Domain Generalization with Small Data

In this work, we propose to tackle the problem of domain generalization in the context of insufficient samples. Instead of extracting latent feature embeddings based on deterministic models, we propose to learn a domain-invariant representation based on the probabilistic framework by mapping each data point into probabilistic embeddings. Specifically, we first extend empirical maximum mean discrepancy (MMD) to a novel probabilistic MMD that can measure the discrepancy between mixture distributions (i.e., source domains) consisting of a series of latent distributions rather than latent points. Moreover, instead of imposing the contrastive semantic alignment (CSA) loss based on pairs of latent points, a novel probabilistic CSA loss encourages positive probabilistic embedding pairs to be closer while pulling other negative ones apart. Benefiting from the learned representation captured by probabilistic models, our proposed method can marriage the measurement on the distribution over distributions (i.e., the global perspective alignment) and the distribution-based contrastive semantic alignment (i.e., the local perspective alignment). Extensive experimental results on three challenging medical datasets show the effectiveness of our proposed method in the context of insufficient data compared with state-of-the-art methods

Induction of Reproductive Diapause in \u3ci\u3eHabrobracon hebetor\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) When Reared at Different Photoperiods at Low Temperatures

Development of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) at low temperatures was determined to identify rearing conditions that might result in adults that were in reproductive diapause. Diapausing adults would be expected to survive cold storage longer than nondiapausing adults for use in biological control programs. Only a few eggs were found in the ovaries when H. hebetor females were reared during the immature stages at 17.5 and 20°C with a 16-h photoperiod, and the ovaries were poorly developed and contained no eggs when females were reared with a 10-h photoperiod in these low temperatures. Rearing H. hebetor at 17.5 and 20°C did not result in diapause of immature stages, but did appear to result in possible adult reproductive diapause when the immature stages were reared with a 10-h photoperiod. Females reared during the immature stages at 17.5°C with a 10-h photoperiod lived longer and took longer to lay their first eggs and to lay 50% of their eggs than those females reared at 17.5°C with a 16-h photoperiod. Females reared during the immature stages at 20°C with a 10-h photoperiod took longer to lay their first eggs and to lay 50% of their eggs, and they had a lower respiration rate, than those females reared at 20°C with a 16-h photoperiod. Females that were reared in conditions that appeared to induce reproductive diapause resumed oviposition and their respiration rate increased soon after being transferred to a higher temperature (27.5°C). Thus, females reared at a 10-h photoperiod at 17.5 and 20°C appear to enter reproductive diapause

Effect of mangrove species on removal of tetrabromobisphenol A from contaminated sediments

Abstract(#br)The increase levels of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in mangrove wetlands is of concern due to its potential toxic impacts on ecosystem. A 93-day greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mangrove plants, A. marina and K. obovata , on TBBPA degradation in sediment and to reveal the associated contributing factor(s) for its degradation. Results show that both mangrove species could uptake, translocate, and accumulate TBBPA from mangrove sediments. Compared to the unplanted sediment, urease and dehydrogenase activity as well as total bacterial abundance increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in the sediment planted with mangrove plants, especially for K. obovata . In the mangrove-planted sediment, the Anaerolineae genus was the dominant bacteria, which has been reported to enhance TBBPA dissipation, and its abundance increased significantly in the sediment at early stage (0–35 day) of the greenhouse experiment. Compared to A. marina -planted sediment, higher enrichment of Geobater, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Azoarcus , all of which could stimulate TBBPA degradation, was observed for the K. obovata -planted sediment during the 93-day growth period. Our mass balance result has suggested that plant-induced TBBPA degradation in the mangrove sediment is largely due to elevated microbial activities and total bacterial abundance in the rhizosphere, rather than plant uptake. In addition, different TBBPA removal efficiencies were observed in the sediments planted with different mangrove species. This study has demonstrated that K. obovata is a more suitable mangrove species than A. marina when used for remediation of TBBPA-contaminated sediment

Effect of mangrove species on removal of tetrabromobisphenol A from contaminated sediments.

The increase levels of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in mangrove wetlands is of concern due to its potential toxic impacts on ecosystem. A 93-day greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mangrove plants, A. marina and K. obovata, on TBBPA degradation in sediment and to reveal the associated contributing factor(s) for its degradation. Results show that both mangrove species could uptake, translocate, and accumulate TBBPA from mangrove sediments. Compared to the unplanted sediment, urease and dehydrogenase activity as well as total bacterial abundance increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the sediment planted with mangrove plants, especially for K. obovata. In the mangrove-planted sediment, the Anaerolineae genus was the dominant bacteria, which has been reported to enhance TBBPA dissipation, and its abundance increased significantly in the sediment at early stage (0-35 day) of the greenhouse experiment. Compared to A. marina-planted sediment, higher enrichment of Geobater, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Azoarcus, all of which could stimulate TBBPA degradation, was observed for the K. obovata-planted sediment during the 93-day growth period. Our mass balance result has suggested that plant-induced TBBPA degradation in the mangrove sediment is largely due to elevated microbial activities and total bacterial abundance in the rhizosphere, rather than plant uptake. In addition, different TBBPA removal efficiencies were observed in the sediments planted with different mangrove species. This study has demonstrated that K. obovata is a more suitable mangrove species than A. marina when used for remediation of TBBPA-contaminated sediment

SODs involved in the hormone mediated regulation of H2O2 content in Kandelia obovata root tissues under cadmium stress.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in mangrove wetlands has received increasing attention as urbanization expands rapidly. As a dominant mangrove species, Kandelia obovata is highly tolerant to Cd toxicity. Plant hormones and superoxide dismutase (SODs) play critical roles in the response to heavy metal stress in K. obovata roots. Although theirs important influence have been reported, the regulation mechanism between SODs and plant hormones in Cd detoxification by K. obovata roots remains limited. Here, we investigated relationships among SOD, plant hormones, and Cd tolerance in K. obovata roots exposed to Cd. We found that Cd was retained in the epidermis and exodermis of roots, and the epidermis and exodermis had highest hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and SOD activity. Similarly, SOD isozymes also exhibited distinct activity in the different parts of root. Overexpressed KoCSD3 and KoFSD2 individually in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that different SOD members contributed to H2O2 content regulation by promote the activity of downstream antioxidant enzymes under Cd treatment. In addition, assays on the effects of hormones showed that increased endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was observed in the cortex and stele, whereas the abscisic acid (ABA) content was enhanced in the epidermis and exodermis in roots during Cd treatment. The results of exogenous hormones treatment indicated that KoFSD2 upregulated under ABA and IAA treatment, but KoCSD3 only induced by ABA stimulation. Taken together, our results reveal the relationship between SODs and plant hormones, which expands the knowledge base regarding KoSODs response to plant hormones and mediating H2O2 concentration under Cd stress

SODs involved in the hormone mediated regulation of H 2 O 2 content in Kandelia obovata root tissues under cadmium stress

Abstract(#br)Cadmium (Cd) pollution in mangrove wetlands has received increasing attention as urbanization expands rapidly. As a dominant mangrove species, Kandelia obovata is highly tolerant to Cd toxicity. Plant hormones and superoxide dismutase (SODs) play critical roles in the response to heavy metal stress in K. obovata roots. Although theirs important influence have been reported, the regulation mechanism between SODs and plant hormones in Cd detoxification by K. obovata roots remains limited. Here, we investigated relationships among SOD, plant hormones, and Cd tolerance in K. obovata roots exposed to Cd. We found that Cd was retained in the epidermis and exodermis of roots, and the epidermis and exodermis had highest hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) content and SOD activity. Similarly, SOD isozymes also exhibited distinct activity in the different parts of root. Overexpressed KoCSD3 and KoFSD2 individually in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that different SOD members contributed to H 2 O 2 content regulation by promote the activity of downstream antioxidant enzymes under Cd treatment. In addition, assays on the effects of hormones showed that increased endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was observed in the cortex and stele, whereas the abscisic acid (ABA) content was enhanced in the epidermis and exodermis in roots during Cd treatment. The results of exogenous hormones treatment indicated that KoFSD2 upregulated under ABA and IAA treatment, but KoCSD3 only induced by ABA stimulation. Taken together, our results reveal the relationship between SODs and plant hormones, which expands the knowledge base regarding KoSODs response to plant hormones and mediating H 2 O 2 concentration under Cd stress

Terrestrial-derived soil protein in coastal water: metal sequestration mechanism and ecological function.

Terrestrial fungi, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, enhance heavy metal sequestration and promote ecosystem restoration. However, their ecological functions were historically overlooked in discussions regarding water quality. As an AM fungi-derived stable soil protein fraction, glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) may provide insights into the ecological functions of AM fungi associated with water quality in coastal ecosystems. Here, we first assessed the metal-loading dynamics and ecological functions of GRSP transported into aquatic ecosystems, characterized the composition characteristics, and revealed the mechanisms underlying Cu and Cd sequestration. Combining in situ sampling and in vitro cultures, we found that the composition characteristics of GRSP were significantly affected by the element and mineral composition of sediments. In situ, GRSP-bound Cu and Cd contributed 18.91-22.03% of the total Cu and 2.27-6.37% of the total Cd. Functional group ligands and ion exchange were the principal mechanisms of Cu binding by GRSP, while Cd binding was dominated by functional group ligands. During the in vitro experiment, GRSP sequestered large amounts of Cu and Cd and formed stable complexes, while further dialysis only released 25.74 ± 3.85% and 33.53 ± 3.62% of GRSP-bound Cu and Cd, respectively

Terrestrial-derived soil protein in coastal water: Metal sequestration mechanism and ecological function

Abstract(#br)Terrestrial fungi, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, enhance heavy metal sequestration and promote ecosystem restoration. However, their ecological functions were historically overlooked in discussions regarding water quality. As an AM fungi-derived stable soil protein fraction, glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) may provide insights into the ecological functions of AM fungi associated with water quality in coastal ecosystems. Here, we first assessed the metal-loading dynamics and ecological functions of GRSP transported into aquatic ecosystems, characterized the composition characteristics, and revealed the mechanisms underlying Cu and Cd sequestration. Combining in situ sampling and in vitro cultures, we found that the composition characteristics of GRSP were significantly affected by the element and mineral composition of sediments. In situ , GRSP-bound Cu and Cd contributed 18.91–22.03% of the total Cu and 2.27–6.37% of the total Cd. Functional group ligands and ion exchange were the principal mechanisms of Cu binding by GRSP, while Cd binding was dominated by functional group ligands. During the in vitro experiment, GRSP sequestered large amounts of Cu and Cd and formed stable complexes, while further dialysis only released 25.74 ± 3.85% and 33.53 ± 3.62% of GRSP-bound Cu and Cd, respectively

Induction of Reproductive Diapause in \u3ci\u3eHabrobracon hebetor\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) When Reared at Different Photoperiods at Low Temperatures

Development of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) at low temperatures was determined to identify rearing conditions that might result in adults that were in reproductive diapause. Diapausing adults would be expected to survive cold storage longer than nondiapausing adults for use in biological control programs. Only a few eggs were found in the ovaries when H. hebetor females were reared during the immature stages at 17.5 and 20°C with a 16-h photoperiod, and the ovaries were poorly developed and contained no eggs when females were reared with a 10-h photoperiod in these low temperatures. Rearing H. hebetor at 17.5 and 20°C did not result in diapause of immature stages, but did appear to result in possible adult reproductive diapause when the immature stages were reared with a 10-h photoperiod. Females reared during the immature stages at 17.5°C with a 10-h photoperiod lived longer and took longer to lay their first eggs and to lay 50% of their eggs than those females reared at 17.5°C with a 16-h photoperiod. Females reared during the immature stages at 20°C with a 10-h photoperiod took longer to lay their first eggs and to lay 50% of their eggs, and they had a lower respiration rate, than those females reared at 20°C with a 16-h photoperiod. Females that were reared in conditions that appeared to induce reproductive diapause resumed oviposition and their respiration rate increased soon after being transferred to a higher temperature (27.5°C). Thus, females reared at a 10-h photoperiod at 17.5 and 20°C appear to enter reproductive diapause

Research on the Error Characteristics of a 110 kV Optical Voltage Transformer under Three Conditions: In the Laboratory, Off-Line in the Field and During On-Line Operation

Optical voltage transformers (OVTs) have been applied in power systems. When performing accuracy performance tests of OVTs large differences exist between the electromagnetic environment and the temperature variation in the laboratory and on-site. Therefore, OVTs may display different error characteristics under different conditions. In this paper, OVT prototypes with typical structures were selected to be tested for the error characteristics with the same testing equipment and testing method. The basic accuracy, the additional error caused by temperature and the adjacent phase in the laboratory, the accuracy in the field off-line, and the real-time monitoring error during on-line operation were tested. The error characteristics under the three conditions—laboratory, in the field off-line and during on-site operation—were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the effect of the transportation process, electromagnetic environment and the adjacent phase on the accuracy of OVTs could be ignored for level 0.2, but the error characteristics of OVTs are dependent on the environmental temperature and are sensitive to the temperature gradient. The temperature characteristics during on-line operation were significantly superior to those observed in the laboratory