The Shifts of Power in Gender Discourse: Approaching Bao Ninh's Short Stories and Svetlana Alexievich's Unwomanly Face of War from Feminist Narratology

( Cao Kim Lan ) 부산외국어대학교 아세안연구원 2022 Suvannabhumi Vol.14 No.1

This paper examines narratives of women's marginal position in Bao Ninh's Short Stories and Svetlana Alexievich's Unwomanly Face of War from a feminist narratological approach. In analyzing voices of marginalized women, direct and indirect descriptions of women's beauty and pain, and private-public narratives of women's love stories, this paper aims to identify presentations of women's real authority in the text written by a male author, Bao Ninh, and in the one by a female author. The paper argues that juxtaposing these texts reveals an overturn of the traditional conception of sexual and gender differences. Specifically, distinguishing between male/female discourse does not show powerful /nonpowerful language, but recognizes the real authority of each type of discourse based on sexual differences. The writing also illustrates that masculine language becomes powerless and deficient in the women's world; meanwhile, in writing about herself, woman establishes a type of a powerful feminine discourse, which blends both emotional, enthusiastic, and gossipy characteristics of female language and direct, rational, and strong ones of male language. Thus, the feminists' radical segregation on male/female discourses to overturn masculine authority and create a language for women at par with men has been clearly shifted when comparing the two writers' texts based on the juxtapositional model of the comparative literature.

Graphene/Carbon Nanotubes/MgCl2-Supported Ti-based Ziegler-Natta Catalysts for Polymerization of Trans-polyisoprene

Lan Cao,안영준,김진국 한국고분자학회 2018 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.43 No.1

Fabrication of CNT/MgCl₂-Supported Ti-based Ziegler-Natta Catalysts for Trans-selective Polymerization of Isoprene

( Lan Cao ),( Xiaojie Zhang ),( Xiaolei Wang ),( Chengzhong Zong ),( Jin Kuk Kim ) 한국고무학회 2018 엘라스토머 및 콤포지트 Vol.53 No.3

In this study, in-situ trans-selective polymerization of isoprene was carried out using titanium-based Ziegler- Natta catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by high-energy ball milling. Individually Large-inner-diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTL), and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTOH), along with magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) were used as the carriers for the catalysts. The optimum ball-milling time for preparing the CNT/MgCl₂/TiCl₄ Ziegler-Natta catalysts was 4 h. The CNTOH/MgCl₂/TiCl₄ catalyst showed a higher efficiency than that of the CNTL/MgCl₂/TiCl₄ catalyst, based on the rate of polymerization. The effects of the CNT-filler type on the isoprene polymerization behaviors and polymer properties were investigated. The morphologies of the trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI)/CNT and TPI/CNTOH nanocomposites exhibited a tube-like shape, and the CNTL and CNTOH fillers were well dispersed in the TPI matrix. In addition, the thermal stability of TPI significantly increased upon the introduction of a small amount of both CNTL/CNTOH fillers (0.15 wt%), owing to the satisfactory dispersion of the CNTL/CNTOH in the TPI matrix.

The Shifts of Masculine Domination in Vietnam: Examining Mixed and Hybrid Characteristics in Feminist Texts on Vietnamese Newspapers in the Early Twentieth Century

( Cao Kim-lan ) 부산외국어대학교 아세안연구원 2023 Suvannabhumi Vol.15 No.2

This paper aims to identify the shifts of masculine domination, illuminating Vietnamese men and women's actual position in society through surveying the mixed and hybrid characteristics described in the feminist texts in the early twentieth century. This paper concentrates on the feminist writings of the two exceptionally male intellectuals Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh (1882-1936) and Phan Khôi (1887-1959). in order to implement these goals, the paper first examines the popular phenomenon of ventriloquism among Vietnamese male intellectuals, whose dominant attitudes may still be unveiled in feminist texts. Secondly, the paper focuses on surveys of men's direct discourse in constructing the model of women's liberation. From these two contents, this paper answers the following questions: Why have Vietnamese men become feminists? What were the causes, purposes, and effects of this phenomenon? To look at the nature of Vietnamese feminism, this paper will show the shifts of masculine domination in Vietnam as another form of protecting men's privileges. All analyses in this study will ground discussion on the economic, political, and social contexts and conditions of Vietnam in the early twentieth century.

Women, Feminism, and Confucianism in Vietnam in the Early 20th Century

Cao Kim Lan 부산외국어대학교 동남아지역원 2019 Suvannabhumi Vol.11 No.1

The early years of the twentieth century introduced Vietnam, then a French colony, to feminism, which helped expose the problem of suicide among women, prostitution, and the trafficking. This article surveyed writings in three influential newspapers published for and by women, namely, “Phụ Nữ Tân Văn” (PNTV) (Woman’s Newspaper) 1929-1934,“Phụ nữ Thời Đàm” (PNTĐ) (Women’s Discussions on Topical Questions) 1930-1934, and “Đàn Bà”(ĐB) (Women) 1939-1945. The writings were analyzed to illustrate how feminism was perpetrated in this period, and how the writers were able to reconcile it with prevalent Confucianism, which this paper also argued as having put in place, gender inequality.

Preparation and antimicrobial assay of ceramic brackets coated with TiO₂ thin films

Shuai Cao,Ye Wang,Lin Cao,Yu Wang,Bingpeng Lin,Wei Lan,Baocheng Cao 대한치과교정학회 2016 대한치과교정학회지 Vol.46 No.3

Objective: Different methods have been utilized to prevent enamel demineralization and other complications during orthodontic treatment. However, none of these methods can offer long-lasting and effective prevention of orthodontic complications or interventions after complications occur. Considering the photocatalytic effect of TiO₂ on organic compounds, we hoped to synthesize a novel bracket with a TiO₂ thin film to develop a photocatalytic antimicrobial effect. Methods: The sol-gel dip coating method was used to prepare TiO₂ thin films on ceramic bracket surfaces. Twenty groups of samples were composed according to the experimental parameters. Crystalline structure and surface morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively; film thickness was examined with a surface ellipsometer. The photocatalytic properties under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation were analyzed by evaluating the degradation ratio of methylene blue (MB) at a certain time. Antibacterial activities of selected thin films were also tested against Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans . Results: Films with 5 coating layers annealed at 700°C showed the greatest photocatalytic activity in terms of MB decomposition under UV light irradiation. TiO₂ thin films with 5 coating layers annealed at 700°C exhibited the greatest antimicrobial activity under UV-A light irradiation. Conclusions: These results provide promising guidance in prevention of demineralization by increasing antimicrobial activities of film coated brackets.

Active hexose correlated compound potentiates the antitumor effects of low-dose 5-fluorouracil through modulation of immune function in hepatoma 22 tumor-bearing mice

Zhiyun Cao,Xuzheng Chen,Lan Lan,Zhideng Zhang,Jian Du,Lianming Liao 한국영양학회 2015 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.9 No.2

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A variety of immunomodulators can improve the efficacy of low-dose chemotherapeutics. Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), a mushroom mycelia extract, has been shown to be a strong immunomodulator. Whether AHCC could enhance the antitumor effect of low-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) via regulation of host immunity is unknown. MATERIALS/METHODS: In the current study Hepatoma 22 (H22) tumor-bearing mice were treated with PBS, 5-FU (10 mg?kg<SUP>-1</SUP>?d<SUP>-1</SUP>, i.p), or AHCC (360 mg?kg<SUP>-1</SUP>?d<SUP>-1</SUP>, i.g) plus 5-FU, respectively, for 5 d. CD3<SUP>+</SUP>, CD4<SUP>+</SUP>, CD8<SUP>+</SUP>, and NK in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. ALT, AST, BUN, and Cr levels were measured by biochemical assay. IL-2 and TNFα in serum were measured using the RIA kit and apoptosis of tumor was detected by TUNEL staining. Bax, Bcl-2, and TS protein levels were measured by immunohistochemical staining and mRNA level was evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Diet consumption and body weight showed that AHCC had no apparent toxicity. AHCC could reverse liver injury and myelosuppression induced by 5-FU (P < 0.05). Compared to mice treated with 5-FU, mice treated with AHCC plus 5-FU had higher thymus index, percentages of CD3<SUP>+</SUP>, CD4<SUP>+</SUP>, and NK cells (P < 0.01), and ratio of CD4<SUP>+</SUP>/CD8<SUP>+</SUP> (P < 0.01) in peripheral blood. Radioimmunoassay showed that mice treated with AHCC plus 5-FU had the highest serum levels of IL-2 and TNFα compared with the vehicle group and 5-FU group. More importantly, the combination of AHCC and 5-FU produced a more potent antitumor effect (P < 0.05) and caused more severe apoptosis in tumor tissue (P < 0.05) compared with the 5-FU group. In addition, the combination of AHCC and 5-FU further up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) (P< 0.01), while it down-regulated the expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the claim that AHCC might be beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Effects of rosmarinic acid on immunoregulatory activity and hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis in H22 tumor-bearing mice

Cao, Wen,Mo, Kai,Wei, Sijun,Lan, Xiaobu,Zhang, Wenjuan,Jiang, Weizhe The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2019 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.23 No.6

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural polyphenolic compound that exists in many medicinal species of Boraginaceae and Lamiaceae. The previous studies have revealed that RA had therapeutic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the H22-xenograft models by inhibiting the inflammatory cytokines and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 pathway in the tumor microenvironment. However, its molecular mechanisms of immunoregulation and pro-apoptotic effect in HCC have not been fully explored. In the present study, RA at 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg was given to H22 tumor-bearing mice via gavage once a day for 10 days. The results showed that RA can effectively inhibit the tumor growth through regulating the ratio of $CD4^+/CD8^+$ and the secretion of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-${\gamma}$, inhibiting the expressions of IL-6, IL-10 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, thereby up-regulating Bax and Caspase-3 and down-regulating Bcl-2. The underlying mechanisms involved regulation of immune response and induction of HCC cell apoptosis. These results may provide a more comprehensive perspective to clarify the anti-tumor mechanism of RA in HCC.

DsLCYB Directionally Modulated β-Carotene of the Green Alga Dunaliella salina under Red Light Stress

Lan Yanhong,Song Yao,Guo Yihan,Qiao Dairong,Cao Yi,Xu Hui 한국미생물·생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.12

Carotenoids, which are natural pigments found abundantly in wide-ranging species, have diverse functions and high industrial potential. The carotenoid biosynthesis pathway is very complex and has multiple branches, while the accumulation of certain metabolites often affects other metabolites in this pathway. The DsLCYB gene that encodes lycopene cyclase was selected in this study to evaluate β-carotene production and the accumulation of β-carotene in the alga Dunaliella salina. Compared with the wild type, the transgenic algal species overexpressed the DsLCYB gene, resulting in a significant enhancement of the total carotenoid content, with the total amount reaching 8.46 mg/g for an increase of up to 1.26-fold. Interestingly, the production of α-carotene in the transformant was not significantly reduced. This result indicated that the regulation of DsLCYB on the metabolic flux distribution of carotenoid biosynthesis is directional. Moreover, the effects of different light-quality conditions on β-carotene production in D. salina strains were investigated. The results showed that the carotenoid components of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were 1.8- fold and 1.23-fold higher than that in the wild type under red light stress, respectively. This suggests that the accumulation of β-carotene under red light conditions is potentially more profitable.

Effects of biochar and Trichoderma on bacterial community diversity in continuous cropping soil

Xia Cao,Ning Zhang,Xiaoyu Zeng,Qinglin Lan,Nan Ma,Chuncheng Wu 한국원예학회 2022 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.63 No.1

Soil acidifi cation has become a serious issue in protected production in northern China as a consequence of many years ofcontinuous cropping. Besides aff ecting the growth and quality of vegetables, soil acidifi cation also restricts the sustainabledevelopment of vegetables grown in protected environments. A single application of biochar or Trichoderma can repair thesoil environment, optimize the microbial community structure, reduce plant diseases, and promote plant growth. However,it is not known whether biochar combined with Trichoderma has a synergistic eff ect on these parameters. In this study,long-term continuous cropping of cucumbers in a greenhouse was used to study the eff ect of biochar and Trichoderma onmicro-ecological environmental changes in acidifi ed soil using Illumina sequencing. The results showed that the combinedapplication of biochar and Trichoderma promoted cucumber growth; signifi cantly enhanced root vitality and superoxidedismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities in leaves; and reduced malondialdehyde content. In addition, soil physicaland chemical properties improved; cation exchange capacity, the activity of soil polyphenol oxidase and invertase, and thediversity of soil bacterial communities increased; and the structure and relative abundance of soil bacteria changed after thecombined application of biochar and Trichoderma . Correlation analysis of environmental factors showed that total nitrogenand soil pH had the greatest impact on bacterial communities. The metabolic function of soil bacteria was improved, andthe circulation of soil nutrients was increased as a consequence of the combined application of biochar and Trichoderma .