Numerical Investigation and Design of Cold-formed Steel Angle Columns with Complex Edges under Axial Compression

Jun-Feng Zhang,Mengmeng Feng,En-Feng Deng,Shiyun Pang 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.2

Currently, cold-formed steel (CFS) is widely used in fabricated steel structures for high strength-to-weight ratio and ease for installation. However, limited research is available in the literature on the CFS angle columns with complex edges under axial compression. In this paper, the axial compressive capacity of the CFS angle columns with complex edges was numerically studied. The distortional buckling characteristics of 1008 CFS angle sections with complex edges were analyzed by finite strip software CUFSM. Detailed non-linear finite element model (FEM) was developed based on finite element program ABAQUS and verified by comparing with test results. The verification indicated that the developed FEM could well predict the ultimate strength and failure model of the specimens. Using the validated FEM, an extensive parametric study comprised of 330 models was conducted. The influences of the specimen length, the edge ratio and the limb-width ratio of the angle section on the axial compressive capacity of CFS angle columns with complex edges were evaluated. Then an improved direct strength method (DSM) was proposed based on the existing DSM. The evaluations based on tests and FEA results showed that using the modified DSM to predict the load-bearing capacity of the CFS angle columns with complex edges was feasible.

Macrophages Promote Coal Tar Pitch Extract-induced Tumorigenesis of BEAS-2B Cells and Tumor Metastasis in Nude Mice Mediated by AP-1

Zhang, Peng,Jin, Yue-Fei,Zhang, Qiao,Wu, Yi-Ming,Wu, Wei-Dong,Yao, Wu,Wu, Yong-Jun,Li, Zhi-Tao,Zhao, Yong,Liu, Yu,Feng, Fei-Fei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

Background: We sought to evaluate the role of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) on the promotion of coal tar pitch extract (CTPE)-induced tumorigenesis of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and tumor metastasis in nude mice, and related mechanisms. Materials and Methods: BEAS-2B cells were first treated with 2.4 mg/mL CTPE for 72 hours. After removal of CTPE, the cells were continuously cultured and passaged using trypsin-EDTA. THP-1 cells were used as macrophage-like cells. BEAS-2B cells under different conditions (n=6/group) were injected into the back necks of nude mice, and alterations of tumor xenograft growth, indicative of tumorigenicity, and tumor metastasis were determined. Pathological changes (tumor nests and microvascular lesions) of HE-stained tumor tissues were also evaluated. The expression of AP-1(c-Jun) in xenografts and metastatic tumors was determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: Tumor size and weight in nude mice transplanted with the mixture of CTPE-induced passage 30 BEAS-2B and THP-1 cells (2:1) were increased compared to those from the CTPE-treated BEAS-2B cells at passage 30 alone at different observation time points. Tumor metastasis to lymph nodes and liver was only detected after transplantation of a mixture the two kinds of cells. The numbers of tumor nests and microvascular lesions, and the expression levels of AP-1 (c-Jun) in tumors from the mixture of two kinds of cells were increased apparently in contrast to those in tumor from the CTPE-treated BEAS-2B cells of passage 30 alone. In addition, there was positive correlation between AP-1 (c-Jun) expression level and the number of microvascular lesions, or between AP-1 (c-Jun) expression level and tumor metastasis in these two groups. Conclusions: TAMs not only facilitate tumorigenesis transformation of CTPE-induced BEAS-2B cells, but also promote tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis in nude mice in vivo, which may be mediated by AP-1.

A novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide providing heterologous protection in mice

Feng Wen,Ji-Hong Ma,Hai Yu,Fu-Ru Yang,Meng Huang,Yan-Jun Zhou,Ze-Jun Li,Xiu-Hui Wang,Guo-Xin Li,Yi-Feng Jiang,Wu Tong,Guangzhi Tong 대한수의학회 2016 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.17 No.1

Swine influenza viruses (SwIVs) cause considerable morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs, resulting in a significant economic burden. Moreover, pigs have been considered to be a possible mixing vessel in which novel strains loom. Here, we developed and evaluated a novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide (M2e-MAP) as a supplemental antigen for inactivated H3N2 vaccine to provide cross-protection against two main subtypes of SwIVs, H1N1 and H3N2. The novel tetra-branched MAP was constructed by fusing four copies of M2e to one copy of foreign T helper cell epitopes. A high-yield reassortant H3N2 virus was generated by plasmid based reverse genetics. The efficacy of the novel H3N2 inactivated vaccines with or without M2e-MAP supplementation was evaluated in a mouse model. M2e-MAP conjugated vaccine induced strong antibody responses in mice. Complete protection against the heterologous swine H1N1 virus was observed in mice vaccinated with M2e-MAP combined vaccine. Moreover, this novel peptide confers protection against lethal challenge of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1). Taken together, our results suggest the combined immunization of reassortant inactivated H3N2 vaccine and the novel M2e-MAP provided cross-protection against swine and human viruses and may serve as a promising approach for influenza vaccine development.

Finite-Time Functional Observers for Descriptor Systems

Jun-e Feng,James Lam,Shengyuan Xu 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2009 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.7 No.3

This paper deals with the problem of finite-time functional observer design for linear descriptor systems, which converges in finite time exactly. The observer comprises two infinite-time functional observers and a finite delay element. The technique in designing such a class of observers for state-space systems can not be directly applied to deal with the present problem due to the algebraic structure of descriptor systems. A sufficient condition to guarantee the existence of such an observer is obtained in terms of certain rank conditions. Moreover, special cases for state and reduced-order ob-servers are also analyzed. Numerical simulation is used to illustrate the developed method.

Expression patterns of octoploid strawberry TGA genes reveal a potential role in response to Podosphaera aphanis infection

Jun Feng,Yang Cheng,Caixia Zheng 한국식물생명공학회 2020 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.14 No.1

TGA family transcription factors are downstream components of the salicylic acid (SA) pathway and play a crucial role in the penetration defense against powdery mildew, a disease caused by the biotrophic pathogen Podosphaera aphanis that can cause enormous financial losses. However, the TGA genes in the octoploid strawberry (Benihoppe) remain largely unexplored. In this study, 11 FaTGA genes were identified and grouped into five subgroups based on the Strawberry GARDEN database. The evolution of TGAs has been relatively conservative, maintaining nearly the same protein domain and motif architectures. RT-qPCR showed that FaTGA s have different expression patterns in roots, stems, and leaves. The characteristics of their gene expression patterns indicate that FaTGA1, FaTGA2, FaTGA5, FaTGA7, FaTGA8, FaTGA9, and FaTGA10, as well as SA-responsive genes, were responsive to P. aphanis infection. In particular, exogenous SA induced significant upregulation of FaTGA and SA-responsive genes. Further correlation analysis suggested that FaTGA1, FaTGA2, FaTGA5, FaTGA7, FaTGA8, and FaTGA10 may play a crucial role in the response to powdery mildew disease. Taken together, our results reveal the responses of TGA genes in the strawberry P. aphanis interaction, which will provide further insight into the strawberry defense against powdery mildew.

Electro-chemical Preparation of TiO₂/CNT Electrodes with TNB Electrolyte and Their Photoelectrocatalytic Effect

Feng-Jun Zhang,Ming-Liang Chen,Won-Chun Oh 한국세라믹학회 2009 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.46 No.6

We investigate a method for the electrochemical preparation of titanium dioxide/carbon nanotube (TiO₂/CNT) composites involving the electroplating of Ti in a titanium n-butoxide (TNB) electrolyte into a CNT matrix. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas of TiO₂/CNT composites decrease as the electrochemical operating time increases. Changes in XRD patterns show a typical anatase type on the TiO₂/CNT composite prepared with a CNT matrix by the electroplating method in a TNB solution. In SEM micrographs, the titanium complex particles are uniformly distributed on the CNT surface. The results of chemical elemental analysis for the TiO₂/CNT composites show that most of the spectra for these samples produce stronger peaks for carbon and Ti metal than for any other element. Finally, the prominent photoelectrocatalytic activities of the TiO₂/CNT composites can be attributed to the combined effects of photodegradation of TiO₂, electron assistance of CNT, and the application of a sufficient voltage.

Clinical Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shenhuang Granule in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Single-Centered, Retrospective, Observational Study

( Jun Feng ),( Bangjiang Fang ),( Daixing Zhou ),( Junshuai Wang ),( Dengxiu Zou ),( Gang Yu ),( Yikuan Fen ),( Dan Peng ),( Jifa Hu ),( Daqian Zhan ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2021 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.31 No.3

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a public health emergency of global concern. In China, traditional Chinese medicine has been widely administered to COVID-19 patients without sufficient evidence. To evaluate the efficacy of Shenhuang Granule (SHG) for treating critically ill patients with COVID-19, we included in this study 118 patients who were admitted to the ICU of Tongji Hospital between January 28, 2020 and March 28, 2020. Among these patients, 33 (27.9%) received standard care plus SHG (treatment group) and 85 (72.1%) received standard care alone (control group). Enrolled patients had a median (IQR) age of 68 (57-75) years, and most (79 [67.1%]) were men. At end point of this study, 83 (70.3%) had died in ICU, 29 (24.5%) had been discharged from ICU, and 6 patients (5.2%) were still in ICU. Compared with control group, mortality was significantly lower in treatment group (45.4% vs. 80%, p < .001). Patients in treatment group were less likely to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (12 [36.3%] vs. 54 [63.5%], p = 0.012) and cardiac injury (5 [15.1%] vs. 32 [37.6%], p = 0.026), and less likely to receive mechanical ventilation (22 [66.7%] vs. 72 [84.7%], p = 0.028) than those in control group. The median time from ICU admission to discharge was shorter in treatment group (32 [20-73] days vs. 76 [63-79] days, p = 0.0074). These findings suggest that SHG treatment as a complementary therapy might be effective for critically ill adults with COVID-19 and warrant further clinical trials.

Fabrication of CNT/TiO2 electrodes and their photoelectrocatalytic properties for methylene blue degradation

Feng-Jun Zhang,Ming-Liang Chen,임창성,오원춘 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2009 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.10 No.5

In this study, three kinds of CNT/TiO2 electrodes were prepared. The electrodes prepared were characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and it illuminated that the electrodes developed consisted of well mixed anatase and rutile TiO2 particles with the CNTs and they exhibited a higher catalytic activity. The catalytic efficiency of the electrodes developed was evaluated by the photoelectrodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The photoelectrodegradation of MB using the proposed electrode under different experimental conditions was investigated. The positive potential applied in photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) oxidation was also studied. It was found that catalytic decomposition of the MB solution could be attributed to the combination effects between TiO2 photocatalyst and the electro-assistance of the CNTs, with the conductive of CNT network facilitating the electron transfer between the adsorbed MB molecules and the catalyst substrate, and that PEC oxidation increased with an increase of the CNT composition.

Fabrication and Electro-photolysis Property of Carbon Nanotubes/Titanium Composite Photocatalysts for Methylene Blue

Feng-Jun Zhang,Ming-Liang Chen,오원춘 대한화학회 2009 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.30 No.8

In this study, we have studied on improved performance of carbon nanotubes/titanium (CNT/TiO2) structure electrode for methylene blue (MB). The composite electrodes consisting of CNTs and a titanium oxide matrix with phenol resin binder was fabricated with a mixture method. The chemical and morphological structure of CNT/TiO2 composites were characterized by means of BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis absorption technique, Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The electrode showed a remarkably enhanced performance for MB oxidation under UV illumination with or without electro-chemical reaction (ECR). Such a remarkably improved performance of the CNT/TiO2 structure electrode might be due to the enhanced MB oxidation by electro- and photo-generated electrons and holes in the CNTs and TiO2 under UV illumination with or without ECR.

Neuron Discharge and c-Fos Expression in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Following Electroacupuncture at Acupoints of the Yangming Stomach Meridian of Foot

Jun-Feng He,Jie Yan,Jiang-Shan Li,Jian-Hua Liu,Chao Wang,Xiao-Rong Chang,Ya-Ting Qu 사단법인약침학회 2013 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.6 No.2

The nucleus of the solitary tract (nucleus tractus solitarii; NTS) is a primary center for both visceral afferents and somatic afferents. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the NTS is closely connected to the stomach and acupoints in the Yangming Stomach Meridian of Foot (ST Meridian). In this study, extracellular recording and immunochemistry methods were used to analyze the discharge of neurons and c-Fos protein expression in the NTS following acupuncture at different acupoints and a nonacupoint. A total of 104 discharging neurons were detected in the NTS of 52 rats, of which 86 provided complete data. After acupuncture at Sibai (ST 2), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiting (ST 44), Quanliao (SI 18), and the nonacupoint, the neuron response rate in the NTS was 65.12%, 51.16%, 46.51%, 34.88% and 31.40% respectively. For neuron response rate, there was a significant difference among Sibai (ST 2), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiting (ST 44), Quanliao (SI 18), and the nonacupoint (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). In the other 48 rats, the number of c-Fos immunoreactive neurons in the NTS by electroacupuncture (EA) at Sibai (ST 2) group was significantly higher than that EA at other acupoints and the nonacupoint (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). EA at both Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiting (ST 44) increased c-Fos immunoreactive neurons significantly over EA at Quanliao (SI 18) and the nonacupoint (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), while there was no difference between EA at Quanliao (SI 18) and the nonacupoint group (p > 0.05). The experiments demonstrated that the afferent convergence in NTS are different by body surface points stimulus, which suggests that the NTS might be a primary center in the central nervous system receiving acupoints stimulus from the ST Meridian.