Declutching control of a point absorber with direct linear electric PTO systems

Zhang, Xian-Tao,Yang, Jian-Min,Xiao, Long-Fei Techno-Press 2014 Ocean systems engineering Vol.4 No.1

Declutching control is applied to a hemispherical wave energy converter with direct linear electric Power-Take-Off systems oscillating in heave direction in both regular and irregular waves. The direct linear Power-Take-Off system can be simplified as a mechanical spring and damper system. Time domain model is applied to dynamics of the hemispherical wave energy converter in both regular and irregular waves. And state space model is used to replace the convolution term in time domain equation of the heave oscillation of the converter due to its inconvenience in analyzing the controlled motion of the converters. The declutching control strategy is conducted by optimal command theory based on Pontryagin's maximum principle to gain the controlled optimum sequence of Power-Take-Off forces. The results show that the wave energy converter with declutching control captures more energy than that without control and the former's amplitude and velocity is relatively larger. However, the amplification ratio of the absorbed power by declutching control is only slightly larger than 1. This may indicate that declutching control method may be inapplicable for oscillating wave energy converters with direct linear Power-Take-Off systems in real random sea state, considering the error of prediction of the wave excitation force.

CD64 Expression Is Increased in Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis: Clinical Significance

( Hao Zhang ),( Xian Long Ling ),( Yu Yun Wu ),( Mu Han Lu ),( Hong Guo ),( Peng Bin Zhang ),( Xiao Yan Zhao ),( Shi Ming Yang ) 대한소화기학회 2014 Gut and Liver Vol.8 No.4

Background/Aims: Upregulated CD64 expression on neutrophils is the most useful marker for acute bacterial infections and systemic inflammation. However, it is unknown whether CD64 is involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). This study was designed to determine whether CD64 is implicated in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and thus, is a suitable marker for SAP. Methods: SAP was induced in rats with an intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine. CD64 expression in the rat pancreas was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the CD64 mRNA expression in peripheral blood leukocytes from 21 patients with mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) and 10 patients with SAP was investigated at the time of admission and during remission by qRT-PCR. Results: CD64 mRNA and protein expression in the pancreas was significantly higher in rats with SAP, compared to the controls. The CD64 expression was higher in the patients with SAP than in the patients with MAP. During remission, CD64 mRNA decreased in both the MAP and SAP patients. The area under the curve of CD64 expression for the detection of SAP was superior to both the Ranson and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. Conclusions: The CD64 level was significantly increased in correlation with the disease severity in SAP and may act as a useful marker for predicting the development of SAP. (Gut Liver 2014;8:445-451)

Mediation analysis of leisure activities on the association between cognitive function and mortality: longitudinal study of 42,942 Chinese adults 65 years and older

Chen Xingxing,Zhang Xian,Long Tingxi,Wu Wenfan,Hu Rundong,Jin Xurui,Yan Lijing L,Yao Yao,Wenyu Zhu 한국역학회 2022 Epidemiology and Health Vol.44 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have established associations of cognitive function and leisure activities with mortality. This study aimed to evaluate whether leisure activities causally mediate these associations. METHODS: This longitudinal study included 42,246 participants aged over 65 years from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The Mini-Mental State Examination and a self-reported scale were used to measure cognitive status and leisure activities, respectively. We examined the associations of cognitive function and leisure activities with mortality using Cox proportional hazards models. Causal mediation analysis was used to assess whether leisure activities mediated the association between cognitive function and mortality. RESULTS: Cognitive function and leisure activities were inversely associated with mortality. Leisure activities accounted for 28.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.6 to 31.1) of the total effect (TE) of cognitive function and mortality. A higher mediated proportion (PM) was observed for physical leisure activities (PM, 20.1%; 95% CI, 18.0 to 22.3) than for social leisure activities (PM, 17.7%; 95% CI, 15.7 to 19.7). The mediating effect was higher among participants at younger ages (PM, 41.5%; 95% CI, 21.3 to 65.4), those with higher education levels (PM, 30.5%; 95% CI, 25.3 to 36.2), and residents of rural China (PM, 42.5%; 95% CI, 25.4 to 62.5). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive function was associated with inverse mortality. Leisure activities significantly mediated this association. Participation in leisure activities at the early stages of mild cognitive impairment could reduce the risk of mortality, which has a major impact on interventional strategies for healthy aging.

Quality improvement effects of electrolyzed water on rice noodles prepared with semidry-milled rice flours

Rui Liu,Zhang-Long Yu,Yuan-Lin Sun,Li-Tao Tong,Li-Ya Liu,Li-Li Wang,Xian-Rong Zhou,Su-Mei Zhou 한국식품과학회 2021 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.30 No.6

To investigate the effects of electrolyzed watertreatment on the qualities of rice noodles prepared withsemidry- milled rice flour, pasting properties and thermalproperties of rice flour, and the cooking and texturalproperties of rice noodles were determined. Higher peakviscosity and lower melting enthalpy were observed inelectrolyzed water (EW) treated rice flour. The hardness,gumminess and chewiness of rice noodle in slightly acidicelectrolyzed water treated rice noodles with availablechlorine concentration (ACC) 20.32 mg/L were increasedsignificantly (p\0.05). The cooking loss decreased significantlyin strong acidic electrolyzed water treated noodleswith ACC 10.09 mg/L treatment (p\0.05). Theresults indicated that EW could promote the gelatinizationof rice flour, and improve the textural qualities of ricenoodles. Therefore EW was appropriate to be used in ricenoodle production.

Chinese herbal medicine (Bu-Shen-Tian-Jing Formula) for outcomes of IVF in Chinese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A retrospective cohort study

Pan Xiaoming,Gu Yinger,Zhang Xian,Shi Biwei,Cui Long,Wang Fangfang,Qu Fan 한국한의학연구원 2022 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.11 No.1

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of anovulatory infertility. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has many advantages in treating PCOS. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the effects of CHM (Bu-Shen-Tian-Jing Formula, BSTJF) on the outcomes of IVF in Chinese patients with PCOS and the potential underlying mechanism. Methods: A total of 111 patients with PCOS who undergone IVF between November 2009 and July 2018 were included. Fifty-four patients received a three-month BSTJF therapy before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, while the other 57 patients didn't. The data of the PCOS patients was collected. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) levels in the follicular fluid were evaluated. Results: BSTJF helped patients with PCOS to get more retrieved oocytes (P<0.05) and fertilized oocytes (P<0.05). The clinical cumulative pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and term delivery rate were significantly higher in the same stimulated cycle of the PCOS patients with BSTJF treatment (P<0.05). No significant differences existed between the two groups in the rate of fertilization, hospitalization rate of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome and obstetrical or neonatal complications. BSTJF significantly decreased the AMH levels in the follicular fluids (P<0.05). Conclusion: BSTJF significantly may improve the outcomes of IVF in Chinese patients with PCOS through decreasing AMH levels in follicular fluids. However, the evidence is limited due to the small sample size and the several potential bias. Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of anovulatory infertility. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has many advantages in treating PCOS. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the effects of CHM (Bu-Shen-Tian-Jing Formula, BSTJF) on the outcomes of IVF in Chinese patients with PCOS and the potential underlying mechanism. Methods: A total of 111 patients with PCOS who undergone IVF between November 2009 and July 2018 were included. Fifty-four patients received a three-month BSTJF therapy before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, while the other 57 patients didn't. The data of the PCOS patients was collected. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) levels in the follicular fluid were evaluated. Results: BSTJF helped patients with PCOS to get more retrieved oocytes (P<0.05) and fertilized oocytes (P<0.05). The clinical cumulative pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and term delivery rate were significantly higher in the same stimulated cycle of the PCOS patients with BSTJF treatment (P<0.05). No significant differences existed between the two groups in the rate of fertilization, hospitalization rate of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome and obstetrical or neonatal complications. BSTJF significantly decreased the AMH levels in the follicular fluids (P<0.05). Conclusion: BSTJF significantly may improve the outcomes of IVF in Chinese patients with PCOS through decreasing AMH levels in follicular fluids. However, the evidence is limited due to the small sample size and the several potential bias.

Mediation analysis of leisure activities on the association between cognitive function and mortality: a longitudinal study of 42,942 Chinese adults 65 years and older

Xingxing Chen,Wenfan Wu,Xian Zhang,Tingxi Long,Wenyu Zhu,Rundong Hu,Xurui Jin,Lijing L. Yan,Yao Yao 한국역학회 2022 Epidemiology and Health Vol.44 No.-

study aimed to evaluate whether leisure activities causally mediate these associations. METHODS This longitudinal study included 42,246 participants aged over 65 years from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The Mini-Mental State Examination and a self-reported scale were used to measure cognitive status and leisure activities, respectively. We examined the associations of cognitive function and leisure activities with mortality using Cox proportional hazards models. Causal mediation analysis was used to assess whether leisure activities mediated the association between cognitive function and mortality. RESULTS Cognitive function and leisure activities were inversely associated with mortality. Leisure activities accounted for 28.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.6 to 31.1) of the total effect of cognitive function and mortality. A higher mediated proportion (PM) was observed for physical leisure activities (PM, 20.1%; 95% CI, 18.0 to 22.3) than for social leisure activities (PM, 17.7%; 95% CI, 15.7 to 19.7). The mediating effect was higher among participants at younger ages (PM, 41.5%; 95% CI, 21.3 to 65.4), those with higher education levels (PM, 30.5%; 95% CI, 25.3 to 36.2), and residents of rural China (PM, 42.5%; 95% CI, 25.4 to 62.5). CONCLUSIONS Cognitive function was associated with inverse mortality. Leisure activities significantly mediated this association. Participation in leisure activities at the early stages of mild cognitive impairment could reduce the risk of mortality, which has a major impact on interventional strategies for healthy aging.

Proteomic Profiles of Mouse Neuro N2a Cells Infected with Variant Virulence of Rabies Viruses

( Wang Xiao Hu ),( Shou Feng Zhang ),( Cheng Long Sun ),( Zi Guo Yuan ),( Xian Fu Wu ),( Dong Xia Wang ),( Zhuang Ding ),( Rong Liang Hu ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2011 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.21 No.4

We characterized the proteomes of murine N2a cells following infection with three rabies virus (RV) strains, characterized by distinct virulence phenotypes (i.e., virulent BD06, fixed CVS-11, and attenuated SRV9 strains), and identified 35 changes to protein expression using twodimensional gel electrophoresis in whole-cell lysates. The annotated functions of these proteins are involved in various cytoskeletal, signal transduction, stress response, and metabolic processes. Specifically, a-enolase, prx-4, vimentin, cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1) and prx-6 were significantly up-regulated, whereas Trx like-1 and galectin-1 were down-regulated following infection of N2a cells with all three rabies virus strains. However, comparing expressions of all 35 proteins affected between BD06-, CVS-11-, and SRV9-infected cells, specific changes in expression were also observed. The up-regulation of vimentin, CIAPIN1, prx-4, and 14-3-3 θ/δ, and downregulation of NDPK-B and HSP-1 with CVS and SRV9 infection were ≥2 times greater than with BD06. Meanwhile, Zfp12 protein, splicing factor, and arginine/serine-rich 1 were unaltered in the cells infected with BD06 and CVS- 11, but were up-regulated in the group infected with SRV9. The proteomic alterations described here may suggest that these changes to protein expression correlate with the rabies virus`` adaptability and virulence in N2a cells, and hence provides new clues as to the response of N2a host cells to rabies virus infections, and may also aid in uncovering new pathways in these cells that are involved in rabies infections. Further characterization of the functions of the affected proteins may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of RV infection and pathogenesis.

MicroRNA-206 Reduces Osteosarcoma Cell Malignancy In Vitro by Targeting the PAX3-MET Axis

Qian-Rong Deng,Fang-Biao Zhan,Xian-Wei Zhang,Shi-Long Feng,Jun Cheng,You Zhang,Bo Li,Li-Zhong Xie 연세대학교의과대학 2019 Yonsei medical journal Vol.60 No.2

Purpose: This study was undertaken to explore how miR-206 represses osteosarcoma (OS) development. Materials and Methods: Expression levels of miR-206, PAX3, and MET mRNA were explored in paired OS and adjacent tissuespecimens. A patient-derived OS cell line was established. miR-206 overexpression and knockdown were achieved by lentiviraltransduction. PAX3 and MET overexpression were achieved by plasmid transfection. Treatment with hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) was utilized to activate c-Met receptor. Associations between miR-206 and PAX3 or MET mRNA in OS cells were verifiedby AGO2-RNA immunoprecipitation assay and miRNA pulldown assay. OS cell malignancy was evaluated in vitro by cell proliferation,metastasis, and apoptosis assays. PAX3 and MET gene expression in OS cells was assayed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Activation of PI3K-AKT and MAPK-ERK in OS cells were assayed by evaluating Akt1 Ser473 phosphorylation and total threoninephosphorylation of Erk1/2, respectively. Results: Expression levels of miR-206 were significantly decreased in OS tissue specimens, compared to adjacent counterparts,and were inversely correlated with expression of PAX3 and MET mRNA. miR-206 directly interacted with PAX3 and MET mRNAin OS cells. miR-206 overexpression significantly reduced PAX3 and MET gene expression in OS cells in vitro, resulting in significantdecreases in Akt1 and Erk1/2 activation, cell proliferation, and metastasis, as well as increases in cell apoptosis, while miR-206 knockdown showed the opposite effects. The effects of miR-206 overexpression on OS cells were reversed by PAX3 or METoverexpression, but only partially attenuated by HGF treatment. Conclusion: miR-206 reduces OS cell malignancy in vitro by targeting PAX3 and MET gene expression.

Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Captive Non-Human Primates in Qinling Mountains

Shuai-Zhi Du,Guang-Hui Zhao,Jun-Feng Shao,Yan-Qin Fang,Ge-Ru Tian,Long-Xian Zhang,Rong-Jun Wang,Hai-Yan Wang,Meng Qi,San-Ke Yu 대한기생충학열대의학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.53 No.4