Identification of epileptic networks with graph convolutional network incorporating oscillatory activities and evoked synaptic responses

Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) offers unique neural data from in-depth brain structures with fine temporal resolutions to better investigate the origin of epileptic brain activities. Although oscillatory patterns from different frequency bands and functional connectivity computed from the SEEG datasets are employed to study the epileptic zones, direct electrical stimulation-evoked electrophysiological recordings of synaptic responses, namely cortical-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs), from the same SEEG electrodes are not explored for the localization of epileptic zones. Here we proposed a two-stream model with unsupervised learning and graph convolutional network tailored to the SEEG and CCEP datasets in individual patients to perform localization of epileptic zones. We compared our localization results with the clinically marked electrode sites determined for surgical resections. Our model had good classification capability when compared to other state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, based on our prediction results we performed group-level brain-area mapping analysis for temporal, frontal and parietal epilepsy patients and found that epileptic and non-epileptic brain networks were distinct in patients with different types of focal epilepsy. Our unsupervised data-driven model provides personalized localization analysis for the epileptic zones. The epileptic and non-epileptic brain areas disclosed by the prediction model provide novel insights into the network-level pathological characteristics of epilepsy

Shrimpseed_Net: Counting of Shrimp Seed Using Deep Learning on Smartphones for Aquaculture

Accurate shrimp seed counting is an important task in the aquaculture and stocking shrimp seeds processes. At present, most shrimp seed counting tasks are still performed manually, which is not only time-consuming and laborious but also has low accuracy, and this counting method cannot realize modern aquaculture. Therefore, to promote the modernization of aquaculture, a portable shrimp seed counting system is proposed in this paper. The system is based on Shrimpseed_Net, a modified CSRNet convolutional neural network, and can achieve higher accuracy in shrimp seed counting. The algorithm has been successfully implemented on a smartphone, enabling automatic counting of shrimp seeds within seconds by simply taking a picture of the shrimp seeds or selecting an image from the photo album to upload to the internal algorithm. Experimental results show that after only 50 iterations, the average absolute error of the algorithm is reduced to 17.28, with an accuracy rate of 95.53%. The system can accurately count shrimp seeds in real scenarios within a short period. The shrimp seed counting system studied in this paper can be widely used in the aquaculture industry to promote its development and enable intelligent aquaculture practices

Designation of a Novel DKK1 Multiepitope DNA Vaccine and Inhibition of Bone Loss in Collagen-Induced Arthritic Mice

Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), a secretory inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling, plays a critical role in certain bone loss diseases. Studies have shown that serum levels of DKK1 are significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and are correlated with the severity of the disease, which indicates the possibility that bone erosion in RA may be inhibited by neutralizing the biological activity of DKK1. In this study, we selected a panel of twelve peptides using the software DNASTAR 7.1 and screened high affinity and immunogenicity epitopes in vitro and in vivo assays. Furthermore, we optimized four B cell epitopes to design a novel DKK1 multiepitope DNA vaccine and evaluated its bone protective effects in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of RA. High level expression of the designed vaccine was measured in supernatant of COS7 cells. In addition, intramuscular immunization of BALB/c mice with this vaccine was also highly expressed and sufficient to induce the production of long-term IgG, which neutralized natural DKK1 in vivo. Importantly, this vaccine significantly attenuated bone erosion in CIA mice compared with positive control mice. These results provide evidence for the development of a DNA vaccine targeted against DKK1 to attenuate bone erosion

Modified solid-electrolyte interphase toward stable Li metal anode

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Li metal anode has become a research hotspot again because of its high specific capacity (3860 mAh g−1 or 2061 mAh cm−3) and lowest potential among the alkali metals (−3.04 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode), which is also known as the “return of the king”. The solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a key factor in determining battery safety, power capability, Li deposition morphology, shelf life, and cycle life. In order to solve the instability problem of the inherent SEI, SEI-forming additives in electrolytes and artificial SEI are mainly adopted to improve the anode\u27s comprehensive performance. Here, we highlight the formation principles, function, evolution, and degradation mechanism of the natural SEI. On this basis, the latest research progress on the design and the construction of modified SEI layers toward stable Li metal anode in recent years are systematically reviewed. Furthermore, the advanced theoretical analysis, modeling, and characterization techniques for the SEI are also summarized. Finally, the research status of modified SEI and future research trends for this hot research area are comprehensively evaluated. We believe this timely review would advance further understanding and development of the SEI for Li metal anodes

3D Sodiophilic Ti3C2MXene@g-C3N4Hetero-Interphase Raises the Stability of Sodium Metal Anodes

Owing to several advantages of metallic sodium (Na), such as a relatively high theoretical capacity, low redox potential, wide availability, and low cost, Na metal batteries are being extensively studied, which are expected to play a major role in the fields of electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. Although considerable efforts have been devoted to utilizing MXene-based materials for suppressing Na dendrites, achieving a stable cycling of Na metal anodes remains extremely challenging due to, for example, the low Coulombic efficiency (CE) caused by the severe side reactions. Herein, a g-C3N4layer was attached in situ on the Ti3C2MXene surface, inducing a surface state reconstruction and thus forming a stable hetero-interphase with excellent sodiophilicity between the MXene and g-C3N4to inhibit side reactions and guide uniform Na ion flux. The 3D construction can not only lower the local current density to facilitate uniform Na plating/stripping but also mitigate volume change to stabilize the electrolyte/electrode interphase. Thus, the 3D Ti3C2MXene@g-C3N4nanocomposite enables much enhanced average CEs (99.9% at 1 mA h cm-2, 0.5 mA cm-2) in asymmetric half cells, long-term stability (up to 700 h) for symmetric cells, and stable cycling (up to 800 cycles at 2 C), together with outstanding rate capability (up to 20 C), of full cells. The present study demonstrates an approach in developing practically high performance for Na metal anodes

Modified cathode-electrolyte interphase toward high-performance batteries

A stable and uniform cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) is extremely important for rechargeable batteries with high energy densities and long life cycles. The CEI greatly influences the electrochemical reactions at the interphase while stabilizing the cathode\u27s structure. Because of the complexity of the interfacial reaction, an overall picture of CEI evolution and effective analysis methods is absent in the field. Herein, the formation and evolution mechanism of the CEI in rechargeable batteries are reviewed based on the CEI studies. Diverse advanced characterization methods for the interfacial reaction are also summarized. Subsequently, modified strategies to enhance the stability of the CEI are introduced, such as CEI-forming additives in electrolytes, localized high-concentration electrolytes, artificial CEIs, and solid-state electrolyte engineering. Finally, challenges and future directions for the CEI are proposed. We hope this review sheds light on future research on CEI layers

Safety assessment of sorafenib in Chinese patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: subgroup analysis of the GIDEON study

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the safety of sorafenib for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese patients. Methods A subgroup of 345 Chinese patients from the international database of the Global Investigation of therapeutic DEcisions in hepatocellular carcinoma and Of its treatment with sorafeNib (GIDEON) study was included in this analysis. Safety assessment measures were adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria version 3.0. Results Of 331 evaluable patients, 98% started sorafenib at 800 mg/day. The median treatment duration was 22 weeks (range, 0.1–116 weeks), and median overall survival (OS) was 322 days (10.7 months). Approximately 50% of patients had at least one adverse event, and 6% had grade 3–4 adverse events. Drug-related adverse events were experienced by 29% of patients, and 3.6% had grade 3–4 drug-related adverse events. Overall, 23% of patients (n = 77) experienced serious adverse events, among which only 1 event was drug-related (0.3%). No differences in overall adverse events, serious adverse events, and deaths were observed between Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B patients. The most frequent drug-related adverse events were dermatological/skin (24%), hand-foot skin reaction (20%), gastrointestinal (11%), and diarrhea (11%). The majority of adverse events occurred within 30 days of beginning sorafenib. Conclusion Sorafenib has satisfactory efficacy and safety in Chinese Child-Pugh A and B patients with unresectable HCC using the recommended dosage of 800 mg/day, and the safety of sorafenib is not affected by liver function. Prophylaxis for gastrointestinal adverse events may help to decrease dose interruptions or discontinuation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT00812175. Date of registration: December 19, 2008