Ensembles of neural network with stochastic optimization algorithms in predicting concrete tensile strength

Juan Hu,Fenghui Dong,Yiqi Qiu,Lei Xi,Ali Majdi,H. Elhosiny Ali 국제구조공학회 2022 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.45 No.2

Proper calculation of splitting tensile strength (STS) of concrete has been a crucial task, due to the wide use of concrete in the construction sector. Following many recent studies that have proposed various predictive models for this aim, this study suggests and tests the functionality of three hybrid models in predicting the STS from the characteristics of the mixture components including cement compressive strength, cement tensile strength, curing age, the maximum size of the crushed stone, stone powder content, sand fine modulus, water to binder ratio, and the ratio of sand. A multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network incorporates invasive weed optimization (IWO), cuttlefish optimization algorithm (CFOA), and electrostatic discharge algorithm (ESDA) which are among the newest optimization techniques. A dataset from the earlier literature is used for exploring and extrapolating the STS behavior. The results acquired from several accuracy criteria demonstrated a nice learning capability for all three hybrid models viz. IWO-MLP, CFOA-MLP, and ESDA-MLP. Also in the prediction phase, the prediction products were in a promising agreement (above 88%) with experimental results. However, a comparative look revealed the ESDA-MLP as the most accurate predictor. Considering mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) index, the error of ESDAMLP was 9.05%, while the corresponding value for IWO-MLP and CFOA-MLP was 9.17 and 13.97%, respectively. Since the combination of MLP and ESDA can be an effective tool for optimizing the concrete mixture toward a desirable STS, the last part of this study is dedicated to extracting a predictive formula from this model.

Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Pullorum Multidrug Resistance Strain S06004 from China(s)

( Qiu Chun Li ),( Ya Chen Hu ),( Yin Fei Wu ),( Xiao Chun Wang ),( Xiao Lei Xie ),( Ming Xin Tao ),( Jun Lei Yin ),( Zhi Jie Lin ),( Yang Jiao ),( Li Juan Xu ),( Xinan Jiao ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.5

As Salmonella enterica serovar Pullorum remains a major economic problem for the poultry industries of countries with no efficient control measures, we presented a multidrug resistance strain S06004 (isolated from a clinically sick chicken in China in 2006) for genome sequencing. The genome comparison showed that the strain contained two prophages, the ST104 and prophage-4 (Fels2) of E. coli LF82, which were not detected in the only published genomes of S. Pullorum RKS5078 and CDC1983-67. In addition, the GyrA Ser83 point mutation, drugresistant genes, and many antibiotic pump systems that are present in S06004 may be contributing to the multidrug resistance of this strain.

Synthesis, Structure and Biological Properties of a Novel Copper (II) Supramolecular Compound Based on 1,2,4-Triazoles Derivatives

Qiu, Guang-Mei,Wang, Cui-Juan,Zhang, Ya-Jun,Huang, Shuai,Liu, Xiao-Lei,Zhang, Bing-Jun,Zhou, Xian-Li Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.8

A novel mononuclear supramolecule of copper(II) has been synthesized with Ippyt ligand (Ippyt=3-(4'-imidazole phenyl)-5-(pyrid-2''-yl)-1,2,4-triazole) (1). Compound 1, namely [$Cu(Ippyt)_2(H_2O)_2$], has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectrum, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Structure determination reveals that the elongated-octahedral geometry is formed in the vicinity of the copper (II) atom being coordinated by four nitrogen atoms from two Ippyt ligands occupying the equatorial position and two oxygen atoms from two coordinated water molecules in the axial position, which together form the $N_4O_2$ donor set. Hydrogen bonding interactions between nitrogen and oxygen atoms result in the set up of a supramolecular network architecture. Biological properties including antibacterial activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic activity of compound 1 have been investigated by agar diffusion method and the modified Marklund method, respectively. The results indicate that compound 1 exhibits a stronger antibacterial efficiency than the parent ligand and it also has a certain radical-scavenging activity.

Improving Clinician-Patient Communication Alleviates Stigma in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia Receiving Antidepressant Treatment

( Xiu-juan Yan ),( Hong-yi Qiu ),( Qing-qing Luo ),( Bo Wang ),( Ping Xu ),( Chen-feng Ji ),( Sheng-liang Chen ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2022 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.28 No.1

Background/Aims Antidepressants are effective in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). However, stigma associated with FD and antidepressants may affect treatment adherence. This study aims to explore possible communication strategies to alleviate stigma and improve adherence in patients with FD. Methods In this randomized, single-center, and single-blind trial, 160 patients with FD initiating antidepressant treatment were recruited. Different communication strategies were performed when prescribing antidepressants. Participants in Group 1 were told that brain is the “headquarters” of gut, and that antidepressants could act as neuromodulators to relieve symptoms of FD through regulating the functions of gut and brain. Participants in Group 2 were told that antidepressants were empirically effective for FD. Stigma scores, medication-related stigma, treatment compliance, and efficacy were analyzed. Results After 8-week antidepressant treatment, the proportion of patients with FD with decreased stigma scores in Group 1 was significantly higher than in Group 2 (internalized stigma: 64.10% vs 12.00%; perceived stigma: 55.13% vs 13.33%; P < 0.01). Medication-related stigma was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.05 for 3 of 4 questions). Concurrently, patients in Group 1 had better treatment compliance (0.71 ± 0.25 vs 0.60 ± 0.25, P < 0.01) and efficacy. In Group 1, participants with decreased post-treatment stigma scores showed better treatment compliance and efficacy than those with non-decreased scores. Decrease in stigma scores positively correlated with treatment compliance. Conclusion Improving knowledge of patients with FD of the disease and antidepressants via proper communication may be an effective way to alleviate stigma and promote adherence. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022;28:95-103)

Synthesis, Structure and Biological Properties of a Novel Copper (II) Supramolecular Compound Based on 1,2,4-Triazoles Derivatives

Guang-Mei Qiu,Cui-Juan Wang,Ya-Jun Zhang,Shuai Huang,Xiao-Lei Liu,Bing-Jun Zhang,Xian-Li Zhou 대한화학회 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.8

A novel mononuclear supramolecule of copper(II) has been synthesized with Ippyt ligand (Ippyt=3-(4'- imidazole phenyl)-5-(pyrid-2''-yl)-1,2,4-triazole) (1). Compound 1, namely [Cu(Ippyt)2(H2O)2], has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectrum, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Structure determination reveals that the elongated-octahedral geometry is formed in the vicinity of the copper (II) atom being coordinated by four nitrogen atoms from two Ippyt ligands occupying the equatorial position and two oxygen atoms from two coordinated water molecules in the axial position, which together form the N4O2 donor set. Hydrogen bonding interactions between nitrogen and oxygen atoms result in the set up of a supramolecular network architecture. Biological properties including antibacterial activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic activity of compound 1 have been investigated by agar diffusion method and the modified Marklund method, respectively. The results indicate that compound 1 exhibits a stronger antibacterial efficiency than the parent ligand and it also has a certain radical-scavenging activity.

Exploration and Validation of the Performance of Hemoglobin A1c in Detecting Diabetes in Community-Dwellers With Hypertension

Shan-hu Qiu,Ziwei Du,Weiling Li,Juan Chen,Hang Wu,Jingbao Liu,Min Cai,Bei Wang,Haijian Guo,Zi-lin Sun 대한진단검사의학회 2020 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.40 No.6

Background: Diabetes can complicate hypertension management by increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. Studies targeting diabetes detection in hypertensive individuals demonstrating an increased risk of diabetes are lacking. We aimed to assess the performance of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and its cut-off point in detecting diabetes in the abovementioned population. Methods: Data from 4,096 community-dwellers with hypertension but without known diabetes were obtained from the Study on Evaluation of iNnovated Screening tools and determInation of optimal diagnostic cut-off points for type 2 diaBetes in Chinese muLti-Ethnic (SENSIBLE) study; these data were randomly split into exploration (70% of the sample) and internal validation (the remaining 30%) datasets. The optimal HbA1c cut-off point was derived from the exploration dataset and externally validated using another dataset from 2,431 hypertensive individuals. The oral glucose tolerance test was considered the gold-standard for confirming diabetes. Results: The areas under the ROC curves for HbA1c to detect diabetes were 0.842, 0.832, and 0.829 for the exploration, internal validation, and external validation datasets, respectively. An optimal HbA1c cut-off point of 5.8% (40 mmol/mol) yielded a sensitivity of 76.2% and a specificity of 74.5%. Individuals who were not diagnosed as having diabetes by HbA1c at 5.8% (40 mmol/mol) had a lower 10-year CVD risk score than those diagnosed as having diabetes (P=0.01). HbA1c≤5.1% (32 mmol/mol) and ≥6.4% (46 mmol/mol) could indicate the absence and presence of diabetes, respectively. Conclusions: HbA1c could detect diabetes effectively in community-dwellers with hypertension.

Shielding analyses supporting the Lithium loop design and safety assessments in IFMIF-DONES

Gediminas Stankunas,Qiu Yuefeng,Nitti Francesco Saverio,Marugán Juan Carlos 한국원자력학회 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.4

The assessment of radiation fields in the lithium loop pipes and dump tank during the operation were performed for International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility – DEMO-Oriented NEutron Source (IFMIF-DONES) in order to obtain the radiation dose-rate maps in the component surroundings. Variance reduction techniques such as weight window mesh (produced with the ADVANTG code) were applied to bring the statistical uncertainty down to a reasonable level. The biological dose was given in the study, and potential shielding optimization is suggested and more thoroughly evaluated. The MCNP Monte Carlo was used to simulate a gamma particle transport for radiation shielding purposes for the current Li Systems’ design. In addition, the shielding efficiency was identified for the Impurity Control System components and the dump tank. The analysis reported in this paper takes into account the radiation decay source from and activated corrosion products (ACPs), which is created by d-Li interaction. As a consequence, the radiation (resulting from ACPs and Be-7) shielding calculations have been carried out for safety considerations.

Study on the Correlation between Extracellular Matrix Protein-1 and the Growth, Metastasis and Angiogenesis of Laryngeal Carcinoma

Meng, Xin-Yu,Liu, Juan,Lv, Feng,Liu, Ming-Qiu,Wan, Jing-Ming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Objective: To investigate the correlation between extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM1) and the growth, metastasis and angiogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Forty-five samples with laryngeal benign and malignant tumors confirmed by pathology in Laiwu City People's Hospital from March 2006 to March 2011 were collected, in which there were 29 cases with laryngeal carcinoma and 16 with benign tumors. The expression of ECM1 and factor VIII-related antigens in patients with laryngeal carcinoma and those with benign tumors was respectively detected using immunohistochemical method, and the correlation between ECM1 staining grade and microvessel density (MVD) was analyzed. Results: In laryngeal carcinoma tissue, ECM1 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm, less in cytomembrane or intercellular substance. With abundant expression in the tissue of laryngeal benign tumors (benign mesenchymoma and hemangioma), ECM1 was primarily expressed in the connective tissue, which was different from the expression in laryngeal carcinoma tissue. The proportion of positive ECM1 staining (++) in patients with laryngeal carcinoma was dramatically higher than those with benign tumors (p<0.05), and that of strongly-positive ECM1 staining (+++) slightly higher. The results of Spearman nonparametric correlation analysis revealed that ECM1 staining grade in laryngeal carcinoma tissue had a significantly-positive correlation with MVD (r=0.866, p=0.000). Conclusions: ECM1 expression in laryngeal carcinoma is closely associated with tumor cell growth, metastasis and angiogenesis, which can be considered as an effective predictor in the occurrence and postoperative recurrence of laryngeal carcinoma.

Kinetic analysis of NO-Char reaction

Shaozeng Sun,Xidong Hu,Penghua Qiu,Juan Qian,Yukun Qin,Juwei Zhang 한국화학공학회 2009 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.26 No.2

Two Chinese coals were used to prepare chars in a flat flame flow reactor which can simulate the temperature and gas composition of a real pulverized coal combustion environment. Acid treatment on the YB and SH chars was applied to obtain demineralized chars. Kinetic characterization of NO-char reaction was performed by isothermal thermogravimetry in the temperature range of 973-1,573 K. Presence of catalytic metal matter can increase the reactivity of chars with NO, which indicates that the catalytic effects of inherent mineral matter play a significant role in the NO-char reaction. The discrete random pore model was applied to describe the NO-char reactions and obtain the intrinsic kinetics. The model can predict the data for all the chars at various temperatures well, but underestimate the reaction rates at high carbon conversions for the raw YB and SH chars, which can be attributed to the accumulation of metal catalyst on char surface.

Butyrolactones Derivatives from the Fermentation Products of an Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus versicolor

Yan-Qing Ye,Cong-Fang Xia,Juan-Xia Yang,Yu-Chun Yang,Ying Qin,Xue-Mei Gao,Gang Du,Xuemei Li,Qiu-Fen Hu 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.10

Two new butyrolactones, asperphenol A (1) and B (2), together with four known butyrolactones (3-6) were isolated from the fermentation products of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1-6 were also tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compound 2 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 46.7%. The other compounds also exhibited potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 21.8-28.4%.