Robust D-Stability and D-Stabilization of Dynamic Interval Systems

Wei-Jie Mao,Jian Chu 대한전기학회 2007 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.5 No.5

A sufficient condition for the robust D-stability of dynamic interval systems is proposed in this paper. This D-stability condition is based on a parameter-dependent Lyapunov function obtained from the feasibility of a set of matrix inequalities defined at a series of partial-vertex-based interval matrices other than the total vertex matrices as previous results. This condition is also extended to the robust D-stabilization problem of dynamic interval systems, which supplies an effective synthesis procedure for any LMI D-region. The proposed conditions can be simplified to a set of LMIs, which can be solved by efficient interior point methods in polynomial time.

Analysis of the Relationship between Breaking Stress and Whiteness in a New Hair Bleaching Method

Wei Wang,Qing-hui Mao,Yu Zhang,Jian-gang Qu,Zhi-jie Liang,Jia Yu,Lin-juan Zheng,Li Zhang 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.12

In order to investigate the relationship between breaking stress and whiteness in a bleaching treatment withlaccase, hair samples from three biogeographically distinct populations were characterized by various chemical and physicaltechniques. Factors affecting whiteness and breaking stress were investigated by attenuated total reflection infraredspectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal thatwhiteness and breaking stress after bleaching are primarily influenced by the diversity of concentration of metal ions andfunctional groups in the hair. The hair samples with lower content of metal ions obtain better whiteness and higher stressretention. The presence of OH functional group increases the final whiteness of the hair sample, while lack of that not onlydecreases the whiteness but also leads to more stress loss. In addition, the presence of the C=C functional group alsodecreases the whiteness.

Thermo-mechanical coupling behavior analysis for a U-10Mo/Al monolithic fuel assembly

Mao, Xiaoxiao,Jian, Xiaobin,Wang, Haoyu,Zhang, Jingyu,Zhang, Jibin,Yan, Feng,Wei, Hongyang,Ding, Shurong,Li, Yuanming Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.9

A typical three-dimensional finite element model for a fuel assembly is established, which is composed of 16 monolithic U-10Mo fuel plates and Al alloy frame. The distribution and evolution results of temperature, displacement and stresses/strains in all the parts are numerically obtained and analyzed with a self-developed code of FUELTM. The simulation results indicate that (1) the out-of-plane displacements of Al alloy side plates are mainly attributed to the bending deformations; (2) enhanced out-of-plane displacements appear in fuel plates adjacent to the outside Al plates, which results from the occurred bending deformations due to the applied constraints of outside Al plates; (3) an intense interaction of fuel foil with the cladding occurs near the foil edge, which appears more heavily in the fuel plates adjacent to the outside Al plates. The maximum first principal stresses in the fuel foil are similar for all the fuel plates and appear near the fuel foil edge; while, the through-thickness creep strains of fuel foil in the fuel plate near the central region of fuel assembly are larger, and the induced creep damage might weaken the fuel skeleton strength and raise the fuel failure risk.

A κ-Carrageenase from a Newly Isolated Pseudoalteromonas-like Bacterium, WZUC10

Mao-hong Zhou,Jian-she Ma,Jun Li,Hai-ren Ye,Ke-xin Huang,Xiao-wei Zhao 한국생물공학회 2008 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.13 No.5

A bacterial strain able to produce k-carrageenase, designated WZUC10, was isolated from a live specimen of the red alga Plocamium telfairiae collected in the East China Sea. The phylogenetic evidence and phenotypic features indicate that this strain belongs to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. WZUC10 requires NaCl for growth and k-carrageenan to induce k-carrageenase synthesis; galactose and lactose do not induce it. The optimal growth temperature is 23~27°C. The secreted enzyme, which has a molecular mass of 45 kDa, breaks down k-carrageenan into k-neocarratetraose sulfate and larger oli-gosaccharides with a repeating β-D-Galp4S-(1→4)-α-D-AnGalp structure, but cannot degrade k-neocarratetraose sulfate or k-neocarrahexaose sulfate into k-neocarrabiose sulfate. The enzyme retains 90% of its activity after 2 h at 40°C and is com-pletely inactivated after 7.5 min at 70°C. The enzyme’s optimal temperature is 30°C and its optimal pH is 7.5. The enzyme-catalyzed reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with the Michaelis constant (Km) and the turnover number (k) being 0.015 mM and 125 s-¹, respectively. WZUC10 produces 50 U/mL k-carrageenase after cultivation at 25°C for 35 h on a me-dium containing 80 g/L glucose, 5 g/L corn steep liquor, 3 g/L k-carrageenan, and 15 g/L NaCl. k-Neocarratetraose sulfate was prepared simply with precipitation by ethanol:water (5:1, v/v).

Prostate Cancer Risk in Relation to a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Protein-3 (IGFBP3) Gene: a Meta-analysis

Mao, Ye-Qing,Xu, Xin,Lin, Yi-Wei,Chen, Hong,Hu, Zheng-Hui,Xu, Xiang-Lai,Zhu, Yi,Wu, Jian,Zheng, Xiang-Yi,Qin, Jie,Xie, Li-Ping Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) has been identified as a putative tumor suppressor with multifunctional roles in the IGF axis. Recently, there have been a growing body of studies investigating the relation between the IGFBP3 A-202C polymorphism, circulating IGFBP3 and prostate cancer risk, but their outcomes varied leading to controversy. Hence, it is necessary to perform a meta-analysis covering all eligible studies to shed a light on the association of IGFBP3 A-202C and cancer risk. Finally, we included a total of 11 relevant articles between 2003 and 2010 covering 14 case-control studies including 9,238 cases and 8,741 controls for our analysis. Our results showed that A-202C was a marginal risk factor of prostate cancer (allele contrast: OR=1.08, 95% CI :1.01-1.16; dominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI :1.01-1.22; heterozygote codominant model: OR=1.11, 95% CI :1.03-1.18; homozygote contrast: OR=1.19, 95% CI :1.03-1.37). Stratification analysis revealed that sample size and control source were two major heterogeneous meta-factors especially in the recessive model (source: Population-based control group :p=0.30,I2=16.7%, Hospital-based control group: p=0.20, I2=30.3%; sample size: Small: p=0.22,I2= 32.8%, Medium: p=0.09,I2=48%, Large p=0.60,I2=0.0%); However, contrary to previous findings, no significance was found in racial subgroups. No significant publication bias was found in our analysis. Considering the robustness of the results and the discrepancy among some studies, there might be some unsolved confounding factors, and further more critical large studies are needed for confirmation.

Association between the XRCC3 Thr241Met Polymorphism and Breast Cancer Risk: an Updated Meta-analysis of 36 Case-control Studies

Mao, Chang-Fei,Qian, Wen-Yi,Wu, Jian-Zhong,Sun, Da-Wei,Tang, Jin-Hai Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Background: The X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) is a highly suspected candidate gene for cancer susceptibility. Attention has been drawn upon associations of the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism with breast cancer risk. However, the previous published findings remain controversial. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to accurately evaluate any association between breast cancer and XRCC3 T241M (23, 812 cases and 25, 349 controls) in different inheritance models. Materials and Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched systematically until December 31, 2013 to obtain all the records evaluating the association between the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and breast cancer risk. Crude odds ratios (ORs) together with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations. Results: When all eligible studies were pooled into the meta analysis of XRCC3 T241M polymorphism, a significantly increased breast cancer risk was observed in heterozygote comparison (OR=1.06, 95%CI=1.01-1.12). No significant associations were found in other models. In subgroup analysis, this polymorphism seemed to be associated with elevated breast risk in Asians. No publication bias was detected. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the T241M polymorphism confers a weakly increased breast cancer risk. A study with the larger sample size is needed to further evaluate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions of the XRCC3 T241M polymorphism with breast cancer risk.

Soil and ribbed concrete slab interface modeling using large shear box and 3D FEM

Qian, Jian-Gu,Gao, Qian,Xue, Jian-feng,Chen, Hong-Wei,Huang, Mao-Song Techno-Press 2017 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.12 No.2

Cast in situ and grouted concrete helical piles with 150-200 mm diameter half cylindrical ribs have become an economical and effective choice in Shanghai, China for uplift piles in deep soft soils. Though this type of pile has been successful used in practice, the reinforcing mechanism and the contribution of the ribs to the total resistance is not clear, and there is no clear guideline for the design of such piles. To study the inclusion of ribs to the contribution of shear resistance, the shear behaviour between silty sand and concrete slabs with parallel ribs at different spacing and angles were tested in a large direct shear box ($600mm{\times}400mm{\times}200mm$). The front panels of the shear box are detachable to observe the soil deformation after the test. The tests were modelled with three-dimensional finite element method in ABAQUS. It was found that, passive zones can be developed ahead of the ribs to form undulated failure surfaces. The shear resistance and failure mode are affected by the ratio of rib spacing to rib diameter. Based on the shape and continuity of the failure zones at the interface, the failure modes at the interface can be classified as "punching", "local" or "general" shear failure respectively. With the inclusion of the ribs, the pull out resistance can increase up to 17%. The optimum rib spacing to rib diameter ratio was found to be around 7 based on the observed experimental results and the numerical modelling.

Inhibitory Effects of α-Pinene on Hepatoma Carcinoma Cell Proliferation

Chen, Wei-Qiang,Xu, Bin,Mao, Jian-Wen,Wei, Feng-Xiang,Li, Ming,Liu, Tao,Jin, Xiao-Bao,Zhang, Li-Rong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Background: Pine needle oil from crude extract of pine needles has anti-tumor effects, but the effective component is not known. Methods: In the present study, compounds from a steam distillation extract of pine needles were isolated and characterized. Alpha-pinene was identified as an active anti-proliferative compound on hepatoma carcinoma BEL-7402 cells using the MTT assay. Results: Further experiments showed that ${\alpha}$-pinene inhibited BEL-7402 cells by arresting cell growth in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, downregulating Cdc25C mRNA and protein expression, and reducing cycle dependence on kinase 1(CDK1) activity. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings indicate that ${\alpha}$-pinene may be useful as a potential anti-tumor drug.

Lymph Node Ratio is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Node Positive Rectal Cancer Patients Treated with Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Curative Resection

Zeng, Wei-Gen,Zhou, Zhi-Xiang,Wang, Zheng,Liang, Jian-Wei,Hou, Hui-Rong,Zhou, Hai-Tao,Zhang, Xing-Mao,Hu, Jun-Jie Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Background: The lymph node ratio (LNR) has been shown to be an important prognostic factor for colorectal cancer. However, studies focusing on the prognostic impact of LNR in rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative resection have been limited. The aim of this study was to investigate LNR in rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative resection. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 consecutive rectal cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT and total mesorectal excision were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the LNR (${\leq}0.2$ [n=86], >0.2 [n=45]) to evaluate the prognostic effect on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: The median number of retrieved and metastatic lymph node (LN) was 14 (range 1-48) and 2 (range 1-10), respectively. The median LNR was 0.154 (range 0.04-1.0). In multivariate analysis, LNR was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival (hazard ratio[HR]=3.778; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.741-8.198; p=0.001) and disease-free survival (HR=3.637; 95%CI 1.838-7.195; p<0.001). Increased LNR was significantly associated with worse OS and DFS in patients with <12 harvested LNs, and as well as in those ${\geq}12$ harvested LNs (p<0.05). In addition, LNR had a prognostic impact on both OS and DFS in patients with N1 staging (p<0.001). Conclusions: LNR is an independent prognostic factor in ypN-positive rectal cancer patients, both in patients with <12 harvested LNs, and as well as in those ${\geq}12$ harvested LNs. LNR provides better prognostic value than pN staging. Therefore, it should be used as an additional prognostic indicator in ypN-positive rectal cancer patients.

Detection of gas-solid flow faults of a circulating fluidized bed using pressure fluctuations in wind caps

Hua-wei Jiang,Jian-qiang Gao,Hong-wei Chen,Jun-fu Lu,Fu-mao Wang,Yang Wang,Zhen-xin Wu 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.7

Wind cap partial blockages and agglomeration are two of the most common gas-solid flow faults that occur under the actual operations of circulating fluidized bed boilers. Using the method of measuring pressure fluctuations, for the characterization of fluid dynamics in fluidized beds, has a great advantage, due to its flexible adaptation to any operating conditions to monitor fluidization. This paper presents research into the use of measuring and analyzing pressure fluctuations in wind caps, for the analysis of the gas-solid fluidization characteristics in a fluidized bed with wind cap partial blockages or agglomeration fault. Partial blockages in a wind cap near feeding side and partial blockages in another wind cap near recycling side as well as agglomeration of different extents were simulated in a cold circulating fluidized bed. Pressure fluctuations in the inlets of several wind caps were measured at different primary air velocities under different fault conditions. They were then analyzed with the methods of statistical average, standard deviation, wavelet analysis and homogeneous index. Based on the calculated characteristic parameters, the effects of gas-solid flow faults on the gas-solid fluidization characteristics were analyzed. Results showed that variations of characteristic parameters of pressure fluctuations were related to variations of the gas-solid flow condition, which were caused by wind cap partial blockages or agglomerations. It is shown that the proposed method is practical.