Controversial Issues in M. Butterfly

Zheng, Dan,Lee, Yonghee 한국중앙영어영문학회 2021 영어영문학연구 Vol.63 No.3

Because of the multilayered nature of the text, M. Butterfly is Hwang’s most famous play and accounts for a majority of the scholarly works by him. Above all, this play puts forward three crucial, controversial questions related to gender, postcolonialism, and deconstruction matters: Does Song Liling subvert the stereotype of Asian women or weaken the image of Eastern masculinity? Is Gallimard gay? Does M. Butterfly deconstruct Orientalism? Hwang deliberately leaves these controversial questions open. After analyzing various critiques of the play, it appears that this play has limitations in subverting stereotypes of Asian women, because Hwang is stuck in the binary opposition of two stereotypes of Asian women. Second, Gallimard is not gay because of his desire to have a Madame Butterfly, his belief in the fact Song and he had a baby, and his genuine pain after realizing Song’s gender identity. Lastly, M. Butterfly attempts to subvert Orientalism, but failing to implement it. The failure is related to the author’s understanding of Chinese culture, his personal identity, and his utilitarian desire. Hence, this study examines how M. Butterfly reflects the dominant discourses of the late 20th and early 21st centuries which will subsequently strengthen the understanding of M. Butterfly.

The Phytotoxic Effects of Selenium–Mercury Interactions on Root Growth in Brassica rapa (LvLing)

Zhi-Wei Bian,Jian Chen,Hui Li,Dan-Dan Liu,Li-Fei Yang,Yue-Lin Zhu,Wen-Li Zhu,Wei Liu,Zheng-Zheng Ying 한국원예학회 2016 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.57 No.3

Rapid industrial and agricultural development has dramatically increased the emission of selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) into the environment. Combined soil pollution by Se and Hg poses a potential threat to crop production. However, no toxic effects of Hg–Se interactions on plants have been reported previously. In this study, we investigated the effects of Hg–Se interactions on biochemical and physiological indices in the roots of Brassica rapa (LvLing). Seedlings were treated hydroponically with solutions of mercury chloride (1 μM), sodium selenite (4 μM), or a combination of the two. Combined Hg+Se treatment significantly inhibited root growth, reduced root biomass, and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde accumulation and led to a loss of plasma membrane integrity. The combined treatment increased glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and peroxidase activity, reduced superoxide dismutase activity, and had no effect on catalase activity. In addition, we detected increased glutathione concentrations in root tips and reduced ascorbic acid concentrations in the presence of Hg+Se relative to individual treatments with these elements. Thus, Hg–Se interactions enhanced oxidative injury, cell death, and phytotoxicity in B. rapa roots.

Effects of Different Sucrose Concentrations in the Culture Medium on the Growth of Colored Zantedeschia In Vitro under CO2 Enrichment Conditions

Zheng Wang,Yinglong Song,Liyun Shi,Yuzhen Guo,Wenqian Shang,Dan He,Song Lin He 한국화훼학회 2016 화훼연구 Vol.24 No.2

Carbon source, an essential nutrient for plant growth, mainly includes exogenous sugar and CO2 of the environment in vitro. Therefore, the exogenous sugar and CO2 of the environment make the important roles in tissue culture. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different sugar concentrations (0, 10, 15 and 30 g·L-1) on the growth of colored Zantedeschia in vitro under certain CO2 concentration and explore the optimal sugar concentration. The plantlets in vitro of colored Zantedeschia had the largest root number, root weight, and root vigor under 0 g·L-1 (sugar-free culture) treatment. And they had the largest plant height, leaf length and leaf chlorophyll content, but p oor r oot v igor under 3 0 g·L-1 sugar. This study indicated that the optimal condition for proliferation and seedling culture of colored Zantedeschia plantlets in vitro was MS medium with 30 g·L-1 sugar, and the suitable medium for rooting culture and transplanting of colored Zantedeschia was MS medium with sugar-free culture under CO2 enrichment condition.

Effects of Root Pruning on Adventitious Root Formation, Enzyme Activities, and Hormone Levels in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Fengdanbai’ Seedlings

Zheng Wang,Gege Su,Songlin He,Liyun Shi,Dan He,Wenqian Shang,Dajuan Yang 한국원예학회 2021 원예과학기술지 Vol.39 No.1

Root pruning during early root development can optimize the root structure of woody plants. To determine the effects of root pruning on tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), seedlings of the tree peony cultivar ‘Fengdanbai’ were subjected to varying degrees or different styles of root pruning. Various indexes were analyzed, including the anatomical structure of the root, root vitality, the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes, and the contents of endogenous hormones and their ratios. Comprehensive morphological observation showed that pruning freshly germinated roots that are 3 cm long by 1/3 (i.e., removing 1 cm) yielded the greatest rooting rate (90%), lateral root initiation (2.34 per seedling), and subsequent growth. Analysis of physiological and biochemical indicators during the critical rooting period (3-5 days after root pruning) showed that the levels of superoxide dismutase and abscisic acid (ABA) were decreased, while the oxidase activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and indole acetate oxidase and the contents of the endogenous hormones indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA3), and zeatin (ZT) were increased. IAA plays a key role in the process of adventitious root formation and the ratios of IAA/GA3, IAA/ABA, and IAA/ZT reflect endogenous hormone homeostasis during adventitious root formation. IAA/ABA and IAA/ZT showed higher values in the pruned roots compared to the control roots, which favor adventitious root induction and elongation. These results provide a basis for the study of adventitious root formation in tree peony.

Determination of fenobucarb residues in animal and aquatic food products using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled with a QuEChERS extraction method

Zheng, Weijia,Park, Jin-A,Zhang, Dan,Abd El-Aty, A.M.,Kim, Seong-Kwan,Cho, Sang-Hyun,Choi, Jeong-Min,Shim, Jae-Han,Chang, Byung-Joon,Kim, Jin-Suk,Shin, Ho-Chul Elsevier 2017 Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technolog Vol.1058 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI<SUP>+</SUP>/MS-MS) was developed for quantification of fenobucarb residues in animal food products, such as porcine muscle, egg, and whole milk, and aquatic food products, such as eel, flatfish, and shrimp. Acetonitrile with the addition of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid was employed as an extraction solvent and was compared with acetonitrile alone and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. All extracted samples were purified using C18 sorbent. The best extraction efficiencies, expressed as recovery at two spiking levels equivalent to 1- and 2-times the limit of quantification (LOQ=2μg/kg) were achieved using 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in acetonitrile and ranged from 61.38 to 102.21% in all matrices, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 13% (except for the low spiking of porcine muscle and the high spiking of whole milk, for which the RSDs were>20%). Six-point matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification and the determination coefficients were good (<I>R<SUP>2</SUP> </I> ≥0.9865). The method was verified by application to samples purchased from local markets and none of the samples tested positive. In conclusion, the developed method is simple and versatile and can be used for the routine detection of fenobucarb in different animal food products having varying protein and fat contents with satisfactory accuracy and precision.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Fenobucarb residues in animal and aquatic food products were determined by LC–MS/MS analysis. </LI> <LI> Samples were extracted with a modified QuEChERS method. </LI> <LI> Recovery was good when samples were extracted with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in acetonitrile. </LI> <LI> None of the market samples tested positive for fenobucarb residues. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of KMn8O16 nanorods for lithium-ion battery applications.

Zheng, Hao,Zhang, Qing,Kim, Seung-Joo,Jiang, Xueya,Dan, Meiyu,Gao, Hong,Li, Shengbiao,Wang, Shiquan,Feng, Chuanqi American Scientific Publishers 2013 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.13 No.4

<P>KMn8O16 nanorods were prepared through a facile hydrothermal method by using KMnO4 and MnSO4 as reactants. The KMn8O16 samples synthesized at different temperatures (100-160 degrees C) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and its electrochemical properties were tested by galvanostatic charge/discharge system. The effect of reaction temperature on the morphology and electrochemical properties was investigated. As electrode materials for the lithium ion battery cycled between 1.5 and 4.2 V, the KMn8O16 nanorods synthesized at 160 degrees C show the highest reversible discharge capacity (160.1 mA h/g even after 50 cycles at current density of 50 mA/g) and the best cycling stability. These results indicate that the KMn8O16 nanorods could be a promising cathode material for lithium ion batteries.</P>

Phase separation phenomena and thermodynamics of octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether in micellar solutions: Effect of high concentration of inorganic salts and linear correlation

Dan Ni Li,Jing Huang,Zhao Hua Ren,Rui Sheng,Zheng Bo Qian,Bei Bei Li,Xiao Feng Quan,Ye Xi Zhang,Jun Ru Wang,Huan Tian 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.99 No.-

The phase separationphenomena or cloud points (CP) behaviorof nonionic octylphenol polyoxyethylene etherwith oxyethylene glycol ether unit of 15 (OP-15) were investigated in aqueous micellar solutions containinghigh concentrations of inorganic salts including NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, BaCl2, AlCl3, FeCl3, Na2SO4and Na2SiO3. The change in CP induced by salts and its mechanism are discussed theoretically. In aqueous solutionscontaining high concentration of salt, for thefirst time the linear relationship between CP and saltconcentrationiswellestablishedtocharacterizethedepressionofCP.Basedonpseudophaseseparationmodel,thermodynamic parameters are estimated and adopted to further describe the phase separation process andthe interactions between OP-15 molecules or the OP-15/water interactions. Thermodynamic parametersincluding standard Gibbs energy change (DG0CP), enthalpy change (DH0CP) and entropy change (DS0CP)indicate that the additions of different salts result in the change in entropy-driven nonspontaneousprocess of phase separation. These data, which are from the compensation temperatures and the changeof molar heat capacity, also prove that different ions induce the change in the interactions betweensurfactant molecules or the surfactant–water interaction and thus affect the depression of CP. Thesefindings help with understanding the effect of inorganic salts, especially the high concentration of salt, onCP of nonionic surfactant and then broadening the application of nonionic surfactant based on CP such asthe extraction of biomaterials in biological samples derived from animals or plants, etc.

Application of Improved Ant Colony Algorithm in Solving TSP

Dan Liu,Lijuan Zheng,Jianmin Wang 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Vol.9 No.7

Characteristics and Impact Factors of Renal Threshold for Glucose Excretion in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Xiao-Dan Yue,Jing-Yu Wang,Xin-Rong Zhang,Ju-Hong Yang,Chun-Yan Shan,Miao-Yan Zheng,Hui-Zhu Ren,Yi Zhang,Shao-Hua Yang,Zhen-Hong Guo,Bai Chang,Bao-Cheng Chang 대한의학회 2017 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.32 No.4

Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are newly developed but promising medicine for type 2 diabetes. However, patients with a different renal threshold for glucose excretion (RTG) may have a different reaction to this medicine. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of RTG and its impact factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The clinical and laboratory data of 36 healthy individuals and 168 in-hospital patients with T2DM were collected and analyzed, RTG was calculated using blood glucose (BG) measured by dynamic BG monitoring, urinary glucose excretion (UGE) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The characteristics of RTG were investigated. The risk factors for high RTG were analyzed using non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Our results found that RTG of the T2DM group was higher than that of the healthy individuals (P < 0.05); and 22.22% from the healthy individuals group but 58.33% from the T2DM group had high RTG. Age, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were independently associated with high RTG (P < 0.05). Further stratified analysis revealed that RTG in T2DM patients increased with age, duration of diabetes, and BMI. In conclusion, RTG is increased in patients with T2DM, especially in those with longer diabetic duration, higher BMI, and those who are older. Therefore, these patients may be more sensitive to SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Circ-SNX27 sponging miR-375/RPN1 axis contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Chao Zheng,Jin Liang,Shoude Yu,Hua Xu,Lin Dai,Dan Xu The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2023 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.27 No.4

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor with high fatality. It has yet to be reported whether circ-SNX27 can affect the progression of HCC. This study attempted to analyze circ-SNX27's precise role and underlying mechanisms in HCC. HCC cell lines and tumor specimens from HCC patients were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting to quantify the expressions of circ-SNX27, miR-375, and ribophorin I (RPN1). Cell invasion and cell counting kit 8 experiments were conducted for the evaluation of HCC cell invasion and proliferation. Caspase-3 Activity Assay Kit was utilized to gauge the caspase-3 activity. Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were executed to ascertain the relationships among miR-375, circ-SNX27, and RPN1. To determine how circ-SNX27 knockdown affects the growth of HCC xenografts in vivo, tumor-bearing mouse models were constructed. Elevated expressions of circ-SNX27 and RPN1 as well as a reduced miR-375 expression were observed among HCC cells and HCC patient tumor specimens. Knocking-down circ-SNX27 in HCC cells abated their proliferative and invasive abilities but raised their caspase-3 activity. Moreover, the poor levels of circ-SNX27 inhibited HCC tumor growth among the mice. Circ-SNX27 enhanced RPN1 by competitively binding with miR-375. Silencing miR-375 in HCC cells promoted their malignant phenotypes. Nonetheless, the promotive effect of miR375 silencing was reversible via the knockdown of circ-SNX27 or RPN1. This research demonstrated that circ-SNX27 accelerated the progression of HCC by modulating the miR-375/RPN1 axis. This is indicative of circ-SNX27's potential as a target for the treatment of HCC.