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result(s) for
"Zou, Lixing"
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Evo-1: Lightweight Vision-Language-Action Model with Preserved Semantic Alignment
Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models have emerged as a powerful framework that unifies perception, language, and control, enabling robots to perform diverse tasks through multimodal understanding. However, current VLA models typically contain massive parameters and rely heavily on large-scale robot data pretraining, leading to high computational costs during training, as well as limited deployability for real-time inference. Moreover, most training paradigms often degrade the perceptual representations of the vision-language backbone, resulting in overfitting and poor generalization to downstream tasks. In this work, we present Evo-1, a lightweight VLA model that reduces computation and improves deployment efficiency, while maintaining strong performance without pretraining on robot data. Evo-1 builds on a native multimodal Vision-Language model (VLM), incorporating a novel cross-modulated diffusion transformer along with an optimized integration module, together forming an effective architecture. We further introduce a two-stage training paradigm that progressively aligns action with perception, preserving the representations of the VLM. Notably, with only 0.77 billion parameters, Evo-1 achieves state-of-the-art results on the Meta-World and RoboTwin suite, surpassing the previous best models by 12.4% and 6.9%, respectively, and also attains a competitive result of 94.8% on LIBERO. In real-world evaluations, Evo-1 attains a 78% success rate with high inference frequency and low memory overhead, outperforming all baseline methods. We release code, data, and model weights to facilitate future research on lightweight and efficient VLA models.
Paper
Implementation of quantum key distribution surpassing the linear rate-transmittance bound
Quantum key distribution (QKD)1,2 offers a long-term solution to secure key exchange. Due to photon loss in transmission, it was believed that the repeaterless key rate is bounded by a linear function of the transmittance, O(η) (refs. 3,4), limiting the maximal secure transmission distance5,6. Recently, a novel type of QKD scheme has been shown to beat the linear bound and achieve a key rate performance of O(η) (refs. 7–9). Here, by employing the laser injection technique and the phase post-compensation method, we match the modes of two independent lasers and overcome the phase fluctuation. As a result, the key rate surpasses the linear bound via 302 km and 402 km commercial-fibre channels, over four orders of magnitude higher than existing results5. Furthermore, our system yields a secret key rate of 0.118 bps with a 502 km ultralow-loss fibre. This new type of QKD pushes forward long-distance quantum communication for the future quantum internet.Phase-matching quantum key distribution is implemented with a 502 km ultralow-loss optical fibre. The fluctuations of the laser initial phases and frequencies are suppressed by the laser injection technique and the phase post-compensation method.
Journal Article
A STAT3 palmitoylation cycle promotes TH17 differentiation and colitis
Cysteine palmitoylation (S-palmitoylation) is a reversible post-translational modification that is installed by the DHHC family of palmitoyltransferases and is reversed by several acyl protein thioesterases
1
,
2
. Although thousands of human proteins are known to undergo S-palmitoylation, how this modification is regulated to modulate specific biological functions is poorly understood. Here we report that the key T helper 17 (T
H
17) cell differentiation stimulator, STAT3
3
,
4
, is subject to reversible S-palmitoylation on cysteine 108. DHHC7 palmitoylates STAT3 and promotes its membrane recruitment and phosphorylation. Acyl protein thioesterase 2 (APT2, also known as LYPLA2) depalmitoylates phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) and enables it to translocate to the nucleus. This palmitoylation–depalmitoylation cycle enhances STAT3 activation and promotes T
H
17 cell differentiation; perturbation of either palmitoylation or depalmitoylation negatively affects T
H
17 cell differentiation. Overactivation of T
H
17 cells is associated with several inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In a mouse model, pharmacological inhibition of APT2 or knockout of
Zdhhc7
—which encodes DHHC7—relieves the symptoms of IBD. Our study reveals not only a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IBD but also a model through which S-palmitoylation regulates cell signalling, which might be broadly applicable for understanding the signalling functions of numerous S-palmitoylation events.
The dynamic and reversible S-palmitoylation of the transcription factor STAT3 enhances its activation and promotes the differentiation of T
H
17 cells.
Journal Article
Hollow Gradient-Structured Iron-Anchored Carbon Nanospheres for Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
HighlightsMicrowave absorber with nanoscale gradient structure was proposed for enhancing the electromagnetic absorption performance.Outstanding reflection loss value (−62.7 dB), broadband wave absorption (6.4 dB with only 2.1 mm thickness) in combination with flexible adjustment abilities were acquired, which is superior to other relative graded distribution structures.This strategy initiates a new method for designing and controlling wave absorber with excellent impedance matching property in practical applications.In the present paper, a microwave absorber with nanoscale gradient structure was proposed for enhancing the electromagnetic absorption performance. The inorganic–organic competitive coating strategy was employed, which can effectively adjust the thermodynamic and kinetic reactions of iron ions during the solvothermal process. As a result, Fe nanoparticles can be gradually decreased from the inner side to the surface across the hollow carbon shell. The results reveal that it offers an outstanding reflection loss value in combination with broadband wave absorption and flexible adjustment ability, which is superior to other relative graded distribution structures and satisfied with the requirements of lightweight equipment. In addition, this work elucidates the intrinsic microwave regulation mechanism of the multiscale hybrid electromagnetic wave absorber. The excellent impedance matching and moderate dielectric parameters are exhibited to be the dominative factors for the promotion of microwave absorption performance of the optimized materials. This strategy to prepare gradient-distributed microwave absorbing materials initiates a new way for designing and fabricating wave absorber with excellent impedance matching property in practical applications.
Journal Article
Soft bioelectronics embedded with self-confined tetrahedral DNA circuit for high-fidelity chronic wound monitoring
Monitoring wound protein biomarkers, especially inflammation-related proteins, is essential to assess wound progression and guide treatment. However, high-fidelity wound biosensing is challenging because of current biosensors’ limitations in detecting low-abundance proteins and their vulnerabilities to mechanical deformation, biofouling, and performance degradation. Here, we introduce a soft bioelectronics embedded with Self-Confined Tetrahedral DNA circuit (SCTD) for wound monitoring. In SCTD, proteins in wound exudate trigger DNA self-circulation amplification confined in the hydrophilic area, decreasing detection limits by an order of magnitude. The tetrahedral DNA structure ensures excellent mechanical stability (within 3% variation after 1000 bending cycles), prolonged stability (within 8% signal attenuation over 4 weeks), and reduced biofouling (over 50% BSA adhesion reduction). Coupled with wireless readout, this platform simultaneously monitors multiple wound healing-related proteins (TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β1, and VEGF) and biophysical parameters. The wireless platform demonstrates accurate
in
-
situ
monitoring of both non-infected and infected wounds on diabetic male mice without hindering the healing process, offering quantitative and comprehensive evaluation to guide treatment.
Wound biomarker monitoring faces challenges in both sensitivity and stability. Here, authors present soft wireless bioelectronic device, using self-confined tetrahedral DNA circuits, that enhance detection limits, resists biofouling, and enables stable and real-time monitoring of diabetic wound healing.
Journal Article
Homeostatic control of an iron repressor in a GI tract resident
The transition metal iron plays a crucial role in living cells. However, high levels of iron are potentially toxic through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), serving as a deterrent to the commensal fungus Candida albicans for colonization in the iron-rich gastrointestinal tract. We observe that the mutant lacking an iron-responsive transcription factor Hap43 is hyper-fit for colonization in murine gut. We demonstrate that high iron specifically triggers multiple post-translational modifications and proteasomal degradation of Hap43, a vital process guaranteeing the precision of intestinal ROS detoxification. Reduced levels of Hap43 de-repress the expression of antioxidant genes and therefore alleviate the deleterious ROS derived from iron metabolism. Our data reveal that Hap43 functions as a negative regulator for oxidative stress adaptation of C. albicans to gut colonization and thereby provide a new insight into understanding the interplay between iron homeostasis and fungal commensalism.
Journal Article
Advanced lung cancer inflammation index combined with geriatric nutritional risk index predict all-cause mortality in heart failure patients
Background
This study was undertaken to explore the predictive value of the advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) combined with the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) for all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure (HF).
Methods and results
We enrolled 1123 patients with HF admitted to our cardiology department from January 2017 to October 2021. Patients were divided into four groups, according to the median ALI and GNRI. From the analysis of the relationship between the ALI and GNRI, we concluded that there was a mild positive linear correlation (
r
= 0.348,
p
< 0.001) and no interaction (
p
= 0.140) between the ALI and GNRI. Kaplan‒Meier analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality in patients with HF was highest in Group 1 (log-rank χ
2
126.244,
p
< 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that ALI and GNRI were independent predictors of all-cause mortality in HF patients (ALI: HR 0.407, 95% CI 0.296–0.560,
p
< 0.001; GNRI: HR 0.967, 95% CI 0.954–0.980,
p
< 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for ALI combined with GNRI was 0.711 (
p
< 0.001), according to the time-dependent ROC curve.
Conclusion
ALI and GNRI were independent predictors of all-cause mortality in HF patients. Patients with HF had the highest risk of all-cause mortality when the ALI was < 24.60 and the GNRI was < 94.41. ALI combined with the GNRI has good predictive value for the prognosis of HF patients.
Journal Article
The clinical performance of fetal sex chromosome abnormalities in serum biochemical screening in the second trimester
This study aimed to investigate the serum biochemical markers’ propensity associated with sex chromosome abnormalities (SCAs) and assess the clinical efficacy of SCAs in serum biochemical screening during the second trimester. A retrospective case-control analysis was conducted on pregnant women who underwent serum biochemical screening during the second trimester. The study compared groups of women with SCAs to those with normal chromosome karyotypes to assess changes in biochemical markers. We analysed and compared the performance of serum biochemical screening in each SCA group. The results showed that the alterations in serum biochemical markers varied among the different SCA groups. Typically, the serum biochemical markers of fetal SCAs were either above the 95th percentile or below the 5th percentile. The proportions of high- and intermediate-risk findings for 45,X, 47,XXX, 47,XXY, 47,XYY, and mosaic sex chromosomal abnormalities were 43.48%, 78.95%, 63.89%, 70.59%, and 78.13%, respectively. Besides detecting fetal trisomy 21 and trisomy 18, the current contingent screening procedures may also accidentally identify various fetal SCAs at a rate of 69.18%.
Journal Article
Male Infertility Management: A Critical Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines With the AGREE II Instrument
To systematically evaluate the quality of both domestic and international clinical practice guidelines for male infertility using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool, identify methodological shortcomings, and propose evidence-based recommendations for improvement, this study was conducted. A systematic search of Chinese and English databases, along with official websites of international organizations, was undertaken to identify relevant guidelines. Four independent reviewers assessed the included guidelines employing the AGREE II tool, focusing on the rigor of development processes and the concordance and divergence among core recommendations. Ten guidelines were included, with only one rated “recommendable” using AGREE II criteria; others were “conditionally recommendable” or “not recommendable.” Key shortcomings included deficient rigor of development (Domain III: 34.4%), applicability (Domain V: 48.3%), and editorial independence (Domain VI: 23.5%). Eighteen core recommendations were identified. Domestic guidelines lacked transparent conflict of interest disclosures and multidisciplinary collaboration, whereas international guidelines demonstrated superior methodological rigor through interprofessional integration. Most guidelines failed to validate clinical impacts of recommendations, hindering practical implementation. This study represents the first systematic evaluation of male infertility guidelines at national and international levels, with comparative analysis of their recommendations. Findings reveal widespread deficiencies in methodological rigor, applicability, and editorial independence. Future guideline development should adopt standardized frameworks, enhance multidisciplinary collaboration, ensure editorial independence, and integrate evidence-based medicine to improve quality and clinical utility.
Journal Article