A multi-objective optimization for HAWT blades design by considering structural strength

Yang Yang,Chun Li,Wanfu Zhang,Jun Yang,Zhou Ye,Weipao Miao,Kehua Ye 대한기계학회 2016 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.30 No.8

The challenge of wind turbine blade design is to balance the conflict between high capacity and heavy system loads introduced by the large scale rotor. To solve this problem, we present a multi-objective optimization method to maximize the Annual energy production (AEP) and minimize the blade mass. The well-known Blade element momentum (BEM) theory is employed to predict the aerodynamic performance and AEP of the blade. The blade is simplified as a thin Bernoulli beam. The cross section is modelled as a combination of composite layer, shear webs and spar caps typically. The strain of every cross section has been considered as a constraint to minimize the spar cap thickness for minimizing the blade mass. An improved genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is applied to obtain the Pareto front set. Several solutions of the Pareto set are selected to compare with the reference blade (NREL 5MW blade). Performance of the rotors on design condition is simulated by STAR-CCM+ to verify the results of BEM theory. Optimal results show that the present blade, which is fully superior to the reference blade, can be selected from the Pareto set. The optimization design method can provide a superior blade with an increase by 2.48% of AEP and a reduction by 5.52% of the blade mass. It indicates the present optimization method is effective. Results of numerical simulations show that the spanwise flow would be increased obviously in tip region of the reference blade. The reason is that chord length variation in blade tip affects the flow and causes minor stall. The abrupt change of chord distribution in blade tip should be avoided to reduce the spanwise flow in initial blade design.

miRNA-183 Suppresses Apoptosis and Promotes Proliferation in Esophageal Cancer by Targeting PDCD4

Yang, Miao,Liu, Ran,Li, Xiajun,Liao, Juan,Pu, Yuepu,Pan, Enchun,Yin, Lihong,Wang, Yi Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2014 Molecules and cells Vol.37 No.12

In our previous study, miRNA-183, a miRNA in the miR-96-182-183 cluster, was significantly over-expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, we explored the oncogenic roles of miR-183 in ESCC by gain and loss of function analysis in an esophageal cancer cell line (EC9706). Genome-wide mRNA micro-array was applied to determine the genes that were regulated directly or indirectly by miR-183. 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot were conducted to verify the target gene of miR-183. Cell culture results showed that miR-183 inhibited apoptosis (p < 0.05), enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05), and accelerated G1/S transition (p < 0.05). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of miR-183 on apoptosis was rescued when miR-183 was suppressed via miR-183 inhibitor (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), which was predicted as the target gene of miR-183 by microarray profiling and bioinformatics predictions, decreased when miR-183 was over-expressed. The 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-183 directly regulated PDCD4 by binding to sequences in the 3'UTR of PDCD4. Pearson correlation analysis further confirmed the significant negative correlation between miR-183 and PDCD4 in both cell lines and in ESCC patients. Our data suggest that miR-183 might play an oncogenic role in ESCC by regulating PDCD4 expression.

miRNA-183 Suppresses Apoptosis and Promotes Proliferation in Esophageal Cancer by Targeting PDCD4

Miao Yang,Ran Liu,Xiajun Li,Juan Liao,Yuepu Pu,Enchun Pan,Lihong Yin,Yi Wang 한국분자세포생물학회 2014 Molecules and cells Vol.37 No.12

In our previous study, miRNA-183, a miRNA in the miR-96-182-183 cluster, was significantly over-expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, we explored the oncogenic roles of miR-183 in ESCC by gain and loss of function analysis in an esophageal cancer cell line (EC9706). Genome-wide mRNA microarray was applied to determine the genes that were regulated directly or indirectly by miR-183. 3UTR luciferase reporter assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot were conducted to verify the target gene of miR-183. Cell culture results showed that miR-183 inhibited apoptosis (p < 0.05), enhanced cell proliferation (p < 0.05), and accelerated G1/S transition (p < 0.05). Moreo-ver, the inhibitory effect of miR-183 on apoptosis was rescued when miR-183 was suppressed via miR-183 inhibitor (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), which was predicted as the target gene of miR-183 by microarray profiling and bioinformatics predictions, decreased when miR-183 was over-expressed. The 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-183 directly regulated PDCD4 by binding to sequences in the 3'UTR of PDCD4. Pearson correlation analysis fur-ther confirmed the significant negative correlation between miR-183 and PDCD4 in both cell lines and in ESCC patients. Our data suggest that miR-183 might play an oncogenic role in ESCC by regulating PDCD4 expression.

Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth of Graphene Domains Across the Cu Grain Boundaries

Yang Wang,Yu Cheng,Yunlu Wang,Shuai Zhang,Chen Xu,Xuewei Zhang,Miao Wang,Yang Xia,Qunyang Li,Pei Zhao,Hongtao Wang 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2018 NANO Vol.13 No.08

Many aspects in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of graphene remain unclear such as its behavior near the catalyst grain boundaries. Here we investigate the CVD growth mechanism of graphene across the Cu grain boundaries using unidirectional aligned graphene domains, which simplifies the analysis of both graphene and Cu to a large extent. We found that for a graphene domain grown across the Cu grain boundary, the domain orientation is determined by the Cu grain where the domain nucleation center is located, and the Cu grain boundary will not change the growth behavior for this graphene domain. This growth mechanism is consistent with the Custep-attached nucleation and edge-attachment-limited growth mechanism for H-terminated graphene domains and will provide more guidance for the synthesis of high-quality graphene with less domain boundaries.

Enhancer-Gene Interaction Analyses Identified the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor as a Susceptibility Gene for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Yang Yang,Shi Yao,Jing-Miao Ding,Wei Chen,Yan Guo 대한당뇨병학회 2021 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.45 No.2

Background: Genetic interactions are known to play an important role in the missing heritability problem for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Interactions between enhancers and their target genes play important roles in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis. In the present study, we aimed to identify genetic interactions between enhancers and their target genes associated with T2DM. Methods: We performed genetic interaction analyses of enhancers and protein-coding genes for T2DM in 2,696 T2DM patients and 3,548 controls of European ancestry. A linear regression model was used to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) pairs that could affect the expression of the protein-coding genes. Differential expression analyses were used to identify differentially expressed susceptibility genes in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Results: We identified one SNP pair, rs4947941×rs7785013, significantly associated with T2DM (combined P=4.84×10−10). The SNP rs4947941 was annotated as an enhancer, and rs7785013 was located in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. This SNP pair was significantly associated with EGFR expression in the pancreas (P=0.033), and the minor allele “A” of rs7785013 decreased EGFR gene expression and the risk of T2DM with an increase in the dosage of “T” of rs4947941. EGFR expression was significantly upregulated in T2DM patients, which was consistent with the effect of rs4947941×rs7785013 on T2DM and EGFR expression. A functional validation study using the Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) database showed that EGFR was associated with diabetes-relevant phenotypes. Conclusion: Genetic interaction analyses of enhancers and protein-coding genes suggested that EGFR may be a novel susceptibility gene for T2DM.

Protein nanoparticles directed cancer imaging and therapy

Miao Yao,Yang Tao,Yang Shuxu,Yang Mingying,Mao Chuanbin 나노기술연구협의회 2022 Nano Convergence Vol.9 No.2

Cancer has been a serious threat to human health. Among drug delivery carriers, protein nanoparticles are unique because of their mild and environmentally friendly preparation methods. They also inherit desired characteristics from natural proteins, such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. Therefore, they have solved some problems inherent to inorganic nanocarriers such as poor biocompatibility. Also, the surface groups and cavity of protein nanoparticles allow for easy surface modification and drug loading. Besides, protein nanoparticles can be combined with inorganic nanoparticles or contrast agents to form multifunctional theranostic platforms. This review introduces representative protein nanoparticles applicable in cancer theranostics, including virus-like particles, albumin nanoparticles, silk protein nanoparticles, and ferritin nanoparticles. It also describes the common methods for preparing them. It then critically analyzes the use of a variety of protein nanoparticles in improved cancer imaging and therapy.

Biomechanical Evaluation of 2 Endoscopic Spine Surgery Methods for Treating Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Finite Element Study

Yang Zou,Shuo Ji,Hui Wen Yang,Tao Ma,Yue Kun Fang,Zhi Cheng Wang,Miao Miao Liu,Ping Hui Zhou,Zheng Qi Bao,Chang Chun Zhang,Yu Chen Ye 대한척추신경외과학회 2024 Neurospine Vol.21 No.1

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 2 endoscopic spine surgeries on the biomechanical properties of normal and osteoporotic spines. Methods: Based on computed tomography images of a healthy adult volunteer, 6 finite element models were created. After validating the normal intact model, a concentrated force of 400 N and a moment of 7.5 Nm were exerted on the upper surface of L3 to simulate 6 physiological activities of the spine. Five types of indices were used to assess the biomechanical properties of the 6 models, range of motion (ROM), maximum displacement value, intervertebral disc stress, maximum stress value, and articular protrusion stress, and by combining them with finite element stress cloud. Results: In normal and osteoporotic spines, there was no meaningful change in ROM or disc stress in the 2 surgical models for the 6 motion states. Model N1 (osteoporotic percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy model) showed a decrease in maximum displacement value of 20.28% in right lateral bending. Model M2 (unilateral biportal endoscopic model) increased maximum displacement values of 16.88% and 17.82% during left and right lateral bending, respectively. The maximum stress value of L4–5 increased by 11.72% for model M2 during left rotation. In addition, using the same surgical approach, ROM, maximum displacement values, disc stress, and maximum stress values were more significant in the osteoporotic model than in the normal model. Conclusion: In both normal and osteoporotic spines, both surgical approaches were less disruptive to the physiologic structure of the spine. Furthermore, using the same endoscopic spine surgery, normal spine biomechanical properties are superior to osteoporotic spines.

High level of LncRNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 predicts poor prognosis and contributes to the malignant proliferation and EMT of non-small cell lung cancer via sponging miR-490-3p from HMGB2

Miao Jidong,Gao Yang,Guan Wenqiang,Yu Xiaolin,Wang Yong,Jiang Ping,Yang Lili,Xu Lun,You Wei 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.5

Background Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) show a low survival rate, owing to the lack of early diagnostic method and high invasiveness. Long non-coding RNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 that regulates tumor genesis and progression through multiple signals, is upregulated and involved in the growth and apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Objective To investigate whether MAPKAPK5-AS1 affected the malignant progression of NSCLC. Methods The levels of MAPKAPK5-AS1, miR-490-3p and HMGB2 in lung cancer were first analyzed through StarBase website, and confirmed by a quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. The biological functions of NSCLC cells were examined by CCK-8, 5-ethynyl-2ʹ-deoxyuridine (EdU) and flow cytometry assays. The potential binding sequences lncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA were predicted by StarBase software and verified via dual luciferase reporter experiment. The effects of MAPKAPK5-AS1 on tumor growth were evaluated in a xenografted mice model. Results The expression of MAPKAPK5-AS1 was upregulated in tumor tissues from NSCLC patients. Patients with high expression of MAPKAPK5-AS1 had higher tumor size, advanced TNM stage, higher incidence of lymph node and distant metastasis, and shorter overall survival. Knockdown of MAPKAPK5-AS1 inhibited the proliferation, induced apoptosis and blocked epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of NSCLC cells. Mechanically, MAPKAPK5-AS1 could upregulate the HMGB2 level in NSCLC cells through competitively binding to miR-490-3p. MiR-490-3p inhibitor reversed the roles of MAPKAPK5-AS1 knockdown on tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis and EMT. Also, HMGB2 knockdown suppressed tumor cell malignant phenotypes. Furthermore, interference of MAPKAPK5-AS1 slowed NSCLC tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Knockdown of MAPKAPK5-AS1 inhibited the aggressive tumor phenotypes through miR-490-3p/HMGB2 axis in NSCLC. MAPKAPK5-AS1/miR-490-3p/HMGB2 might be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for NSCLC.

Insects in expanding education and entertainment in Taiwan

Man-Miao Yang 한국곤충학회 2008 Entomological Research Vol.38 No.-

Taiwan, an island of approximately 36000 km2 area, includes stunning diversity in both habitat and biota because of its transitional position. Where the Tropic of Cancer cuts across the middle of the island and the east Philippine plate subducts into the Eurasia plate, the landscape and weather are extremely congenial for a highly diverse biota to develop over the years in Taiwan. Such a natural endowment has enabled diverse habitats for wildlife to evolve. Insects are especially abundant in Taiwan. For example, about 400 species of butterflies occur in Taiwan. Export of aesthetically attractive insects, such as butterflies and beetles, is an ongoing key industry in Taiwan right from the early to middle 20th century. As the economic preferences moved towards high technology with a concurrent understanding of biological diversity and the concept of conservation grew strong, use of insect materials have currently moved towards education and entertainment. Besides the exhibition of traditional methods of insect collection, several newly developed insectaria are presently integrated into Taiwanese museums, zoos, and university departments using modern technology for displaying activities of live insects. Summer camps offer plentiful opportunities for children to learn about insects. Volunteers, with appropriate research skills and extensive scientific knowledge are involved in these exhibitions. Rearing of "pet" insects is popular and, consequently, enabled the growth of some specific supply companies. Traditionally, insect resources are used in many aspects, such as in medicine and food and extraction of insect products such as silk and honey; occasionally some of the insects are useful as even game animals. Fighting crickets provide entertainment, and occasionally used in gambling as well. Insects provide diverse and abundant resources and are an excellent material deserved for better exploration in many aspects.

Effect of Microstructure on Thermal Conductivity of Polymer Composites

Yue Yang,Junjie Shu,Peng Chen,Ru Xia,Jiasheng Qian,Bin Yang,JIBIN MIAO,LIFEN SU,Zhengzhi Zheng,Ming Cao 한국고분자학회 2017 Macromolecular Research Vol.25 No.4

Thermal conductivity (TC) of polymer composites is strongly depended on thermal conductive fillers as well as heat conduction pathways formed by these fillers. In this work, we examined effects of morphology, size and arrangement of fillers on TC of polymer composites by using energy-conserving dissipative particle dynamic (e-DPD) simulation. Theoretically, we explored effects of ideal and “pseudo” thermal conductive pathways on composites’ TC and investigated heat conduction of filler particles with cubic-center and lamellar morphology. To confirm orientation and size effects of lamellar filler particles on composites’ TC, we prepared a series of Boron Nitride/Silicon rubber composites (BN/SiR). Being same with those observed in e-DPD simulation, orientation could efficiently improve TC of BN/SiR composites. The TC of composites with filled diameters about 10 micrometer of BN flats is 11 times higher than that of SiR matrix. Our researching results show that heat conduction pathways are essential to transportation of heat flux in polymer composites and even “pseudo” pathways by disconnected filler particles along temperature gradient can accelerate heat conduction.