Suspension Footbridge Form-Finding with Laplacian Smoothing Algorithm

Zhuo-ju Huang,Jie-min Ding,Sheng-yi Xiang 한국강구조학회 2020 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.20 No.6

In this paper, Laplacian smoothing, which is an algorithm originally used to smooth polygon meshes in computer graphics (CG), is applied to solve a structural form-fi nding problem with the proof that the result of such algorithm is equivalent to force density method. Such CG algorithm is used on the design of a new-built suspension footbridge in Shaoxing, China and the algorithm works well. Since Laplacian smoothing is a pure geometric algorithm without any mechanical concept, the algorithm shows the inner relationship between force and shape, more structural applicable CG algorithms are expected to be found in the future.

A DC Transformer Based on MMC and Full-Bridge Structure with Control Method

Sheng Cheng,Shuhuai Shi,Fang Zhuo,Feng Wang,Yanlin Zhu,Nan Zhang 전력전자학회 2019 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2019 No.5

With the deterioration of environmental problems and the shortage of fossil energy, DC distribution net with convenient access to distributed energy has a bright prospect. To connect DC buses with different voltage level, DC/DC converter becomes the focus of research. This paper focuses on the modulation strategy of dc-dc converter based on the modular multilevel converter (MMC) and Full-bridge, which is suitable for medium-low voltage and high-power transmission. On this structure, a quasi-square wave modulation strategy with voltage conversion ability is adopted to improve the performance of the dc-dc converter. This modulation strategy can flexibly alter the AC voltage peak value and limit the dv/dt on the edge of square wave. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink verified the proposed modulation strategy.

Protectin DX increases alveolar fluid clearance in rats with lipopolysaccharideinduced acute lung injury

Xiao-Jun Zhuo,Yu Hao,Fei Cao,Song-Fan Yan,Hui Li,Qian Wang,Bi-Huan Cheng,Bin-Yu Ying,Bin-Yu Ying,Sheng-Wei Jin 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening critical syndrome resulting largely from the accumulation of and the inability to clear pulmonary edema. Protectin DX, an endogenously produced lipid mediator, is believed to exert anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects. Protectin DX (5 μg/kg) was injected i.v. 8 h after LPS (14 mg/kg) administration, and alveolar fluid clearance was measured in live rats (n = 8). In primary rat ATII epithelial cells, protectin DX (3.605 × 10−3 mg/l) was added to the culture medium with LPS for 6 h. Protectin DX improved alveolar fluid clearance (9.65 ± 1.60 vs. 15.85 ± 1.49, p < 0.0001) and decreased pulmonary edema and lung injury in LPSinduced lung injury in rats. Protectin DX markedly regulated alveolar fluid clearance by upregulating sodium channel and Na, K-ATPase protein expression levels in vivo and in vitro. Protectin DX also increased the activity of Na, K-ATPase and upregulated P-Akt via inhibiting Nedd4–2 in vivo. In addition, protectin DX enhanced the subcellular distribution of sodium channels and Na, K-ATPase, which were specifically localized to the apical and basal membranes of primary rat ATII cells. Furthermore, BOC-2, Rp-cAMP, and LY294002 blocked the increased alveolar fluid clearance in response to protectin DX. Protectin DX stimulates alveolar fluid clearance through a mechanism partly dependent on alveolar epithelial sodium channel and Na, K-ATPase activation via the ALX/PI3K/Nedd4–2 signaling pathway.

Oxytocin-induced endothelial nitric oxide dependent vasorelaxation and ERK1/2-mediated vasoconstriction in the rat aorta

Xu, Qian,Zhuo, Kunping,Zhang, Xiaotian,Zhang, Yaoxia,Xue, Jiaojiao,Zhou, Ming-Sheng The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2022 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.26 No.4

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and plays an important role in the regulation of mammalian birth and lactation. It has been shown that oxytocin has important cardiovascular protective effects. Here we investigated the effects of oxytocin on vascular reactivity and underlying the mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and in rat aorta ex vivo. Oxytocin increased phospho-eNOS (Ser 1177) and phospho-Akt (Ser 473) expression in HUVECs in vitro and the aorta of rat ex vivo. Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), inhibited oxytocin-induced Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. In the rat aortic rings, oxytocin induced a biphasic vascular reactivity: oxytocin at low dose (10^-9-10^-8 M) initiated a vasorelaxation followed by a vasoconstriction at high dose (10^-7 M). L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), endothelium removal or wortmannin abolished oxytocin-induced vasorelaxation, and slightly enhanced oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Atosiban, an oxytocin/vasopressin 1a receptor inhibitor, totally blocked oxytocin-induced relaxation and vasoconstriction. PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) partially inhibited oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Oxytocin also increased aortic phospho-ERK1/2 expression, which was reduced by either atosiban or PD98059, suggesting that oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction was partially mediated by oxytocin/V1aR activation of ERK1/2. The present study demonstrates that oxytocin can activate different signaling pathways to cause vasorelaxation or vasoconstriction. Oxytocin stimulation of PI3K/eNOS-derived nitric oxide may participate in maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis, and different vascular reactivities to low or high dose of oxytocin suggest that oxytocin may have different regulatory effects on vascular tone under physiological or pathophysiological conditions.

S100A4 Expression is Closely Linked to Genesis and Progression of Glioma by Regulating Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration and Invasion

Jin, Ting,Zhang, Zhuo,Yang, Xue-Feng,Luo, Jun-Sheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: The calcium-binding S100A4 protein is involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, oncogenic transformation, angiogenesis, cytoskeletal integrity, mobility and metastasis of cancer cells. This study aimed to clarify the roles of S100A4 in genesis and progression of glioma. Materials and Methods: S100A4 expression was examined by real-time RT-CPR and Western blot in glioma and paired normal brain tissue (n=69), and compared with clinicopathological parameters of tumors. In addition, glioma U251 cells transfected with an S100A4-expressing plasmid were examined for proliferation by MTT, apoptosis by Annexin V-FITC, and migration and invasion with Transwell chambers. Results: Increased S100A4 mRNA expression was found in gliomas, compared with paired non-tumor tissue (p<0.001). Gradual elevation of overexpression of S100A4 was observed with increasing glioma grade (p<0.001). Astrocytoma showed lower S100A4 mRNA expression than oligodendrogliomas, with glioblastomas having highest values (p<0.001). Similar results were obtained for S100A4 protein, a positive link being found between mRNA and protein expression in gliomas (p<0.001). There was higher growth, lower apoptosis, stronger migration and invasion of S100A4 transfectants than control and mock transfected cells (p<0.001). Conclusions: These findings indicate that up-regulated S100A4 expression is positively linked to pathogenesis, progression and histogenesis of glioma by modulating proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion.

Measurement and correlation of phase equilibria in aqueous two-phase systems containing ionic liquid ([EOMiM]Br) and potassium citrate/ammonium citrate/potassium tartrate at different temperatures

Dongdong Wang,Yang Lu,Zhuo Sun,Wei Liang,Dongshu Sun,Changli Qi,ChengZhuo Sheng,Xiaopeng Yu 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.2

An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) containing an ionic liquid (1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium bromide) and three organic salts (K3C6H5O7, (NH4)3C6H5O7, and K2C4H4O6) at different temperatures was designed. Binodal data were correlated using two empirical equations, and tie-line data were fit with the utilization of Bancroft and Othmer-Tobias equations. In the systems investigated, three conclusions were drawn from the study of the phase-forming ability of salt through effective excluded volume, Gibbs free energy of ions, and the phase diagram. First, if the same cations of salt were present, the ability of salt to form phases increased with increasing valence of the anion. Second, the larger the effective excluded volume, the stronger the aforementioned ability of salt in forming phases. Third, salt had more ability to form phases if cations (or anions) contained in the salt possessed higher negative Gibbs free energy when the cation (anion) of the salt was the same. The effect of temperature on ATPSs was also investigated. It was found that it was easier to form ATPSs at lower temperature, and the tie-line slope showed growing absolute values as the temperature was decreased.

An Advanced Genetic Algorithm Applied to a Rare Uplifting Earth and Rockfill Dam

Qian Cai,Jinbao Sheng,Zhuo Li 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.12

A rare uplifting earth and rockfill dam case is introduced. The preliminary analysis on the formation mechanism indicates the uplift of dam body is very likely influenced by water swelling minerals in bedrock. In order to verify the swelling feature of the bedrock, a back analysis on dam surface displacement through Genetic Algorithm (GA) is carried out. Considering the discovered distribution characteristics of the bedrock expansibility, an advanced Sorting Genetic Algorithm (SGA) is proposed by adding a bubble sort procedure to maintain the relations between back analyzed parameters. The Finite Element Method (FEM) is embedded in SGA process as a single displacement calculating module. And two back analysis methods, fixed expansion distribution simulation and free GA simulation, are applied to simulate the uplift displacement of the dam body. The displacement prediction in verification dam section by adopting back analyzed parameters is later carried out to verify this method. The results demonstrate that the back analyzed vertical displacement (uplift) through both methods are in good agreement with the observed ones which verifies the reliability of the proposed method and the existence of swelling bedrock.

Two Androstane Derivatives from the Cultures of Fungus Marasmiellus ramealis (Bull.) Singer

Ning-Ning Yang,Qing-Yun Ma,Sheng-Zhuo Huang,Hao-Fu Dai,Zhi-Kai Guo,Zhi-Fang Yu,You-Xing Zhao 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.11

A new androstane derivative, 4β-methyl-15-oxa-14β-androstane-7-ene-4α-carboxylic acid (1) and a known one 4β-methyl-15-oxa-14β-androstane-7-ene-4α-hydroxyl (2) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the cultures of the fungus Marasmiellus ramealis (Bull.) Singer. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR as well as MS spectroscopic data analysis. The inhibitory activity of two isolates against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) revealed that compound 1 exhibited definitely inhibitory activity.

Two Androstane Derivatives from the Cultures of Fungus Marasmiellus ramealis (Bull.) Singer

Yang, Ning-Ning,Ma, Qing-Yun,Huang, Sheng-Zhuo,Dai, Hao-Fu,Guo, Zhi-Kai,Yu, Zhi-Fang,Zhao, You-Xing Korean Chemical Society 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.11

A new androstane derivative, $4{\beta}$-methyl-15-oxa-$14{\beta}$-androstane-7-ene-$4{\alpha}$-carboxylic acid (1) and a known one $4{\beta}$-methyl-15-oxa-$14{\beta}$-androstane-7-ene-$4{\alpha}$-hydroxyl (2) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the cultures of the fungus Marasmiellus ramealis (Bull.) Singer. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR as well as MS spectroscopic data analysis. The inhibitory activity of two isolates against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) revealed that compound 1 exhibited definitely inhibitory activity.

Two New Phenolic Compounds from the Fruiting Bodies of Ganoderma tropicum

Hu, Li-Li,Ma, Qing-Yun,Huang, Sheng-Zhuo,Guo, Zhi-Kai,Guo, Jian-Chun,Dai, Hao-Fu,Zhao, You-Xing Korean Chemical Society 2013 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.34 No.3

Chemical investigation of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma tropicum led to the isolation of two new phenolic compounds, ganodermatropins A (1) and B (2). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (MS, 1D and 2D NMR). Ganodermatropin A exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.