Optimized Assembly of Micro-/Meso-/Macroporous Carbon for Li–S Batteries

Qiong Tang,Heqin Li,Min Zuo,Jing Zhang,Yiqin Huang,Peiwen Bai,Jiaqi Xu,Kuan Zhou 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.2

In order to explore the effect of hierarchical porous carbon on the performances of Li–S batteries, we synthesized three kinds of micro-/meso-/macroporous carbon materials with different pore properties by facile hard-template method. Different from the majority of reports on porous carbon ensuing large specific surface area (SSA) and total pore volume, it was found that in the case of identically high sulfur content, the pore size distribution substantially influences the performances of Li–S batteries rather than the SSA and total pore volume. Furthermore, in the assembly of micro-/meso-/macropores, the micropore volume ratio to the total pore volume is dominant to the capabilities of batteries. Among the samples, the porous carbon carbonized with the precursor of sucrose at 950℃ presents the highest initial discharge specific capacity of 1327 mAh/g and retention of 630 mAh/g over 100 cycles at 0.2C rate along with the best rate capability. This sample possesses the largest micropore volume ratio of 47.54% but a medium SSA of 1217 m2 /g and inferior total pore volume of 0.54 cm3 /g. The abundant micropores effectively improve the conductivity of dispersed sulfur particles, inhibit the loss of sulfur series and enable the cathode to exhibit superior electrochemical performances.

Biochar-supported nZVI (nZVI/BC) for contaminant removal from soil and water: A critical review

Wang, Shengsen,Zhao, Mingyue,Zhou, Min,Li, Yuncong C.,Wang, Jun,Gao, Bin,Sato, Shinjiro,Feng, Ke,Yin, Weiqin,Igalavithana, Avanthi Deshani,Oleszczuk, Patryk,Wang, Xiaozhi,Ok, Yong Sik Elsevier 2019 Journal of hazardous materials Vol.373 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The promising characteristics of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) have not been fully exploited owing to intrinsic limitations. Carbon-enriched biochar (BC) has been widely used to overcome the limitations of nZVI and improve its reaction with environmental pollutants. This work reviews the preparation of nZVI/BC nanocomposites; the effects of BC as a supporting matrix on the nZVI crystallite size, dispersion, and oxidation and electron transfer capacity; and its interaction mechanisms with contaminants. The literature review suggests that the properties and preparation conditions of BC (e.g., pore structure, functional groups, feedstock composition, and pyrogenic temperature) play important roles in the manipulation of nZVI properties. This review discusses the interactions of nZVI/BC composites with heavy metals, nitrates, and organic compounds in soil and water. Overall, BC contributes to the removal of contaminants because it can attenuate contaminants on the surface of nZVI/BC; it also enhances electron transfer from nZVI to target contaminants owing to its good electrical conductivity and improves the crystallite size and dispersion of nZVI. This review is intended to provide insights into methods of optimizing nZVI/BC synthesis and maximizing the efficiency of nZVI in environmental cleanup.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Aggregation and passivation of nZVI can be alleviated by surfactants and doping methods. </LI> <LI> BC hinders corrosion and improves the dispersion and electron transfer of nZVI. </LI> <LI> Properties of nZVI depend on those of the BC, feedstock and pyrogenic temperature. </LI> <LI> BC enhances electron transfer from nZVI to the contaminants due to the presence of quinone and graphene moieties. </LI> <LI> nZVI/BC shows strong ability to remove HMs, nitrates, and organic contaminants in soil and water. </LI> </UL> </P>

Beam position measurement system at HIRFL-CSRm

Li Min,Xiao Guoqing,Mao Ruishi,Zhao Tiecheng,Yuan Youjin,Li Weilong,Zhou Kai,Kang Xincai,Li Peng,Li Juan 한국원자력학회 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.4

Beam position measurement system can not only provide the beam position monitoring, but also be used for global orbit correction to reduce beam loss risk and maximize acceptance. The Beam Position Monitors (BPM) are installed along the synchrotron to acquire beam position with the front-end electronics and data acquisition system (DAQ). To realize high precision orbit measurement in the main heavy ion synchrotron and cooling storage ring of heavy-ion research facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL-CSRm), a series of alignment and calibration work has been implemented on the BPM and its DAQ system. This paper analyzed the tests performed in the laboratory as well as with beam based on the developed algorithms and hardware. Several filtering algorithms were designed and implemented on the acquired BPM raw data, then the beam position and resolution were calculated and analyzed. The results show that the position precision was significantly improved from more than 100 μm to about 50 μm by implementing the new designed filtering algorithm. According to the analyzation of the measurement results and upcoming physical requirements, further upgrade scheme for the BPM DAQ system of CSRm based on field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology was proposed and discussed.

Recreational Physical Activity and Risk of Ovarian Cancer: a Meta-analysis

Zhou, Li-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Our aim was to access the association between recreational physical activity (RPA) and risk of ovarian cancer (OC). The studies were retrieved from the PubMed and Embase databases up to February 20th, 2014. Risk ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate effect sizes. Random-effects or fixed-effects models were used to pool the data. The trim and fill method was applied for sensitivity analysis. Begg's rank correlation test and Egger's regression asymmetry test were employed to assess the publication bias. A total of 6 studies (435398 participants including 2983 OC patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The overall estimate indicated that there was weakly inverse association between RPA and OC risk (RR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.72-1.12, p=0.335). Meanwhile, for prospective cohort studies, a result consistent with the overall estimate was obtained (RR=1.12, 95% CI: 0.88-1.42, p=0.356). However, for case control studies, the pooled estimate of RR was 0.76 (95%CI: 0.64-0.90, p=0.002), indicating a clear significant association between RPA and OC risk. In addition, the sensitivity analysis indicated a significant link between RPA and risk of OC after removing Lahmann's study (RR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.93, p=0.004). No significant publication bias was found (Begg's test: p=1.00; Egger's test: p=0.817). In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicated a weakly inverse relationship between RPA and the occurrence of OC.

Effects of zearalenone on the localization and expression of the growth hormone receptor gene in the uteri of post-weaning piglets

Min Zhou,Li Jie Yang,Wei Ren Yang,Li Bo Huang,Xue Mei Zhou,Shu Zhen Jiang,Zai Bin Yang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.1

Objective: In this study, we investigated the adverse effects of dietary zearalenone (ZEA) (0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg diet) on the localization and expression of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) in the uteri of post-weaning gilts and explored alternative mechanism of the reproductive toxicity of ZEA on piglets. Methods: A total of forty healthy piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Large White) aged 28 d were selected for study. Piglets were transferred to single cages after 10 days’ adaptation on an obstetric table. The animals were allocated to one of four treatments: a normal basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 0.5 (ZEA0.5), 1.0 (ZEA1.0), or 1.5 (ZEA1.5) mg/kg purified ZEA, and fed for 35 d after the 10-d adaptation. Analyzed ZEA concentrations in the diets were 0, 0.52±0.07, 1.04±0.03, and 1.51±0.13 mg/kg, respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, piglets were euthanized after being fasted for 12 h. Two samples of uterine tissue from each pig were rapidly collected, one of which was stored at –80°C for analysis of the relative mRNA and protein expression of GHR, and the second was promptly fixed in Bouin’s solution for immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The relative weight of the uteri and thickness of the myometrium and endometrium increased linearly (p<0.001) and quadratically (p<0.001) with an increasing level of ZEA. The results of immunohistochemical analysis indicated that GHR immunoreactive substance was mainly localizated in the cytoplasm of uterine smooth muscle, glandular epithelial, luminal epithelial, stromal, and vascular endothelial cells. In contrast, nuclear staining was rarely observed. The immunoreactive integrated optic density of GHR in the myometrium, luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, and whole uteri of weaning gilts increased linearly (p<0.001) and quadratically (p<0.05) with an increasing level of ZEA. The mRNA and protein expression of GHR in the uteri of weaning gilts increased linearly (p<0.001) and quadratically (p<0.05) with an increasing level of ZEA. Conclusion: In conclusion, ZEA at a concentration of 0.5 mg/kg was sufficient to significantly thicken the myometrium and endometrium, and at a concentration of 1.0 mg/kg induced a high level of GHR expression to promote growth and development of the uteri. This revealed an alternative molecular mechanism whereby ZEA induces growth and development of the uteri and provides a theoretical basis for the revision of Chinese feed hygiene standards.

Tanshinone II-A Inhibits Angiogenesis through Down Regulation of COX-2 in Human Colorectal Cancer

Zhou, Li-Hong,Hu, Qiang,Sui, Hua,Ci, Shu-Jun,Wang, Yan,Liu, Xuan,Liu, Ning-Ning,Yin, Pei-Hao,Qin, Jian-Min,Li, Qi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) appears to be involved with multiple aspects of CRC angiogenesis. Our aim was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Tan II-A (Tanshinone II-A, Tan II-A) on tumor growth in mice, as well as alteration of expression of COX-2 and VEGF in CRC. We established the mice xenograft model of C26 CRC cell line, and injected 0.5, 1, 2mg/kg of Tan II-A and 1mg/kg of 5-FU in respectively in vivo. Then, we assayed tumor weight and volume, and evaluated microvascular density and expression of VEGF. COX-2 promoter and COX-2 plasmids were transfected into HCT-116 cells, followed by detection of COX-2 promoter activity by chemiluminescence, and detection of COX-2 mRNA expression by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Taken together, the results showed Tan II-A could inhibit tumor growth and suppress the VEGF level in vivo. HCT-116 cell experiments showed marked inhibitory effects of Tan II-A on COX-2 and VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that Tan II-A can effectively inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis of human colorectal cancer via inhibiting the expression level of COX-2 and VEGF.

Versicolols A and B, two new prenylated isocoumarins from endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor and their cytotoxic activity

Min Zhou,Jie Lou,Yin-Ke Li,Yue-De Wang,Kun Zhou,Bing-Kun Ji,Wei Dong,Xue-Mei Gao,Gang Du,Qiu-Fen Hu 대한약학회 2017 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.40 No.1

Versicolols A and B (1 and 2), two rareprenylated isocoumarin derivatives, along with five knownisocoumarins (3–7) were isolated from the fermentationproducts of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensivespectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their cytotoxicityagainst five human tumor cell lines. The resultsshowed that compounds 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicityagainst A549 and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 9.4 and8.8 lm, and compound 2 exhibited weak cytotoxicityagainst SHSY5Y and MCF7 cells with IC50 values of 8.2and 6.8 lm, respectively.

Resequencing 302 wild and cultivated accessions identifies genes related to domestication and improvement in soybean

Zhou, Zhengkui,Jiang, Yu,Wang, Zheng,Gou, Zhiheng,Lyu, Jun,Li, Weiyu,Yu, Yanjun,Shu, Liping,Zhao, Yingjun,Ma, Yanming,Fang, Chao,Shen, Yanting,Liu, Tengfei,Li, Congcong,Li, Qing,Wu, Mian,Wang, Min,Wu, Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan P 2015 Nature biotechnology Vol.33 No.4

Understanding soybean (Glycine max) domestication and improvement at a genetic level is important to inform future efforts to further improve a crop that provides the world's main source of oilseed. We detect 230 selective sweeps and 162 selected copy number variants by analysis of 302 resequenced wild, landrace and improved soybean accessions at >11× depth. A genome-wide association study using these new sequences reveals associations between 10 selected regions and 9 domestication or improvement traits, and identifies 13 previously uncharacterized loci for agronomic traits including oil content, plant height and pubescence form. Combined with previous quantitative trait loci (QTL) information, we find that, of the 230 selected regions, 96 correlate with reported oil QTLs and 21 contain fatty acid biosynthesis genes. Moreover, we observe that some traits and loci are associated with geographical regions, which shows that soybean populations are structured geographically. This study provides resources for genomics-enabled improvements in soybean breeding.

Correlation between DNA methylation and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells

Yan‑Li Li,Xi‑Qian Xing,Yi Xiao,Yan‑Hong Liu,Yu‑Shan Zhou,Min Zhuang,Chao‑Qian Li 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.12

Background: The overexpression of TSLP and DNA methylation in asthma were both risk factors the relationship was not clear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between methylation status of TSLP promoter and mRNA/protein expression in asthmatic airway epithelial cells. Methods: Human bronchial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into: Control group, treated with PBS, model group, sensitized with LPS (10 μg/mL) for 12 h (37 °C, 5% CO2). Other groups were cultured with the pCMV3 plasmid (M + NC/pCMV), pGPH1 plasmid (M + NC/pGPH), DNMT1/pCMV3 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pCMV), and DNMT1/pGPH1 plasmid (M + DNMT1/pGPH) for 48 h. The expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 and TSLP were measured using real-time PCR and western blotting. Results: Compared with the control group, TSLP mRNA (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1, P < 0.001) and protein (1.07 ± 0.04 vs. 1.46 ± 0.11, P < 0.01) were significantly greater, and the methylation of promoter was lower (92.75 ± 1.26 vs. 58.57 ± 3.34, P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, TSLP mRNA (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1.17 ± 0.10, P < 0.001) decreased, but TSLP promoter methylation increased (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 92.58 ± 7.30, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pCMV. TSLP mRNA and protein were higher (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 5.32 ± 0.21, P < 0.001; 1.46 ± 0.11 vs. 1.94 ± 0.11, respectively, P < 0.01), TSLP promoter methylation was lower (58.57 ± 3.34 vs. 33.57 ± 4.29, P < 0.05) in M + DNMT1/pGPH. Conclusions: Overexpression of TSLP in asthmatic airway epithelial cells may be regulated by DNA demethylation.

Comparison of Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) Cultivars Based on the Selected Regeneration Media Using Anther Culture

Xuhong Zhou,Xijun Mo,Suping Qu,Min Tian,Xue Wei Wu,Min Wu,Jinze Li,Ying Luo,Jihua Wang,Min Gui 한국원예학회 2014 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.55 No.2

Double haploids in lisianthus cultivars were produced using anther culture. The anther of ‘Art Peach’ wascultured on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3% sucrose with auxin and cytokinin. The highest frequencyof calli developed from anthers (100%) and green plantlets per 100 calli (60 regenerants) was observed on the mediumcontaining 8 mg・L-1 N6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 mg・L-1 naphthaleneacetic acids (NAA). When anthers were culturedon the medium supplemented with 2 mg・L-1 BA and 0.5 mg・L-1 NAA, 33.3% of calli formed plantlets. Using theanther culture, callus induction and plantlets regeneration in five cultivars were developed differently, suggesting thatthe genotype might predetermined anther culture response. These results indicate that a highly efficient new microprogationtechnique can be provided by anther culture in vitro for lisianthus. Anther culture in vitro can provide a highly efficientnew microprogation technique for lisianthus.