Analysis of Factors Influencing the Generation of Unqualified Clinical Samples and Measures to Prevent this Generation

Xiaofei Lai,Ping Yang,Yuhong Zhang,Ju Cao,Liping Zhang 대한진단검사의학회 2012 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.32 No.3

Background: We investigated the influence of pre-analytical factors on the results of clinical tests and thereby analyzed approaches to improve quality management in clinical laboratories. Methods: Unqualified clinical samples were selected from all the samples received at our clinical laboratory. The data were collected for 2009 and 2010, i.e., the years before and after the establishment of the laboratory quality management system. The rate and causes of generation of unqualified samples were analyzed, and measures to improve the laboratory practices were studied and implemented. Results: A total of 1,051 unqualified samples were identified from among the 553,158 samples (the overall incidence rate of unqualified samples was 0.19%). The number of unqualified samples substantially varied according to the nature of the sample, and clinical samples collected for routine blood tests or coagulation tests were the predominant unqualified samples. The main causes of generation of unqualified samples were insufficient sample volumes and improper methods of mixing the samples. The rate of generation of unqualified samples decreased significantly after the implementation of improvement measures (0.26% in 2009 vs. 0.13% in 2010, P<0.001). Conclusions: The number of unqualified samples decreased significantly after the establishment of the laboratory quality management system, which promoted active communication among and training of the clinical staff to reduce the occurrence of pre-analytical errors. Comprehensive control of pre-analytical factors is an important approach in improving the clinical laboratory practices.

The TL1A-DR3 Axis in Asthma: Membrane-Bound and Secreted TL1A Co-Determined the Development of Airway Remodeling

Zhang Jintao,Zhang Dong,Pan Yun,Liu Xiaofei,Xu Jiawei,Qiao Xinrui,Cui Wenjing,Dong Liang 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.2

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A), especially its secreted form, has been shown to contribute to eosinophilic inflammation and mucus production, cardinal features of asthma, through its receptor, death receptor 3 (DR3). However, the role of the TL1A-DR3 axis in asthma, especially in terms of airway remodeling, has not yet been fully understood. Methods: The present study investigated the expression and secretion of TL1A in the lung and human bronchial epithelial cells. DR3 small interfering RNA (siRNA), TL1A siRNA, and truncated plasmids were used respectively to identify the function of the TL1A-DR3 axis in vitro. To further validate the roles of the TL1A-DR3 axis in asthma, we collected airway biopsies and sputa from asthmatic patients and constructed a mouse model following rTL1A administration, DR3 knockdown, and TL1A knockout, the asthma-related inflammatory response and the pathological changes in airways were analyzed using various experimental methods. Associated signaling pathways downstream of TL1A knockout in the mouse model were analyzed using RNA sequencing. Results: TL1A, especially its non-secreted form (nsTL1A) was involved in the remodeling process in asthmatics’ airways. Knockdown of TL1A or its receptor DR3 decreased the expression of fibrosis-associated protein in BEAS-2B cells. Reversely, overexpression of nsTL1A in airway epithelial cells facilitated the transforming growth factor-β-induced remodeling progress. In the asthma mouse model, activating the TL1A-DR3 axis contributes to airway inflammation, remodeling, and tissue destruction. Reciprocally, DR3 knockdown or TL1A knockout partly reverses airway remodeling in the asthma model induced by ovalbumin. Conclusions: Our results confirm differential TL1A expression (including its secreted and non-secreted form) in asthma, which modulates remodeling. The shared mechanism of action by which nsTL1A and secreted TL1A exert their effects on asthma development might be mediated via the nuclear factor-κB pathway. The TL1A-DR3 axis presents a promising therapeutic target in asthma.

Dirac semimetal-enabled multi-bit coding metasurface for dynamic manipulation of terahertz beams

Zhang Yonggang,Yin Kehao,Liang Lanju,Yao Haiyun,Yan Xin,Hu Xiaofei,Huang Chengcheng,Qiu Fu,Zhang Rui,Li Yuanping,Wang Yaru,Li Zhenhua,Wang Ziqun 한국물리학회 2024 Current Applied Physics Vol.58 No.-

In this study, a switchable multi-bit coding metasurface that is applied under a terahertz (THz) frequency by adjusting the Fermi level (EF) of Dirac semimetals (DSMs) is proposed. At a EF of 0.2 eV, a 1-bit coding metasurface can be applied in the 2.58–2.62 THz. At 0.3 eV, a 3-bit coding metasurface is realized at 1.88 THz, and at 0.05 eV, the phase of the coding units coincides in the 1.5–3 THz. So, different functions of the metasurface can be realized. The proposed coding metasurfaces has promising applications in terahertz communication.

基于网络课程的中国大学生网络学习行为分析

张晓飞(Xiaofei Zhang),曹欣杰(Xinjie Cao),崔欧阳(Ouyang Cui),孙佳楠(Jianan Sun) YIXIN 출판사 2023 教育教学研究论丛 Vol.1 No.2

网络课程的快速发展,促进了教育教学观念转变、教学内容更新和教学方法的改革,但是这也增加了教学组织管理和学习效果测评的难度。本文基于平顶山学院学习通网络平台的《概率论与数理统计》课程监测数据,对大学生网络学习行为进行研究,分析学习平台的各类监测数据与学习效果之间的关联性以及大学生网络学习行为存在的问题,最后给出合理的改进建议,为教师对大学生的网络学习行为进行科学引导提供有力支撑,从而达到提升学习效果的目的。 The rapid development of online courses has promoted the transformation of educational and teaching concepts, the updating of teaching content and the reform of teaching methods, but it also increases the difficulty of teaching organization management and learning effect evaluation. Based on the monitoring data of “probability theory and mathematical statistics” course of Pingdingshan University’s learning network platform, this paper studies the online learning behaviors of college students, analyzes the correlation between various monitoring data on the learning platform and learning effects, and the existence of online learning behaviors of college students. Finally reasonable improvement suggestions are given to provide strong support for teachers to scientifically guide college students’ online learning behaviors, so as to achieve the purpose of improving learning effects.

PRI: A Practical Reputation-based Incentive Scheme for Delay Tolerant Networks

( Xi Zhang ),( Xiaofei Wang ),( Anna Liu ),( Quan Zhang ),( Chaojing Tang ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2012 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.6 No.4

Delay tolerant networks (DTNs) characterized by the lack of guaranteed end-to-end paths exploit opportunistic data forwarding mechanism, which depends on the hypothesis that nodes are willing to store, carry, and forward the in-transit messages in an opportunistic way. However, this hypothesis might easily be violated by the presence of selfish nodes constrained with energy, bandwidth, and processing power. To address this problem, we propose a practical reputation-based incentive scheme, named PRI, to stimulate honest forwarding and discipline selfish behavior. A novel concept of successful forwarding credential and an observation protocol are presented to cope with the detection of nodes` behavior, and a reputation model is proposed to determine egoistic individuals. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of our proposal.

AbSte7, a MAPKK Gene of Alternaria brassicicola, Is Involved in Conidiation, Salt/Oxidative Stress, and Pathogenicity

Xu, Houjuan,Zhang, Qianqian,Cui, Wenjuan,Zhang, Xiaofei,Liu, Weiyang,Zhang, Li,Islam, Md. Nurul,Baek, Kwang-Hyun,Wang, Yujun The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnol 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.7

Alternaria brassicicola (Schwein.) invades Brassicaceae and causes black spot disease, significantly lowering productivity. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream kinases, including MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) and MAPKK kinases (MAPKKK), comprise one of the most important signaling pathways determining the pathogenicity of diverse plant pathogens. The AbSte7 gene in the genome of A. brassicicola was predicted to be a homolog of yeast Ste7, a MAPKK; therefore, the function was characterized by generating null mutant strains with a gene replacement method. AbSte7 replacement mutants (RMs) had a slower growth rate and altered colony morphology compared with the wild-type strain. Disruption of the AbSte7 gene resulted in defects in conidiation and melanin accumulation. AbSte7 was also involved in the resistance pathways in salt and oxidative stress, working to negatively regulate salt tolerance and positively regulate oxidative stress. Pathogenicity assays revealed that AbSte7 RMs could not infect intact cabbage leaves, but only formed very small lesions in wounded leaves, whereas typical lesions appeared on both intact and wounded leaves inoculated with the wild-type strain. As the first studied MAPKK in A. brassicicola, these data strongly suggest that the AbSte7 gene is an essential element for the growth, development, and pathogenicity of A. brassicicola.

AbSte7, a MAPKK Gene of Alternaria brassicicola, Is Involved in Conidiation, Salt/Oxidative Stress, and Pathogenicity

( Houjuan Xu ),( Qianqian Zhang ),( Wenjuan Cui ),( Xiaofei Zhang ),( Weiyang Liu ),( Li Zhang ),( Md. Nurul Islam ),( Kwang-hyun Baek ),( Yujun Wang ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2016 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.26 No.6

Alternaria brassicicola (Schwein.) invades Brassicaceae and causes black spot disease, significantly lowering productivity. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream kinases, including MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) and MAPKK kinases (MAPKKK), comprise one of the most important signaling pathways determining the pathogenicity of diverse plant pathogens. The AbSte7 gene in the genome of A. brassicicola was predicted to be a homolog of yeast Ste7, a MAPKK; therefore, the function was characterized by generating null mutant strains with a gene replacement method. AbSte7 replacement mutants (RMs) had a slower growth rate and altered colony morphology compared with the wild-type strain. Disruption of the AbSte7 gene resulted in defects in conidiation and melanin accumulation. AbSte7 was also involved in the resistance pathways in salt and oxidative stress, working to negatively regulate salt tolerance and positively regulate oxidative stress. Pathogenicity assays revealed that AbSte7 RMs could not infect intact cabbage leaves, but only formed very small lesions in wounded leaves, whereas typical lesions appeared on both intact and wounded leaves inoculated with the wild-type strain. As the first studied MAPKK in A. brassicicola, these data strongly suggest that the AbSte7 gene is an essential element for the growth, development, and pathogenicity of A. brassicicola.

Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer in Two-hop OFDM Decode-and-Forward Relay Networks

( Xiaofei Di ),( Ke Xiong ),( Yu Zhang ),( Zhengding Qiu ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2016 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.10 No.1

This paper investigates the simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) for two-hop orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) decode-and-forward (DF) relay network, where a relay harvests energy from radio frequency signals transmitted by a source and then uses the harvested energy to assist information transmission from the source to its destination. The power splitting receiver is considered at the relay. To explore the performance limit of such a SWIPT-enabled system, a resource allocation (RA) optimization problem is formulated to maximize the achievable information rate of the system, where the power allocation, the subcarrier pairing and the power splitting factor are jointly optimized. As the problem is non-convex and there is no known solution method, we first decompose it into two separate subproblems and then design an efficient RA algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm can achieve the maximum achievable rate of the system and also show that to achieve a better system performance, the relay node should be deployed near the source in the SWIPT-enabled two-hop OFDM DF relay system, which is very different from that in conventional non-SWIPT system where the relay should be deployed at the midpoint of the line between the source and the destination.

Static and Seismic Experimental Study of Novel Prefabricated Beam-Column Joints with Elongated-Hole Brackets

Zhang Zhiwei,Li Dong,Wang Huajie,Li Songling,Qian Hongliang,Bi Yanhua,Wang Guoxing,Jin Xiaofei,Fan Feng 한국강구조학회 2024 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.24 No.1

To enhance the structural connectivity of prefabricated steel frame systems and augment their construction effi ciency, this study introduces an innovative prefabricated joint design tailored for square steel columns and H-beams characterized by varying beam heights. This study includes both static loading tests and seismic tests performed on full-scale joints featuring two diff erent beam heights. This investigation involved a comprehensive analysis of the static and seismic performance of the joints, employing various performance metrics such as ultimate load capacities, ultimate rotation angles, hysteresis curves, skeleton curves, stiff ness degradation curves, and ductility coeffi cients, in alignment with established structural codes and standards. The results indicate that the plasticity of the H-beam is fully developed, exhibiting a relative slip phenomenon. Additionally, the joints demonstrate commendable rotational capacity, with hysteresis curves consistently manifesting an inverse S-shape and exhibiting noteworthy stiff ness degradation. Furthermore, the comparison with the unimproved joint shows that the novel joint, in addition to being easy to construct, has better ductility and energy dissipation capacity. The results of the study will provide a technical reference for further optimization and application of prefabricated beam-column joints.

SERVICE RECOVER TIMING AND COMPENSATION STRATEGIES UNDER DIFFERENT INTENSITIES OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONS

Xiaofei Tang,En-Chung Chang,Xing Huang,Meng Zhang,Beixi Wen 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

The current study develops a pair model considering the intensity of negative emotions and strategic combinations of recovery means and timing under hotel service failure scenarios. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performances of these different combinations through customer satisfaction, repurchase intention, and fitting curves between the two under Chinese hotel service scenarios. Previous studies have found that service failures cause economic losses as well as negative emotional responses from customers (Gr?nroos, 1984; McColl Kennedy and Sparks, 2003). However, customers might display higher satisfaction and purchase intentions when proper service recovery actions are taken instead of when no service failures occur (Smith et al., 1999; McCollough et al., 2000). Concerning the means of service recovery during a service failure, customers in a negative emotional state require specific recovery solutions from the service provider; concerning the timing of service recovery, immediate recovery appears to be an effective way to address customer complaints (Kelley et al., 1993). While, previous research has partially shown that for extremely angry customers, the performance of “as soon as possible” recovery is unsatisfying and may even cause the service recovery to fail (Mattila and Ro, 2008). A 2 (recovery timing: immediate/delayed) × 2 (recovery means: psychological/economic) × 3 (type of service failure: failure in a delivery system/failure in responding to customer needs/improper employee behavior) between-subject experimental design was employed with 456 part-time MBA students in China to examine the relationship between customer satisfaction and repurchase intention under different levels of negative emotion after experienced a service failure. The results suggest that immediate and economic recovery effectively raises the service recovery evaluations from customers with low-intensity negative emotions, whereas delayed and psychological recovery helps customers with high-intensity negative emotions to give higher evaluations. This study sheds light on the role that negative emotions play in the process of service recovery and provides implications for service industry managers, that is the decisions to use economic recovery or psychological recovery are necessitate consider the intensity characteristic of negative emotions, for customers in low-intensity negative emotional states, the immediate and economic recovery strategy is effective, whereas for customers in high-intensity negative emotional states, the delayed and psychological recovery strategy may lead to better outcomes. According to these findings, it is important for managers to train front-line staff to adopt proper recovery strategies to manage service failure when facing consumers with different intensity of negative emotion.