Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling and Segmentation Analysis in Real-time Crash Risk Assessment on Freeways

Chengcheng Xu,Dawei Li,Zhibin Li,Wei Wang,Pan Liu 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.7

The study aimed to utilize Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and K-means clustering for predicting real-time crash risks onfreeways. The SEM was used to transform a number of correlated traffic variables into four independent latent traffic factors, and toestablish the interrelationships among the traffic variables and crash risks. The segmentation analysis based on K-means clusteringwas then conducted to investigate the main traffic factors affecting crash risks in various traffic regimes. It was found that: (a) Themeasurement equations in SEM can effectively account for the correlations among traffic variables by transforming numerouscorrelated traffic variables into several latent traffic variables; (b) The SEM can both capture the direct and indirect effects of trafficflow variables on crash risks. This promotes a better understanding how traffic conditions affect crash risks; (c) The SEM producesmore accurate estimates of crash risks than existing modeling technique. It can increase the crash prediction accuracy by an averageof 7.6% compared with the commonly used logistic regression; and (d) Segmentation analysis results suggested that the trafficfactors contributing to crash risks are various across different traffic regimes. The proactive crash prevention strategies for differenttraffic regimes were discussed based on the findings in the segmentation analysis

Effect of ethylene glycol on the synthesis of crystalline boron carbide powder from condensed boric-acid-glycerin precursor

Li Yang,Li Sanxi,Wang Song,Tian Chengcheng,Otitoju Tunmise Ayode 한양대학교 청정에너지연구소 2023 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.24 No.2

The effect of addition of ethylene glycol (C2H6O2) on the synthesis of crystalline boron carbide (B4C) powder from a condensedboric acid (H3BO3)-glycerin (C3H8O3) product was investigated. Equal molar amount of H3BO3 and glycerin was mixed andsubjected to dehydration-condensation reaction using various amount of ethylene glycol (0 to 40 mol% based on glycerolamount). Then the condensed product was thermally decomposed in air twice to obtain surface carbon-free precursor powder. The crystalline phases and surface functional groups of the material was characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR and TGA. Addition of ethylene glycol offered a new organic sites and comparatively, reduced pyrolysis temperature from 700 to 650 oC. The complete formation of crystalline B4C powder was achieved at 1475 oC within 2.5 h, which is among the shortest timereported for B4C synthesis

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on the energy status and antioxidant capacity in heart and liver of cold-stressed broilers

Li Chengcheng,Peng Meng,Liao Man,Guo Shuangshuang,Hou Yongqing,Ding Binying,Wu Tao,Yi Dan 아세아·태평양축산학회 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.9

Objective: Cold stress induces oxidative damage and impairs energy status of broilers. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) exhibits antioxidant properties and modulates energy metabolism of animals. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NAC on energy status and antioxidant capacity of heart and liver in the cold-stressed broilers. Methods: The experiment consisted of 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with two diets (basal diet or plus 0.1% NAC) and two ambient temperatures (thermoneutral [conventional ambient temperature] or cold stress [10°C±1°C during days 15 to 42]). Results: No ascites were seen in cold-stressed broilers. NAC did not attenuate the impaired growth performance of stressed birds. However, NAC decreased plasma asparagine but increased aspartate levels in cold-stressed birds (p<0.05). NAC reduced hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) but elevated adenosine diphosphate contents in unstressed birds (p< 0.05). The hepatic ratio of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to ATP was increased in birds fed NAC (p<0.05). NAC decreased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level and cardiac total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in unstressed birds, but increased hepatic activities of T-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in stressed birds (p<0.05). NAC down-regulated hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase but up-regulated cardiac heme-oxigenase mRNA expression in stressed birds, and decreased expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α as well as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in liver and heart of birds. Conclusion: Dietary NAC did not affect energy status but enhanced the hepatic antioxidant capacity by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in cold-stressed broilers.

Apoptosis induction by alantolactone in breast cancer MDA-MB- 231 cells through reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrion-dependent pathway

Li Cui,Weiquan Bu,Jie Song,Liang Feng,Tingting Xu,Dan Liu,Wenbo Ding,Jianhua Wang,Changyang Li,Binge Ma,Yi Luo,Ziyu Jiang,Chengcheng Wang,Juan Chen,Jian Hou,Hong-mei Yan,Lei Yang,Xiao-bin Jia 대한약학회 2018 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.41 No.3

Alantolactone is a sesquiterpene lactone isolatedfrom Inula helenium L. Although alantolactone possessesanti-inflammation and apoptosis-induction activities, theunderlying mechanism of anti-cancer effect on humanbreast cancer cells remains largely unknown. In this study,we explored the possibility of alantolactone as an apoptosis-inducing cytotoxic agent using MDA-MB-231 cells asin vitro model. Alantolactone significantly induced itsapoptosis, demonstrated by cell cycle analysis, annexinV-APC/7-AAD double staining and dUTP nick end labeling. Additionally, alantolactone triggered the mitochondrial-mediated caspase cascade apoptotic pathway, whichwas confirmed by increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, loss of MMP,release of cytc from mitochondria to cytoplasm, activationof caspase 9/3, and subsequent cleavage of PARP. Z-VADFMKpartially prevented apoptosis induced by alantolactone. Alantolactone provoked the production of ROS, whileNAC (a scavenger of ROS) reversed alantolactone-mediateddepolarization of MMP and apoptosis. Alantolactonemodulated the activities of MAPKs. As expected, cotreatmentwith SB203580, SP600125 or U0126 could reducedthe apoptotic rate. Furthermore, alantolactone decreasedthe protein expressions of p-NF-kB p65 and p-STAT3,increased p-c-Jun level in a dose-dependent manner. Thesefindings suggested that alantolactone possessed anticanceractivity via ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunctioninvolving MAPK pathway, and had an effect on the transcriptionfactors of NF-kB, AP-1 and STAT3.

Preparation of layered B4C with high neutron-shielding properties using graphene as template

Li Yang, Li Sanxi,Wang Song,Tian Chengcheng 한양대학교 청정에너지연구소 2023 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.24 No.1

In this paper, layered boron carbide (B4C) particles were successfully synthesized by sol-gel-low temperature pyrolysis methodusing boron acid and glycerin as raw materials with self-made reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as additives. The structure ofthe sol-gel condensation product was analyzed by FT-IR. The phase, morphology and particle size of the B4C werecharacterized by XRD, FE-SEM and LPSA. The results showed that boron carbide was rhombic crystal phase, but the surfaceof the particles was wrinkled and more layered. The B4C powders with uniform morphology and some particle sizes less than100 nm were prepared with the RGO content of 0.6%. Testing the neutron-shielding properties of the polypropylene-B4Ccomposites suggested that neutron transmittance with the B4C content of 35 wt% was 94.1% lower (from 70.6% to 4.1%) thanneat polypropylene, and the total macroscopic absorption cross-section was about 18 times larger (from 0.0857 ± 0.0031 cm-1 to1.5521 ± 0.0008 cm-1). The relative density, fracture toughness and hardness of self-made B4C ceramics (sB4C) were higherthan the commercially available B4C ceramics (cB4C). This study provided a new method for the preparation of B4C powderswith excellent neutron absorption properties and good sintering activity.

Dose-Dense Rituximab-CHOP versus Standard Rituximab-CHOP in Newly Diagnosed Chinese Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Randomized, Multicenter, Open-Label Phase 3 Trial

Xueying Li,He Huang,Bing Xu,Hongqiang Guo,Yingcheng Lin,Sheng Ye,Jiqun Yi,Wenyu Li,Xiangyuan Wu,Wei Wang,Hongyu Zhang,Derong Xie,Jiewen Peng,Yabing Cao,Xingxiang Pu,Chengcheng Guo,Huangming Hong,Zhao 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.3

Purpose Rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone administered every 3 weeks (R-CHOP-21) is the standard care for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is unknown whether the dose-dense R-CHOP (R-CHOP-14) could improve the outcome of the disease in Asian population. Materials and Methods Newly diagnosed DLBCL patients were centrally, randomly assigned (1:1) to receive R-CHOP- 14 or R-CHOP-21. R-CHOP-14 was administered every 2 weeks, and R-CHOP-21 was administered every 3 weeks. Primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate and toxicities. Results Seven hundred and two patients were randomly assigned to receive R-CHOP-14 (n=349) or R-CHOP-21 (n=353). With a median follow-up of 45.6 months, the two groups did not differ significantly in 3-year DFS (79.6% for R-CHOP-14 vs. 83.2% for R-CHOP-21, p=0.311), 3-year OS (77.5% for R-CHOP-14 vs. 77.6% for R-CHOP-21, p=0.903), or 3-year PFS (63.2% for R-CHOP-14 vs. 66.1% for R-CHOP-21, p=0.447). Patients with an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score ! 2 had a poorer prognosis compared to those with an IPI score < 2. Grade 3/4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were manageable and similar between R-CHOP-14 and R-CHOP-21. Conclusion R-CHOP-14 did not improve the outcome of DLBCL compared to R-CHOP-21 in Asian population. With manageable and similar toxicities, both of the two regimens were suitable for Asian DLBCL patients. For high-risk patients with IPI ! 2, new combination regimens based on R-CHOP deserve further investigation to improve efficacy.

Molecular detection and genetic diversity of bovine papillomavirus in dairy cows in Xinjiang, China

Qingling Meng,Chengcheng Ning,Lixia Wang,Yan Ren,Jie Li,Chencheng Xiao,Yanfang Li,Zhiyuan Li,Zhihao He,Xuepeng Cai,Jun Qiao 대한수의학회 2021 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.22 No.4

Background: Bovine papillomatosis is a type of proliferative tumor disease of skin and mucosae caused by bovine papillomavirus (BPV). As a transboundary and emerging disease in cattle, it poses a potential threat to the dairy industry. Objectives: The aim of this study is to detect and clarify the genetic diversity of BPV circulating in dairy cows in Xinjiang, China. Methods: 122 papilloma skin lesions from 8 intensive dairy farms located in different regions of Xinjiang, China were detected by polymerase chain reaction. The genetic evolution relationships of various types of BPVs were analyzed by examining this phylogenetic tree. Results: Ten genotypes of BPV (BPV1, BPV2, BPV3, BPV6, BPV7, BPV8, BPV10, BPV11, BPV13, and BPV14) were detected and identified in dairy cows. These were the first reported detections of BPV13 and BPV14 in Xinjiang, Mixed infections were detected, and there were geographical differences in the distribution of the BPV genotypes. Notably, the BPV infection rate among young cattle (< 1-year-old) developed from the same supply of frozen sperm was higher than that of the other young cows naturally raised under the same environmental conditions. Conclusions: Genotyping based on the L1 gene of BPV showed that BPVs circulating in Xinjiang China displayed substantial genetic diversity. This study provided valuable data at the molecular epidemiology level, which is conducive to developing deep insights into the genetic diversity and pathogenic characteristics of BPVs in dairy cows.

TiO2 Nanotubes/Nanoparticles Composite Film with Higher Light Harvesting and Electron Transfer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Chengcheng Liu,Zhifeng Liu,Lei E,Yabin Li,Jianhua Han,Yun Wang,Zhichao Liu,Jing Ya,Xuhuang Chen 대한금속·재료학회 2012 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.8 No.5

TiO2 nanotubes with an inner diameter of 4-6 nm were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment method. TiO2nanotubes/nanoparticles composite films were fabricated as a dye-sensitized solar cells work electrode using TiO2 nanotubes and TiO2 nanoparticles as precursor. The structure of composite films has a remarkable influence on the final performance of the cell due to high surface area, fast electron transfer, enhanced light-scattering and light-harvesting, simultaneously. I-V characteristic measurement indicates an enhanced efficiency by 27%as compared to TiO2 nanotubes film.

Radial Depth Damage Properties of Coal Tunnels Surrounded by Rock under Excavation and Unloading

Peng Li,Yongjian Zhu,Ping Wang,Chengcheng Mei 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.5

In order to study the mechanism of radial gradient damage of surrounding rock caused by deep elevated stress coal roadway excavation, a triaxial loading unloading uniaxial reloading coal sample damage test was carried out. Based on the defined damage factor and fractal theory, the wave velocity damage characteristics, fracture characteristics, three-dimensional fractal characteristics and uniaxial reloading strength characteristics of coal samples under different loading unloading paths were studied. The results show that the shift of wave velocity can better reflect the damage of coal samples. Under the same confining pressure, the damage amount of coal samples increases with the axial compression ratio index, and the confining pressure can inhibit the damage of coal samples to a certain extent; the fracture characteristics of coal samples are closely related to the loading history. The surface cracks of coal samples tend to become complex with the increase of axial compression ratio, but eventually develop to the shear plane fracture surface; the surface cracks of damaged coal samples under the radial stress gradient of surrounding rock have excellent fractal characteristics. The fractal dimension has a linear function relationship with axial compression loading ratio and wave velocity damage; from the angle of wave velocity damage and strength loss, it is expounded that the increase of confining pressure can inhibit low damage to a certain extent, but can promote the occurrence of extreme damage.

Structural and photoelectrochemical characterization of TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes by electrochemical etching

Jing Ya,Li An,Zhifeng Liu,Lei E,Wei Zhao,Dan Zhao,Chengcheng Liu 한국화학공학회 2012 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.29 No.6

TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes were synthesized by anodization of titanium foils in ethylene glycol solution containing 0.5 wt% NH4F and 1 wt% water at 60 V for 6 h. The microstructure and morphology of the asprepared electrodes were investigated by XRD and SEM. A possible formation mechanism and oxidation parameters of nanocomposite structure were discussed. The relationship between structural characteristics of TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes and its photoelectrochemical characterization were evaluated by electrochemical analyzer and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution. Furthermore, these TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes promoted the photoelectrochemical characterization due to the larger surface areas, enhanced light harvesting and electron transport rate. The results show that photocurrent density of 1.44mA/cm2 and photocatalytic degradation of 95.51% was achieved for TiO2 nanowire/nanotube electrodes, which were 0.55mA/cm2 and 20.52% higher than the TiO2 nanotube electrodes under a similar condition, respectively.