Analysis of Emergency Demand Response Levels of Central Air-Conditioning

Xianjun Qi,Zongshuo Ji,Hongbin Wu,Jingjing Zhang,Hejun Yang 대한전기학회 2020 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.15 No.6

Central air-conditioning (CAC) is a fl exible load which can be dispatched during an emergency demand response (EDR) program. However, consumers’ trade-off between thermal comfort levels (TCLs) and profi ts will aff ect the potential of CAC. Therefore, this paper proposes a method to evaluate CAC’S response levels. An EDR optimization model simulating consumers’ trade-off between TCLs and profi ts is established and it is solved by a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Then the defi nition of EDR levels is presented to quantitatively analyze the capability of CAC providing the EDR. Furthermore, uncertainty of EDR levels caused by stochastic initial indoor temperature is analyzed through a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. A case study shows the rationality of the presented method, and the eff ects of weight coeffi cients, compensation prices and penalty prices on EDR levels are also analyzed.

Ellagic acid exerts anti‑fibrotic effects on hypertrophic scar fibroblasts via inhibition of TGF‑β1/Smad2/3 pathway

Liu Xianjun,Gao Xinxin,Li Hao,Li Zhandong,Wang Xiaoe,Zhang Li,Wang Bo,Chen Xinxin,Meng Xianglong,Yu Jiaao 한국응용생명화학회 2021 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.64 No.5

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a kind of serious pathological scar with no currently effective treatment. HS fibroblasts (HSFs) are the main effector cells for HS formation. Ellagic acid (EA) exerts regulatory effects in some diseases, but its role in HS remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EA on the fibrotic phenotypes of HSFs and to further investigate the downstream signaling mechanism. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to perform cytotoxicity and proliferation assays. HSFs migration was assessed using wound healing and transwell assays. HSFs contraction was measured by a collagen lattice contraction assay and detection of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. The levels of mRNA and protein were determined by qPCR and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that EA inhibited the proliferation, migration, and contraction of HSFs and collagen expression in HSFs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EA not only suppressed the Smad2/3 pathway but also reversed TGF-β1- induced activation of the Smad2/3 pathway and up-regulation of the fibrotic cellular phenotypes in HSFs. These findings demonstrate that EA exerts anti-fibrotic effects on HSFs by blocking the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway, which indicates that EA is a potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of HS.

Characteristics of isolated lactic acid bacteria and their effects on the silage quality

Siran Wang,Xianjun Yuan,Zhihao Dong,Junfeng Li,Gang Guo,Yunfeng Bai,Junyu Zhang,Tao Shao 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.6

Objective: Four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from common vetch, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass on the Tibetan Plateau were characterized, and their effects on the fermentation quality of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage were studied. Methods: The four isolated strains and one commercial inoculant (G, Lactobacillus plantarum MTD-1) were evaluated using the acid production ability test, morphological observation, Gram staining, physiological, biochemical and acid tolerance tests. The five LAB strains were added to Italian ryegrass for ensiling at three different temperatures (10°C, 15°C, and 25°C). Results: All isolated strains (LCG3, LTG7, I5, and LI3) could grow at 5°C to 20°C, pH 3.0 to 8.0 and NaCl (3.0%, 6.5%). Strains LCG3, LTG7, I5, and LI3 were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus paraplantarum, and Lactobacillus casei by sequencing 16S rDNA, respectively. All LAB inoculants significantly (p<0.05) increased lactic acid (LA) contents and ratios of lactic acid to acetic acid, and reduced pH and ammonia nitrogen/ total nitrogen (AN/TN) compared with uninoculated silages at various temperatures (10°C, 15°C, and 25°C). Compared to the commercial inoculant G, I5, and LI3 showed similar effects on improving the silage quality of Italian ryegrass at 10°C and 15°C, indicated by similar pH, LA content and AN/TN. Conclusion: All inoculants could improve the silage fermentation quality at various temperatures (10°C, 15°C, and 25°C). At the temperature of 10°C and 15°C, strain I5 and LI3 had similar effects with the commercial inoculant G on improving the silage quality of Italian ryegrass.

Raspberry Ketone Protects Rats Fed High-Fat Diets Against Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Lili Wang,Xianjun Meng,Fengqing Zhang 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.5

The protective effect of raspberry ketone against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was tested by using a high-fat diet-induced NASH model, and its mechanism was explored. Forty Sprague–Dawley rats with a 1:1 male to female ratio were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control (NC) group (n = 8) fed normal diet for 8 weeks, the model control (MC) group (n = 8) fed high-fat diet (82% standard diet, 8.3% yolk powder, 9.0% lard, 0.5% cholesterol, and 0.2%sodium taurocholate), and the raspberry ketone low-dose (0.5%) (RKL) group (n = 8), the raspberry ketone middle-dose (1%)(RKM) group (n = 8), and the raspberry ketone high-dose (2%) (RKH) group (n = 8) fed high-fat diet for 4 weeks. After 8weeks of experiment, all the rats were sacrificed, and blood lipid parameters (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]), liver function parameters (serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]), leptin (LEP), free fatty acid (FFA), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), blood glucose (GLU), and insulin (INS) with calculated INS resistance index (IRI) and INS-sensitive index (ISI) were measured in rats. Therefore, we determined the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-a activity in liver homogenate and the levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), adiponection (APN), superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde (MDA). The liver tissues of rats in each group were imaged by electron microscopy with hematoxylin–eosin as the staining agent. The levels of TG, TC,LDL-C, ALT, AST, ALP, GLU, INS, IRI, FFA, LEP, TNF-a, MDA, and hs-CRP of MC rats were significantly increased (P < .05, P < .01). Therefore, the levels of HDL-C, ISI, PPAR-a, LDLR, and APN were significantly decreased (P < .05,P < .01). Compared with the MC group, each parameter in the RKL, RKM, and RKH groups was significantly improved (P < .05, P < .01). Thus raspberry ketone was an effective intervention for NASH in rats. It was believed that raspberry ketone had a dual effect of liver protection and fat reduction, and the mechanism was probably mediated by alleviation of fatty degeneration of liver cells, decreased liver inflammation, correction of dyslipidemia, reversal of LEP and INS resistance, and improved antioxidant capacity.

Circ‑NT5C2 stimulates FZD4 expression to promote the malignant progression of osteosarcoma by targeting miR‑488‑3p

Yang Xiaoqi,Wang Shuhua,Zhang Xianjun,Gao Xiangbin,Xu Pengfei 한국응용생명화학회 2022 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.65 No.5

Background: Circ-NT5C2 has been confirmed to be highly expressed and associated to the progression of osteosarcoma (OS). However, the behind mechanism of circ-NT5C2 involvement in OS remains unclear. Methods: The expression of circ-NT5C2, miR-488-3p and FZD4 was measured by quantitative real-time PCR, and the protein expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and FZD4 was detected by western blot. Cell counting kit 8 assay, colony formation assay and 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine assay were performed to assess the cell proliferation. The cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Caspase3/Caspase9 Activity Assay Kits. Cell migration and invasion were detected by transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were carried out to determine the binding relation among circ-NT5C2, miR-488-3p and FZD4. Animal experiment and immunohistochemistry analysis were conducted to explore the role of circ-NT5C2 in tumor growth in vivo. Results: Comparing with controls, the expression of circ-NT5C2 and FZD4 was upregulated and miR-488-3p expression was downregulated in OS tumor tissues and cells. Circ-NT5C2 overexpression facilitated the cell proliferation and motility and induced cell apoptosis of OS cells, whereas circ-NT5C2 knockdown had the opposite effect. Besides, we also found and confirmed that circ-NT5C2 regulated cell malignant behaviors via modulating miR-488-3p/FZD4 axis in OS. Moreover, circ-NT5C2 silencing repressed the growth of xenografts in vivo. Conclusion: Circ-NT5C2 upregulated FZD4 expression via sponging miR-488-3p, thus facilitating cell malignant behaviors in OS.

Efficient adsorption on Cr(VI) and electrochemical application of N, P co-doped carbon spheres

Luo Tian,Xing Xianjun,Zhang Xuefei,Yue Wang,Ma Xiufen 한국화학공학회 2023 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.40 No.12

A nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon sphere was synthesized and prepared by a two-step hydrothermal activation pyrolysis method using agricultural materials, in which forestry waste walnut shells, urea, and phosphoric acid were used as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus sources, respectively, for the efficient treatment of heavy metals Cr(VI) in wastewater. On this basis, a supercapacitor with high capacitive performance was investigated. The adsorption capacity of the N, P co-doped carbon sphere (N2PC) was optimal for Cr(VI), and the abundant functional groups on the surface of the carbon spheres significantly promoted the adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI). The adsorption capacity of the carbon material was up to 100.55 mg/g at 318 K, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model were used to describe the adsorption process. Before and after adsorption, the material was applied to the electrode material of the supercapacitor, and the capacitive performance of the adsorbed material was satisfactory as well as with excellent cycling stability which 93% capacity retention even after 5000 cycles.

Genome-wide identification of microRNAs and phased siRNAs in soybean roots under long-term salt stress

Qian Wang,Yingxia Yang,Guoqing Lu,Xianjun Sun,Youren Feng,Shuangyong Yan,Huiyuan Zhang,Qiyan Jiang,Hui Zhang,Zheng Hu,Rui Chen 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.11

Background Salinity stress, as the key limiting factor for agricultural productivity, can activate a series of molecular responses and alter gene expression in plants. Endogenous regulatory small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and phased siRNAs (phasiRNAs), play crucial roles during stress adaptation and prevent the injury from environmental circumstances. Objective To identify long-term salt stress responsive miRNAs and phasiRNAs as well as their associated genes and pathways in soybean roots. Methods Small RNA and degradome sequencing strategies were applied to genome widely investigate miRNAs and phasiRNAs in soybean roots under control and long-term salt stress conditions. Results In this study, stringent bioinformatic analysis led to the identifcation of 253 conserved and 38 novel miRNA candidates. Results of expression profling, target and endogenous target mimics predictions provided valuable clues to their functional roles. Furthermore, 156 genes were identifed to be capable of generating 21 nt and 24 nt phasiRNAs, in which 37 candidates were confrmed by degradome data for miRNA-directed cleavage. Approximately 90% of these phasiRNA loci were protein coding genes. And GO enrichment analysis pointed to “signal transduction” and “ADP binding” entries and refected the functional roles of identifed phasiRNA genes. Conclusion Taken together, our fndings extended the knowledge of salt responsive miRNAs and phasiRNAs in soybean roots, and provided valuable information for a better understanding of the regulatory events caused by small RNAs underlying plant adaptations to long-term salt stress.

Research on Large‑scale Photovoltaic Planning Based on Risk Assessment in Distribution Network

Lei Wang,Minyu Yuan,Fan Zhang,Xuli Wang,Jing Ma,Lei Dai,Xianjun Qi,Rui Bi 대한전기학회 2020 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.15 No.3

Risks caused by large amounts of distributed photovoltaic (PV) feeding into distribution networks, have an impact on PV planning, which has become a critical consideration for distribution networks’ operation. In this paper, a large-scale PV planning method is proposed which based on risk assessment in distribution networks. Cluster division is used to group large-scale distributed PVs. A risk assessment is performed on the distribution network, considering the correlation between PVs and loads. The efects of load fuctuations, PV quantity, capacity and location on the operational risk of the distribution network are analyzed and discussed. A large-scale PV planning model is established with the goal of maximizing the comprehensive benefts, considering the penalty cost of node voltage over-limit and branch power fow over-limit risk. Finally, the genetic algorithm is used to solve the planning model. The simulation results demonstrate the efectiveness of the proposed method.

Functional significance of cholesterol metabolism in cancer: from threat to treatment

Xiao Mingming,Xu Jin,Wang Wei,Zhang Bo,Liu Jiang,Li Jialin,Xu Hang,Zhao Yingjun,Yu Xianjun,Shi Si 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Cholesterol is an essential structural component of membranes that contributes to membrane integrity and fluidity. Cholesterol homeostasis plays a critical role in the maintenance of cellular activities. Recently, increasing evidence has indicated that cholesterol is a major determinant by modulating cell signaling events governing the hallmarks of cancer. Numerous studies have shown the functional significance of cholesterol metabolism in tumorigenesis, cancer progression and metastasis through its regulatory effects on the immune response, ferroptosis, autophagy, cell stemness, and the DNA damage response. Here, we summarize recent literature describing cholesterol metabolism in cancer cells, including the cholesterol metabolism pathways and the mutual regulatory mechanisms involved in cancer progression and cholesterol metabolism. We also discuss various drugs targeting cholesterol metabolism to suggest new strategies for cancer treatment.

Effects of Acanthopanax senticosus Polysaccharide Supplementation on Growth Performance, Immunity, Blood Parameters and Expression of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Genes in Challenged Weaned Piglets

Han, Jie,Bian, Lianquan,Liu, Xianjun,Zhang, Fei,Zhang, Yiran,Yu, Ning Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.7

To investigate the effect of dietary Acanthopanax senticosus polysaccharide (ASPS) on growth performance, immunity, blood parameters and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in immunologically challenged piglets, an experiment employing $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement concerning dietary ASPS treatment (0 or 800 mg/kg) and immunological challenge (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] or saline injection) was conducted with 64 crossbred piglets (weaned at 28 d of age, average initial body weight of $7.25{\pm}0.21kg$) assigned to two dietary ASPS treatments with 8 replicates of 4 pigs each. Half of the piglets of per dietary treatment were injected with LPS or saline on d 14. Blood samples were obtained at 3 h after immunological injection on d 14 and piglets were slaughtered to obtain spleen samples on d 21. Dietary ASPS did not affect average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.634), average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p = 0.655), and gain:feed (p = 0.814) prior to LPS challenge. After LPS challenge, for LPS-challenged pigs those fed ASPS had higher ADG and ADFI than the non-supplemented group (p<0.05), and an interaction between $LPS{\times}ASPS$ was observed on the two indices (p<0.05). Dietary ASPS improved lymphocyte proliferation among saline-injected and LPS-injected pigs (p<0.05). Interaction between $LPS{\times}ASPS$ was also revealed on lymphocyte proliferation (p<0.05). Circulatory concentration of IgG was influenced neither by ASPS (p = 0.803) or LPS (p = 0.692), nor their interaction (p = 0.289). Plasma concentration and spleen mRNA expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ were induced to increase (p<0.05) by LPS challenge, in contrast, these indices were decreased by dietary ASPS (p<0.05), and interactions were found on these cytokines (p<0.05). For LPS-challenged pigs, dietary ASPS also reduced the circulating concentration and spleen mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 as well as TNF-${\alpha}$ (p<0.05). The interaction between $LPS{\times}ASPS$ was also observed on the circulating concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I, ${\alpha}$-acid glycoprotein (${\alpha}$-AGP), nonesterified fatty acid, and glucose (p<0.05). The results of this study demonstrate that dietary ASPS can modulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines during immunological challenge, which might enable piglets to achieve better growth performance.