Solving Engineering Optimization Problems Based on Multi-Strategy Particle Swarm Optimization Hybrid Dandelion Optimization Algorithm.

In recent years, swarm intelligence optimization methods have been increasingly applied in many fields such as mechanical design, microgrid scheduling, drone technology, neural network training, and multi-objective optimization. In this paper, a multi-strategy particle swarm optimization hybrid dandelion optimization algorithm (PSODO) is proposed, which is based on the problems of slow optimization speed and being easily susceptible to falling into local extremum in the optimization ability of the dandelion optimization algorithm. This hybrid algorithm makes the whole algorithm more diverse by introducing the strong global search ability of particle swarm optimization and the unique individual update rules of the dandelion algorithm (i.e., rising, falling and landing). The ascending and descending stages of dandelion also help to introduce more changes and explorations into the search space, thus better balancing the global and local search. The experimental results show that compared with other algorithms, the proposed PSODO algorithm greatly improves the global optimal value search ability, convergence speed and optimization speed. The effectiveness and feasibility of the PSODO algorithm are verified by solving 22 benchmark functions and three engineering design problems with different complexities in CEC 2005 and comparing it with other optimization algorithms.

A Novel Topology Optimization Protocol Based on an Improved Crow Search Algorithm for the Perception Layer of the Internet of Things.

In wireless sensor networks, each sensor node has a finite amount of energy to expend. The clustering method is an efficient way to deal with the imbalance in node energy consumption. A topology optimization technique for wireless sensor networks based on the Cauchy variation optimization crow search algorithm (CM-CSA) is suggested to address the issues of rapid energy consumption, short life cycles, and unstable topology in wireless sensor networks. At the same time, a clustering approach for wireless sensor networks based on the enhanced Cauchy mutation crow search algorithm is developed to address the issue of the crow algorithm's sluggish convergence speed and ease of falling into the local optimum. It utilizes the Cauchy mutation to improve the population's variety and prevent settling for the local optimum, as well as to broaden the range of variation and the capacity to carry out global searches. When the leader realizes he is being followed, the discriminative probability is introduced to improve the current person's location update approach. According to the simulation findings, the suggested CM-CSA algorithm decreases the network's average energy consumption by 66.7%, 50%, and 33.3% and enhances its connectivity performance by 52.9%, 37.6%, and 23.5% when compared to the PSO algorithm, AFSA method, and basic CSA algorithm.

Effects of the combined administration of entecavir and adefovir dipivoxil to improve hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis B patients with interferon resistance.

BACKGROUND: To observe the effect of the combined administration of entecavir and adefovir dipivoxil to improve hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis B patients with interferon resistance. METHODS: This study comprised 90 hepatitis B patients with hepatic fibrosis and interferon (IFN) resistance who were admitted in the hospital's department of infectious disease for diagnosis and treatment between January 2013 and September 2015. They were randomly divided into two groups in accordance with the random number table: the combination treatment group (N.=45) and the entecavir group (N.=45). They were observed for any variations in the indexes of liver function and fibrosis, as well as the Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the levels of the indexes in both groups (the combination treatment group vs. the entecavir group) were as follows: bilirubin (67.5±7.7 vs. 82.4±13.5 µmol/L); International Normalized Ratio (INR) (1.21±0.8 vs. 1.14±0.7); creatinine (147.3±12.4 vs. 287.4±21.6 mg/dL); GGT (67.4±23.2 vs. 88.4±23.7 U/L); and ALT (63.4±40.8 vs. 96.5±23.5 U/L). In comparison of the indexes of hepatic fibrosis between the two groups, we found the following differences: PCIII (67.5±7.7 vs. 82.4±13.5 µg/L); IV-C (61.3±18.7 vs. 74.5±17.9 µg/L); HA (147.3±12.4 vs. 87.4±31.6 µg/L); and LN (88.7±13.2 vs 102.5±23.4 µg/L). The results showed that the differences in comparison of the indexes before and after the treatment were statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the MELD score of patients in the combination treatment group was significantly lower than that in the entecavir group (18.7±3.2 vs. 22.5±3.4), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the chronic hepatitis B patients with interferon resistance, the combined administration of entecavir and adefovir dipivoxil can significantly improve liver function, hepatic fibrosis and MELD scores. The results highlight the need to promote the benefits of this drug combination in helping chronic hepatitis B patients with interferon resistance, and to promote its application in clinical practices.

Long non-coding RNA XIST regulates PTEN expression by sponging miR-181a and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

BACKGROUND: Tumor metastasis often occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and influences the patient's prognosis, and microRNAs are reported to play key roles in tumor metastasis. This study was conducted to explore the effect of microRNAs on HCC metastasis. METHODS: The levels of miR-181a in HCC tissues, adjacent tissues, metastatic HCC tissues, and non-metastatic HCC tissues at different stages were determined by qRT-PCR. Effect of miR-181a on the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells was estimated by cell counting kits-8 (CCK-8), wound-healing, and Transwell assays. Software analysis and luciferase assays were used to explore the target gene of miR-181a. RESULTS: MiR-181a was up-regulated in HCC tissues and its expression level in metastatic HCC tissues was much higher than in non-metastasis samples. PTEN was found to be a target gene of miR-181a. MiR-181a had multiple binding sites with the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) XIST. The regulation of miR-181a on PTEN was mediated by lncRNA XIST. The proliferation and invasion of cells with siXIST were significantly enhanced compared with those of control cells, while knockdown of miR-181a abolished the enhancing effects. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-181a can promote HCC metastasis by targeting PTEN, which is regulated by lncRNA XIST.

The enhanced photocatalytic performance of Z-scheme two-dimensional/two-dimensional heterojunctions from graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets and titania nanosheets.

A direct solid state Z-scheme photocatalytic system was fabricated by assembling two-dimensional (2D) g-C3N4 nanosheets (CNNS) and titania nanosheets (TNS), which were obtained from the delamination of their corresponding layered precursors. By introducing TNS, the interlayer restacking of CNNS was effectively prohibited, forming uniform CNNS/TNS composites. The tightly contacted CNNS/TNS interface promoted the charge transfer and therefore improved the separation ratio of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The photocatalytic performance of CNNS/TNS in various mass ratios was investigated for dye degradation, and the degradation rate of optimal sample 0.7CNNS/0.3TNS was 2.34 and 48.5 times higher than those of proton flocculated pure CNNS and TNS, respectively. Superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals were determined as the main active species by the quenching experiment. Moreover, the enhanced generation of superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals was confirmed by the absorption spectra of nitroblue tetrazolium and the photoluminescence spectra of 2-hydroxy terephthalic acid, respectively. Finally, we proposed a possible Z-scheme mechanism based on the theoretical calculation and the experimental results.

An alkali treating strategy for the colloidization of graphitic carbon nitride and its excellent photocatalytic performance.

The colloid of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was of great importance for practical application. Herein we introduced an alkali treatment route to efficiently colloidize g-C3N4 under mild conditions by destroying the hydrogen bonds between linearly polymeric melon chains and hydrolyzing partial C−NH−C bonds linked two tri-s-triazine units. The obtained colloidal suspension was extremely stable due to its negative charges on surface, and the particle size of several hundred nanometers and the nanobelt-like morphology were revealed by electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering technologies. The structural, optical and functional group analysis demonstrated that the structure of CN heterocycles was preserved after the alkali treatment, and the produced colloidal g-C3N4 can be re-assembled by an electrostatic interaction. Moreover, contributing to the reduced electron-hole recombination, the photocatalytic performance of restacked carbon nitride colloids had more enhanced photocatalytic performance than bulk g-C3N4.