Regional container transportation system for Northeast Asia economic cooperation in the 21^(st) century

In this paper, the roles of infrastructure development and transportation coordination for Northeast Asian economic cooperation are discussed. It would be necessary to establish an efficient transportation network as soon as possible. 'Hub-and-Spoke'transportation system and China-Korean peninsula railway container transportation system might be more significant for regional economic cooperation.

Grain size composition and transport of sedimentary organic carbon in the Changjiang River(Yangtze River) Estuary and Hangzhou Bay and their adjacent waters

Surface sediments from the Changjiang River （Yangtze River） Estuary, Hangzhou Bay, and their adjacent waters were analyzed for their grain size distribution, organic carbon （OC） concentration, and stable carbon isotope composition （δ13C）. Based on this analysis, about 36 surface sediment samples were selected from various environments and separated into sand （〉0.250 ram, 0.125-0.250 ram, 0.063-0.125 mm） and silt （0.025-0.063 mm） fractions by wet-sieving fractionation methods, and further into silt- （0.004-0.025 mm） and clay-sized （〈0.004 mm） fractions by centrifugal fractionation. Sediments of six grain size categories were analyzed for their OC and 613C contents to explore the grain size composition and transport paths of sedimentary OC in the study area. From fine to coarse fractions, the OC content was 1.18%, 0.51%, 0.46%, 0.42%, 0.99%, and 0.48%, respectively, while the δ13C was -21.64‰, -22.03‰, -22.52‰, -22.46‰, -22.36‰, and -22.28%0, respectively. In each size category, the OC contribution was 42.96%, 26.06%, 9.82%, 5.75%, 7.09%, and 8.33%, respectively. The OC content in clay and fine silt fractions （〈0.025 ram） was about 69.02%. High OC concentrations were mainly found in offshore modern sediments in the northeast of the Changjiang River Estuary, in modern sediments in the lower estuary of the Changjiang River and Hangzhou Bay, and in Cyclonic Eddy modern sediments to the southwest of the Cheju Island. Integrating the distribution of terrestrial OC content of each grain size category with the δ13C of the bulk sediment indicated that the terrestrial organic material in the Changjiang River Estuary was transported seaward and dispersed to the Cyclonic Eddy modern sediments to the southwest of the Cheju Island via two pathways： one was a result of the Changjiang River Diluted Water （CDW） northeastward extending branch driven by the North Jiangsu Coastal Current and the Yellow Sea Coastal Current, while the other one was the result of the CDW southward extending branch driven by the Taiwan Warm Current.

Sources and transport of particulate organic carbon in the Amazon River and its estuary

Stable carbon isotope ratios have been used to study the sources of particulate organic carbon(POC) in the Amazon River and its tributaries, and to examine the transport of the riverine POC intothe oceanic environment. POC in the upper reaches of the Amazon River has more positive δC values(--24.5‰ to -- 28.0‰) than that in the middle and lower reaches (--27.9‰ to -- 30.1‰). TheδC of POC from the tributaries is generally more negative than that observed in the Amazon mainchannel. This δC datum shows that the POC in the Amazon main channel is predominantly of terres-trial origin rather than a result of in situ production. A large range of δC values (--17.5‰ to -28.4‰) is observed in the Amazon Estuary and plume. and is considered as the result of the mixing

Evaluating the regulation of transporter proteins and P-glycoprotein in rats with cholestasis and its implication for digoxin clearance

BACKGROUND Cardiac and hepatic functionality are intertwined in a multifaceted relationship.Pathologic processes involving one may affect the other through a variety of mechanisms,including hemodynamic and membrane transport effects.AIM To better understand the effect of extrahepatic cholestasis on regulations of membrane transporters involving digoxin and its implication for digoxin clearance.METHODS Twelve adult rats were included in this study;baseline hepatic and renal laboratory values and digoxin pharmacokinetic(PK)studies were established before evenly dividing them into two groups to undergo bile duct ligation(BDL)or a sham procedure.After 7 d repeat digoxin PK studies were completed and tissue samples were taken to determine the expressions of cell membrane transport proteins by quantitative western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction.Data were analyzed using SigmaStat 3.5.Means between pre-surgery and post-surgery in the same experimental group were compared by paired t-test,while independent t-test was employed to compare the means between sham and BDL groups.RESULTS Digoxin clearance was decreased and liver function,but not renal function,was impaired in BDL rats.BDL resulted in significant up-regulation of multidrug resistance 1 expression in the liver and kidney and its down-regulation in the small intestine.Organic anion transporting polypeptides(OATP)1A4 was up-regulated in the liver but down-regulated in intestine after BDL.OATP4C1 expression was markedly increased in the kidney following BDL.CONCLUSION The results suggest that cell membrane transporters of digoxin are regulated during extrahepatic cholestasis.These regulations are favorable for increasing digoxin excretion in the kidney and decreasing its absorption from the intestine to compensate for reduced digoxin clearance due to cholestasis.

Increased performance of an organic light-emitting diode by employing a zinc phthalocyanine based composite hole transport layer

We demonstrate that the electroluminescent performances of organic light-emitting diodes are significantly improved by employing a zinc phthalocyanine （ZnPc）-based composite hole transport layer （c-HTL）. The optimum ris-（8-hydroxyquinoline）aluminum （Alq3）-based organic light-emitting diode with a c-HTL exhibits a lower turn-on voltage of 2.8 V, a higher maximum current efficiency of 3.40 cd/A and a higher maximum power efficiency of 1.91 lm/W, which are superior to those of the conventional device （turn-on voltage of 3.8 V, maximum current efficiency of 2.60 cd/A, and maximum power efficiency of 1.21 lm/W）. We systematically studied the effects of different kinds of N’-diphenyl-N,N’-bis（1-naphthyl）（1,1’-biphenyl）-4,4’diamine （NPB）：ZnPc c-HTL. Meanwhile, we also investigate their mechanisms different from that in the case of using ZnPc as buffer layer. The specific analysis is based on the absorption spectra of the hole transporting material and current density–voltage characteristics of the corresponding hole-only devices.

Effects of Cangfudaotan Tang on Expression of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (oatp2b1) in Liver and Kidney Tissues of Rats with Phlegm Dampness Type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Objective: To explore the effect of Cangfudaotan Tang on phlegm dampness type of PCOS and the role of oatp2b1 in transportation and transformation of phlegm dampness. Methods: 36 SD female rats were randomly divided into three groups: blank control group, model group and Cangfudaotan Tang group, 12 cases in each one. After PCOS rat models were made, rats of Cangfudaotan Tang group were treated with Cangfudaotan Tang (1.42 g/kg/d) by intragastric administration for 14 days;blank control and model group were given with isodose saline. The expression of oatp2b1 mRNA/Protein in liver and kidney tissues was measured and the level of testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone(LH), Serum total cholesterol (TG), Triacylglycerols (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were detected at the same time. Results: Compared with blank control group, the expression of oatp2b1 mRNA and the level of TC, TG, LDL, LH, FSH, T in model group were significantly increased (P < 0. 05), while the level of HDL was significantly decreased (P < 0. 05);compared with model group, the expression of oatp2b1 mRNA and the level of TC, TG, LDL in Cangfudaotan Tang group were significantly lowered (P < 0.05);the level of HDL was significantly higher;the oatp2b1 protein in kidney and liver tissues had different degrees of expression, while there was no statistical significance among the three groups. Conclusions: Oatp2b1 might be one of the material bases participating in transportation and transformation of phlegmy dampness. The mechanism of Cangfudaotan Tang treating phlegm dampness type of PCOS may be achieved by regulating the expression of oatp2b1.

Influence of organic anion transporting potypeptide(SLCO1B1 and SLCO1B3)genetic polymorphisms on mycophenolic acid in Chinese kidney transplantation patients

Objective To analyze the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of organic anion transporting polypeptide ( SLCO1B1 and SLCO1B3) and mycophenolic acid ( MPA) pharmacokinetics in Chinese kidney transplant recipients. Methods Gene mutations ( SLCO1B3 T334G,SLCO1B1 A338G) were detected in 68 recipi-

Path selection and mechanism innovation of improving railway energy efficiency–from foreign experience and Chinese practice

Purpose–Under the dual pressure of resources and environment,many countries have focused on the role of railways in promoting low-carbon development of integrated transportation and of even the whole society.This paper aims to provide a comprehensive study on methods to improve railway energy efficiency in other national railways and achievements made by China’s railways in the past practice,and then to propose ways in which in the future China’s railways could rationally select the path of improving energy efficiency regarding the needs of the nation’s ever-shifting development and carry out the re-engineering for mechanism innovation in energy conservation and emission reduction process.Design/methodology/approach–This paper first studies other national railways that have tried to promote the improvement of railway energy efficiency by the ways of technology,management and structural reconstruction to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.Among them,the effect of structural energy conservation and emission reduction has become more prominent.It has become the main energy conservation and emission reduction measure adopted by foreign railway sectors.The practice of energy conservation and emission reduction of railways in various countries has tended to shift from a technical level to a structural one.Findings–Key aspects in improving energy efficiency include re-optimization of energy structure,reinnovation of energy-saving technologies and optimization of transportation organization.Path selection includes continuing to promote electrified railway construction,increasing the use of new and renewable energy sources,and promoting the reform of railway transportation organizations.Originality/value–This paper provides further challenges and research directions in the proposed area and has referential value for the methodologies,approaches for practice in a Chinese context.To achieve the expected goals,relevant supporting policies and measures need to be formulated,including actively guiding integrated transportation toward railway-oriented development,promoting innovation in energy-saving and emission reduction mechanisms and strengthening policy incentives,focusing on improving the energy efficiency of railways through market behavior.At the same time,it is necessary to pay attention to new phenomena in the railway industry for track and analysis.

Total Saponins from Dioscorea Septemloba Thunb Reduce Serum Uric Acid Levels in Rats with Hyperuricemia through OATP1A1 Up-regulation

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of total saponins of Dioscorea（TSD）, an extract of the Chinese herbal Bi Xie, on hyperuricemia and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The rat hyperuricemia model was established by administration of adenine. Thirty-two rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups： model group, low/high-dose TSD-treated groups, and allopurinol-treated group. Meanwhile, 8 rats were used as normal controls. Serum uric acid（UA）, blood urea nitrogen（BUN）, serum creatinine（Scr）, and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A1（OATP1A1） levels were measured. Comparison between the model group and treatment（allopurinol and TSD） groups showed the serum UA levels were significantly decreased in treatment groups. TSD had similar effects to allopurinol. It was found that the OATP1A1 protein expression levels in treatment groups were higher than in model group and normal controls. And different from the allopurinol-treated groups, TSD-treated group had elevated OATP1A1 expression levels in the stomach, liver, small intestine and large intestine tissues. It was suggested that TSD may facilitate the excretion of UA and lower UA levels by up-regulating OATP1A1 expression.

Wudang cherry ameliorates urate underexcretion and renal dysfunction in hyperuricemic mice

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of Wudang cherry on urate excretion and renal function and examined whether renal organic ion transporters were involved in potassium oxonateinduced hyperuricemic mice.METHODS The model of hyperuricemic mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate(250 mg·kg^(-1))for 7 d.Water extracts of Wudang cherry at 500 mg·kg^(-1)were orally administered to hyperuricemic mice for 7 d,benzbromarone(20 mg·kg^(-1))and allopurinol(20 mg·kg^(-1))were given as positive controls,vehicle control group was given equal normal saline.Serum and urine levels of uric acid were measured in hyperuricemic and normal mice.Simultaneously,the m RNA and protein levels of mouse urate transporter 1(m URAT1),glucose transporter 9(mGLUT9),organic anion transporters(mOAT1 and mOAT3),ATP-binding cassette,subfamily G,membrane 2(mABCG2)and organic cation/carnitine transporters(m OCT1,m OCT2,m OCTN1 and m OCTN2)in the kidney were analyzed by Western blot,RT-PCR,immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent assay,respectively.RESULTS Wudang cherry significantly reduced serum uric acid levels and increased urine uric acid levels in hyperuricemic mice.And it effectively reversed potassium oxonate-induced alterations in renal m URAT1,mGLUT9,mOAT1,mOAT3 and mABCG2 m RNA and protein levels,resulting in the enhancement of renal urate excretion in mice.Moreover,Wudang Cherry increased renal m OCT1,m OCT2,m OCTN1 and m OCTN2 m RNA and protein levels,and improved renal impairment in this model.CONCLUSION Wudang cherry processes uricosuric and nephroprotective actions by regulating renal organic ion transporters in hyperuricemic mice.

Rational Design of Star-shaped Molecules with Benzene Core and Naphthalimide Derivatives End Groups as Organic Light-emitting Materials

A series of star-shaped molecules with benzene core and naphthalimides derivatives end groups have been designed to explore their optical,electronic,and charge transport properties as charge transport and/or luminescent materials for organic light-emitting diodes（OLEDs）. The frontier molecular orbitals（FMOs） analysis has turned out that the vertical electronic transitions of absorption and emission are characterized as intramolecular charge transfer（ICT）. The calculated results show that the optical and electronic properties of star-shaped molecules are affected by the substituent groups in N-position of 1,8-naphthalimide ring. Our results suggest that star-shaped molecules with n-butyl（1）,benzene（2）,thiophene（3）,thiophene S？,S？-dioxide（4）,benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole（5）,and 2,7a-dihydrobenzo[d]thiazole（6） fragments are expected to be promising candidates for luminescent and electron transport materials for OLEDs. This study should be helpful in further theoretical investigations on such kind of systems and also to the experimental study for charge transport and/or luminescent materials for OLEDs.

Recent Progresses on Dopant-Free Organic Hole Transport Materials toward Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

As the third generation new battery,the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of metal halide perovskite solar cells(PsCs)has increased from 3.8%in 2009 to 25.8%currently certified,which fully shows that they have great research value and development prospect.As one of the main components of high-efficiency PSCs,hole transport materials(HTMs)play an important role in extracting and transporting holes and inhibiting charge recombination.However,commonly used HTMs require doping,and the hygroscopicity and corrosiveness of the dopants will destroy the stability of PsCs and hinder their commercialization.Therefore,it is of great significance to develop dopant-free HTMs.

Bile duct ligation differently regulates protein expressions of organic cation transporters in intestine,liver and kidney of rats through activation of farnesoid X receptor by cholate and bilirubin

Body is equipped with organic cation transporters(OCTs).These OCTs mediate drug transport and are also involved in some disease process.We aimed to investigate whether liver failure alters intestinal,hepatic and renal Oct expressions using bile duct ligation(BDL)rats.Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrates that BDL decreases plasma metformin exposure,associated with decreased intestinal absorption and increased urinary excretion.Western blot shows that BDL significantly downregulates intestinal Oct2 and hepatic Oct1 but upregulates renal and hepatic Oct2.In vitro cell experiments show that chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA),bilirubin and farnesoid X receptor(FXR)agonist GW4064 increase OCT2/Oct2 but decrease OCT1/Oct1,which are remarkably attenuated by glycine-β-muricholic acid and silencing FXR.Significantly lowered intestinal CDCA and increased plasma bilirubin levels contribute to different Octs regulation by BDL,which are confirmed using CDCA-treated and bilirubin-treated rats.A disease-based physiologically based pharmacokinetic model characterizing intestinal,hepatic and renal Octs was successfully developed to predict metformin pharmacokinetics in rats.In conclusion,BDL remarkably downregulates expressions of intestinal Oct2 and hepatic Oct1 protein while upregulates expressions of renal and hepatic Oct2 protein in rats,finally,decreasing plasma exposure and impairing hypoglycemic effects of metformin.BDL differently regulates Oct expressions via Fxr activation by CDCA and bilirubin.

Transport and humification of dissolved organic matter within a semi-arid floodplain

In order to understand the transport and humification processes of dissolved organic matter（DOM） within sediments of a semi-arid floodplain at Rifle,Colorado,fluorescence excitation–emission matrix（EEM） spectroscopy,humification index（HIX） and specific UV absorbance（SUVA） at 254 nm were applied for characterizing depth and seasonal variations of DOM composition.Results revealed that late spring snowmelt leached relatively fresh DOM from plant residue and soil organic matter down into the deeper vadose zone（VZ）.More humified DOM is preferentially adsorbed by upper VZ sediments,while non-or lesshumified DOM was transported into the deeper VZ.Interestingly,DOM at all depths undergoes rapid biological humification process evidenced by the products of microbial by-product-like（i.e.,tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like） matter in late spring and early summer,particularly in the deeper VZ,resulting in more humified DOM（e.g.,fulvic-acid-like and humic-acid-like substances） at the end of year.This indicates that DOM transport is dominated by spring snowmelt,and DOM humification is controlled by microbial degradation,with seasonal variations.It is expected that these relatively simple spectroscopic measurements（e.g.,EEM spectroscopy,HIX and SUVA） applied to depth-and temporally-distributed pore-water samples can provide useful insights into transport and humification of DOM in other subsurface environments as well.

Theoretical investigations of transport properties of organic solvents in cation-functionalized graphene oxide membranes： Implications for drug delivery

We perform detailed quantum chemical calculations to elucidate the origin and mechanism of the selective permeability of alkali and alkaline earth cation- decorated graphene oxide （M-GO） membranes to organic solvents. The results show that the selectivity is associated mainly with the transport properties of solvents in the membranes, which depends on two regions of the flow path： the sp3 C-O matrix of the GO sheets and the cation at the center of the hexagon rather than the sp~ region. According to the delocalization of ~ states in sp2 regions, we propose a design guide for high-quality M-GO membranes. The solvent-cation interaction essentially causes directional transport of molecules in the M-GO membranes under the transmembrane pressure, indicating a site-to-site mech- anism. The solvent-sp3 C-O matrix interaction may inhibit molecular transport between two fixed cations by consuming energy. The competition between energy consumption by the solvent-cation interaction and energy expenditure by the solvent-sp3 C-O matrix interaction leads to various transport properties of solvents and thus allows for the selective permeability of the M-GO membranes. Findings from the study are helpful for the future design of multifunctional M-GO macro-membranes as cost-effective solution nanofilters in chemical, biological, and medical applications

Anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory actions of vaticaffinol isolated from Dipterocarpus alatus in hyperuricemic mice

The present study was designed to examine the anti-hyperuricemic and anti-inflammatory effects and possible mechanisms of vaticaffinol, a resveratrol tetramer isolated from ethanol extracts of Dipterocarpus alatus, in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. At 1 h after 250 mg·kg^(-1) potassium oxonate was given, vaticaffinol at 20, 40, and 60 mg·kg^(-1) was intragastrically administered to hyperuricemic mice once daily for seven consecutive days. Vaticaffinol significantly decreased serum uric acid levels and improved kidney function in hyperuricemic mice. It inhibited hepatic activity of xanthine dehydrogenase(XDH) and xanthine oxidase(XOD), regulated renal m RNA and protein levels of urate transporter 1(URAT1), glucose transporter 9(GLUT9), organic anion transporter 1(OAT1), organic cation transporter 1(OCT1), OCT2, organic cation/carnitine transporter 1(OCTN1), and OCTN2 in hyperuricemic mice. Moreover, vaticaffinol markedly down-regulated renal protein levels of NOD-like receptor 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like(ASC), and Caspase-1, resulting in the reduction of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels in this animal model. Additionally, HPLC and LC-MS analyses clearly testified the presence of vaticaffinol in the crude extract. These results suggest that vaticaffinol may be useful for the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia with kidney inflammation.

Ethynyl-linked perylene bisimide based electron acceptors for non-fullerene organic solar cells

In this work, star-shaped perylene bisimide（PBI） derivatives with spiro-aromatic cores linked with ethynyl units were developed as electron acceptors for non-fullerene organic solar cells. The ethynyl linkers were found to enhance the planarity of the conjugated backbone, resulting in high electron mobilities and near-infrared absorption. The ethynyl-linked PBI acceptors showed high power conversion efficiencies（PCEs） up to 4.27% due to the high short-circuit current density（Jsc） of 8.52 mA/cm^2 and fill factor（FF） of 0.59, while the PBI acceptor without ethynyl units provided a low PCE of 3.57% in nonfullerene solar cells. The results demonstrate that ethynyl units can be applied into designing new PBI electron acceptors with improved charge transport properties and photovoltaic performance.

Organic functional materials based buffer layers for efficient perovskite solar cells

In this review, we highlight the recent development of organic π-functional materials as buffer layers in constructing efficient perovskite solar cells（PVSCs）. By following a brief introduction on the PVSC development, device architecture and material design features, we exemplified the exciting progresses made in field by exploiting organic π-functional materials based hole and electron transport layers（HTLs and ETLs） to enable high-performance PVSCs.