Overtopping Failure Process and Core Wall Fracture Mechanism of a New Concrete Core Wall Dam

You-ming Zuo,Jia-wen Zhou,Hai-bo Li,Jie-yuan Zhang,Chang Tan,Xiaodong Wang,Yu-shan Wang,Yue Zhou 대한토목학회 2024 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.28 No.5

Concrete core wall dams have emerged as a cost-effective alternative to the reconstruction of old dams. However, the flooding mechanism and flood line of these dams differ significantly from traditional earth and rockfill dams due to the concrete core wall functioning as reinforcement. This study presents model tests that simulate the overtopping failure of earth and rockfill dams with concrete core walls of various thicknesses. The hydrologic curve and two-dimensional evolution of the breach are analyzed, and mechanical analysis examines the relationship between core wall thickness and free face during core wall failure. Results indicate that the presence of the concrete core wall shifts the overtopping failure mode to the scour pit failure mode. The scour pit failure mode occurs when upstream water scours the downstream core wall to form scour holes and free faces. Continuous scouring increases the depth of the free face, ultimately causing the moment between the two sides of the core wall to exceed the bending moment of the core wall, resulting in fracture. The study provides a theoretical basis for the design of core walls for this new type of dam.

Improving the Capture-range Problem in Phase-diversity Phase Retrieval for Laser-wavefront Measurement Using Geometrical-optics Initial Estimates

Li Jie Li,Wen Bo Jing,Wen Shen,Yue Weng,Bing Kun Huang,Xuan Feng 한국광학회 2022 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.6 No.5

To overcome the capture-range problem in phase-diversity phase retrieval (PDPR), a geometricaloptics initial-estimate method is proposed to avoid a local minimum and to improve the accuracy of laser-wavefront measurement. We calculate the low-order aberrations through the geometrical-optics model, which is based on the two spot images in the propagation path of the laser, and provide it as a starting guess for the PDPR algorithm. Simulations show that this improves the accuracy of wavefront recovery by 62.17% compared to other initial values, and the iteration time with our method is reduced by 28.96%. That is, this approach can solve the capture-range problem.

GOLPH3, a Good Prognostic Indicator in Early-stage NSCLC Related to Tumor Angiogenesis

Lu, Ming,Tian, Yu,Yue, Wei-Ming,Li, Lin,Li, Shu-Hai,Qi, Lei,Hu, Wen-Si,Gao, Cun,Si, Li-Bo,Tian, Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.14

Background: Golgi phosphoprotein-3 (GOLPH3) is implicated in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of GOLPH3 protein and its association with tumor angiogenesis in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine GOLPH3 protein expression and allow assessment of intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) by counting CD-34 positive immunostained endothelial cells. Correlations of expression with MVD, clinicopathologic features and clinical prognosis were analyzed. Results: A notably higher level of GOLPH3 expression was found in early-stage NSCC tissues at the protein level. However, we do not find any correlation between GOLPH3 expression and clinicopathologic features (p>0.05), although higher MVD was positively associated with GOLPH3 overexpression (p<0.001). Expression of GOLPH3 was found to be an independent prognostic factor in early-stage NSCLC patients, those expressing high levels of GOLPH3 exhibiting a substantially lower 5-year overall survival than GOLPH3-negative patients (adjusted HR =1.899, 95% CI: 1.021-3.532, p=0.043). Conclusions: High expression of the GOLPH3 protein is common in early-stage NSCC, and is closely associated with tumor progression, increased tumor angiogenesis, and poor survival. We conclude a possibility of its use as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in early-stage NSCC patients.

Expression of Proteasome Activator REGγ in Human Laryngeal Carcinoma and Associations with Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Li, Li-Ping,Cheng, Wei-Bo,Li, Hong,Li, Wen,Yang, Hui,Wen, Ding-Hou,Tang, Yue-Di Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.6

The functional significance of the proteasome activator $REG{\gamma}$ in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis has been recognized. However, pathological contributions to tumor development remain to be elucidated. Both oncogenic proteins and tumor suppressors are targeted by $REG{\gamma}$ for proteasomal degradation. It has been proposed that the role of the $REG{\gamma}$ in the pathogenesis of cancer is cell- and context-specific. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential involvement of $REG{\gamma}$ in laryngeal carcinomas, comparing protein expression in tumor and adjacent tissues by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis. We also characterized the correlation between the expression of $REG{\gamma}$ and the previously identified substrates p53 and p21. We showed that $REG{\gamma}$ was abnormally highly expressed in cancer tissues. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a positive relationship between the level of $REG{\gamma}$ and the expression of p53 and p21. Our study suggests that $REG{\gamma}$ overexpression can facilitate the growth of laryngeal cancer cells.

Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics and Rapid Light Response Curves of Alpine Rhododendron

Yuan-Huan Liu,Fang-Li Liu,Bo Long,Xiong-Li Zhou,Xue Zhang,Yue Zhang,Wen-Li Wang,Shi-Kang Shen 한국원예학회 2019 원예과학기술지 Vol.37 No.4

The aim of this study was to determine the photosynthetic adaptability of Rhododendron species toalpine environments. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and rapid light response curves ofeight Rhododendron species were determined under field conditions across elevation gradients (atelevations of 2,950, 3,560, 3,660, 3,770, and 4,030 m) in the Jiaozi Mountain National NaturalReserve, Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The effect of different elevations, species, and theirinteractions significantly affected most of the chlorophyll fluorescence and rapid light response curveparameters. The variable to maximum fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm) ranged from 0.78 to 0.81 at the fiveelevation gradients. This result indicated that the studied species were well grown and adapted to thecurrent environment. The correlation analysis indicated that the elevation was positively significantlycorrelated with the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, electron transport rate, maximumelectron transport rate, light saturation coefficient (Ek), and chlorophyll relative content (SPAD: leafchlorophyll content index) and was negatively significantly correlated with photochemicalquenching, nonphotochemical quenching, and linear initial slope values. Although no significantrelationship was observed between the elevations and Fv/Fm, the apparent difference in Fv/Fm both atelevation gradients and elevation × species levels indicated that the Rhododendron speciesdemonstrated species-specific adaptation to the environment at different elevations. Our resultsprovided evidence that Rhododendron species exhibit variations in photosynthetic activities in analpine environment at different elevations. These differences may improve the understanding of thephysiological adaptation variations of Rhododendron species across elevation gradients in associationwith climate change in the mountains of southwestern China.

Genetic diversity and origin of Dendrothrips minowai (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Guizhou, China

Zhao-yun Lyu,Jun-rui Zhi,Yu-feng Zhou,Ze-hong Meng,Wen-bo Yue 한국응용곤충학회 2016 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.19 No.4

In this study, we explored the population genetics of Dendrothrips minowai Priesner, one of themost destructive horticultural pests, in Guizhou Province of China. We have analyzed the data of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of D. minowai from 27 populations sampled over two years in Guizhou. The results confirmed that the thrips retained moderate levels of genetic diversity (including number of haplotypes, haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity). Three population groups could be identified according to spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA). A similar tendency was found according to phylogenetic trees. The AMOVA revealed that N52% and 38% of variationwas attributed to groups and individualswithin populations, respectively. Gene flow among populations, estimated using the coalescent method, was relatively high (M = 196.8–825.4). Star-like networks and the demographic analysis (including neutrality testing and mismatch distribution) indicated that thrips underwent a recent population expansion in Guizhou and began to diverge in the Late Pleistocene. The results provided evidence that the eastern region of Guizhou was the source area for the species.

Post-Transcriptional Control of Tropoelastin in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Affects Aortic Dissection Onset

You-Fei Qi,Chang Shu,Zhan-Xiang Xiao,Ming-Yao Luo,Kun Fang,Yuan-Yuan Guo,Wen-Bo Zhang,Jie Yue 한국분자세포생물학회 2018 Molecules and cells Vol.41 No.3

Aortic dissection (AD) is a catastrophic disease with high mortality and morbidity, characterized with fragmentation of elastin and loss of smooth muscle cells. Although AD has been largely attributable to polymorphisms defect in the elastin-coding gene, tropoelastin (TE), other undermined factors also appear to play roles in AD onset. Here, we investigated the effects of post-transcriptional control of TE by microRNAs (miRNAs) on elastin levels in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC). We found that miR-144-3p is a miRNA that targets TE mRNA in both human and mouse. Bioinformatics analyses and dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-144-3p inhibited protein translation of TE, through binding to the 3-UTR of the TE mRNA. Interestingly, higher miR-144-3p levels and lower TE were detected in the ASMC obtained from AD patients, compared to those from non-AD controls. In a mouse model for human AD, infusion of adeno-associated viruses (serotype 6) carrying antisense for miR-144-3p (as-miR-144-3p) under CAG promoter significantly reduced the incidence and severity of AD, seemingly through enhancement of TE levels in ASMC. Thus, our data suggest an essential role of miR-144-3p on the pathogenesis of AD.

Post-Transcriptional Control of Tropoelastin in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Affects Aortic Dissection Onset

Qi, You-Fei,Shu, Chang,Xiao, Zhan-Xiang,Luo, Ming-Yao,Fang, Kun,Guo, Yuan-Yuan,Zhang, Wen-Bo,Yue, Jie Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2018 Molecules and cells Vol.41 No.3

Aortic dissection (AD) is a catastrophic disease with high mortality and morbidity, characterized with fragmentation of elastin and loss of smooth muscle cells. Although AD has been largely attributable to polymorphisms defect in the elastin-coding gene, tropoelastin (TE), other undermined factors also appear to play roles in AD onset. Here, we investigated the effects of post-transcriptional control of TE by microRNAs (miRNAs) on elastin levels in aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC). We found that miR-144-3p is a miRNA that targets TE mRNA in both human and mouse. Bioinformatics analyses and dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-144-3p inhibited protein translation of TE, through binding to the 3'-UTR of the TE mRNA. Interestingly, higher miR-144-3p levels and lower TE were detected in the ASMC obtained from AD patients, compared to those from non-AD controls. In a mouse model for human AD, infusion of adeno-associated viruses (serotype 6) carrying antisense for miR-144-3p (asmiR-144-3p) under CAG promoter significantly reduced the incidence and severity of AD, seemingly through enhancement of TE levels in ASMC. Thus, our data suggest an essential role of miR-144-3p on the pathogenesis of AD.