Exploring the Potential of Flexible 8-bit Format: Design and Algorithm

Neural network quantization is widely used to reduce model inference complexity in real-world deployments. However, traditional integer quantization suffers from accuracy degradation when adapting to various dynamic ranges. Recent research has focused on a new 8-bit format, FP8, with hardware support for both training and inference of neural networks but lacks guidance for hardware design. In this paper, we analyze the benefits of using FP8 quantization and provide a comprehensive comparison of FP8 with INT quantization. Then we propose a flexible mixed-precision quantization framework that supports various number systems, enabling optimal selection of the most appropriate quantization format for different neural network architectures. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed framework achieves competitive performance compared to full precision on various tasks, including image classification, object detection, segmentation, and natural language understanding. Our work furnishes critical insights into the tangible benefits and feasibility of employing FP8 quantization, paving the way for heightened neural network efficiency in tangible scenarios. Our code is available in the supplementary material

Kctd9 Deficiency Impairs Natural Killer Cell Development and Effector Function

We previously showed that potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 9 (KCTD9) is aberrantly expressed in natural killer (NK) cells in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure and mice with experimental fulminant hepatitis. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of NK cell function and fulminant hepatitis progression by KCTD9 is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of Kctd9 in regulation of early development, maturation, and function of NK cells using Kctd9-knockout mice. Compared to wild-type mice, Kctd9-deficient mice exhibited impaired NK cell lineage commitment, as evidenced by selective reduction in the refined NK progenitors, and incomplete NK cell maturation, as manifested by a higher proportion of CD11b− NK cells and a lower percentage of CD11b+ NK cells with high proliferative potential. Moreover, Kctd9-depleted NK cells displayed insufficient IFN-γ production, degranulation, and granzyme B production in response to cytokine stimulation, and attenuated cytotoxicity to tumor cells in vitro. The defect in NK cells was further supported by ameliorated liver damage and improved survival in Kctd9-deficient mice following murine hepatitis virus strain-3 (MHV-3) infection, which otherwise leads to immune-mediated fulminant hepatitis, a phenotype homologous to that caused by NK cell depletion in wild-type mice. Further investigation to identify the underlying mechanism revealed that Kctd9 deficiency hindered the expression of transcription factors, including Ets1, Nfil3, Eomes, and Id2 in NK cells. Collectively, our data reveal that Kctd9 acts as a novel regulator for NK cell commitment, maturation, and effector function

Focus on vulnerable populations and promoting equity in health service utilization ––an analysis of visitor characteristics and service utilization of the Chinese community health service

Background Community health service in China is designed to provide a convenient and affordable primary health service for the city residents, and to promote health equity. Based on data from a large national study of 35 cities across China, we examined the characteristics of the patients and the utilization of community health institutions (CHIs), and assessed the role of community health service in promoting equity in health service utilization for community residents. Methods Multistage sampling method was applied to select 35 cities in China. Four CHIs were randomly chosen in every district of the 35 cities. A total of 88,482 visitors to the selected CHIs were investigated by using intercept survey method at the exit of the CHIs in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Descriptive analyses were used to analyze the main characteristics (gender, age, and income) of the CHI visitors, and the results were compared with that from the National Health Services Survey (NHSS, including CHIs and higher levels of hospitals). We also analyzed the service utilization and the satisfactions of the CHI visitors. Results The proportions of the children (2.4%) and the elderly (about 22.7%) were lower in our survey than those in NHSS (9.8% and 38.8% respectively). The proportion of the low-income group (26.4%) was apparently higher than that in NHSS (12.5%). The children group had the lowest satisfaction with the CHIs than other age groups. The satisfaction of the low-income visitors was slightly higher than that of the higher-income visitors. The utilization rate of public health services was low in CHIs. Conclusions The CHIs in China appears to fulfill the public health target of uptake by vulnerable populations, and may play an important role in promoting equity in health service utilization. However, services for children and the elderly should be strengthened

Adenoid lymphocyte heterogeneity in pediatric adenoid hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnea

IntroductionAdenoid hypertrophy is the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Previous studies have suggested that pathogenic infections and local immune system disorders in the adenoids are associated with adenoid hypertrophy. The abnormalities in the number and function of various lymphocyte subsets in the adenoids may play a role in this association. However, changes in the proportion of lymphocyte subsets in hypertrophic adenoids remain unclear.MethodsTo identify patterns of lymphocyte subsets in hypertrophic adenoids, we used multicolor flow cytometry to analyze the lymphocyte subset composition in two groups of children: the mild to moderate hypertrophy group (n = 10) and the severe hypertrophy group (n = 5).ResultsA significant increase in naïve lymphocytes and a decrease in effector lymphocytes were found in severe hypertrophic adenoids.DiscussionThis finding suggests that abnormal lymphocyte differentiation or migration may contribute to the development of adenoid hypertrophy. Our study provides valuable insights and clues into the immunological mechanism underlying adenoid hypertrophy

Dual-Band All-Optical Logic Gates by Coherent Absorption in an Amorphous Silicon Graphene Metasurface

The dual-band polarization-independent all-optical logic gate by coherent absorption effect in an amorphous silicon (a-Si) graphene metasurface is investigated theoretically and numerically. Taking the substrate effect into consideration, the coherent perfect absorption condition of the a-Si graphene metasurface is derived on the basis of the Cartesian multipole method. The coherent nearly perfect absorption of the a-Si graphene metasurface is realized by the interference of multipole moments and the interband transition of monolayer graphene, achieving peak values of 91% and 92% at 894.5 nm and 991.5 nm, respectively. The polarization independence of the coherent absorption is revealed due to the center symmetry of the structure of the a-Si graphene metasurface. The dual-band polarization-independent all-optical XOR and OR logic gates are implemented at 894.5 nm and 991.5 nm by the a-Si graphene metasurface based on the coherent nearly perfect absorption, which has the opportunity to be utilized in all-optical computing, all-optical data processing, and future all-optical networks

miR-19 Is a Potential Clinical Biomarker for Gastrointestinal Malignancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives. To assess the expression and clinical value of miR-19 in gastrointestinal malignancy. Setting. Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and other databases were retrieved to screen out relevant studies until December 31, 2019. Participants. Gastrointestinal cancer patients with the description of miR-19 expression, as well as the correlation between miR-19 and clinicopathological characteristics or prognosis. Main Outcome Measures. Pooled odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was obtained to determine miR-19 expression in gastrointestinal malignancy and the association between miR-19 and patients’ clinical characteristics and survival. Results. Thirty-seven studies were included in this study. miR-19 levels in gastrointestinal malignancy, especially in hepatocellular (OR=4.88, 95%  CI=2.38‐9.99), colorectal (OR=4.81, 95%  CI=2.38‐9.72), and pancreatic (OR=5.12, 95%  CI=2.43‐10.78) cancers, were significantly overexpressed, and miR-19 was tightly related to some clinicopathological characteristics, such as lymph node metastasis (OR=1.74, 95%  CI=1.05‐2.86). Although gastrointestinal cancer patients with low and high miR-19 expression had comparable OS (overall survival) and DFS (disease-free survival), subgroup analyses showed that patients with high miR-19 presented better DFS than those with low miR-19 in liver cancer (HR=0.46, 95%  CI=0.30‐0.71). Conclusions. miR-19 might be a potential progression and prognostic biomarker for gastrointestinal malignancy

Comparison of two functional kappa light‐chain transcripts amplified from a hybridoma

Three heavy‐chain and three kappa (κ)‐chain transcripts were amplified from hybridoma cells secreting a monoclonal antibody (m A b) against transferrin receptor. Sequence analysis via IMGT / V ‐ QUEST yielded the functional/aberrant prediction. Two functional κ‐chain transcripts, V κ2 and V κ3, and one functional V H 1 were revealed. Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses including sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree, somatic hypermutation prediction, and three‐dimensional‐molecular structure modeling were used to predict the origin of the two κ‐chain transcripts. The results of bioinformatics analysis suggest that V κ3 is derived from the myeloma partner of the hybridoma; V κ2 is derived from B‐cell. Functional transcripts V H 1 and V κ2 and V κ3 were then used to construct two chimeric antibodies chi‐ C 2 ( V κ2– V H 1) and chi‐ C 3 ( V κ3–V H 1), respectively. Antigen‐binding experiments showed that only chi‐ C 2 remained the same affinity as its parental mAb. Possible explanations for the coexistence of two functional κ‐chain transcripts and the different affinity of the two chimeric antibodies are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98790/1/bab1080.pd

Screening Phosphorylation Site Mutations in Yeast Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Using Malonyl-CoA Sensor to Improve Malonyl-CoA-Derived Product

Malonyl-coenzyme A (malonyl-CoA) is a critical precursor for the biosynthesis of a variety of biochemicals. It is synthesized by the catalysis of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc1p), which was demonstrated to be deactivated by the phosphorylation of Snf1 protein kinase in yeast. In this study, we designed a synthetic malonyl-CoA biosensor and used it to screen phosphorylation site mutations of Acc1p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thirteen phosphorylation sites were mutated, and a combination of three site mutations in Acc1p, S686A, S659A, and S1157A, was found to increase malonyl-CoA availability. ACC1S686AS659AS1157A expression also improved the production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid, a malonyl-CoA-derived chemical, compared to both wild type and the previously reported ACC1S659AS1157A mutation. This mutation will also be beneficial for other malonyl-CoA-derived products