120 research outputs found
Exponential Convergence Rates of Second Quantization Semigroups and Applications
Exponential convergence rates in the -tail norm and entropy are
characterized for the second quantization semigroups by using the corresponding
base Dirichlet form. This supplements the well known result on the
-exponential convergence rate of second quantization semigroups. As
applications, birth-death type processes on Poisson spaces and the path space
of L\'evy processes are investigated.Comment: 20 page
Weakly Labelled AudioSet Tagging with Attention Neural Networks
Audio tagging is the task of predicting the presence or absence of sound
classes within an audio clip. Previous work in audio tagging focused on
relatively small datasets limited to recognising a small number of sound
classes. We investigate audio tagging on AudioSet, which is a dataset
consisting of over 2 million audio clips and 527 classes. AudioSet is weakly
labelled, in that only the presence or absence of sound classes is known for
each clip, while the onset and offset times are unknown. To address the
weakly-labelled audio tagging problem, we propose attention neural networks as
a way to attend the most salient parts of an audio clip. We bridge the
connection between attention neural networks and multiple instance learning
(MIL) methods, and propose decision-level and feature-level attention neural
networks for audio tagging. We investigate attention neural networks modeled by
different functions, depths and widths. Experiments on AudioSet show that the
feature-level attention neural network achieves a state-of-the-art mean average
precision (mAP) of 0.369, outperforming the best multiple instance learning
(MIL) method of 0.317 and Google's deep neural network baseline of 0.314. In
addition, we discover that the audio tagging performance on AudioSet embedding
features has a weak correlation with the number of training samples and the
quality of labels of each sound class.Comment: 13 page
Multi-level Attention Model for Weakly Supervised Audio Classification
In this paper, we propose a multi-level attention model to solve the weakly
labelled audio classification problem. The objective of audio classification is
to predict the presence or absence of audio events in an audio clip. Recently,
Google published a large scale weakly labelled dataset called Audio Set, where
each audio clip contains only the presence or absence of the audio events,
without the onset and offset time of the audio events. Our multi-level
attention model is an extension to the previously proposed single-level
attention model. It consists of several attention modules applied on
intermediate neural network layers. The output of these attention modules are
concatenated to a vector followed by a multi-label classifier to make the final
prediction of each class. Experiments shown that our model achieves a mean
average precision (mAP) of 0.360, outperforms the state-of-the-art single-level
attention model of 0.327 and Google baseline of 0.314.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Submitted to Eusipco 201
Lifespan associations of resting-state brain functional networks with ADHD symptoms
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly being
diagnosed in both children and adults, but the neural mechanisms that underlie
its distinct symptoms and whether children and adults share the same mechanism
remain poorly understood. Here, we used a nested-spectral partition (NSP)
approach to study the resting-state brain functional networks of ADHD patients
(n=97) and healthy controls (HCs, n=97) across the lifespan (7-50 years).
Compared to the linear lifespan associations of brain functional segregation
and integration with age in HCs, ADHD patients have a quadratic association in
the whole brain and in most functional systems, whereas the limbic system
dominantly affected by ADHD has a linear association. Furthermore, the limbic
system better predicts hyperactivity, and the salient attention system better
predicts inattention. These predictions are shared in children and adults with
ADHD. Our findings reveal a lifespan association of brain networks with ADHD
symptoms and provide potential shared neural bases of distinct ADHD symptoms in
children and adults.Comment: 28 pages, 4 figure
Optimal transport on supply-demand networks
Previously, transport networks are usually treated as homogeneous networks,
that is, every node has the same function, simultaneously providing and
requiring resources. However, some real networks, such as power grid and supply
chain networks, show a far different scenario in which the nodes are classified
into two categories: the supply nodes provide some kinds of services, while the
demand nodes require them. In this paper, we propose a general transport model
for those supply-demand networks, associated with a criterion to quantify their
transport capacities. In a supply-demand network with heterogenous degree
distribution, its transport capacity strongly depends on the locations of
supply nodes. We therefore design a simulated annealing algorithm to find the
optimal configuration of supply nodes, which remarkably enhances the transport
capacity, and outperforms the degree target algorithm, the betweenness target
algorithm, and the greedy method. This work provides a start point for
systematically analyzing and optimizing transport dynamics on supply-demand
networks.Comment: 5 pages, 1 table and 4 figure
Conserved MicroRNA Act Boldly During Sprout Development and Quality Formation in Pingyang Tezaocha (Camellia sinensis)
Tea tree [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] is an important leaf (sometimes tender stem)-using commercial plant with many medicinal uses. The development of newly sprouts would directly affect the yield and quality of tea product, especially significant for Pingyang Tezaocha (PYTZ) which takes up a large percent in the early spring tea market. MicroRNA (miRNA), particularly the conserved miRNAs, often position in the center of subtle and complex gene regulatory systems, precisely control the biological processes together with other factors in a spatio-temporal pattern. Here, quality-determined metabolites catechins, theanine and caffeine in PYTZ sprouts including buds (sBud), different development stages of leaves (sL1, sL2) and stems (sS1, sS2) were quantified. A total of 15 miRNA libraries of the same tissue with three repetitions for each were constructed to explore vital miRNAs during the biological processes of development and quality formation. We analyzed the whole miRNA profiles during the sprout development and defined conserved miRNA families in the tea plant. The differentially expressed miRNAs related to the expression profiles buds, leaves, and stems development stages were described. Twenty one miRNAs and eight miRNA-TF pairs that most likely to participate in regulating development, and at least two miRNA-TF-metabolite triplets that participate in both development and quality formation had been filtered. Our results indicated that conserved miRNA act boldly during important biological processes, they are (i) more likely to be linked with morphological function in primary metabolism during sprout development, and (ii) hold an important position in secondary metabolism during quality formation in tea plant, also (iii) coordinate with transcription factors in forming networks of complex multicellular organism regulation
The Effects of Glucagon-like Peptide-2 on the Tight Junction and Barrier Function in IPEC-J2 Cells through Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–Protein Kinase B–Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway
Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is important for intestinal barrier function and regulation of tight junction (TJ) proteins, but the intracellular mechanisms of action remain undefined. The purpose of this research was to determine the protective effect of GLP-2 mediated TJ and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stressed IPEC-J2 cells and to test the hypothesis that GLP-2 regulate TJ and TER through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in IPEC-J2 cells. Wortmannin and LY294002 are specific inhibitors of PI3K. The results showed that 100 μg/mL LPS stress decreased TER and TJ proteins occludin, claudin-1 and zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1) mRNA, proteins expressions (p<0.01) respectively. GLP-2 (100 nmol/L) promote TER and TJ proteins occludin, claudin-1, and zo-1 mRNA, proteins expressions in LPS stressed and normal IPEC-J2 cells (p<0.01) respectively. In normal cells, both wortmannin and LY294002, PI3K inhibitors, prevented the mRNA and protein expressions of Akt and mTOR increase induced by GLP-2 (p<0.01) following with the significant decreasing of occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1 mRNA and proteins expressions and TER (p<0.01). In conclusion, these results indicated that GLP-2 can promote TJ’s expression and TER in LPS stressed and normal IPEC-J2 cells and GLP-2 could regulate TJ and TER through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
l-Isoleucine Administration Alleviates Rotavirus Infection and Immune Response in the Weaned Piglet Model
Rotavirus (RV) infection is one of the main pathogenic causes of severe gastroenteritis and diarrhea in infants and young animals. This study aimed to determine how dietary l-isoleucine supplementation improves the growth performance and immune response in weaned piglets with RV infection. In cell culture experiment, after IPEC-J2 and 3D4/31 cells were treated by 8 mM l-isoleucine for 24 h, the gene expressions of β-defensins and pattern recognition receptors (PRR) signaling pathway were significantly increased. Then, in the in vivo experiment, 28 crossbred weaned pigs were randomly divided into two groups fed with basal diet with or without l-isoleucine for 18 days. On the 15th day, the oral RV gavage was executed in the half of piglets. Average daily feed intake and gain of piglets were impaired by RV infection (P < 0.05). RV infection also induced severe diarrhea and the increasing serum urea nitrogen concentration (P < 0.05), and decreased CD4+ lymphocyte and CD4+/CD8+ ratio of peripheral blood (P < 0.05). However, dietary l-isoleucine supplementation attenuated diarrhea and decreasing growth performance (P < 0.05), decreased the NSP4 concentration in ileal mucosa, and enhanced the productions and/or expressions of immunoglobulins, RV antibody, cytokines, and β-defensins in serum, ileum, and/or mesenteric lymph nodes of weaned piglets (P < 0.05), which could be relative with activation of PRR signaling pathway and the related signaling pathway (P < 0.05) in the weaned pigs orally infused by RV. These results indicate that dietary l-isoleucine could improve the growth performance and immune function, which could be derived from l-isoleucine treatment improving the innate and adaptive immune responses via activation of PRR signaling pathway in RV-infected piglets. It is possible that l-isoleucine can be used in the therapy of RV infection in infants and young animals
Genome sequence of the cultivated cotton <i>Gossypium arboreum</i>
The complex allotetraploid nature of the cotton genome (AADD; 2n = 52) makes genetic, genomic and functional analyses extremely challenging. Here we sequenced and assembled the Gossypium arboreum (AA; 2n = 26) genome, a putative contributor of the A subgenome. A total of 193.6 Gb of clean sequence covering the genome by 112.6-fold was obtained by paired-end sequencing. We further anchored and oriented 90.4% of the assembly on 13 pseudochromosomes and found that 68.5% of the genome is occupied by repetitive DNA sequences. We predicted 41,330 protein-coding genes in G. arboreum. Two whole-genome duplications were shared by G. arboreum and Gossypium raimondii before speciation. Insertions of long terminal repeats in the past 5 million years are responsible for the twofold difference in the sizes of these genomes. Comparative transcriptome studies showed the key role of the nucleotide binding site (NBS)-encoding gene family in resistance to Verticillium dahliae and the involvement of ethylene in the development of cotton fiber cells.Genetics & HereditySCI(E)[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
A Phase Ib Study of the Simmitecan Single Agent and in Combination With 5-Fluorouracil/Leucovorin or Thalidomide in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumor
Background: Simmitecan is a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase I with anti-tumor activity. This phase Ib trial was conducted to investigate the safety and anti-tumor effect of simmitecan alone or in combination with other drugs.Methods: Eligible patients with advanced solid tumor had no further standard treatment options. Patients were allocated to receive simmitecan alone, simmitecan in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV), or simmitecan in combination with thalidomide, 14 days a cycle, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred.Results: A total of 41 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 55 (range 29–69) years. Among them, 13 patients received simmitecan monotherapy, 10 received simmitecan + 5-FU/LV, and 18 received simmitecan + thalidomide. No dose-limiting toxicity occurred. Overall, the most common grade 3/4 adverse event (AE) was neutropenia (46.2, 70.0, and 88.9%, respectively, in simmitecan, simmitecan + 5-FU/LV, and simmitecan + thalidomide cohorts), and treatment-related severe AEs included anemia and febrile neutropenia (7.7% each in simmitecan cohort), diarrhea (10% in simmitecan +5-FU/LV cohort), and febrile neutropenia (5.6% in simmitecan + thalidomide cohort). The majority of patients (24/41, 58.3%) had progressed on prior irinotecan; nevertheless, partial response was achieved in one colorectal cancer patients treated with simmitecan + thalidomide. The disease control rates of simmitecan, simmitecan + 5-FU/LV, and simmitecan + thalidomide cohorts were 46.2, 80.0, and 61.1%, respectively.Conclusion: This study demonstrated a manageable safety profile of simmitecan as a single agent or as part of a combination therapy. There have not been any safety concerns with simmitecan in combination when compared to simmitecan alone. Simmitecan + 5-FU/LV regimen seemed to have a better efficacy. Nonetheless, the efficacy of this regimen needs to be further explored in the subsequent study
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