An improved beetle antennae search algorithm and its application in coverage of wireless sensor networks.

This manuscript presents ABSAS-CS-GSA, an improved iteration of the beetle antennae search (BAS) algorithm, tailored to address the shortcoming of the BAS with low convergence accuracy and easily falling into local optima. The improvements are structured into three principal components: first, dynamic step-size adjustment predicated on initial population to bolster solution accuracy and expedite convergence; second, position update mechanism integrating golden sine algorithm to diversify search patterns and expedite convergence; and third, population disturbance based on vertical and horizontal cross strategy to avoid falling into local optima. Experimental results on 12 benchmark functions demonstrate ABSAS-CS-GSA's superiority over the standard BAS and its four variants, as well as over two classic swarm intelligence algorithms.

Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Palladium-Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework and Its Application as Heterogeneous Catalysis for C-H Arylation of Azoles.

A novel triazine-based covalent organic framework (TFPT-Bz COF) has been constructed by the condensation of 2,4,6-tris(5-formyl-2-pyridinoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TFPT) and benzidine (BZ) with deep eutectic solvent (DES) as the reaction medium. After the introduction of Pd ions through strong coordination to TFPT-Bz COF matrix, the constructed TFPT-Bz COF/Pd composite exhibited excellent catalytic activity for C-H arylation of azoles with aryl halides in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. The protocol allows the arylation of a variety of substituted azoles with diverse aryl halides in high to excellent yield.

An Improved Grey Wolf Optimizer and Its Application in Robot Path Planning.

This paper discusses a hybrid grey wolf optimizer utilizing a clone selection algorithm (pGWO-CSA) to overcome the disadvantages of a standard grey wolf optimizer (GWO), such as slow convergence speed, low accuracy in the single-peak function, and easily falling into local optimum in the multi-peak function and complex problems. The modifications of the proposed pGWO-CSA could be classified into the following three aspects. Firstly, a nonlinear function is used instead of a linear function for adjusting the iterative attenuation of the convergence factor to balance exploitation and exploration automatically.

Blocking Notch signalling reverses miR-155-mediated inflammation in allergic rhinitis.

Although recent studies have shown that the Notch signalling pathway induces the production of Th2-related immune factors, the exact mechanism through which Notch signalling exacerbates allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unknown. To investigate the roles of Notch in AR, serum, nasal mucosa and spleen samples were isolated from BALB/c mice. Paraffin sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) to assess inflammation.

MiR-665 Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence by Interacting With LncRNA GAS5/SDC1.

Vascular aging is considered a special risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a major role in aging-related vascular remodeling and in the pathological process of atherosclerosis. Recent research has reported that long non-coding RNA/microRNA (lncRNA/miRNA) is a critical regulator of cellular senescence. However, the role and mechanism of lncRNA GAS5/miR-665 axis in VSMC senescence remain incompletely understood.

Adaptive harmony search algorithm utilizing differential evolution and opposition-based learning.

An adaptive harmony search algorithm utilizing differential evolution and opposition-based learning (AHS-DE-OBL) is proposed to overcome the drawbacks of the harmony search (HS) algorithm, such as its low fine-tuning ability, slow convergence speed, and easily falling into a local optimum. In AHS-DE-OBL, three main innovative strategies are adopted. First, inspired by the differential evolution algorithm, the differential harmonies in the population are used to randomly perturb individuals to improve the fine-tuning ability.

miR-5701 promoted apoptosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells by targeting phosphodiesterase-1B.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs play critical roles in malignant biological behaviors, including cancerogenesis, cancer progression and metastasis, through the regulation of target genes expression. As miR-5701 has recently been identified to play roles as tumor suppressor miRNA in the development of some kinds of cancers, in this study we sought to investigate the role of miR-5701 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Colony formation, cell apoptosis and proliferation assays were employed, and the results showed that miR-5701 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of ccRCC cells.

FOXN3 suppresses the growth and invasion of papillary thyroid cancer through the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Forkhead box N3 (FOXN3) is a subtype of FOX family that has been demonstrated to be implicated in several cancers. However, the role of FOXN3 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its mechanisms have not yet been investigated. Our results showed that FOXN3 was markedly down regulated in PTC tissues and cell lines.

Bioavailability and soil-to-crop transfer of heavy metals in farmland soils: A case study in the Pearl River Delta, South China.

Soil-bound heavy metals are of great concern for human health due to the potential exposure via food chain transfer. In the present study, the occurrence, the bioavailability and the soil-to-crop transfer of heavy metals in farmland soils were investigated based on data from two agricultural areas, i.e.

Meglumine: A novel and efficient catalyst for one-pot, three-component combinatorial synthesis of functionalized 2-amino-4H-pyrans.

An efficient one-pot synthesis of functionalized 2-amino-4H-pyrans by a meglumine-catalyzed three-component reaction has been developed. A broad range of substrates including aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes, isatin derivatives, and acenaphthenequinone are condensed with enolizable C-H activated compounds and alkylmalonates to give the desired products in high to excellent yields. This methodology provides an alternative approach for rapid access to construct a diversity-oriented library of 4H-pyrans.

Conspicuity of breast lesions at different b values on diffusion-weighted imaging.

Background: Diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging has shown potential to differentiate between malignant and benign breast lesions. However, different b values have been used with varied sensitivity and specificity. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the influence of b value on the detection and assessment of breast lesions.

One-pot, three-component synthesis of a library of spirooxindole-pyrimidines catalyzed by magnetic nanoparticle supported dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid in aqueous media.

Dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-DDBSA) were readily prepared and identified as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of a library of spirooxindole-pyrimidine derivatives by three-component condensation reaction of barbituric acids, isatins and cyclohexane-1,3-diones. The aqueous reaction medium, easy recovery of the catalyst using an external magnet, and high yields make the protocol sustainable and economic.

Health risk evaluation for the inhabitants of a typical mining town in a mountain area, South China.

A previous study investigated metal contamination in farmland and the air in a typical mining town of Guangxi, South China. In this study, the health risks associated with exposure to this contamination that were evaluated for the following routes of exposure are reported: inhalation, dermal contact, ingestion of dust, and ingestion of homegrown vegetables. The findings demonstrated that the inhabitants were at high risk for noncancer effects posed by some of the metals.

[Ultraviolet absorption spectra of iodine, iodide ion and triiodide ion].

Ultraviolet absorption spectra of iodine I2, iodide ion I(-) and triiodide ion I3(-) were studied, and molar absorptivities of these species were determined. Absorption spectrum of I2 aqueous solution appears as an absorption peak at 203 nm with a molar absorptivity of 1.96 x 10(4) L x mol(-1) x cm(-1).

[Resonance light scattering of aurintricarboxylic acid].

Resonance light scattering (RLS), absorption and fluorescence spectra of aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) were studied. In solutions with pH 3.7 to pH 11.