Stable Score Distillation for High-Quality 3D Generation

Although Score Distillation Sampling (SDS) has exhibited remarkable performance in conditional 3D content generation, a comprehensive understanding of its formulation is still lacking, hindering the development of 3D generation. In this work, we decompose SDS as a combination of three functional components, namely mode-seeking, mode-disengaging and variance-reducing terms, analyzing the properties of each. We show that problems such as over-smoothness and implausibility result from the intrinsic deficiency of the first two terms and propose a more advanced variance-reducing term than that introduced by SDS. Based on the analysis, we propose a simple yet effective approach named Stable Score Distillation (SSD) which strategically orchestrates each term for high-quality 3D generation and can be readily incorporated to various 3D generation frameworks and 3D representations. Extensive experiments validate the efficacy of our approach, demonstrating its ability to generate high-fidelity 3D content without succumbing to issues such as over-smoothness

Impact of Automation to Maritime Technology

Abstract-Due to incredibly advancing technology and reduced manning levels in the maritime industry there is now a cultural shift in the maritime industry toward increased levels of automation in tasks, particularly with regard to navigation systems. But there are two sides to the automation advances. Increasing automation causes the loss of situation awareness, which can significantly affect performance in abnormal, timecritical circumstances. This paper presents an overview of the application of automation in marine system and its impact to the system's performance

Secure Wireless Communication in Active RIS-Assisted DFRC System

This work considers a dual-functional radar and communication (DFRC) system with an active reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) and a potential eavesdropper. Our purpose is to maximize the secrecy rate (SR) of the system by jointly designing the beamforming matrix at the DFRC base station (BS) and the reflecting coefficients at the active RIS, subject to the signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) constraint of the radar echo and the power consumption constraints at the DFRC-BS and active RIS. An alternating optimization (AO) algorithm based on semi-definite relaxation (SDR) and majorizationminimization (MM) is applied to solve the SR-maximization problem by alternately optimizing the beamforming matrix and the reflecting coefficients. Specifically, we first apply the SDR and successive convex approximation (SCA) methods to transform the two subproblems into more tractable forms, then the MM method is applied to derive a concave surrogate function and iteratively solve the subproblems. Finally, simulation results indicate that the active RIS can better confront the impact of "multiplicative fading" and outperforms traditional passive RIS in terms of both secure data rate and radar sensing performance.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure

Expression and Clinical Relevance of uPA and ET-1 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Background and objective uPA and ET-1 proteins have been reported to be up-regulated in some of human cancers. The aim of this study is to investigate the alteration and clinical relevance of uPA and ET-1 protein levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Expressions of uPA and ET-1 protein were detected in 155 cases of NSCLC with tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry (TMA-IHC) technique. The correlations between the alteration of the two proteins and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. Results Negative/weak, moderate and high expression of uPA were observed in 12.3%, 64.4% and 23.3% of squamous cell carcinomas, in 12.2%, 53.7% and 34.1% of adenocarcinomas, and in 12.3%, 58.7% and 29.0% of all cases. ET-1 presented negative/weak, moderate and high expression in 2.7%, 42.5% and 54.8% of squamous cell carcinomas, in 11.0%, 30.5% and 58.5% of adenocarcinomas, and in 7.1%, 36.1% and 56.8% of all cases. Simultaneously high expression of uPA and ET-1 were found in adenocarcinomas without lymph node metastasis (P=0.017). Adenocarcinoma patients with high expression of uPA or with high expression of both ET-1 and uPA had the longer survival time (P=0.007 and 0.016). Conclusion Detection of uPA and ET-1 protein levels might contribute to the prognosis evaluation of NSCLC

Fatty acid metabolism is related to the immune microenvironment changes of gastric cancer and RGS2 is a new tumor biomarker

BackgroundAlterations in lipid metabolism promote tumor progression. However, the role of lipid metabolism in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer have not been fully clarifiedMethodHere, genes that are related to fatty acid metabolism and differentially-expressed between normal and gastric cancer tissues were identified in the TCGA-STAD cohort. The intersection of identified differentially-expressed genes with Geneset was determined to obtain 78 fatty acid metabolism-related genes. The ConsensusClusterPlus R package was used to perform differentially-expressed genes, which yielded divided two gastric cancer subtypes termed cluster 1 and cluster 2.ResultsPatients in cluster 2 was found to display poorer prognosis than patients in cluster 1. Using machine learning method to select 8 differentially expressed genes among subtypes to construct fatty acid prognostic risk score model (FARS), which was found to display good prognostic efficacy. We also identified that certain anticancer drugs, such as bortezomib, elesclomol, GW843682X, and nilotinib, showed significant sensitivity in the high FARS score group. RGS2 was selected as the core gene upon an analysis of the gastric cancer single-cell, and Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining results revealed high level of expression of this gene in gastric cancer cells. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that a large amount of RGS2 was deposited in the stroma in gastric cancer. A pan-cancer analysis also revealed a significant association of RGS2 with TMB, TIDE, and CD8+ T-cell infiltration in other cancer types as well. RGS2 may thus be studied further as a new target for immunotherapy in future studies on gastric cancer.ConclusionIn summary, the FARS model developed here enhances our understanding of lipid metabolism in the TME in gastric cancer, and provides a theoretical basis for predicting tumor prognosis and clinical treatment

Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 From Satellite Cells is Required for Efficient Muscle Growth and Regeneration

Background/Aims: Cell migration and extracellular matrix remodeling underlie normal mammalian development and growth as well as pathologic tumor invasion. Skeletal muscle is no exception, where satellite cell migration replenishes nuclear content in damaged tissue and extracellular matrix reforms during regeneration. A key set of enzymes that regulate these processes are matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)s. The collagenase MMP-13 is transiently upregulated during muscle regeneration, but its contribution to damage resolution is unknown. The purpose of this work was to examine the importance of MMP-13 in muscle regeneration and growth in vivo and to delineate a satellite cell specific role for this collagenase. Methods: Mice with total and satellite cell specific Mmp13 deletion were utilized to determine the importance of MMP-13 for postnatal growth, regeneration after acute injury, and in chronic injury from a genetic cross with dystrophic (mdx) mice. We also evaluated insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) mediated hypertrophy in the presence and absence of MMP-13. We employed live-cell imaging and 3D migration measurements on primary myoblasts obtained from these animals. Outcome measures included muscle morphology and function. Results: Under basal conditions, Mmp13-/- mice did not exhibit histological or functional deficits in muscle. However, following acute injury, regeneration was impaired at 11 and 14 days post injury. Muscle hypertrophy caused by increased IGF-1 was blunted with minimal satellite cell incorporation in the absence of MMP-13. Mmp13-/- primary myoblasts displayed reduced migratory capacity in 2D and 3D, while maintaining normal proliferation and differentiation. Satellite cell specific deletion of MMP-13 recapitulated the effects of global MMP-13 ablation on muscle regeneration, growth and myoblast movement. Conclusion: These results show that satellite cells provide an essential autocrine source of MMP-13, which not only regulates their migration, but also supports postnatal growth and resolution of acute damage. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH&Co. K

Association of dietary patterns and sarcopenia in the elderly population: a cross-sectional study

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of muscle mass and strength, has been associated with increased hospitalization and mortality. Dietary pattern analysis is a whole diet approach which in this study was used to investigate the relationship between diet and sarcopenia. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and explore possible factors associated with it among a large population in Beijing, China.Methods: A cross-sectional study with 1,059 participants aged more than 50 years was performed. Sarcopenia was defined based on the guidelines of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The total score of the MNA-SF questionnaire was used to analyse nutrition status. The baseline demographic information, diet structure and eating habits were collected by clinicians trained in questionnaire data collection and anthropometric and bioimpedance measurements.Results: The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 8.8% and increased with age: 5%, 5.8%, 10.3% and 26.2% in the 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥80 years groups, respectively. Marital status (with or without a spouse) was not an independent factor associated with sarcopenia adjusted by age and sex. However, nutritional risk or malnutrition, vegetable diet, advanced age and spicy eating habits were risk factors for sarcopenia. Meanwhile, daily fruit, dairy and nut consumption were protective factors against sarcopenia adjusted by age, sex, income status and spouse status.Conclusion: Although further studies are required to explore the association between healthy dietary patterns and the risk of sarcopenia, the present study provides basic data for identifying correlates of sarcopenia in elderly Chinese individual

Whole-genome sequencing of the snub-nosed monkey provides insights into folivory and evolutionary history

Colobines are a unique group of Old World monkeys that principally eat leaves and seeds rather than fruits and insects. We report the sequencing at 146× coverage, de novo assembly and analyses of the genome of a male golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) and resequencing at 30× coverage of three related species (Rhinopithecus bieti, Rhinopithecus brelichi and Rhinopithecus strykeri). Comparative analyses showed that Asian colobines have an enhanced ability to derive energy from fatty acids and to degrade xenobiotics. We found evidence for functional evolution in the colobine RNASE1 gene, encoding a key secretory RNase that digests the high concentrations of bacterial RNA derived from symbiotic microflora. Demographic reconstructions indicated that the profile of ancient effective population sizes for R. roxellana more closely resembles that of giant panda rather than its congeners. These findings offer new insights into the dietary adaptations and evolutionary history of colobine primates

Functional Breathing Improvement Following Treatment with Maxillary Skeletal Expander

Improving breathing for patients with obstructed airway has been heavily researched in recent years but continues to be a challenge clinically for medical practitioners including otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, and dentists. In children with enlarged tonsils, adenotonsillectomy, partial tonsillectomy and lingual tonsillectomy are effective treatments. There are also various non-surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea in children including intra-nasal steroids, other anti-inflammatory medications, and oral appliances, but none of them are proven to be safe and effective. Various forms of rapid maxillary expansion have demonstrated airway improvement but further studies are necessary to show consistent and reproducible results. The Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE), anchored by four palatal mini-implants, has become an increasingly more common option for patients who may not respond to traditional RME. Additionally, expansion of the maxilla by the MSE occurs more by horizontal translation and less tipping than a RME expander. The goal of the study is to investigate the role of MSE in airway improvement using objective measurements including Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) and Peak Oral Inspiratory Flow (POIF) as well as subjective measures of breathing such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE). Furthermore, nasal septum deviation will be measured and correlated with objective measurements of breathing. The results indicated that MSE produced improved functional breathing. Following MSE treatment, increases in total PNIF, left PNIF and right PNIF were significant at p<0.0001. Increase in POIF was significant at p<0.01. Patients reported decreased troubled breathing based on total VAS (p<0.01), left VAS (p<0.01) and right VAS (p<0.001). PNIF and VAS were correlated on each side in pre- and post- MSE groups while PNIF change and VAS change were correlated on the right. Additionally, an increase in nasal septum deviation to the left was correlated with an increase in PNIF on the right although this was not seen in the contralateral side. If treatment with an MSE indeed raises objective and subjective measurements of airway, we may conclude that MSE is a possible treatment alternative for obstructive sleep apnea. This study has the potential to reshape the current standards for treatment of OSA creating an innovative, but less invasive cure for a large proportion of the population who suffer from OSA during sleep, have loss of daytime functionality, and have a host of co-morbid conditions

Functional Breathing Improvement Following Treatment with Maxillary Skeletal Expander

Improving breathing for patients with obstructed airway has been heavily researched in recent years but continues to be a challenge clinically for medical practitioners including otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, and dentists. In children with enlarged tonsils, adenotonsillectomy, partial tonsillectomy and lingual tonsillectomy are effective treatments. There are also various non-surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea in children including intra-nasal steroids, other anti-inflammatory medications, and oral appliances, but none of them are proven to be safe and effective. Various forms of rapid maxillary expansion have demonstrated airway improvement but further studies are necessary to show consistent and reproducible results. The Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE), anchored by four palatal mini-implants, has become an increasingly more common option for patients who may not respond to traditional RME. Additionally, expansion of the maxilla by the MSE occurs more by horizontal translation and less tipping than a RME expander. The goal of the study is to investigate the role of MSE in airway improvement using objective measurements including Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) and Peak Oral Inspiratory Flow (POIF) as well as subjective measures of breathing such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE). Furthermore, nasal septum deviation will be measured and correlated with objective measurements of breathing. The results indicated that MSE produced improved functional breathing. Following MSE treatment, increases in total PNIF, left PNIF and right PNIF were significant at p<0.0001. Increase in POIF was significant at p<0.01. Patients reported decreased troubled breathing based on total VAS (p<0.01), left VAS (p<0.01) and right VAS (p<0.001). PNIF and VAS were correlated on each side in pre- and post- MSE groups while PNIF change and VAS change were correlated on the right. Additionally, an increase in nasal septum deviation to the left was correlated with an increase in PNIF on the right although this was not seen in the contralateral side. If treatment with an MSE indeed raises objective and subjective measurements of airway, we may conclude that MSE is a possible treatment alternative for obstructive sleep apnea. This study has the potential to reshape the current standards for treatment of OSA creating an innovative, but less invasive cure for a large proportion of the population who suffer from OSA during sleep, have loss of daytime functionality, and have a host of co-morbid conditions