Multi-Agent Path Finding via Tree LSTM

In recent years, Multi-Agent Path Finding (MAPF) has attracted attention from the fields of both Operations Research (OR) and Reinforcement Learning (RL). However, in the 2021 Flatland3 Challenge, a competition on MAPF, the best RL method scored only 27.9, far less than the best OR method. This paper proposes a new RL solution to Flatland3 Challenge, which scores 125.3, several times higher than the best RL solution before. We creatively apply a novel network architecture, TreeLSTM, to MAPF in our solution. Together with several other RL techniques, including reward shaping, multiple-phase training, and centralized control, our solution is comparable to the top 2-3 OR methods.Comment: Appear in AAAI23-MAP

The Optimization and Mathematical Modeling of Quality Attributes of Parboiled Rice Using a Response Surface Method

The response surface methodology was used to optimize the hydrothermal processing conditions based on the rice quality parameters of the Rong Youhua Zhan rice variety (Indica). The effect of soaking temperature (29.77, 40, 55, 70, and 80.23°C), soaking time (67.55, 90, 120, 150, and 170.45 min), and steaming time (1.59, 5, 10, 15, and 18.41 min), each tested at five levels, on percentage of head rice yield (HRY), hardness, cooking time, lightness, and color were determined, with R2 values of 0.96, 0.94, 0.90, 0.88, and 0.94, respectively. HRY, hardness, cooking time, and color increased with process severity while lightness decreased, although HRY decreased after reaching a maximum. The predicted optimum soaking temperature, soaking time, and steaming time were 69.88°C, 150 min, and 6.73 min, respectively, and the predicted HRY, hardness, cooking time, lightness, and color under these conditions were 73.43%, 29.95 N, 32.14 min, 83.03 min, and 12.24 min, respectively, with a composite desirability of 0.9658. The parboiling industry could use the findings of the current study to obtain the desired quality of parboiled rice. This manuscript will be helpful for researchers working on commercializing parboiled rice processes in China as well as in other countries

An Intelligent Method for Pork Freshness Identification Based on EfficientNet Model

A method for measuring pork freshness based on images and the EfficientNet framework was established. A total of 2 500 images of pork with different freshness were collected as original dataset and processed by image enhancement to construct a new dataset of 60 000 images. First, EfficientNet was trained with the CIFAR-10 dataset to determine the basic structure and initial weights of the model. Then, the model was trained and improved using the constructed dataset to make the model suitable for five classification problems. Finally, the established model was tested, verified, and compared with the current mainstream convolutional neural network (CNN) models of Alexnet, VGG16 and ResNet50. The results showed that the average correct recognition rate of the EfficientNet model was as high as 98.62%, which was significantly better than that of the Alexnet, VGG16 and ResNet50 models. The correct recognition rate of the EfficientNetB2 model was 99.22%, and the training time was only 157 min. The comprehensive performance of the EfficientNetB2 model was the best, making it the most suitable method for pork freshness identification. In order to improve its generalization ability, the optimizer algorithm of the EfficientNetB2 model was improved, and the performances of stochastic gradient descent (SGD), adaptive moment estimation (Adam), root mean square propagation (RMSProp) and rectified adaptive moment estimation (RAdam) were compared. The results showed that the RAdam optimizer failed to further improve the accuracy of the model but instead helped to improve its generalization capability, which will of practical significance for engineering applications

Generation of dual-gRNA library for combinatorial CRISPR screening of synthetic lethal gene pairs

Combinatorial CRISPR screening is useful for investigating synthetic lethality (SL) gene pairs. Here, we detail the steps for dual-gRNA library construction, with the introduction of two backbones, LentiGuide_DKO and LentiCRISPR_DKO. We describe steps fo

A novel auxiliary fixation technique of meshes in intraperitoneal onlay mesh procedures for incisional hernia repair

IntroductionMesh fixation is an important step in incisional hernia repair. Weak fixation possibly results in postoperative pain, and even hernia recurrence. We innovated an auxiliary fixation approach, the magnet attraction technique (MAT), to achieve better mesh fixation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of MAT in intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) procedures for incisional hernia repair.MethodsHistorical patient records were analyzed according to the clinical data of 16 patients with incisional hernias. Among them, 5 patients have undergone IPOM repair procedures in combination with MAT to assist in mesh fixation. As a control, 11 patients treated with IPOM and mesh fixation via conventional suspension were included. The clinical data collected include patients' basic characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative conditions, and follow-up results in both groups.ResultsCompared with patients in the control group, patients in the MAT group were found to suffer from a larger hernia ring diameter and longer surgical duration, but shorter hospitalization length on average. And most importantly, no complication has been reported in the MAT group.ConclusionMAT in IPOM operation was regarded as a feasible and safe technique for patients suffering from incisional hernias

Ru doping induced spin frustration and enhancement of the room-temperature anomalous Hall effect in La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 films

In transition-metal-oxide heterostructures, the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) is a powerful tool for detecting the magnetic state and revealing intriguing interfacial magnetic orderings. However, achieving a larger AHE at room temperature in oxide heterostructures is still challenging due to the dilemma of mutually strong spin-orbit coupling and magnetic exchange interactions. Here, we exploit the Ru doping-enhanced AHE in LSMRO epitaxial films. As the B-site Ru doping level increases up to 20 percent, the anomalous Hall resistivity at room temperature can be enhanced from nOhmcm to uOhmcm scale. Ru doping leads to strong competition between ferromagnetic double-exchange interaction and antiferromagnetic super-exchange interaction. The resultant spin frustration and spin-glass state facilitate a strong skew-scattering process, thus significantly enhancing the extrinsic AHE. Our findings could pave a feasible approach for boosting the controllability and reliability of oxide-based spintronic devices

Decoupling of Economic Growth to Industrial Wastewater Discharge in the Yangtze River Delta

Based on inter-provincial panel data from 2010 to 2018, the author conducted quantitative analysis on the decoupling of economic growth and industrial wastewater discharge as well as its driving factors in the Yangtze River Delta. The research shows during the study period, a high level of decoupling between economic growth and industrial wastewater discharge could be seen in the Yangtze River Delta, mainly in the form of strong decoupling, while at the same time, undesirable conditions such as growth linkages and expansive negative decoupling, still existed in a few years and certain regions. Among the studied regions, Anhui Province, Zhejiang Province and Jiangsu Province all share a similar decoupling pattern with a rather stable overall performance. Shanghai, however, performed poorly among the Yangtze River Delta, with undesirable decoupling states detected in a few years. In terms of driving factors, technology is the core factor that drives the decoupling of economic development to industrial wastewater discharge of the region. The structural effect, on the other hand, is another element worth paying attention to as the technology in the region gradually becomes saturated

Study of Human Visual Comfort Based on Sudden Vertical Illuminance Changes

Rapid changes in vertical illuminance trigger visual fatigue. Therefore, controlling the illuminance ratio of adjacent spaces can ensure the satisfaction and comfort of users. This study takes reaction time as the measure of adaptation and explores the correlation between visual adaptation and comfort in different light environments. The Landolt C ring was selected as the visual standard for the experimental test, the degree of visual comfort was assessed using a Likert scale, and experimental parameters were formulated according to relevant criteria. By analyzing the subjective visual comfort, visual task performance and physiological evaluations of the participants under different changing illuminance levels, we have concluded that there is a significant correlation between reaction time and visual comfort, and no significant effect of gender on visual comfort. Therefore, under the condition of meeting the required value of illumination standard, the smaller the illuminance ratio of adjacent rooms, the more the comfort and visual acuity of users can be guaranteed, and visual fatigue can also be avoided. The study is a useful resource for improving comfort and pleasure in a light environment as well as for lighting design

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of silver@carbon nanocomposites

Abstract In this work, hollow multiple-Ag-nanoclustes- C-shell nanocomposites (Ag@C) were synthesized by using silane coupling agent to graft carbon dots (CDs) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). CDs act as coating and stabilizing agent, protecting AgNPs from aggregation and oxidation. The resulting Ag@C nanocomposites demonstrate strong bactericidal effect against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in the disk diffusion test. Cellular toxicity evaluation was performed using MTT assay. Meanwhile, the as-prepared Ag@C nanocomposites show a good biocompatibility

Vibration Control of a Power Transmission Tower with Pounding Tuned Mass Damper under Multi-Component Seismic Excitations

In this paper, the two-dimensional vibration controls of a power transmission tower with a pounding tuned mass damper (PTMD) under multi-component seismic excitations are analyzed. A three-dimensional finite element model of a practical power transmission tower is established in ABAQUS (Dassasult Simulia Company, Providence, RI, USA). The TMD (tuned mass damper) and PTMD are simulated by the finite element method. The response of the transmission tower with TMD and PTMD are analyzed, respectively. To achieve optimal design, the influence of the mass ratio, ground motion intensity, gap, and incident angle of seismic ground motion are investigated, respectively. The results show that the PTMD is very effective in reducing the vibration of the transmission tower in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The reduction ratio increases with the increase of the mass ratio. The ground motion intensity and gap have no obvious influence on the reduction ratio. However, the incident angle has a significant influence on the reduction ratio