The seismic performance of a self-centering precast reinforced concrete （RC） frame with shear walls was investigated in this paper. The lateral force resistance was provided by self-centering precast RC shear walls ...The seismic performance of a self-centering precast reinforced concrete （RC） frame with shear walls was investigated in this paper. The lateral force resistance was provided by self-centering precast RC shear walls （SPCW）, which utilize a combination ofunbonded prestressed post-tensioned （PT） tendons and mild steel reinforcing bars for flexural resistance across base joints. The structures concentrated deformations at the bottom joints and the unbonded PT tendons provided the self-centering restoring force. A 1/3-scale model of a five-story self-centering RC frame with shear walls was designed and tested on a shake-table under a series of bi-directional earthquake excitations with increasing intensity. The acceleration response, roof displacement, inter-story drifts, residual drifts, shear force ratios, hysteresis curves, and local behaviour of the test specimen were analysed and evaluated. The results demonstrated that seismic performance of the test specimen was satisfactory in the plane of the shear wall; however, the structure sustained inter-story drift levels up to 2.45%. Negligible residual drifts were recorded after all applied earthquake excitations. Based on the shake-table test results, it is feasible to apply and popularize a self-centering precast RC frame with shear walls as a structural system in seismic regions.展开更多
Joining dissimilar materials encounters significant engineering challenges due to the contrast in material properties that makes conventional welding not feasible.Magnetic Pulse Welding(MPW)offers a solidstate joining...Joining dissimilar materials encounters significant engineering challenges due to the contrast in material properties that makes conventional welding not feasible.Magnetic Pulse Welding(MPW)offers a solidstate joining technique that overcomes these issues by using impact to create strong bonds without melting the substrate materials.This study investigates the weldability of aluminum alloy Al-5754 with Al-7075 and MARS 380 steel,used in armouring solutions of defense systems,by the use of MPW.In this work,weldability windows are investigated by varying standoff distances between the coating material and its substrate(0.25-4.5 mm)and discharge energies(5-13 kJ)with both O-shape and U-shape inductors.Mechanical strength of the welded joints were assessed through single lap shear tests,identifying optimal welding parameters.Then,the velocity profiles of the flyer plates were measured using heterodyne velocimetry to understand the dynamics of the impact.Then,substructures assembled with the optimal welding conditions were subjected to ballistic testing using 7.62 mm×51 mm NATO and 9 mm×19 mm Parabellum munitions to evaluate the resilience of the welds under ballistic impact.The outcomes demonstrate that MPW effectively joins Al-5754 with both Al-7075 and MARS 380,producing robust welds capable of withstanding ballistic impacts under certain conditions.This research advances the application of MPW in lightweight ballistic protection of defense systems,contributing to the development of more resilient and lighter protective structures.展开更多
It is challenging to diagnose isolated hyperbilirubinemia with rare and complex etiologies under the constraints of traditional testing conditions.Herein,we present a rare case of coexisting Gilbert syndrome(GS)and er...It is challenging to diagnose isolated hyperbilirubinemia with rare and complex etiologies under the constraints of traditional testing conditions.Herein,we present a rare case of coexisting Gilbert syndrome(GS)and erythropoietic protoporphyria(EPP),which has not been previously documented.CASE SUMMARY We present a rare case of coexisting GS and EPP in a 23-year-old Chinese male with a long history of jaundice and recently found splenomegaly.Serial nonspecific hemolysis screening tests yielded inconsistent results,and investigations for common hemolytic etiologies were negative.However,Levitt’s carbon monoxide breath test,which measures erythrocyte lifespan(the gold-standard marker of hemolysis),demonstrated significant hemolysis,revealing a markedly shortened erythrocyte lifespan of 11 days(normal average 120 days).Genetic testing subsequently confirmed EPP with a homozygous ferrochelatase gene mutation and GS with a heterozygous uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl trans-ferase 1A1 gene mutation.CONCLUSION The rapid,non-invasive Levitt’s carbon monoxide breath test resolved the diagnostic challenge posed by a rare and complex cause of hyperbilirubinemia.展开更多
The response of pile foundations near a quay wall under liquefaction-induced lateral spreading remains a complex problem. This study presents the results of a shake-table test on a 2×2 pile group behind a sheet-p...The response of pile foundations near a quay wall under liquefaction-induced lateral spreading remains a complex problem. This study presents the results of a shake-table test on a 2×2 pile group behind a sheet-pile quay wall that was subjected to lateral spreading. The quay wall was employed to trigger liquefaction-induced large lateral ground deformation. The discussions focus on the behavior of the pile and the soil and on the bending moment distributions within the group pile and the restoring force characteristics at the superstructure. Overall, the piles exhibited apparent pinning effects that reduced soil deformation. In addition, the rear-row piles near the quay wall experienced larger bending moments than did the front-row piles, indicating significant pile group effects. The tests showed that lateral spreading could be a primary cause of larger monotonic deformations and bending moments. It can also be concluded that the monotonic bending moments were significantly decreased due to the presence of slow soil flow. The stiffness at the superstructure was reduced because of accumulated excess pore pressure before liquefaction, and it was recovered during lateral spreading. The present study further enhances current understanding of the behavior of low-cap pile foundations under lateral spreading.展开更多
A shake-table experiment on pile foundations in liquefi able soils composed of liquefi able sand and overlying soft clay is studied. A three-dimensional(3D) effective stress fi nite element(FE) analysis is employed to...A shake-table experiment on pile foundations in liquefi able soils composed of liquefi able sand and overlying soft clay is studied. A three-dimensional(3D) effective stress fi nite element(FE) analysis is employed to simulate the experiment. A recently developed multi-surface elasto-plastic constitutive model and a fully coupled dynamic inelastic FE formulation(u-p) are used to model the liquefaction behavior of the sand. The soil domains are discretized using a solid-fl uid fully coupled(u-p) 20-8 noded brick element. The pile is simulated using beam-column elements. Upon careful calibration, very good agreement is obtained between the computed and the measured dynamic behavior of the ground and the pile. A parametric analysis is also conducted on the model to investigate the effect of pile-pinning, pile diameter, pile stiffness, ground inclination angle, superstructure mass and pile head restraints on the ground improvement. It is found that the pile foundation has a noticeable pinning effect that reduces the lateral soil displacement. It is observed that a larger pile diameter and fi xed pile head restraints contribute to decreasing the lateral pile deformation; however, a higher ground inclination angle tends to increase the lateral pile head displacements and pile stiffness, and superstructure mass seems to effectively infl uence the lateral pile displacements.展开更多
Boundary conditions can significantly affect a slope＇s behavior under strong earthquakes. To evaluate the importance of boundary conditions for finite element （FE） simulations of a shake-table experiment on the slo...Boundary conditions can significantly affect a slope＇s behavior under strong earthquakes. To evaluate the importance of boundary conditions for finite element （FE） simulations of a shake-table experiment on the slope response, a validated three-dimensional （3D） nonlinear FE model is presented, and the numerical and experimental results are compared. For that purpose, the robust graphical user-interface ＂SlopeSAR＂, based on the open-source computational platform OpenSees, is employed, which simplifies the effort-intensive pre- and post-processing phases. The mesh resolution effect is also addressed. A parametric study is performed to evaluate the influence of boundary conditions on the FE model involving the boundary extent and three types of boundary conditions at the end faces. Generally, variations in the boundary extent produce inconsistent slope deformations. For the two end faces, fixing the y-direction displacement is not appropriate to simulate the shake-table experiment, in which the end walls are rigid and rough. In addition, the influence of the length of the 3D slope＇s top face and the width of the slope play an important role in the difference between two types of boundary conditions at the end faces （fixing the y-direction displacement and fixing the （y, z） direction displacement）. Overall, this study highlights that the assessment of a comparison between a simulation and an experimental result should be performed with due consideration to the effect of the boundary conditions.展开更多
NOx sensors, as a core component of diesel engine exhaust treatment system, play an important role in exhaust emission control, which can accurately and quickly detect the NOx and O2 concentration. It has become a nec...NOx sensors, as a core component of diesel engine exhaust treatment system, play an important role in exhaust emission control, which can accurately and quickly detect the NOx and O2 concentration. It has become a necessary option for the detection of existing exhaust emission standards. At present, there is limited and scattered information on knowledge and test methods of NOx sensors, the research of NOx sensors has become a challenging research topic at home and abroad. Based on these requirements, the article systematically integrates the knowledge of principle and testing methods. First of all, through introducing functional description of NOx sensors and the basic principle of NOx sensors, the relevant scholars can have an overall understanding of the product and master the operation mode of products. Secondly, the current status of performance test bench and methods of NOx sensors were described, which can contribute to having a clear understanding of the development process. After that, a new structure of NOx sensors test bench was purposed, which contains six major units including standard gas source, gas mixing unit, analyzer measurement unit, sensor measurement unit, data processing and display unit, exhaust gas treatment unit. And the test bench was validated. The experimental results show that the test bench has the advantages of high-repeatability, high reliability and low cost. And it can realize automatic detection of multiple target values, which is worthy further promotion. Thereby, the article can contribute to the development of its technology indirectly.展开更多
Advances in the identification of molecular biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies have enhanced the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer.Several established biomarkers have been widely int...Advances in the identification of molecular biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies have enhanced the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer.Several established biomarkers have been widely integrated into routine clinical diagnostics of gastric cancer to guide personalized treatment.Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)was the first molecular biomarker to be used in gastric cancer with trastuzumab being the first approved targeted therapy for HER2-positive gastric cancer.Programmed death-ligand 1 positivity and microsatellite instability can guide the use of immunotherapies,such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab.More recently,zolbetuximab has been approved for patients with claudin 18.2-positive diseases in some countries.More targeted therapies,including savolitinib for MET-positive patients,are currently under clinical investigation.However,the clinical application of these diagnostic approaches could be hampered by many existing challenges,including invasive and costly sampling methods,variability in immunohistochemistry interpretation,high costs and long turnaround times for next-generation sequencing,the absence of standardized and clinically validated diagnostic cut-off values for some biomarkers,and tumor heterogeneity.Novel testing and analysis techniques,such as artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis and multiplex immunohistochemistry,and emerging therapeutic strategies,including combination therapies that integrate immune checkpoint inhibitors with targeted therapies,offer potential solutions to some of these challenges.This article reviews recent progress in gastric cancer testing,outlines current challenges,and explores future directions for biomarker testing and targeted therapy for gastric cancer.展开更多
The rapid progress in the construction of heavy-haul and high-speed railways has led to a surge in rail defects and unforeseen failures.Addressing this issue necessitates the implementation of more sophisticated rail ...The rapid progress in the construction of heavy-haul and high-speed railways has led to a surge in rail defects and unforeseen failures.Addressing this issue necessitates the implementation of more sophisticated rail inspection methods,specifically involving real-time,precise detection,and assessment of rail defects.Current applications fail to address the evolving requirements,prompting the need for advancements.This paper provides a summary of various types of rail defects and outlines both traditional and innovative non-destructive inspection techniques,examining their fundamental features,benefits,drawbacks,and practical suitability for railway track inspection.It also explores potential enhancements to equipment and software.The comprehensive review draws upon pertinent international research and review papers.Furthermore,the paper introduces a fusion of inspection methods aimed at enhancing the overall reliability of defect detection.展开更多
The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of ultrasonic non-destructive testing technology in bridge engineering.During the research phase,based on literature collection and reading,as well as the analys...The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of ultrasonic non-destructive testing technology in bridge engineering.During the research phase,based on literature collection and reading,as well as the analysis of bridge inspection materials,the principle of ultrasonic non-destructive testing technology and its adaptability to bridge engineering are elaborated.Subsequently,starting from the preparation work before inspection until damage assessment,the entire process of ultrasonic non-destructive testing is studied,and finally,a technical system of ultrasonic non-destructive testing for bridge engineering that runs through the entire process is formed.It is hoped that this article can provide technical reference value for relevant units in China,and promote the high-quality development of China’s bridge engineering from a macro perspective.展开更多
With the depletion of fossil fuels and increasing environmental concerns,the development of renewable energy,such as wave energy,has become a critical component of global energy strategies.However,challenges persist i...With the depletion of fossil fuels and increasing environmental concerns,the development of renewable energy,such as wave energy,has become a critical component of global energy strategies.However,challenges persist in the field testing methodologies for wave energy converters(WECs).In this paper,a numerical wave field of the Dawanshan Island Sea Area in Zhuhai City is constructed based on the MIKE21 SW wave model and by using an NCEP wind field driving model.In conjunction with the IEC-62600-100 standard,by taking site testing of the“Wanshan”wave energy converter on which a sea trial has been conducted in Dawanshan Island of Zhuhai city as an example,research on-site testing method for a wave energy converter has been carried out.The wave measurement position for the“Wanshan”converter was determined by combining statistically analyzed field data with a validated numerical wave model.By comparing a valid wave height at the position where a wave rider is located with a valid wave height at the position where the“Wanshan”wave energy converter is situated,the correlation coefficient between simulation and observed data reached 0.90,with a root-mean-square error of 0.19.The representativeness of wave measurement data during site testing is verified and can be used as a basis for calculating the input energy of the“Wanshan”wave energy converter.展开更多
The mechanical behavior of cohesive soil is sensitized to drying-wetting cycles under confinements.However,the hydromechanical coupling effect has not been considered in current constitutive models.A macro-micro analy...The mechanical behavior of cohesive soil is sensitized to drying-wetting cycles under confinements.However,the hydromechanical coupling effect has not been considered in current constitutive models.A macro-micro analysis scheme is proposed in this paper to investigate the soil deformation behavior under the coupling of stress and drying-wetting cycles.A new device is developed based on CT(computerized tomography)workstation to apply certain normal and shear stresses on a soil specimen during drying-wetting cycles.A series of tests are conducted on a type of loess with various coupling of stress paths and drying-wetting cycles.At macroscopic level,stress sensor and laser sensor are used to acquire stress and strain,respectively.The shear and volumetric strain increase during the first few drying-wetting cycles and then become stable.The increase of the shear stress level or confining pressure would cause higher increase rate and the value of shear strain in the process of drying-wetting cycles.At microscopic level,the grayscale value(GSV)of CT scanning image is characterized as the proportion of soil particles to voids.A fabric state parameter is proposed to characterize soil microstructures under the influence of stress and drying-wetting cycle.Test results indicate that the macroand micro-responses show high consistence and relevance.The stress and drying-wetting cycles would both induce collapse of the soil microstructure,which dominants degradation of the soil mechanical properties.The evolution of the macro-mechanical property of soil exhibits a positive linear relationship with the micro-evolution of the fabric state parameter.展开更多
Subgrade engineering is a fundamental aspect of infrastructure construction in China.As the primary structural element responsible for bearing and distributing traffic loads,the subgrade must not only withstand the su...Subgrade engineering is a fundamental aspect of infrastructure construction in China.As the primary structural element responsible for bearing and distributing traffic loads,the subgrade must not only withstand the substantial pressures exerted by vehicles,trains,and other forms of transportation,but also efficiently transfer these loads to the underlying foundation,ensuring the stability and longevity of the roadway.In recent years,advancements in subgrade engineering technology have propelled the industry towards smarter,greener,and more sustainable practices,particularly in the areas of intelligent monitoring,disaster management,and innovative construction methods.This paper reviews the application and methodologies of intelligent testing equipment,including cone penetration testing(CPT)devices,soil resistivity testers,and intelligent rebound testers,in subgrade engineering.It examines the operating principles,advantages,limitations,and application ranges of these tools in subgrade testing.Additionally,the paper evaluates the practical use of advanced equipment from both domestic and international perspectives,addressing the challenges encountered by various instruments in realworld applications.These devices enable precise,comprehensive testing and evaluation of subgrade conditions at different stages,providing real-time data analysis and intelligent early warnings.This supports effective subgrade health management and maintenance.As intelligent technologies continue to evolve and integrate,these tools will increasingly enhance the accuracy,efficiency,and sustainability of subgrade monitoring.展开更多
BACKGROUND Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO)is suspected and excluded frequently in functional gastrointestinal(GI)disorders.Children presenting with various esophago-gastro-duodenal(upper GI)symptoms are ra...BACKGROUND Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO)is suspected and excluded frequently in functional gastrointestinal(GI)disorders.Children presenting with various esophago-gastro-duodenal(upper GI)symptoms are rarely subjected to investig-ations for SIBO.AIM To estimate the frequency of SIBO in children having functional upper GI sym-ptoms(as cases)and to compare the result of the SIBO status to that of the con-trols.METHODS Children aged 6 to 18 who presented with upper GI symptoms were selected for the study.All children were subjected to upper GI endoscopy before being advised of any proton pump inhibitors(PPIs).Children with normal endoscopy were assigned as cases,and children having any endoscopic lesion were design-ated as controls.Both groups were subjected to a glucose-hydrogen breath test by Bedfont Gastrolyser.RESULTS A total of 129 consecutive children who were naive to PPIs and had normal ba-seline investigations were included in the study.Among them,67 patients had endoscopic lesions and served as the control group,with six cases being excluded due to the presence of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies.Sixty-two children with normal endoscopy results formed the case group.In the case group,35 children(59%)tested positive for hydrogen breath tests,compared to 13 children(21%)in the control group.The calculated odds ratio was 5.38(95%confidence interval:2.41-12.0),which was statistically significant.Further analysis of symptoms revealed that nausea,halitosis,foul-smelling eructation,and epigastric fullness were positive predictors of SIBO.CONCLUSION It is worthwhile to investigate and treat SIBO in all children presenting with upper GI symptoms that are not explained by endoscopy findings.展开更多
Shotcrete is one of the common solutions for shallow sliding.It works by forming a protective layer with high strength and cementing the loose soil particles on the slope surface to prevent shallow sliding.However,the...Shotcrete is one of the common solutions for shallow sliding.It works by forming a protective layer with high strength and cementing the loose soil particles on the slope surface to prevent shallow sliding.However,the solidification time of conventional cement paste is long when shotcrete is used to treat cohesionless soil landslide.The idea of reinforcing slope with polyurethane solidified soil(i.e.,mixture of polyurethane and sand)was proposed.Model tests and finite element analysis were carried out to study the effectiveness of the proposed new method on the emergency treatment of cohesionless soil landslide.Surcharge loading on the crest of the slope was applied step by step until landslide was triggered so as to test and compare the stability and bearing capacity of slope models with different conditions.The simulated slope displacements were relatively close to the measured results,and the simulated slope deformation characteristics were in good agreement with the observed phenomena,which verifies the accuracy of the numerical method.Under the condition of surcharge loading on the crest of the slope,the unreinforced slope slid when the surcharge loading exceeded 30 k Pa,which presented a failure mode of local instability and collapse at the shallow layer of slope top.The reinforced slope remained stable even when the surcharge loading reached 48 k Pa.The displacement of the reinforced slope was reduced by more than 95%.Overall,this study verifies the effectiveness of polyurethane in the emergency treatment of cohesionless soil landslide and should have broad application prospects in the field of geological disasters concerning the safety of people's live.展开更多
Point-of-care testing(POCT)refers to a category of diagnostic tests that are performed at or near to the site of the patients(also called bedside testing)and is capable of obtaining accurate results in a short time by...Point-of-care testing(POCT)refers to a category of diagnostic tests that are performed at or near to the site of the patients(also called bedside testing)and is capable of obtaining accurate results in a short time by using portable diagnostic devices,avoiding sending samples to the medical laboratories.It has been extensively explored for diagnosing and monitoring patients’diseases and health conditions with the assistance of development in biochemistry and microfluidics.Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices(μPADs)have gained dramatic popularity in POCT because of their simplicity,user-friendly,fast and accurate result reading and low cost.SeveralμPADs have been successfully commercialized and received excellent feedback during the past several decades.This review briefly discusses the main types ofμPADs,preparation methods and their detection principles,followed by a few representative examples.The future perspectives of the development inμPADs are also provided.展开更多
Bedding parallel stepped rock slopes exist widely in nature and are used in slope engineering.They are characterized by complex topography and geological structure and are vulnerable to shattering under strong earthqu...Bedding parallel stepped rock slopes exist widely in nature and are used in slope engineering.They are characterized by complex topography and geological structure and are vulnerable to shattering under strong earthquakes.However,no previous studies have assessed the mechanisms underlying seismic failure in rock slopes.In this study,large-scale shaking table tests and numerical simulations were conducted to delineate the seismic failure mechanism in terms of acceleration,displacement,and earth pressure responses combined with shattering failure phenomena.The results reveal that acceleration response mutations usually occur within weak interlayers owing to their inferior performance,and these mutations may transform into potential sliding surfaces,thereby intensifying the nonlinear seismic response characteristics.Cumulative permanent displacements at the internal corners of the berms can induce quasi-rigid displacements at the external corners,leading to greater permanent displacements at the internal corners.Therefore,the internal corners are identified as the most susceptible parts of the slope.In addition,the concept of baseline offset was utilized to explain the mechanism of earth pressure responses,and the result indicates that residual earth pressures at the internal corners play a dominant role in causing deformation or shattering damage.Four evolutionary deformation phases characterize the processes of seismic responses and shattering failure of the bedding parallel stepped rock slope,i.e.the formation of tensile cracks at the internal corners of the berm,expansion of tensile cracks and bedding surface dislocation,development of vertical tensile cracks at the rear edge,and rock mass slipping leading to slope instability.Overall,this study provides a scientific basis for the seismic design of engineering slopes and offers valuable insights for further studies on preventing seismic disasters in bedding parallel stepped rock slopes.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)under Grant Nos.51638012 and 51578401
文摘The seismic performance of a self-centering precast reinforced concrete （RC） frame with shear walls was investigated in this paper. The lateral force resistance was provided by self-centering precast RC shear walls （SPCW）, which utilize a combination ofunbonded prestressed post-tensioned （PT） tendons and mild steel reinforcing bars for flexural resistance across base joints. The structures concentrated deformations at the bottom joints and the unbonded PT tendons provided the self-centering restoring force. A 1/3-scale model of a five-story self-centering RC frame with shear walls was designed and tested on a shake-table under a series of bi-directional earthquake excitations with increasing intensity. The acceleration response, roof displacement, inter-story drifts, residual drifts, shear force ratios, hysteresis curves, and local behaviour of the test specimen were analysed and evaluated. The results demonstrated that seismic performance of the test specimen was satisfactory in the plane of the shear wall; however, the structure sustained inter-story drift levels up to 2.45%. Negligible residual drifts were recorded after all applied earthquake excitations. Based on the shake-table test results, it is feasible to apply and popularize a self-centering precast RC frame with shear walls as a structural system in seismic regions.
基金funded on the one hand by Agence de l'Innovation de Défense(AID)grant reference number 2021650044on the other hand by Ecole Centrale de Nantes。
文摘Joining dissimilar materials encounters significant engineering challenges due to the contrast in material properties that makes conventional welding not feasible.Magnetic Pulse Welding(MPW)offers a solidstate joining technique that overcomes these issues by using impact to create strong bonds without melting the substrate materials.This study investigates the weldability of aluminum alloy Al-5754 with Al-7075 and MARS 380 steel,used in armouring solutions of defense systems,by the use of MPW.In this work,weldability windows are investigated by varying standoff distances between the coating material and its substrate(0.25-4.5 mm)and discharge energies(5-13 kJ)with both O-shape and U-shape inductors.Mechanical strength of the welded joints were assessed through single lap shear tests,identifying optimal welding parameters.Then,the velocity profiles of the flyer plates were measured using heterodyne velocimetry to understand the dynamics of the impact.Then,substructures assembled with the optimal welding conditions were subjected to ballistic testing using 7.62 mm×51 mm NATO and 9 mm×19 mm Parabellum munitions to evaluate the resilience of the welds under ballistic impact.The outcomes demonstrate that MPW effectively joins Al-5754 with both Al-7075 and MARS 380,producing robust welds capable of withstanding ballistic impacts under certain conditions.This research advances the application of MPW in lightweight ballistic protection of defense systems,contributing to the development of more resilient and lighter protective structures.
文摘It is challenging to diagnose isolated hyperbilirubinemia with rare and complex etiologies under the constraints of traditional testing conditions.Herein,we present a rare case of coexisting Gilbert syndrome(GS)and erythropoietic protoporphyria(EPP),which has not been previously documented.CASE SUMMARY We present a rare case of coexisting GS and EPP in a 23-year-old Chinese male with a long history of jaundice and recently found splenomegaly.Serial nonspecific hemolysis screening tests yielded inconsistent results,and investigations for common hemolytic etiologies were negative.However,Levitt’s carbon monoxide breath test,which measures erythrocyte lifespan(the gold-standard marker of hemolysis),demonstrated significant hemolysis,revealing a markedly shortened erythrocyte lifespan of 11 days(normal average 120 days).Genetic testing subsequently confirmed EPP with a homozygous ferrochelatase gene mutation and GS with a heterozygous uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl trans-ferase 1A1 gene mutation.CONCLUSION The rapid,non-invasive Levitt’s carbon monoxide breath test resolved the diagnostic challenge posed by a rare and complex cause of hyperbilirubinemia.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.51378161 and 51108134
文摘The response of pile foundations near a quay wall under liquefaction-induced lateral spreading remains a complex problem. This study presents the results of a shake-table test on a 2×2 pile group behind a sheet-pile quay wall that was subjected to lateral spreading. The quay wall was employed to trigger liquefaction-induced large lateral ground deformation. The discussions focus on the behavior of the pile and the soil and on the bending moment distributions within the group pile and the restoring force characteristics at the superstructure. Overall, the piles exhibited apparent pinning effects that reduced soil deformation. In addition, the rear-row piles near the quay wall experienced larger bending moments than did the front-row piles, indicating significant pile group effects. The tests showed that lateral spreading could be a primary cause of larger monotonic deformations and bending moments. It can also be concluded that the monotonic bending moments were significantly decreased due to the presence of slow soil flow. The stiffness at the superstructure was reduced because of accumulated excess pore pressure before liquefaction, and it was recovered during lateral spreading. The present study further enhances current understanding of the behavior of low-cap pile foundations under lateral spreading.
基金Major Research Plan of National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.90815009the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.51108134,50378031 and 50178027
文摘A shake-table experiment on pile foundations in liquefi able soils composed of liquefi able sand and overlying soft clay is studied. A three-dimensional(3D) effective stress fi nite element(FE) analysis is employed to simulate the experiment. A recently developed multi-surface elasto-plastic constitutive model and a fully coupled dynamic inelastic FE formulation(u-p) are used to model the liquefaction behavior of the sand. The soil domains are discretized using a solid-fl uid fully coupled(u-p) 20-8 noded brick element. The pile is simulated using beam-column elements. Upon careful calibration, very good agreement is obtained between the computed and the measured dynamic behavior of the ground and the pile. A parametric analysis is also conducted on the model to investigate the effect of pile-pinning, pile diameter, pile stiffness, ground inclination angle, superstructure mass and pile head restraints on the ground improvement. It is found that the pile foundation has a noticeable pinning effect that reduces the lateral soil displacement. It is observed that a larger pile diameter and fi xed pile head restraints contribute to decreasing the lateral pile deformation; however, a higher ground inclination angle tends to increase the lateral pile head displacements and pile stiffness, and superstructure mass seems to effectively infl uence the lateral pile displacements.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.41430634,51578195,51378161,and 51308547the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection,Chengdu University of Technology under Grant No.SKLGP2013K011
文摘Boundary conditions can significantly affect a slope＇s behavior under strong earthquakes. To evaluate the importance of boundary conditions for finite element （FE） simulations of a shake-table experiment on the slope response, a validated three-dimensional （3D） nonlinear FE model is presented, and the numerical and experimental results are compared. For that purpose, the robust graphical user-interface ＂SlopeSAR＂, based on the open-source computational platform OpenSees, is employed, which simplifies the effort-intensive pre- and post-processing phases. The mesh resolution effect is also addressed. A parametric study is performed to evaluate the influence of boundary conditions on the FE model involving the boundary extent and three types of boundary conditions at the end faces. Generally, variations in the boundary extent produce inconsistent slope deformations. For the two end faces, fixing the y-direction displacement is not appropriate to simulate the shake-table experiment, in which the end walls are rigid and rough. In addition, the influence of the length of the 3D slope＇s top face and the width of the slope play an important role in the difference between two types of boundary conditions at the end faces （fixing the y-direction displacement and fixing the （y, z） direction displacement）. Overall, this study highlights that the assessment of a comparison between a simulation and an experimental result should be performed with due consideration to the effect of the boundary conditions.
文摘NOx sensors, as a core component of diesel engine exhaust treatment system, play an important role in exhaust emission control, which can accurately and quickly detect the NOx and O2 concentration. It has become a necessary option for the detection of existing exhaust emission standards. At present, there is limited and scattered information on knowledge and test methods of NOx sensors, the research of NOx sensors has become a challenging research topic at home and abroad. Based on these requirements, the article systematically integrates the knowledge of principle and testing methods. First of all, through introducing functional description of NOx sensors and the basic principle of NOx sensors, the relevant scholars can have an overall understanding of the product and master the operation mode of products. Secondly, the current status of performance test bench and methods of NOx sensors were described, which can contribute to having a clear understanding of the development process. After that, a new structure of NOx sensors test bench was purposed, which contains six major units including standard gas source, gas mixing unit, analyzer measurement unit, sensor measurement unit, data processing and display unit, exhaust gas treatment unit. And the test bench was validated. The experimental results show that the test bench has the advantages of high-repeatability, high reliability and low cost. And it can realize automatic detection of multiple target values, which is worthy further promotion. Thereby, the article can contribute to the development of its technology indirectly.
基金support by grants from Capital’s Funds for Health Improvement and Research(Grant No.2024-2-1024)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.7232018).
文摘Advances in the identification of molecular biomarkers and the development of targeted therapies have enhanced the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer.Several established biomarkers have been widely integrated into routine clinical diagnostics of gastric cancer to guide personalized treatment.Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)was the first molecular biomarker to be used in gastric cancer with trastuzumab being the first approved targeted therapy for HER2-positive gastric cancer.Programmed death-ligand 1 positivity and microsatellite instability can guide the use of immunotherapies,such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab.More recently,zolbetuximab has been approved for patients with claudin 18.2-positive diseases in some countries.More targeted therapies,including savolitinib for MET-positive patients,are currently under clinical investigation.However,the clinical application of these diagnostic approaches could be hampered by many existing challenges,including invasive and costly sampling methods,variability in immunohistochemistry interpretation,high costs and long turnaround times for next-generation sequencing,the absence of standardized and clinically validated diagnostic cut-off values for some biomarkers,and tumor heterogeneity.Novel testing and analysis techniques,such as artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis and multiplex immunohistochemistry,and emerging therapeutic strategies,including combination therapies that integrate immune checkpoint inhibitors with targeted therapies,offer potential solutions to some of these challenges.This article reviews recent progress in gastric cancer testing,outlines current challenges,and explores future directions for biomarker testing and targeted therapy for gastric cancer.
文摘The rapid progress in the construction of heavy-haul and high-speed railways has led to a surge in rail defects and unforeseen failures.Addressing this issue necessitates the implementation of more sophisticated rail inspection methods,specifically involving real-time,precise detection,and assessment of rail defects.Current applications fail to address the evolving requirements,prompting the need for advancements.This paper provides a summary of various types of rail defects and outlines both traditional and innovative non-destructive inspection techniques,examining their fundamental features,benefits,drawbacks,and practical suitability for railway track inspection.It also explores potential enhancements to equipment and software.The comprehensive review draws upon pertinent international research and review papers.Furthermore,the paper introduces a fusion of inspection methods aimed at enhancing the overall reliability of defect detection.
文摘The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of ultrasonic non-destructive testing technology in bridge engineering.During the research phase,based on literature collection and reading,as well as the analysis of bridge inspection materials,the principle of ultrasonic non-destructive testing technology and its adaptability to bridge engineering are elaborated.Subsequently,starting from the preparation work before inspection until damage assessment,the entire process of ultrasonic non-destructive testing is studied,and finally,a technical system of ultrasonic non-destructive testing for bridge engineering that runs through the entire process is formed.It is hoped that this article can provide technical reference value for relevant units in China,and promote the high-quality development of China’s bridge engineering from a macro perspective.
基金supported by the“National Ocean Technology Center Innovation Fund”under Project No.N3220Z002,led by Ning Jia.The official website of the National Ocean Technology Center is accessible at:http://www.notcsoa.org.cn/.
文摘With the depletion of fossil fuels and increasing environmental concerns,the development of renewable energy,such as wave energy,has become a critical component of global energy strategies.However,challenges persist in the field testing methodologies for wave energy converters(WECs).In this paper,a numerical wave field of the Dawanshan Island Sea Area in Zhuhai City is constructed based on the MIKE21 SW wave model and by using an NCEP wind field driving model.In conjunction with the IEC-62600-100 standard,by taking site testing of the“Wanshan”wave energy converter on which a sea trial has been conducted in Dawanshan Island of Zhuhai city as an example,research on-site testing method for a wave energy converter has been carried out.The wave measurement position for the“Wanshan”converter was determined by combining statistically analyzed field data with a validated numerical wave model.By comparing a valid wave height at the position where a wave rider is located with a valid wave height at the position where the“Wanshan”wave energy converter is situated,the correlation coefficient between simulation and observed data reached 0.90,with a root-mean-square error of 0.19.The representativeness of wave measurement data during site testing is verified and can be used as a basis for calculating the input energy of the“Wanshan”wave energy converter.
基金funded by National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2023YFC3007001)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.8244053)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2024M754065).
文摘The mechanical behavior of cohesive soil is sensitized to drying-wetting cycles under confinements.However,the hydromechanical coupling effect has not been considered in current constitutive models.A macro-micro analysis scheme is proposed in this paper to investigate the soil deformation behavior under the coupling of stress and drying-wetting cycles.A new device is developed based on CT(computerized tomography)workstation to apply certain normal and shear stresses on a soil specimen during drying-wetting cycles.A series of tests are conducted on a type of loess with various coupling of stress paths and drying-wetting cycles.At macroscopic level,stress sensor and laser sensor are used to acquire stress and strain,respectively.The shear and volumetric strain increase during the first few drying-wetting cycles and then become stable.The increase of the shear stress level or confining pressure would cause higher increase rate and the value of shear strain in the process of drying-wetting cycles.At microscopic level,the grayscale value(GSV)of CT scanning image is characterized as the proportion of soil particles to voids.A fabric state parameter is proposed to characterize soil microstructures under the influence of stress and drying-wetting cycle.Test results indicate that the macroand micro-responses show high consistence and relevance.The stress and drying-wetting cycles would both induce collapse of the soil microstructure,which dominants degradation of the soil mechanical properties.The evolution of the macro-mechanical property of soil exhibits a positive linear relationship with the micro-evolution of the fabric state parameter.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Distinguished Young Scholars(Grant No.42225206)National Natural Science Foundation of China(42207180,42477209,42302320).
文摘Subgrade engineering is a fundamental aspect of infrastructure construction in China.As the primary structural element responsible for bearing and distributing traffic loads,the subgrade must not only withstand the substantial pressures exerted by vehicles,trains,and other forms of transportation,but also efficiently transfer these loads to the underlying foundation,ensuring the stability and longevity of the roadway.In recent years,advancements in subgrade engineering technology have propelled the industry towards smarter,greener,and more sustainable practices,particularly in the areas of intelligent monitoring,disaster management,and innovative construction methods.This paper reviews the application and methodologies of intelligent testing equipment,including cone penetration testing(CPT)devices,soil resistivity testers,and intelligent rebound testers,in subgrade engineering.It examines the operating principles,advantages,limitations,and application ranges of these tools in subgrade testing.Additionally,the paper evaluates the practical use of advanced equipment from both domestic and international perspectives,addressing the challenges encountered by various instruments in realworld applications.These devices enable precise,comprehensive testing and evaluation of subgrade conditions at different stages,providing real-time data analysis and intelligent early warnings.This supports effective subgrade health management and maintenance.As intelligent technologies continue to evolve and integrate,these tools will increasingly enhance the accuracy,efficiency,and sustainability of subgrade monitoring.
文摘BACKGROUND Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO)is suspected and excluded frequently in functional gastrointestinal(GI)disorders.Children presenting with various esophago-gastro-duodenal(upper GI)symptoms are rarely subjected to investig-ations for SIBO.AIM To estimate the frequency of SIBO in children having functional upper GI sym-ptoms(as cases)and to compare the result of the SIBO status to that of the con-trols.METHODS Children aged 6 to 18 who presented with upper GI symptoms were selected for the study.All children were subjected to upper GI endoscopy before being advised of any proton pump inhibitors(PPIs).Children with normal endoscopy were assigned as cases,and children having any endoscopic lesion were design-ated as controls.Both groups were subjected to a glucose-hydrogen breath test by Bedfont Gastrolyser.RESULTS A total of 129 consecutive children who were naive to PPIs and had normal ba-seline investigations were included in the study.Among them,67 patients had endoscopic lesions and served as the control group,with six cases being excluded due to the presence of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies.Sixty-two children with normal endoscopy results formed the case group.In the case group,35 children(59%)tested positive for hydrogen breath tests,compared to 13 children(21%)in the control group.The calculated odds ratio was 5.38(95%confidence interval:2.41-12.0),which was statistically significant.Further analysis of symptoms revealed that nausea,halitosis,foul-smelling eructation,and epigastric fullness were positive predictors of SIBO.CONCLUSION It is worthwhile to investigate and treat SIBO in all children presenting with upper GI symptoms that are not explained by endoscopy findings.
基金the financial support from the Fujian Science Foundation for Outstanding Youth(2023J06039)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41977259,U2005205,41972268)the Independent Research Project of Technology Innovation Center for Monitoring and Restoration Engineering of Ecological Fragile Zone in Southeast China(KY-090000-04-2022-019)。
文摘Shotcrete is one of the common solutions for shallow sliding.It works by forming a protective layer with high strength and cementing the loose soil particles on the slope surface to prevent shallow sliding.However,the solidification time of conventional cement paste is long when shotcrete is used to treat cohesionless soil landslide.The idea of reinforcing slope with polyurethane solidified soil(i.e.,mixture of polyurethane and sand)was proposed.Model tests and finite element analysis were carried out to study the effectiveness of the proposed new method on the emergency treatment of cohesionless soil landslide.Surcharge loading on the crest of the slope was applied step by step until landslide was triggered so as to test and compare the stability and bearing capacity of slope models with different conditions.The simulated slope displacements were relatively close to the measured results,and the simulated slope deformation characteristics were in good agreement with the observed phenomena,which verifies the accuracy of the numerical method.Under the condition of surcharge loading on the crest of the slope,the unreinforced slope slid when the surcharge loading exceeded 30 k Pa,which presented a failure mode of local instability and collapse at the shallow layer of slope top.The reinforced slope remained stable even when the surcharge loading reached 48 k Pa.The displacement of the reinforced slope was reduced by more than 95%.Overall,this study verifies the effectiveness of polyurethane in the emergency treatment of cohesionless soil landslide and should have broad application prospects in the field of geological disasters concerning the safety of people's live.
文摘Point-of-care testing(POCT)refers to a category of diagnostic tests that are performed at or near to the site of the patients(also called bedside testing)and is capable of obtaining accurate results in a short time by using portable diagnostic devices,avoiding sending samples to the medical laboratories.It has been extensively explored for diagnosing and monitoring patients’diseases and health conditions with the assistance of development in biochemistry and microfluidics.Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices(μPADs)have gained dramatic popularity in POCT because of their simplicity,user-friendly,fast and accurate result reading and low cost.SeveralμPADs have been successfully commercialized and received excellent feedback during the past several decades.This review briefly discusses the main types ofμPADs,preparation methods and their detection principles,followed by a few representative examples.The future perspectives of the development inμPADs are also provided.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.52108361)the Sichuan Science and Technology Program of China (Grant No.2023YFS0436)the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection Independent Research Project (Grant No.SKLGP2022Z015).
文摘Bedding parallel stepped rock slopes exist widely in nature and are used in slope engineering.They are characterized by complex topography and geological structure and are vulnerable to shattering under strong earthquakes.However,no previous studies have assessed the mechanisms underlying seismic failure in rock slopes.In this study,large-scale shaking table tests and numerical simulations were conducted to delineate the seismic failure mechanism in terms of acceleration,displacement,and earth pressure responses combined with shattering failure phenomena.The results reveal that acceleration response mutations usually occur within weak interlayers owing to their inferior performance,and these mutations may transform into potential sliding surfaces,thereby intensifying the nonlinear seismic response characteristics.Cumulative permanent displacements at the internal corners of the berms can induce quasi-rigid displacements at the external corners,leading to greater permanent displacements at the internal corners.Therefore,the internal corners are identified as the most susceptible parts of the slope.In addition,the concept of baseline offset was utilized to explain the mechanism of earth pressure responses,and the result indicates that residual earth pressures at the internal corners play a dominant role in causing deformation or shattering damage.Four evolutionary deformation phases characterize the processes of seismic responses and shattering failure of the bedding parallel stepped rock slope,i.e.the formation of tensile cracks at the internal corners of the berm,expansion of tensile cracks and bedding surface dislocation,development of vertical tensile cracks at the rear edge,and rock mass slipping leading to slope instability.Overall,this study provides a scientific basis for the seismic design of engineering slopes and offers valuable insights for further studies on preventing seismic disasters in bedding parallel stepped rock slopes.
