Laser Raman detection of platelet as a non‐invasive approach for early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

Chen, P.,Tian, Q.,Baek, S.J.,Shang, X.L.,Park, A.,Liu, Z.C.,Yao, X.Q.,Wang, J.Z.,Wang, X.H.,Cheng, Y.,Peng, J.,Shen, A.G.,Hu, J.M. WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2011 Laser physics letters Vol.8 No.7

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a problem that puzzled many doctors. Reliable markers in easy‐assembling samples are of considerable clinical diagnostic value. In this work, laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS) was developed a new method that potentially allows early and differential diagnosis of AD from the platelet sample. Raman spectra of platelets isolated from different ages of AD transgenic mice and non‐transgenic controls were collected and analyzed. Multilayer perceptron networks (MLP) classification method was used to classify spectra and establish the diagnostic models. For differential diagnosis, spectra of platelets isolated from AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and vascular dementia (VD) mice were also discriminated. Two notable spectral differences at 740 and 1654 cm<SUP>–1</SUP> were revealed in the mean spectrum of platelets isolated from AD transgenic mice and the controls. MLP displayed a powerful ability in the classifying of early, advanced AD and the control group, and in differential diagnosis of PD and advanced AD, as well as VD and advanced AD. The results suggest that platelet detecting by LRS coupled with MLP analysis appears to be an easy and accurate method for early and differential diagnosis of AD. This technique could be rapidly promoted from laboratory to the hospital. (© 2011 by Astro Ltd., Published exclusively by WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA) (© 2011 by Astro Ltd., Published exclusively by WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA)</P>

Coprecipitation synthesis, structure and photoluminescence properties of Eu³⁺-doped sodium barium borate

Qiao, X.,Cheng, Y.,Qin, L.,Qin, C.,Cai, P.,Kim, S.I.,Seo, H.J. Elsevier Sequoia 2014 JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS Vol.617 No.-

Micro-sized phosphors of Eu<SUP>3+</SUP>-doped NaBaBO<SUB>3</SUB> (0.5-12mol%) were prepared by the modified co-precipitation synthesis. The samples were characterized by scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images and electron dispersive X-ray (EDX). The polycrystalline samples are well developed to the regular plate-like particles with the uniform morphology. The single crystal-phase NaBaBO<SUB>3</SUB> of the Eu<SUP>3+</SUP>-doped sample was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements and the structure refinement. The optical properties are evaluated by photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, and decay curves. The absolute luminescence quantum efficiency (QE) and the activation energy (ΔE) are reported. Eu<SUP>3+</SUP>-doped NaBaBO<SUB>3</SUB> presents a bright red-emitting color under the excitation of near-UV light around 400nm. The maximum absolute QE of NaBaBO<SUB>3</SUB>:Eu<SUP>3+</SUP> is estimated to be 53% at 300K. The phosphor shows an excellent thermal stability on temperature quenching effects. The results were discussed on the relationship between the structure and the luminescence properties.

Preparation, surface characteristic and photoactive activitiesof Ni₂FeV₃O₁₁ semiconductor nanoparticles

Qiao, X.,Yang, L.,Li, Y.,Wan, Y.,Huang, Y.,Cheng, H.,Seo, H.J. North-Holland 2016 Materials letters Vol.163 No.-

Ni<SUB>2</SUB>FeV<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>11</SUB> nanorods were prepared by the sol-gel method via film-coating and subsequent heating. The sample was conducted by the crystal structure refinement confirming a pure triclinic phase with space group P-1. The surface characteristics were investigated by the measurements such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), specific surface area, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The photo-physical properties of Ni<SUB>2</SUB>FeV<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>11</SUB> nanorods were measured by the UV-vis absorption spectrum, and the photodegradation for methylene blue solutions (MB). This vanadate semiconductor has band-gap energy of 1.85eV and presents an efficient photocatalytic activity driven by visible-light. Moreover, the nanorods are magnetically recoverable after the photocatalysis.

Biological control of anthracnose (<i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i>) in yam by <i>Streptomyces</i> sp.MJM5763

Palaniyandi, S.A.,Yang, S.H.,Cheng, J.H.,Meng, L.,Suh, J.&#x2010,W. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Journal of applied microbiology Vol.111 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P><B>Aim: </B> To find a suitable biocontrol agent for yam anthracnose caused by <I>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</I>.</P><P><B>Methods and Results: </B> An actinobacterial strain, MJM5763, showing strong antifungal activity, multiple biocontrol and plant growth‐promoting traits was isolated from a yam cultivation field in Yeoju, South Korea. Based on morphological and physiological characteristics and analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence, strain MJM5763 was identified as a novel strain of <I>Streptomyces</I> and was designated as <I>Streptomyces</I> sp. MJM5763. Treatment with MJM5763 and the crude culture filtrate extract (CCFE) was effective in suppressing anthracnose in detached yam leaves <I>in vitro</I> and reduced incidence and severity of anthracnose in yam plants under greenhouse conditions. The CCFE treatment was the most effective of all the treatments and reduced the anthracnose severity by 85–88% and the incidence by 79–81%, 90 days after inoculation with the pathogen. CCFE treatment was also effective under field conditions and showed a reduction of 86 and 75% of anthracnose severity and incidence, respectively.</P><P><B>Conclusion: </B> <I>Streptomyces</I> sp. strain MJM5763 was effective in biocontrolling anthracnose in yam caused by <I>C.?gloeosporioides</I>.</P><P><B>Significance and Impact of the Study: </B> <I>Streptomyces</I> sp. MJM5763 is a potential alternative to chemical fungicides for reducing yield losses to anthracnose in yam.</P>

Evidence for wavelike energy transfer through quantum coherence in photosynthetic systems

Engel, Gregory S.,Calhoun, Tessa R.,Read, Elizabeth L.,Ahn, Tae-Kyu,Man&#x10d,al, Tomá,&#x161,Cheng, Yuan-Chung,Blankenship, Robert E.,Fleming, Graham R. Nature Publishing Group 2007 Nature Vol.446 No.7137

Photosynthetic complexes are exquisitely tuned to capture solar light efficiently, and then transmit the excitation energy to reaction centres, where long term energy storage is initiated. The energy transfer mechanism is often described by semiclassical models that invoke ‘hopping’ of excited-state populations along discrete energy levels. Two-dimensional Fourier transform electronic spectroscopy has mapped these energy levels and their coupling in the Fenna–Matthews–Olson (FMO) bacteriochlorophyll complex, which is found in green sulphur bacteria and acts as an energy ‘wire’ connecting a large peripheral light-harvesting antenna, the chlorosome, to the reaction centre. The spectroscopic data clearly document the dependence of the dominant energy transport pathways on the spatial properties of the excited-state wavefunctions of the whole bacteriochlorophyll complex. But the intricate dynamics of quantum coherence, which has no classical analogue, was largely neglected in the analyses—even though electronic energy transfer involving oscillatory populations of donors and acceptors was first discussed more than 70 years ago, and electronic quantum beats arising from quantum coherence in photosynthetic complexes have been predicted and indirectly observed. Here we extend previous two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy investigations of the FMO bacteriochlorophyll complex, and obtain direct evidence for remarkably long-lived electronic quantum coherence playing an important part in energy transfer processes within this system. The quantum coherence manifests itself in characteristic, directly observable quantum beating signals among the excitons within the Chlorobium tepidum FMO complex at 77 K. This wavelike characteristic of the energy transfer within the photosynthetic complex can explain its extreme efficiency, in that it allows the complexes to sample vast areas of phase space to find the most efficient path.

A Comparison of Natural (D-α-tocopherol) and Synthetic (DL-α-tocopherol Acetate) Vitamin E Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Oxidative Status of Broilers

Cheng, K.,Niu, Y.,Zheng, X.C.,Zhang, H.,Chen, Y.P.,Zhang, M.,Huang, X.X.,Zhang, L.L.,Zhou, Y.M.,Wang, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.5

The present study was conducted to compare the supplementation of natural (D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol) and synthetic (DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular antioxidant capacity and genes expression related to oxidative status of broilers. A total of 144 1 day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 8 birds each. Birds were given a basal diet (control group), and basal diet supplemented with either 20 IU D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol or DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate for 42 days, respectively. The results indicated that treatments did not alter growth performance of broilers (p>0.05). Compared with the control group, concentration of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in the breast muscle was increased by the supplementation of vitamin E (p<0.05). In the thigh, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content was also enhanced by vitamin E inclusion, and this effect was more pronounced in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Vitamin E supplementation increased the redness of breast (p<0.05). In the contrast, the inclusion of synthetic vitamin E decreased lightness of thigh (p<0.05). Dietary vitamin E inclusion reduced drip loss at 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and this effect was maintained for drip loss at 48 h in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Broilers given diet supplemented with vitamin E showed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the breast (p<0.05). Additionally, natural rather than synthetic vitamin E reduced MDA accumulation in the thigh (p<0.05). Neither natural nor synthetic vitamin E supplementation altered muscular mRNA abundance of genes related to oxidative stress (p>0.05). It was concluded that vitamin E supplementation, especially the natural vitamin E, can enhance the retention of muscular ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, improve meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers.

A comprehensive high Reynolds number effects simulation method for wind pressures on cooling tower models

Cheng, X.X.,Zhao, L.,Ge, Y.J.,Dong, J.,Demartino, C. Techno-Press 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.24 No.2

The traditional method for the simulation of high Reynolds number (Re) effects on wind loads on cooling tower models in wind tunnels focuses only on the mean wind pressure distribution. Based on observed effects of some key factors on static/dynamic flow characteristics around cooling towers, the study reported in this paper describes a comprehensive simulation method using both mean and fluctuating wind pressure distributions at high Re as simulation targets, which is indispensable for obtaining the complete full-scale wind effects in wind tunnels. After being presented in this paper using a case study, the proposed method is examined by comparing the full covariance matrices and the cross-spectral densities of the simulated cases with those of the full-scale case. Besides, the cooling tower's dynamic structural responses obtained using the simulated wind pressure fields are compared with those obtained by using the full-scale one. Through these works, the applicability and superiority of the proposed method is validated.

Bioprocessing for elimination antibiotics and hormones from swine wastewater

Cheng, D.L.,Ngo, H.H.,Guo, W.S.,Liu, Y.W.,Zhou, J.L.,Chang, S.W.,Nguyen, D.D.,Bui, X.T.,Zhang, X.B. Elsevier 2018 Science of the Total Environment Vol.621 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Antibiotics and hormones in swine wastewater have become a critical concern worldwide due to the severe threats to human health and the eco-environment. Removal of most detectable antibiotics and hormones, such as sulfonamides (SAs), SMs, tetracyclines (TCs), macrolides, and estrogenic hormones from swine wastewater utilizing various biological processes were summarized and compared. In biological processes, biosorption and biodegradation are the two major removal mechanisms for antibiotics and hormones. The residuals in treated effluents and sludge of conventional activated sludge and anaerobic digestion processes can still pose risks to the surrounding environment, and the anaerobic processes' removal efficiencies were inferior to those of aerobic processes. In contrast, membrane bioreactors (MBRs), constructed wetlands (CWs) and modified processes performed better because of their higher biodegradation of toxicants. Process modification on activated sludge, anaerobic digestion and conventional MBRs could also enhance the performance (e.g. removing up to 98% SMs, 88.9% TCs, and 99.6% hormones from wastewater). The hybrid process combining MBRs with biological or physical technology also led to better removal efficiency. As such, modified conventional biological processes, advanced biological technologies and MBR hybrid systems are considered as a promising technology for removing toxicants from swine wastewater.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Biological antibiotics and hormones treatment process for swine wastewater was reviewed. </LI> <LI> Mechanisms of antibiotics/hormones removal can be biosorption and biodegradation. </LI> <LI> Conventional AS and AD are ineffective for antibiotics & hormones removal. </LI> <LI> MBRs/hybrid MBRs and constructed wetlands can improve toxicants removal. </LI> <LI> Modified conventional bioreactors are also efficient in antibiotics and hormones removal. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

A comprehensive high Reynolds number effects simulation method for wind pressures on cooling tower models

X.X. Cheng,L. Zhao,Y.J. Ge,J. Dong,C. Demartino 한국풍공학회 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.24 No.2

The traditional method for the simulation of high Reynolds number (Re) effects on wind loads on cooling tower models in wind tunnels focuses only on the mean wind pressure distribution. Based on observed effects of some key factors on static/dynamic flow characteristics around cooling towers, the study reported in this paper describes a comprehensive simulation method using both mean and fluctuating wind pressure distributions at high Re as simulation targets, which is indispensable for obtaining the complete full-scale wind effects in wind tunnels. After being presented in this paper using a case study, the proposed method is examined by comparing the full covariance matrices and the cross-spectral densities of the simulated cases with those of the full-scale case. Besides, the cooling tower\'s dynamic structural responses obtained using the simulated wind pressure fields are compared with those obtained by using the full-scale one. Through these works, the applicability and superiority of the proposed method is validated.

Growth Behavior of Ferrite Allotriomorphs Nucleated on Grain Boundary Faces in a Low Carbon Steel

X. L. Wan,L. Cheng,K. M. Wu 대한금속·재료학회 2010 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.16 No.6

The growth behavior of ferrite allotriomorphs nucleated on grain boundary faces in a low carbon steel was revealed by means of serial sectioning and three-dimensional (3-D) computer-aided reconstruction techniques. The length, width and thickness of ferrite allotriomorphs were measured on the basis of 3-D reconstructed images. The measurements indicated that the lengthening of ferrite allotriomorphs was much larger than that of widening and thickening. As isothermal holding time prolonged, adjacent ferrite allotriomorphs impinged against each other and gradually coalesced and finally covered grain boundary faces. The measured growth rate constant was smaller than that calculated, which was probably attributed to solute drag-like effect of manganese in the alloy.