Effect of oxidizing treatment on electrocatalytic activity of boron-doped amorphous carbon thin films

Wang Chen-Song,Suo Ni,Huang Hao,Wu Ai-min,Cao Guo-Zhong,Zhang Gui-Feng 한국탄소학회 2019 Carbon Letters Vol.29 No.5

Boron-doped amorphous carbon (BDAC) thin films with a regular oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity were synthesized in a hot filament chemical vapor deposition device using a mixture of CH4 and H2 as a gas source and B2O3 as a boron source and then oxidized in air at 380–470 °C for 15–75 min. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical tests were used to characterize the physical and electrochemical properties of the BDAC catalysts. It was concluded that the BDAC catalyst oxidized at 450 °C for 45 min showed the best ORR catalytic activity in alkaline medium. The oxygen reduction potential and the transfer electron number n, respectively, are − 0.286 V versus Ag/AgCl and 3.24 from the rotating disk electrode experiments. The treated carbon film has better methanol resistance and stability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst.

Effect of oxidizing treatment on electrocatalytic activity of boron‑doped amorphous carbon thin films

Chen‑Song Wang,Ni Suo,Hao Huang,Ai‑min Wu,Guo‑Zhong Cao,Gui‑Feng Zhang 한국탄소학회 2019 Carbon Letters Vol.29 No.5

Boron-doped amorphous carbon (BDAC) thin films with a regular oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity were synthesized in a hot filament chemical vapor deposition device using a mixture of CH4 and H2 as a gas source and B2O3 as a boron source and then oxidized in air at 380–470 °C for 15–75 min. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical tests were used to characterize the physical and electrochemical properties of the BDAC catalysts. It was concluded that the BDAC catalyst oxidized at 450 °C for 45 min showed the best ORR catalytic activity in alkaline medium. The oxygen reduction potential and the transfer electron number n, respectively, are − 0.286 V versus Ag/AgCl and 3.24 from the rotating disk electrode experiments. The treated carbon film has better methanol resistance and stability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst.

FSCB phosphorylation in mouse spermatozoa capacitation

( Shun Li Liu ),( Bing Ni ),( Xiang Wei Wang ),( Wen Qian Huo ),( Jun Zhang ),( Zhi Qiang Tian ),( Ze Min Huang ),( Yi Tian ),( Jun Tang ),( Yan Hua Zheng ),( Feng Shuo Jin ),( Yan Feng Li ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2011 BMB Reports Vol.44 No.8

It is generally accepted that spermatozoa capacitation is associated with protein kinase A-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation. In our previous study, we identified the fibrous sheath CABYR binding protein (FSCB), which was phosphorylated by PKA. However, the phosphorylation status of FSCB protein during spermatozoa capacitation should be further investigated. To this aim, in this study, we found that phosphorylation of this 270-kDa protein occurred as early as 1 min after mouse spermatozoa capacitation, which increased over time and remained stable after 60 min. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the tyrosine and Ser/Thr phosphorylation of FSCB occurred during spermatozoa capacitation. The extent of phosphorylation and was closely associated with the PKA activity and spermatozoa motility characteristics. FSCB phosphorylation could be induced by PKA agonist DB-cAMP, but was blocked by PKA antagonist H-89.Therefore, FSCB contributes to spermatozoa capacitation in a tyrosine-phosphorylated format, which may help in further elucidating the molecular mechanism of spermatozoa capacitation. [BMB reports 2011; 44(8): 541-546]

Distinctive Roles of Wnt Signaling in Chondrogenic Differentiation of BMSCs under Coupling of Pressure and Platelet-Rich Fibrin

Cheng Baixiang,Feng Fan,Shi Fan,Huang Jinmei,Zhang Songbai,Quan Yue,Tu Teng,Liu Yanli,Wang Junjun,Zhao Ying,Zhang Min 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2022 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.19 No.4

BACKGROUND: Although newly formed constructs of feasible pressure-preadjusted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) showed biomechanical flexibility and superior capacity for cartilage regeneration, it is still not very clear how BMSCs and seed cells feel mechanical stimuli and convert them into biological signals, and the difference in signal transduction underlying mechanical and chemical cues is also unclear. METHODS: To determine whether mechanical stimulation (hydrostatic pressure) and chemical cues (platelet-rich fibrin, PRF) activate canonical or noncanonical Wnt signaling in BMSCs, BMSCs cocultured with PRF were subjected to hydrostatic pressure loading, and the activation of the Wnt signaling molecules and expression of cartilage-associated proteins and genes were determined by western blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Inhibitors of canonical or noncanonical Wnt signaling, XVX-939 or L690,330, were adopted to investigate the role of Wnt signaling molecules in mechanically promoted chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. RESULTS: Hydrostatic pressure of 120 kPa activated both Wnt/b-catenin signaling and Wnt/Ca2? signaling, with the the maximum promotion effect at 60 min. PRF exerted no synergistic effect on Wnt/b-catenin signaling activation. However, the growth factors released by PRF might reverse the promotion effects of pressure on Wnt/Ca2? signaling. Real-time PCR and Western blotting results showed that pressure could activate the expression of Col-II, Sox9, and aggrecan in BMSCs cocultured with PRF. Blocking experiment found a positive role of Wnt/b-catenin signaling, and a negative role of Wnt/ Ca2? signaling in chondrogenic differentiation of the BMSCs. Mutual inhibition exists between canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling in BMSCs under pressure. CONCLUSION: Wnt signaling participates in the pressure-promoted chondrogenesis of the BMSCs co-cultured with PRF, with canonical and noncanonical pathways playing distinct roles during the process.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Min Zhang(Min Zhang),YiRan Wu(YiRan Wu),ZhaoXu Lu(ZhaoXu Lu),MeiYan Song(MeiYan Song),XiaoLan Huang(XiaoLan Huang),LaLa Mi(LaLa Mi),Jian Yang(Jian Yang),Xiaodai Cui(Xiaodai Cui) 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.2

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is inconclusive. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to explore whether vitamin D supplementation can improve core symptoms and coexisting conditions in children with ASD. Data were obtained by searching the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases up to February 2022 following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Using a random-effects model, mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated through a meta-analysis. There were eight RCTs with 266 children with ASD in the present review, among which six RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Children who received vitamin D supplementation showed a significant improvement in stereotypical behavior scores (pooled mean difference (MD): −1.39; 95% CI: −2.7, −0.07; p = 0.04) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 34%), and there was a trend toward decreased total scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, p = 0.05); however, there were no other significant differences in the core symptoms of ASD and coexisting conditions between groups as measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Vitamin D supplementation appears to improve stereotypical behaviors but does not improve other core symptoms and coexisting conditions. Further randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes and individualized doses are needed.

Whole RNA-sequencing and gene expression analysis of Trichoderma harzianum Tr-92 under chlamydospore-producing condition

Min Yuan,Yuanyuan Huang,Zhenhua Jia,Weina Ge,Lan Zhang,Qian Zhao,Shuishan Song,Yali Huang 한국유전학회 2019 Genes & Genomics Vol.41 No.6

Background Trichoderma is one of the most important biocontrol fungi, which could produce mycelia, conidiospores, and chlamydospores three types of propagules under different conditions. Chlamydospores are produced in harsh conditions in various fungi, and may be more resistant to adverse conditions. However, the knowledge associated with the mechanism of chlamydospore formation remained unclear in Trichoderma. Objectives This study is aimed to explore the essential genes and regulatory pathways associated with chlamydospore formation in Trichoderma. Methods The culture condition, survival rate, and biocontrol effects of chlamydospores and conidiospores from Trichoderma. harzianum Tr-92 were determined. Furthermore, the whole transcriptome profiles of T. harzianum Tr-92 under chlamydospore-producing and chlamydospore-nonproducing conditions were performed. Results T. harzianum Tr-92 produced chlamydospores under particular conditions, and chlamydospore-based formulation of T. harzianum Tr-92 exhibited higher biocontrol ability against Botrytis cinerea in cucumber than conidoiospore-based formulation. In the transcriptome analysis, a total of 2,029 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in T. harzianum Tr-92 under chlamydospore-producing condition, compared to that under chlamydospore-nonproducing condition. GO classification indicated that the DEGs were significantly enriched in 284 terms among biological process, cellular components and molecular function categories. A total of 19 pathways were observed with DEGs by KEGG analysis. Furthermore, fifteen DEGs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR, and the expression profiles were consistent with the transcriptome data. Conclusion The results would provide a basis on the molecular mechanisms underlying Trichoderma sporulation, which would assist the development and application of fungal biocontrol agents.

How Does Rising Internet Usage Affect Political Participation in East Asia? Explaining Divergent Effects

( Min-hua Huang ),( Ching-hsuan Su ),( Ruixia Han ),( Mark Weatherall ) 경남대학교 극동문제연구소 2017 ASIAN PERSPECTIVE Vol.41 No.4

The advance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has fundamentally changed the way people communicate and interact with each other, and the rise of the Internet profoundly affects political participation. In applying the latest Asian Barometer surveys, we discovered Internet-driven divergent effects on political participation, suggesting rising Internet usage is simultaneously associated with decreasing electoral and increasing activist participation. Further analysis revealed that the divergent effects can be explained by severe frustration with the political system and economic conditions. When considering state polity characteristics, we found that the Internet-driven divergent effects in a democratic context refer to a coincidence of two Internet-related effects that decrease electoral and increase activist participation; in an authoritarian context, they indicate a correlation between greater Internet usage and a preference for activist over electoral participation.

A Hybrid Double Self-lift Switched-Coupled Inductor Quasi-Z-Source Inverter

Huang Dong,Xue Pengfei,Chen Guang,Zhang Chaozhong,Zhao Chang,Huang Yuchen,Ding Xinping,Zhang Min 대한전기학회 2022 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.17 No.4

A hybrid double self-lift switch-coupled-inductor quasi-Z-source inverter (HDSCL-qZSI) is proposed in this paper. The voltage boost capability is higher and the voltage and current stress on components are lower than the existing quasi-Z-source topologies. Owing to the strong current handling ability and step-down coupled-inductor, the magnetic elements are smaller than that of mSSCL-qZSI and SCL-qZSI whose structure are similar to that of HDCSL-qZSI. The operation principles, comparisons of voltage and current stress on components and the size of magnetic elements are analyzed theoretically. Finally, the eff ectiveness of the proposed HDSCL-qZSI was validated by a 1 kW prototype fabricated in the laboratory.

Correlation Between Bone Marrow Blasts Counts With Flow Cytometry and Morphological Analysis in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Min Huang,Xinya Zhao,Hongzhi Xu,Suqing Liu,Zie Wang,Xiaohui Sui,Jing Li 대한진단검사의학회 2017 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.37 No.5

Dear Editor, Determination of the percentage of blasts in the bone marrow (BM) is one of the critical factors in diagnosing MDS. Flow cytometry (FCM) of BM cells has been introduced as an important co-criterion for diagnosing MDS [1-3]. However, FCM has not been well accepted because of the lack of consensus of the criteria to define a phenotypic myeloblast and the appropriate denominator for calculation. Moreover, BM samples contain variable amounts of peripheral blood mixed with immature cells, thereby complicating interpretation. The present study was designed to choose reagent combinations to identify blasts by FCM in MDS patients, to determine which cell mass as the denominator in the process of counting the percentages of blasts, and to reveal whether the aspirates with high proportions of mature neutrophils should be normalized based on the proportion of dim CD16 maturing myeloid cells.

The Effect of a Si Capping Layer on RF Characteristics of High-<tex> $k$</tex> /Metal Gate SiGe Channel pMOSFETs

Min Sang Park,Kyong Taek Lee,Chang Yong Kang,Gil-Bok Choi,Hyun Chul Sagong,Chang Woo Sohn,Byoung-Gi Min,Jungwoo Oh,Majhi, Prashant,Hsing-Huang Tseng,Lee, Jack C,Jeong-Soo Lee,Jammy, Raj,Yoon-Ha Jeong IEEE 2010 IEEE electron device letters Vol.31 No.10

<P>We present a comparative study of the effects of a Si capping layer on SiGe channel pMOSFETs used for radio-frequency (RF) applications. In Si-capped devices, the drive current increases because Si/SiGe heterojunction layers form a SiGe quantum well, which reduces carrier scattering. Conversely, SiGe samples without a Si capping layer suffer severe interface degradation, due to Ge diffusing into the gate dielectric. Devices using a Si capping layer have enhanced RF performance and reduced low-frequency noise, which is a key factor affecting phase noise. There is an increase in the RF figures of merit. These benefits indicate that a Si capping layer should be used in SiGe channel pMOSFETs.</P>