Amorphous copper tungsten oxide with tunable band gaps

Chen, Le,Shet, Sudhakar,Tang, Houwen,Ahn, Kwang-soon,Wang, Heli,Yan, Yanfa,Turner, John,Al-Jassim, Mowafak American Institute of Physics 2010 JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS - Vol.108 No.4

Relation between the local structure and solid solubility of the layered material LiMO2 (M=Co, Ni, Fe) in Li2MnO3

Chen Hou,Xiang Xiao,Yi-Ran Xing,Le-Le Yu,Yong-Heng Si,Han Lu,Yu-Juan Zhao 대한금속·재료학회 2022 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.18 No.1

Although low solid solubility and activity of LiFeO2in xLi2MnO3·(1–x)LiFeO2 limit its practical application, it still has thepotential to become a new-generation cathode material without cobalt or nickel for Li-ion batteries. In order to understand theeffects of the local structures of different LiMO2(M = Co, Ni, Fe) layered materials on their solid solubility in Li2MnO3,partialdensities of states are calculated to determine the Jahn–Teller distortion in the layered cathode material, and the first-principlescalculation method based on density functional theory is used to optimize and compare the local structures of LiCoO2,LiNiO2,LiFeO2,LiMnO2,and Li2MnO3. The degrees of distortion of the transition metal–oxygen (M–O) and lithium–oxygen (Li–O)octahedra in the crystal structure of the material are evaluated. It is clear that the solid solubility of layered materials is relatedto the bond lengths and degrees of distortion of the M–O and Li–O octahedra. Among them, the similar bond length of LiNiO2and Li2MnO3and the high distortion of NiO6enhance the solid solubility of LiNiO2in Li2MnO3. Owing to the absence ofJahn–Teller distortion in LiFeO2and LiCoO2,the FeO6and CoO6octahedra are slightly distorted, thereby decreasing thesolid solubility of LiMO2(M = Fe, Co) in Li2MnO3. Understanding the relation between intra-octahedral distortion and solidsolubility provides simple and efficient evidence for comparing the solid solubilities of different LiMO2layered materials inthe Li2MnO3of Li-rich cathode materials. This study can be used as a reference for component design in Li-rich materials.

Prediction of Chemotherapeutic Response in Unresectable Non-small-cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) Assay

Chen, Juan,Cheng, Guo-Hua,Chen, Li-Pai,Pang, Ting-Yuan,Wang, Xiao-Le Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Background: Selecting chemotherapy regimens guided by chemosensitivity tests can provide individualized therapies for cancer patients. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2Htetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) assay is one in vitro assay which has become widely used to evaluate the sensitivity to anticancer agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical applicability and accuracy of MTS assay for predicting chemotherapeutic response in unresectable NSCLC patients. Methods: Cancer cells were isolated from malignant pleural effusions of patients by density gradient centrifugation, and their sensitivity to eight chemotherapeutic agents was examined by MTS assay and compared with clinical response. Results: A total of 37 patients participated in this study, and MTS assay produced results successfully in 34 patients (91.9%). The sensitivity rates ranged from 8.8% to 88.2%. Twenty-four of 34 patients who received chemotherapy were evaluated for in vitro-in vivo response analysis. The correlation between in vitro chemosensitivity result and in vivo response was highly significant (P=0.003), and the total predictive accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for MTS assay were 87.5%, 94.1%, 71.4%, 88.9%, and 83.3%, respectively. The in vitro sensitivity for CDDP also showed a significant correlation with in vivo response (P=0.018, r=0.522). Conclusion: MTS assay is a preferable in vitro chemosensitivity assay that could be use to predict the response to chemotherapy and select the appropriate chemotherapy regimens for unresectable NSCLC patients, which could greatly improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce unnecessary adverse effects.

Effect of fiber type and content on properties of high-strength fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete

Bui Le Anh Tuan,Mewael Gebregirogis Tesfamariam,Chao-Lung Hwang,Chun-Tsun Chen,Yuan-Yuan Chen,Kae-Long Lin 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2014 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.14 No.3

Effects of polypropylene (PP) fibers, steel fibers (SF) and hybrid on the properties of high-strength fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete (HSFR-SCC) under different volume contents are investigated in this study. Comprehensive laboratory tests were conducted in order to evaluate both fresh and hardened properties of HSFR-SCC. Test results indicated that the fiber types and fiber contents greatly influenced concrete workability but it is possible to achieve self consolidating properties while adding the fiber types in concrete mixtures. Compressive strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and rigidity of concrete were affected by the addition as well as volume fraction of PP fibers. However, the properties of concrete were improved by the incorporation of SF. Splitting tensile and flexural strengths of concrete became increasingly less influenced by the inclusion of PP fibers and increasingly more influenced by the addition of SF. Besides, the inclusion of PP fibers resulted in the better efficiency in the improvement of toughness than SF. Furthermore, the inclusion of fibers did not have significant effect on the durability of the concrete. Results of electrical resistivity, chloride ion penetration and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests confirmed that HSFR-SCC had enough endurance against deterioration, lower chloride ion penetrability and minimum reinforcement corrosion rate.

Meta-Analysis of the Association between the rs8034191 Polymorphism in AGPHD1 and Lung Cancer Risk

Zhang, Le,Jin, Tian-Bo,Gao, Ya,Wang, Hui-Juan,Yang, Hua,Feng, Tian,Chen, Chen,Kang, Long-Li,Chen, Chao Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: Possible associations between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs8034191 in the aminoglycosidephosphotransferase domain containing 1 (AGPHD1) gene and lung cancer risk have been studied by many researchers but the results have been contradictory. Materials and Methods: A computerized search for publications on rs8034191 and lung cancer risk was performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between rs8034191 and lung cancer risk with 13 selected case-control studies. Sensitivity analysis, test of heterogeneity, cumulative meta-analysis, and assessment of bias were also performed. Results: A significant association between rs8034191 and lung cancer susceptibility was found using the dominant genetic model (OR=1.344, 95% CI: 1.285-1.406), the additive genetic model (OR=1.613, 95% CI: 1.503-1.730), and the recessive genetic model (OR=1.408, 95% CI: 1.319-1.503). Moreover, an increased lung cancer risk was found with all genetic models after stratification of ethnicity. Conclusions: The association between rs8034191 and lung cancer risk was significant using multiple genetic models, suggesting that rs8034191 is a risk factor for lung cancer. Further functional studies of this polymorphism and lung cancer risk are warranted.

Guaranteed-performance Consensualization for High-order Multi-agent Systems with Intermittent Communications

Le Wang,Qing Chen,Jianxiang Xi,Guangbin Liu 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.5

The current paper studies the guaranteed-performance consensualization for general high-order multiagentsystems with intermittent communications. Firstly, a new consensus protocol is constructed by using only intermittentlocal information, and the corresponding performance function is given to guarantee the consensus regulationperformance among neighboring agents. Then, linear matrix inequality conditions for guaranteed-performanceconsensus and consensualization are respectively provided and a guaranteed-performance cost of multi-agent systemsis determined meanwhile. Furthermore, the whole motion mode of the multi-agent system can be described byderiving a precise expression of the consensus function. If the nominal converge rate is larger than a positive threshold,then multi-agent systems can achieve guaranteed-performance consensus by determining the gain matrix whenintermittent communications are involved, and the performance function is less than the guaranteed-performancecost. Finally, a simulation example is shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed theorems.

Estimation of the chemical compositions and corresponding microstructures of AgInCd absorber under irradiation condition

Chen, Hongsheng,Long, Chongsheng,Xiao, Hongxing,Wei, Tianguo,Le, Guan Korean Nuclear Society 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.2

AgInCd alloy is widely used as neutron absorber in nuclear reactors. However, the AgInCd control rods may fail during service due to the irradiation swelling. In the present study, a calculational method is proposed to calculate the composition change of the AgInCd absorber. Calculated results show that neutron fluence has significant impact on the chemical compositions. Ag and In contents gradually decrease while Cd and Sn conversely increases from the center to the rim of AgInCd absorber due to the depression of neutron flux. The composition change at the surface is higher almost two times than that at the center. Based on the calculated compositions, six simulated AgInCdSn alloys were prepared and examined. With the increase of Cd and Sn, the simulated AgInCdSn alloys transform from a single fcc phase into the mixed fcc and hcp phases, and finally into the single hcp phase. The atomic volume of the hcp phase is obviously larger than the fcc phase. The fcc-hcp transformation results in considerable volume swelling of the AgInCd absorber. Moreover, the lattice parameters of the fcc and hcp phases gradually increase with Cd and Sn contents, which also can induce small volume swelling.

Effective replacement carburetor by compact Port Fuel Injection system in small motorcycle engine

Le Duc Chien,C. Purushothama,Chen Xinhong,Sim Ju Hyuen,Woohyung Kim,Chae Jae Ou 한국자동차공학회 2007 한국자동차공학회 춘 추계 학술대회 논문집 Vol.- No.-

Port Fuel Injection (PFI) was developed in 80s for automotive industry in order to improve engine performance and control effectively emission. It is now used widely in modem cars and some kinds of sport motorcycle. To take advantage of electronic, the premix of air-fuel and combustion process can be programmed and controlled very precisely. Therefore, emission and performance of engine can be improved significantly regarding to different working conditions. One of the main reason of PFI technology that makes it not popular on motorcycle is its complexity and high cost. This paper reports our recent efforts to develop a new and compact PFI system that can replace the in-used carburetor easily with less extra modification. The mixing process, included fuel injection timing, throttle shape design and parameters of ignition were all investigated. We minimized the number of sensors, built a new function to determine the crankshaft position therefore avoid to modify flywheel as previous experiments.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate attenuates angiotensin II-induced collagen type I expression in cardiac fibroblasts in vitro

Le Yang,Xiao-Jing Zou,Xiang Gao,Hao Chen,Jin-Long Luo,Zhao-Hua Wang,Qian-Sheng Liang,Guang-Tian Yang 생화학분자생물학회 2009 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.41 No.7

Cardiac fibrosis occurs after pathological stimuli to the cardiovascular system. One of the most important factors that contribute to cardiac fibrosis is angiotensin II (Ang II). Accumulating studies have suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in cardiac fibrosis and sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) possesses antioxidant action. We therefore examined whether STS depresses Ang II-induced collagen type I expression in cardiac fibroblasts. In this study, Ang II significantly enhanced collagen type I expression and collagen synthesis. Meanwhile, Ang II depressed matrix metalloproteinase- 1 (MMP-1) expression and activity. These responses were attenuated by STS. Furthermore, STS depressed the intracellular generation of ROS, NADPH oxidase activity and subunit p47phox expression. In addition, N-acetylcysteine the ROS scavenger, depressed effects of Ang II in a manner similar to STS. In conclusion, the current studies demonstrate that anti-fibrotic effects of STS are mediated by interfering with the modulation of ROS. Cardiac fibrosis occurs after pathological stimuli to the cardiovascular system. One of the most important factors that contribute to cardiac fibrosis is angiotensin II (Ang II). Accumulating studies have suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in cardiac fibrosis and sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) possesses antioxidant action. We therefore examined whether STS depresses Ang II-induced collagen type I expression in cardiac fibroblasts. In this study, Ang II significantly enhanced collagen type I expression and collagen synthesis. Meanwhile, Ang II depressed matrix metalloproteinase- 1 (MMP-1) expression and activity. These responses were attenuated by STS. Furthermore, STS depressed the intracellular generation of ROS, NADPH oxidase activity and subunit p47phox expression. In addition, N-acetylcysteine the ROS scavenger, depressed effects of Ang II in a manner similar to STS. In conclusion, the current studies demonstrate that anti-fibrotic effects of STS are mediated by interfering with the modulation of ROS.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate depresses angiotensin IIinducedcardiomyocyte hypertrophy through MEK/ERKpathway

Le Yang,Xiaojing Zou,Qiansheng Liang,Hao Chen,Jun Feng,Li Yan,Zhaohua Wang,Daixing Zhou,Shusheng Li,Shanglong Yao,Zhi Zheng 생화학분자생물학회 2007 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.39 No.1

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of sodium tans - hinone IIA sulfonate (STS) on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in vivo and in vitro. In long-term treatment, adult Wistar rats were infused with Ang II for three weeks via osmotic mini-pumps and some of them were given intragas - trically of STS. Left ventricle was isolated; the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were determined and heart morphometry was assessed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results indicated STS inhibited Ang II-induced increases in myocyte diameter and decreased the LVW/BW ratio independent of decreasing systolic blood pressure. In vitro, treatment of cultured cardiomyocytes with STS inhibited Ang II-induced increase in cell size, protein synthesis, ANP expression, activation of extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK) and ERK kinase (MEK). Then we reexamined the mechanism of STS-induced antihypertrophic effects. Results revealed MEK inhibitor U0126 (20 µM) markedly enhanced STS-induced depressions in [3H]leucine incorporation and ANP expression. In conclusion, MEK/ERK pathway plays a significant role in the anti-hypertrophic effects of STS.