SceneDM: Scene-level Multi-agent Trajectory Generation with Consistent Diffusion Models

Realistic scene-level multi-agent motion simulations are crucial for developing and evaluating self-driving algorithms. However, most existing works focus on generating trajectories for a certain single agent type, and typically ignore the consistency of generated trajectories. In this paper, we propose a novel framework based on diffusion models, called SceneDM, to generate joint and consistent future motions of all the agents, including vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc., in a scene. To enhance the consistency of the generated trajectories, we resort to a new Transformer-based network to effectively handle agent-agent interactions in the inverse process of motion diffusion. In consideration of the smoothness of agent trajectories, we further design a simple yet effective consistent diffusion approach, to improve the model in exploiting short-term temporal dependencies. Furthermore, a scene-level scoring function is attached to evaluate the safety and road-adherence of the generated agent's motions and help filter out unrealistic simulations. Finally, SceneDM achieves state-of-the-art results on the Waymo Sim Agents Benchmark. Project webpage is available at https://alperen-hub.github.io/SceneDM

Routes to failure and prevention recommendations in work systems of hydropower construction

There are many types of accidents with their own characteristics in hydropower construction. The accidents are mainly results of human errors. It is important to find out the routes to failure and give recommendations pertinently for different accident types. First, 869 accident investigation reports are collected and the human factors are filtered using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework, the norms which link the accident causes and human factors are also explored, the first three accident types are determined by the frequency statistics. The ranking of the factors and the norms of the three accident types is presented using the frequency statistics. The Chi-square, lambda and odds ratios are used to analyze the interdependences between adjacent level factors of three highest frequency accident types. At last, based on the correlation analysis between different human factors, the routes to failure can be determined; containing the norm frequency of factors, the safety recommendations are given to the different accident types pertinently. The results can be auxiliary and effective information for safety managers to conduct scientific and pertinent safety managements

High-yield Cultivation Techniques of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Hemsl. in Gannan Area of Jiangxi Province

In order to expand the production of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Hemsl., the main points of high-yield cultivation techniques of a two-year-old stevia cultivar Shoutian No.3 in Gannan area of Jiangxi Province were summarized: cutting and transplanting in early spring; fine management, applying more basic and additional fertilizers and retaining stubbles two times in summer, retaining roots for seeding in late autumn, and mulching membrane for safe overwintering in winter. This study will provide certain guidance for the planting of S. rebaudiana in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province

Study on the influencing factors of piecewise multi-strain crossover epidemic spread under data contamination

The ongoing impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on work and daily life persists as we transition from emergency to normal circumstances. The continuous mutation of viral strains has resulted in a shift from a single strain to multiple cross-strains, contributing to the spread of the epidemic. Variations in infection rates of the same strain occur because of the implementation of diverse preventive measures at different times. This study investigated the dynamics of the pandemic in the presence of concurrent strains. Building on the classical Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, and Recovered (SEIR) model, a robust piecewise multi-strain cross-epidemic trend prediction model was proposed that employs the Hodges–Lehmann estimator to handle uncertain and contamination-prone epidemic information. A comparative analysis of epidemic spread trend curves across diverse populations using different robust methods revealed the superiority of the Hodges–Lehmann estimator-based model over the traditional method. The accurate prediction results of the model demonstrate its high reliability in tracking the changing trend of the COVID-19 outbreak, thereby supporting its implementation in subsequent epidemic prevention and control measures

The Mechanism of Metabolic Influences on the Endogenous GLP-1 by Oral Antidiabetic Medications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Incretin-based therapy is now a prevalent treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It has been associated with considerably good results in the management of hyperglycemia with cardiac or nephron-benefits. For this reason, it is recommended for individuals with cardiovascular diseases in many clinical guidelines. As an incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) possesses multiple metabolic benefits such as optimizing energy usage, maintaining body weight, β cell preservation, and suppressing neurodegeneration. However, recent studies indicate that oral antidiabetic medications interact with endogenous or exogenous GLP-1. Since these drugs are transported to distal intestine portions, there are concerns whether these oral drugs directly stimulate intestinal L cells which release GLP-1, or whether they do so via indirect inhibition of the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). In this review, we discuss the metabolic relationships between oral antihyperglycemic drugs from the aspect of gut, microbiota, hormones, β cell function, central nervous system, and other cellular mechanisms

The Synthesis and Assembly of a Truncated Cyanophage Genome and Its Expression in a Heterogenous Host

Cyanophages play an important role in regulating the dynamics of cyanobacteria communities in the hydrosphere, representing a promising biological control strategy for cyanobacterial blooms. Nevertheless, most cyanophages are host-specific, making it difficult to control blooming cyanobacteria via single or multiple cyanophages. In order to address the issue, we explore the interaction between cyanophages and their heterologous hosts, with the aim of revealing the principles of designing and constructing an artificial cyanophage genome towards multiple cyanobacterial hosts. In the present study, we use synthetic biological approaches to assess the impact of introducing a fragment of cyanophage genome into a heterologous cyanobacterium under a variety of environmental conditions. Based on a natural cyanophage A-4L genome (41,750 bp), a truncated cyanophage genome Syn-A-4-8 is synthesized and assembled in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that a 351–15,930 bp area of the A-4L genome has a fragment that is lethal to Escherichia coli during the process of attempting to assemble the full-length A-4L genome. Syn-A-4-8 was successfully introduced into E. coli and then transferred into the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (Syn7942) via conjugation. Although no significant phenotypes of Syn7942 carrying Syn-A-4-8 (LS-02) could be observed under normal conditions, its growth exhibited a prolonged lag phase compared to that of the control strain under 290-millimolar NaCl stress. Finally, the mechanisms of altered salt tolerance in LS-02 were revealed through comparative transcriptomics, and ORF25 and ORF26 on Syn-A-4-8 turned out to be the key genes causing the phenotype. Our research represents an important attempt in designing artificial cyanophages towards multiple hosts, and offers new future insights into the control of cyanobacterial blooms

Protective Effect of Phillyrin on Lethal LPS-Induced Neutrophil Inflammation in Zebrafish

Background/Aims: Forsythia suspensa Vahl. (Oleaceae) fruits are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pneumonia, typhoid, dysentery, ulcers and oedema. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities have been reported for phillyrin (PHN), the main ingredient in Forsythia suspensa Vahl fruits, in vitro. However, the underlying mechanisms in vivo remain poorly defined. In this study, we discovered that PHN exerted potent anti-inflammatory effects in lethal LPS-induced neutrophil inflammation by suppressing the MyD88-dependent signalling pathway in zebrafish. Methods: LPS-yolk microinjection was used to induce a lethal LPS-infected zebrafish model. The effect of PHN on the survival of zebrafish challenged with lethal LPS was evaluated using survival analysis. The effect of PHN on neutrophil inflammation grading in vivo was assessed by tracking neutrophils with a transgenic line. The effects of PHN on neutrophil production and migration were analysed by SB+ cell counts during consecutive hours after modelling. Additionally, key cytokines and members of the MyD88 signalling pathway that are involved in inflammatory response were detected using quantitative RT-PCR. To assess gene expression changes during consecutive hours after modelling, the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MyD88, TRIF, ERK1/2, JNK, IκBa and NF-κB expression levels were measured. Results: PHN could protect zebrafish against a lethal LPS challenge in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by decreased neutrophil infltration, reduced tissue necrosis and increased survival rates. Up-regulated IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α expression also showed the same tendencies of depression by PHN. Critically, PHN significantly inhibited the LPS-induced activation of MyD88, IκBa, and NF-κB but did not affect the expression of ERK1/2 MAPKs or JNK MAPKs in LPS-stimulated zebrafish. Additionally, PHN regulated the MyD88/IκBα/NF-κB signalling pathway by controlling IκBα, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. Conclusion: This study provides a rationale for the clinical application of PHN as an anti-inflammatory agent