Point Cloud Classification Using Content-Based Transformer via Clustering in Feature Space

Recently, there have been some attempts of Transformer in 3D point cloud classification. In order to reduce computations, most existing methods focus on local spatial attention,but ignore their content and fail to establish relationships between distant but relevant points. To overcome the limitation of local spatial attention, we propose a point content-based Transformer architecture, called PointConT for short. It exploits the locality of points in the feature space(content-based), which clusters the sampled points with similar features into the same class and computes the self-attention within each class, thus enabling an effective trade-off between capturing long-range dependencies and computational complexity. We further introduce an inception feature aggregator for point cloud classification, which uses parallel structures to aggregate high-frequency and low-frequency information in each branch separately. Extensive experiments show that our PointConT model achieves a remarkable performance on point cloud shape classification. Especially, our method exhibits 90.3% Top-1 accuracy on the hardest setting of ScanObjectN N. Source code of this paper is available at https://github.com/yahuiliu99/PointC onT.

Research on Anthropomorphic Obstacle Avoidance Trajectory Planning for Adaptive Driving Scenarios Based on Inverse Reinforcement Learning Theory

The forward design of trajectory planning strategies requires preset trajectory optimization functions,resulting in poor adaptability of the strategy and an inability to accurately generate obstacle avoidance trajectories that conform to real driver behavior habits.In addition,owing to the strong time-varying dynamic characteristics of obstacle avoidance scenarios,it is necessary to design numerous trajectory optimization functions and adjust the corresponding parameters.Therefore,an anthropomorphic obstacle-avoidance trajectory planning strategy for adaptive driving scenarios is proposed.First,numerous expert-demonstrated trajectories are extracted from the HighD natural driving dataset.Subsequently,a trajectory expectation feature-matching algorithm is proposed that uses maximum entropy inverse reinforcement learning theory to learn the extracted expert-demonstrated trajectories and achieve automatic acquisition of the optimization function of the expert-demonstrated trajectory.Furthermore,a mapping model is constructed by combining the key driving scenario information that affects vehicle obstacle avoidance with the weight of the optimization function,and an anthropomorphic obstacle avoidance trajectory planning strategy for adaptive driving scenarios is proposed.Finally,the proposed strategy is verified based on real driving scenarios.The results show that the strategy can adjust the weight distribution of the trajectory optimization function in real time according to the“emergency degree”of obstacle avoidance and the state of the vehicle.Moreover,this strategy can generate anthropomorphic trajectories that are similar to expert-demonstrated trajectories,effectively improving the adaptability and acceptability of trajectories in driving scenarios.

A highly sensitive LITES sensor based on a multi-pass cell with dense spot pattern and a novel quartz tuning fork with low frequency

A highly sensitive light-induced thermoelectric spectroscopy(LITES)sensor based on a multi-pass cell(MPC)with dense spot pattern and a novel quartz tuning fork(QTF)with low resonance frequency is reported in this manuscript.An erbi-um-doped fiber amplifier(EDFA)was employed to amplify the output optical power so that the signal level was further enhanced.The optical path length(OPL)and the ratio of optical path length to volume(RLV)of the MPC is 37.7 m and 13.8 cm^(-2),respectively.A commercial QTF and a self-designed trapezoidal-tip QTF with low frequency of 9461.83 Hz were used as the detectors of the sensor,respectively.The target gas selected to test the performance of the system was acetylene(C2H2).When the optical power was constant at 1000 mW,the minimum detection limit(MDL)of the C2H2-LITES sensor can be achieved 48.3 ppb when using the commercial QTF and 24.6 ppb when using the trapezoid-al-tip QTF.An improvement of the detection performance by a factor of 1.96 was achieved after replacing the commer-cial QTF with the trapezoidal-tip QTF.

Experiment on acoustic emission response and damage evolution characteristics of polymer-modified cemented paste backfill under uniaxial compression

The mechanical properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB)determine its control effect on the goaf roof.In this study,the mechanical strength of polymer-modified cemented paste backfill(PCPB)samples was tested by uniaxial compression tests,and the failure characteristics of PCPB under the compression were analyzed.Besides,acoustic emission(AE)technology was used to monitor and record the cracking process of the PCPB sample with a curing age of 28 d,and two AE indexes(rise angle and average frequency)were used to classify the failure modes of samples under different loading processes.The results show that waterborne epoxy resin can significantly enhance the mechanical strength of PCPB samples(when the mass ratio of polymer to powder material is 0.30,the strength of PCPB samples with a curing age of 28 d is increased by 102.6%);with the increase of polymer content,the mechanical strength of PCPB samples is improved significantly in the early and middle period of curing.Under uniaxial load,the macro cracks of PCPB samples are mostly generated along the axial direction,the main crack runs through the sample,and a large number of small cracks are distributed around the main crack.The AE response of PCPB samples during the whole loading process can be divided into four periods:quiet period,slow growth period,rapid growth period,and remission period,corresponding to the micro-pore compaction stage,elastic deformation stage,plastic deformation stage,and failure instability stage of the stress-strain curve.The AE events are mainly concentrated in the plastic deformation stage;both shear failure and tensile failure occur in the above four stages,while tensile failure is dominant for PCPB samples.This study provides a reference for the safety of coal pillar recovery in pillar goaf.

TATA-box binding protein-associated factor 2 regulates grain size in rice

Grain size,characterized by a combination of grain length,width,and thickness,is one of the major determinants of yield in rice.The present study identified TATA-box binding protein-associated factor 2(TAF2)as an essential component regulating transcription and determining grain size in rice.Map-based cloning showed that a G/T substitution in TAF2 resulted in a naturally occurring mutant called reduced grain size and plant height 1(rgh1).The mutants,with weak edited rgh1 alleles,exhibited a small grain phenotype with reduced grain length and width,while the severe knockout mutant(rgh1-2s)was dwarf and completely sterile.Allelic test performed between rgh1 and several edited alleles confirmed that the mutation in TAF2 caused the rgh1 phenotype.GUS staining showed that TAF2 was mainly expressed in the vascular bundles of roots,stems,leaves,and grains.The cytological analysis revealed that reduced cell division in the glumes resulted in the small grain phenotype of rgh1.Further RNA-sequencing detected altered expression of genes involved in the basic biological processes in rgh1 mutant.These findings provide novel insights into the TAF2-mediated genetic mechanism regulating grain size in rice.

ILF2 cooperates with E2F1 to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and promote small cell lung cancer progression

Objective:Mitochondria play multifunctional roles in carcinogenesis.Deciphering uncertainties of molecular interactions within mitochondria will promote further understanding of cancer.Interleukin enhancer binding factor 2(ILF2)is upregulated in several malignancies,however,much remains unknown regarding ILF2 in small cell lung cancer(SCLC).In the current study,we explored ILF2's role in SCLC and demonstrated its importance in mitochondria quality control.Methods:Colony formation,cell proliferation,cell viability and xenograft studies were performed to examine ILF2's role on SCLC progression.Glucose uptake,lactate production,cellular oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate were measured to examine the effect of ILF2 on glucose metabolism.RNA-sequencing was utilized to explore genes regulated by ILF2.E2 F1 transcriptional activity was determined by dual luciferase reporter assay.Mitochondria quantification and mitochondrial membrane potential assays were performed to examine mitochondrial quality.Gene expression was determined by RT-qPCR,Western blot and IHC assay.Results:ILF2 promotes SCLC tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.ILF2 elevates oxidative phosphorylation expression and declines glucose intake and lactate production.Genome-wide analysis of ILF2 targets identified a cohort of genes regulated by E2 F1.In consistent with this,we found ILF2 interacts with E2 F1 in SCLC cells.Further studies demonstrated that suppression of E2 F1 expression could reverse ILF2-induced tumor growth and enhanced mitochondria function.Significantly,expression of ILF2 is progressively increased during SCLC progression and high ILF2 expression is correlated with higher histologic grades,which indicates ILF2's oncogenic role in SCLC.Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that ILF2 interacts with E2 F1 to maintain mitochondria quality and confers SCLC cells growth advantage in tumorigenesis.

OstMAPKKK5, a truncated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5, positively regulates plant height and yield in rice

Rice(Oryza sativa L.)is a major food crop worldwide.Plant height and yield are important agronomic traits of rice.Several genes regulating plant height and/or yield have been cloned.However,the molecular mechanisms coordinating plant height and yield are not fully characterized.Here,we report a novel gene,OstMAPKKK5 that encodes a truncated variant of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5(OsMAPKKK5)lacking an intact kinase domain.Transgenic plants overexpressing OstMAPKKK5 in indica cultivar 9311 showed increased plant height,grain length,grain width,1000-grain weight,grain number per main panicle,and yield.Real-time quantitative PCR showed that OstMAPKKK5 was widely expressed in various tissues and developmental stages.The increased plant height and yield were attributed to enlarged cell size.Overexpression of OstMAPKKK5 led to higher contents of various forms of endogenous gibberellin(GA),especially the most common active forms,GA1,GA3,GA4.We concluded that OstMAPKKK5 positively regulates plant height and yield in rice by affecting cell size,and that its underlying mechanism is based on increased endogenous GA content.

jdisCovid-related Papers Contribute 50%on the JIF of High Impact Medicine Journals

On June 28,2022,Journal Citation Reports 2021 was released,which is also the first time that Covid19-related publications have been included in the calculation of Journal Impact Factor(JIF).Journals in medical fields like infectious diseases,critical care,public health have significant increase in JIF.Here,by excluding the citations from and to Covid19-related papers,we identified the top 10 medical journals having the largest contribution of Covid-related papers on JIF as shown in Table 1.Prestigious medical journals are included in these identified journals.

Highly efficient solution-processed organic photovoltaics enabled by improving packing behavior of organic semiconductors

Solution processability is a unique property of organic semiconductors. The compact and regular π-π stacking between molecules is paramount in the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. However, it is still a challenge to improve their stacking quality without sacrificing the solution-processability from the aspect of materials design. Here, delicately engineered additives are presented to promote the formation of ordered aggregation of conjugated molecules by regulating their nucleation and growth dynamics. Intriguingly, the long-chain BTP-eC9-4F molecules can realize ordered aggregation comparable to short-chain ones without sacrificing processability. The domain size of BTP-eC9-4F aggregation is enlarged from 24.2 to 32.2 nm in blend films.Thereby exciton diffusion and charge transport become faster, contributing to the suppression of recombination losses. As a result, a power conversion efficiency of 19.2% is achieved in D18:BTP-eC9-4F based organic photovoltaics. Our findings demonstrate a facile strategy to improve the packing quality of solution-processed organic semiconductors for high-efficiency photovoltaics and beyond photovoltaics.

Driver Steering Behaviour Modelling Based on Neuromuscular Dynamics and Multi‑Task Time‑Series Transformer

Driver steering intention prediction provides an augmented solution to the design of an onboard collaboration mechanism between human driver and intelligent vehicle.In this study,a multi-task sequential learning framework is developed to pre-dict future steering torques and steering postures based on upper limb neuromuscular electromyography signals.The joint representation learning for driving postures and steering intention provides an in-depth understanding and accurate modelling of driving steering behaviours.Regarding different testing scenarios,two driving modes,namely,both-hand and single-right-hand modes,are studied.For each driving mode,three different driving postures are further evaluated.Next,a multi-task time-series transformer network(MTS-Trans)is developed to predict the future steering torques and driving postures based on the multi-variate sequential input and the self-attention mechanism.To evaluate the multi-task learning performance and information-sharing characteristics within the network,four distinct two-branch network architectures are evaluated.Empirical validation is conducted through a driving simulator-based experiment,encompassing 21 participants.The pro-posed model achieves accurate prediction results on future steering torque prediction as well as driving posture recognition for both two-hand and single-hand driving modes.These findings hold significant promise for the advancement of driver steering assistance systems,fostering mutual comprehension and synergy between human drivers and intelligent vehicles.

GSZ Formula Enhances Sleep Quality:Exploring Its Active Ingredients and Mechanism Using a Network Medicine Approach

Background:Sleep is essential for maintaining human health,and insomnia is a widespread problem.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been used for centuries to treat sleep disorders,with fewer reported side effects compared to conventional treatments.Objective:This study seeks to investigate the sleep-promoting effects of the GSZ formula,which comprisesγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus(Wuweizi in Chinese),and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen(Suanzaoren in Chinese).In addition,this study aims to explore the active ingredients and potential mechanisms underlying the sleep-enhancing effects of the formula.Methods:The impact of GSZ on sleep was evaluated using two models,the complete sleep model and the sub-threshold sleep model.Mice were randomly divided into five groups and orally administered GSZ solution(0.33 g/kg/day or 0.99 g/kg/day),positive drug diazepam(2.50 mg/kg)or a control solution for 30 days.Hypno-sis model was established in mice using pentobarbital sodium.Sleep duration and incidence were measured by recording when the righting reflex of mice disappeared for more than 1 min.GABA and dopamine(DA)levels in mouse brain tissue were measured using ELISA kits.The ingredients of the GSZ formula were identified using mass spectrometry,and the targets of these ingredients and disease-related genes were retrieved from public databases.A network medicine approach was used to calculate the shortest path between ingredient targets and disease-related proteins.The expression levels of potential proteins,such as Akt,p-Akt,GSK-3β,and p-GSK-3β,were analyzed using Western blotting based on the predicted results.Results:GSZ significantly prolonged sleep duration and enhanced the sleep rate in mice(P<0.05).Furthermore,it elevated GABA levels and reduced DA levels in the mouse brain(P<0.05).Network medicine analysis suggested that GABA,stearic acid,genistin,and coumestrol may be the most crucial active ingredients for sleep improve-ment.Western blotting analysis demonstrated that GSZ modulated the protein expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β(P<0.05).Conclusion:Our study demonstrated that the GSZ formula could improve sleep,with key ingredients likely being GABA,stearic acid,genistin,and coumestrol.The mechanism might involve the regulation of the Akt/GSK-3βpathway,as revealed by the network medicine analysis and experimental validation.Our current new findings shed light on the potential mechanisms underlying the sleep-enhancing effects of the GSZ formula,which could provide experimental evidence to develop innovative treatments for insomnia.

强迫症患者额顶叶网络信息整合与分离功能特点

目的探讨强迫症患者脑网络节点信息整合与分离的功能改变及其与临床症状的相关性。方法纳入符合入组标准的56例强迫症患者(强迫症组)和56例性别、年龄、受教育年限相匹配的健康对照(对照组)。每个纳入研究的对象都进行静息态全脑功能磁共振成像扫描, 并采用耶鲁-布朗强迫量表(Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Y-BOCS)评估强迫症组的临床症状。基于图论方法分析和独立样本t检验比较2组间节点功能网络拓扑属性的差异, 并采用偏相关分析探讨差异脑区属性值与临床症状的相关性。结果与对照组相比, 强迫症组左侧颞上回喙部、右侧中央后回干部的全局效率降低, 最短路径长度增大(均为P<0.001, FDR校正);左侧额下回背侧区的局部效率(P=0.002, 未校正)和聚类系数降低(P<0.001, FDR校正);进一步分析发现, 强迫症组左侧颞上回喙部的全局效率值与强迫思维因子分呈正相关(r=0.390, P=0.005), 左侧颞上回喙部的最短路径长度值与强迫思维因子分呈负相关(r=-0.359, P=0.010)。结论强迫症患者额顶叶网络(额下回、中央后回)信息整合与分离功能失调;颞上回喙部信息整合功能异常降低, 且颞上回喙部的全局效率越高、最短路径长度越短, 强迫思维越严重。

Advances in multipass cell for absorption spectroscopy-based trace gas sensing technology[Invited]

In the field of absorption spectroscopy,the multipass cell[MPC]is one of the key elements.It has the advantages of simple structure,easy adjustment,and high spectral coverage,which is an effective way to improve the detection sensitivity of gas sensing systems such as tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy.This invited paper summarizes the design theory and the research results of some mainstream types of MPCs based on two mirrors and more than two mirrors in recent years,and briefly introduces the application of some processed products.The design theory of modified ABCD matrix and vector reflection principle are explained in detail.Finally,trends in its development are predicted.

A Simple Nonfused Ring Electron Acceptor with a Power Conversion Efficiency over 16%

By simplifying the r-bridge unit,a nonfused ring electron acceptor(NFREA)BM-2F was designed and synthesized with several high-yield steps.The specific molecular structure features of BM-2F are planar molecular backbone and out-of-plane side chain,which is favorable for charge transport and can suppress the over-aggregation.BM-2F based neat and blend films display obvious face-on molecular orientation.Specially,D18:BM-2F based blend film can form good bicontinuous interpenetrating network.More excitingly,a power conversion efficiency of 16.15%was achieved with D18:BM-2F based photovoltaic devices,which is the highest one based on NFREAs.Our researches manifest that NFREA is a promising direction for low-cost and high-performance organic solar cells.

Enhancing the performance of organic solar cells by modification of cathode with a self-assembled monolayer of aromatic organophosphonic acid

We use a single-molecule self-assembled layer of an aromatic organophosphonic acid(2PACz) to modify the cathode interface layer in inverted organic solar cells(OSCs). The modified OSCs not only have an obvious improvement in power conversion efficiency(PCE), but also demonstrate greatly enhanced air stability. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the work function of cathode interlayer after modification by 2PACz is more suitable for electron extraction. In addition, the surface energy is reduced without affecting the film deposition, which will be beneficial to reduce the interfacial traps. As a result,the PCE of OSCs based on the PBDB-T:IT-M system is increased, and its stability in air is greatly improved(remaining 88% of its initial PCE after 555 h in air). Therefore, we provide a new strategy for constructing high-performance non-fullerene OSCs with enhanced air stability.

Structural insight into EV-A713A protein and its interaction with a peptide inhibitor

Dear Editor,Hand,foot,and mouth disease(HFMD)is a common illness among children that is usually mild and self-limiting.However,in some severe cases,patients may rapidly develop neurological and systemic complications that can be fatal(Ooi et al.,2010).HFMD is caused by a few serotypes of human enterovirus A(HEV-A)species(Yu and Cowling,2019),with enterovirus A71(EV-A71)and coxsackievirus A16(CV-A16)being the most typical causative agents(Yu and Cowling,2019).Furthermore,severe neurological sequelae are more common in cases with EV-A71 serotype infection than other serotypes(Ooi et al.,2010;Yu and Cowling,2019).There has been a significant increase in EV-A71 epidemic activity throughout the Asia–Pacific region(McMinn,2002)since EV-A71 was first isolated from a patient with central nervous system(CNS)disease in 1969(Schmidt et al.,1974).EV-A71 is a small non-enveloped virus belonging to HEV-A species of the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae(Nasri et al.,2007).Its genome is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA of approximately 7400 bp in length and contains only one complete open reading frame(ORF),which encodes a large polyprotein(Solomon et al.,2010).

Highly sensitive CO_(2)-LITES sensor based on a self-designed low-frequency quartz tuning fork and fiber-coupled MPC

A highly sensitive carbon dioxide(CO_(2))sensor based on light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy(LITES)utilizing a selfdesigned low-frequency quartz tuning fork(QTF)and a fiber-coupled multipass cell(MPC)is reported in this paper.The QTF with a low resonant frequency of 8675 Hz and a high Q factor of 11,675.64 was used to improve its energy accumulation time and the sensor’s signal level.The MPC with the fiber-coupled structure and optical length of 40 m was adopted to significantly increase the gas absorbance and reduce the optical alignment difficulty as well as improve the robustness of the sensor system.A distributed feedback(DFB),near-infrared diode laser with an emission wavelength of 1.57μm was used as an excitation source.The experimental results showed that this CO_(2)-LITES sensor had an excellent linear response to CO_(2) concentrations.The minimum detection limitation(MDL)of this CO_(2)-LITES sensor was obtained to be 445.91 ppm,and it could be improved to 47.70 ppm(parts per million)when the integration time of the system reached 500 s.Further improvement methods for the detection performance of such sensors were also discussed.

产品市场竞争风险被定价了吗?——来自中国A股市场的证据与解释

竞争伴随的机遇与风险是否并如何传导到资本市场?本文从产品相似的视角测度竞争,发现竞争风险在股市被定价为高预期收益率。该溢价源于两个机制:一是基本面风险,竞争伴随着业绩高波动、高研发投入和频繁的兼并重组;二是定价风险,投资者对竞争激烈公司的盈余预期不确定性更大。在我国经济进入"新常态"的背景下,上述证据对如何通过引入合理的竞争机制以挖掘增长新动能,并引导资本市场更好地服务于实体经济将有所启示。

Recent progress in organic solar cells(PartⅠmaterial science)

During past several years,the photovoltaic performances of organic solar cells(OSCs)have achieved rapid progress with power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)over 18%,demonstrating a great practical application prospect.The development of material science including conjugated polymer donors,oligomer-like organic molecule donors,fused and nonfused ring acceptors,polymer acceptors,single-component organic solar cells and water/alcohol soluble interface materials are the key research topics in OSC field.Herein,the recent progress of these aspects is systematically summarized.Meanwhile,the current problems and future development are also discussed.

Safety and Efficacy of Physical Thermal Ablation Combined Sorafenib for Hepatocellular Carcinoma:A Meta-analysis

Background and Aims:To compare the efficacy and safety of physical thermal ablation(PTA),including radiofrequency ablation(RFA)and microwave ablation(MWA),combined with sorafenib and physical thermal ablation alone for the control and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)according to the available literature.Methods:Comprehensive searches were performed on PubMed,Embase,CNKI,the Cochrane Library,China Biomedical Literature Database(known as CBM),Weipu Journal,and Wanfang Database.Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.3 software.Results:A total of 15 studies,consisting of 2,227 HCC patients,were selected and included in this meta-analysis.Compared with the RFA-alone group,the patients in the RFA+sorafenib group had longer 1-,2-,and 3-year overall survival(all p<0.05),better overall efficacy(p<0.0001),longer radiofrequency interval(p<0.001),and lower 2-year recurrence rate(p=0.02).The 1-year overall survival(p=0.003)and overall efficacy(p=0.002)of the MWA+sorafenib group were also higher than those of the MWA-alone group.The incidences of adverse reactions in the RFA+sorafenib group,such as hand-foot skin reactions(p<0.001),diarrhea and constipation(p=0.0001),hypertension(p=0.009),and alopecia(p<0.001),were significantly higher than those in the RFA-alone group.Conclusions:RFA or MWA combined with sorafenib has produced a better therapeutic effect on HCC than physical thermal ablation alone;however,adverse reactions have been obvious.It is necessary to evaluate the safety of combination therapy,and pay close attention to the adverse reactions that develop in patients.