Determining Water Depths for Monitoring Coastal Water Quality Using Multiple Functional Traits of Periphytic Protozoa in Marine Ecosystems

Congcong Guo,Xiaoyun Bai,Mamun Abdullah Al,Mohammad Nurul Azim Sikder,Henglong Xu 한국해양과학기술원 2019 Ocean science journal Vol.54 No.1

Biological trait analysis (BTA) of protozoan communities has been used a useful bioindicator of environmental quality status in marine ecosystems. To determine the optimal water depths for bioassessment using multiple functional traits of periphytic protozoa, community functioning was studied at different water depths in the Yellow Sea, northern China. The community-weighted means (CWM) of bacterivores with small sizes showed an increasing trend from surface layers to the deeper ones, while those of algivores with medium and large sizes revealed an opposite trend, i.e., a decreasing trend from surface layers to deeper ones. However, with those of predators were distributed at depths of 2 to 3.5 m. There was a significant difference in the functional patterns, except for those at depths of 2 to 3.5 m (P > 0.05). All diversity indices except FDiv generally peaked and leveled off at either 2 or 3.5 m although they decreased with depth. The results suggest that sampling at depths of 2 and 3.5 m may be an optimal strategy for assessing water quality using the functional pattern of protozoa in coastal ecosystems.

Trastuzumab combined with irinotecan in patients with HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer: A phase II single-arm study and exploratory biomarker analysis

Ting Xu,Xicheng Wang,Ying Xin,Zhenghang Wang,Jifang Gong,Xiaotian Zhang,Yanyan Li,Congcong Ji,Yu Sun,Feilong Zhao,Depei Huang,Yuezong Bai,Jian Li,Lin Shen 대한암학회 2023 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.55 No.2

Purpose The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an established therapeutic target for various kinds of solid tumors. HER2 amplification occurs in approximately 1% to 6% of colorectal cancer. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Materials and Methods An open-label, phase II trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03185988) was designed to evaluate the antitumor activity of trastuzumab and chemotherapy in HER2-positive digestive cancers excluding gastric cancer in 2017. Patients from this trial with HER2-positive, KRAS/BRAF wild-type, unresectable mCRC were analyzed in this manuscript. Eligible patients were treated with trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose and then 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks) and irinotecan (120 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate. Results Twenty-one HER2-positive mCRC patients were enrolled in this study. Seven patients (33.3%) achieved an objective res-ponse, and 11 patients (52.4%) had stable disease as their best response. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.7 to 5.9). Four of the 21 patients (19.0%) had grade 3 adverse events, including leukopenia, neutropenia, urinary tract infection, and diarrhea. No treatment-related death was reported. Exploratory analyses revealed that high tumor tissue HER2 copy number was associated with better therapeutic response and PFS. Alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, HER2 gene, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathway, and cell cycle control genes were potential drivers of trastuzumab resistance in mCRC. Conclusion Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy is a potentially effective and well-tolerated therapeutic regimen in mCRC with a high HER2 copy number.

Improving the Electrical Conductivity of PEDOT:PSS Films by Binary Secondary Doping

Zhengyou Zhu,Congcong Liu,Jingkun Xu,Qinglin Jiang,Hui Shi,Endou Liu 대한금속·재료학회 2016 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.12 No.1

In this work, the electrical conductivity of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films was effectively enhanced by binarysecondary doping. Initially, doping with 5 vol.% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)improved the electrical conductivity from 0.3 S cm−1 to 437 S cm−1 and a furtherincrease to 950 S cm−1 was achieved by adding LiClO4. The conductivity value wereport here is one of the highest reported for pretreated PEDOT:PSS films. Theobtained maximum electrical conductivity is almost 3000 times higher than thatshown by pristine PEDOT:PSS films. The increase in the electrical conductivity isascribed to the synergistic effect of the two dopants. Fourier transform infraredspectra indicated the absence of any changes to the chemical structure ofPEDOT:PSS. Atomic force microscopy images demonstrate an increased surfaceroughness and suggest the occurrence of conformational changes of PEDOT chainsfrom the coiled to coil-extended one, which is the key reason for the electricalconductivity enhancement. The pretreatments we propose here are rapid, simple andeffective for the large-scale preparation of high-conductivity PEDOT:PSS films.

Thermoelectric Performance of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Films Doped by Iodine Vapor with Promising High Seebeck Coefficient

Hongfei Zhu,Congcong Liu,Haijun Song,Jingkun Xu,Fangfang Kong,Jianmin Wang 대한금속·재료학회 2014 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.10 No.2

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films doped with iodine vapor have been prepared by casting a P3HT solution on glass substrates and their thermoelectric (TE) performances has been investigated. The maximum Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of iodine-doped P3HT films were 386 μV·K−1 (at room temperature) and 4.7 × 10−1 S·cm−1, which is about five orders of magnitude higher than that of pristine P3HT films. The power factor of these iodine-doped P3HT films was estimated to be 7.0 μW·m−1·K−2 at room temperature, which is a relative high value for organic TE materials. The UV-vis spectra of iodine-doped P3HT films showed a slight red shift of the iodine-doped P3HT compared to those of pristine P3HT films. Atomic force microscopy images indicated the conformational changes in P3HT chains after treatment with iodine vapor. During this treatment, the P3HT chains self-organized into a more ordered structure, this organization improved the charge carrier transport capability and the TE performance of P3HT the films.

Effect of MgO on migration and distribution of chromium in stainless-steel slag glass–ceramics and glass properties

Zhifang Tong,Congcong Xu,Jiaxing Wang,Zhiheng Jia 한양대학교 청정에너지연구소 2023 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.24 No.1

Herein, stainless-steel slag was used to prepare glass–ceramics. The effects of the MgO content on the occurrence, distributionstate, and migration behavior of Cr in glass–ceramics as well as glass properties were systematically studied. Results revealedthat in the nucleation stage, the number of Cr-spinel (Cr spinel) nanocrystals initially increased and then decreased with theincreasing MgO content. In the crystallization stage, the diopside crystal phase considered Cr-spinel nanocrystals asheterogeneous nuclei, which gradually nucleated and grew. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy analyses showed that part of Cr in the spinel migrated into the diopside lattice and some other parts remainedin the Cr spinel wrapped by the diopside. Cr in the glass phase also diffused and migrated into the diopside lattice with theformation of diopside crystals. When the MgO content was 12.3 wt.%, 97.33 wt.% of the total amount of Cr was observedin the diopside crystal phase and the leaching concentration of Cr in the glass–ceramics was only 0.006 mg/L. The compressivestrength of the glass–ceramics was 261.7 MPa, and the Vickers hardness was 1007.7 HV. The research results providetheoretical and technical support for strengthening Cr fixation and realizing harmless and high-value utilization of stainlesssteelslag.

Toward efficient broad-spectrum UV absorption of carbon dots: Facile preparation, performance characterization and its application as UV absorbers

Jiemin Qiu,Weihao Ye,Congcong Chen,Zhiqiang Xu,Chaofan Hu,Jianle Zhuang,Hanwu Dong,Bingfu Lei,Guangqi Hu,Yingliang Liu 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.117 No.-

UV absorbers are sustainable substances that inhibit the ultraviolet (UV) radiative degradation of polymers. In previous reports, the as-prepared carbon dots (CDs) possess only an absorption band at UVA(320–400 nm). To achieve broad-spectrum UV absorption (200–400 nm), increasing the concentrationof the CDs solution becomes common. However, a high concentration solution seriously affects the lighttransmittance due to its heavy yellow color. Furthermore, the promising organic UV absorbers cannotachieve broad-spectrum UV absorption. In this work, we initially synthesized three-component watersolublecarbon dots (OP–CDs), which delivers an excellent UV absorption (98 % UVA and 100 % UVB atthe concentration of 1.7 102 mg/mL; 99 % transmittance in visible light). Moreover, OP–CDs exhibitoutstanding stability at high temperatures and different pH. With the corporation of OP–CDs and polyvinylalcohol (PVA), a high-performance UV-shielding film was formed, leading to enhanced broadspectrumUV shielding performance and improved mechanical properties, resistance of photocatalyticactivity and anti-UV aging ability compared with pure PVA film. Notably, the PVA film remains hightransparency with the addition of OP–CDs. The study suggests that the corporation of OP–CDs and polymersis effective in anti-UV degradation.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Dyeing Assessment of Reactive Dyes Containing a Benzsulfonamide Moiety

Lili Yang,Zhenxiang Xu,Hongqi Li,Cuiying Wang,Yunqin Wang,Congcong Lu 한국섬유공학회 2021 Fibers and polymers Vol.22 No.4

A new dye intermediate and novel reactive dyes containing both azo and benzsulfonamide auxochromic groupswere synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS, IR, and UV-Vis spectral analysis. Thesynthesized dyes were applied to dyeing of cotton fabrics and their dyeing parameters were assessed. The new dyes exhibitedimproved substantivity and fixation property on cotton fabrics compared with the dye C.I. Reactive Black 5 (RB5). Themaximum exhaustion and total fixation values of the reactive dyes appeared when 2 % owf of the dye concentration wasused. The wash fastness and rub fastness of the new dyes reached up to 4 grade and 4-5 grade, respectively. In addition, theyshowed excellent fastness to light. These new dyes seem to be promising candidates for application to dyeing of cotton fibers.

Research on facility layout optimization algorithm of deep-water semi-submersible drilling platform

Hongyan Wang,Wensheng Xiao,Lei Wu,Keke Wei,Congcong Xu,Chao Hou,Junguo Cui,Jie Li 대한기계학회 2019 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.33 No.2

We aimed to create a facility layout design of semi-submersible drilling platform (DSDP) with performance constraints. The Boltzmann survival mechanism of simulated annealing algorithm was introduced into the replacement strategy of genetic algorithm to form an improved genetic algorithm called genetic and simulated annealing algorithm (GASA). The new algorithm alleviates the “combination explosion” and premature convergence of the traditional genetic algorithm. The layout problem of DSDP is efficiently solved by using this new algorithm. When the number of layout objects increases, GASA’s performance is better than that of the genetic algorithm.

Electrostatic spraying of membrane electrode for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Ruiliang Liu,Wei Zhou,Liyang Wan,Pengyang Zhang,Shuangli Li,Yu Gao,Dongsheng Xu,Congcong Zheng,Mingfeng Shang 한국물리학회 2020 Current Applied Physics Vol.20 No.1

In order to improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the optimization of electrostatic spraying of membrane electrode was conducted. The influence of the spraying voltage on morphology, elemental composition of catalyst layer, and performance of the PEMFC were investigated. The results show that increasing spraying voltage could reduce agglomeration of the carbon-supported platinum particles, leading to more uniform pore distribution. High voltage did not accelerate oxidation of platinum catalyst. A high electrochemical active surface area of 26.18m2/gpt was obtained when the platinum-carbon catalyst layer was deposited in cone jet mode. With further increasing spraying voltage, the total ohmic resistance and catalytic activity were changed slightly, whereas the charge transfer resistance was increased. Using the optimized electrostatic spraying parameters (injection rate=100 μL min−1, spraying voltage=8.5 kV, and working distance= 12 mm), a peak power density of 1.408Wcm−2 was obtained with an output voltage of 0.451 V.