Reduction of the contact resistance in copper phthalocyanine thin film transistor with UV/ozone treated Au electrodes

Jun Li,Liang Zhang,Xiao-Wen Zhang,Hao Zhang,Xue-Yin Jiang,Dong-bin Yu,Wen-Qing Zhu,Zhi-Lin Zhang 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.5

Bottom-contact (BC) copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin film transistor with UV/ozone treated Au as a source/drain electrode was fabricated and the contact resistance was estimated from the transmission line method (TLM). Comparing the properties of OTFT with untreated Au electrode, the performance of the BC CuPc-TFT with the UV/ozone treated Au electrodes was significantly improved: saturation mobility increased from 4.69 × 10−3 to 2.37 × 10−2 ㎠/V s, threshold voltage reduced from −29.1 to −6.4 V, and threshold swing varied from 5.08 to 2.25 V/decade. The contact resistance of the device with UV/ozone treated Au electrodes was nearly 20 times smaller than that of the device with untreated Au electrodes at the gate voltage of −20 V. This result indicated that using the UV/ozone treated Au electrode is an effective method to reduce the contact resistance. The present BC configuration with UV/ozone treated Au electrodes could be a significant step towards the commercialization of OTFT technology.

Automatic Detection and Classification of Rib Fractures on Thoracic CT Using Convolutional Neural Network: Accuracy and Feasibility

Zhou Qing-Qing,Wang Jiashuo,Tang Wen,Hu Zhang-Chun,Xia Zi-Yi,Xue-Song Li,Zhang Rongguo,Yin Xindao,Zhang Bing,Zhang Hong 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.7

Objective: To evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model that can automatically detect and classify rib fractures, and output structured reports from computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: This study included 1079 patients (median age, 55 years; men, 718) from three hospitals, between January 2011 and January 2019, who were divided into a monocentric training set (n = 876; median age, 55 years; men, 582), five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (n = 173; median age, 59 years; men, 118) with different slice thicknesses and image pixels, and a normal control set (n = 30; median age, 53 years; men, 18). Three classifications (fresh, healing, and old fracture) combined with fracture location (corresponding CT layers) were detected automatically and delivered in a structured report. Precision, recall, and F1-score were selected as metrics to measure the optimum CNN model. Detection/diagnosis time, precision, and sensitivity were employed to compare the diagnostic efficiency of the structured report and that of experienced radiologists. Results: A total of 25054 annotations (fresh fracture, 10089; healing fracture, 10922; old fracture, 4043) were labelled for training (18584) and validation (6470). The detection efficiency was higher for fresh fractures and healing fractures than for old fractures (F1-scores, 0.849, 0.856, 0.770, respectively, p = 0.023 for each), and the robustness of the model was good in the five multicenter/multiparameter validation sets (all mean F1-scores > 0.8 except validation set 5 [512 x 512 pixels; F1-score = 0.757]). The precision of the five radiologists improved from 80.3% to 91.1%, and the sensitivity increased from 62.4% to 86.3% with artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis. On average, the diagnosis time of the radiologists was reduced by 73.9 seconds. Conclusion: Our CNN model for automatic rib fracture detection could assist radiologists in improving diagnostic efficiency, reducing diagnosis time and radiologists’ workload.

The Effect of Transformation on the Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Zhang Xue-Mei,Yin Yi-Bing,Zhu Dan,Chen Bao-De,Luo Jin-Yong,Deng Vi-Ping,Liu Ming-Fang,Chen Shu-Hui,Meng Jiang-Ping,Lan Kai,Huang Yuan-Shuai,Kang Ge-Fei The Microbiological Society of Korea 2005 The journal of microbiology Vol.43 No.4

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos. 1d, 2d, and 22d. The construction of these altered strains was achieved via the insertion of the inactivated gene, comE, to strains 1, 2 and 22. We then conducted a comparison between the virulence of the transformation-deficient strains and that of the wild-type strains, via an evaluation of the ability of each strain to adhere to endothelial cells, and also assessed psaA mRNA expression, and the survival of hosts after bacterial challenge. Compared to what was observed with the wild-type strains, our results indicated that the ability of all of the transformation-deficient strains to adhere to the ECV304 cells had been significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the expression of psaA mRNA was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in strains 2d and 22d, and the median survival time of mice infected with strains Id and 2d was increased significantly after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge (p < 0.05). The results of our study also clearly indicated that transformation exerts significant effects on the virulence characteristics of S. pneumoniae, although the degree to which this effect is noted appears to depend primarily on the genetic background of the bacteria.

The Effect of Transformation on the Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Xue-Mei Zhang,Yi-Bing Yin,Dan Zhu,Bao-De Chen,Jin-Yong Luo,Yi-Ping Deng,Ming-Fang Liu,Shu-Hui Chen,Jiang-Ping Meng,Kai Lan,Yuan-Shuai Huang,Ge-Fei Kang 한국미생물학회 2005 The journal of microbiology Vol.43 No.4

Although pneumococcus is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic pathogen in the world, the mechanisms responsible for its infectiveness have not yet been fully understood. In this paper, we have attempted to characterize the effects of pneumococcal transformation on the pathogenesis of the organism. We constructed three transformation-deficient pneumococcal strains, which were designated as Nos. 1d, 2d, and 22d. The construction of these altered strains was achieved via the insertion of the inactivated gene, comE, to strains 1, 2 and 22. We then conducted a comparison between the virulence of the transformation-deficient strains and that of the wild-type strains, via an evaluation of the ability of each strain to adhere to endothelial cells, and also assessed psaA mRNA expression, and the survival of hosts after bacterial challenge. Compared to what was observed with the wild-type strains, our results indicated that the ability of all of the transformation-deficient strains to adhere to the ECV304 cells had been significantly reduced (p < 0.05), the expression of psaA mRNA was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in strains 2d and 22d, and the median survival time of mice infected with strains 1d and 2d was increased significantly after intraperitoneal bacterial challenge (p < 0.05). The results of our study also clearly indicated that transformation exerts significant effects on the virulence characteristics of S. pneumoniae, although the degree to which this effect is noted appears to depend primarily on the genetic background of the bacteria.

Transcriptome profiling analysis reveals the role of Elongases in development and reproduction of Tribolium castaneum

Xue Shuang,Gao Shanshan,Cao Yizhuo,Gao Tian,Yin Se,Zhang Yong-lei,Lu Ruixue,Zhang Kunpeng 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

Elongases (ELO) is a large class of enzymes involved in the development and reproduction of insects. Although some ELOs have been isolated and characterized in a small number of insects, little is known about the specific function of ELOs in insects, especially in the regulatory mechanism of ELOs. In this study, the function and regulation of TcELO were investigated in Tribolium castaneum. Spatiotemporal expression profiling indicated that TcELO expressed in all development stages, and high expressed in the head, epidermis, and ovary of T. castaneum. By comparing the transcriptome profiles of RNAi-treated larvae (dsTcELO) and control larvae of T. canstaneum using RNA sequencing, 320 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the ds-ELO-treated group. Compared with the control group, five genes including cytc2, sfxn3 and H2A.V were significantly up-regulated in the dsTcELO group, suggesting that TcELO may be involved in the apoptosis of insect biological cells to control the growth and development system of insects. However, NAT was significantly down-regulated, indicating that it cooperates with TcELO to control the reproductive process of insects. Knockdown of TcELO also significantly up-regulated related genes in environmental adaptation pathways, such as COXIV, COXc6, and ATPs, which suggested that these genes may regulate TcELO to involve in epidermal function of insects and thier adaptability to the environment. These results provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of TcELO involved in insect physiology, and can provide theoretical support for the control of agricultural pests.

Influence of pre-slaughter fasting time on weight loss, meat quality and carcass contamination in broilers

Xue Ge,Cheng Silu,Yin Jingwen,Zhang Runxiang,Su Yingying,Li Xiang,Li Jianhong,Bao Jun 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.6

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the appropriate fasting time prior to slaughter for broilers in floor-feed and scatter-feed mode. Methods: On 21 d since hatching, 120 Arbor Acres broilers were divided into floor-feed and scatter-feed groups, chicks from each group were further assigned to feed withdrawal treatments for 0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h. Some resultant indicators such as carcass contamination, body weight loss, meat quality of 54-day-old broilers were measured. Results: It appears that longer feed withdrawal increased weight loss, lightness, drop loss of meat but reduced pH. A significant higher weight loss and lightness for both floor-feed and scatter-feed chicks coincided after 6 to 10 h feed withdrawal (p<0.05). pH for breast muscle at 45 min postmortem reduced when chicks of scatter-feed were fasted 6 and 10 h, while the reduction of floor-feed group occurred only in 10 h (p<0.05). A noticeable effect of feed withdrawal on drop loss occurred after 10 h fasting in scatter-feed of which drop loss were significantly higher than that for other groups including control (p<0.05). The change of contamination propensity revealed that 6 to 10 h fasting significantly reduced the likelihood of carcass contamination under both floor-feed and scatter-feed (p<0.05). Net weights of intestinal contents for gizzard were significantly reduced after feed deprived for 10 h in floor-feed and 6 and 10 h in scatter-feed (p<0.05). The decrease for whole intestine occurred after floor-feed broilers have been without feed for more than 4 h, scatter-feed broilers for more than 8 h (p<0.05). Conclusion: On the premise that poultry product properties and welfare were not significantly damaged, proper fasting time could reduce carcass contamination. Current data implied that 6 h fasting was recommendable for both floor and scatter feed pre-slaughter broilers. Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the appropriate fasting time prior to slaughter for broilers in floor-feed and scatter-feed mode.Methods: On 21 d since hatching, 120 Arbor Acres broilers were divided into floor-feed and scatter-feed groups, chicks from each group were further assigned to feed withdrawal treatments for 0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h. Some resultant indicators such as carcass contamination, body weight loss, meat quality of 54-day-old broilers were measured.Results: It appears that longer feed withdrawal increased weight loss, lightness, drop loss of meat but reduced pH. A significant higher weight loss and lightness for both floor-feed and scatter-feed chicks coincided after 6 to 10 h feed withdrawal (p<0.05). pH for breast muscle at 45 min postmortem reduced when chicks of scatter-feed were fasted 6 and 10 h, while the reduction of floor-feed group occurred only in 10 h (p<0.05). A noticeable effect of feed withdrawal on drop loss occurred after 10 h fasting in scatter-feed of which drop loss were significantly higher than that for other groups including control (p<0.05). The change of contamination propensity revealed that 6 to 10 h fasting significantly reduced the likelihood of carcass contamination under both floor-feed and scatter-feed (p<0.05). Net weights of intestinal contents for gizzard were significantly reduced after feed deprived for 10 h in floor-feed and 6 and 10 h in scatter-feed (p<0.05). The decrease for whole intestine occurred after floor-feed broilers have been without feed for more than 4 h, scatter-feed broilers for more than 8 h (p<0.05).Conclusion: On the premise that poultry product properties and welfare were not significantly damaged, proper fasting time could reduce carcass contamination. Current data implied that 6 h fasting was recommendable for both floor and scatter feed pre-slaughter broilers.

Lack of Influence of an XRCC3 Gene Polymorphism on Oral Cancer Susceptibility: Meta-analysis

Zhang, En-Jiao,Cui, Zhi-Gang,Xu, Zhong-Fei,Duan, Wei-Yi,Huang, Shao-Hui,Tan, Xue-Xin,Yin, Zhi-Hua,Sun, Chang-Fu,Lu, Li Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.23

Background: To systematically summarize the association between the X-ray repair cross complementing 3 (XRCC3) gene polymorphism and oral cancer susceptibility by meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Databases including PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched to identify case-control studies concerning the association between an XRCC3 gene polymorphism and the risk of oral cancer from the inception to June 2014. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the criteria, extracted the data and assessed the quality. Then meta-analysis was performed using Stata 11.0 software. Results: Seven published case-control studies including 775 patients with oral cancer and 1922 controls were selected. Associations between the rs861539 polymorphism and overall oral cancer risk were not statistically significant in all kinds of comparison models (CT vs CC: OR=0.94, 95%CI=0.74-1.18; TT vs CC: OR=0.94, 95%CI=0.64-1.38; dominant model: OR=0.95, 95%CI=0.76-1.18; recessive model: OR=0.94, 95%CI=0.69-1.29; allele T vs C: OR=0.97, 95%CI=0.84-1.11). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, no significant associations were found among Asians and Caucasians. On stratification by tumor type, no significant associations were found for cancer and oral premalignant lesions. Conclusions: The XRCC3 gene polymorphism was not found to be associated with the risk of oral cancer. Considering the limited quality of the included case-control studies, more high quality studies with large sample size are needed to verify the above conclusion.

Identification of genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens

Xue Qian,Li Guohui,Cao Yuxia,Yin Jianmei,Zhu Yunfen,Zhang Huiyong,Zhou Chenghao,Shen Haiyu,Dou Xinhong,Su Yijun,Wang Kehua,Zou Jianmin,Han Wei 아세아·태평양축산학회 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.6

Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens. Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction. Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources. Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens.Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq).Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction.Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources.

Oxidation of cyclopentene catalyzed by tungsten-substituted molybdophosphoric acids

Jinjuan Xue,Haixia Li,Dongzhi Zhang,Tingshun Jiang,Longbao Yu,Yutang Shen,Hengbo Yin 한국화학공학회 2009 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.26 No.3

A series of Keggin type tungsten-substituted molybdophosphoric acids (H3PMo12−nWnO40·XH2O) were synthesized and characterized by ICP-AES, FT-IR, TG-DSC, and XRD. The tungsten substitution extent significantly affected their catalytic activity in the oxidation of cyclopentene and the selectivity of the resultant products. The tungsten-substituted molybdophosphoric acids with tungsten substitution numbers in a range of 3-6.8 exhibited high catalytic activity in the oxidation of cyclopentene. After reaction for 8 h, the conversion of cyclopentene was up to 97%; the oxidation products mainly consisted of glutaraldehyde, cis-1,2-cyclopentanediol and trans-1,2-cyclopentanediol with the yields of ca. 23%, 27%, and 45%, respectively.

Current Review on the Research Status of Cemented Carbide Brazing: Filler Materials and Mechanical Properties

Xiaohui Yin,Qunshuang Ma,Bing Cui,Lei Zhang,Xingyan Xue,Sujuan Zhong,Dong Xu 대한금속·재료학회 2021 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.27 No.4

Cemented carbides have been widely applied in cutting tools and wear-resistant components due to their ultrahigh hardnessand good wear resistance. However, the disadvantages of limited impact toughness and high cost have restricted their furtherapplication. Consequently, cemented carbides are usually joining with ductile steels to combine the advantages of both. Among various materials joining technologies, brazing have been an effective method to achieve high quality dissimilarcemented carbide joints. In this paper, the research status of cemented carbide brazing is reviewed. The materials utilized asbrazing filler metal in cemented carbide brazing joints are summarized in detail. Researchers have done lots of works utilizingCu based and Ag based brazing filler metals which are the most commonly used interlayers in brazed joints of cementedcarbide and ductile steel. The effects of different filler metal on wettability, microstructure, phase constitution and mechanicalproperties of brazed cemented carbides joints are analysed. Besides, a series of newly developed brazing filler materialsuch as nickel-based high temperature brazing filler metal, amorphous brazing filler metal and high entropy alloy brazingfiller materials are also involved. These newly developed brazing filler metals have shown great potential in fabricating highquality joints. Finally, the current issues of cemented carbide brazing are reviewed and the develop trend is predicted.