Computationally efficient robust adaptive filtering algorithm based on improved minimum error entropy criterion with fiducial points.

Recently, there has been a strong interest in the minimum error entropy (MEE) criterion derived from information theoretic learning, which is effective in dealing with the multimodal non-Gaussian noise case. However, the kernel function is shift invariant resulting in the MEE criterion being insensitive to the error location. An existing solution is to combine the maximum correntropy (MC) with MEE criteria, leading to the MEE criterion with fiducial points (MEEF). Nevertheless, the algorithms based on the MEEF criterion usually require higher computational complexity. To remedy this problem, an improved MEEF (IMEEF) criterion is devised, aiming to avoid repetitive calculations of the aposteriori error, and an adaptive filtering algorithm based on gradient descent (GD) method is proposed, namely, GD-based IMEEF (IMEEF-GD) algorithm. In addition, we provide the convergence condition in terms of mean sense, along with an analysis of the steady-state and transient behaviors of IMEEF-GD in the mean-square sense. Its computational complexity is also analyzed. Simulation results demonstrate that the computational requirement of our algorithm does not vary significantly with the error sample number and the derived theoretical model is highly consistent with the learning curve. Ultimately, we employ the IMEEF-GD algorithm in tasks such as system identification, wind signal magnitude prediction, temperature prediction, and acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) to validate the effectiveness of the IMEEF-GD algorithm.

Heteroatom-engineered multicolor lignin carbon dots enabling bimodal fluorescent off-on detection of metal-ions and glutathione.

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a promising subclass of optical nanomaterials with versatile functions in multimodal biosensing. Howbeit the rapid, reliable and reproducible fabrication of multicolor CDs from renewable lignin with unique groups (e.g., -OCH3, -OH and -COOH) and alterable moieties (e.g., ß-O-4, phenylpropanoid structure) remains challenging due to difficult-to-control molecular behavior. Herein we proposed a scalable acid-reagent strategy to engineer a family of heteroatom-doped multicolor lignin carbon dots (LCDs) that are functioned as the bimodal fluorescent off-on sensing of metal-ions and glutathione (GSH). Benefiting from the modifiable photophysical structure via heteroatom-doping (N, S, W, P and B), the multicolor LCDs (blue, green and yellow) with a controllable size distribution of 2.06-2.22 nm deliver the sensing competences to fluorometric probing the distinctive metal-ion systems (Fe3+, Al3+ and Cu2+) under a broad response interval (0-500 µM) with excellent sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD, 0.45-3.90 µM). Meanwhile, we found that the addition of GSH can efficiently restore the fluorescence of LCDs by forming a stable Fe3+-GSH complex with a LOD of 0.97 µM. This work not only sheds light on evolving lignin macromolecular interactions with tunable luminescent properties, but also provides a facile approach to synthesize multicolor CDs with advanced functionalities.

Spatiotemporal variability of near-surface CO2 and its affecting factors over Mongolia.

We investigate the spatiotemporal variability of near-surface CO2 concentrations in Mongolia from 2010 to 2019 and the factors affecting it over four climate zones of Mongolia based on the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, including arid desert climate (BWh), arid steppe climate (BSk), dry climate (Dw), and polar frost climate (ET). Initially, we validate the near-surface CO2 datasets obtained from the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) using ground-based CO2 observations obtained from the World Data Center for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG) and found good agreement. The results showed that CO2 concentrations over Mongolia steadily increased from 389.48 ppmv in 2010 to 409.72 ppmv in 2019, with an annual growth rate of 2.24 ppmv/year. Spatially, the southeastern Gobi desert region has the highest annual average CO2 concentration, while the northwestern Alpine and Meadow steppe region exhibits the most significant growth rate. Additionally, significant monthly and seasonal variations were observed in each climate zone, with CO2 levels decreasing to a minimum in summer and reaching a maximum in spring. Furthermore, our findings revealed a negative correlation between CO2 concentrations and vegetation parameters (NDVI, GPP, and LAI) during summer when photosynthesis is at its peak, while a positive correlation was observed during spring and autumn when the capacity for carbon sequestration is lower. Understanding CO2 concentrations in different climate zones and the uptake capacity of vegetation may help improve estimates of carbon sequestration in ecosystems such as deserts, steppes and forests.

Correlation of Breast Ultrasound Classifications with Breast Cancer in Chinese Women.

The aim of this study was to identify potential links between ultrasonographic breast parenchymal patterns and the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women. The population of Chinese women at high risk for breast cancer was explored using the ultrasonographic classification. Ultrasonographic parenchymal patterns were classified into four types: heterogeneous type, ductal type, mixed type and fibrous type. A total of 5879 Chinese women underwent breast ultrasound examination from May 2010 to April 2014. Of the 5879 women, 256 women had pathology-confirmed breast cancer. Among the remaining 5623 women, 512 randomly selected, age-matched women were recruited into the present study. The correlation between ultrasonographic type and breast cancer revealed that the odds ratio (OR) was highest for the heterogeneous type (odds ratio = 4.11, 95% confidence interval: 2.01-8.41, p < 0.001), followed by the fibrous type (odds ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.51-2.78, p < 0.001). The odds ratios of the ductal and mixed types were both less than 1 (p < 0.05). This study indicates that the heterogeneous and fibrous types in the ultrasonographic classification are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and, therefore, can be used as a marker of breast cancer risk in the female population of China.

Silver nanoplates-based colorimetric iodide recognition and sensing using sodium thiosulfate as a sensitizer.

A colorimetric method for the recognition and sensing of iodide ions (I(-)) has been developed by utilizing the reactions between triangular silver nanoplates (TAg-NPs) and I(-) in the presence of sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3). Specifically, I(-) together with Na2S2O3 can induce protection of TAg-NPs owing to the formation of insoluble AgI, as confirmed by the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). In the absence of Na2S2O3, the etching reactions on TAg-NPs were observed not only by I(-) but also other halides ions. The Na2S2O3 plays as a sensitizer in this system, which improved the selectivity and sensitivity. The desired colorimetric detection can be achieved by measuring the change of the absorption peak wavelength corresponding to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) with UV-vis spectrophotometer or recognized by naked eye observation. The results show that the shift of the maximum absorption wavelength (Δλ) of the TAg-NPs/Na2S2O3/I(-) mixture was proportional to the concentration of I(-) in the range 1.0×10(-9)-1.0×10(-6) mol L(-1). Moreover, no other ions besides I(-) can induce an eye discernible color change as low as 1.0×10(-7) mol L(-1). Finally, this method was successfully applied for I(-) determination in kelp samples.

Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid on growth performance and immune function in chicks under beak trimming stress.

This experiment was undertaken to examine the effect of beak trimming stress on the growth performance and immune system, and to consider possible roles of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in this stress response. Results showed that body weight, feed intake and relative spleen weight were significantly increased by GABA at 80 mg/kg (P < 0.05) under beak trimming stress, whereas the relative organ weights of the bursa of fabricius and thymus were not significantly affected (P > 0.05). Adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration in serum was highest for chicks fed the GABA-deficient water and was significantly decreased by the supplement of GABA at days 1, 3 and 5 after beak trimming (P < 0.05). The supplement of GABA significantly increased the proportions of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes, especially at the dose of 60 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased by GABA at 80 mg/kg (P < 0.05). All the three cytokines expressed in the spleen were significantly decreased by GABA at 80 mg/kg when birds were under beak trimming stress (P < 0.05). It is concluded that beak trimming suppressed the immune response of chicks, whereas the immune response of chicks could be improved by GABA supplementation.

Cloning of TPO gene and associations of polymorphisms with chicken growth and carcass traits.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO), which located on the apical membrane surface of thyrocytes, is the key enzyme involved in thyroid hormone synthesis, mainly catalyses the iodination of tyrosine residues and the coupling of iodotyrosines on thyroglobulin to form thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The objectives of this study were to identify genetic polymorphisms of the chicken TPO gene and to analyze potential association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and growth and carcass traits in chicken. Partial sequences of TPO gene were cloned firstly. The nucleotide sequence was found to have 72 % identity with that of humans. The chicken TPO amino acid sequence was 71 %. Through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing methods, three novel mutations of the chicken TPO gene were detected in the F2 resource population from Gushi chickens and Anka broilers. The association analysis indicated that all of the three SNPs showed association with chicken growth at different periods. The g.29996C>T polymorphisms was significantly associated with body weight, breast bone length, pectoral angle at 12 weeks, claw weight and leg muscle weight (P < 0.05). In addition, individuals with the TT genotype had higher value for almost all the traits than CC and CT genotype. Meanwhile for CLW, the additive effects were significant (P < 0.05). Hence, we suggest that genotype TT can be regarded as a potential molecular marker for later growth and carcass traits in chicken.