Browsing by Author "Yang L"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Enhanced removal of arsenic and cadmium from contaminated soils using a soluble humic substance coupled with chemical reductant.
    (1/03/2023) Wei J; Tu C; Xia F; Yang L; Chen Q; Chen Y; Deng S; Yuan G; Wang H; Jeyakumar P; Bhatnagar A
    Soil washing is an efficient, economical, and green remediation technology for removing several heavy metal (loid)s from contaminated industrial sites. The extraction of green and efficient washing agents from low-cost feedback is crucially important. In this study, a soluble humic substance (HS) extracted from leonardite was first tested to wash soils (red soil, fluvo-aquic soil, and black soil) heavily contaminated with arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd). A D-optimal mixture design was investigated to optimize the washing parameters. The optimum removal efficiencies of As and Cd by single HS washing were found to be 52.58%-60.20% and 58.52%-86.69%, respectively. Furthermore, a two-step sequential washing with chemical reductant NH2OH•HCl coupled with HS (NH2OH•HCl + HS) was performed to improve the removal efficiency of As and Cd. The two-step sequential washing significantly enhanced the removal of As and Cd to 75.25%-81.53% and 64.53%-97.64%, which makes the residual As and Cd in soil below the risk control standards for construction land. The two-step sequential washing also effectively controlled the mobility and bioavailability of residual As and Cd. However, the activities of soil catalase and urease significantly decreased after the NH2OH•HCl + HS washing. Follow-up measures such as soil neutralization could be applied to relieve and restore the soil enzyme activity. In general, the two-step sequential soil washing with NH2OH•HCl + HS is a fast and efficient method for simultaneously removing high content of As and Cd from contaminated soils.
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    Genetic Association of PPARGC1A Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism with Milk Production Traits in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo.
    (Hindawi Limited, 2021-03-20) Hosseini SM; Tingzhu Y; Pasandideh M; Liang A; Hua G; Farmanullah; Schreurs NM; Raza SHA; Salzano A; Campanile G; Gasparrini B; Yang L; Kontos CK
    PPARGC1A gene plays an important role in the activation of various important hormone receptors and transcriptional factors involved in the regulation of adaptive thermogenesis, gluconeogenesis, fiber-type switching in skeletal muscle, mitochondrial biogenesis, and adipogenesis, regulating the reproduction and proposed as a candidate gene for milk-related traits in cattle. This study identified polymorphisms in the PPARGC1A gene in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes and their associations to milk production and quality traits (lactation length, peak milk yield, fat and protein yield, and percentage). As a result, a total of seven SNPs (g.-78A>G, g.224651G>C, g.286986G>A, g.304050G>A, g.325647G>A, g.325817T>C, and g.325997G>A) were identified by DNA pooled sequencing. Analysis of productivity traits within the genotyped animals revealed that the g.286986G>A located at intron 4 was associated with milk production traits, but the g.325817T>C had no association with milk production. Polymorphisms in g.-78A>G was associated with peak milk yield and milk yield, while g.304050G>A and g.325997 G>A were associated with both milk yield and protein percentage. Our findings suggest that polymorphisms in the buffalo PPARGC1A gene are associated with milk production traits and can be used as a candidate gene for milk traits and marker-assisted selection in the buffalo breeding program.
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    Investigation on in-situ deoxygenation performance of bio-oil model compound guaiacol over Ce-Fe/Al2O3 catalyst
    (Elsevier B V on behalf of Shandong University, 2023-06-15) Yang M; Chen Y; Wang Y; Yang L; Cui W; Liu Y; Wang C; Chen Q
    The investigation of the low-cost deoxygenation of guaiacol (GUA, a model bio-oil compound) is of importance for upgrading bio-oil. At present, common sulfide catalysts for GUA deoxygenation reactions cause contamination of the liquid product, and noble metal catalysts are economically disadvantageous. In this study, four reduced Fe-based oxides with different Ce doping ratios were prepared and their effects on the in-situ deoxygenation performance of GUA in aqueous/methanol hydrogen donor solvents were explored. The results based on the deoxygenation degree, conversion degree, and higher heating value (HHV) of the products showed that the oxide catalyst with a Fe/Ce molar ratio of 2:1 in the methanol solvent performed very well. After selecting an excellent catalyst and a better hydrogen donor solvent, four factors (reaction temperature, reaction time, volume ratio of GUA dosage and methanol dosage, and the ratio of catalyst dosage at the bottom of the reactor to that at the top) in the deoxygenation degree of GUA were investigated using an orthogonal experimental method to further explore the performance of the catalyst. The results showed that the reaction temperature and time greatly influenced GUA deoxygenation. Under optimal experimental conditions, the deoxygenation degree and conversion degree of GUA could reach 34.36% and 92.56%, respectively, based on the relative peak area of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and the HHV of the liquid product was 32.27 MJ/kg. Although Fe/Ce catalysts mainly promote demethoxylation, demethylation, and methylation, the stability and quality of the liquid products were improved compared with GUA owing to the reduction in phenolic hydroxyl and ether content. The reduced catalyst in the process of GUA in-situ deoxygenation reactions in methanol maintained a steady performance, as revealed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence.
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    Pharmacokinetic Properties of Baitouweng Decoction in Bama Miniature Pigs: Implications for Clinical Application in Humans
    (Hindawi, 2024-05-10) Xu Q; Gao H; Zhu F; Xu W; Wang Y; Xie J; Guo G; Yang L; Ma L; Shen Z; Li J; Regmi B
    Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) serves as a significant adjunct to chemical treatment for chronic diseases. For instance, the administration of Baitouweng decoction (BTWD) has proven effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. However, the limited understanding of its pharmacokinetics (PK) has impeded its widespread use. Chinese Bama miniature pigs possess anatomical and physiological similarities to the human body, making them a valuable model for investigating PK properties. Consequently, the identification of PK properties in Bama miniature pigs can provide valuable insights for guiding the clinical application of BTWD in humans. To facilitate this research, a rapid and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of eleven active ingredients of BTWD in plasma. Chromatographic separation was conducted using an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 C18 column and a gradient mobile phase comprising acetonitrile and water (containing 0.1% acetic acid). The methodology was validated in accordance with the FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance for Industry. The lower limit of quantitation fell within the range of 0.60-2.01 ng/mL. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that coptisine chloride, berberine, columbamine, phellodendrine, and obacunone exhibited low Cmax, while fraxetin, esculin, fraxin, and pulchinenoside B4 were rapidly absorbed and eliminated from the plasma. These findings have implications for the development of effective components in BTWD and the adjustment of clinical dosage regimens.
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    The religion effect on corporate cash holding in China: Buddhism and Taoism
    (John Wiley and Sons Ltd., 2023-10) Xiong L; Xiao L; Bai M; Qin Y; Yang L
    Buddhism and Taoism have been deeply rooted in China for generations and both of them have a profound impact on the local culture and social norms. By employing 23,999 firm-year observations between 2008 and 2018, we examine how local religious norms affect corporate cash policies. We provide strong evidence that religiosity significantly reduces the level of corporate cash holdings, by mitigating financial constraints and earnings management of the listed companies. Managers from religious areas make more effective investments and distribute more dividends. Furthermore, our findings document that religion has a more pronounced influence on cash holdings amongst the firms with the smaller size, lower leverage, higher marketization, effective internal control and facing fierce market competition. Overall, Buddhism and Taoism, constituting the main religious norms in China, significantly optimize the firms' cash holdings and firm value.