Low-temperature deposition of nanocrystalline Al₂O₃ films by ion source-assisted magnetron sputtering

Ding, Ji Cheng,Zhang, Teng Fei,Mane, Rajaram S.,Kim, Kwang-Ho,Kang, Myung Chang,Zou, Chang Wei,Wang, Qi Min Elsevier 2018 Vacuum Vol.149 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this paper, bipolar pulse reactive magnetron sputtering with ion source assisted deposition method has been utilized for the deposition of nanocrystalline alumina (Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>) films at the temperature of 300 °C onto silicon (111) wafers, and cemented carbide substrates. The influence of ion source power, i.e. 0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kW on the structure, morphology, compressive stress and mechanical properties of the Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were investigated. In absence of ion source power assistance, an amorphous Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> film was dominant at deposition temperature of 300 °C. With ion source assisted deposition, the crystalline γ-Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were obtained at the same conditions, suggesting an importance of ion source power in crystallinity development of metal oxide films obtained from magnetron sputtering deposition method. Images of surface morphology clearly demonstrated the difference in granular sizes of film surfaces prepared with and without ion source powers. With increasing ion source power from 1.0 to 2.0 kW, the micro-hardness and compressive stress of the films were increased from 7 GPa to 13 GPa and 0.3 GPa to 1.1 GPa, respectively. Results revealed that the reactive magnetron sputtering with the ion source assisted deposition was a simple and effective way to prepare nanocrystalline γ-Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films at low temperature.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were synthesized by Ar ion source-assisted bipolar pulsed sputtering technique. </LI> <LI> Nanocrystalline Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films were obtained at relatively low deposition temperature (300 °C) and low bias voltage conditions. </LI> <LI> The orientation and microstructure of the films can be adjusted by altering the ion source power. </LI> <LI> The synthesis approach of crystalline Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> films in this study is promising for large-scale industrial applications. </LI> </UL> </P>

Expression of Smoothened Protein in Colon Cancer and its Prognostic Value for Postoperative Liver Metastasis

Ding, Yin-Lu,Wang, Qi-San,Zhao, Wei-Min,Xiang, Lei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Backgrouds: The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is composed of patched (PTCH) and smoothened (SMO), two transmembrane proteins, and downstream glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli) transcription factors. Hh signaling plays a pathological role in the occurrence and development of various cancers. Methods: To investigate the expression of SMO protein in colon cancer and its association with clinicopathological parameters and postoperative liver metastasis, immunohistochemistry was performed with paraffin-embedded specimens of 96 cases. Relationships between SMO protein expression and clinicopathological parameters, postoperative liver metastasis were analyzed. Results: IHC examination showed that SMO protein expression was significantly increased in colon cancer tissues compared to normal colon tissues (P = 0.042), positively related to lymph node metastases (P = 0.018) and higher T stages (P = 0.026). Postoperative live metastasis-free survival was significantly longer in the low SMO expression group than in those with high SMO expression ($48.7{\pm}8.02$ months vs $28.0{\pm}6.86$ months, P=0.036). Multivariate analysis showed SMO expression level to be an independent prognostic factor for postoperative live metastasis-free survival (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.46-2.82, P = 0.008). Conclusions: Our results suggest that in patients with colon cancer, the SMO expression level is an independent biomarker for postoperative liver metastasis, and SMO might play an important role in colon cancer progression.

Relationship among porcine lncRNA TCONS_00010987, miR-323, and leptin receptor based on dual luciferase reporter gene assays and expression patterns

Ding, Yueyun,Qian, Li,Wang, Li,Wu, Chaodong,Li, DengTao,Zhang, Xiaodong,Yin, Zongjun,Wang, Yuanlang,Zhang, Wei,Wu, Xudong,Ding, Jian,Yang, Min,Zhang, Liang,Shang, Jinnan,Wang, Chonglong,Gao, Yafei Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.2

Objective: Considering the physiological and clinical importance of leptin receptor (LEPR) in regulating obesity and the fact that porcine LEPR expression is not known to be controlled by lncRNAs and miRNAs, we aim to characterize this gene as a potential target of SSC-miR-323 and the lncRNA TCONS_00010987. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses revealed that lncRNA TCONS_00010987 and LEPR have SSC-miR-323-binding sites and that LEPR might be a target of lncRNA TCONS_00010987 based on cis prediction. Wild-type and mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence fragments and wild-type and mutant LEPR 3'-UTR fragments were generated and cloned into pmiRRB-REPORT^TM-Control vectors to construct respective recombinant plasmids. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the SSC-miR-323 mimics or a negative control with constructs harboring the corresponding binding sites and relative luciferase activities were determined. Tissue expression patterns of lncRNA TCONS_00010987, SSC-miR-323, and LEPR in Anqing six-end-white (AQ, the obese breed) and Large White (LW, the lean breed) pigs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; backfat expression of LEPR protein was detected by western blotting. Results: Target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the four recombinant vectors were constructed. Compared to the negative control, SSC-miR-323 mimics significantly inhibited luciferase activity from the wild-type TCONS_00010987-target sequence and wild-type LEPR-3'-UTR (p<0.01 for both) but not from the mutant TCONS_00010987-target sequence and mutant LEPR-3'-UTR (p>0.05 for both). Backfat expression levels of TCONS_00010987 and LEPR in AQ pigs were significantly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01), whereas levels of SSC-miR-323 in AQ pigs were significantly lower than those in LW pigs (p<0.05). LEPR protein levels in the backfat tissues of AQ pigs were markedly higher than those in LW pigs (p<0.01). Conclusion: LEPR is a potential target of SSC-miR-323, and TCONS_00010987 might act as a sponge for SSC-miR-323 to regulate LEPR expression.

Vibration Frequency Adaptive Control of the Flexible Sampling Robot based on ANFIS

Wei Lu,Yun Ling,Ai-guo Song,Wei-min Ding,Xian-lin Zhao,Hong Zeng 보안공학연구지원센터 2014 International Journal of Control and Automation Vol.7 No.3

Effects of Solution Treatment Temperatures on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TIG–MIG Hybrid Arc Additive Manufactured 5356 Aluminum Alloy

Wei Zuo,Le Ma,Yu Lu,Shu‑yong Li,Zhiqiang Ji,Min Ding 대한금속·재료학회 2018 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.24 No.6

A novel additive manufacturing method with TIG–MIG hybrid heat source was applied for fabricating 5356 aluminumalloy component. In this paper the microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and fracture morphologies of both asdepositedand heat-treated component were investigated, and how these were affected by different heat-treated temperature. The as-deposited microstructure showed dominant equiaxed grains with second phase, and the size of them is coarse in thebottom region, medium in the middle region and fine in the top region owing to different thermal cycling conditions. Comparedwith as-deposited microstructure, the size of grain becomes large and second phases gradually dissolve in the matrixas heat-treated temperature increase. Different microstructures determine the mechanical properties of component. Resultsshow that average ultimate tensile strength enhances from 226 to 270 MPa and average microhardness increases from 64.2to 75.3 HV0.1 but ductility decreases from 33 to 6.5% with heat-treated temperature increasing. For all components, thetensile properties are almost the same in the vertical direction (Z) and horizontal direction (Y) due to equiaxed grains, whichexhibits isotropy, and the mechanisms of these are analyzed in detailed. In general, the results demonstrate that hybrid archeat source has the potential to fabricate aluminum alloy component.

A Coordinated Signal Priority Strategy for Modern Trams on Arterial Streets by Predicting the Tram Dwell Time

Min Yang,Jian Ding,Wei Wang,Yi-Yuan Ma 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.2

The modern tram has been recognized as a popular and efficient mode of public transit, and the signal priority for trams, particularly coordination on arterial streets, is a crucial and feasible strategy for improving the operation efficiency and level of service of trams. Different from the traditional “green wave” method, the fluctuations in dwell time at stops should be considered, and sacrifices to the automobile right-of-way must be controlled. Accordingly, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model was proposed to predict the dwell time of trams at stops, which determines tram arrival times at the stop line. A two- sequential programming model to determine signal timings, including offsets and reallocations of green time, was then established. The upper level programming aims to minimize the stop frequency of a tram at the coordination region, and then, the optimal solution becomes the new restriction of the lower programming, whose objective is to minimize the overall delay of automobiles. This strategy was evaluated using the microscopic simulation software VISSIM using Tongjiang Road in Changzhou as the study region. The findings demonstrate that this strategy can significantly reduce more tram travel delays and stop rates on arteries than the conventional Transit Signal Priority (CTSP), and it definitively outperforms and the Static Two-direction Green Wave (STGW) method in decreasing these indicators of automobiles driving along arteries. Moreover, the satisfactory decreases in delay and average queue length at each intersection reflect a remarkable reduction or even elimination of negative effects from tram signal priority (tram SP). Finally, the stability of the proposed strategy in promoting both tram and automobile travel efficiency was proven by traffic volume sensitivity tests. The results and findings are meaningful for traffic managers to enhance the operation efficiency and attractiveness of trams by flexible signal control strategies. In addition, the conflicts between automobiles and tram SP can be successfully solved.

Energy-saving optimization on active disturbance rejection decoupling multivariable control

Ding Da-Min,Yang Hai-Ma,Liu Jin,Zhang Da-Wei,Jiang Xiao-Hui 한국원자력학회 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.3

An industrial control process multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) coupled system is analyzed in this study as an example of a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) simulation system. Ordinary control algorithms can complete the steady state of the control system and even reduce the response time to some extent, but the entire system still consumes a large amount of energy after reaching the steady state. So a multivariable decoupled energy-saving control method is proposed, and a novel energy-saving function (economic function, Eco-Function) is specially designed based on the active disturbance rejection control algorithm. Simulations and LOCA simulation system tests show that the Eco-function algorithm can cope with the uncertainty of the multivariable system's internal parameters and external disturbances, and it can save up to 67% of energy consumption in maintaining the parameter steady state.

Genomic analysis reveals selection signatures of the Wannan Black pig during domestication and breeding

Zhang, Wei,Yang, Min,Wang, Yuanlang,Wu, Xudong,Zhang, Xiaodong,Ding, Yueyun,Yin, Zongjun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.5

Objective: The Wannan Black pig is a typical Chinese indigenous, disease-resistant pig breed with high fertility, and a crude-feed tolerance that has been bred by artificial selection in the south of Anhui province for a long time. However, genome variation, genetic relationships with other pig breeds, and domestication, remain poorly understood. Here, we focus on elucidating the genetic characteristics of the Wannan Black pig and identifying selection signatures during domestication and breeding. Methods: We identified the whole-genome variation in the Wannan Black pig and performed population admixture analyses to determine genetic relationships with other domesticated pig breeds and wild boars. Then, we identified the selection signatures between the Wannan Black pig and Asian wild boars in 100-kb windows sliding in 10 kb steps by using two approaches: the fixation index (F_ST) and π ratios. Results: Resequencing the Wannan Black pig genome yielded 501.52 G of raw data. After calling single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions/deletions (InDels), we identified 21,316,754 SNVs and 5,067,206 InDels (2,898,582 inserts and 2,168,624 deletions). Additionally, we found genes associated with growth, immunity, and digestive functions. Conclusion: Our findings help in explaining the unique genetic and phenotypic characteristics of Wannan Black pigs, which in turn can be informative for future breeding programs of Wannan Black pigs.

Relationship between porcine miR-20a and its putative target low-density lipoprotein receptor based on dual luciferase reporter gene assays

Yueyun Ding,Shujiao Zhu,Chaodong Wu,Li Qian,DengTao Li,Li Wang,Yuanlang Wang,Wei Zhang,Min Yang,Jian Ding,Xudong Wu,Xiao-Dong Zhang,Yafei Gao,Zongjun Yin 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.7

Objective: Mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which encodes a critical protein for cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism in mammals, are involved in cardiometabolic diseases, such as familial hypercholesterolemia in pigs. Whereas microRNAs (miRNAs) can control LDLR regulation, their involvement in circulating cholesterol and lipid levels with respect to cardiometabolic diseases in pigs is unclear. We aimed to identify and analyze LDLR as a potential target gene of SSC-miR-20a. Methods: Bioinformatic analysis predicted that porcine LDLR is a target of SSC-miR-20a. Wild-type and mutant LDLR 3′-untranslated region (UTR) fragments were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into the pGL3-Control vector to construct pGL3 Control LDLR wild-3′-UTR and pGL3 Control LDLR mutant-3′-UTR recombinant plasmids, respectively. An miR-20a expression plasmid was constructed by inserting the porcine pre-miR-20a-coding sequence between the HindIII and BamHI sites in pMR-mCherry, and constructs were confirmed by sequencing. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the miR-20a expression or pMR-mCherry control plasmids and constructs harboring the corresponding 3′-UTR, and relative luciferase activity was determined. The relative expression levels of miR-20a and LDLR mRNA and their correlation in terms of expression levels in porcine liver tissue were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. Results: Gel electrophoresis and sequencing showed that target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the three recombinant vectors were successfully constructed. Compared to pMR-mCherry, the miR-20a expression vector significantly inhibited wild-type LDLR-3′-UTR-driven (p<0.01), but not mutant LDLR-3′-UTR-driven (p>0.05), luciferase reporter activity. Further, miR-20a and LDLR were expressed at relatively high levels in porcine liver tissues. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that porcine liver miR-20a and LDLR levels were significantly negatively correlated (r = –0.656, p<0.05). Conclusion: LDLR is a potential target of miR-20a, which might directly bind the LDLR 3′-UTR to post-transcriptionally inhibit expression. These results have implications in understanding the pathogenesis and progression of porcine cardiovascular diseases.

Transmembrane Protein 166 Expression in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Xinjiang, China

Sun, Wei,Ma, Xiu-Min,Bai, Jing-Ping,Zhang, Guo-Qing,Zhu, Yue-Jie,Ma, Hai-Mei,Guo, Hui,Chen, Ying-Yu,Ding, Jian-Bing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Objective: Transmembrane protein 166 (TMEM166) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and remote normal esophageal tissues was examined to assess any role in tumour biology. Methods: TMEM166 mRNA expression in 36 cases with ESCC (36 tumour samples, 36 remote normal esophageal tissue samples) was detected by RT-PCR. TMEM166 protein expression was analysed in paraffin-embedded tissue samples from the same cases by immunohistochemistry. Results: Semi-quantitative analysis showed TMEM166 mRNA expression in ESCCs to be significantly lower than in remote normal esophageal tissues ($0.759{\pm}0.713$ vs. $2.622{\pm}1.690$, P=0.014). TMEM166 protein expression was also significantly reduced (69.4% vs. 94.4%, P<0.01). Conclusion: TMEM166 mRNA and protein expression demonstrated significant reduction in ESCCs compared with remote esophageal tissues, albeit with no correlation with tumour size, differentiation, stage, and lymph node metastasis, suggesting a role in regulating autophagic and apoptotic processes in the ESCC.