Delta Networks for Optimized Recurrent Network Computation

Many neural networks exhibit stability in their activation patterns over time in response to inputs from sensors operating under real-world conditions. By capitalizing on this property of natural signals, we propose a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) architecture called a delta network in which each neuron transmits its value only when the change in its activation exceeds a threshold. The execution of RNNs as delta networks is attractive because their states must be stored and fetched at every timestep, unlike in convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We show that a naive run-time delta network implementation offers modest improvements on the number of memory accesses and computes, but optimized training techniques confer higher accuracy at higher speedup. With these optimizations, we demonstrate a 9X reduction in cost with negligible loss of accuracy for the TIDIGITS audio digit recognition benchmark. Similarly, on the large Wall Street Journal speech recognition benchmark even existing networks can be greatly accelerated as delta networks, and a 5.7x improvement with negligible loss of accuracy can be obtained through training. Finally, on an end-to-end CNN trained for steering angle prediction in a driving dataset, the RNN cost can be reduced by a substantial 100X

First record of the genus Pseudaeginella Mayer, 1890 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) with a new species from Korean waters

A new species of the genus Pseudaeginella Mayer, 1890 belonging to the family Caprellidae Leach, 1814 was collected from the South Sea in Korea. Pseudaeginella carinaspinosa sp. nov. is morphologically similar to related congeners belonging to the genera Paradeutella Mayer, 1890 and Pseudaeginella, in having dorsal projections on pereonites, triarticulate mandibular palp, small or absent molar, and uniarticulate pereopods 3 and 4. However, this new species is distinguished from its congeners by the position and size of dorsal projection. This is the first record of Pseudaeginella from the Northwest Pacific region, including Korea, and a key to species of the genus Pseudaeginella is also provided

Improvement of Biological Effects of Root-Filling Materials for Primary Teeth by Incorporating Sodium Iodide

Therapeutic iodoform (CHI3) is commonly used as a root-filling material for primary teeth; however, the side effects of iodoform-containing materials, including early root resorption, have been reported. To overcome this problem, a water-soluble iodide (NaI)-incorporated root-filling material was developed. Calcium hydroxide, silicone oil, and NaI were incorporated in different weight proportions (30:30:X), and the resulting material was denoted DX (D5~D30), indicating the NaI content. As a control, iodoform instead of NaI was incorporated at a ratio of 30:30:30, and the material was denoted I30. The physicochemical (flow, film thickness, radiopacity, viscosity, water absorption, solubility, and ion releases) and biological (cytotoxicity, TRAP, ARS, and analysis of osteoclastic markers) properties were determined. The amount of iodine, sodium, and calcium ion releases and the pH were higher in D30 than I30, and the highest level of unknown extracted molecules was detected in I30. In the cell viability test, all groups except 100% D30 showed no cytotoxicity. In the 50% nontoxic extract, D30 showed decreased osteoclast formation compared with I30. In summary, NaI-incorporated materials showed adequate physicochemical properties and low osteoclast formation compared to their iodoform-counterpart. Thus, NaI-incorporated materials may be used as a substitute for iodoform-counterparts in root-filling materials after further (pre)clinical investigation

Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangements in lung cancer with nodular ground-glass opacity

Vår uppsats handlar om formativ bedömning och vad det innebär att arbeta så i undervisningen. Vi tolkar att rådande läroplaner beskriver ett uppdrag som ligger i linje med ett formativt arbetssätt. Syftet var att ta reda på om lärare i samhällskunskap som arbetar på gymnasiet arbetar formativt och hur de gör det. Ett annat vanligt namn för formativ bedömning är bedömning för lärande (BFL). Genom kvalitativa intervjuer har vi frågat gymnasielärare i samhällskunskap hur de arbetar med bedömning, om de arbetar formativt och om det finns någon samsyn på deras respektive gymnasieskolor kring bedömning. Vi ville också veta vad formativt arbete innebär. Bedömning för lärande fokuserar på lärandet och hur eleven kan utvecklas och nå framgång i lärandet. Genom att konkretisera mål, syfte och kunskapskvaliteter så att eleven förstår dessa kan eleven få syn på sitt eget lärande. När eleven ges makt över sitt eget lärande leder det till ökad motivation. I formativ bedömning arbetar läraren bland annat med feedback och kamrat- och självvärdering. Vårt resultat visar att lärarna vi intervjuat i stor utsträckning arbetar summativt med formativa inslag i varierande grad, förutom en av lärarna som arbetar på en gymnasieskola i Borås som arbetar enligt bedömning för lärande. Studien visar att det råder brist på samsyn kring bedömning på gymnasie-skolorna, förutom på skolan i Borås där det finns tid avsatt för möten och samtal kring formativ bedömning. Litteraturen visar på de positiva effekterna av bedömning för lärande vilket också styrks av intervjun med läraren i Borås

Investigating the Effects of Conditioned Media from Stem Cells of Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth on Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Pulp regeneration has recently attracted interest in modern dentistry. However, the success ratio of pulp regeneration is low due to the compromising potential of stem cells, such as their survival, migration, and odontoblastic differentiation. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have been considered a promising tool for regenerative therapy due to their ability to secrete multiple factors that are essential for tissue regeneration, which is achieved by minimally invasive procedures with fewer ethical or legal concerns than those of other procedures. The aim of this study is to investigate the potency of SHED-derived conditioned media (SHED CM) on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), a major type of mesenchymal stem cells for dental pulp regeneration. Our results show the promotive efficiency of SHED CM on the proliferation, survival rate, and migration of DPSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Upregulation of odontoblast/osteogenic-related marker genes, such as ALP, DSPP, DMP1, OCN, and RUNX2, and enhanced mineral deposition of impaired DPSCs are also observed in the presence of SHED CM. The analysis of SHED CM found that a variety of cytokines and growth factors have positive effects on cell proliferation, migration, anti-apoptosis, and odontoblast/osteogenic differentiation. These findings suggest that SHED CM could provide some benefits to DPSCs in pulp regeneration

Cystamine induces AIF-mediated apoptosis through glutathione depletion

AbstractCystamine and its reduced form cysteamine showed protective effects in various models of neurodegenerative disease, including Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease. Other lines of evidence demonstrated the cytotoxic effect of cysteamine on duodenal mucosa leading to ulcer development. However, the mechanism for cystamine cytotoxicity remains poorly understood. Here, we report a new pathway in which cystamine induces apoptosis by targeting apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). By screening of various cell lines, we observed that cystamine and cysteamine induce cell death in a cell type-specific manner. Comparison between cystamine-sensitive and cystamine-resistant cell lines revealed that cystamine cytotoxicity is not associated with unfolded protein response, reactive oxygen species generation and transglutaminase or caspase activity; rather, it is associated with the ability of cystamine to trigger AIF nuclear translocation. In cystamine-sensitive cells, cystamine suppresses the levels of intracellular glutathione by inhibiting γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase expression that triggers AIF translocation. Conversely, glutathione supplementation completely prevents cystamine-induced AIF translocation and apoptosis. In rats, cysteamine administration induces glutathione depletion and AIF translocation leading to apoptosis of duodenal epithelium. These results indicate that AIF translocation through glutathione depletion is the molecular mechanism of cystamine toxicity, and provide important implications for cystamine in the neurodegenerative disease therapeutics as well as in the regulation of AIF-mediated cell death

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting ongoing pregnancy in single vitrified-warmed blastocyst embryo transfer cycles

IntroductionThe global adoption of the “freeze-all strategy” has led to a continuous increase in utilization of single vitrified-warmed blastocyst embryo transfer (SVBT) owing to its clinical effectiveness. Accurate prediction of clinical pregnancy is crucial from a patient-centered perspective. However, this remains challenging, with inherent limitations due to the absence of precise and user-friendly prediction tools. Thus, this study primarily aimed to develop and assess a nomogram based on quantitative clinical data to optimize the efficacy of personalized prognosis assessment.Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of ongoing pregnancy data from 658 patients with infertility who underwent SVBT at our center between October 17, 2017, and December 18, 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to the training (n=461) or validation (n=197) cohort for nomogram development and testing, respectively. A nomogram was constructed using the results of the multivariable logistic regression (MLR), which included clinical covariates that were assessed for their association with ongoing pregnancy.ResultsThe MLR identified eight significant variables that independently predicted ongoing pregnancy outcomes in the study population. These predictors encompassed maternal physiology, including maternal age at oocyte retrieval and serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels; uterine factors, such as adenomyosis; and various embryo assessment parameters, including the number of fertilized embryos, blastocyst morphology, blastulation day, blastocyst re-expansion speed, and presence of embryo string. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in our prediction model was 0.675 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.622–0.729) and 0.656 (95% CI, 0.573–0.739) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, indicating good discrimination performance in both cohorts.ConclusionsOur individualized nomogram is a practical and user-friendly tool that can provide accurate and useful SVBT information for patients and clinicians. By offering this model to patients, clinical stakeholders can alleviate uncertainty and confusion about fertility treatment options and enhance patients’ confidence in making informed decisions

CD4+T-CELL-DEPENDENT GOBLET CELL PROLIFERATION AND EXPULSION OF GYMNOPHALLOIDES SEOI FROM THE INTESTINE OF C57BL/6 MICE

Mechanisms for the spontaneous worm expulsion from the host intestine are not well understood in gastrointestinal trematode models. We studied the role of CD4+ T-helper cells in mediating goblet cell hyperplasia and expulsion of Gymnophalloides seoi from the intestines of C57BL/6 (resistant) and ICR (susceptible) mice. C57BL/6 mice expelled all G. seoi. worms within 4 days post-infection (PI), while ICR mice did not completely expel worms until day 7 PI. This difference in worm expulsion was associated with high numbers of mucosal goblet cells in C57BL/6 mice along with alteration of the mucin quality, with changes in the terminal sugar chain and high levels of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA expression in mesenteric lymph nodes. Adoptive transfer Of mucosal CD4+ T-helper cells to syngeneic mice elicited strong goblet cell hyperplasia and a notably accelerated worm expulsion. However, this T-helper cell transfer had no relationship with the alteration of mucin quality. The results showed that CD4+ T-helper cells play an important role as a mediator of goblet cell hyperplasia, but not for functional activation of goblet cells. It is Suggested that both T-cell dependent and independent mechanisms operate for expulsion of G. seoi front the mouse intestine.