Simple but Effective Unsupervised Classification for Specified Domain Images: A Case Study on Fungi Images

High-quality labeled datasets are essential for deep learning. Traditional manual annotation methods are not only costly and inefficient but also pose challenges in specialized domains where expert knowledge is needed. Self-supervised methods, despite leveraging unlabeled data for feature extraction, still require hundreds or thousands of labeled instances to guide the model for effective specialized image classification. Current unsupervised learning methods offer automatic classification without prior annotation but often compromise on accuracy. As a result, efficiently procuring high-quality labeled datasets remains a pressing challenge for specialized domain images devoid of annotated data. Addressing this, an unsupervised classification method with three key ideas is introduced: 1) dual-step feature dimensionality reduction using a pre-trained model and manifold learning, 2) a voting mechanism from multiple clustering algorithms, and 3) post-hoc instead of prior manual annotation. This approach outperforms supervised methods in classification accuracy, as demonstrated with fungal image data, achieving 94.1% and 96.7% on public and private datasets respectively. The proposed unsupervised classification method reduces dependency on pre-annotated datasets, enabling a closed-loop for data classification. The simplicity and ease of use of this method will also bring convenience to researchers in various fields in building datasets, promoting AI applications for images in specialized domains

Physical accessible transformations on a finite number of quantum states

We consider to treat the usual probabilistic cloning, state separation, unambiguous state discrimination, \emph{etc} in a uniform framework. All these transformations can be regarded as special examples of generalized completely positive trace non-increasing maps on a finite number of input states. From the system-ancilla model we construct the corresponding unitary implementation of pure $\to$ pure, pure $\to$ mixed, mixed $\to$ pure, and mixed $\to$ mixed states transformations in the whole system and obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions on the existence of the desired maps. We expect our work will be helpful to explore what we can do on a finite set of input states.Comment: 7 page

Transcriptome Analysis of Metapenaeus affinis Reveals Genes Involved in Gonadal Development

Metapenaeus affinis is a crustacean with important commercial value in the fishery of the South China Sea. Overfishing has resulted in the decline of the wild population and germplasm degradation. However, there is little background knowledge about its gonadal development, and there is a lack of research on the development of this species. To better understand the molecular regulatory mechanisms during gonadal development, here, we performed RNA-Seq on immature and mature ovaries and compared their transcriptomic signatures. 126,930,488 and 122,677,356 clean sequencing reads were obtained from the Illumina sequencing platform, respectively. 394 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which 136 were up-regulated, and 258 were down-regulated. Further analysis revealed rich transcriptional sequences, which have homology with genes related to reproduction and development. Expression patterns of COX, GPX, E3s, PCNA, STPK, and other genes were changed during ovarian development. Validation by qRT-PCR demonstrated the reliability of RNA-Seq. This study has made a significant contribution to the currently available sequence data of M. affinis and provided reference data for the development of genetic and breeding work

Type III IFN Receptor Expression and Functional Characterisation in the Pteropid Bat, Pteropus alecto

Bats are rich reservoir hosts for a variety of viruses, many of which are capable of spillover to other susceptible mammals with lethal consequences. The ability of bats to remain asymptomatic to viral infection may be due to the rapid control of viral replication very early in the immune response through innate antiviral mechanisms. Type I and III interferons (IFNs) represent the first line of defence against viral infection in mammals, with both families of IFNs present in pteropid bats. To obtain further insight into the type III IFN system in bats, we describe the characterization of the type III IFN receptor (IFNλR) in the black flying fox, P. alecto with the characterization of IFNλR1 and IL10R2 genes that make up the type III IFN receptor complex. The bat IFNλR complex has a wide tissue distribution and at the cellular level, both epithelial and immune cells are responsive to IFN-λ treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the bat IFNλR1 chain acts as a functional receptor. To our knowledge, this report represents the first description of an IFN receptor in any species of bat. The responsiveness of bat cells to IFN-λ support a role for the type III IFN system by epithelial and immune cells in bats

Effects of replacing dietary fishmeal with zymolytic black soldier fly larvae on the growth performance of the mud crab (<em>scylla paramamosain</em>) larvae

Black soldier fly have been shown to be one of the optimal alternatives to fishmeal, but there are few reports on the effects of zymolytic black soldier fly larvae (ZBSFL) on the growth and digestion of crustaceans. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different replacement levels of ZBFLS on growth performance, body composition, and digestive enzyme activity of the mud crab larvae. Four diets were formulated by replacing fishmeal with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% ZBSFL in the basal diet. Crab larvae were randomly divided into four groups of three replicates each and fed twice daily. The results showed that the SR of crab larvae was higher than that of the no-substitution group when the substitution rate reached 5% (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in SR when the substitution rate was further increased. Weight growth rate and Specific growth rate were similar, both highest at 10% substitution ratio. The crude protein content of whole crab larvae gradually increased as the proportion of FM substituted by ZBSFL increased. The lipid content of whole crab larvae in the 5% substitution ratio group was significantly higher than that in all other groups (P < 0.05). Meanwhile. The activities of amylase, protease and lipase gradually increased. In this experiment, when the percentage of ZBSFL substitution for FM reached 10%, its growth performance was optimal, with higher SR, less negative effects and more balanced indicators in all aspects. When the substitution rate was further increased, it might increase the digestive burden of the crab and negatively affect its growth

Crystal Structure of the Pre-fusion Nipah Virus Fusion Glycoprotein Reveals a Novel Hexamer-of-Trimers Assembly.

Nipah virus (NiV) is a paramyxovirus that infects host cells through the coordinated efforts of two envelope glycoproteins. The G glycoprotein attaches to cell receptors, triggering the fusion (F) glycoprotein to execute membrane fusion. Here we report the first crystal structure of the pre-fusion form of the NiV-F glycoprotein ectodomain. Interestingly this structure also revealed a hexamer-of-trimers encircling a central axis. Electron tomography of Nipah virus-like particles supported the hexameric pre-fusion model, and biochemical analyses supported the hexamer-of-trimers F assembly in solution. Importantly, structure-assisted site-directed mutagenesis of the interfaces between F trimers highlighted the functional relevance of the hexameric assembly. Shown here, in both cell-cell fusion and virus-cell fusion systems, our results suggested that this hexamer-of-trimers assembly was important during fusion pore formation. We propose that this assembly would stabilize the pre-fusion F conformation prior to cell attachment and facilitate the coordinated transition to a post-fusion conformation of all six F trimers upon triggering of a single trimer. Together, our data reveal a novel and functional pre-fusion architecture of a paramyxoviral fusion glycoprotein