A new species and a new record subspecies of the genus Euops Schoenherr(Coleoptera: Attelabidae) from China

Zhi-Qin Li,Cheng-De Li,Jue-Wen Li 한국응용곤충학회 2008 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.11 No.2

A new species, Euops pseudlespedezae Li. sp. nov., is described from China, which was collected from Tianqiaoling, in the Jilin Province of China. The new species is closely related to Euops lespedezae lespedezae Sharp, which was also recorded for the first time in China. A new species, Euops pseudlespedezae Li. sp. nov., is described from China, which was collected from Tianqiaoling, in the Jilin Province of China. The new species is closely related to Euops lespedezae lespedezae Sharp, which was also recorded for the first time in China.

Network topology control strategy based on spatial evolutionary public goods game

Li, Zhi,Deng, Chuang,Suh, Il Hong Elsevier 2015 PHYSICA A-STATISTICAL MECHANICS AND ITS APPLICATIO Vol.432 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>It is often the case that rational individuals will adjust their connectivity in commercial or social activities for maximizing their payoffs. In this process, we can observe that individuals always gather around a leader or a competitive individual who can bring them more benefits. Inspired by this, we propose a strategy that impels nodes of network to connect with a specific node that we have specified with the perspective of spatial evolutionary public goods game. Thus a node is specified and given a larger enhancement factor which reflects his advantage over others. Then we employ a payoff-oriented preferential rewire strategy that individual will sever a neighbor who provides him with the lowest benefit and then link others randomly. The results illustrate that this strategy not only ensures the promotion of cooperation but also increases the degree of the specified node. Furthermore, we analyze the effect of two relevant parameters: enhancement factor and rewire frequency. We find that if the control strategy expects to work effectively, these two parameters have to ensure an evolution environment where cooperators can prevail defectors. We also conclude that a relatively low rewire frequency contributes to increasing the degree of the specified node. Meanwhile we attempt to present our interpretations for these phenomena.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The phenomenon that competitive individual will attract more partners is interpreted with the framework of spatial evolutionary game theory. </LI> <LI> A strategy that impels nodes of network to connect with a specified node is proposed. </LI> <LI> Cooperative environment is essential for attractive operation. </LI> <LI> Low rewire frequency leads to high level of heterogeneity. </LI> </UL> </P>

Sustained electron tunneling at unbiased metal-insulator-semiconductor triboelectric contacts

Liu, Jun,Miao, Mengmeng,Jiang, Keren,Khan, Faheem,Goswami, Ankur,McGee, Ryan,Li, Zhi,Nguyen, Lan,Hu, Zhiyu,Lee, Jungchul,Cadien, Ken,Thundat, Thomas Elsevier 2018 Nano energy Vol.48 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Generating sufficient current density for powering electronic devices remains as one of the critical challenges of mechanical energy harvesting techniques based on piezo and triboelectricity, mainly due to the high impedance of the insulating material systems. Here we report on producing sustainable tunneling current using an unbiased, triboelectrically charged metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) point contact system, consisting of p-type silicon, silicon oxide and a metal tip. The native thin oxide (~ 1.6 nm) on the silicon surface provides a natural pathway for quantum mechanical tunneling of the triboelectrically generated electrons into the silicon substrate. Lateral back and forth sliding motion of the tip, irrespective of the direction of motion, generates a constant direct current (d.c.) with very high current density. The measured current shows an exponential decay with the thickness of oxide layer deposited with atomic layer deposition (ALD), confirming the quantum mechanical tunneling mechanism. It is proposed that the contact potential difference enhanced by triboelectric charging provides potential difference between metal point contact and the substrate. With single metallic micro probe sliding on a moderately doped p-type silicon, an open circuit voltage (<I>V</I> <SUB>oc</SUB>) of 300–400 mV and a short-circuit direct current (<I>I</I> <SUB>sc</SUB>) of 3–5 μA (a corresponding high current density, <I>J</I>, in the order of 1–10 A/m<SUP>2</SUP>) have been observed. It is predicted from conductive-atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) experiment that the theoretical <I>J</I> can be as high as 10<SUP>4</SUP> A/m<SUP>2</SUP>. This new concept has the potential as a green energy harvesting technique where a broad range of material candidates and device configurations could be used.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Quantum mechanical tunneling at triboelectrically charged interface through ultrathin oxide layer is demonstrated. </LI> <LI> Tribo-tunneling is found to be a universal phenomenon in MIS frictional contact system. </LI> <LI> High current density <I>J</I> of 5 A/m<SUP>2</SUP> is experimentally measured in doped silicon materials at macroscale. </LI> <LI> Ultrahigh C-AFM <I>J</I> of 10<SUP>4</SUP> A/m<SUP>2</SUP> is observed due to the nano-size probe-induced high electric field. </LI> <LI> This method can be used as cost-effective triboelectric DC current generator, due to easily available silicon wafers with native oxide. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Comparison and Analysis of Street Tree in Beijing, China, and Daejeon, South Korea : Mainly focused on species diversity

Li Zhi Hua, Seo Byung Key, Li Zhi Hui 배재대학교 자연과학연구소 2011 自然科學論文集 Vol.22 No.1

중국 북경과 한국 대전의 가로수 비교 분석을 통해서 가로수의 다양성과 생태적, 미적 그리고 사회기능성을 높이기 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 문헌조사와 현지답사를 통해 수행한 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 두 도시의 공통점은 가로수의 종 다양성이 낮으면서도 일부 수종이 큰 비율을 차지하고 있다는 점과, 상록수의 비율이 매우 낮았다는 점, 그리고 대전의 일부 가로수 구간에서 지피식물과 혼식하여 좀 더 풍부한 경관을 창출한 것을 제외하고는, 가로수의 배치 형태 또한 두 도시 모두 단순한 열식형태라는 점과 가로수 수령이 높지 않다는 점을 들 수 있다. 차이점으로는 북경 가로수는 외래종의 비율이 6.3%로 낮은 반면 대전 가로수는 외래종의 비율이 66.1%로 월등히 높아서 대전의 지역특성을 나타내지 못하였다는 점이 가장 컸다. 하지만 북경 가로수의 관리 상태는 대전의 가로수에 비해 양호한 편은 아닌 것으로 보였다. 한편, 화목류, 단풍이 예쁘게 드는 수종, 열매를 볼 수 있는 수종 등은 색감이 좋을 뿐만 아니라 계절감을 제공해 주므로 두 도시 모두 더 많이 도입할 필요가 있을 것으로 판단되었다.

Effect of substrate reflecting conditions on the curing of UV curable resin layers on aluminum and the formation of surface wavy structures

Zhao, Zhi-Jun,Yang, Jeong-Ho,Li, Xin,Park, Sang-Hu Elsevier 2016 Materials letters Vol.164 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>We have investigated the formation of surface wavy structures (wrinkles) depending on the diverse surface conditions of a substrate, and now report the effect of various levels of reflection of incident ultraviolet (UV)-light. UV-curable resin layers with a thickness of 0.15mm were coated on three different surface conditions; transparent glass, fine and rough surface aluminum plate, to compare the formation of wrinkles on each surface. Short irradiations of UV-light for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30s were exposed, resulting in the weak to full polymerization of the skin of a resin layer, respectively. The wavy structures were formed during thermal curing under room temperature after the short exposure of UV-light. The difference in reflection conditions resulting from the various surface roughnesses of the substrates led to changes in the amounts of polymerization, and the distribution of polymerization intensity through the layer thickness. Due to these different mechanisms, wrinkling shapes were quite distinguished. Through this work, we observed that controllable producing an approximately 33% maximum difference in the line width of wrinkles by using different substrate surface conditions.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The effect of a substrate reflection condition was investigated for diverse generation of surface wrinkles. </LI> <LI> It was studied that the fundamental mechanism on formation of wrinkles by weak-polymerization and thermal curing process. </LI> <LI> Irregular line-shapes of wrinkles with a range of 62–92μm in line width were fabricated by using the effect of substrate reflection conditions. </LI> <LI> Contact angle was varied depending on wrinkle shapes from 63° to 76°. </LI> </UL> </P>

Overexpression of alfalfa <i>Orange</i> gene in tobacco enhances carotenoid accumulation and tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses

Wang, Zhi,Xu, Weizhou,Kang, Jiyue,Li, Min,Huang, Jin,Ke, Qingbo,Kim, Ho Soo,Xu, Bingcheng,Kwak, Sang-Soo Elsevier 2018 Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The multifunctional Orange (Or) protein plays crucial roles in carotenoid homeostasis, photosynthesis stabilization, and antioxidant activity in plants under various abiotic stress conditions. The <I>Or</I> gene has been cloned in several crops but not in alfalfa (<I>Medicago sativa</I> L.). Alfalfa is widely cultivated across the world; however, its cultivation is largely limited by various abiotic stresses, including drought. In this study, we isolated the <I>Or</I> gene from alfalfa (<I>MsOr</I>) cv. Xinjiang Daye. The amino acid sequence of the deduced MsOr protein revealed that the protein contained two trans-membrane domains and a DnaJ cysteine-rich zinc finger domain, and showed a high level of similarity with the Or protein of other plants species. The MsOr protein was localized in leaf chloroplasts of tobacco. The expression of <I>MsOr</I> was the highest in mature leaves and was significantly induced by abiotic stresses, especially drought. To perform functional analysis of the <I>MsOr</I> gene, we overexpressed <I>MsOr</I> gene in tobacco (<I>Nicotiana benthamiana</I>). Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, transgenic tobacco lines showed higher carotenoid accumulation and increased tolerance to various abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, salt, and methyl viologen-mediated oxidative stress. Additionally, contents of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde were lower in the transgenic lines than in WT plants, suggesting superior membrane stability and antioxidant capacity of TOR lines under multiple abiotic stresses. These results indicate the <I>MsOr</I> gene as a potential target for the development of alfalfa cultivars with enhanced carotenoid content and tolerance to multiple environmental stresses.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Orange (<I>MsOr</I>) gene from alfalfa was isolated and characterized in transgenic tobacco. </LI> <LI> <I>MsOr</I> gene was localized to chloroplasts and strongly induced by abiotic stresses including drought. </LI> <LI> <I>MsOr</I> expressing tobacco plants showed enhanced tolerance to drought, heat, salt and oxidative stress. </LI> </UL> </P>

Transmembrane Helix of Novel Oncogene with Kinase-Domain (NOK) Influences Its Oligomerization and Limits the Activation of RAS/MAPK Signaling

Ying-Hua Li,Yin-Yin Wang,Shan Zhong,Zhi-Li Rong,Yong-Ming Ren,Zhi-Yong Li,Shu-Ping Zhang,Zhi-Jie Chang,Li Liu 한국분자세포생물학회 2009 Molecules and cells Vol.27 No.1

Ligand-dependent or independent oligomerization of receptor protein tyrosine kinase (RPTK) is often an essential step for receptor activation and intracellular signaling. The novel oncogene with kinase-domain (NOK) is a unique RPTK that almost completely lacks an ectodomain, expresses intracellularly and activates constitutively. However, it is unknown whether NOK can form oligomer or what function oligomerization would have. In this study, two NOK deletion mutants were generated by either removing the ectodomain (NOKECD) or including the endodomain (NOK-ICD). Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the transmembrane (TM) domain of NOK was essential for its intermolecular interaction. The results further showed that NOK aggregated more closely as lower order oligomers (the dimer- and trimer-sized) than either deletion mutant did since NOK could be cross-linked by both Sulfo-EGS and formaldehyde, whereas either deletion mutant was only sensitive to Sulfo-EGS. Removing the NOK TM domain (NOK-ICD) not only markedly promoted higher order oligomerization, but also altered the subcellular localization of NOK and dramatically elevated the NOK-mediated constitutive activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, NOK-ICD but not NOK or NOKECD was co-localized with the upstream signaling molecule RAS on cell membrane. Thus, TM-mediated intermolecular contacting may be mainly responsible for the constitutive activation of NOK and contribute to the autoinhibitory effect on RAS/MAPK signaling.

Cordblood-Based High-Throughput Screening for Deafness Gene of 646 Newborns in Jinan Area of China

Shou-Xia Li,Ding-Li Chen,Su-Bin Zhao,Li-Li Guo,Hai-Qin Feng,Xiao-Fang Zhang,Li-Li Ping,Zhi-Ming Yang,Cai-Xia Sun,Gen-Dong Yao 대한이비인후과학회 2015 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.8 No.3

Objectives. Infants with slight/mild or late-onset hearing impairment might be missed in universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS). We identified the mutation hot spot of common deaf gene in the newborns in Jinan area population by screening the mutation spot with neonate cord blood, in order to make clear whether the neonate cord blood for screening is feasible. Methods. Six hundred and forty-six newborns were subjected to both UNHS and genetic screening for deafness by using neonate cord blood. The newborn genetic screening targeted four deafness-associated genes, which were commonly found in the Chinese population including gap junction beta-2 protein (GJB2), gap junction beta-3 protein (GJB3), solute carrier family 26 member 4 (SLC26A4), and mtDNA 12S rRNA. The most common 20 spot mutations in 4 deaf genes were detected by MassARRAY iPLEX platform and mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G and C1494T mutations were sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Results. Among the 646 newborns, 635 cases passed the UNHS and the other 11 cases (1.7%) did not. Of the 11 failures, two cases were found to carry homozygous GJB2 p.R143W pathogenic mutation, one case was found to have heterozygous GJB2 235delC mutation, and another one case carried heterozygous GJB3 p.R180X pathogenic mutation. Six hundred and thirty-five babies passed the newborn hearing screening, in which 25 babies were identified to carry pathogenic mutations, including 12 heterozygotes (1.9%) for GJB2 235delC, eight heterozygotes (1.3%) for SLC26A4 IVS7-2A>G, one heterozygote (0.2%) for p.R409H, two homozygotes (0.3%) for m.1494C>T, and two homozygotes (0.3%) for m.1555A>G. Conclusion. Newborn genetic screening through the umbilical cord blood for common deafness-associated mutations may identify carriers sensitive to aminoglycoside antibiotic, and can effectively prevent or delay hearing loss occurs.

The F-box Protein KIB1 Mediates Brassinosteroid-Induced Inactivation and Degradation of GSK3-like Kinases in <i>Arabidopsis</i>

Zhu, Jia-Ying,Li, Yuyao,Cao, Dong-Mei,Yang, Hongjuan,Oh, Eunkyoo,Bi, Yang,Zhu, Shengwei,Wang, Zhi-Yong Elsevier 2017 Molecular cell Vol.66 No.5

<P><B>Summary</B></P> <P>The glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) family kinases are central cellular regulators highly conserved in all eukaryotes. In <I>Arabidopsis</I>, the GSK3-like kinase BIN2 phosphorylates a range of proteins to control broad developmental processes, and BIN2 is degraded through unknown mechanism upon receptor kinase-mediated brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. Here we identify KIB1 as an F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase that promotes the degradation of BIN2 while blocking its substrate access. Loss-of-function mutations of KIB1 and its homologs abolished BR-induced BIN2 degradation and caused severe BR-insensitive phenotypes. KIB1 directly interacted with BIN2 in a BR-dependent manner and promoted BIN2 ubiquitination in vitro. Expression of an F-box-truncated KIB1 caused BIN2 accumulation but dephosphorylation of its substrate BZR1 and activation of BR responses because KIB1 blocked BIN2 binding to BZR1. Our study demonstrates that KIB1 plays an essential role in BR signaling by inhibiting BIN2 through dual mechanisms of blocking substrate access and promoting degradation.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> KIB1 is an essential positive regulator in brassinosteroid signaling </LI> <LI> KIB1 mediates BR-induced ubiquitination and degradation of GSK3 kinase BIN2 </LI> <LI> KIB1 binding to BIN2 prevents BIN2-substrate interaction and promotes BIN2 degradation </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Stress-induced expression of the sweetpotato gene <i>IbLEA14</i> in poplar confers enhanced tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses

Ke, Qingbo,Park, Sung-Chul,Ji, Chang Yoon,Kim, Ho Soo,Wang, Zhi,Wang, Shiwen,Li, Hongbing,Xu, Bingcheng,Deng, Xiping,Kwak, Sang-Soo Elsevier 2018 Environmental and experimental botany Vol.156 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are small, highly hydrophilic proteins that act as protectors of macromolecules and increase abiotic stress tolerance in plants. We previously reported that overexpressing sweetpotato <I>IbLEA14</I> under the control of the <I>CaMV 35S</I> promoter increased osmotic and salt stress tolerance in transgenic sweetpotato calli. In this study, we generated transgenic poplar plants (<I>Populus alba × P. glandulosa</I>) expressing <I>IbLEA14</I> under the control of the oxidative stress-inducible <I>SWPA2</I> promoter (referred to as SL plants). Among the 15 SL plants obtained, three lines (SL2, SL7, and SL12) were established based on <I>IbLEA14</I> transcript levels, tolerance to salt stress and Southern blot analysis. The SL plants exhibited less damage in response to methyl viologen-mediated oxidative stress than non-transgenic (NT) plants. SL plants also showed enhanced tolerance to drought, salt, and heat stress, which was associated with higher photosystem II efficiency and lower malondialdehyde levels compared with NT plants. Furthermore, SL plants had higher levels of monolignol biosynthesis-related gene transcripts under drought stress compared with NT plants. Finally, SL plants exhibited increased tolerance to heat stress, which is associated with the high thermostability of IbLEA14 protein. SL plants might be useful for reforestation on global marginal lands, including desertification and reclaimed areas.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> <I>IbLEA14</I> gene was transformed into poplar plants. </LI> <LI> Transgenic poplars exhibit increased tolerance to MV-mediated oxidative, drought, salt and heat stress. </LI> <LI> Overproduction of IbLEA14 affects lignification and thermostability of transgenic poplars. </LI> </UL> </P>