An alternative atmospheric-pressure cold plasma method for synthesizing Pd/P25 catalysts with the assistance of ethanol

Di, Lanbo,Li, Zhuang,Lee, Byungjin,Park, Dong-Wha Elsevier 2017 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY - Vol.42 No.16

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Atmospheric-pressure (AP) cold plasma has experienced a growing interest recently due to its simplicity and high efficiency for preparing supported metal catalysts by using the active hydrogen species generated from explosive H<SUB>2</SUB> gas. In this communication, we report an alternative AP cold plasma method for synthesizing supported Pd catalysts using Ar gas and ethanol instead of explosive H<SUB>2</SUB> gas and toxic reducing agents. The TOF value of the prepared Pd/P25 catalyst at 120 °C is 3.1 times of that prepared by cold plasma using H<SUB>2</SUB> gas due to the protection of the formed carbon species. AP cold plasma using ethanol as the origin of active hydrogen species is safer and more efficient than that using H<SUB>2</SUB> gas, and may also have great potentials to synthesize other supported metal catalysts.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> An alternative AP cold plasma method was employed to synthesize Pd catalyst. </LI> <LI> Ethanol was adopted to generate active hydrogen species instead of explosive H<SUB>2</SUB>. </LI> <LI> Protection of the residual carbon species is responsible for the small size of Pd. </LI> <LI> TOF of Pd/P25 prepared using ethanol is 3.1 times of that prepared using H<SUB>2</SUB> gas. </LI> <LI> It is a safer, facile and environmentally benign AP cold plasma method. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Evaluation of effective thermal conductivity of unsaturated granular materials using random network model

Lee, Chulho,Zhuang, Li,Lee, Dongseop,Lee, Seokjae,Lee, In-Mo,Choi, Hangseok Elsevier 2017 Geothermics Vol.67 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The effective thermal conductivity of granular materials is widely used in numerous geothermal engineering applications, such as the ground source heat pump (GSHP) system. However, for unsaturated granular materials, it is difficult to predict the thermal conductivity because of the interaction between solid and fluid in media. In this study, the effective thermal conductivity of unsaturated granular materials was measured, reviewed and analysed using a macroscopic pore structure network model with a randomly packed particles. The network model was verified by measured data (soil water characteristics curve, thermal conductivity and etc.) of three different glass beads and also Jumunjin sand (standard sand of South Korea). Upon the series of laboratory experiments, some modification to the existing network model were introduced, such as the use of soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) applied to modelling the thermal conductivity of granular materials. In addition, an empirical correlation between the fraction of the mean radius (χ) and the thermal conductivity at a given saturated condition was developed through comparison with the test results. In the range of lower degree of saturation (5%–20%), the modified network model shows relatively higher thermal conductivity than the laboratory measurements. However, for the higher degree of saturation (>40%), it shows a similar tendency to the laboratory measurements.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Effective thermal conductivity of granular material at the unsaturated condition is evaluated using the network model. </LI> <LI> A modified fraction of the mean radius is introduced in the modified network model. </LI> <LI> The modified network model estimates the effective thermal conductivity of porous media in all range of the degree of saturation. </LI> </UL> </P>

Knockout of the EgriBLOS2 gene results in the transparent integuments of Ectropis grisescens larvae

Li Jia-Li,Zhuang Xiang-Lin,Yuan Ting-Ting,Cai Xiao-Ming,Luo Zong-Xiu,Bian Lei,Chen Zong-Mao,Li Zhao-Qun,Liu Nai-Yong 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.1

The body colors of insects have evolved specialized roles in body protection, signaling and physiology. In some case, the larvae can camouflage their body colors to adapt the habitants and protect themselves. However, the genetic and molecular basis on larval body colors of the tea geometrid, Ectropis grisescens, remains poorly known. Here, we reported an effect of the lysosome-related organelles complex-1, subunit 2 (EgriBLOS2) gene knockout on larval integuments of E. grisescens, by using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system. Combining transcriptomic data and PCR approaches, we first identified the EgriBLOS2 gene from E. grisescens, which encoded 137 amino acids and comprised 3 introns. In the phylogenetic analysis, EgriBLOS2 clustered in the Lepidoptera clade with high conservation to members in other lepidopteran species. Developmental expression profiles revealed that EgriBLOS2 was constantly tran scribed at each stage, in which its expression was significantly lower in 2nd instar larvae than that of other instars. After injecting EgriBLOS2-specific guide RNA and Cas9 messenger RNA into eggs, 70% of larvae showed the translucent integuments in G0 generation, with an emphasis on black splayed patterns in the 2nd and 8th segments of abdomens. However, some typical characteristics of larvae were not obviously changed in mutant instars, such as ocelli, mouthparts and other appendants. This study has unraveled the roles of EgriBLOS2 in the formation of larval integument colors, and provides an alternative strategy for pest management based on the colors in this species.

Correlation between DNA methylation and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells

Yan‑Li Li,Xi‑Qian Xing,Yi Xiao,Yan‑Hong Liu,Yu‑Shan Zhou,Min Zhuang,Chao‑Qian Li 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.12

Background: The overexpression of TSLP and DNA methylation in asthma were both risk factors the relationship was not clear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between methylation status of TSLP promoter and mRNA/protein expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells. Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into: Control group, treated with PBS, model group, sensitized with LPS (10 μg/mL) for 12 h (37 °C, 5% CO2). Other groups were cultured with the pCMV3 plasmid (M + NC/pCMV), pGPH1 plasmid (M + NC/pGPH), DNMT1/pCMV3 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pCMV), and DNMT1/pGPH1 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pGPH) for 48 h. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 and TSLP were measured using real-time PCR and western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, TSLP mRNA (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1, P < 0.001) and protein (1.07 ± 0.04 vs. 1.46 ± 0.11, P < 0.01) were significantly greater, and the methylation of promoter was lower (92.75 ± 1.26 vs. 58.57 ± 3.34, P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, TSLP mRNA (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1.17 ± 0.10, P < 0.001) decreased, but TSLP promoter methylation increased (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 92.58 ± 7.30, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pCMV. TSLP mRNA and protein were higher (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 5.32 ± 0.21, P < 0.001; 1.46 ± 0.11 vs. 1.94 ± 0.11, respectively, P < 0.01), TSLP promoter methylation was lower (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 33.57 ± 4.29, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pGPH. Conclusions: Overexpression of TSLP in asthmatic airway epithelial cells may be regulated by DNA demethylation.

Study on economic performances of multi-span suspension bridges part 1: simple estimation formulas

Li-wen Zhang,Ru-cheng Xiao,Bin Sun,Yang Jiang,Xue-yi Zhang,Dong-li Zhuang,Yun-gang Zhou,Xue Tu 국제구조공학회 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.47 No.2

A study on economic performances of consecutive multi-span suspension bridges is carried out. In this part of the study, material amount and structural cost estimation formulas of the bridges is derived based on the structural ultimate carrying capacity. The bridge cost includes the part of superstructure and the part of substructure. Three types of bridge foundations, bored piles, concrete caissons and floating foundations, are considered in substructure. These formulas are to be used for the parametric study of the bridge cost in order to define its more economical layout under different conditions in the part two of the study.

Aberrant Expression of Pim-3 Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Ovarian Cancer Cells

Zhuang, Hao,Zhao, Man-Yin,Hei, Kai-Wen,Yang, Bai-Cai,Sun, Li,Du, Xue,Li, Yong-Mei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Pim kinase-3(Pim-3), a member of serine/threonine protein kinases, has been implicated in multiple human cancers and involved in Myc-induced tumorigenesis. However, little is known regarding its expression and biological function in human ovarian cancer. In this study we showed that the clinical significance and biological functions of Pim-3 in ovarian cancer and found that higher Pim-3 mRNA level are detected in ovarian cancer tissues than those in normal ovarian tissues. There are significant correlations between higher Pim-3 expression levels with the FIGO stage, histopathological subtypes, and distant metastasis in ovarian cancer patients. Lentivirus-mediated gene overexpression of Pim-3 significantly promotes the proliferation and migration of SKOV3 cell lines. Furthermore, MACC1 and Pim-3 expression were significantly correlated in human ovarian cancer cells, and overexpression of Pim-3 in ovary cancer cells increased MACC1 mRNA and protein expression. The data indicate that Pim-3 acts as a putative oncogene in ovary cancer and could be a viable diagnostic and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Investigation of One-dimensional Stress-Release Mechanism in Sand from Model Test

Li Zhuang,Dongwook Kim,Ukgie Kim 한국지반환경공학회 2013 한국지반환경공학회논문집 Vol.14 No.10

This paper explores stress release induced by unloading in dry sand. A series of model tests were carried out to measure stresses developed in testing sand during loading and those released during unloading for different boundary conditions. It was found that stress in the sand increased linearly with applied load. At the onset of unloading, almost no stress release was observed. Significant stress release took place when the shear stress in the sand induced by unloading exceeded the frictional resistance and caused movement of sand particles. The initiation and the magnitude of stress release depend on the stress condition prior to unloading, the decrease of external load, and also the frictional resistance in sand. A new conceptual stress-release model was next developed based on the model test results by considering the fundamental frictional behavior of granular materials.

Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles on Electrospun Polymer Nanofiber Film for SERS Applications

Li Wang,Yujing Sun,Jiku Wang,Zhuang Li 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.1

We report a novel approach for fabricating active surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for sensitive detection. This approach is based on the assembling of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber film. The hydrophobic surface of PCL nanofiber film was pretreated using UV-inducing graft polymerization with acrylic acid. Afterwards this PCL nanofiber film was incubated with the AuNP solution to promote the assembly of AuNPs onto the PCL nanofibers and the formation of SERS active substrate. 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) molecule was used as a test probe for SERS experiments, indicating that the substrate has high sensitivity to SERS response. Our method has great advantage in term of environment-friendly synthesis, large-scale, high stability and good reproducibility. This highly active SERS substrate can be employed to detect the drug molecule, 2-thiouracil.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoplates with Fibronectin Nanofibril Template and Their SERS Applications

Li Wang,Yujing Sun,Yuncheng Cui,Jiku Wang,Zhuang Li 대한화학회 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.2

In this work, a novel strategy is provided to prepare silver nanoplates by a fibronectin (Fn) nanofibril template. First, Fn molecules were controlled to assemble into amyloid-like nanofibrils in highly concentrated ethanol aqueous solution. The resultant nanofibrils could serve as a soft template to direct the formation of silver nanoplates. It is worth noting that the silver nanoplates are excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) molecule as a test probe. This high active SERS substrate can also be used to detect drug molecule, 2-thiouracil with high sensitivity.

A case of Poroelastic Effect in Laboratory Hydraulic Fracturing test on Pocheon Granite

Zhuang, Li,Jung, Sunggyu,Diaz, Melvin,Kim, Kwang Yeom 대한토목학회 2017 대한토목학회 학술대회 Vol.2017 No.10