Towards audio language modeling -- an overview

Neural audio codecs are initially introduced to compress audio data into compact codes to reduce transmission latency. Researchers recently discovered the potential of codecs as suitable tokenizers for converting continuous audio into discrete codes, which can be employed to develop audio language models (LMs). Numerous high-performance neural audio codecs and codec-based LMs have been developed. The paper aims to provide a thorough and systematic overview of the neural audio codec models and codec-based LMs

A fluorescently labelled sialic acid for high performance intraoperative tumor detection

973 program [2013CB93390]; NSF China [21272196, 30830092, 30921005, 91029304, 81061160512]; PCSIRT; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [2011121020]Surgical resection is widely used for tumor treatment, necessitating approaches for the precise locating of elusive tumor foci. We report the high performance detection of tumors in mice with fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled sialic acid (FITC-SA), a fluorescent monosaccharide with low cytoxicity. Analysis of mice intravenously injected with FITC-SA revealed high target-to-background fluorescence ratios in subcutaneous tumors and liver tumor implants with 0.2-5 mm diameters, which are significantly below the clinical threshold of minimal residual cancer (similar to 1 cm clearance). Extracellular FITC-SA is quickly cleared from circulation whereas the intracellular FITC-SA could be metabolically incorporated into glycoproteins via a cellular sialylation pathway. Compared with FITC-SA-laden nanoparticles, free FITC-SA is preferentially and quickly taken up by tumors in mice and displays high tumor-to-background signal contrast, suggesting the potential for fluorescence directed surgical ablation of tumors

Distributed Dynamic Economic Dispatch of an Isolated AC/DC Hybrid Microgrid Based on a Finite-Step Consensus Algorithm

The AC/DC hybrid microgrid is the main trend of microgrids’ development, and the dynamic economic dispatch is regarded as an important way to ensure the economic and safe operation of a microgrid system. In this paper, a dynamic economic dispatch model of the isolated AC/DC hybrid microgrid is developed with the objective of minimizing the daily operation cost of controllable units. Furthermore, a distributed algorithm based on the finite-step consensus algorithm is proposed, in which the incremental cost of each distributed generation unit is set as a consensus variable, and all units obtain the optimal values by exchanging information only with their neighbors. In addition, the algorithm converges to the optimal solutions in finite steps, and the efficiency is improved significantly. The effectiveness of the proposed model and the algorithm were verified by simulation

One-Pot Synthesis of BiCuSO Nanosheets under Ambient Atmosphere as Broadband Spectrum Photocatalyst

Cuprous based chalcogenides have attracted intensive research interest due to the potential applications in solar energy conversion. However, typical fabrications of these compounds are often carried out under severe conditions, such as inert gas protection, high vacuum, and/or extreme high temperature. Here we reported a one-pot process for cuprous based chalcogenides synthesis in aqueous solution. A strategy for BiCuSO nanosheets fabrication without toxic chemicals or rigorous reagents at pretty low temperatures under an ambient atmosphere was established, with the practicality of morphology controlling and the compatibility of multifarious precursors. Platelike BiCuSO with a thickness range from several to hundreds nanometers are fabricated by adjusting the alkali concentration, reaction time, and temperature. The positive effect of alkali hydroxide concentration is proposed cautiously based on the experimental results. The photocatalytic activities of BiCuSO nanosheet under UV, visible, and near-infrared irradiation were also investigated. BiCuSO obtained at room temperature with a thickness of 4.5 nm showed the most impressive efficiency to decompose organic contaminants. Our research presented a new way for cuprous sulfides fabrication, and might open up a new vista for large-scale synthesis of cuprous based materials as promising broadband spectrum light-absorbing materials

Research Advances in Mechanical Properties and Applications of Dual Network Hydrogels

Hydrogels with a three-dimensional network structure are particularly outstanding in water absorption and water retention because water exists stably in the interior, making the gel appear elastic and solid. Although traditional hydrogels have good water absorption and high water content, they have poor mechanical properties and are not strong enough to be applied in some scenarios today. The proposal of double-network hydrogels has dramatically improved the toughness and mechanical strength of hydrogels that can adapt to different environments. Based on ensuring the properties of hydrogels, they themselves will not be damaged by excessive pressure and tension. This review introduces preparation methods for double-network hydrogels and ways to improve the mechanical properties of three typical gels. In addition to improving the mechanical properties, the biocompatibility and swelling properties of hydrogels enable them to be applied in the fields of biomedicine, intelligent sensors, and ion adsorption

Alkaline-lacustrine deposition and paleoenvironmental evolution in Permian Fengcheng Formation at the Mahu sag, Junggar Basin, NW China

Alkaline-lacustrine deposition and its evolution model in Permian Fengcheng Formation at the Mahu sag, Junggar Basin were investigated through core and thin-section observation, geochemical and elemental analysis, logging response and lithofacies identification. Six lithofacies are developed in the Fengcheng Formation. The Feng 2 Member (P1f2) is dominated by lithofacies with alkaline minerals, while the upper part of the Feng 1 Member (P1f1) and the lower part of the Feng 3 Member (P1f3) are primarily organic-rich mudstones that are interbedded with dolomite and dolomitic rock. Paleoenvironment evolution of Fengcheng Formation can be divided into 5 stages, which was controlled by volcanic activity and paleoclimate. The first stage (the early phase of P1f1) was characterized by intensive volcanic activity and arid climate, developing pyroclastics and sedimentary volcaniclastic rocks. The secondary stage (the later phase of P1f1) had weak volcanic activity and humid climate that contributed to the development of organic-rich mudstone, forming primary source rock in the Fengcheng Formation. The increasing arid climate at the third stage (the early phase of P1f2) resulted in shrinking of lake basin and increasing of salinity, giving rise to dolomite and dolomitic rocks. The continuous aird climate, low lake level and high salinity at the fourth stage (the later phase of P1f2) generated special alkaline minerals, e.g., trona, indicating the formation of alkaline-lacustrine. The humid climate made lake level rise and desalted lake water, therefore, the fifth stage (P1f3) dominated by the deposition of terrigenous clastic rocks and dolomitic rocks. Key words: Junggar Basin, Permian Fengcheng Formation, depositional characteristics, paleoenvironment reconstruction, alkaline-lacustrine deposition, lithofacies, Mahu sa

Lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary features and organicrich shale distribution pattern: A case study of Chang 7 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin, NW China

The Chang 7 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin is taken as an example to study the distribution rule and major controlling factors of the fine-grained sedimentary system by core description, thin section observation, X-ray diffraction, geochemical testing and TOC well logging quantitative calculation. The main sedimentary pattern of organic-rich shale in Chang 7 Member is transgression–water stratification. The sedimentary facies, water depth, anoxic condition and lacustrine flow are the major controlling factors for the formation and distribution of organic-rich shale. During the deposition of the Chang 73 Member, lake water invaded rapidly, lake depth and scope sharply increased. Because of the temperature difference, the circulation between upper surface water and lower water in deep lake was restrained, then large-area anoxic environment was formed in deep lake, which was favorable for the development of organic-rich shale. In silent deep lake where is far away from the delta front, organic-rich shale well developed, with high organic carbon content and mainly type I kerogen. In deep lake where sandy debris flows developed, organic-rich shale was inter-bedded with sandstone, which contains high organic carbon content, mainly with type I-II1 kerogen. In semi-deep lake close to the delta front, wavy-massive silty mudstone developed, mainly with type II kerogen. Key words: fine-grained sediment, organic-rich shale, rock texture, distribution pattern, Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basi

Lysosomal pH Decrease in Inflammatory Cells Used To Enable Activatable Imaging of Inflammation with a Sialic Acid Conjugated Profluorophore

Inflammation causes significant morbidity and mortality, necessitating effective in vivo imaging of inflammation. Prior approaches often rely on combination of optical agents with entities specific for proteinaceous biomarkers overexpressed in inflammatory tissues. We herein report a fundamentally new approach to image inflammation by targeting lysosomes undergoing acidification in inflammatory cells with a sialic acid (Sia) conjugated near-infrared profluorophore (pNIR). Sia–pNIR contains a sialic acid domain for in vivo targeting of inflamed tissues and a pNIR domain which isomerizes into fluorescent and optoacoustic species in acidic lysosomes. Sia–pNIR displays high inflammation-to-healthy tissue signal contrasts in mice treated with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or lipopolysaccharide. In addition, inflammation-associated fluorescence is switched off upon antibiotics treatment in mice. This report shows the potentials of Sia–pNIR for activatable dual-modality inflammation imaging, and particularly the use of lysosomes of inflamed cells as a previously unappreciated biomarker for inflammation imaging

Gravity flow sedimentation and tight oil exploration in lower first member of Shahejie Formation in slope area of Qikou Sag, Bohai Bay Basin

Based on observation of cores and thin slices and analysis of drilling, log and test data, the gravity flow deposits characteristics and formation conditions and characteristics of tight oil in lower first member of Shahejie Formation (Es1x) were systematically analyzed in Qikou Sag, Huanghua depression, Bohai Bay Basin. There mainly developed sandy debris flow, muddy debris flow and classical turbidity flow in the study area, and sandstone with boulder-clay is mostly sandy debris flow origin, muddy debris flow deposits are mudstone or silty mudstone with sandy lumps, the normal graded bedding is a reliable sign of classical turbidite. Affected by multi-source supply, slope break, different trigger mechanism and fluctuation of lake level, multi-gravity flows formed multi-level fans in mid-low slope to main sag, which can be divided into five micro-facies including submerged main channel, submerged distributary channel, lateral channel margin, mud between channels and turbidite sheet sand. Multi-level and multi-stage gravity flow sediments provide material foundations for tight oil and gas in the deep mud and sand-rich lake, where wide spread tight reservoirs and high quality source rocks contact closely vertically, forming multiple sets of sandwich-like source-reservoir-seal assemblages. Exploration shows that the submerged distributary channel and turbidite sheet sand of sandy debris flow are two main exploration facies of gravity flow in Es1x and important area of scale reserve increase in slope zones of Qikou Sag. Key words: gravity flow sedimentation, tight oil, Shahejie Formation, slope area, Qikou Sag, Bohai Bay Basi