Fast Transfer Learning Method Using Random Layer Freezing and Feature Refinement Strategy.

Recently, Moore-Penrose inverse (MPI)-based parameter fine-tuning of fully connected (FC) layers in pretrained deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) has emerged within the inductive transfer learning (ITL) paradigm. However, this approach has not gained significant traction in practical applications due to its stringent computational requirements. This work addresses this issue through a novel fast retraining strategy that enhances applicability of the MPI-based ITL.

Deep Optimized Broad Learning System for Applications in Tabular Data Recognition.

The broad learning system (BLS) is a versatile and effective tool for analyzing tabular data. However, the rapid expansion of big data has resulted in an overwhelming amount of tabular data, necessitating the development of specialized tools for effective management and analysis. This article introduces an optimized BLS (OBLS) specifically tailored for big data analysis.

Bronze Age cheese reveals human-Lactobacillus interactions over evolutionary history.

Despite the long history of consumption of fermented dairy, little is known about how the fermented microbes were utilized and evolved over human history. Here, by retrieving ancient DNA of Bronze Age kefir cheese (∼3,500 years ago) from the Xiaohe cemetery, we explored past human-microbial interactions. Although it was previously suggested that kefir was spread from the Northern Caucasus to Europe and other regions, we found an additional spreading route of kefir from Xinjiang to inland East Asia.

Enhancing protein-ligand binding affinity prediction through sequential fusion of graph and convolutional neural networks.

Predicting protein-ligand binding affinity is a crucial and challenging task in structure-based drug discovery. With the accumulation of complex structures and binding affinity data, various machine-learning scoring functions, particularly those based on deep learning, have been developed for this task, exhibiting superiority over their traditional counterparts. A fusion model sequentially connecting a graph neural network (GNN) and a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict protein-ligand binding affinity is proposed in this work.

Automated analysis of fetal heart rate baseline/acceleration/deceleration using MTU-Net3 + model.

In clinical practice, obstetricians use visual interpretation of fetal heart rate (FHR) to diagnose fetal conditions, but inconsistencies among interpretations can hinder accuracy. This study introduces MTU-Net3+, a deep learning model designed for automated, multi-task FHR analysis, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. The proposed MTU-Net3 + was built upon the UNet3 + architecture, incorporating an encoder, a decoder, full-scale skip connections, and a deep supervision module, and further integrates a self-attention mechanism and bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory layers to enhance its performance.

Sex differences in dorsolateral prefrontal cortical and superior colliculus activities support the impact of alcohol use severity and sleep deficiency on two-back memory.

Background: Working memory refers to a process of temporary storage and manipulation of information to support planning, decision-making, and action. Frequently comorbid alcohol misuse and sleep deficiency have both been associated with working memory deficits. However, how alcohol misuse and sleep deficiency interact to impact working memory remains unclear.

β-Mangostin targets and suppresses glioma via STING activation and tumor-associated microglia polarization.

Glioma, a common and highly malignant central nervous system tumor, markedly influences patient prognosis via interactions with glioma-associated macrophages. Previous research has revealed the anticancer potential of β-mangostin, a xanthone derivative obtained from the mangosteen fruit. This research investigated the role of β-mangostin on microglia in the glioma microenvironment and evaluated the efficacy of β-mangostin combined with anti-PD-1 antibody (αPD-1) in glioma-bearing mice.

High Throughput Plasma Proteomics and Risk of Heart Failure and Frailty in Late Life.

Importance: Heart failure (HF) and frailty frequently coexist and may share a common pathobiology, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Understanding these mechanisms may provide guidance for preventing and treating both conditions.

Objective: To identify shared pathways between incident HF and frailty in late life using large-scale proteomics.

A Novel Lightweight Model for Underwater Image Enhancement.

Underwater images suffer from low contrast and color distortion. In order to improve the quality of underwater images and reduce storage and computational resources, this paper proposes a lightweight model Rep-UWnet to enhance underwater images. The model consists of a fully connected convolutional network and three densely connected RepConv blocks in series, with the input images connected to the output of each block with a Skip connection.

Fabrication of Crescent Shaped Microparticles for Particle Templated Droplet Formation.

Crescent-shaped hydrogel microparticles are shown to template uniform volume aqueous droplets upon simple mixing with aqueous and oil media for various bioassays. This emerging "lab on a particle" technique requires hydrogel particles with tunable material properties and dimensions. The crescent shape of the particles is attained by aqueous two-phase separation of polymers followed by photopolymerization of the curable precursor.

Clinical analysis of uterine parameters evaluated by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in patients treated by hysteroscopic approach with previous cesarean scar defect-related abnormal uterine bleeding: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: As the cesarean delivery rate continues to rise globally, the treatment of previous cesarean scar defects (PCSD) remains challenging. This study aimed to analyze the variables that may influence the clinical cure rate of patients with PCSD-related abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) as determined by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following hysteroscopic therapy.

Methods: Women who underwent hysteroscopic surgery for PCSD-related AUB at the Gynecology Department of Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from 2018 to 2022 were recruited to this retrospective cohort investigation.

Costunolide mitigates inflammation and promotes extracellualr matrix integrity of thoracic aortic dissection by inhibiting NF-κB signaling.

Background: Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is one of the most fatal cardiovascular diseases. One of its important pathological characteristics is the local inflammatory response. Many studies have found that Macrophage polarization plays an extremely critical role in the inflammatory progression and tissue remodeling of TAD.

Flex-DLD: Deep Low-Rank Decomposition Model With Flexible Priors for Hyperspectral Image Denoising and Restoration.

Hyperspectral images (HSIs) are composed of hundreds of contiguous waveband images, offering a wealth of spatial and spectral information. However, the practical use of HSIs is often hindered by the presence of complicated noise caused by various factors such as non-uniform sensor response and dark current. Traditional methods for denoising HSIs rely on constrained optimization approaches, where selecting appropriate prior knowledge is critical for achieving satisfactory results.

Large-Scale Proteomics Identifies Novel Biomarkers and Circulating Risk Factors for Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Limited data exist regarding risk factors for aortic stenosis (AS). The plasma proteome is a promising phenotype for discovery of novel biomarkers and potentially causative mechanisms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to discover novel biomarkers with potentially causal associations with AS.

An apicoplast-localized deubiquitinase contributes to the cell growth and apicoplast homeostasis of Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is among the most important parasites worldwide. The apicoplast is a unique organelle shared by all Apicomplexan protozoa. Increasing lines of evidence suggest that the apicoplast possesses its own ubiquitination system.

A novel single-phase color tunable LiYGeO:Dy, Eu phosphor exhibiting warm white light and excellent thermal stability.

LiYGeO phosphors doped with Dy and Eu ions were synthesized using the solid phase method, and their color characteristics were adjustable. The bandgap value of LiYGeO calculated by diffuse reflection data is very close to the theoretical value of 3.669 eV, indicating that LiYGeO is an ideal candidate for doped rare earth activated ions.

Garnet Structure-Activated Warm White Light Phosphors CaAlGeO: Dy, Eu with Ultrahigh Thermal Stability and Tunable Luminescence.

A series of CaAlGeO: Dy, Eu phosphors were successfully prepared by the high-temperature solid-phase method. The phase and morphology of the phosphors were studied by means of Rietveld refinement and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the phase is pure, and the crystal structure is the 3̅ space group.

Dual Responsive Magnetic Drug Delivery Nanomicelles with Tumor Targeting for Enhanced Cancer Chemo/Magnetothermal Synergistic Therapy.

Introduction: Stimulus-responsive nanocarrier systems are promising in cancer treatment. They improve drug stability and facilitate controlled drug release. However, single-responsive nanocarriers still face insufficient tumor targeting and low efficacy.

Feasibility of Two-Screw Anterior Fixation for Odontoid Fractures in a Chinese Population: A Morphometric Study Based on Computed Tomography.

Background: To evaluate the feasibility of treating odontoid fractures in the Chinese population with two cortical screws based on computed tomography (CT) scans and describe a new measurement strategy to guide screw insertion in treating these fractures.

Methods: A retrospective review of cervical computed tomographic scans of 128 patients (aged 18-76 years; men, 55 [43.0%]) was performed.

Changes in Pulmonary Artery Pressure Late in Life: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Background: Although the prognostic implications of higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) are well established, few data exist regarding longitudinal change in pulmonary pressure in late life.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify changes in PASP over 6 years and determine the relative contributions of cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction.

Methods: Among 1,420 participants in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study with echocardiographic measures of PASP at both the fifth (2011-2013) and seventh (2018-2019) visits, longitudinal changes in PASP over about 6.

microRNA-365 attenuated intervertebral disc degeneration through modulating nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation by targeting EFNA3.

This present study is aimed to investigate the role of microRNA-365 (miR-365) in the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were transfected by miR-365 mimic and miR-365 inhibitor, respectively. Concomitantly, the transfection efficiency and the expression level of miRNA were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).