Strategic Environmental Policy and Environmental Tariffs

( Yu Qing Xing ) 세종대학교 경제통합연구소 (구 세종대학교 국제경제연구소) 2006 Journal of Economic Integration Vol.21 No.4

This paper uses a three-stage game to analyze how environmental tariffs affect the strategic behavior of a government in designing environmental policy. The game is based on an international duopoly model with detrimental externality in production and asymmetric environmental policies between two countries. It shows that the welfare effect of the foreign country`s strategic environmental policy on the home country is ambiguous. In the circumstance that the home country would be worse off due to the lenient environmental policy of the foreign country, there exists an optimal environmental tariff. If the home country imposes the optimal tariff on the pollution-intensive imports, any deviation from the first best environmental policy by the foreign country would make the home country better off. In addition, the implementation of the environmental tariff would mitigate the motivation of the foreign country to pursue strategic environmental policy, and drive the lenient environmental standard toward the efficient level. The theoretical results imply that, in an open economy with non-harmonized environmental standards, imposing environmental tariffs on imports from the countries with lax environmental regulations would correct the adverse welfare effect, and more importantly induce the upward harmonization on environmental policy across countries.

Occipital, parietal, and frontal cortices selectively maintain task-relevant features of multi-feature objects in visual working memory

Yu, Qing,Shim, Won Mok Elsevier 2017 NeuroImage Vol.157 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Previous studies have shown that information held in visual working memory is represented in the occipital, parietal, and frontal cortices. However, less is known about whether the mnemonic information of multi-feature objects is modulated by task demand in the parietal and frontal regions. To address this question, we asked participants to remember either color or orientation of one of the two colored gratings for a delay. Using fMRI and an inverted encoding model, we reconstructed population-level, feature-selective responses in the occipital, parietal and frontal cortices during memory maintenance. We found that not only orientation but also color information can be maintained in higher-order parietal and frontal cortices as well as the early visual cortex when it was cued to be remembered. Conversely, neither the task-irrelevant feature of the cued object, nor any feature of the uncued object was maintained in the occipital, parietal, or frontal cortices. These results suggest a highly selective mechanism of visual working memory that maintains task-relevant features only.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Non-spatial features can be maintained in the parietal and frontal cortices. </LI> <LI> Feature-specific representations in visual working memory are highly selective. </LI> <LI> Only task-relevant features are maintained during visual working memory. </LI> </UL> </P>

Lung-Targeting Delivery of Dexamethasone Acetate Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Qing-yu Xiang,Yuan Huang,Zhi-rong Zhang,Min-ting Wang,Fu Chen,Tao Gong,Yan-lin Jian 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.4

The objective of the present study was to develop a novel solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) for the lung-targeting delivery of dexamethasone acetate (DXM) by intravenous administration. DXM loaded SLN colloidal suspensions were prepared by the high pressure homogenization method. The mean particle size, drug loading capacity and drug entrapment efficiency (EE %) of SLNs were investigated. In vitro drug release was also determined. The biodistribution and lung-targeting efficiency of DXM-SLNs and DXM-solutions (DXM-sol) in mice after intravenous administration were studied using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results (expressed as mean ± SD) showed that the DXM-SLNs had an average diameter of 552 ± 6.5 nm with a drug loading capacity of 8.79 ± 0.04% and an entrapment efficiency of 92.1 ± 0.41%. The in vitro drug release profile showed that the initial burst release of DXM from DXM-SLNs was about 68% during the first 2 h, and then the remaining drug was released gradually over the following 48 hours. The biodistribution of DXM-SLNs in mice was significantly different from that of DXM-sol. The concentration of DXM in the lung reached a maximum level at 0.5 h post DXM-SLNs injection. A 17.8-fold larger area under the curve of DXM-SLNs was achieved compared to that of DXM-sol. These results indicate that SLN may be promising lung-targeting drug carrier for lipophilic drugs such as DXM.

Proteomics and its Application in the Research of Liver Diseases

( Qing Yu He ) 대한소화기학회 2005 SIDDS Vol.8 No.-

Comparison of Hybridization Behavior between Double and Single Strand of Targets and the Application of Asymmetric PCR Targets in cDNA Microarray

( Qing Wei ),( San Zhen Liu ),( Jian Feng Huang ),( Xue Ying Mao ),( Xiao Hui Chu ),( Yu Wang ),( Min Yan Qiu ),( Yu Min Mao ),( Yi Xie ),( Yao Li ) 생화학분자생물학회 2004 BMB Reports Vol.37 No.4

Double stranded targets on the cDNA microarray contain representatives of both the coding and noncoding strands, which will introduce hybridization competition with probes. Here, the effect of double and single strands of targets on the signal intensity and the ratios of Cy5/Cy3 within the same slide were compared. The results show that single stranded targets can increase the hybridization efficiency without changing the Cy5/Cy3 ratio. Based on these results, a new strategy was established by generating cDNA targets with asymmetric PCR, instead of conventional PCR, to increase the sensitivity of the cDNA microarray. Furthermore, the feasibility of this approach was validated. The results indicate that the cDNA microarray system based on asymmetric PCR is more sensitive, with no decrease in the reliability and reproducibility as compared with that based on conventional symmetric PCR.

Study on the Flavonoids of Lespedeza hedysaroides

Yu-qing Wang,Alamus,Qi-zhong Sun,Hong-xin Wu 한국초지조사료학회 2009 한국초지조사료학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2009 No.08

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Lespedaza hedysaroides resulted in the isolation of 8 flavonoids:orientin (1), isoorientin (2), vitexin (3), isovitexin (4), Isomyricitrin (5), meletin-3-O-β-d-glucoside (6), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (7), 6-Xylopyranosylluteolin (8), The result showed t㏊t Lespedeza hedysaroides was rich in flavonoid glycosides, espically of C-glycosylflavones which have good Pharmacia and bioactive. So Lespedeza hedysaroides was concluded that it has vast prospect for exploitation and utilization.

TAZ as a novel regulator of oxidative damage in decidualization via Nrf2/ARE/Foxo1 pathway

Yu Hai-Fan,Zheng Lian-Wen,Yang Zhan-Qing,Wang Yu-Si,Wang Ting-Ting,Yue Zhan-Peng,Guo Bin 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

TAZ, as a crucial effector of Hippo pathway, is required for spermatogenesis and fertilization, but little is known regarding its physiological function in uterine decidualization. In this study, we showed that TAZ was localized in the decidua, where it promoted stromal cell proliferation followed by accelerated G1/S phase transition via Ccnd3 and Cdk4 and induced the expression or activity of stromal differentiation markers Prl8a2, Prl3c1 and ALP, indicating the importance of TAZ in decidualization. Knockdown of TAZ impeded HB-EGF induction of stromal cell proliferation and differentiation. Under oxidative stress, TAZ protected stromal differentiation against oxidative damage by reducing intracellular ROS and enhancing cellular antioxidant capacity dependent on the Nrf2/ARE/Foxo1 pathway. TAZ strengthened the transcriptional activity of Nrf2 which directly bound to the antioxidant response element (ARE) of Foxo1 promoter region. Additionally, silencing TAZ caused accumulation of intracellular ROS through heightening NOX activity whose blockade by APO reversed the disruption in stromal differentiation. Further analysis revealed that TAZ might restore mitochondrial function, as indicated by the increase in ATP level, mtDNA copy number and mitochondrial membrane potential with the reduction in mitochondrial superoxide. Additionally, TAZ modulated the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and III whose suppression by ROT and AA resulted in the inability of TAZ to defend against oxidative damage to stromal differentiation. Moreover, TAZ prevented stromal cell apoptosis by upregulating Bcl2 expression and inhibiting Casp3 activity and Bax expression. In summary, TAZ might mediate HB-EGF function in uterine decidualization through Ccnd3 and ameliorate oxidative damage to stromal cell differentiation via Nrf2/ARE/Foxo1 pathway.

Prognostic Role of C-reactive Protein in Gastric Cancer: A Meta-analysis

Yu, Qing,Yu, Xiong-Fei,Zhang, Shou-De,Wang, Hao-Hao,Wang, Hai-Yong,Teng, Li-Song Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Background: A number of studies have investigated the association between increased pretreatment serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the prognosis of gastric cancer. However, due to the inconsistent results, whether the serum CRP level can be a prognostic factor in primary gastric cancer remains controversial. Methods: We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant high-quality reports. A meta-analysis was carried out using the included studies to assess the association between pretreatment serum CRP level and overall survival (OS) in patients with gastric cancer. Correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum CRP and tumor characteristics such as tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage and recurrence. Results: Twelve reports involving 2,597 patients with gastric cancer were included. Primary meta-analysis indicated a significant association between elevated CRP level and poor OS (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.56-2.00). Subgroup analyses showed no single factor could alter the primary results when we divided the included studies by "number of patients", "max follow-up period", "TNM stage", "treatment" and "cut-off value". Correlation analyses showed that serum CRP level was significantly related to TNM stage (OR 2.96, 95% CI 2.22-3.93) and tumor recurrence (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.21-2.71). Conclusions: We demonstrated that increased pretreatment serum CRP level (${\geq}10mg/L$) was significantly associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients, either in early or advanced stages.

Meta-synthesis Exploring Barriers to Health Seeking Behaviour among Malaysian Breast Cancer Patients

Yu, Foo Qing,Murugiah, Muthu Kumar,Khan, Amer Hayat,Mehmood, Tahir Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.1

Barriers to health seeking constitute a challenging issue in the treatment of breast cancer. The current meta-synthesis aimed to explore common barriers to health seeking among Malaysian breast cancer patients. From the systematic search, nine studies were found meeting the inclusion criteria. Data extraction revealed that health behavior towards breast cancer among Malaysia women was influenced by knowledge, psychological, sociocultural and medical system factors. In terms of knowledge, most of the Malaysian patients were observed to have cursory information and the reliance on the information provided by media was limiting. Among psychological factors, stress and sense of denial were some of the common factors leading to delay in treatment seeking. Family member's advice, cultural beliefs towards traditional care were some of the common sociocultural factors hindering immediate access to advanced medical diagnosis and care. Lastly, the delay in referral was one of the most common health system-related problems highlighted in most of the studies. In conclusion, there is an immediate need to improve the knowledge and understanding of Malaysian women towards breast cancer. Mass media should liaise with the cancer specialists to disseminate accurate and up-to-date information for the readers and audience, helping in modification of cultural beliefs that hinder timing health seeking. However, such intervention will not improve or rectify the health system related barriers to treatment seeking. Therefore, there is an immediate need for resource adjustment and training programs among health professional to improve their competency and professionalism required to develop an efficient health system.

Sublethal effects of beta-cypermethrin on the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Qing-Qing Zhang,Wen-Qiang Li,Zeng-Bin Lu,Li-Li Li,Yi Yu,Chao Li,Xing-Yuan Men 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.3

Rhopalosiphum padi is a sap-sucking aphid and an important pest of wheat that causes considerable yield loss. Beta-cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, has a broad insecticide spectrum and is considered effective for aphid control, while its residual concentrations may have sublethal effects on R. padi. Here, the sublethal effects of beta-cypermethrin on R. padi were conducted under laboratory conditions. The acute toxicity test showed that LC 10 , LC 20 , and LC 25 of beta-cypermethrin to R. padi adults were 0.003, 0.031 and 0.079 mg L −1 , respectively. The pre-adult survival rate was significantly reduced by all three concentrations. LC 20 significantly extended the development duration of 1st instar nymphs, pre-oviposition period, and oviposition period of R. padi. The adult longevity was also reduced by LC 25 . However, the fecundity did not differ between the betacypermethrin treatment and control. For life table parameters, both the finite rate (λ) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) decreased at LC 10 and LC 20 , as well as the net reproductive rate (R 0 ) reduced at LC 10 and LC 25 , while mean generation time (T) increased at LC 20 . Thus, at the concentrations of beta-cypermethrin tested here, there were negative impacts on R. padi fitness by decreased pre-adult survival rate, λ, r, and R 0 , and delayed the development of some stages and increased T.