Involvement of Social Media in Disaster Management during the Wenchuan and Ya'an Earthquakes

Li, Leah Xiufang Center for Asian Public Opinion ResearchCollaborat 2014 Asian journal for public opinion research Vol.1 No.4

Social media is being increasingly utilized in disaster relief work to identify safety issues, locate displaced-victims, and seek or provide support for those who need help. The presence of social media in disaster management has changed significantly in recent years, as it was not prevalent in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, but had become a powerful force in the 2013 Ya'an earthquake. This paper discusses the development of social media in disaster management via making a comparison between how it functioned in the two earthquakes. It examines the following aspects: who are the stakeholders that use social media in the earthquake management; how do they adopt this means in response to the earthquakes; and what are the outcomes of adopting social media with regards to public engagement and collaboration in an emergency event. As Sina Weibo acts as the equivalent of China's Twitter, the methodology relies on an analysis of posts in Weibo. The outcomes primarily show that: (1) authorities, celebrities and the public actively adopted social media for the purpose of information dissemination and resource mobilization; and (2) social media users are both content consumers and content generators in the times of earthquakes. The study concludes that social media as a backchannel communication tool is helpful for government institutions, corporations, and nonprofit organizations to build relationships with their stakeholders in the disaster management cycle. The result will interest academics and emergency management practitioners who are concerned with improving disaster communication.

Traffic Flow Prediction Model Based on Spatio-Temporal Dilated Graph Convolution

( Xiufang Sun Jianbo Li ),( Zhiqiang Lv ),( Chuanhao Dong ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2020 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.14 No.9

With the increase of motor vehicles and tourism demand, some traffic problems gradually appear, such as traffic congestion, safety accidents and insufficient allocation of traffic resources. Facing these challenges, a model of Spatio-Temporal Dilated Convolutional Network (STDGCN) is proposed for assistance of extracting highly nonlinear and complex characteristics to accurately predict the future traffic flow. In particular, we model the traffic as undirected graphs, on which graph convolutions are built to extract spatial feature informations. Furthermore, a dilated convolution is deployed into graph convolution for capturing multi-scale contextual messages. The proposed STDGCN integrates the dilated convolution into the graph convolution, which realizes the extraction of the spatial and temporal characteristics of traffic flow data, as well as features of road occupancy. To observe the performance of the proposed model, we compare with it with four rivals. We also employ four indicators for evaluation. The experimental results show STDGCN’s effectiveness. The prediction accuracy is improved by 17% in comparison with the traditional prediction methods on various real-world traffic datasets.

Microstructure and Thermal Stability of a Ni-Cr-Co-Ti-V-Al High-Entropy Alloy Coating by Laser Surface Alloying

Zhaobing Cai,Xiufang Cui,Guo Jin,Zhe Liu,Wei Zheng,Yang Li,Liquan Wang 대한금속·재료학회 2017 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.23 No.5

A Ni-Cr-Co-Ti-V-Al high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating with a BCC phase and (Ni, Co)Ti2 compounds was synthesizedsuccessfully by laser surface alloying on a Ti-6Al-4V substrate. The microstructure of as-synthesizedcoatings is typical, namely, the microstructure from the coating to the substrate changes from equiaxed grains tocolumnar grains. After remaining at 900 °C for 8 h, the constituent phases remain unchanged. However, owing tothe unceasing dissolution of the Ti element, the lattice parameter of the BCC HEA phase changes from 3.06 Å to3.16 Å. The thermoanalysis results show that the oxidation film on the Ni-Cr-Co-Ti-V-Al HEA coating is mainlycomposed of TiO2, V2O5, and NiO. The oxidation resistance of this HEA coating may be due to the existence ofNiO and the alloying elements Al, Cr, and Co; the oxidation phenomenon should be responsible for the massincrease in the thermogravimetry process. The differential scanning calorimetry and the dynamic differential scanningcalorimetry curves show that the synthesized HEA coating is stable below 1005 °C.

Genome-wide locus-specific DNA methylation repatterning may facilitate rapid evolution of mercury resistance in rice

Cong Weixuan,Li Ning,Wang Jinbin,Kang Ying,Miao Yiling,Xu Chunming,Wang Ziqi,Liu Tongtong,Gong Lei,Liu Bao,Ou Xiufang 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.3

Background: Albeit a relatively stable epigenetic modification, DNA methylation in plants can be repatterned and play important roles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, whether DNA methylation dynamics may contribute to cope with mercury (Hg) stress in plants remains to be fully investigated. Objective: To probe the potential roles of DNA methylation dynamics in coping with Hg stress in rice. Methods: Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing was used to profile the DNA methylation patterns of a rice Hg-resistant line (RHg) selected from a heterozygous mutant of the DNA methyltransferase 1 gene (OsMET1+/-), together with its Hg-sensitive wild-type plants of cv. Nipponbare (Nip) under both normal and Hg stress conditions. Results: Genome-wide locus-specific differential methylation regions (DMRs) were detected between RHg and Nip under normal condition, the predominant DMR patterns were CG hypo-DMRs, CHG hypo-DMRs and CHH hyper-DMRs. In both lines, more hyper- than hypo-DMRs were detected at all three sequence contexts (CG, CHG and CHH) under Hg stress relative to normal condition. Comparison of DNA methylation changes in the two lines under Hg stress indicates that RHg had a more dynamic methylome than the control (Nip). Original DMRs in RHg trended to transform to opposite status (from hyper- to hypo- or vice versa) under Hg stress condition. Gene ontology analysis revealed that Hg-resistance-related DMGs were enriched in diverse biological processes. Conclusions: Our results suggest genome-wide locus-specific DNA methylation repatterning can facilitate rapid acquisition of Hg resistance in rice.

A Pilot Study of Clinical Evaluation and Formation Mechanism of Irritable Bowel Syndrome-like Symptoms in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Remission

( Haiyang Wang ),( Xiaojing Zhao ),( Xiufang Cui ),( Meifeng Wang ),( Chunhua Jiao ),( Jiajia Li ),( Yan Yang ),( Yi Li ),( Hongjie Zhang ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2021 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.27 No.4

Background/Aims Some inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in remission suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms (IBD-IBS). The pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. The study aim is to evaluate relationships among quality of life (QOL), psychological status, and visceral sensitivity, and explore the formation mechanism of IBD-IBS. Methods Forty-seven patients with Crohn’s disease in remission, 24 ulcerative colitis in remission, 26 IBS, and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. The abdominal pain, QOL, anxiety, and depression were evaluated through questionnaires. Visceral sensitivity was measured by rectal balloon distension. The serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of tryptase, 5-HT, NGF, and related receptors in colonic tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results Prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients in clinical remission was 29.8% and 50.0%, respectively. The QOL was lower, the anxiety/depression scores were higher in IBD-IBS patients than those without IBS-like symptoms. Additionally, patients with IBD-IBS existed visceral hypersensitivity. Besides, abdominal pain was associated with poor QOL, visceral hypersensitivity, anxiety, and depression in IBD-IBS patients. The number of mast cells (MCs) and expressions of 5-HT, NGF, and related receptors were higher in IBD-IBS patients than those with no such symptoms. The serum levels of 5-HT and NGF positively correlated with abdominal pain and visceral hypersensitivity. Conclusion IBD-IBS patients may have low QOL and psychological abnormalities, as wells as visceral hypersensitivity which may be related to increased 5-HT and NGF levels released from activated mast cells. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:612-625)

Next Location Prediction with a Graph Convolutional Network Based on a Seq2seq Framework

( Jianwei Chen ),( Jianbo Li ),( Manzoor Ahmed ),( Junjie Pang ),( Minchao Lu ),( Xiufang Sun ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2020 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.14 No.5

Predicting human mobility has always been an important task in Location-based Social Network. Previous efforts fail to capture spatial dependence effectively, mainly reflected in weakening the location topology information. In this paper, we propose a neural network-based method which can capture spatial-temporal dependence to predict the next location of a person. Specifically, we involve a graph convolutional network (GCN) based on a seq2seq framework to capture the location topology information and temporal dependence, respectively. The encoder of the seq2seq framework first generates the hidden state and cell state of the historical trajectories. The GCN is then used to generate graph embeddings of the location topology graph. Finally, we predict future trajectories by aggregated temporal dependence and graph embeddings in the decoder. For evaluation, we leverage two real-world datasets, Foursquare and Gowalla. The experimental results demonstrate that our model has a better performance than the compared models.

Effects of Physicochemical Properties of Different Base Oils on Friction Coefficient and Surface Roughness in MQL Milling AISI 1045

Qingan Yin,Changhe Li,Lan Dong,Xiufang Bai,Yanbin Zhang,Min Yang,Dongzhou Jia,Runze Li,Zhan-qiang Liu 한국정밀공학회 2021 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.8 No.6

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) is an emerging green and resource-saving machining technique jetting minute amount lubricants and gas after mixing and atomization. However, MQL development is restricted to mineral oils because of its undegradability and threat to the environment and human health. Vegetable oils can replace mineral oils as base oil for MQL benefitting from its biodegradability and renewable property. Nevertheless, the lubrication mechanism at the tool-workpiece interface of different vegetable oils with various physicochemical properties has not been revealed systematically. In order to verify the interfacial lubrication characteristics of different vegetable oils, MQL milling experiments of AISI 1045 based on fi ve vegetable oils (cottonseed, palm, castor, soybean, and peanut oils) were carried out. The experimental results showed that, palm oil obtained the lowest milling force ( F x = 312 N, F y = 156 N), friction coeffi cient (0.78), and surface roughness values ( Ra = 0.431 μm, RSm = 0.252 mm) and the smoothest surface of workpiece. Furthermore, the physiochemical properties (composition, molecular structure, viscosity, surface tension, and contact angle) of vegetable oil were analyzed. Palm oil with high content of saturated fatty acid, high viscosity and small contact angle can form the lubricating oil fi lm with the highest strength and the largest spreading area at the tool-workpiece interface. Therefore, palm oil can achieve the optimal lubrication effect.

Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping of Brain Iron Deposition in Patients With Recurrent Depression

Duan Xinxiu,Xie Yuhang,Zhu Xiufang,Chen Lei,Li Feng,Feng Guoquan,Li Lei 대한신경정신의학회 2022 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.19 No.8

Objective Recurrence is the most significant feature of depression and the relationship between iron and recurrent depression is still lack of direct evidence in vivo.Methods Twenty-one patients with depression and twenty control subjects were included. Gradient-recalled echo, T1 and T2 images were acquired using a 3.0T MRI system. After quantitative susceptibility mapping were reconstructed and standardized, a whole-brain and the regions of interest were respectively analyzed.Results Significant increases in susceptibility were found in multiple recurrent depression patients, which involved several brain regions (frontal lobes, temporal lobe structures, occipital lobes hippocampal regions, putamen, thalamus, cingulum, and cerebellum). Interestingly, no susceptibility changes after treatment compared to pre-treatment (all p>0.05) and no significant correlation between susceptibility and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were found. Besides, it was close to significance that those with a higher relapse frequency or a longer mean duration of single episode had a higher susceptibility in the putamen, thalamus, and hippocampus. Further studies showed susceptibility across the putamen (ρ²=0.27, p<0.001), thalamus (ρ²=0.21, p<0.001), and hippocampus (ρ²=0.19, p<0.001) were strongly correlated with total course of disease onset.Conclusion Brain iron deposition is related to the total course of disease onset, but not the severity of depression, which suggest that brain iron deposition may be a sign of brain damage in multiple recurrent depression.

Facile Preparation of Mechanical Reinforced and Biocompatible Silk Gels

Qiang Zhang,Guocong Han,Chen Lu,Qiusheng Wang,Xiufang Li,Zuwei Luo,Renchuan You,Shuqin Yan 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.4

Nontoxic and controllable way to fabricate silk fibroin (SF) gel with high mechanical properties is of critical important to biomaterial in tissue engineering. Electrochemically triggered electrophoretic migration and electric charge of the silk molecules both contributed to SF microspheres and electronic gel (e-gel) formation by sol-gel transition. In this study, a novel silk pH e-gel with higher mechanical property was prepared by combining low-voltage electric fields with isoelectric point (pI) adjustment. This green process was mild and friendly without chemical crosslinker. Compressive modulus of the silk pH e-gel was up to 70 MPa that was significantly higher than that of SF gelation spontaneously. Furthermore, analysis of molecule conformation of the silk pH-e-gel demonstrated that most of random coil structures transformed into α-helix and a little β-sheet structures during this process. The silk pH e-gel was loaded with rhodamine B and showed an obvious sustainable release profile. Accumulation releasing amounts was approximately 60 % at day 9. Cytocompatibility of the silk pH-e-gel was evaluated by epithelial cell. The results showed that the gels could support the cell growth and proliferation in vitro. Finally, gel biodegradation was assessed by protease XIV. After biodegradation for 28 days, remaining weight of the gel was about 20.23±2.59 wt%, indicating its good biodegradability. This novel process was established successfully by combining low voltage field with pH-control, which provided an alternative material for regenerative medicine.

Effect of Degumming Methods on the Degradation Behavior of Silk Fibroin Biomaterials

Luping Wang,Zuwei Luo,Qiang Zhang,Yupin Guan,Junyi Cai,Renchuan You,Xiufang Li 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.1

Degradation behavior is a key consideration in the field of silk fibroin (SF) biomaterials. Degumming to remove sericin is a prerequisite for SF purification; however, the impact of degumming on the degradation behavior of SF biomaterials has not been established. In this study, two different degumming systems, Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, were used. Na2CO3 exhibited higher degumming efficiency but caused greater degradation of the fibroin. The results demonstrated that NaHCO3 degumming could afford regenerated SF with higher molecular weight, resulting in SF films with higher mechanical strengths. The enzymatic degradation behaviors indicated that the SF films prepared by the Na2CO3 degumming process showed faster degradation, revealing that the choice of degumming method has a substantial impact on the biodegradation of SF-based materials. The results showed that manipulating the degumming conditions can be used to tune the molecular weight of the SF, in turn providing control over the degradation rate of SF biomaterials.