Application of Brodmann’s Area Maps for Cortical Localization of Tactile Perception Evoked by Fabric Touch

Qicai Wang,Yuan Tao,Jie Yuan,Zhaohui Jiang,Zuowei Ding,Zhongwei Zhang,Zhao Jia,Jing Wang 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.4

Different sensations are generated when we touch textiles with different performance. The mechanical propertiesrelated to fabric touch have been studied for a long time, the relationship between which and the subjective feelings is wellunderstood. However, the cognitive mechanism of our brain on the tactile perception evoked by fabric touch were rarelystudied. The relationship between mechanical properties of fabrics and the brain response in different areas is the vacancy ofthe study but urgent problem. In our previous study, the advanced technology of fMRI was proved to be an effective tool fordetecting brain response evoked by tactile stimulation of fabric touch with high spatial resolution. Now in this study, furtherfMRI experiments were conducted to observe brain response when participants touched different fabrics using their fingers ina specified way, and the most widely recognized functional atlas, Brodmann’s area maps, were applied to locate the corticalactivations in functional areas. Activations in the participants’s brain in different Brodmann areas was compared with themechanical preperties of the fabric samples tested by the instruments of KES-FB. The results showed that activationinformation in the participants’ brain can distinguish the fabric samples very well. Activations in several Brodmann areas areclosely connected with different tactile preperties of the fabrics. Therefore, Brodmann’s area maps were proved to be a usefulfunctional atlas for cortical localization of tactile perception evoked by fabric touch.

Layout and Sizing Optimization of Discrete Truss Based on Continuum

Qinglong Wu,Qicai Zhou,Xiaolei Xiong,Richeng Zhang 한국강구조학회 2017 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.17 No.1

A new method combined continuum topology with discrete truss is proposed for truss optimization. The optimized material distribution is obtained by means of continuum topology optimization and then transformed into initial truss. Based on the element principal stress and 8-neighborhood elements of continuum, force flow path extraction method is presented to obtain the initial truss layout. For section size optimization, criterion is deduced from a mathematical model by Lagrange multiplier method. Leveraging the free-form nature of continuum, this method can avoid the restriction of traditional ground structure. And it can achieve a better solution with less mass, smaller deformation and more uniform stress.

MiR‑15a attenuates peripheral nerve injury‑induced neuropathic pain by targeting AKT3 to regulate autophagy

Longxue Cai,Xianfa Liu,Qicai Guo,Qi huang,Qiong Zhang,Zuohong Cao 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.1

Objective Aim of this study was to detect the expression of miR-15a in rats following chronic constriction injury (CCI) and to investigate the regulatory functions of miR-15a during neuropathic pain (NP) development. Methods CCI was performed in adult Sprague–Dawley rats to set up the rat model of neuropathic pain. MiR-15a agomir and scrambled control were delivered into the implanted catheter of rats. The mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed in both CCI- and sham-operated groups. Rat lumbar spinal cord tissues were harvested for mRNA and protein analyses. The primary spinal microglia were isolated from adult Sprague–Dawley rats and transfected with miR-15a mimics, scramble miRNA, miR-15a inhibitor or its corresponding negative control. Cell lysates were collected for mRNA and protein analyses. Results Compared to sham-operated group, the expression of miR-15a in CCI rats was significantly reduced, whereas neuroinflammation in spinal cord tissues was increased. Intrathecal administration of miR-15a agomir significantly attenuated CCI-induced NP and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. AKT3 was predicted and confirmed as a miR-15a-regulated gene. We further demonstrated that miR-15a overexpression downregulated the level of AKT3 in primary rat microglia and rat CCI model. Moreover, the upregulation of miR-15a induced the expressions of autophagy-associated proteins, suggesting that the regulation mechanism of miR-15a in NP development involves AKT3mediated autophagy via inhibiting the expression of AKT3. Conclusion Our findings indicated that miR-15a might serve as a promising therapeutic target for the management of NP through the stimulation of autophagic process.

Seismic performances of steel reinforced concrete bridge piers

Jiangdong Deng,Airong Liu,Qicai Yu,Guoxing Peng 국제구조공학회 2016 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.21 No.3

The quasi static test of the steel reinforced concrete (SRC) bridge piers and rigid frame arch bridge structure with SRC piers was conducted in the laboratory, and the seismic performance of SRC piers was compared with that of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers. In the test, the failure process, the failure mechanism, hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, ductility coefficient, stiffness degradation curves and the energy dissipation curves were analyzed. According to the M-Φ relationship of fiber section, the three-wire type theoretical skeleton curve of the lateral force and the pier top displacement was proposed, and the theoretical skeleton curves are well consistent with the experimental curves. Based on the theoretical model, the effects of the concrete strength, axial compression ratio, slenderness ratio, reinforcement ratio, and the stiffness ratio of arch to pier on the skeleton curve were analyzed.

Dose-Response Relationship between Alanine Aminotransferase Levels within the Reference Interval and Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults

Peipei Wu,Shumei Wang,Qicai Chen,Lili Chen,Pengpeng Zhang,Juan Xiao,Xiaoxiao Chen,Meng Liu 연세대학교의과대학 2017 Yonsei medical journal Vol.58 No.1

Purpose: Elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels is a biomarker for metabolic syndrome (MS); however, the relationshiphas not been fully investigated within the reference interval of ALT levels. Our objective was to explore the relationship between serum ALT levels within the reference interval and MS in Chinese adults. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 16028 adults, who attended routine health check-ups at Shengli OilfieldCentral Hospital from January 2006 to March 2012. The reference interval of serum ALT level was defined as less than 40 U/L. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline were used to evaluate the association of ALT with MS. Results: The prevalence of MS in the total population was 13.7% (6.4% for females and 18.4% for males). Multiple logistic regressionshowed that ALT levels were positively associated with MS after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The odds ratio of MS in the top quartile was 4.830 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.980–7.829] in females and 3.168 (95% CI: 2.649–3.790) in males, compared with the ALT levels in the bottom quartile. The restricted cubic spline models revealed a positive non-linear dose-response relationship between ALT levels and the risk of MS in women (p for nonlinearity was 0.0327), but a positive linear dose-response relationship in men (p for nonlinearity was 0.0659). Conclusion: Serum ALT levels within the reference interval are positively associated with MS in a dose-response manner. ElevatedALT levels, even within the reference interval, may reflect early dysmetabolic changes.

Study on the Retarding Mechanism and Strength Loss of Gypsum from Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Retarder

Yi Ding,Youchun Fang,Hui Fang,Qicai Zhang,Feng-Jun Zhang,오원춘 한국세라믹학회 2015 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.52 No.1

In this article, the influence of a hydrolyzed wheat protein retarder on the hydration process, ion concentration in liquid phase, degree of supersaturation, and crystal morphology of plaster was investigated. Furthermore, the retarding mechanism and the strength loss of gypsum were also studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the use of the hydrolyzed wheat protein retarder for plaster achieved a better retarding effect and lower strength loss. The combination of gypsum plaster with the retarder not only decreased the plaster’s early hydration rate and prolonged its setting time efficiently, but also militated against the crystal morphology of dihydrate gypsum. For example, the crystal dimensions changed little, but the proportion of needle-shaped crystals decreased. Combination with calcium ions on the surface of dihydrate gypsum crystal nuclei may form a chemisorbed layer, reduce the surface energy of the crystal nuclei, and inhibit the growth of the crystal nuclei of dihydrate gypsum. Consequently, the hydration process of building gypsum becomes greatly extended and is slowed down significantly.

Study on the Retarding Mechanism and Strength Loss of Gypsum from Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Retarder

Ding, Yi,Fang, Youchun,Fang, Hui,Zhang, Qicai,Zhang, Fengjun,Oh, Won-Chun The Korean Ceramic Society 2015 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.52 No.1

In this article, the influence of a hydrolyzed wheat protein retarder on the hydration process, ion concentration in liquid phase, degree of supersaturation, and crystal morphology of plaster was investigated. Furthermore, the retarding mechanism and the strength loss of gypsum were also studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the use of the hydrolyzed wheat protein retarder for plaster achieved a better retarding effect and lower strength loss. The combination of gypsum plaster with the retarder not only decreased the plaster's early hydration rate and prolonged its setting time efficiently, but also militated against the crystal morphology of dihydrate gypsum. For example, the crystal dimensions changed little, but the proportion of needle-shaped crystals decreased. Combination with calcium ions on the surface of dihydrate gypsum crystal nuclei may form a chemisorbed layer, reduce the surface energy of the crystal nuclei, and inhibit the growth of the crystal nuclei of dihydrate gypsum. Consequently, the hydration process of building gypsum becomes greatly extended and is slowed down significantly.

3D Architectures of LaVO₄:Eu³⁺ Microcrystals via an EG-assisted Hydrothermal Method: Phase Selective Synthesis, Growth Mechanism and Luminescent Properties

Ding, Yi,Zhang, Bo,Ren, Qifang,Zhang, Qicai,Zha, Weiwei,Li, Xin,Chen, Shaohua,Oh, Won-Chun The Korean Ceramic Society 2017 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.54 No.2

In this article, pure $m-LaVO_4:Eu^{3+}$ and $t-LaVO_4:Eu^{3+}$ nanocrystals were prepared by an EG-assisted hydrothermal method with regular shapes. A series of controlled experiments showed that the pH value of a mixed solution, the volume ratio of $EG/H_2O$ and the dosage of the doped $Eu^{3+}$ all had an important effect on the sizes and shapes of the final products. Furthermore, the constitutional unit of the products changed from 0D to 2D with an increase in the EG dosage. The PL results showed that $t-LaVO_4$ doped with $Eu^{3+}$ ions had better luminescence properties than $m-LaVO_4$ due to its special structure. All of these results not only expand our understanding of the luminescence properties of lanthanide orthovanadates, but they also elucidate the principles of the crystal growth.

Method to Estimate Lateral Earth Pressure on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels

Li Ma,Sheng Li,I-Hsuan Ho,Qicai Wang,Bentian Yu 대한토목학회 2020 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.24 No.3

High-filled cut-and-cover tunnels (HFCCTs) can be used in northwestern China to reclaim usable land. Because of the ultra-high backfill used in HFCCTs, the stress on the cut-and-cover tunnel (CCT) will change. However, The calculation method adopted at present for earth pressure usually result in either overestimation or underestimation. Different from vertical earth pressure, lateral earth pressure (LEP) can help stabilize the structure of HFCCTs. The current methods for estimating LEP rely mainly on Rankine’s theory or empirical formulas. Using conventional methods has led to errors between actual values and estimated values, and such deviation increases with an increase in the backfill height over the CCT. Due to the complex soil-arching effect, the current methods used for calculating LEP for HFCCTs need to be modified. These modifications need to consider characteristics of the CCT, mechanical properties of the backfill soil, and the geometry of the landform. In this work, several influential factors were identified through numerical analysis using the finite element method and propose four corresponding coefficients of modification: k0, the cross-sectional shape of the CCT; k1, the mechanical properties of the backfill; k2, the width of the CCT; and k3, the coupled effect of the slope angle and ratio of the width of the valley floor to the width of the CCT. Because current methods and specifications may overestimate the LEP for HFCCTs in valleys, a general equation was formulated for modifying the LEP coefficient. Also, this general modification equation was verified that agrees well with the numerical analysis results for different cases.

Experimental and Numerical Analyses for Earth Pressure Distribution on High-Filled Cut-and-Cover Tunnels

Sheng Li,Yuchi Jianie,I-Hsuan Ho,Li Ma,Qicai Wang,Bentian Yu 대한토목학회 2020 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.24 No.6

The use of high-filled cut-and-cover tunnels (HFCCTs) provides an ideal solution for reclaiming usable land in northwestern China because of the unique landforms of the Loess Plateau. Different from traditional tunnel boring methods, the HFCCT is first constructed and then backfilled in layers in the trench. Due to the backfill above the cut-and-cover tunnel (CCT) is required in quantity, currently, the existed estimating methods of the earth pressure may not suit the high-filled constructions. The ability to estimate the load on such tunnels and high backfill projects is extremely important. Conceptually, the Marston-Spangler (M-S) theory for buried culverts may be used to estimate earth pressure on HFCCTs. However, the earth pressure would be quite different from that of buried culverts in terms of the backfill volume, cross-sectional shape of structure, and foundation conditions. This paper presents physical experiments and numerical investigations to verify the influence of cross-sectional shape (arch and rectangle) of CCTs, foundation settlement, and load reduction using expanded polystyrene (EPS) for the vertical earth pressure (VEP) distribution and vertical displacement around a CCT. The experimental results agree well with the numerical analysis results. Moreover, further comparisons were also made to analytical analysis based on M-S theory. The comparison results indicate that analytical solutions for buried culverts cannot be applied to HFCCTs directly. In order to obtain the earth pressure accurately, designers must consider many influential factors.