Universal Adversarial Perturbations for CNN Classifiers in EEG-Based BCIs

Multiple convolutional neural network (CNN) classifiers have been proposed for electroencephalogram (EEG) based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). However, CNN models have been found vulnerable to universal adversarial perturbations (UAPs), which are small and example-independent, yet powerful enough to degrade the performance of a CNN model, when added to a benign example. This paper proposes a novel total loss minimization (TLM) approach to generate UAPs for EEG-based BCIs. Experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of TLM on three popular CNN classifiers for both target and non-target attacks. We also verified the transferability of UAPs in EEG-based BCI systems. To our knowledge, this is the first study on UAPs of CNN classifiers in EEG-based BCIs. UAPs are easy to construct, and can attack BCIs in real-time, exposing a potentially critical security concern of BCIs

Nonuniform Microwave Photonic Delay-Line Filter For Optical Sensor Network Interrogation

We propose a new design of nonuniform spaced microwave photonic delay-line filter based generic optical fiber sensors interrogation platform. Both the amplitude and phase response of the microwave filter are used to demodulate optical sensors. Therefore, a large sensor network with different types of optical sensors can be interrogated simultaneously. The concept of this new microwave photonics enabled interrogation approach is presented and verified by simulations where four different types of optical sensors are simultaneously interrogated via inverse Fourier transform of filter frequency response

Preclinical Evaluation of CAR T Cell Function: In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a rapidly emerging modality that engineers T cells to redirect tumor-specific cytotoxicity. CAR T cells have been well characterized for their efficacy against B cell malignancies, and rigorously studied in other types of tumors. Preclinical evaluation of CAR T cell function, including direct tumor killing, cytokine production, and memory responses, is crucial to the development and optimization of CAR T cell therapies. Such comprehensive examinations are usually performed in different types of models. Model establishment should focus on key challenges in the clinical setting and the capability to generate reliable data to indicate CAR T cell therapeutic potency in the clinic. Further, modeling the interaction between CAR T cells and tumor microenvironment provides additional insight for the future endeavors to enhance efficacy, especially against solid tumors. This review will summarize both in vitro and in vivo models for CAR T cell functional evaluation, including how they have evolved with the needs of CAR T cell research, the information they can provide for preclinical assessment of CAR T cell products, and recent technology advances to test CAR T cells in more clinically relevant models

Emission Control of Toluene in Iron Ore Sintering Using Catalytic Oxidation Technology: A Critical Review

Iron ore sintering flue gas containing large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can form secondary photochemical smog and organic aerosols, thus posing a serious threat to human health and the ecological environment. Catalytic combustion technology has been considered as one of the most prospective strategies for VOC elimination. This paper focuses on a review of studies on catalytic removal of typical VOCs (toluene) on transition metal oxide catalysts in recent years, with advances in single metal oxides, multi-oxide composites, and supported metal oxide catalysts. Firstly, the catalytic activities of a series of catalysts for toluene degradation are evaluated and compared, leading to an analysis of the key catalytic indicators that significantly affect the efficiency of toluene degradation. Secondly, the reaction pathway and mechanism of toluene degradation are systematically introduced. Considering the site space and investment cost, the conversion of VOC pollutants to harmless substances using existing selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems has been studied with considerable effort. Based on the current development of simultaneous multi-pollutant elimination technology, the interaction mechanism between the NH3-SCR reaction and toluene catalytic oxidation on the surface is discussed in detail. Finally, views on the key scientific issues and the challenges faced, as well as an outlook for the future, are presented. This overview is expected to provide a guide for the design and industrial application of NO/VOC simultaneous removal catalysts

Identifying Human-Induced Spatial Differences of Soil Erosion Change in a Hilly Red Soil Region of Southern China

Soil erosion (SE) processes are closely related to natural conditions and human activities, posing a threat to environment and society. Identifying the human impact on regional SE changes is increasingly essential for pertinent SE management. Jiangxi province is studied here as a representative area of hilly-red-soil regions within southern China. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the changing trend of SE within Jiangxi and identify human impacts on regional SE change from the perspective of spatial differences, through a new approach based on a gravity-center model. Our results showed that SE status presented an overall amelioration from 1990 to 2015, while the average soil erosion modulus (SEM) declined from 864 to 281 Mg/(km2·a). Compared to the situation under human and natural impacts, human-induced spatial differences of SE change demonstrated that the western and northwest regions showed stronger negative effects; the southern region shifted towards negative effects; the northeast region presented a much weaker negative effect. Our results indicated that 4 cities with strong negative effects need more attention in further SE management suited to their local conditions and development, and also suggested that the approach based on a gravity-center has potential for identifying the human impact on regional SE change from the perspective of spatial patterns

A compressive sensing single pixel imaging system using in-fiber grating

We present a compact and high-efficient compressive sensing based single pixel imaging system employing an in-fiber grating. The in-fiber grating, which is called 45° tilted fiber grating (TFG), is utilized as the in-line polarizer, a lateral diffraction device and a light emitter at the same time. Our demonstration results shows data compression ratios from 5% to 20% are achieved in the presented system