Preparation and photocatalytic activity of a novel BiOCl/g‑C3N4 thin film prepared via spin coating

Wei‑Qin Cai,De‑Fang Zhang,Feng‑Jun Zhang,Won‑Chun Oh 한국세라믹학회 2020 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.57 No.3

Novel BiOCl/g-C3N4 thin film photocatalysts were synthesized via a simple two-step spin coating method. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the thin films for the degradation of rhodamine B under visible light (λ ≥ 400 nm) was investigated. The results showed that the BiOCl/g-C3N4 thin film photocatalysts exhibited significantly improved visible light absorption compared to the pure BiOCl thin film. The BiOCl/g-C3N4 film showed a rhodamine B degradation efficiency of 81.0% under visible light, which is 23.8 times higher than that of the pure BiOCl thin film. This excellent photocatalytic activity of the BiOCl/g-C3N4 film can be attributed to its efficient electron–hole separation due to the presence of g-C3N4.

Identification of candidate odorant‐degrading enzyme genes in the antennal transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis

Kang Zhi‐Wei,Liu Fang‐Hua,Xu Yong‐Yu,Cheng Jia‐Hui,Lin Xiao‐Li,Jing Xiang‐Feng,Tian Hong‐Gang,Liu Tong‐Xian 한국곤충학회 2021 Entomological Research Vol.51 No.1

Odorant‐degrading enzymes (ODEs) have been found in insect antennae and play a critical role in signal chemical degradation once the message is conveyed. Significant progress has been made in characterizing ODEs in a variety of pests but very little is known in their natural enemies. We have carried out an antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis, a natural enemy of aphid, to identify the candidate ODEs. Based on the antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome, a total of 100 putative ODEs were identified including one aldehyde oxidase (AOX), four alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs), eight UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), 45 cytochrome P450 (P450s), nine glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) and 40 carboxylesterases (CCEs or CXEs). Additionally, we used RT‐qPCR to determine the expression profiles of these genes in tissues of both sexes. Based on the phylogenic analysis and tissue‐expression patterns, AgifEstE4, AgifCXE3, AgifCCE4, AgifCCE7, and AgifCCE18 were suggested as key ODEs in A. gifuensis. In addition, the female or male specifically enriched genes, such as AgifCCE17, AgifEstB1, AgifCYP18a1, AgifUGT2C2, were also considered to involve in the chemosensory processing in A. gifuensis. This study not only identified the candidate ODEs in A. gifuensis but also provided source for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of chemical signal transductions in A. gifuensis, as well as other hymenopteran species.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of MIKC-type MADS-box genes expression in Chimonanthus salicifolius

Gui Fang-Fang,Jiang Ge-Ge,Bin Dong,Zhong Shi-Wei,Xiao Zheng,Qiu Fang,Wang Yi-Guang,Yang Li-Yuan,Zhao Hongbo 한국유전학회 2023 Genes & Genomics Vol.45 No.9

Background MIKC type MADS-box transcription factors are one of the largest gene families and play a pivotal role in flowering time and flower development. Chimonanthus salicifolius belongs to the family Calycanthaceae and has a unique flowering time and flowering morphology compared to other Chimonanthus species, but the research on MIKC type MADS-box gene family of C. salicifolius has not been reported. Objective Identification, comprehensive bioinformatic analysis, the expression pattern of MIKC-type MADS-box gene family from different tissues of C. salicifolius. Methods Genome-wide investigation and expression pattern under different tissues of the MIKC-type MADS-box gene family in C. salicifolius, and their phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary characteristics, gene structure, motif distribution, promoter cis-acting element were performed. Results A total of 29 MIKC-type MADS-box genes were identified from the whole genome sequencing. Interspecies synteny analysis revealed more significant collinearity between C. salicifolius and the magnoliids species compared to eudicots and monocots. MIKC-type MADS-box genes from the same subfamily share similar distribution patterns, gene structure, and expression patterns. Compared with Arabidopsis thaliana, Nymphaea colorata, and Chimonanthus praecox, the FLC genes were absent in C. salicifolius, while the AGL6 subfamily was expanded in C. salicifolius. The selectively expanded promoter (AGL6) and lack of repressor (FLC) genes may explain the earlier flowering in C. salicifolius. The loss of the AP3 homologous gene in C. salicifolius is probably the primary cause of the morphological distinction between C. salicifolius and C. praecox. The csAGL6a gene is specifically expressed in the flowering process and indicates the potential function of promoting flowering. Conclusion This study offers a genome-wide identification and expression profiling of the MIKC-types MADS-box genes in the C. salicifolius, and establishes the foundation for screening flowering development genes and understanding the potential function of the MIKC-types MADS-box genes in the C. salicifolius.

RING Finger Proteins Are Involved in the Progression of Barrett Esophagus to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Preliminary Study

( Xing Wei Wang ),( Wei Wei ),( Wei Qiang Wang ),( Xiao Yan Zhao ),( Hong Guo ),( Dian Chun Fang ) 대한소화기학회 2014 Gut and Liver Vol.8 No.5

Background/Aims: To investigate the differential expression of RING finger (RNF) proteins in Barrett esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Methods: The differential expression of RNFs in normal esophagus (NE), BE, and EAC was screened using microarray assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), tissue microarray assay, and Western blot analysis were independently performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of screened RNFs. Results: The expression of nine RNFs in the BE or EAC was 2-fold higher than those in NE. Among these proteins, the RNF32 and RNF121 expression in BE was 20.3-fold and 16.4-fold higher, respectively, than that in NE, and the expression of RNF24, RNF130, RNF141, RNF139, RNF11, RNF14, and RNF159 was upregulated more than 2-fold compared with NE. The expression of nine RNFs was not only upregulated in the EAC but was also positively related to the RNF expression in BE. The PCR results also indicated increased expression of these RNFs in BE and EAC compared to NE. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of all RNFs, except for RNF141 in EAC, was dramatically higher than those in the BE. Similar results were also obtained from the Western blot analysis. Conclusions: A total of nine RNFs play critical roles in the progression of BE to EAC. (Gut Liver 2014;8:487-494)

Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Significance of the Zinc Finger of the Cerebellum Family in Invasive Breast Cancer

Wei Han,Cong Zhang,Xiao-jiao Gao,Hua-bing Wang,Fang Chen,Fang Cao,Yong-wei Hu,Jun Ma,Xing Gu,Hou-zhong Ding 한국유방암학회 2018 Journal of breast cancer Vol.21 No.1

Purpose: Five members of the zinc finger of the cerebellum (ZIC) family—ZIC1, ZIC2, ZIC3, ZIC4, and ZIC5—have been shown to be involved in various carcinomas. Here, we aimed to explore the clinicopathologic and prognostic roles of ZIC family members in invasive breast cancer patients using immunohistochemical analysis, western blotting analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Methods: A total of 241 female invasive breast cancer patients who underwent radical mastectomy between 2009 and 2011 were enrolled. ZIC proteins in 241 pairs of breast tumors and corresponding normal tissues were investigated using immunohistochemistry and the clinicopathologic roles of proteins were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis were also used to analyze the prognostic value of the ZIC proteins. In addition, 12 pairs of fresh-frozen breast tumors and matched normal tissues were used in the western blotting analysis and RT-qPCR. Results: Only ZIC1 expression in normal tissues was obviously higher than that in tumors (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, ZIC1 expression (in overall survival analysis: hazard ratio [HR], 0.405, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.233–0.702, p=0.001; in disease-free survival analysis: HR, 0.395, 95% CI, 0.234–0.669, p=0.001) was identified as a prognostic indicator of invasive breast cancer. Conclusion: ZIC1, but not the other proteins, was obviously decreased in breast tumors and associated with clinicopathologic factors. Thus, ZIC1 might be a novel indicator to predict the overall and disease-free survival of invasive breast cancer patients.

Study on Corrosion Law of Large Crude Oil Storage Tank Floor and Risk-Based Inspection and Maintenance Technology

( Fang-wei Luo ),( Ran Ran ),( Lei Wang ) 한국부식방식학회 2020 Corrosion Science and Technology Vol.19 No.2

In this paper, the author's team has carried out a comparative experimental study on the corrosion characteristics of Q235 steel commonly used in large-scale storage tanks under the specific bottom water environment found with Russian and Daqing crude oil. It was found that there is a certain degree of uniform or local corrosion on the tank floor depending on the kind of bottom water. The bottom water corrosion of Daqing crude oil is a uniform corrosion caused by carbon dioxide. While the Russian crude oil bottom water corrosion is clearly local corrosion caused by co-corrosion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, here the corrosion rate is obviously higher than that caused by Daqing crude oil. There are two modes of storage tank inspection and maintenance that have been currently adopted by Chinese refining and chemical enterprises: a regular inspection mode and a API581-2016 risk-based detection mode. These modes have been effectively combined to form an intelligent tank inspection and maintenance mode, software tools to support this intelligent inspection and maintenance management have been developed.

Managerial Delegation in Strategic Export Policies

( Fang Wei ) 한양대학교 경제연구소 2010 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH Vol.15 No.2

This paper examines the implication of the separation of ownership and management based on a strategic export promotion policy under Cournot competition in a third-market model. We elucidate owner`s subsidization e.ect hidden in the managerial delegation process. Strategic subsidy competition between the governments strengthens both the owners` subsidization incentives and results in the oversubsidization to the firms. When the firms` delegation decisions are endogenous, each firm has no incentive to delegate a manager under governments` commitments to intervene since unilateral delegation leads to Stackelberg follower payoff.

A Method of License Plate Location and Character Recognition based on CNN

( Wei Fang ),( Weinan Yi ),( Lin Pang ),( Shuonan Hou ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2020 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.14 No.8

At the present time, the economy continues to flourish, and private cars have become the means of choice for most people. Therefore, the license plate recognition technology has become an indispensable part of intelligent transportation, with research and application value. In recent years,the convolution neural network for image classification is an application of deep learning on image processing. This paper proposes a strategy to improve the YOLO model by studying the deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) and related target detection methods, and combines the OpenCV and TensorFlow frameworks to achieve efficient recognition of license plate characters. The experimental results show that target detection method based on YOLO is beneficial to shorten the training process and achieve a good level of accuracy.

Development of a Molecular Marker for Fruiting Body Pattern in Auricularia auricula-judae

( Fang-jie Yao ),( Li-xin Lu ),( Peng Wang ),( Ming Fang ),( You-min Zhang ),( Ying Chen ),( Wei-tong Zhang ),( Xiang-hui Kong ),( Jia Lu ),( Yoichi Honda ) 한국균학회 2018 Mycobiology Vol.46 No.1

The fruiting body pattern is an important agronomic trait of the edible fungus Auricularia auricula-judae, and an important breeding target. There are two types of fruiting body pattern: the cluster type and the chrysanthemum type. We identified the fruiting body pattern of 26 test strains, and then constructed two different near-isogenic pools. Then, we developed sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) molecular markers associated with the fruiting body pattern based on sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. Ten different bands (189-522 bp) were amplified using 153 pairs of SRAP primers. The SCAR marker “SCL-18” consisted of a single 522-bp band amplified from the cluster-type strains, but not the chrysanthemum strains. This SCAR marker was closely associated with the cluster- type fruiting body trait of A. auricula-judae. These results lay the foundation for further research to locate and clone genes controlling the fruiting body pattern of A. auricula-judae.

Cloning and Characterization of a β-Glucosidase from Marine Microbial Metagenome with Excellent Glucose Tolerance

( Wei Fang ),( Bao Lin Sun ),( Yu Zhi Hong ),( Ze Min Fang ),( Juan Juan Liu ),( Hui Peng ),( Xue Cheng Zhang ),( Ya Zhong Xiao ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2010 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.20 No.9