EFNet: enhancing feature information for 3D object detection in LiDAR point clouds.

With the development of autonomous driving, there has been considerable attention on 3D object detection using LiDAR. Pillar-based LiDAR point cloud detection algorithms are extensively employed in the industry due to their simple structure and high real-time performance. Nevertheless, the pillar-based detection network suffers from significant loss of 3D coordinate information during the feature degradation and extraction process. In the paper, we introduce a novel framework with high performance, termed EFNet. The EFNet uses the Enhancing Pillar Feature Module (EPFM) to provide more accurate representations of features from two directions: pillar internal space and pillar external space. Additionally, the Head Up Module (HUM) is utilized in the detection head to integrate multi-scale information and enhance the network's information perception ability. The EFNet achieves impressive results on the nuScenes datasets, namely, 53.3% NDS and 42.4% mAP. Compared to the baseline PointPillars, EFNet improves 8% NDS and 11.9% mAP. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework can effectively improve the network's accuracy while ensuring deployability.

Cross-and-Diagonal Networks: An Indirect Self-Attention Mechanism for Image Classification.

In recent years, computer vision has witnessed remarkable advancements in image classification, specifically in the domains of fully convolutional neural networks (FCNs) and self-attention mechanisms. Nevertheless, both approaches exhibit certain limitations. FCNs tend to prioritize local information, potentially overlooking crucial global contexts, whereas self-attention mechanisms are computationally intensive despite their adaptability. In order to surmount these challenges, this paper proposes cross-and-diagonal networks (CDNet), innovative network architecture that adeptly captures global information in images while preserving local details in a more computationally efficient manner. CDNet achieves this by establishing long-range relationships between pixels within an image, enabling the indirect acquisition of contextual information. This inventive indirect self-attention mechanism significantly enhances the network's capacity. In CDNet, a new attention mechanism named "cross and diagonal attention" is proposed. This mechanism adopts an indirect approach by integrating two distinct components, cross attention and diagonal attention. By computing attention in different directions, specifically vertical and diagonal, CDNet effectively establishes remote dependencies among pixels, resulting in improved performance in image classification tasks. Experimental results highlight several advantages of CDNet. Firstly, it introduces an indirect self-attention mechanism that can be effortlessly integrated as a module into any convolutional neural network (CNN). Additionally, the computational cost of the self-attention mechanism has been effectively reduced, resulting in improved overall computational efficiency. Lastly, CDNet attains state-of-the-art performance on three benchmark datasets for similar types of image classification networks. In essence, CDNet addresses the constraints of conventional approaches and provides an efficient and effective solution for capturing global context in image classification tasks.

Strain-Specific Benefits of Bacillus Probiotics in Hybrid Grouper: Growth Enhancement, Metabolic Health, Immune Modulation, and Vibrio harveyi Resistance.

In the realm of modern aquaculture, the utilization of probiotics has gained prominence, primarily due to their ability to enhance growth, boost immunity, and prevent diseases in aquatic species. This study primarily investigates the efficacy of Bacillus subtilis strains, both host-derived and from other sources, in influencing fish growth, immunity, lipid metabolism, and disease resistance. Employing a 42-day feeding trial, we divided hybrid grouper into four distinct groups: a control group on a basal diet and three experimental groups supplemented with 1 × 108 CFU/g of different Bacillus subtilis strains-BS, 6-3-1, and HAINUP40. Remarkably, the study demonstrated that the 6-3-1 and HAINUP40 groups exhibited significant enhancements across key growth parameters: final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency ratio (FER), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The investigation into lipid metabolism revealed that the 6-3-1 strain upregulated seven metabolism-related genes, HAINUP40 affected four metabolism-related genes, and the BS strain influenced two metabolism-related genes, indicating diverse metabolic impacts by different strains. Further, a notable reduction in liver enzymes AST and ALT was observed across all supplemented groups, implying improved liver health. Noteworthy was the BS strain's superior antioxidative capabilities, positively affecting all four measured parameters (CAT, GSH-Px, MDA). In the sphere of immune-related gene expression, the BS strain significantly decreased the expression of both inflammation and apoptosis-related genes, whereas the HAINUP40 strain demonstrated an upregulation in these genes. The challenge test results were particularly telling, showcasing improved survival rates against Vibrio harveyi infection in the BS and 6-3-1 groups, unlike the HAINUP40 group. These outcomes highlight the strain-specific nature of probiotics and their varying mechanisms of action within the host. In conclusion, this study reveals that probiotic strains, varying by source, demonstrate unique, strain-specific effects in promoting growth and modulating immunity in hybrid grouper. This research highlights the promise of tailored probiotic applications in improving aquaculture practices. Such advancements contribute to more sustainable and efficient fish farming methods.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein response as a preoperative prognostic indicator in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with salvage hepatectomy following conversion therapy: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: This study evaluates the efficacy of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response as a surrogate marker for determining recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) who undergo salvage hepatectomy following conversion therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and anti-PD-1 antibody-based regimen. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 74 patients with uHCC and positive AFP (>20 ng/mL) at diagnosis, who underwent salvage hepatectomy after treatment with TKIs and anti-PD-1 antibody-based regimens. The association between AFP response-defined as a ≥ 80% decrease in final AFP levels before salvage hepatectomy from diagnosis-and RFS post-hepatectomy was investigated. Results: AFP responders demonstrated significantly better postoperative RFS compared to non-responders (P<0.001). The median RFS was not reached for AFP responders, with 1-year and 2-year RFS rates of 81.3% and 70.8%, respectively. In contrast, AFP non-responders had a median RFS of 7.43 months, with 1-year and 2-year RFS rates at 37.1% and 37.1%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified AFP response as an independent predictor of RFS. Integrating AFP response with radiologic tumor response facilitated further stratification of patients into distinct risk categories: those with radiologic remission experienced the most favorable RFS, followed by patients with partial response/stable disease and AFP response, and the least favorable RFS among patients with partial response/stable disease but without AFP response. Sensitivity analyses further confirmed the association between AFP response and improved RFS across various cutoff values and in patients with AFP ≥ 200 ng/mL at diagnosis (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The "20-80" rule based on AFP response could be helpful for clinicians to preoperatively stratify the risk of patients undergoing salvage hepatectomy, enabling identification and management of those unlikely to benefit from this procedure.

Strain-Specific Benefits of Bacillus on Growth, Intestinal Health, Immune Modulation, and Ammonia-Nitrogen Stress Resilience in Hybrid Grouper.

In the dynamic field of intensive aquaculture, the strategic application of probiotics has become increasingly crucial, particularly for enhancing resistance to environmental stressors such as ammonia-nitrogen. Over a 42-day period, this study investigated the effects of different probiotic strains-Bacillus subtilis (BS, 6-3-1, and HAINUP40)-on the health and resilience of hybrid groupers. Each strain, distinct in its origin, was assessed for its influence on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune gene expressions, and ammonia-nitrogen stress response in the hybrid grouper. The experimental design included a control group and three experimental groups, each supplemented with 1 × 108 CFU/g of the respective probiotic strains, respectively. Our results demonstrated notable differences in growth parameters, including final body weight (FBW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The 6-3-1 strain, originating from grouper, exhibited significant improvements in growth, oxidative capacity, and intestinal health. Conversely, the BS strain achieved the highest survival rates under ammonia-nitrogen stress, indicating its superior ability to regulate inflammatory responses despite its less pronounced growth-promoting effects. The HAINUP40 strain was distinguished for its growth enhancement and improvements in intestinal health, though it also showed significant activation of inflammatory genes and decreased resistance to ammonia-nitrogen stress after extended feeding. The uniqueness of this study lies in its detailed examination of the strain-specific effects of probiotics on fish in the context of ammonia-nitrogen stress, a significant challenge in contemporary aquaculture. The research revealed that host-derived probiotics, particularly the 6-3-1 strain, provided more comprehensive benefits for growth performance and stress resilience. In contrast, the BS and HAINUP40 strains exhibited varying efficiencies, with BS excelling in stress resistance and HAINUP40 promoting growth and gut health. In conclusion, this study underscores the complex roles of different probiotic strains in aquaculture, contributing to the understanding of probiotic applications and presenting new approaches to address the challenges of intensive farming.

Optimum placement of distributed generation resources, capacitors and charging stations with a developed competitive algorithm.

This study presents a novel approach for the optimal placement of distributed generation (DG) resources, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and shunt capacitors (SC) in power distribution systems. The primary objective is to improve power efficiency and voltage profiles while considering practical and nonlinear constraints. The proposed model combines competitive search optimization (CSO) with fuzzy and chaotic theory to develop an efficient and effective solution. The use of fuzzy theory in the model enables the identification of optimal locations for DG sources and SCs, leading to significant enhancements in power index, generation, power losses, and system voltage. Moreover, the proposed fuzzy method is employed to determine the best locations for EV charging stations, further optimizing the overall system performance. The theoretical analysis demonstrates substantial improvements in both accuracy and convergence speed, highlighting the robustness of the proposed approach. In addition, the utilization of chaos theory enhances the local search optimization process, making the proposed method more efficient in finding high-quality solutions. To validate the performance of the model, extensive simulations are conducted on a 69-bus distribution system and various test functions. The results consistently reveal the superiority of the proposed method compared to other conventional optimization techniques. The key contribution of this study lies in its development of a comprehensive and efficient approach for the optimal placement of DG, EV charging stations, and SCs in power distribution systems. The integration of CSO, fuzzy theory, and chaotic theory enables the simultaneous consideration of multiple objectives and constraints, resulting in enhanced power dissipation reduction and voltage profile improvement. The obtained results demonstrate the practical applicability and superiority of the proposed method, which can significantly benefit power system planners and operators in real-world scenarios.

Electronic and magnetic properties of transition-metal-doped monolayer B2S2 within GGA + U framework.

Considering the significant role of magnetism induction in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials, we systematically investigate the effects of various dopants from the 3d and 4d transition metal (TM) series, including Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Cd, on the electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer B2S2 through first-principles calculations. The calculated formation energies indicate that substitutional doping at the B site with various TM atoms could be achieved under S-rich growth conditions. What matters is that with the exception of systems doped with Cu, Tc, and Ag elements, which exhibit non-magnetic semiconductor properties, all other doped systems demonstrate magnetism. Specifically, the Cr-, Ni- and Pd-doped monolayers are magnetic half-metals, while the rest are magnetic semiconductors. We have also performed calculations of magnetic couplings between two TM atoms with an impurity concentration of 3.12%, revealing the prevalence of weak magnetic coupling in the majority of the magnetic systems examined. Moreover, the monolayers doped with Cr, Zr and Pd atoms exhibit ferromagnetic ground states. These findings strongly support the high potential for inducing magnetism in the B2S2 monolayer through B-site doping.

Salmonella typhimurium Vaccine Candidate Delivering Infectious Bronchitis Virus S1 Protein to Induce Protection.

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly infectious viral disease of chickens which causes significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. An effective vaccine against IB is urgently needed to provide both biosafety and high-efficiency immune protection. In this study, the S1 protein of the infectious bronchitis virus was delivered by a recombinant attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vector to form the vaccine candidate χ11246(pYA4545-S1). S. typhimurium χ11246 carried a sifA- mutation with regulated delayed systems, striking a balance between host safety and immunogenicity. Here, we demonstrated that S1 protein is highly expressed in HD11 cells. Immunization with χ11246(pYA4545-S1) induced the production of antibody and cytokine, leading to an effective immune response against IB. Oral immunization with χ11246(pYA4545-S1) provided 72%, 56%, and 56% protection in the lacrimal gland, trachea, and cloaca against infectious bronchitis virus infection, respectively. Furthermore, it significantly reduced histopathological lesions in chickens. Together, this study provides a new idea for the prevention of IB.

Long-Term Phellodendri Cortex Supplementation in the Tiger Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus): Dual Effects on Intestinal Health Revealed by Transcriptome Analysis.

The tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus), an important mariculture fish in Southeast Asia, faces increasing health issues in recent years. Phellodendri Cortex (PC) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that exhibits a variety of beneficial effects on tiger groupers. The effects of PC, however, varies with the period of dietary intervention. This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of 1% PC supplementation on tiger groupers, focusing on growth, immunity, disease resistance, and intestinal gene expression. The tiger groupers (with an initial mean weight of 27.5 ± 0.5 g) were fed with a diet of Phellodendri Cortex supplementation and a control diet for 8 weeks. Our results indicate that the long-term PC supplementation did not affect growth or Vibrio disease resistance in tiger groupers. However, the transcriptome analysis revealed potential damage to the structural and functional integrity of the groupers' intestines. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory and cathepsin inhibition effects were also observed, offering potential benefits to fish enteritis prevention and therapy. Therefore, long-term PC supplementation in grouper culture should be applied with caution.

Oral Immunization with Attenuated Salmonella Choleraesuis Expressing the FedF Antigens Protects Mice against the Shiga-Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Challenge.

Edema disease (ED) is a severe and lethal infectious ailment in swine, stemming from Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). An efficient, user-friendly, and safe vaccine against ED is urgently required to improve animal welfare and decrease antibiotic consumption. Recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccines (RASV) administered orally induce both humoral and mucosal immune responses to the immunizing antigen. Their potential for inducing protective immunity against ED is significant through the delivery of STEC antigens. rSC0016 represents an enhanced recombinant attenuated vaccine vector designed for Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis. It combines sopB mutations with a regulated delay system to strike a well-balanced equilibrium between host safety and immunogenicity. We generated recombinant vaccine strains, namely rSC0016 (pS-FedF) and rSC0016 (pS-rStx2eA), and assessed their safety and immunogenicity in vivo. The findings demonstrated that the mouse models immunized with rSC0016 (pS-FedF) and rSC0016 (pS-rStx2eA) generated substantial IgG antibody responses to FedF and rStx2eA, while also provoking robust mucosal and cellular immune responses against both FedF and rStx2eA. The protective impact of rSC0016 (pS-FedF) against Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli surpassed that of rSC0016 (pS-rStx2eA), with percentages of 83.3%. These findings underscore that FedF has greater suitability for vaccine delivery via recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccines (RASVs). Overall, this study provides a promising candidate vaccine for infection with STEC.

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis vector outperforms alum as an adjuvant, increasing a cross-protective immune response against Glaesserella parasuis.

The adjuvant and/or vector significantly affect a vaccine's efficacy. Although traditional adjuvants such as alum have contributed to vaccine development, deficiencies in the induction of cellular and mucosal immunity have limited their further promotion. Salmonella vectors have unique advantages for establishing cellular and mucosal immunity due to mucosal pathways of invasion and intracellular parasitism. In addition, Salmonella vectors can activate multiple innate immune pathways, thereby promoting adaptive immune responses. In this work, the attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) vector rSC0016 was used to deliver the conserved protective antigen HPS_06257 of Glaesserella parasuis (G. parasuis), generating a novel recombinant strain rSC0016(pS-HPS_06257). The rSC0016(pS-HPS_06257) can express and deliver the HPS_06257 protein to the lymphatic system of the host. In comparison to HPS_06257 adjuvanted with alum, rSC0016(pS-HPS_06257) significantly increased TLR4 and TLR5 activation in mice as well as the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, rSC0016 promoted a greater degree of maturation in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) than alum. The specific humoral, mucosal, and cellular immune responses against HPS_06257 in mice immunized with rSC0016(pS-HPS_06257) were significantly higher than those of HPS_06257 adjuvanted with alum. HPS_06257 delivered by the S. Choleraesuis vector induces a Th1-biased Th1/Th2 mixed immune response, while HPS adjuvanted with alum can only induce a Th2-biased immune response. HPS_06257 adjuvanted with alum only causes opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) responses against a homologous strain (G. parasuis serotype 5, GPS5), whereas rSC0016(pS-HPS_06257) could generate cross-OPA responses against a homologous strain and a heterologous strain (G. parasuis serotype 12, GPS12). Ultimately, HPS_06257 adjuvanted with alum protected mice against lethal doses of GPS5 challenge by 60 % but failed to protect mice against lethal doses of GPS12. In contrast, mice immunized with rSC0016(pS-HPS_06257) had 100 % or 80 % survival when challenged with lethal doses of GPS5 or GPS12, respectively. Altogether, the S. Choleraesuis vector rSC0016 could potentially generate an improved innate immune response and an improved adaptive immunological response compared to the traditional alum adjuvant, offering a novel concept for the development of a universal G. parasuis vaccine.

LiDAR-camera-system-based unsupervised and weakly supervised 3D object detection.

LiDAR camera systems are now becoming an important part of autonomous driving 3D object detection. Due to limitations in time and resources, only a few critical frames of the synchronized camera data and acquired LiDAR points may be annotated. However, there is still a large amount of unannotated data in practical applications. Therefore, we propose a LiDAR-camera-system-based unsupervised and weakly supervised (LCUW) network as a novel 3D object-detection method. When unannotated data are put into the network, we propose an independent learning mode, which is an unsupervised data preprocessing module. Meanwhile, for detection tasks with high accuracy requirements, we propose an Accompany Construction mode, which is a weakly supervised data preprocessing module that requires only a small amount of annotated data. Then, we generate high-quality training data from the remaining unlabeled data. We also propose a full aggregation bridge block in the feature-extraction part, which uses a stepwise fusion and deepening representation strategy to improve the accuracy. Our comparative, ablation, and runtime test experiments show that the proposed method performs well while advancing the application of LiDAR camera systems.

An Integrated Multi-Channel Deep Neural Network for Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Identification Using Multi-Modal Medical Data.

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease with recurrent seizures. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the most common pathological cause of epilepsy. With the development of computer-aided diagnosis technology, there are many auxiliary diagnostic approaches based on deep learning algorithms. However, the causes of epilepsy are complex, and distinguishing different types of epilepsy accurately is challenging with a single mode of examination. In this study, our aim is to assess the combination of multi-modal epilepsy medical information from structural MRI, PET image, typical clinical symptoms and personal demographic and cognitive data (PDC) by adopting a multi-channel 3D deep convolutional neural network and pre-training PET images. The results show better diagnosis accuracy than using one single type of medical data alone. These findings reveal the potential of a deep neural network in multi-modal medical data fusion.

A Bacterial mRNA-Lysis-Mediated Cargo Release Vaccine System for Regulated Cytosolic Surveillance and Optimized Antigen Delivery.

Engineered vector-based in vivo protein delivery platforms have made significant progress for both prophylactic and therapeutic applications. However, the lack of effective release strategies results in foreign cargo being trapped within the vector, restricting the provision of significant performance benefits and enhanced therapeutic results compared to traditional vaccines. Herein, the development of a Salmonella mRNA interferase regulation vector (SIRV) system is reported to overcome this challenge. The genetic circuits are engineered that (1) induce self-lysis to release foreign antigens into target cells and (2) activate the cytosolic surveillance cGAS-STING axis by releasing DNA into the cytoplasm. Delayed synthesis of the MazF interferase regulates differential mRNA cleavage, resulting in a 36-fold increase in the delivery of foreign antigens and modest activation of the inflammasome, which collectively contribute to the marked maturation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Bacteria delivering the protective antigen SaoA exhibits excellent immunogenicity and safety in mouse and pig models, significantly improving the survival rate of animals challenged with multiple serotypes of Streptococcus suis. Thus, the SIRV system enables the effective integration of various modular components and antigen cargos, allowing for the generation of an extensive range of intracellular protein delivery systems using multiple bacterial species in a highly efficient manner.

The disruption of LPS in Salmonella Typhimurium provides partial protection against Salmonella Choleraesuis as a live attenuated vaccine.

Interference with the normal synthesis of LPS was shown to enhance immune responses to conserved outer membrane proteins. In the present study, we have constructed three vaccine candidates by deleting four genes (rfaL, rfbB, rffG and wzy) associated with LPS synthesis in the wild-type strain UK-1. Virulence assessment showed that after oral immunization of BALB/c mice, all mutant strains were attenuated and had significantly reduced ability to colonize host tissues compared to the wild-type strain. In addition, all three vaccine candidates induced elevated humoral, mucosal and cellular immune responses against S. Typhimurium and S. Choleraesuis OMPs compared to the PBS-treated group. Finally, immunization of mice with the rSC0136 vaccine candidate strain provided 100 % and 40 % protection against S. Typhimurium and S. Choleraesuis challenge, respectively. These results suggest that the deletion of LPS synthesis-related genes may be an effective strategy against homologous serotypes, but provides only partial protection against heterologous serotypes.

Development and evaluation of a multi-epitope subunit vaccine against Mycoplasma synoviae infection.

Mycoplasma synoviae is an extremely significant avian pathogen, causing substantial financial harm to poultry farmers worldwide, and impacting both chicken and turkey production. Multi-epitope vaccines offer higher immunity and lower allergenicity compared to conventional vaccines. In this study, our objective is to develop a multi-epitope vaccine for M. synoviae (MSMV) and to evaluate the immune responses and protective efficacy of MSMV in chickens. We successfully identified a total of 14 B-cell, 5 MHC-I, and 16 MHC-II binding epitopes from the immunodominant proteins RS01790, BMP, GrpE, RS00900, and RS00275. Subsequently, we synthesized the multi-epitope vaccine by connecting all conserved epitopes using appropriate linkers. The resulting MSMV demonstrated notable antigenicity, non-allergenic properties, and stability. Notably, the MSMV effectively stimulated high levels of antibody production in chickens. Furthermore, MSMV the vaccine elicited a robust cellular immune response in chickens, characterized by a well-balanced Th1/Th2-type cytokine profile and enhanced lymphocyte proliferation. In immune protection experiments, the vaccinated chickens exhibited reduced air sac lesion scores and tracheal mucosal thickness compared to their non-vaccinated chickens. Additionally, vaccinated chickens displayed lower M. synoviae loads in throat swabs. These findings collectively suggested that the MSMV holds significant potential as a promising vaccine candidate for managing M. synoviae infections.

A Novel Vermiculite/TiO2 Composite: Synergistic Mechanism of Enhanced Photocatalysis towards Organic Pollutant Removal.

There has been increasing concern over water pollution, which poses a threat to human life and health. Absorption by low-cost absorbents is considered to be a cost-effective and efficient route. However, the non-reusability of absorbents greatly limits their applications. In this study, a novel vermiculite/TiO2 composite combining the inexpensive absorbent with the commonly used photocatalyst was firstly synthesized via the sol-gel method. On the one hand, the organic pollutants are absorbed by vermiculite and then decomposed through the photocatalysis process, enabling the next round of absorption and creating an absorption-decomposition reusable cycle. On the other hand, the modulation effect of optical and electronic structure on the prepared TiO2 photocatalyst by the vermiculite incorporation could significantly improve the photocatalytic activity and eventually enhance the aforementioned cyclic degradation capacity. The layer-structured vermiculite (Vt) supports a uniform coverage of TiO2 at an optimized ratio, providing an optimal adsorption environment and contact area between the photocatalyst and methylene blue (MB) molecules. Vt/TiO2 heterojunction is formed with Si-O-Ti bonding, at which electrons transfer from Vt to TiO2, enriching electron density in TiO2 and favoring its photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the incorporation of Vt increases the light absorption of TiO2 in the visible range by narrowing the optical band gap to 1.98 eV, which could promote the generation of photo-excited carriers. In addition, PL measurements revealed that the carrier recombination is substantially suppressed, and the charge separation and migration are greatly enhanced by a factor of 3. As a result, the decomposition rate of MB is substantially increased 5.3-fold, which is ascribed to the synergistic effects of the elevated photocatalysis and the large absorption capacity governed by the chemisorption mechanism of the intra-particle diffusion. These results pave the way for composite design towards efficient, economical, and pragmatic water pollution treatment.

Recombinant-attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis vector expressing the PlpE protein of Pasteurella multocida protects mice from lethal challenge.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial surface proteins play key roles in pathogenicity and often contribute to microbial adhesion and invasion. Pasteurella lipoprotein E (PlpE), a Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) surface protein, has recently been identified as a potential vaccine candidate. Live attenuated Salmonella strains have a number of potential advantages as vaccine vectors, including immunization with live vector can mimic natural infections by organisms, lead to the induction of mucosal, humoral, and cellular immune responses. In this study, a previously constructed recombinant attenuated Salmonella Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) vector rSC0016 was used to synthesize and secrete the surface protein PlpE of P. multocida to form the vaccine candidate rSC0016(pS-PlpE). Subsequently, the immunogenicity of S. Choleraesuis rSC0016(pS-PlpE) as an oral vaccine to induce protective immunity against P. multocida in mice was evaluated. RESULTS: After immunization, the recombinant attenuated S. Choleraesuis vector can efficiently delivered P. multocida PlpE protein in vivo and induced a specific immune response against this heterologous antigen in mice. In addition, compared with the inactivated vaccine, empty vector (rSC0016(pYA3493)) and PBS immunized groups, the rSC0016(pS-PlpE) vaccine candidate group induced higher antigen-specific mucosal, humoral and mixed Th1/Th2 cellular immune responses. After intraperitoneal challenge, the rSC0016(pS-PlpE) immunized group had a markedly enhanced survival rate (80%), a better protection efficiency than 60% of the inactivated vaccine group, and significantly reduced tissue damage. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study found that the rSC0016(pS-PlpE) vaccine candidate provided good protection against challenge with wild-type P. multocida serotype A in a mouse infection model, and may potentially be considered for use as a universal vaccine against multiple serotypes of P. multocida in livestock, including pigs.

Screening of immunogenic proteins and evaluation of vaccine candidates against Mycoplasma synoviae.

Mycoplasma synoviae (M. synoviae) is a serious avian pathogen that causes significant economic losses to chicken and turkey producers worldwide. The currently available live attenuated and inactivated vaccines provide limited protection. The objective of this study was to identify potential subunit vaccine candidates using immunoproteomics and reverse vaccinology analyses and to evaluate their preliminary protection. Twenty-four candidate antigens were identified, and five of them, namely RS01790 (a putative sugar ABC transporter lipoprotein), BMP (a substrate-binding protein of the BMP family ABC transporter), GrpE (a nucleotide exchange factor), RS00900 (a putative nuclease), and RS00275 (an uncharacterized protein), were selected to evaluate their immunogenicity and preliminary protection. The results showed that all five antigens had good immunogenicity, and they were localized on the M. synoviae cell membrane. The antigens induced specific humoral and cellular immune responses, and the vaccinated chickens exhibited significantly greater body weight gain and lower air sac lesion scores and tracheal mucosal thicknesses. Additionally, the vaccinated chickens had lower M. synoviae loads in throat swabs than non-vaccinated chickens. The protective effect of the RS01790, BMP, GrpE, and RS00900 vaccines was better than that of the RS00275 vaccine. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential of subunit vaccines as a new approach to developing M. synoviae vaccines, providing new ideas for controlling the spread of M. synoviae worldwide.

A Model for Urban Environment Instance Segmentation with Data Fusion.

Fine-grained urban environment instance segmentation is a fundamental and important task in the field of environment perception for autonomous vehicles. To address this goal, a model was designed with LiDAR pointcloud data and camera image data as the subject of study, and the reliability of the model was enhanced using dual fusion at the data level and feature level. By introducing the Markov Random Field algorithm, the Support Vector Machine classification results were optimized according to the spatial contextual linkage while providing the model with the prerequisite of the differentiation of similar but foreign objects, and the object classification and instance segmentation of 3D urban environments were completed by combining the Mean Shift. The dual fusion approach in this paper is a method for the deeper fusion of data from different sources, and the model, designed more accurately, describes the categories of items in the environment with a classification accuracy of 99.3%, and segments the different individuals into groups of the same kind of objects without instance labels. Moreover, our model does not have high computational resource and time cost requirements, and is a lightweight, efficient, and accurate instance segmentation model.