroma compounds, which included nonanal, acetaldehyde, ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethanol, isoamyl alcohol, leaf alcohol, linalool, and phenyl ethanol. Among these components, ethyl butyrate and leaf alcohol contributed most to the aroma of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. fruit vinegar. Green grass and green apples were characteristic aromas of this vinegar. The results of the study would provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the effective control of fermentation conditions, revealing the physicochemical characteristics and flavor features of fermented Rosa roxburghii Tratt. fruit vinegar, forming a method for quality evaluation of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. fruit vinegar, and formulating quality standards

A Novel Postbiotic From Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG With a Beneficial Effect on Intestinal Barrier Function

It has long been known that probiotics can be used to maintain intestinal homeostasis and treat a number of gastrointestinal disorders, but the underlying mechanism has remained obscure. Recently, increasing evidence supports the notion that certain probiotic-derived components, such as bacteriocins, lipoteichoic acids, surface layer protein and secreted protein, have a similar protective role on intestinal barrier function as that of live probiotics. These bioactive components have been named ‘postbiotics’ in the most recent publications. We previously found that the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) culture supernatant is able to accelerate the maturation of neonatal intestinal defense and prevent neonatal rats from oral Escherichia coli K1 infection. However, the identity of the bioactive constituents has not yet been determined. In this study, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, we identified a novel secreted protein (named HM0539 here) involved in the beneficial effect of LGG culture supernatant. HM0539 was recombinated, purified, and applied for exploring its potential bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that HM0539 exhibits a potent protective effect on the intestinal barrier, as reflected by enhancing intestinal mucin expression and preventing against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-induced intestinal barrier injury, including downregulation of intestinal mucin (MUC2), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and disruption of the intestinal integrity. Using a neonatal rat model of E. coli K1 infection via the oral route, we verified that HM0539 is sufficient to promote development of neonatal intestinal defense and prevent against E. coli K1 pathogenesis. Moreover, we further extended the role of HM0539 and found it has potential to prevent dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis as well as LPS/D-galactosamine-induced bacterial translocation and liver injury. In conclusion, we identified a novel LGG postbiotic HM0539 which exerts a protective effect on intestinal barrier function. Our findings indicated that HM0539 has potential to become a useful agent for prevention and treatment of intestinal barrier dysfunction- related diseases