Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction of three-dimensional carbon fiber-based composites for seawater oxygen-dissolved battery

Yu Juxin,Ma Li,Duan Tigang,Xin Yonglei,Lv Yanzhuo,Zhang Haibing 한국탄소학회 2022 Carbon Letters Vol.32 No.2

One-step hydrothermal reduction method was used to prepare three-dimensional carbon fiber brush-based graphene–platinum (CFB/Pt–G) composites to improve the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction activity of cathode materials for seawater oxygen-dissolved battery. Characterization results show that the reduced graphene oxide of as-prepared graphene–platinum composite displays the few-layer folded structure. In addition, Pt nanoparticles with the polycrystalline structure dispplay a preferential growth along the crystal plane of (111) and are mainly distributed around the defect cavities of folded graphene. Electrochemical results show that the diffusion-limited current density of CFB/Pt–G composite tested with 1600 rpm/min in 3.5% NaCl solution reaches 5 mA/cm2, while that of CFB/G is only 2.64 mA/cm2. Battery discharge results show that the maximum volume power density of CFB/Pt–G–Mg battery with a stable open voltage of 1.73 V is 81 times as much as the commercial seawater battery SWB1200.

A transcriptional atlas of the silk gland in Antheraea pernyi revealed by IsoSeq

Duan Jianping,Li Shanshan,Zhang Zhengtian,Yao Lunguang,Yang Xinfeng,Ma Sanyuan,Duan Nini,Wang Jiazhen,Zhu Xuwei,Zhao Ping 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

Silk fibers spun by the silk gland of Antheraea pernyi have many unique properties and are of great value in genetic improvement and non-traditional applications. However, the complete transcriptional landscape and accurate genic annotation of the silk gland are yet to be conducted, which limits related studies on this organ. In this study, isoform sequencing revealed the full-length transcriptome of the A. pernyi silk gland, producing 12,572 high-confidence isoforms from 7,658 genes, among which more than 40 % of genes have not yet been annotated in the reference genome. Moreover, approximately 9 % of isoforms are computationally identified as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Up to 1,492 alternative splicing (AS) and 3,068 alternative polyadenylation (APA) events were revealed within this transcriptome. In addition, 2,569 putative transcription factors (TFs) belonging to 68 different families were first identified in A. pernyi genome, including 871 TFs in silk gland, and some TF families have undergone expansion or contraction. This study significantly improve our knowledge of the genes expressed in the silk gland of A. pernyi and provide a valuable resource for the in-depth study of silk protein synthesis and spinning, genetic improvement, and non-traditional applications in A. pernyi.

Preparation of Copper Nanoparticles and Catalytic Properties for the Reduction of Aromatic Nitro Compounds

Duan, Zhongyu,Ma, Guoli,Zhang, Wenjun Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.12

A novel copper nanoparticles were synthesized from cupric sulfate using hydrazine as reducing reagents. A series of aromatic nitro compounds were reacted with sodium borohydride in the presence of the copper nanoparticles catalysts to afford the aromatic amino compounds in high yields. Additionally, the catalysts system can be recycled and maintain a high catalytic effect in the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds.

FOXK1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and radiation sensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

Duan Liqun,Huang Jinlong,Zhang Yong,Pi Guoliang,Ying Xiaofang,Zeng Fanyu,Hu Desheng,Ma Jia 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.6

Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common head and neck tumor in China. Forkhead box (FOX) proteins have 19 subfamilies, which can maintain cell metabolism, regulate cell cycle and cell growth, etc. FOXK1 is a member of the FOX family, and studies have found that FOXK1 is closely related to tumors. Objective This experiment aims to study the effects of FOXK1 interference on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and radiosensitivity, by regulating the Janus kinas/signal translator and activator of the transfer 3 (JAK/STAT3) pathway. Methods The expression of FOXK1 was detected via immunohistochemistry using clinical nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues. The relationship between FOXK1 expression and tumor stage was subsequently evaluated. The colony formation rate was calculated through the colony formation experiment. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were detected using flow cytometry, while cell invasion was detected using the Transwell method. The number of cells in the nucleus of each group after 30 min, 4 h, and 24 h of radiotherapy with the 2 Gy dose was counted using immunofluorescence under γ-H2AX focal points of a laser confocal microscope. Results FOXK1 is clearly expressed in the patients’ cancer tissues. The expression of FOXK1 was significantly correlated with the patient’s sex. FOXK1 interference or Peficitinib can upregulate the apoptosis rate of 5-8 F and CNE-2 cells; increase the G2 phase of cells; and inhibit the invasion, migration, and EMT of cells. At the same time, FOXK1 interference can downregulate the protein expression of p-JAK1, p-JAK2, and p-STAT3 in cells. Interference from FOXK1 or Peficitinib alone can reduce the rate of cell colony formation under different radiation doses, and enhance the green fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX in the nucleus after 4 and 24 h of the 2 Gy dose of radiotherapy. These results are optimal when FOXK1 interference and Peficitinib are used together. Conclusion FOXK1 interference in NPC cells can regulate EMT through the JAK/STAT3 signal pathway, enhance the radiosensitivity of cells, and thus inhibit tumor cell progression.

Whole Brain Radiotherapy Combined with Stereotactic Radiotherapy Versus Stereotactic Radiotherapy Alone for Brain Metastases: a Meta-analysis

Duan, Lei,Zeng, Rong,Yang, Ke-Hu,Tian, Jin-Hui,Wu, Xiao-Lu,Dai, Qiang,Niu, Xiao-Dong,Ma, Di-Wa Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.2

Aim: This study was to evaluate the effect of whole brain radiation (WBRT) combined with stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS) versus stereotactic radiotherapy alone for patients with brain metastases using a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library from their inception up to October 2013. Randomized controlled trials involving whole brain radiation combined with stereotactic radiotherapy versus stereotactic radiotherapy alone for brain metastases were included. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan5.2 software. Results: Four randomized controlled trials including 903 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant lowering of the local recurrence rate (OR=0.29, 95%CI: 0.17~0.49), new brain metastasis rate (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.28~0.71) and symptomatic late neurologic radiation toxicity rate (OR=3.92, 95%CI: 1.37~11.20) in the combined group. No statistically significant difference existed in the 1-year survival rate (OR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.60~1.03). Conclusions: The results indicate that whole brain radiotherapy combined with stereotactic radiotherapy has advantages in local recurrence and new brain metastasis rates, but stereotactic radiotherapy alone is associated with better neurological function. However, as the samples included were not large, more high-quality, large-sample size studies are necessary for confirmation.

Discrete Element Simulation of Macro and Micro Mechanical Properties of Round Gravel Material under Triaxial Stress

Shaokun Ma,Haijun Huang,Fapai Tian,Jian Gong,Jiabing Zhang,Zhibo Duan 대한토목학회 2024 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.28 No.5

In this study, the effects of relative density and confining pressure on the shear characteristics of round gravel are investigated using a large-scale triaxial apparatus and the discrete element method. A simple and efficient numerical method for simulating flexible membranes is introduced. The results show that the stress-strain curves develop from hardened to softened type with increasing relative density, while the stress-strain curves develop from softened to hardened type with increasing confining pressure. As the axial strain increases, the strong contact force chains are vertically distributed, and the larger the relative density and confining pressure, the greater the number and thickness of the strong contact force chains. In the shear process, the distribution of average normal and tangential contact forces show “peanut-shaped” and “petal-shaped”, respectively. The increase in relative density increases the anisotropy of the specimen, while the increase in confining pressure results in a decrease. A linear relationship exists between the macroscopic stress ratio and the anisotropy coefficient. The anisotropy coefficient of the normal contact force provides the greatest contribution to the macroscopic shear strength (about 55%), followed by the anisotropy coefficient of the contact normal (about 26%) and that of the tangential contact force (about 19%).

Preparation of Copper Nanoparticles and Catalytic Properties for the Reduction of Aromatic Nitro Compounds

Zhongyu Duan,Guoli Ma,Wenjun Zhang 대한화학회 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.12

A novel copper nanoparticles were synthesized from cupric sulfate using hydrazine as reducing reagents. A series of aromatic nitro compounds were reacted with sodium borohydride in the presence of the copper nanoparticles catalysts to afford the aromatic amino compounds in high yields. Additionally, the catalysts system can be recycled and maintain a high catalytic effect in the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds.

3D Bioprinted GelMA/PEGDA Hybrid Scaffold for Establishing an In Vitro Model of Melanoma

( Jiahui Duan ),( Yanyan Cao ),( Zhizhong Shen ),( Yongqiang Cheng ),( Zhuwei Ma ),( Lijing Wang ),( Yating Zhang ),( Yuchuan An ),( Shengbo Sang ) 한국미생물생명공학회 2022 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.32 No.4

Due to the high incidence of malignant melanoma, the establishment of in vitro models that recapitulate the tumor microenvironment is of great biological and clinical importance for tumor treatment and drug research. In this study, 3D printing technology was used to prepare GelMA/PEGDA composite scaffolds that mimic the microenvironment of human malignant melanoma cell (A375) growth and construct in vitro melanoma micro-models. The GelMA/PEGDA hybrid scaffold was tested by the mechanical property, cell live/dead assay, cell proliferation assay, cytoskeleton staining and drug loading assay. The growth of tumor cells in two- and three-dimensional culture systems and the anti-cancer effect of luteolin were evaluated using the live/dead staining method and the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The results showed a high aggregation of tumor cells on the 3D scaffold, which was suitable for long-term culture. Cytoskeleton staining and immunofluorescent protein staining were used to evaluate the degree of differentiation of tumor cells under 2D and 3D culture systems. The results indicated that 3D bioprinted scaffolds were more suitable for tumor cell expansion and differentiation, and the tumor cells were more aggressive. In addition, luteolin was time- and dose-dependent on tumor cells, and tumor cells in the 3D culture system were more resistant to the drug.

Automatic Chinese-English Translation Algorithm based on Out-of-vocabulary Words in the Context of Cross-cultural Communication

Jiayan Duan,Hongwei Ma,Junxia Wang 대한전자공학회 2023 IEIE Transactions on Smart Processing & Computing Vol.12 No.6

In the context of cross-cultural communication, translation between languages has become increasingly important. Based on automatic Chinese–English translation, this study examined the processing of out-of-vocabulary (OOV) words. First, this paper briefly introduces two basic translation models: seq2seq and Transformer. Second, we propose a semantic-based OOV processing method, which replaces OOV words with the most similar words by calculating the semantic similarity of word vectors and then uses the source-language sentences with the replaced words to train a translation model. Compared to the seq2seq model, the Bilingual Evaluation Understudy (BLEU) values of the Transformer model were higher (37.26 for the NIST06 dataset and 30.75 for the NIST08 dataset). After OOV processing, retaining low-frequency OOV words was conducive to the improvement of BLEU scores, which were increased by 0.63 and 0.09 for NIST06 and NIST08 for the Transformer model, respectively. This shows the effectiveness of the OOV processing method. The OOV processing method could be applied to automatic Chinese–English translation.

Facile Synthesis of Thermo-responsive TiO2/PNIPAM Composite with Switchable Photocatalytic Performance

Yinli Duan,Jing Ma,Jiao Liu,Liang-Sheng Qiang,Juanqin Xue 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.4

In this paper, a facile and efficient method was performed to prepare the thermo-responsive Poly(Nisopropylacrylamide)/TiO2 (TiO2/PNIPAM) with the dispersing of TiO2 nanoparticles into PNIPAM. The structures ofnanoparticles and the grafted polymer were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, Fourier transforminfrared spectra (FT-IR) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The interactions between the two components were studied byX-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the morphology of TiO2/PNIPAM was observed by scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM). The results showed that TiO2 exhibited homogeneous dispersion, without sacrificing the properties ofTiO2. Furthermore, The composite was used to photocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue (MB). The highest MB removalefficiency is 86.3 %. The photocatalytic activities above or below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAMwas also investigated. The experiment results show that the existence of PNIPAM contributed not only the thermo-responsiveabilities to TiO2, but also the enhanced photocatalytic activities to TiO2. In addition, the corresponding mechanism ofenhanced photocatalytic activity was proposed. The results manifest that the well-designed TiO2/PNIPAM is a promisingcandidate in wastewater treatment application.