A reliability analysis method for rock slope controlled by weak structural surface

Jia-wen Zhou,Ming-yuan Jiao,Hui-ge Xing,Xing-guo Yang,Yu-chuan Yang 한국지질과학협의회 2017 Geosciences Journal Vol.21 No.3

Catastrophic landslides maybe occur in rock slope due to the effect of strong earthquakes or heavy rainfall. The stability of rock slope is usually controlled by different scales of weak structural surfaces, which are uncertain and randomly exist in the rock slope. According to the geological characteristics of rock slope, two typical failure modes – plane and wedge are possible. A second-order second-moment (SOSM) method is presented to calculate the reliability index and the failure probability of rock slope, which is an improvement over the first-order second-moment (FOSM) method, and performance functions are built up with the classic limit equilibrium method. The presented method is applied to analyze the failure probability of two rock slopes at the Jinping I Hydropower Station and is compared with the Monte Carlo method and the FOSM method. The computed results show that for plane failure, the reliability index and the failure probability determined by the presented method are 0.563 and 28.7%, respectively, and the reliability index and the failure probability determined by Monte Carlo method are 0.677 and 24.9%, respectively. However, for the FOSM method, the reliability index and failure probability are –0.025 and 51.0%, respectively. For both plane failure and wedge failure, the difference between the presented method and the Monte Carlo method is very small, but the failure probability of plane failure determined by FOSM method is larger than that of the other two methods. The presented method can provide a useful tool to evaluate the failure probability of rock slope.

Betulin Targets Lipin1/2-Meidated P2X7 Receptor as a Therapeutic Approach to Attenuate Lipid Accumulation and Metaflammation

( Jia-yi Dou ),( Yu-chen Jiang ),( Zhong-he Hu ),( Kun-chen Yao ),( Ming-hui Yuan ),( Xiao-xue Bao ),( Mei-jie Zhou ),( Yue Liu ),( Zhao-xu Li ),( Li-hua Lian ),( Ji-xing Nan ),( Yan-ling Wu ) 한국응용약물학회 2022 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.30 No.3

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 μM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7r-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

Branched polymeric prodrug/programmed cell death 4 complexes for combinational cancer therapy

Yu‑Jing He,Lei Xing,Peng‑Fei Cui,Jia‑Liang Zhang,Jian‑Bin Qiao,Cheng‑Qiong Luo,Ge Jiang,Hu‑Lin Jiang 한국약제학회 2017 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.47 No.2

Here, we demonstrate a co-delivery system constructed by integrating chemotherapeutic molecules into branched polymeric prodrug which can condense nucleic acids. Demethylcantharidate (DCA) was chosen as a model drug and premodified through nucleophilic substitution reaction by its two carboxylic groups with allyl chloride. The synthesized intermediate (DCA-dially) was then used to polymerize with tris (2-aminoethyl) amine (TAEA) through progressively ammonolysis reaction. The obtained poly (DCA-alt-TAEA) (DCAT) was used to pack PDCD4 into spherical-like nanoparticles through electrostatic interaction. Gel retardation assays implied that DCAT could integrate DNA at the weight ratio of 1 and protect it from digestion by nuclease. Acid-base titration experiments showed that DCAT obtained preferable buffering capability which was beneficial for the endosomal escape of DCAT/PDCD4 complexes. Cellular tests involving gene transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity indicated that DCA and PDCD4 co-delivered by the complexes significantly and synergistically suppressed the viability of SMMC-7721 cells. These results suggest that integrating chemotherapeutic molecules into nucleic acid-packing polymeric prodrug as cationic polymer/PDCD4 complexes is a highly efficient way to co-deliver chemotherapeutic drugs and nucleic acids for cancer therapy.

MiR-221 promotes trastuzumab-resistance and metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancers by targeting PTEN?

( Xing Ming Ye ),( Wen Dong Bai ),( Hua Yu Zhu ),( Xiao Zhang ),( Ying Chen ),( Lei Wang ),( An Gang Yang ),( Jing Zh Ao ),( Lin Tao Jia ) 생화학분자생물학회 2014 BMB Reports Vol.47 No.5

HER2-overexpressing breast cancers are characterized byfrequent distant metastasis and often develop resistance aftershort-term effective treatment with the monoclonal antibodydrug, trastuzumab. Here, we found that the oncogenic miRNA,miR-221, inhibited apoptosis, induced trastuzumab resistanceand promoted metastasis of HER2-positive breast cancers. Thetumor suppressor PTEN was identified as a miR-221 target;overexpression of PTEN abrogated the aforementionedmiR-221-induced malignant phenotypes of the cells. Thesefindings indicate that miR-221 may promote trastuzumabresistance and metastasis of HER2-positive breast cancers bytargeting PTEN, suggesting its role as a potential biomarker forprogression and poor prognosis, and as a novel target fortrastuzumab-combined treatment of breast cancers.[BMB Reports 2014; 47(5): 268-273]

Review : Present Situation and Prospects of Sericulture in China

( Xing Jia Shen ),( Xia Yu Ye ),( Xi Jie Guo ) 한국잠사학회 2006 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.13 No.2

Since 1970, China has become the biggest cocoon producer in the world, and made the highest historical record of cocoon output for 759,800 tons in 1995. However, in 1996 cocoon production reduced sharply to 470,900 tons. After a ten-year adjustment and reform, sericultural areas have shifted from developed regions to developing regions and from the east to the west. From 2000, the cocoon output has started to increase restoringly. By 2004 it recovered to 547,091 tons. With the development of market economy, sericulture management has been changed, including mulberry fields concentrated to the specializated households and cooperatives, cocoons produced in larger scale instead of individuals, Silkworm egg producing enterprises gradually changed into non-governmental joint-stock ones. The mechanism of market cocoon price has been gradually established. The management model of combination of trade, industry and agriculture is pushing and improving. It is the fruit of modern science and technology, especially sericultural basic research, that provides China`s sericulture with the opportunity and vital force. China`s sericulture, therefore, will continue to develop steadily in future.

Present Situation and Prospects of Sericulture in China

Shen, Xing-Jia,Ye, Xia-Yu,Guo, Xi-Jie Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2006 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.13 No.2

Since 1970, China has become the biggest cocoon producer in the world, and made the highest historical record of cocoon output for 759,800 tons in 1995. However, in 1996 cocoon production reduced sharply to 470,900 tons. After a ten-year adjustment and reform, sericultural areas have shifted from developed regions to developing regions and from the east to the west. From 2000, the cocoon output has started to increase restoringly. By 2004 it recovered to 547,091 tons. With the development of market economy, sericulture management has been changed, including mulberry fields concentrated to the specializated households and cooperatives, cocoons produced in larger scale instead of individuals, Silkworm egg producing enterprises gradually changed into non-governmental joint-stock ones. The mechanism of market cocoon price has been gradually established. The management model of combination of trade, industry and agriculture is pushing and improving. It is the fruit of modern science and technology, especially sericultural basic research, that provides China's sericulture with the opportunity and vital force. China's sericulture, therefore, will continue to develop steadily in future.

Overlapping Stents-Assisted Coiling for Vertebral Artery Dissecting Aneurysm : LVIS Stent within Neuroform EZ Stent

Liu, Xing-Long,Wang, Bin,Zhao, Lin-Bo,Jia, Zhen-Yu,Shi, Hai-Bin,Liu, Sheng The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2022 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.65 No.4

Objective : To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an overlapped stenting-assisted coiling technique in treating vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) via Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent. Methods : From January 2017 to June 2019, 18 consecutive patients with VADAs (ruptured : unruptured=5 : 13) were treated with the overlapping stents assisted-coiling technique in our center. The overlapping manner was a Neuroform EZ stent being deployed first, followed by LVIS stents placement using the 'shelf' technique. The patients' clinical characteristics, technical feasibility and safety, and immediate and follow-up angiographic results were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Seventeen (94.4%) procedures were technically successful with an exact deployment of the stents and patent parent or perforator arteries. The immediate angiographies after procedure confirmed Raymond class I, II, and III occlusion of VADAs were in 12 (66.7%), two (11.1%), and four cases (22.2%), respectively. Post-procedural complications developed in one patient (5.6%) with minor brainstem infarctions, which resulted from an in-stent thrombosis during the procedure. Angiographic follow-up at 5.7 months (range 3 to 9 months) demonstrated Raymond class I and II occlusion were in all cases (100%). The modified Rankin Scale scores at 21.3 months (range 15 to 42 months) 0-2 in 17 cases (94.4%) and three in one case (5.6%). Conclusion : Overlapping stents via LVIS stent-within-Neuroform EZ stent combined with coiling is safe and effective for patients with VADA in the midterm results.

New multifunction materials with both electrorheological performance and luminescence property

Ming-Xing Chen,Yan-Li Shang,Yun-Ling Jia,Xiang-Yu Dong,Jing Ren,Jun-Ran Li 한국유변학회 2017 Korea-Australia rheology journal Vol.29 No.1

Novel multifunctional materials, the composites AlOOH-NaYFTb5 and AlOOH-NaYFTb10, containing AlO(OH) and β-NaYF4:5%Tb3+, have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route and a simple grinding method. The boehmite [AlO(OH)], yttrium nitrate [Y(NO3)3·6H2O], terbium nitrate, [Tb(NO3)3·6H2O], sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7·2H2O) and sodium fluoride (NaF) were used as starting materials. The composition, electrorheological (ER) performance, and luminescence property of the functional materials were studied. Our results show that the composites not only have good electrorheological (ER) performance, but also have good optics property. The relative shear stress τr (τr = τE/τ0, τE and τ0 are the shear stresses at the electric field strength E = 4 and 0 kV/mm, respectively) values of the suspension (25 wt.%) of AlOOHNaYFTb5 material in silicone oil are all larger than 50 in a shear rate ranging from 0.06 to 26 s−1, the τr value reaches 1333 at a shear rate of 0.06 s−1. The material with such high ER activity and favorable luminescence performance is advantageous in its application as a multifunctional material.

Research on Flame Retardant Formaldehyde-Free Plywood Glued by Aqueous Polymer Isocyanate Adhesive

( Ming-yu Wen ),( Jia-zhi Zhu ),( Meng Zhu ),( Yao-xing Sun ),( Hee-jun Park ),( Junyou Shi ) 한국목재공학회 2020 목재공학 Vol.48 No.5

Due to pronounced mechanical performance and being environmental friendly, aqueous polymer isocyanate adhesive (API) has been widely applied in the production of formaldehyde-free wood products. In this study, flame retardant formaldehyde-free plywood was prepared by incorporation of flame retardants into the API adhesive. Partially phosphorylated poly (vinyl alcohol) (PPVA) which was prepared by reacting poly (vinyl alcohol) with phosphoric acid was used to replace PVA in API formula. In addition, Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) was chosen as additive flame retardant, replacing traditional filler CaCO₃ in API adhesive formula. And then, the flame retardant API adhesive with main agent (PPVA replacing PVA70wt.%, SBR emulsion 30wt.%), curing agent 10wt.% (accounts for of the main agent), and 20wt.% LDHs (accounts of the main agent) was used to prepare flame retardant plywood. The effect of application of PPVA and Mg-Al LDH on bonding strength of plywood was investigated. The flammability characteristics of the plywood were determined by cone calorimeter test (CCT). The results revealed that compared with the plywood prepared with API adhesive, the use of PPVA and LDH enhanced the flame retardancy of plywood without negatively affecting bonding strength. The CCT tests indicated that the heat release and smoke production flame retardant API plywood were lower than those of the ordinary API glued plywood. Promising developments for flame retardant API adhesive were expected in future applications of flame retardant formaldehyde-free plywood.

Staged Improvement in Awareness of Disease for Elderly Cancer Patients in Southern China

Li, Xing,Dong, Min,Wen, Jing-Yun,Wei, Li,Ma, Xiao-Kun,Xing, Yan-Fang,Deng, Yun,Chen, Zhan-Hong,Chen, Jie,Ruan, Dan-Yun,Lin, Ze-Xiao,Wang, Tian-Tian,Wu, Dong-Hao,Liu, Xu,Hu, Hai-Tao,Lin, Jia-Yu,Li, Zhu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.