An experimental study of vibration control of wind-excited high-rise buildings using particle tuned mass dampers

Zheng Lu,Dianchao Wang,Sami F. Masri,Xilin Lu 국제구조공학회 2016 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.18 No.1

A particle tuned mass damper (PTMD) system is the combination of a traditional tuned mass damper (TMD) and a particle damper (PD). This paper presents the results of an experimental and analytical study of the damping performance of a PTMD attached to the top of a benchmark model under wind load excitation. The length ratio of the test model is 1:200. The vibration reduction laws of the system were explored by changing some system parameters (including the particle material, total auxiliary mass ratio, the mass ratio between container and particles, the suspending length, and wind velocity). An appropriate analytical solution based on the concept of an equivalent single-unit impact damper is presented. Comparison between the experimental and analytical results shows that, with the proper use of the equivalent method, reasonably accurate estimates of the dynamic response of a primary system under wind load excitation can be obtained. The experimental and simulation results show the robustness of the new damper and indicate that the damping performance can be improved by controlling the particle density, increasing the amount of particles, and aggravating the impact of particles etc.

RTN4 3'-UTR Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Chinese Han Population

Lu, De-Yi,Mao, Xu-Hua,Zhou, Ying-Hui,Yan, Xiao-Long,Wang, Wei-Ping,Zheng, Ya-Biao,Xiao, Juan-Juan,Zhang, Ping,Wang, Jian-Guo,Ashwani, Neetika,Ding, Wei-Liang,Jiang, Hua,Shang, Yan,Wang, Ming-Hua Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Nogo protein, encoded by gene reticulon-4 (RTN4), includes three major isoforms by different splicing, named Nogo-A Nogo-B and Nogo-C. Nogo proteins play an important role in the apoptosis of cells, especially in tumor cells. RTN4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can influence the efficiency of transcription and translation thus being related with an individual's predisposition to cancer. The CAA insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs34917480) within RTN4 3'-UTR has been reported to be associated with many cancer types. In order to investigate the relationship between this polymorphism and susceptibility to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Chinese population, we conducted the present case-control study including 411 NSCLC patients and 471 unrelated healthy controls. The genotype distributions were significantly different between cases and controls (p=0.014). We found that the del allele could significantly increase NSCLC risk (ins/ins vs ins/del: p=0.007, OR 1.46, 95%CI=1.11-1.93; dominant model: p=0.004, OR 1.47, 95%CI=1.13-1.92 and allele model: p=0.008, OR 1.35, 95%CI=1.08-1.67). This association was stronger in participants over 60 years old, males and smokers. We therefore conclude that the CAA insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs34917480) contributes to non-small cell lung cancer risk in Chinese population. Age, sex and environmental exposure are also related to carcinogenic effects of rs34917480.

Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, Blood Metabolites, and Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Wang Qi,Dai Huajie,Hou Tianzhichao,Hou Yanan,Wang Tiange,Lin Hong,Zhao Zhiyun,Li Mian,Zheng Ruizhi,Wang Shuangyuan,Lu Jieli,Xu Yu,Liu Ruixin,Ning Guang,Wang Weiqing,Bi Yufang,Zheng Jie,Xu Min 대한뇌졸중학회 2023 Journal of stroke Vol.25 No.3

Background and Purpose We investigated the causal relationships between the gut microbiota (GM), stroke, and potential metabolite mediators using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods We leveraged the summary statistics of GM (n=18,340 in the MiBioGen consortium), blood metabolites (n=115,078 in the UK Biobank), and stroke (cases n=60,176 and controls n=1,310,725 in the Global Biobank Meta-Analysis Initiative) from the largest genome-wide association studies to date. We performed bidirectional MR analyses to explore the causal relationships between the GM and stroke, and two mediation analyses, two-step MR and multivariable MR, to discover potential mediating metabolites. Results Ten taxa were causally associated with stroke, and stroke led to changes in 27 taxa. In the two-step MR, <i>Bifidobacteriales</i> order, <i>Bifidobacteriaceae</i> family, <i>Desulfovibrio</i> genus, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), phospholipids in high-density lipoprotein (HDL_PL), and the ratio of apolipoprotein B to ApoA1 (ApoB/ApoA1) were causally associated with stroke (all <i>P</i><0.044). The causal associations between <i>Bifidobacteriales</i> order, <i>Bifidobacteriaceae</i> family and stroke were validated using the weighted median method in an independent cohort. The three GM taxa were all positively associated with ApoA1 and HDL_PL, whereas <i>Desulfovibrio</i> genus was negatively associated with ApoB/ApoA1 (all <i>P</i><0.010). Additionally, the causal associations between the three GM taxa and ApoA1 remained significant after correcting for the false discovery rate (all q-values <0.027). Multivariable MR showed that the associations between <i>Bifidobacteriales</i> order, <i>Bifidobacteriaceae</i> family and stroke were mediated by ApoA1 and HDL_PL, each accounting for 6.5% (<i>P</i>=0.028) and 4.6% (<i>P</i>=0.033); the association between <i>Desulfovibrio</i> genus and stroke was mediated by ApoA1, HDL_PL, and ApoB/ApoA1, with mediated proportions of 7.6% (<i>P</i>=0.019), 4.2% (<i>P</i>=0.035), and 9.1% (<i>P</i>=0.013), respectively. Conclusion The current MR study provides evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and stroke and potential mediating metabolites.

Lineage tracking to reveal the fate of hematopoietic stem cells influenced by Flk2− multipotent progenitors after transplantation

Wang Zheng,Jiang Du,Vergel-Rodriguez Mary,Nogalska Anna,Lu Rong 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

After transplantation, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) sustain blood cell regeneration throughout the patient’s life. Recent studies suggest that several types of mature blood cells provide feedback signals to regulate HSC fate. However, the potential feedback effect of hematopoietic progenitor cells has not been characterized to date. The present investigation demonstrated that multipotent progenitors (MPPs) promoted T cell production of HSCs when both cell types were cotransplanted in mice. Using genetic barcodes to track individual HSCs in mice, we found that the increased T cell production by HSCs was associated with the combined effects of altered lineage bias and clonal expansion during HSC differentiation. We showed that MPP and HSC co-transplantation promoted the multilineage differentiation of HSCs in the short term while preserving lymphoid-specialized HSC differentiation in the long term. Our findings indicate that MPPs derived from HSCs regulate the fate of HSCs after bone marrow transplantation.

Development and Validation of a Prognostic Nomogram Based on Clinical and CT Features for Adverse Outcome Prediction in Patients with COVID-19

Zheng Yingyan,Xiao Anling,Yu Xiangrong,Zhao Yajing,Lu Yiping,Li Xuanxuan,Mei Nan,She Dejun,Wang Dongdong,Geng Daoying,Yin Bo 대한영상의학회 2020 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.21 No.8

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the predictive abilities of clinical and computed tomography (CT) features for outcome prediction in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: The clinical and CT data of 238 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred sixty-six patients (103 males; age 43.8 ± 12.3 years) were allocated in the training cohort and 72 patients (38 males; age 45.1 ± 15.8 years) from another independent hospital were assigned in the validation cohort. The primary composite endpoint was admission to an intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify independent predictors. A nomogram was constructed based on the combination of clinical and CT features, and its prognostic performance was externally tested in the validation group. The predictive value of the combined model was compared with models built on the clinical and radiological attributes alone. Results: Overall, 35 infected patients (21.1%) in the training cohort and 10 patients (13.9%) in the validation cohort experienced adverse outcomes. Underlying comorbidity (hazard ratio [HR], 3.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67–6.71; p < 0.001), lymphocyte count (HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04–0.38; p < 0.001) and crazy-paving sign (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03–4.48; p = 0.042) were the independent factors. The nomogram displayed a concordance index (C-index) of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76–0.88), and its prognostic value was confirmed in the validation cohort with a C-index of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82–0.96). The combined model provided the best performance over the clinical or radiological model (p < 0.050). Conclusion: Underlying comorbidity, lymphocyte count and crazy-paving sign were independent predictors of adverse outcomes. The prognostic nomogram based on the combination of clinical and CT features could be a useful tool for predicting adverse outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

Clinical effectiveness of different types of bone-anchored maxillary protraction devices for skeletal Class III malocclusion: Systematic review and network meta-analysis

Wang, Jiangwei,Yang, Yingying,Wang, Yingxue,Zhang, Lu,Ji, Wei,Hong, Zheng,Zhang, Linkun The Korean Association Of Orthodontists 2022 대한치과교정학회지 Vol.52 No.5

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the clinical effects of different types of bone-anchored maxillary protraction devices by using a network meta-analysis. Methods: We searched seven databases for randomized and controlled clinical trials that compared bone-anchored maxillary protraction with tooth-anchored maxillary protraction interventions or untreated groups up to May 2021. After literature selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, we calculated the mean differences, 95% confidence intervals, and surface under the cumulative ranking scores of eleven indicators. Statistical analysis was performed using R statistical software with the GeMTC package based on the Bayesian framework. Results: Six interventions and 667 patients were involved in 18 studies. In comparison with the tooth-anchored groups, the bone-anchored groups showed significantly more increases in Sella-Nasion-Subspinale (°), Subspinale-Nasion-Supramentale(°) and significantly fewer increases in mandibular plane angle and the labial proclination angle of upper incisors. In comparison with the control group, Sella-Nasion-Supramentale(°) decreased without any statistical significance in all treated groups. IMPA (angle of lower incisors and mandibular plane) decreased in groups with facemasks and increased in other groups. Conclusions: Bone-anchored maxillary protraction can promote greater maxillary forward movement and correct the Class III intermaxillary relationship better, in addition to showing less clockwise rotation of mandible and labial proclination of upper incisors. However, strengthening anchorage could not inhibit mandibular growth better and the lingual inclination of lower incisors caused by the treatment is related to the use of a facemask.

A novel starting method of Sensorless PM Brushless DC Motor during Load Variation

Wang Shi-tao,Yang Tao,Li Quan-feng,Lu Zheng-yu 전력전자학회 2011 ICPE(ISPE)논문집 Vol.2011 No.5

Sensorless PM brushless DC motor will undergo a open-loop acceleration period during the conventional starting. If the load is variational during this period, the starting failure will happen. Base on the conventional starting method, this paper proposed a novel starting method which can check if the forced alignment is succeed, and eliminate “stuck”situation during forced alignment, and makes the motor starts normally during load variating. Experimental results show that this method is viable.

Fusion Between TMPRSS2 and ETS Family Members (ERG, ETV1, ETV4) in Prostate Cancers from Northern China

Wang, Jian-Jiang,Liu, Yue-Xin,Wang, Wei,Yan, Wei,Zheng, Yu-Peng,Qiao, Lu-Dong,Liu, Dan,Chen, Shan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

In this study we evaluated the frequency of fusion between TMPRSS2 and ETS family members (ERG, ETV1, ETV4) in prostate cancers in patients from northern China in order to explore differences in fusion rates among regions in northern and southern China, other parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. We examined 100 prostate cancer patients, diagnosed by means of prostate biopsy; fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the expression of TMPRSS2, ERG, ETV1 and ETV4 in cancer tissue. Differences in gene fusion rates among different ethnics groups were also analyzed. Of the 100 prostate cancer patients, 55 (55%) had the fusion gene. Among the patients with the fusion gene, 46 (83.6%) patients had the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion product, 8 (14.8%) patients had TMPRSS2:ETV1 fusion, 1 (1.6%) patient had TMPRSS2:ETV4.

Drag reduction characterizations of turbulent channel flow with surfactant additive by proper orthogonal decomposition and wavelet transform

Lu Wang,Zhiying Zheng,Weihua Cai,Fengchen Li 한국유변학회 2020 Korea-Australia rheology journal Vol.32 No.1

To explore the drag-reducing characteristics of turbulent channel flows with surfactant additive at relatively high Reynolds number from the perspectives of energy spectrum and multi-scale resolution, the two-dimensional fluctuation velocity fields of turbulent channel flows with/without surfactant additive at Reynolds number of Re = 590 obtained by large eddy simulation are decomposed by two-dimensional proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and wavelet transform (WT). POD results show that the low-order eigenmode occupying most energy can be used to capture large-scale vortex structures, and fewer eigenmodes can be employed to capture coherent structures (CSs) in surfactant solution case compared with that in the Newtonian fluid. The spatial structures depicted by POD eigenmode state that buffer layer has a tendency to move towards the center of the channel in surfactant solution. Through wavelet analysis of fluctuation velocity fields in the streamwise-wall-normal planes, it is found that CSs mainly distribute in the near-wall region and the amount of CSs is smaller in surfactant solution. The results of local Reynolds shear measure (LRM) show that local contribution of CSs to the intermittency in turbulent channel flow of surfactant solution decreases, indicating the inhibition of intermittency by surfactant additive. In order to investigate the drag-reducing characteristics at different locations along the wall-normal direction, the fluctuation velocity fields in the streamwise-spanwise planes at different wall-normal locations are decomposed by two-dimensional WT. The results show that surfactant additive mainly affects the flow in the near-wall region (especially in the buffer layer) and thus induces drag reduction effect.

Anticancer Activity of Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L) Merr Extracts is Associated with Inhibition of NF-κB Activity and Decreased Erk1/2 and Akt Phosphorylation

Wang, Hua-Qian,Li, Dong-Li,Lu, Yu-Jing,Cui, Xiao-Xing,Zhou, Xiao-Fen,Lin, Wei-Ping,Conney, Allan H.,Zhang, Kun,Du, Zhi-Yun,Zheng, Xi Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L) Merr (AT) is commonly used as an herbal medicine and edible plant in some areas of China and other Asian countries. AT is thought to have anticancer effects, but potential mechanisms remain unknown. To assess the anticancer properties of AT, we exposed prostate cancer cells to AT extracts and assessed cell proliferation and signaling pathways. An ethanol extract of AT was suspended in water followed by sequential extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. PC-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of each extract and cell viability was determined by the MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. The ethyl acetate extract of the ethanol extract had a stronger inhibitory effect on growth and a stronger stimulatory effect on apoptosis than any of the other extracts. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract suppressed the transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$, increased the level of caspase-3, and decreased the levels of phospho-Erk1/2 and phospho-Akt. This is the first report on the anticancer activity of AT in cultured human prostate cancer cells. The results suggest that AT can provide a plant-based medicine for the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer.