Adaptive Graph Convolutional Adjacency Matrix Network for Video Summarization

Video summarization aims to select key frames or key shots to create summaries for fast retrieval,compression,and efficient browsing of videos.Graph neural networks efficiently capture information about graph nodes and their neighbors,but ignore the dynamic dependencies between nodes.To address this challenge,we propose an innovative Adaptive Graph Convolutional Adjacency Matrix Network(TAMGCN),leveraging the attention mechanism to dynamically adjust dependencies between graph nodes.Specifically,we first segment shots and extract features of each frame,then compute the representative features of each shot.Subsequently,we utilize the attention mechanism to dynamically adjust the adjacency matrix of the graph convolutional network to better capture the dynamic dependencies between graph nodes.Finally,we fuse temporal features extracted by Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory network with structural features extracted by the graph convolutional network to generate high-quality summaries.Extensive experiments are conducted on two benchmark datasets,TVSum and SumMe,yielding F1-scores of 60.8%and 53.2%,respectively.Experimental results demonstrate that our method outperforms most state-of-the-art video summarization techniques.

Comparison of short-term toxicity of 14 common phycotoxins(alone and in combination)to the survival of brine shrimp Artemia salina

Toxic harmful algal blooms(HABs)can cause deleterious effects in marine organisms,threatening the stability of marine ecosystems.It is well known that different strains,natural populations and growth conditions of the same toxic algal species may lead to different amount of phycotoxin production and the ensuing toxicity.To fully assess the ecological risk of toxic HABs,it is of great importance to investigate the toxic effects of phycotoxins in marine organisms.In this study,the short-term toxicity of 14 common phycotoxins(alone and in combination)in the marine zooplankton Artemia salina was investigated.The 48 h LC_(50)of the 14 phycotoxins varied from 0.0193µg/mL to 2.415µg/mL.The most potent phycotoxin was azaspiracids-3(AZA3;with a LC_(50)of 0.0193µg/mL),followed by azaspiracids-2(AZA2;0.0226µg/mL),pectenotoxin-2(PTX2;0.0460µg/mL)and dinophysistoxin-1(DTX1;0.0818µg/mL).For the binary exposure,okadaic acid(OA)induced potential additive effects with DTX1,probably due to their similar structure(polyether fatty acid)and mode of action(attacking the serine/threonine phosphoprotein phosphatases).On the other hand,OA showed potential antagonistic effects with PTX2,which might be accounted for by their activation on the detoxification activity of cytochrome P450 activity.In addition,DTX1 induced potential synergetic effects with saxitoxin(STX),yessotoxin(YTX)or PTX2,suggesting the hazard potency of the mixtures of DTX1 and other phycotoxins(like STX,YTX and PTX2)with regard to the ecological risk.These results provide valuable toxicological data for assessing the impact of phycotoxins on marine planktonic species and highlight the potential ecological risk of toxic HABs in marine ecosystems.

Single amino acid substitution of VP1 N17D or VP2 H145Y confers acid-resistant phenotype of type Asia1 foot-and-mouth disease virus

Infection by foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV) is triggered by the acidic pH in endosomes after virus uptake by receptor-mediated endocytosis. However, dissociation of the FMDV 146S particle in mildly acidic conditions renders inactivated foot-and-mouth disease(FMD) vaccines much less effective. Type Asia1 FMDV mutants with increased resistance to acid inactivation were selected to study the molecular basis of viral resistance to acid-induced disassembly and improve the acid stability of FMDV. Sequencing of capsid-coding regions revealed four amino acid replacements(VP1 N17D, VP2 H145Y, VP2 G192D, and VP3 K153E) in the viral population of the acid-selected 10th passage. We performed single or combined mutagenesis using a reverse genetic system, and our results provide direct experimental evidence that VP2 H145Y or VP1 N17D substitution confers an acid-resistant phenotype to type Asia1 FMDV.

A Novel Attack Graph Posterior Inference Model Based on Bayesian Network

Network attack graphs are originally used to evaluate what the worst security state is when a concerned net-work is under attack. Combined with intrusion evidence such like IDS alerts, attack graphs can be further used to perform security state posterior inference (i.e. inference based on observation experience). In this area, Bayesian network is an ideal mathematic tool, however it can not be directly applied for the following three reasons: 1) in a network attack graph, there may exist directed cycles which are never permitted in a Bayesian network, 2) there may exist temporal partial ordering relations among intrusion evidence that can-not be easily modeled in a Bayesian network, and 3) just one Bayesian network cannot be used to infer both the current and the future security state of a network. In this work, we improve an approximate Bayesian posterior inference algorithm–the likelihood-weighting algorithm to resolve the above obstacles. We give out all the pseudocodes of the algorithm and use several examples to demonstrate its benefit. Based on this, we further propose a network security assessment and enhancement method along with a small network scenario to exemplify its usage.

Transient axonal glycoprotein-1 induces apoptosisrelated gene expression without triggering apoptosis in U251 glioma cells

Previous studies show that transient axonal glycoprotein-1, a ligand of amyloid precursor pro- tein, increases the secretion of amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain and is involved in apoptosis in Alzheimer＇s disease. In this study, we examined the effects of transient axonal glyco- protein-1 on U251 glioma cells. 3-（4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed that transient axonal glycoprotein-1 did not inhibit the proliferation of U251 cells, but promoted cell viability. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay showed that transient axonal glycoprotein-1 did not induce U251 cell apoptosis. Real-time PCR revealed that transient axonal glycoprotein-1 substantially upregulated levels of amyloid precursor protein intracellular C-terminal domain, and p53 and epidermal growth factor recep- tor mRNA expression. Thus, transient axonal glycoprotein-1 increased apoptosis-related gene expression in U251 cells without inducing apoptosis. Instead, transient axonal glycoprotein-1 promoted the proliferation of these glioma cells.

The First High-quality Reference Genome of Sika Deer Provides Insights into High-tannin Adaptation

Sika deer are known to prefer oak leaves,which are rich in tannins and toxic to most mammals;however,the genetic mechanisms underlying their unique ability to adapt to living in the jungle are still unclear.In identifying the mechanism responsible for the tolerance of a highly toxic diet,we have made a major advancement by explaining the genome of sika deer.We generated the first high-quality,chromosome-level genome assembly of sika deer and measured the correlation between tannin intake and RNA expression in 15 tissues through 180 experiments.Comparative genome analyses showed that the UGT and CYP gene families are functionally involved in the adaptation of sika deer to high-tannin food,especially the expansion of the UGT family 2 subfamily B of UGT genes.The first chromosome-level assembly and genetic characterization of the tolerance to a highly toxic diet suggest that the sika deer genome may serve as an essential resource for understanding evolutionary events and tannin adaptation.Our study provides a paradigm of comparative expressive genomics that can be applied to the study of unique biological features in non-model animals.

Comparative transcriptome analysis between abundant and deficient spore strains provides novel insight into gene regulatory networks and mechanisms of monospore production in bladed Bangiales

As an important seedling source,monospores closely associate with yields in nori farming.However,the molecular mechanism underlying differences in monospore production for different strains remains unknown.Comparative transcriptome analysis was performed to examine gene expression differences between the spore abundant wild-type strain(WT)and spore deficient mutant(Y1)of Pyropia chauhanii.The WT strain that produces monospores in abundance exhibited more differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in both number and higher fold-changes than the Y1 strain incapable of producing monospores,indicating that the specific regulation of genes is involved in monospore production.Three lists of DEGs were obtained between the two strains using intersection and displayed in Venn diagram:one expressed only in WT strain,another expressed only in Y1 strain,and the third shared in both strains.DEGs annotated as homologous genes of Arabidopsis thaliana in these 3 lists were curated for online functional enrichment analysis on Metascape website.Gene regulatory networks of WT were functionally enriched in the processing,proteolysis,and transport of proteins,especially within the small GTPase protein family,which might be account for the monospore production ability,whereas Y1 were functionally enriched in the metabolism of essential substance and utilization of indispensable energy,which might be account for the rapid growth of blades.We found the differentially enriched gene regulatory networks between strains might be the intrinsic mechanisms of the different monospore production traits.These findings provide novel insights into the genes and regulatory networks associated with monospore production abilities,which are essential for developing accurate breeding technologies for optimal release of monospores and increase of total nori production.

Gold immunochromatographic sensor for the rapid detection of twenty-six sulfonamides in foods

A gold immunochromatographic sensor （GICS） was developed for the rapid detection of 26 sulfonamides in honey samples. The sensor was based on a group-specific monoclonal antibody （mAb） that can recognize all 26 sulfonamides. Three haptens （hapten I with a thiazole ring, hapten 2 with a benzene ring, and hapten 3 with a straight carbon chain） were used for antigen preparation. With hybridoma technology, a group-specific mAb was screened with a 50% maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） against sulfathizole （STZ） and the other 25 analogues ranging from 0.08 to 90.18 ng/mL. Mono-dispersed gold nanoparticles were conjugated with the mAb to develop the lateral immunochromatographic strip. A labeled antibody concentration of 0.1 pg/mL and a coating antigen concentration of 0.2 μg/mL in the test line were chosen for strip preparation. Under optimized conditions, the visual limits of detection （vLOD） for the concentrations of STZ, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethizole, sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfameter, sulfamethoxypyridazine, and sulfachloropyridazine were 5, 0.25, 0.25, 10, 5, 10, 25, 2.5, 5, 0.25, and 10 μg/kg, respectively. Scanner analysis in honey samples revealed good performance for detection of the 26 sulfonamides. Commercial honey samples were tested with the sensor and positive results were confirmed with high-performance liquid chromatography. The proposed strip sensor provides a convenient method for the rapid and reliable determination of sulfonamides pollutants in honey samples.

Gold nanoparticle-based paper sensor for ultrasensitive and multiple detection of 32 （fluoro）quinolones by one monoclonal antibody

For rapid and simultaneous detection of （fluoro）quinolones, a broadly specific monoclonal antibody （mAb） that recognizes 32 （fluoro）quinolone antibiotics was prepared using a mixture of a norfloxacin derivative and a sarfloxacin derivative as the hapten. An immunochromatographic strip based on gold nanoparticles （AuNPs） was then assembled with goat anti-mouse antibody and antigen （sarfloxacin coupled to ovalbumin）, used to form the C line and T line, respectively. This antigen competes with the （fluoro）quinolones in a sample incubated with mAbs labeled with AuNPs. The strip can detect 32 （fluoro）quinolones including oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, miloxacin, pipemidic acid, piromidic acid, rosoxacin, cinoxacin, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, lomfloxacin, enofloxacin, fleroxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, dafloxacin, orbifloxacin, sparfloxacin, gemifloxacin, besifloxacin, balofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, nadifloxacin, ofloxacin, marbofloxacin, flumequine, pazufloxacin, prulifloxacin, sarafloxacin, difloxacin, trovafloxacin, and tosufloxacin in milk within 10 min with the naked eye. The cut-off values of the strip range from 1 to 100 ng/mL and the limits of detection are 0.1- 10 ng/mL. The strip does not cross-react with antibiotics including tetracycline, sulfamethazine, ampicillin, erythromycin, aflatoxin B1, or gentamicin. In short, this immunochromatographic strip is a very useful tool for the primary screening of （fluoro）quinolones in milk.

The deubiquitinase OTUB1 augments NF-κB-dependent immune responses in dendritic cells in infection and inflammation by stabilizing UBC13

Dendritic cells(DCs)are indispensable for defense against pathogens but may also contribute to immunopathology.Activation of DCs upon the sensing of pathogens by Toll-like receptors(TLRs)is largely mediated by pattern recognition receptor/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling and depends on the appropriate ubiquitination of the respective signaling molecules.However,the ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating enzymes involved and their interactions are only incompletely understood.Here,we reveal that the deubiquitinase OTU domain,ubiquitin aldehyde binding 1(OTUB1)is upregulated in DCs upon murine Toxoplasma gondii infection and lipopolysaccharide challenge.Stimulation of DCs with the TLR11/12 ligand T.gondii profilin and the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide induced an increase in NF-κB activation in OTUB1-competent cells,resulting in elevated interleukin-6(IL-6),IL-12,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)production,which was also observed upon the specific stimulation of TLR2,TLR3,TLR7,and TLR9.Mechanistically,OTUB1 promoted NF-κB activity in DCs by K48-linked deubiquitination and stabilization of the E2-conjugating enzyme UBC13,resulting in increased K63-linked ubiquitination of IRAK1(IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1)and TRAF6(TNF receptor-associated factor 6).Consequently,DC-specific deletion of OTUB1 impaired the production of cytokines,in particular IL-12,by DCs over the first 2 days of T.gondii infection,resulting in the diminished production of protective interferon-γ(IFN-γ)by natural killer cells,impaired control of parasite replication,and,finally,death from chronic T.encephalitis,all of which could be prevented by low-dose IL-12 treatment in the first 3 days of infection.In contrast,impaired OTUB1-deficient DC activation and cytokine production by OTUB1-deficient DCs protected mice from lipopolysaccharide-induced immunopathology.Collectively,these findings identify OTUB1 as a potent novel regulator of DCs during infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Synthesis of haptens and gold-based immunochromatographic paper sensor for vitamin B_(6) in energy drinks and dietary supplements

We designed and synthesized novel haptens to produce monoclonal antibodies(mAb)against vitamin B_(6)(VB_(6)).A group-specific mAb(2F9)that recognized pyridoxine(PN),pyridoxamine(PM),and pyridoxal(PL)was prepared using a homologous strategy with 50%maximal inhibitory concentration(IC_(50))values of 106.60,250.57,and 400.11 ng/mL,respectively.Based on this,a gold nanoparticles(AuNPs)-based immunochromatographic strip(ICS)test was established for the detection of VB_(6) in energy drinks and B-vitamin complex tablets.The developed ICS test results could be semi-quantitatively evaluated by the naked eye within 10 min,and displayed the visual limit of detection(vLOD)values of 250,500,and 1,000 ng/mL for PN,PM,and PL,respectively.For quantitative analysis,the results obtained by strip reader,with calculated LOD values for PN,PM,and PL were 14.10,55.58,and 56.25 ng/mL,respectively.Commercial energy drinks and B-vitamin complex tablet samples were detected by the strips and the results were confirmed with high-performance liquid chromatography.Overall,the developed AuNPs-based immunochromatographic sensor was suitable and promising for the group-specific recognition and rapid detection of VB6 in fortified foods and dietary supplements.

Inhalation of Roman chamomile essential oil attenuates depressive-like behaviors in Wistar Kyoto rats

The idea of aromatherapy, using essential oils, has been considered as an alternative antidepressant treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Roman chamomile essential oil inhalation for two weeks on depressive-like behaviors in Wistar-Kyoto(WKY) rats. We found that inhalation of either Roman chamomile or one of its main components α-pinene,attenuated depressive-like behavior in WKY rats in the forced swim test. Using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation analysis(iTRAQ), we found that inhalation of α-pinene increased expression of proteins that are involved in oxidative phosphorylation, such as cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6C-2, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7A2, ATPase inhibitor in the hippocampus, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6C-2, ATP synthase subunit e, Acyl carrier protein, and Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 6 in the PFC(prefrontal cortex). In addition, using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technique, we confirmed an increase of parvalbumin mRNA expression in the hippocampus, which was shown to be upregulated by 2.8-fold in iTRAQ analysis, in α-pinene treated WKY rats. These findings collectively suggest the involvement of mitochondrial functions and parvalbumin-related signaling in the antidepressant effect of α-pinene inhalation.

Rapid and sensitive determination of difenoconazole in cucumber and pear samples using an immunochromatographic assay

Difenoconazole is triazole fungicide,widely used to prevent the growth and reproduction of fungi and to control fungal diseases in fruits and vegetables.In this work,we prepared a hapten of difenoconazole and produced a highly-sensitive anti difenoconazole-monoclonal antibody(mAb)with an IC50 of 0.64 ng/mL.Using the mAb,an immunochromatographic assay(ICA)was developed to analyze difenoconazole residues in pear and cucumber samples.The ICA exhibited LOD values of 2.60 and 2.30 ng/g for difenoconazole in pear and cucumber samples,respectively.The ICA showed average recoveries of difenoconazole ranging from 94.3%±3.6%–105.4%±1.6%,and CVs of 1.5–4.2%in cucumber and pear samples.When used to measure difenoconazole in samples,the ICA results were compatible with those detected by LC/MSMS.The results of this study support the idea that an ICA is a practical and effective tool for high-throughput and rapid analysis of difenoconazole residues in vegetables and fruits.

Linear expectile regression under massive data

In this paper,we study the large-scale inference for a linear expectile regression model.To mitigate the computational challenges in the classical asymmetric least squares(ALS)estimation under massive data,we propose a communication-efficient divide and conquer algorithm to combine the information from sub-machines through confidence distributions.The resulting pooled estimator has a closed-form expression,and its consistency and asymptotic normality are established under mild conditions.Moreover,we derive the Bahadur representation of the ALS estimator,which serves as an important tool to study the relationship between the number of submachines K and the sample size.Numerical studies including both synthetic and real data examples are presented to illustrate the finite-sample performance of our method and support the theoretical results.