Computational estimation of the earthquake response for fibre reinforced concrete rectangular columns

Chanjuan Liu,Xinling Wu,Karzan Wakil,Kittisak Jermsittiparsert,Lanh Si Ho,Hisham Alabduljabbar,Abdulaziz Alaskar,Fahed Alrshoudi,Rayed Alyousef,Abdeliazim Mustafa Mohamed 국제구조공학회 2020 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.34 No.5

Due to the impressive flexural performance, enhanced compressive strength and more constrained crack propagation, Fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) have been widely employed in the construction application. Majority of experimental studies have focused on the seismic behavior of FRC columns. Based on the valid experimental data obtained from the previous studies, the current study has evaluated the seismic response and compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns while following hybrid metaheuristic techniques. Due to the non-linearity of seismic data, Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has been incorporated with metaheuristic algorithms. 317 different datasets from FRC column tests has been applied as one database in order to determine the most influential factor on the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to the simulated seismic loading. ANFIS has been used with the incorporation of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic algorithm (GA). For the analysis of the attained results, Extreme learning machine (ELM) as an authentic prediction method has been concurrently used. The variable selection procedure is to choose the most dominant parameters affecting the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to simulated seismic loading. Accordingly, the results have shown that ANFIS-PSO has successfully predicted the seismic lateral load with R2 = 0.857 and 0.902 for the test and train phase, respectively, nominated as the lateral load prediction estimator. On the other hand, in case of compressive strength prediction, ELM is to predict the compressive strength with R2 = 0.657 and 0.862 for test and train phase, respectively. The results have shown that the seismic lateral force trend is more predictable than the compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns, in which the best results belong to the lateral force prediction. Compressive strength prediction has illustrated a significant deviation above 40 Mpa which could be related to the considerable non-linearity and possible empirical shortcomings. Finally, employing ANFIS-GA and ANFIS-PSO techniques to evaluate the seismic response of FRC are a promising reliable approach to be replaced for high cost and time-consuming experimental tests.

Radiation Dose Reduction and Surgical Efficiency Improvement in Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Assisted by Intraoperative O-arm Navigation: A Retrospective Observational Study

Junfeng Gong,Xinle Huang,Liwen Luo,Huan Liu,Hao Wu,Ying Tan,Changqing Li,Yu Tang,Yue Zhou 대한척추신경외과학회 2022 Neurospine Vol.19 No.2

Objective: Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) has gained increasing popularity among spine surgeons. However, with the use of fluoroscopy, intraoperative radiation exposure remains a major concern. Here, we aim to introduce Endo-TLIF assisted by O-arm-based navigation and compare the results between O-arm navigation and fluoroscopy groups. Methods: Sixty-four patients were retrospectively analyzed from May 2019 to September 2020; the nonnavigation group comprised 34 patients, and the navigation group comprised 30 patients. Data on radiation dose, blood loss, postoperative drains, surgery time, complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were collected. Clinical outcomes were evaluated from postoperative data such as fusion rate, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiation dose and surgery time were selected as primary outcomes; the others were second outcomes. Results: All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. No significant differences were detected in intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative drains, hospital LOS, or complications between the 2 groups. The radiation dose was significantly lower in the navigation group compared with the nonnavigation group. The time of cannula placement and pedicle screw fixation was significantly reduced in the navigation group. No significant differences were detected between the clinical outcomes in the 2 groups (VAS and ODI scores). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that O-arm-assisted Endo-TLIF is efficient and safe. Compared with fluoroscopy, O-arm navigation could reduce the radiation exposure and surgical time in Endo-TLIF surgery, with similar clinical outcomes. However, the higher doses exposed to patients remains a negative effect of this technology.

The Application of Clove Extract Protects Chinesestyle Sausages against Oxidation and Quality Deterioration

Huiyun Zhang,Xinyan Peng,Xinling Li,Jingjuan Wu,Xinyu Guo 한국축산식품학회 2017 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.37 No.1

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of clove extract (CE) (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) on the oxidative stability and quality deterioration of Chinese-style sausage stored for 21 d at 4°C. The addition of clove extract to sausages significantly retarded increases in Thiobarbituric Reactive Substances (TBARS) values (p<0.05), while also controlling the production of protein carbonyls (p<0.05). However, the addition of clove extract promoted reduced thiol group content in sausages (p<0.05). Sausages amended with clove extract also had decreased L* values (p<0.05) and increased a* values (p<0.05) when compared with the control. Similarly, texture deterioration was retarded in sausage containing added clove extract when compared with the control during refrigerated storage. Moreover, the addition of clove extract had no negative effects on the sensory properties of sausages. These results suggested that clove extract was effective at protecting sausages from oxidation and quality deterioration during refrigerated storage for 21 d.

Influence of graphene oxide on the heat resistance of high strength concrete

Guangming Meng,Yuwu Sui,Shu Liu,Qingbo Tian,Xinling Cui,Yuejian Wu 한양대학교 청정에너지연구소 2022 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.23 No.6

The effect of Graphene Oxide (GO) on the thermal properties of high-strength concrete has been less studied. The mechanicalproperties, compactness, mineral composition and microstructure of the high-strength concrete with GO addition wereexamined by heat treatments at different temperatures. The results showed that the enhancement of the residual flexuralstrength with GO addition was greater than that of the residual compressive strength; GO addition had a significant effecton the mechanical properties of concrete treated at less than 500 ℃; Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) test showed thatthe high-strength concrete with GO addition required more heats for its decomposition after 500 ℃; The internal pores/cracksof the high strength concrete with GO addition were reduced after the heat treatment at a high-temperature because theproducing of new crystals can improve the residual properties of the high-strength concrete.

MicroRNA-375 is a therapeutic target for castration-resistant prostate cancer through the PTPN4/STAT3 axis

Gan Junqing,Liu Shan,Zhang Yu,He Liangzi,Bai Lu,Liao Ran,Zhao Juan,Guo Madi,Jiang Wei,Li Jiade,Li Qi,Mu Guannan,Wu Yangjiazi,Wang Xinling,Zhang Xingli,Zhou Dan,Lv Huimin,Wang Zhengfeng,Zhang Yanqiao,Q 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

The functional role of microRNA-375 (miR-375) in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial. Previously, we found that plasma exosomal miR-375 is significantly elevated in castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) patients compared with castration-sensitive PCa patients. Here, we aimed to determine how miR-375 modulates CRPC progression and thereafter to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hucMSC)-derived exosomes loaded with miR-375 antisense oligonucleotides (e-375i). We used miRNA in situ hybridization technique to evaluate miR-375 expression in PCa tissues, gain- and loss-of-function experiments to determine miR-375 function, and bioinformatic methods, dual-luciferase reporter assay, qPCR, IHC and western blotting to determine and validate the target as well as the effects of miR-375 at the molecular level. Then, e-375i complexes were assessed for their antagonizing effects against miR-375. We found that the expression of miR-375 was elevated in PCa tissues and cancer exosomes, correlating with the Gleason score. Forced expression of miR-375 enhanced the expression of EMT markers and AR but suppressed apoptosis markers, leading to enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and enzalutamide resistance and decreased apoptosis of PCa cells. These effects could be reversed by miR-375 silencing. Mechanistically, miR-375 directly interfered with the expression of phosphatase nonreceptor type 4 (PTPN4), which in turn stabilized phosphorylated STAT3. Application of e-375i could inhibit miR-375, upregulate PTPN4 and downregulate p-STAT3, eventually repressing the growth of PCa. Collectively, we identified a novel miR-375 target, PTPN4, that functions upstream of STAT3, and targeting miR-375 may be an alternative therapeutic for PCa, especially for CRPC with high AR levels.