Steel Bridge Construction of Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge

Wen-bo Gao,Quan-ke Su,Jin-wen Zhang,Hong-bing Xie,Feng Wen,Fang Li,Ji-zhu Liu 한국강구조학회 2020 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.20 No.5

The 55-km-long Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB) is the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge, connecting Hong Kong with Zhuhai and Macao at the mouth of the Pearl River Estuary in China, comprising 22.9-km-long steel bridges. HZMB is the leading steel bridge in China, with top-level manufacturing and installation technology. This paper outlines the steel bridge construction experiences of HZMB to provide comparisons for the construction of other long sea-crossing steel bridges at home or abroad. The main considerations of construction constraints, scheme selection, structural and aesthetic design of HZMB are presented, and the following points related to new strategies in the steel bridge construction of HZMB are elaborated: (1) construction quality assurance, (2) automatic manufacturing technology, (3) large segment off shore installation, (4) eco-friendly paint (content limitation of volatile organic compounds) and new multifunctional inspection gantry, and (5) Guss Mastic Asphalt steel deck pavement system. The successful implementation of those strategies shows that the steel bridge construction of HZMB promotes improvement in the overall construction and management level of the Chinese bridge industry. The advanced experience of HZMB has opened up broad prospects for the design and construction of off shore bridge engineering in China.

Blue organic light-emitting diodes with 2-methyl-9,10- bis(naphthalen-2-yl)anthracene as hole transport and emitting layer and the impedance spectroscopy analysis

Xiao-Wen Zhang,Bing-Jie Mo,Li-Ming Liu,Hong-Hang Wang,Dan-Teng Chang,Ji-Wen Xu,Hua Wang,Bin Wei 한국물리학회 2014 Current Applied Physics Vol.14 No.11

2-methyl-9,10-bis(naphthalen-2-yl)anthracene (MADN) based fluorescent blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are demonstrated. With MADN as emitting layer, experiments indicate that thick MADN (40e60 nm) is preferable for constructing efficient blue OLED. With MADN as hole-transport and emitting layer and tris(8-hydroxy-quinolinato)aluminium (Alq3) as electron-transport layer, the OLED electroluminescent characteristics show a mixture emission of MADN and Alq3 with Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) color coordinates of (0.25, 0.34), indicating feasible hole transporting in MADN. Using 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BPhen) replacing Alq3 as electron-transport layer, the OLED shows deep blue emission with a maximum luminous efficiency of 4.8 cd/A and CIE color coordinates of (0.16, 0.09). The hole transport characteristics of MADN are further clarified by constructing hole-only device and performing impedance spectroscopy analysis. The results indicate that MADN shows superior hole-transport ability which is almost comparable to typical hole-transport material of N,N0-bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N0-bis(phenyl)-benzidine (NPB), suggesting a promising application for constructing efficient blue OLED with integrated hole-transport layer and emitting layer.

Longitudinal Intrinsic Brain Activity Changes in Cirrhotic Patients before and One Month after Liver Transplantation

Yue Cheng,Li-Xiang Huang,Li Zhang,Ming Ma,Shuang-Shuang Xie,Qian Ji,Xiao-Dong Zhang,Gao-Yan Zhang,Xue-Ning Zhang,Hong-Yan Ni,Wen Shen 대한영상의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.18 No.2

Objective: To evaluate the spontaneous brain activity alterations in liver transplantation (LT) recipients using resting-state functional MRI. Materials and Methods: Twenty cirrhotic patients as transplant candidates and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. All patients repeated the MRI study one month after LT. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) values were compared between cirrhotic patients (both pre- and post-LT) and HCs as well as between the pre- and post-LT groups. The relationship between ALFF changes and venous blood ammonia levels and neuropsychological tests were investigated using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: In the cirrhotic patients, decreased ALFF in the vision-related regions (left lingual gyrus and calcarine), sensorimotor-related regions (left postcentral gyrus and middle cingulate cortex), and the default-mode network (bilateral precuneus and left inferior parietal lobule) were restored, and the increased ALFF in the temporal and frontal lobe improved in the early period after LT. The ALFF decreases persisted in the right supplementary motor area, inferior parietal lobule, and calcarine. The ALFF changes in the right precuneus were negatively correlated with changes in number connection test-A scores (r = 0.507, p < 0.05). Conclusion: LT improved spontaneous brain activity and the results for associated cognition tests. However, decreased ALFF in some areas persisted, and new-onset abnormal ALFF were possible, indicating that complete cognitive function recovery may need more time.

Expression of Ang-2/Tie-2 and PI3K/AKT in Colorectal Cancer

Zhang, Ji-Hong,Wang, Li-Hua,Li, Xiang-Jun,Wang, Ai-Ping,Reng, Li-Qun,Xia, Feng-Guo,Yang, Zhi-Ping,Jiang, Jing,Wang, Xiao-Dan,Wen, Chun-Yang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Purpose: To study the expression of angiogenin-2 (Ang-2) and its receptor Tie-2 in colorectal cancer and discuss the possible mechanisms behind this process. Materials and Methods: Using the streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) immunohistochemical method, paraffin sections from 100 colorectal cancer samples and 10 samples from tumor-adjacent normal tissue (> 2 cm from the edge of the gross tumor) were tested for protein expression of Ang-2, Tie-2, PI3K, and AKT. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were further used to measure expression of the 4 genes and proteins in 20 freshly-resected colorectal cancer samples and tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Results: In colorectal cancer tissues, the expression of the Ang-2, Tie-2, PI3K, and AKT genes and their proteins was significantly higher than in tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Protein expression in poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma was higher than that in well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. According to Duke's classification, the protein expression in Stages C and D was significantly higher than that in Stages A and B. In the group with lymphatic metastasis, the protein expression was higher than that without lymphatic metastasis. Conclusions: In colorectal cancer, the expression of the Ang-2, Tie-2, PI3K, and AKT genes and their proteins is markedly higher than those in tumor-adjacent normal tissues. No correlation was observed between protein expression and gender, location, or histologic type. Correlations did exist between protein expression and differentiation level, stage of Duke's classification, and lymphatic metastasis; in colorectal cancer tissues with lower differentiation levels, higher stages of Duke's classification, and lymphatic metastasis, the expression of all 4 proteins was higher. The study of their expression patterns and relationships with aggression and metastasis will provide a valuable experimental foundation for assessing prognosis and targeted therapy of colorectal cancer.

Alkaloids from Beach Spider Lily (Hymenocallis littoralis) Induce Apoptosis of HepG-2 Cells by the Fas-signaling Pathway

Ji, Yu-Bin,Chen, Ning,Zhu, Hong-Wei,Ling, Na,Li, Wen-Lan,Song, Dong-Xue,Gao, Shi-Yong,Zhang, Wang-Cheng,Ma, Nan-Nan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Alkaloids are the most extensively featured compounds of natural anti-tumor herbs, which have attracted much attention in pharmaceutical research. In our previous studies, a mixture of major three alkaloid components (5, 6-dihydrobicolorine, 7-deoxy-trans-dihydronarciclasine, littoraline) from Hymenocallis littoralis were extracted, analyzed and designated as AHL. In this paper, AHL extracts were added to human liver hepatocellular cells HepG-2, human gastric cancer cell SGC-7901, human breast adenocarcinoma cell MCF-7 and human umbilical vein endothelial cell EVC-304, to screen one or more AHL-sensitive tumor cell. Among these cells, HepG-2 was the most sensitive to AHL treatment, a very low dose ($0.8{\mu}g/ml$) significantly inhibiting proliferation. The non-tumor cell EVC-304, however, was not apparently affected. Effect of AHL on HepG-2 cells was then explored. We found that the AHL could cause HepG-2 cycle arrest at G2/M checkpoint, induce apoptosis, and interrupt polymerization of microtubules. In addition, expression of two cell cycle-regulated proteins, CyclinB1 and CDK1, was up-regulated upon AHL treatment. Up-regulation of the Fas, Fas ligand, Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 was observed as well, which might imply roles for the Fas/FsaL signaling pathway in the AHL-induced apoptosis of HepG-2 cells.

Risk Factors for Nodal Metastasis in cN0 Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

Zhang, Li-Yang,Liu, Zi-Wen,Liu, Yue-Wu,Gao, Wei-Sheng,Zheng, Chao-Ji Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Despite the majority of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients having an excellent prognosis, cervical lymph node metastases are common. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and the predictive risk factors for occult central compartment lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in PTMC patients. Materials and Methods: 178 patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) PTMC undergoing prophylactic central compartment neck dissection in our hospital from January 2008 to Jun 2010 were enrolled. The relationship between CLNM and the clinical and pathological factors such as gender, age, tumor size, tumor number, tumor location, extracapsular spread (ECS), and coexistance of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was analyzed. Results: Occult CLNM was observed in 41% (73/178) of PTMC patients. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender, tumor size (${\geq}6mm$) and ECS were independent variables predictive of CLNM in PTMC patients. Conclusions: Male gender, tumor size (${\geq}6mm$) and ECS were risk factors of CLNM. We recommend a prophylactic central lymph node dissection (CLND) should be considered in PTMC patients with such risk factors.

Moth-Flame Optimization-Based Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic Systems Under Partial Shading Conditions

Ji-Ying Shi,Deng-Yu Zhang,Fei Xue,Ya-Jing Li,Wen Qiao,Wen-Jing Yang,Yi-Ming Xu,Ting Yang 전력전자학회 2019 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.19 No.5

This paper presents a moth-flame optimization (MFO)-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The MFO algorithm is a new optimization method that exhibits satisfactory performance in terms of exploration, exploitation, local optima avoidance, and convergence. Therefore, the MFO algorithm is quite suitable for solving multiple peaks of PV systems under partial shading conditions (PSCs). The proposed MFO-MPPT is compared with four MPPT algorithms, namely the perturb and observe (P&O)-MPPT, incremental conductance (INC)-MPPT, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-MPPT and whale optimization algorithm (WOA)-MPPT. Simulation and experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can extract the global maximum power point (MPP) with greater tracking speed and accuracy under various conditions.

Novel HMW glutenin genes from Aegilops tauschii and their unique structures

Wen-Jie Chen,Zhong-Wei Yuan,Lian-Quan Zhang,Xing Fan,Ze-Hong Yan,Ji-Rui Wang,You-Liang Zheng,Huai-Gang Zhang,Deng-Cai Liu 한국유전학회 2012 Genes & Genomics Vol.34 No.3

A pair of novel high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) 1Dx5.3t and 1Dy12.1**t were revealed and characterized from Ae. tauschii accession PI554324. SDS-PAGE band of 1Dx5.3t was between those of 1Bx6 and 1Bx7, while 1Dy12.1**t with slightly faster migration rate than that of 1Dy12. The lengths of 1Dx5.3t and 1Dy12.1**t were 2115 bp and 1986 bp, encoding 703 and 660 amino acid residues,respectively. Their authenticity was confirmed by successful expression of the coding regions in Escherichia coli. 1Dx5.3t is the shortest of the known Dx-type alleles. 1Dy12.1**t is also a special subunit since it has an additional cysteine in the front of the central repetitive domain. This cysteine that is not existed in previously reported Dy-type genes may be useful for improving bread wheat quality. Median-joining Network analysis indicated that 1Dy12.1**t may be a key site in the genealogy of the Glu-Dy.

Improved Global Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic System via Cuckoo Search under Partial Shaded Conditions

Ji-Ying Shi,Fei Xue,Zi-Jian Qin,Wen Zhang,Le-Tao Ling,Ting Yang 전력전자학회 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.1

Conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods are ineffective under partially shaded conditions because multiple local maximum can be exhibited on power–voltage characteristic curve. This study proposes an improved cuckoo search (ICS) MPPT method after investigating the cuckoo search (CS) algorithm applied in solving multiple MPPT. The algorithm eliminates the random step in the original CS algorithm, and the conception of low-power, high-power, normal and marked zones are introduced. The adaptive step adjustment is also realized according to the different stages of the nest position. This algorithm adopts the large step in low-power and marked zones to reduce search time, and a small step in high-power zone is used to improve search accuracy. Finally, simulation and experiment results indicate that the promoted ICS algorithm can immediately and accurately track the global maximum under partially shaded conditions, and the array output efficiency can be improved.

Association of Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Antigen-4 Polymorphisms with Malignant Bone Tumors Risk: A Meta-analysis

Zhang, Chao,Hou, Wei-Hua,Ding, Xuan-Xi,Wang, Xiong,Zhao, Hui,Han, Xing-Wen,Wang, Wen-Ji Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.8

Background: Previous studies have assessed the association between the Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Antigen-4(CTLA-4) polymorphism with the risk of malignant bone tumor, but the conclusions were inconsistent. We aimed to clarify association of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 polymorphisms with malignant bone tumors risk by performing a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: The databases including PubMed, EMBase databases and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify the eligible studies prior to January 30 2016. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to estimate the strengths of the association between the CTLA-4 polymorphism and the malignant bone tumor risks. The meta-analysis was performed by STATA 12.0. Results: Four individual studies with a total of 1003 cases with malignant bone tumor and 1162 controls were included in our meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis on those data demonstrated that CTLA-4 +49G>A polymorphism was associated with the risk of Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma strongly (A vs. G: OR=1.36, 95%CI:1.20-1.54, p=0.000; AA+AG vs. GG: OR=1.35, 95%CI:1.14-1.61, p=0.001; AA vs. GG: OR=2.24, 95%CI:1.67-2.99, p=0.000; AA vs. AG+GG: OR=2.00, 95%CI:1.53-2.62, p=0.000), but CTLA-4 -318C/T polymorphism was not associated with the risk of malignant bone tumor (C vs. T: OR=0.76, 95%CI:0.76-1.08, p= 0.262; CC+CT vs. TT: OR=0.70, 95%CI:0.41-1.20, p= 0.198; CC vs. TT: OR=0.69, 95%CI:0.40-1.19, p= 0.183; CC vs. CT+TT: OR=0.92, 95%CI:0.75-1.13, p= 0.419). Subgroup analysis showed that there are significantly positive correlations between CTLA-4 +49G>A polymorphism and increased risks of malignant bone tumors in large size of sample (A vs. G: OR=1.347, 95%CI: 1.172,1.548, p=0.000; AA vs. GG: OR=2.228, 95%CI: 1.608,3.085, p=0.000), Ewing's Sarcoma or Osteosarcoma (A vs. G: OR=1.361, 95%CI: 1.201,1.540, p=0.000; AA vs. GG: OR=2.236, 95%CI: 1.674,2.986, p=0.000), and PCR-RFLP or Sequencing(A vs. G: OR=1.361, 95%CI: 1.201,1.540, p=0.000; AA vs. GG: OR=2.236, 95%CI: 1.674,2.986, p=0.000), but CTLA-4 -318C/T polymorphism was not associated with the risk of malignant bone tumors in diagnosis, genotype method, and sample size (all p>0.05). Conclusions: CTLA-4 +49A/G variant was associated with an increased risk of developing the malignant bone tumors, such as Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma. However, it failed to show the association between CTLA-4 -318C/T polymorphism and the risk of malignant bone tumors. Future large-scale studies remain to be done to confirm our conclusions.