A fine-grained recognition technique for identifying Chinese food images.

As a crucial area of research in the field of computer vision, food recognition technology has become a core technology in many food-related fields, such as unmanned restaurants and food nutrition analysis, which are closely related to our healthy lives. Obtaining accurate classification results is the most important task in food recognition. Food classification is a fine-grained recognition process, which involves extracting features from a group of objects with similar appearances and accurately classifying them into different categories. In a such usage environment, the network is required to not only overview the overall image, but also capture the subtle details within it. In addition, since Chinese food images have unique texture features, the model needs to extract texture information from the image. However, existing CNN methods have not focused on and processed this information. To classify food as accurately as possible, this paper introduces the Laplace pyramid into the convolution layer and proposes a bilinear network that can perceive image texture features and multi-scale features (LMB-Net). The proposed model was evaluated on a public dataset, and the results demonstrate that LMB-Net achieves state-of-the-art classification performance.

Dealkylation in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Condition for Efficient Conversion of Heavy Aromatics to Benzene-Toluene-Xylene.

Based on the characteristics of typical C9 + aromatics in naphtha fractions, the effects of key process parameters and heavy aromatic composition on product distribution of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) of heavy aromatics (HAs) were investigated. The results show that catalysts with large pore size and strong acid sites are favorable for the conversion of HAs to benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX) at higher reaction temperatures and moderate catalyst-oil ratios (C/O). With a Y zeolite-based catalyst which was hydrothermally pretreated for 4 h, the conversion of Feed 1 at 600 °C and C/O of 10 may reach 64.93%. Meanwhile, the yield and selectivity of BTX are 34.80 and 53.61%, respectively. The proportion of BTX can be adjusted within a certain range. The HAs from different sources show high conversion and good BTX selectivity, which provides strong support for the technological development of HAs to light aromatics in FCC operation.

Structurally diverse biflavonoids from Dysosma versipellis and their bioactivity.

Five pairs of new biflavonoid enantiomers, (±)-dysosmabiflavonoids A-E (1-5), two new biflavonoids, dysosmabiflavonoids F-G (6-7), and four biosynthetically related precursors (8-11) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Dysosma versipellis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including HR-ESI-MS and 2D NMR. Their absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the calculated and experimental ECD spectra. All isolated compounds were evaluated for AChE inhibitory activity. Compounds 6 and 7 exhibited more potent inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 1.42 and 0.73 µM, respectively, than their biosynthetically related precursors kaempferol (8, 17.90 µM) and quercetin (9, 3.96 µM). The preliminary structure-activity relationship study indicated that the connection mode of biflavonoid subunits, oxidation degree of the C ring, and 3,4-dihydroxy group of the B ring were important structural factors for AChE inhibitory activity. Racemates 1-5 and their corresponding levorotatory and dextrorotatory enantiomers were tested for their potential to impede the generation of NO in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and their mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory effect. Racemate 1 displayed more potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity (IC50, 28.27 µM) than the positive control kojic acid (IC50, 32.59 µM). D. versipellis may have therapeutic potential for melanogenesis disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Impact of glucagon-like peptide 1 analogs on cognitive function among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes is an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the neuroprotective effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Herein, we assessed the impact of GLP-1 analogs on the general cognitive functioning among patients with T2DM. Methods: Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from their inception till June 30, 2022, without any language restrictions. For continuous variables, the mean and standard deviation (SD) were extracted. Considering the heterogeneity in general cognitive functioning assessments among the pooled studies, the standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated. Results: Five studies including 7,732 individuals with T2DM were selected for the meta-analysis. The use of GLP-1 analogs exerted no significant effects on the general cognitive functioning in self-controlled studies (SMD 0.33, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.69). Subgroup analyses among the self-controlled studies based on age and history of cardio-cerebrovascular disease showed that GLP-1 analogs significantly improved the general cognitive functioning in T2DM patients younger than 65 years (SMD 0.69, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.08) or those without cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (SMD 0.69, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.08). Similarly, differences in the general cognitive functioning for GLP-1 analogs between treated and non-treated patients with T2DM were significant in subgroups with patients younger than 65 years (SMD 1.04, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.47) or those with no history of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (SMD 1.04, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.47). Conclusion: Limited evidence suggests that the use of GLP-1 analogs exerts no significant effects on general cognitive functioning but may be beneficial for patients with T2DM younger than 65 years or those without a history of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Further prospective clinical studies with large sample sizes are needed to validate these findings. Systematic Review Registration: www.inplasy.com, identifier 202260015.

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the performance of homojunction amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O thin-film transistors.

In this study, the homojunction thin-film transistors (TFTs) with amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) as active channel layers and source/drain electrodes were fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering. The effect of oxygen partial pressure on the phase, microstructure, optical and electrical properties of IGZO thin films was investigated. The results showed that amorphous IGZO thin films always exhibit a high transmittance above 90% and wide band gaps of around 3.9 eV. The resistivity increases as the IGZO thin films are deposited at a higher oxygen partial pressure due to the depletion of oxygen vacancies. In addition, the electrical behaviors in homojunction IGZO TFTs were analyzed. When the active channel layers were deposited with an oxygen partial pressure of 1.96%, the homojunction IGZO TFTs exhibited optimal transfer and output characteristics with a field-effect mobility of 13.68 cm2V-1s-1. Its sub-threshold swing, threshold voltage and on/off ratio are 0.6 V/decade, 0.61 V and 107, respectively.

Research Progress of p-Type Oxide Thin-Film Transistors.

The development of transparent electronics has advanced metal-oxide-semiconductor Thin-Film transistor (TFT) technology. In the field of flat-panel displays, as basic units, TFTs play an important role in achieving high speed, brightness, and screen contrast ratio to display information by controlling liquid crystal pixel dots. Oxide TFTs have gradually replaced silicon-based TFTs owing to their field-effect mobility, stability, and responsiveness. In the market, n-type oxide TFTs have been widely used, and their preparation methods have been gradually refined; however, p-Type oxide TFTs with the same properties are difficult to obtain. Fabricating p-Type oxide TFTs with the same performance as n-type oxide TFTs can ensure more energy-efficient complementary electronics and better transparent display applications. This paper summarizes the basic understanding of the structure and performance of the p-Type oxide TFTs, expounding the research progress and challenges of oxide transistors. The microstructures of the three types of p-Type oxides and significant efforts to improve the performance of oxide TFTs are highlighted. Finally, the latest progress and prospects of oxide TFTs based on p-Type oxide semiconductors and other p-Type semiconductor electronic devices are discussed.

Highly transparent and conductive p-type CuI films by optimized solid-iodination at room temperature.

p-type CuI films with optimized optoelectronic performance were synthesized by solid-phase iodination of Cu3N precursor films at room temperature. The effects of the deposition power of Cu3N precursors on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of the CuI films were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction results show that all the CuI films possess a zinc-blende structure. When the deposition power of Cu3N precursors was 140 W, the CuI films present a high transmittance above 84% in the visible region, due to their smaller root-mean-square roughness values of 9.23 nm. Moreover, these films also have a low resistivity of 1.63 × 10-2Ω·cm and a boosted figure of merit of 140.7 MΩ-1. These results are significant achievements among various p-types TCOs, confirming the promising prospects of CuI as a p-type transparent semiconductor applied in transparent electronics.

In-Sn-Zn Oxide Nanocomposite Films with Enhanced Electrical Properties Deposited by High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering.

In-Sn-Zn oxide (ITZO) nanocomposite films have been investigated extensively as a potential material in thin-film transistors due to their good electrical properties. In this work, ITZO thin films were deposited on glass substrates by high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) at room temperature. The influence of the duty cycle (pulse off-time) on the microstructures and electrical performance of the films was investigated. The results showed that ITZO thin films prepared by HiPIMS were dense and smooth compared to thin films prepared by direct-current magnetron sputtering (DCMS). With the pulse off-time increasing from 0 µs (DCMS) to 2000 µs, the films' crystallinity enhanced. When the pulse off-time was longer than 1000 µs, In2O3 structure could be detected in the films. The films' electrical resistivity reduced as the pulse off-time extended. Most notably, the optimal resistivity of as low as 4.07 × 10-3 Ω·cm could be achieved when the pulse off-time was 2000 µs. Its corresponding carrier mobility and carrier concentration were 12.88 cm2V-1s-1 and 1.25 × 1020 cm-3, respectively.

Influence of annealing temperature on the optoelectronic properties of ITZO thin films.

In this work, the electrical conductivity and optical transparency of the In-Sn-Zn-O (ITZO) films annealed at different temperatures were investigated. The results show that the ITZO films transformed from amorphous phase to crystalline phase after annealed in the air. The transmittance of the films improves significantly and all exceed 88%. Meanwhile, the annealed ITZO films exhibit a significant enhancement in conductivity. In particular, ITZO film annealed at 650 °C has high electrical conductivity (∼4.94 × 102S cm-1) and an excellent figure of merit (∼5.94 × 10-4Ω-1). Moreover, ITZO thin film transistors were prepared and their performance was tested. After annealing, the high electrical properties of the active layer make the gate regulation ability of the thin film transistors degrade. The annealed films with excellent optoelectronic properties can be applied to transparent electrodes.

Lignanamides with potent antihyperlipidemic activities from the root bark of Lycium chinense.

Seven new lignanamides, lyciumamides D-J (1-4 and 9-11), together with nine known analogues (5-8 and 12-16), were isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activities in HepG2 cells. The primary structure-activity relationships were discussed.

Phenolic constituents from the root bark of Morus alba L. and their cardioprotective activity in vitro.

A flavanone C-glycoside, steppogenin-5'-C-ß-D-glucopyranoside, six prenylated 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives, moracin O-3″-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, moracin O-3'-O-ß-D-xylopyranoside, moracin P-2″-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, moracin P-3'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, moracin P-3'-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside and moracin P-3'-O-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside, two phenolic acids, 2,4-dihydroxy-5-(4-hydroxybenzyl) benzoic acid and 2,4-dihydroxy-5-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl) benzoic acid, as well as three known compounds, moracinoside C, moracin O, and moracin P were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. Their structures were ascertained on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The protective effects of the compounds against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in H9c2 cells was investigated in vitro. Of all of the isolated compounds, moracin P-3'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, moracin O and moracin P had a strong protective influence against doxorubicin-induced cell death with EC50 values of 9.5 ± 2.6, 4.5 ± 1.3, and 8.8 ± 2.4 µM, respectively.

Three new sulphur glycosides from the seeds of Descurainia sophia.

Three new sulphur glycosides, raphanuside B-D (1-3), together with a known sulphur glycoside, raphanuside (4) were isolated from the decoction of the seeds of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl, and the compound 4 was reported for the first time from this plant. Their structures were identified by means of UV, IR, 1D, 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and HR-ESI-MS spectroscopic data.

Extractions of oil from Descurainia sophia seed using supercritical CO2, chemical compositions by GC-MS and evaluation of the anti-tussive, expectorant and anti-asthmatic activities.

Descurainia sophia is widely distributed in China and is one of the most troublesome annual weeds. It has diverse medicinal usage. D. sophia has abundant oil, making it an important oil plant in China. The main goal of this study was to obtain the maximum yield of the oil by an optimal selection of supercritical fluid extraction parameters. According to the central composite design and response surface methodology for supercritical fluid extraction method, a quadratic polynomial model was used to predict the yield of D. sophia seed oil. A series of runs was performed to assess the optimal extraction conditions. The results indicated that the extraction pressure had the greatest impact on oil yield within the range of the operating conditions studied. A total of approximately 67 compounds were separated in D. sophia seed oil by GC-MS, of which 51 compounds represented 98.21% of the total oils, for the first time. This study was also aimed at evaluating the anti-asthmatic, anti-tussive and expectorant activities in vivo of D. sophia seed oil which supplied for further research on bioactive constituents and pharmacological mechanisms.

Purity Assessment of Aryltetralin Lactone Lignans by Quantitative 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

In the present work, a quantitative 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (qHNMR) was established for purity assessment of six aryltetralin lactone lignans. The validation of the method was carried out, including specificity, selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. Several experimental parameters were optimized, including relaxation delay (D1), scan numbers (NS), and pulse angle. 1,4-Dinitrobenzene was used as internal standard (IS), and deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d6) as the NMR solvent. The purities were calculated by the area ratios of H-2,6 from target analytes vs. aromatic protons from IS. Six aryltetralin lactone lignans (deoxypodophyllotoxin, podophyllotoxin, 4-demethylpodophyllotoxin, podophyllotoxin-7'-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, 4-demethylpodophyllotoxin-7'-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, and 6''-acetyl-podophyllotoxin-7'-O-ß -d-glucopyranoside) were analyzed. The analytic results of qHNMR were further validated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Therefore, the qHNMR method was a rapid, accurate, reliable tool for monitoring the purity of aryltetralin lactone lignans.

Ethyl ent-15α-[(2-nitro-benz-yloxy)meth-yl]-16-oxobeyeran-20-oate.

In the title compound, C(30)H(41)NO(6), the three six-membered rings adopt chair conformations and the stereochemistry of the A/B and B/C ring junctions are trans. The five-membered ring D adopts an envelope conformation, with the methyl-ene C atom as the flap. The title compound was synthesized via esterification, Tollens reaction, 1,5-hydride shift from the natural tetracyclic diterpenoid isosteviol.

Ethyl ent-15α-[(2-meth-oxy-benz-yloxy)meth-yl]-16-oxobeyeran-20-oate.

The title compound, C(31)H(44)O(5), was synthesized from isostev-iol (systematic name: ent-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid). In the mol-ecule, the three six-membered rings adopt chair conformations and the stereochemistry of the A/B and B/C ring junctions are trans. The five-membered ring D adopts an envelope conformation with the methyl-ene C atom as the flap.