Correlating Structural Changes and Gas Evolution during the Thermal Decomposition of Charged Li_<i>x</i>Ni_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂ Cathode Materials

Bak, Seong-Min,Nam, Kyung-Wan,Chang, Wonyoung,Yu, Xiqian,Hu, Enyuan,Hwang, Sooyeon,Stach, Eric A.,Kim, Kwang-Bum,Chung, Kyung Yoon,Yang, Xiao-Qing American Chemical Society 2013 Chemistry of materials Vol.25 No.3

<P>In this work, we present results from the application of a new in situ technique that combines time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction and mass spectroscopy. We exploit this approach to provide direct correlation between structural changes and the evolution of gas that occurs during the thermal decomposition of (over)charged cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. Results from charged Li<SUB><I>x</I></SUB>Ni<SUB>0.8</SUB>Co<SUB>0.15</SUB>Al<SUB>0.05</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> cathode materials indicate that the evolution of both O<SUB>2</SUB> and CO<SUB>2</SUB> gases are strongly related to phase transitions that occur during thermal decomposition, specifically from the layered structure (space group <I>R</I>3̅<I>m</I>) to the disordered spinel structure (<I>Fd</I>3̅<I>m</I>), and finally to the rock-salt structure (<I>Fm</I>3̅<I>m</I>). The state of charge also significantly affects both the structural changes and the evolution of oxygen as the temperature increases: the more extensive the charge, the lower the temperature of the phase transitions and the larger the oxygen release. Ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are also utilized to investigate the local structural and valence state changes in Ni and Co ions, and to characterize microscopic morphology changes. The combination of these advanced tools provides a unique approach to study fundamental aspects of the dynamic physical and chemical changes that occur during thermal decomposition of charged cathode materials in a systematic way.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/cmatex/2013/cmatex.2013.25.issue-3/cm303096e/production/images/medium/cm-2012-03096e_0014.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/cm303096e'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Structural Changes in Reduced Graphene Oxide upon MnO₂ Deposition by the Redox Reaction between Carbon and Permanganate Ions

Lee, Suk-Woo,Bak, Seong-Min,Lee, Chang-Wook,Jaye, Cherno,Fischer, Daniel A.,Kim, Bae-Kyun,Yang, Xiao-Qing,Nam, Kyung-Wan,Kim, Kwang-Bum American Chemical Society 2014 JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C - Vol.118 No.5

<P>We explore structural changes of the carbon in MnO<SUB>2</SUB>/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hybrid materials prepared by the direct redox reaction between carbon and permanganate ions (MnO<SUB>4</SUB><SUP>–</SUP>) to reach better understanding for the effects of carbon corrosion on carbon loss and its bonding nature during the hybrid material synthesis. In particular, we carried out near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at the C K-edge (284.2 eV) to show the changes in the electronic structure of RGO. Significantly, the redox reaction between carbon and MnO<SUB>4</SUB><SUP>–</SUP> causes both quantitative carbon loss and electronic structural changes upon MnO<SUB>2</SUB> deposition. Such disruptions of carbon bonding have a detrimental effect on the initial electrical properties of the RGO and thus lead to a significant decrease in electrical conductivity. Electrochemical measurements of the MnO<SUB>2</SUB>/reduced graphene oxide hybrid materials using a cavity microelectrode revealed unfavorable electrochemical properties that were mainly due to the poor electrical conductivity of the hybrid materials. The results of this study should serve as a useful guide to rationally approaching the syntheses of metal/RGO and metal oxide/RGO hybrid materials.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jpccck/2014/jpccck.2014.118.issue-5/jp411176b/production/images/medium/jp-2013-11176b_0008.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/jp411176b'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Clinical Study on Fluvoxamine Combined with Oxycodone Prolonged-Release Tablets in Treating Patients with Moderate to Severe Cancer Pain

Xiao, Yang,Liu, Jun,Huang, Xin-En,Ca, Li-Hua,Ma, Yi-Min,Wei, Wei,Zhang, Rong-Xia,Huang, Xiao-Hong,Chang, Juan,Wu, Yi-Jia Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Objective: To observe treatment effects and safety of fluvoxamine combined with oxycodone prolonged-release tablets in treating patients with moderate to severe cancer pain. Methods: Patients confirmed pathologically with cancer and complicated with moderate to severe pain, were divided into control and experimental groups. Oxycodone prolonged-release tablets, with or without fluvoxamine, were administrated to all study patients until pain relief. Degree of pain relief, dose of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets, side effects and quality of life were compared before and after treatment. Results: In total, 120 patients were recruited. No statistically significant difference was detected regarding age, gender, types of cancer, KPS between two groups of patients (P>0.05). Baseline pain score of patients with moderate pain in treatment and control group was $4.9{\pm}0.8$ and $5.1{\pm}0.8$, respectively; and decreased to $1.8{\pm}1.1$ and $1.2{\pm}1.1$ after treatment, respectively. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in the treatment group (P=0.028). Average daily consumption of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets was ($54.0{\pm}19.6$) mg and ($44.7{\pm}18.7$) mg respectively, which is lower in treatment grpup than in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.065). Baseline pain score of patients with severe pain in treatment and control groups were $8.3{\pm}1.1$ and $8.3{\pm}1.1$, respectively; and pain intensity after treatment decreased to $2.9{\pm}1.0$ and $2.3{\pm}1.0$. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in the treatment group, with statistical significance (P=0.026). Average daily consumption of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets was ($132.0{\pm}42.2$) mg and ($110.7{\pm}33.9$) mg, respectively, which is lower in treatment group than in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.035). In terms of quality of life, patients in treatment group had better performance status, daily activity, mood, and sleep than that in control group (P < 0.05). Patients in two groups had similar side effects, eg., constipation, nausea/vomiting, lethargy, dizziness, itchy skin, dysuria, and ataxia. Lower incidence of nausea/vomiting, lethargy, was obtained from patients in treatment than in control group, while significant low constipation was observed in treatment than in control group (35.0% vs 49.2%, P=0.026). Conclusion: Fluvoxamine combined with oxycodone prolonged-release tablets could be more effective in treating patients with cancer pain, and could reduce the dosage of oxycodone prolonged-release tablets and thus be associated with lower side effects, and improved quality of life.

Research Articles : Agricultural Process and Food Engineering ; Storage Characteristics of Low Temperature Grain Warehouse using Ambient Cold Air in Winter

( Xiao Feng Ning ),( He Li ),( Tae Hwan Kang ),( Chang Su Han ) 한국농업기계학회 2012 바이오시스템공학 Vol.37 No.3

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the storage and quality characteristics of brown rice under the low temperature warehouse conditions using ambient cold air in the winter. Methods: This new technique maintains rough rice warehouse temperature below 15℃ without cooling operation until the end of May. Four hundred tons of rough rice were stored in the low temperature grain warehouse, and were aerated from the top to the bottom using ambient cold air in February. The quality of rough rice was evaluated from February through October. Results: The results were as followings. Moisture contents of rough rice in the low temperature storage had decreased less than the ordinary temperature storage. Cracked rate of brown rice in the ordinary temperature storage and low temperature storage increased by 4~10.8% and 1.6~7.2%, respectively. The germination rate of rough rice under the ordinary and the low temperature warehouse decreased by 15.0~25.0% and 1.7~8.0%, respectively. The acid value of brown rice under the ordinary and the low temperature warehouse increased by 3.67~6.72 KOH mg/100g and 3.08~4.08 KOH mg/100g, respectively. Conclusions: The result indicates that low temperature storage using ambient winter air showed better maintaining germination of rice, less change of physiological activities and cracked kernel, and better maintaining of rice quality, comparing the ordinary temperature storage.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate induced oxidative damage involving FasL-associated apoptotic pathway in mouse spermatogenic GC-2spd cells

Xiao Tang,Kun Tong,Lishan Zhu,Guoqing Fu,Wei Chang,Ting Zhou,Zhibing Zhang,Ling Tong,Ling Zhang,Yuqin Shi,Ling Zhang,Yuqin Shi 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2016 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.12 No.4

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) which belongs to phthalatic-acid esters, is a kind of harmful, global environmental pollutants. It is a known endocrine disrupting chemical and male reproductive toxicant. However, the mechanism by which DEHP exposure result in male reproductive toxicity is still unclear. To elucidate the productive toxicity mechanism of DEHP, we attemptted to investigate oxidative stress, apoptotic effects, mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis-associated genes including FasL, caspase-3, and caspase-8 in GC-2spd (mouse spermatogenic cells). The results showed that, with the increase of DEHP concentration, cell apoptosis rate increased; the activities of relation index of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutatione peroxidase (GSH-PX) changed significantly; the mRNA and protein expression levels of FasL, caspase-3, -8, altered obviously. These results suggested that DEHP could induce apoptosis of GC-2spd cells through oxidative stress and FasL-dependent pathway.

Protective Effect of Dandelion Extracts on Ethanol-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 Mice

Xiao-Yu Liu,Jie Ma,Chung-Mu Park,Hee-Kyung Chang,Young-Sun Song 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.13 No.4

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has been widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent in oriental medicine. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect, and the possible mechanism, of dandelion extracts against ethanol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. Dandelion water and ethanol extract was administered at 2 g/㎏ body weight (BW) once daily for 7 consecutive days, whereas control and ethanol groups received water by gavage. Ethanol (50% ethanol; 6 g/㎏ BW) was administered 12 hr before sacrificing the mice in order to generate liver injury. Significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities as well as liver triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels were attenuated by dandelion supplementation. In addition, dandelion extracts not only enhanced alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and anti-oxidative enzyme activities, but reduced lipid peroxidation. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1), one of the critical enzymes xenobiotic metabolism, expression was lower with ethanol treatment but restored by dandelion supplementation. These results were confirmed by improved histopathological changes in fatty liver and hepatic lesions induced by ethanol. In conclusion, dandelion could protect liver against ethanol administration by attenuating of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

Letters to the Editor : Successful Treatment of Hailey-Hailey Disease with Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy

( Xiao Xiao Yan ),( Hong Qing Tian ),( Chang Liang Wang ),( Bao Qi Yang ),( Wei Zhi Wu ),( Fu Ren Zhang ) 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.3

Effects of Acupuncture at the Acupoints of 12 Meridians on Gastrointestinal and Cardiac Electricity in Healthy Adults

Xiao-Rong Chang,Jing Shen,Mi Liu,Xiao-Juan Wang,Jie Yan 사단법인약침학회 2010 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.3 No.3

The effect of acupuncture at the acupoints of 12 meridians on gastrointestinal and cardiac electricity in healthy adults was studied. Specific regulation between meridian points and viscera was also investigated. An electrogastrogram (EGG),electrointestinogram (EIG), carotid pulse graph, phonocardiogram and electrocardiogram were obtained in 30 healthy adults before and after acupuncture at various acupoints of 12 meridians. The effects of acupuncture on the amplitude and frequency of the EGG, EIG, pre-ejection period and the left ventricular ejection time were then analyzed. Acupuncture revealed that LR3 decreased the amplitude of the EGG while LI11 (Quchi), SJ5 (Waiguan), ST36 (Zusanli), SP9 (Yinlingquan) and SI6 (Yanglao) increased the amplitude. Multiple comparisons among the latter five acupoints indicated that there were significant differences between SP9, LI11, SJ5and ST36 (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.05) and SI6, LI11 and SJ5 (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). SP9effected EGG amplitude the most, followed by SI6, ST36, SJ5 and LI11. Four acupoints increased the amplitude of the EIG (p < 0.05), including HT5 (Tongli), GB34(Yanglingquan), SP9 and SI6. No significant differences were observed between these acupoints, but SI6 showed the most obvious effect on EIG amplitude, followed by GB34, SP9 and HT5. No significant effects on the frequency of the gastrointestinal slow wave or on cardiac function indexes were observed. Effects were observed, however,on pre-ejection period and left ventricular ejection time. Routine acupuncture had no detrimental effects on the stomach, intestine and heart in healthy adults,but instead regulated physiological function within a normal range. These findings demonstrate the existence of specific connections between the meridian points and the viscera. The results suggest that multiple meridians control the same viscus,and the same meridian can regulate the functions of multiple viscera.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR : Successful Treatment of Hailey-Hailey Disease with Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy

( Xiao Xiao Yan ),( Hong Qing Tian ),( Chang Liang Wang ),( Bao Qi Yang ),( Wei Zhi Wu ),( Fu Ren Zhang ) 대한피부과학회 2015 Annals of Dermatology Vol.27 No.2

H_∞ Controller Design for Linear Systems with Time-invariant Uncertainties

Xiao-Heng Chang 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2011 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.9 No.2

This paper considers the problem of designing robust H_∞ state feedback controller for linear continuous-time systems with time-invariant uncertainties. The main result given here concerns H_∞ controller design using the parameter dependent Lyapunov function approach and a new control law. A new condition ensuring the linear systems to be is asymptotically stable with a prescribed H_∞ performance is proposed in terms of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Theoretic proof is given to show that the proposed condition is less conservative than existing results in the literature. An example is provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method.