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Currently, quantum neural networks (QNNs) have achieved some success in image classification due to their strong computational capabilities. However, as the number of layers in QNNs increases, the training process becomes complex and the accuracy tends to be low, resulting in poor network stability. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a shallow hybrid quantum-classical convolutional neural network (SHQCNN) model. Specifically, the SHQCNN model is built on an enhanced variational quantum method that is effective for image classification. In the input layer, the model uses a kernel coding method to make data easier to distinguish. In the hidden layer, a variational quantum circuit is designed to reduce the depth and complexity of the network. The output layer uses a mini-batch gradient descent algorithm for parameter training, which improves learning speed by performing weight updates more frequently. The SHQCNN model can achieve high stability and accuracy in image classification, which effectively solves the issue of gradient disappearance caused by too many layers in the network. Its feasibility and practicality are verified by comparing it with the classical neural network (CNN) model. Its generalization and stability as well as its noise immunity are verified on various datasets with different amounts of noise. The experimental results show the superior performance of the proposed SHQCNN model. For example, compared with CNN, its accuracy rate is improved by 6.66%, reaching 99.58%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The granulosa cells are tightly connected with the oocyte in oocyte-corona-cumulus complex. There is bidirectional signal regulation and material transport between granulosa cells and oocyte such as steroid hormone biosynthesis, oocyte gene transcription and protein synthesis regulation. The follicular fluid was of the secretion of ovarian granulosa cells and the diffusion of serum. It contains a variety of bioactive molecules for the oocyte growth and development. These molecules transport and biosynthesis plays a very important role in regulating meiosis, hormone synthesis and follicle and oocyte maturation and development. Thus, the altered levels of molecules in follicular fluid were closely associated with follicular development and oocyte quality. The follicular fluid is an optimal source for non-invasive biochemical predictor to evaluate the follicular development and the oocyte quality, because it is the only biological fluid in which the oocyte develops. This study aims to understand what happened in the process of oocyte aging and evaluate the oocyte quality with the growth of the age. Therefore, follicular fluid was obtained from 22 healthy younger (23-28 years old) and 22 older (35-46 years old) women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) due to male factor. The follicular fluid samples were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF). Based on principal component analysis, the samples were clustered into two different regions. Fifteen differences endogenous metabolites were found and identified as 4,5-dihydroorotic acid, maleylacetoacetic acid, 4-oxo-retinoic acid, rhazidiqenine Nb-oxide, nicotine glucuronide, deoxycorticosterone, LysoPC (14:0), LysoPC (16:0), LysoPC (18:0), phytosphingosine, phosphatidylcholine (16:0/22:0), 3-hydroxynonanoyl carnitine, DG(14:1(9Z)/22:2(13Z,16Z)/0:0), 5,6-dihydrouridine and TG(18:1(11Z)/24:0/20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)) from the two groups using UPLC-TOF. These results described the relationship of female reproductive dysfunction with oocyte metabolism disorder including energy metabolism, cell proliferation and apoptosis and abnormal oxidation. These changes may have an adverse effect on oocyte development, maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryo development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a class of complex-valued neural networks with two time delays is considered. By considering that the activation function can be expressed by separating into its real and imaginary part and regarding the sum of time delays as a bifurcating parameter, the dynamical behaviors that include local asymptotical stability and local Hopf bifurcation are investigated. By analyzing the associated characteristic equation, the Hopf bifurcation occurs when the sum of time delays passes through a sequence of critical value. The linearized model and stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions are also derived by applying the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem. Finally, an illustrative example is also given to support the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two kinds of hydroxyapatite microspheres were prepared using an ultrasonic atomization method. The surface morphology, phase composition, size distribution and specific surface area were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and laser diffraction particle size analysis, respectively. The results indicate that the hydroxyapatite microspheres are composed of nanosized crystals and have porous surface morphology. The specific surface areas are different before sintering, and have a slight difference after sintering. The size distribution of the microspheres added with Lopon 885 is narrow and the average size is smaller than those fabricated without the addition of Lopon 885. Besides, the impurity phase, tetracalcium phosphate, appeared during ultrasonic atomizing procedure, and can be completely removed after sintering at 650°C for 1 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and water conservation (SWC) measures can be adopted to conserve soil and water and improve soil fertility. The degree to which SWC measures improve soil fertility is affected by the type of SWC measure, soil type, climate, etc. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of the main SWC measures implemented in the Beijing mountain area on soil fertility. Six runoff plots, including a fish pit (fallow) (FPF), fish pit (Platycladus orientalis L. Franco) (FPP), narrow terrace (fallow) (NTF), narrow terrace (Juglans regia L.) (NTJ), tree pan (Juglans regia L.) (TPJ), and fallow land (FL), were established to analyze the differences in soil fertility in the Beijing mountain area. Soil samples were collected in 2005 and 2015 from the six runoff plots. Soil particle size; soil total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), total potassium (TK), alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (Ah-N), available P (Av-P), and available K (Av-K); and soil organic matter (SOM) were measured. The soil integrated fertility index (IFI) was calculated. The results showed that the soil nutrient content and IFI significantly decreased from 2005 to 2015 in the FL plot and significantly increased in the five runoff plots with SWC measures. Compared to the other runoff plots with SWC measures, the FPP plot more significantly improved the soil nutrient content and IFI. The TN, Ah-N, Av-K, SOM, and IFI in the FPP plots increased by 98%, 113%, 61%, 69 and 47%, respectively, from 2005 to 2015. The IFI for the FPP, NTJ, and TPJ exceeded the average IFI of the farmland soil in the study region. The results indicated that the combination of engineering practices and vegetative measures effectively improved soil fertility. These results may be helpful for selecting SWC measures, land-use planning and monitoring and assessing soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]