Mechanism of vehicular periodic operation for optimal fuel economy in free-driving scenarios

Li, Shengbo Eben,Xiaosong Hu,Keqiang Li,Changsun Ahn IET 2015 IET intelligent transport systems Vol.9 No.3

<P>In addition to the fuel-efficient design of vehicles, eco-driving technologies can further reduce the fuel consumption and carbon emissions of road transportation. One of the major issues in eco-driving technologies is how to determine the fuel savings or fuel-optimised operating strategies of the power train. We examine the periodic operation of autonomous vehicles in free-driving scenarios with the purpose of maximising fuel economy. The design of such strategies can be considered to be an optimal control problem, which is proved by <I>π</I>-test to have singular arcs because of the S-shaped engine fueling rate. The optimal operations are solved numerically by using the Legendre pseudospectral method, and many are found to demonstrate periodic behaviours, that is, pulse and gliding. In periodic operation, the engine switches between the minimum break specific fuel consumption point and the idling point, while the vehicle speed oscillates between its upper and lower bounds. The formation of periodic operation, as well as some key properties, is analysed and presented.</P>

MiR-200c-3p inhibits LPS-induced M1 polarization of BV2 cells by targeting RIP2

Zhao Lei,Liu Xiaosong,Yang Jiankai,Wang Xiaoliang,Liu Xiaomeng,Wu Jianliang,Li Chen,Xu Donggang,Hu Yuhua 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.4

Background: Microglia are important immune cells, which can be induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into M1 phenotype that express pro-inflammatory cytokines. Some studies have shown that microRNAs play critical roles in microglial activation. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the role of miR-200c-3p in regulating inflammatory responses of LPS-treated BV2 cells. Methods: The expression of miR-200c-3p in BV2 cells was detected by real-time PCR. Receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2) was predicted as a target gene of miR-200c-3p. Their relationship was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The function of miR-200c-3p and RIP2 in microglial polarization and NF-κB signaling was further evaluated. Results: LPS treatment reduced miR-200c-3p expression in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in BV2 cells. LPS treatment increased the expression of M1 phenotype markers inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and major histocompatibility complex class (MHC)-II, promoted the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and enhanced the nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65. Reversely, miR-200c-3p mimics down-regulated the levels of these inflammatory factors. Furthermore, RIP2 was identified to be a direct target of miR-200c-3p. RIP2 knockdown had a similar effect to miR-200c-3p mimics. Overexpression of RIP2 eliminated the inhibitory effect of miR-200c-3p on LPS-induced M1 polarization and NF-κB activation in BV2 cells. Conclusions: MiR-200c-3p mimics suppressed LPS-induced microglial M1 polarization and NF-κB activation by targeting RIP2. MiR-200c-3p/RIP2 might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuroinflammation-associated diseases.

Structural Characterization of a Polysaccharide Isolated from Lady Godiva Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo lady godiva)

Yi Song,Quanhong Li,Juan Li,Xiaosong Hu,Yuanying Ni 한국고분자학회 2011 Macromolecular Research Vol.19 No.11

In this study, a crude water-soluble heteropolysaccharide was isolated from Lady Godiva pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo Lady Godiva). After protein removal and purification, polysaccharides of the pumpkin fruit termed LGPP2-1 were subjected to structural identification. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated that LGPP2-1 mainly comprised L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, and D-mannose. The glycosidic linkages were determined by methylation analysis and GC/MS. The results showed that LGPP2-1 consisted of 1,2,6-trisubstitued-galactopyranosyl, 1,6-disubstitued-galactopyranosyl, 1,4,6-trisubstitued-glucopyranosyl, 1,3-disubstituedglucopyranosyl,terminal-glucopyranosyl, and terminal-fucopyranosyl, with a molar proportion of 1:4:2:2:2:1. The Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy further confirmed that the configuration of L-fucose and D-galactose were in the α-form, while D-glucose was in the β-form. The molecular weight of LGPP2-1 measured using high-performance gel-permeation chromatography (HPGPC) was 1.01×10^4 Da.

Kinetics of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Formation in Chinese Acacia Honey during Heat Treatment

Yuyu Zhang,Yi Song,Tingting Zhou,Xiaojun Liao,Xiaosong Hu,Quanhong Li 한국식품과학회 2012 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.21 No.6

In this paper, the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) contents of the acacia honeys after heat treatment were determined by HPLC; the kinetics of HMF formation was also investigated. The HMF content of acacia honey was 0.38±0.01mg/kg, but rapidly increased to the maximum of 18,320.07±14.29 mg/kg at 190oC and decreased to 1,180.24±6.54 mg/kg at 230oC after heating. The HMF content increased gradually in honey samples heated in 12h at the temperature of 80, 100, and 120oC. The apparent frequency constant was kf =3.91×1025/h, and the apparent activation energy was Ea=173.10 kJ/mol. The HMF content in the acacia honey was related to honey composition,heating temperature, and time, and the HMF formation could also be related to the initial honey pH.

Effect of Dehydration Methods on Antioxidant Activities, Phenolic Contents, Cyclic Nucleotides, and Volatiles of Jujube Fruits

Rongrong Wang,Shenghua Ding,Dandan Zhao,Zhengfu Wang,Jihong Wu,Xiaosong Hu 한국식품과학회 2016 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.25 No.1

Changes in antioxidant activities, phenolic contents, cyclic nucleotides, and volatiles of jujube after dehydration using freeze-drying (FD), air drying (AD), sun drying (SD), and microwave drying (MD) were investigated. All dehydration methods caused a decrease in antioxidant activities, aldehyde, acid, and alkane contents. Esters were increased by the dehydration. FD was superior to other dehydration methods for retention of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. MD caused an increase of catechin and epichtechin levels. Although AD, MD, and SD caused declines in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) contents, AD at 50oC was a good choice to obtain jujubes with high levels of cAMP and cGMP. Theoretical fundamentals for selection of suitable drying techniques to minimize the negative effects caused by dehydration and for meeting production requirements are provided.

Correlation between Vitamin B12 and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Yongjun Tan,Li Zhou,Kaiqi Gu,Caihong Xie,Yuhan Wang,Lijun Cha,Youlin Wu,Jiani Wang,Xiaosong Song,Xia Chen,Hua Hu,Qin Yang 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.4

To conduct the association between vitamin B12 and mental health in children and adolescents. Five databases were searched for observational studies in any language reporting on mental health and vitamin B12 levels or intake in children and adolescents from inception to March 18, 2022. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of data were performed. The review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022345476). Fifty six studies containing 37,932 participants were identified in the review. Vitamin B12 levels were lower in participants with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (standardized mean difference [SMD], −1.61; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], −2.44 to −0.79; p < 0.001), attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (SMD, −0.39; 95% CI, −0.78 to −0.00; p = 0.049) compared with control group. Vitamin B12 intake were lower in participants with ASDs (SMD, −0.86; 95% CI, −1.48 to −0.24; p = 0.006) compared with control group, but showed no difference between depression group (SMD, −0.06; 95% CI, −0.15 to 0.03; p = 0.17) and the control group. Higher vitamin B12 intake were associated with lower risk of depression (odds ratio [OR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63−0.98; p = 0.034) and behavioral problems (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69−0.99; p = 0.04). The vast majority of included studies supported potential positive influence of vitamin B12 on mental health, and vitamin B12 deficiency may be a reversible cause for some mental health disorders in children and adolescents.