Experimental study on behaviour of retrofitted square hollow section slender columns under axial compression

An experimental investigation was conducted in this study on axially loaded square hollow section (SHS) slender columns retrofitted by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). A total of seven specimens with identical cross section dimensions and raw material properties were compressed between pinned ends to identify the influence of the CFRP, in which six specimens were retrofitted by the CFRP. The effects of many influential factors including different layers of the CFRP, retrofitting directions of the CFRP and retrofitting sequences of the CFRP on the behaviour of the CFRP strengthened SHS slender columns were carefully evaluated. The column strengths obtained from the experimental investigation are compared with the design strengths calculated using the design equations given in the British Standard (CIRIA) and the equations modified based on the section conversion method proposed by Canadian Standard (CAN/CSA-S16-01). It is shown from the comparison that the ultimate strengths of the SHS slender columns were enhanced by retrofitting with the CFRP. The retrofitting directions of the CFRP in the longitudinal directions were found to have a great influence on the ultimate strengths of the CFRP strengthened SHS slender columns. Furthermore, a correction factor (βc) is proposed in this paper for the stability of the CFRP retrofitted SHS slender columns under axial compression

Genre analysis of research grant proposals.

This paper examines nine successful SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada) standard research grant proposals written by nine professors in the field of education at a Canadian university. The study follows the tradition of move analysis developed by Swales (1990) and Bhatia (1993) to describe the generic structures of the summary (one page) and main text (six pages) of the sample proposals. Findings suggest a three-move scheme of the summary and a ten-move scheme of the main text. Compared with a comparatively sequential move structure in the summary, the rhetorical structure of the main text with move recurrences and move mixing appears to be quite complex. The study addresses the issues of move recurrence and move mixing by revealing the grant writers’ rationale behind their discursive act. Based on the analyses of both textual and interview data, the study also describes and explains the rhetorical strategies the writers employed in achieving the promotional purposes and addressing the reviewer committee. Implications for move analysts and suggestions for grant proposal learner writers are also included

高熵合金纳米材料制备及微波催化降解性能

Dc arc discharge plasma technology with extremely high evaporation temperature and ultra-fast cooling speed can overcome the mixing enthalpy restriction between immiscible components and obtain highly miscible highentropy alloy nanomaterials. With the aid of external electromagnetic field, the catalytic degradation mechanism of dyes under the action of external electromagnetic wave energy is revealed. It provides the experimental basis and theoretical framework for the development of dye efficient degradation technology

Reduced expression of Toll-like receptor 4 inhibits human breast cancer cells proliferation and inflammatory cytokines secretion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tumor cell expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can promote inflammation and cell survival in the tumor microenvironment. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in tumor cells can mediate tumor cell immune escape and tumor progression, and it is regarded as one of the mechanisms for chronic inflammation in tumorigenesis and progression. The expression of TLR4 in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and its biological function in the development and progression of breast cancer have not been investigated. We sought to characterize the expression of TLR1-TLR10 in the established human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, and to investigate the biological roles of TLR4 in breast cancer cells growth, survival, and its potential as a target for breast cancer therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>TLRs mRNA and protein expressions were detected in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 by RT-PCR, real-time PCR and flow cytometry (FCM). RNA interference was used to knockdown the expression of TLR4 in MDA-MB-231. MDA-MB-231 transfected with the vector pGenesil-1 and the vector containing a scrambled siRNA were as controls. Recombinant plasmids named TLR4AsiRNA, TLR4BsiRNA and TLR4CsiRNA specific to TLR4 were transfected into human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with Lipfectamine™2000 reagent. TLR4 mRNA and protein expressions were investigated by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, FCM and immunofluorescence after silence. MTT analysis was performed to detect cell proliferation and FCM was used to detect the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in supernatant of transfected cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was found to express TLR1-TLR10 at both the mRNA and protein levels. TLR4 was found to be the highest expressed TLR in MDA-MB-231. TLR4AsiRNA, TLR4BsiRNA and TLR4CsiRNA were found to significantly inhibit TLR4 expression in MDA-MB-231 at both mRNA and protein levels as compared to vector control(vector transfected cells). TLR4AsiRNA mediated the strongest effect. Knockdown of TLR4 gene in MDA-MB-231 resulted in a dramatic reduction of breast cancer cell viability. The cytokines which were secreted by the TLR4 silenced cells, such as IL-6 and IL-8, also decreased significantly as compared with vector control. No significant difference was observed in siRNA control (Recombinant plasmid named ScrambledsiRNA transfected cells) compared to vector control.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These studies identified the expression levels of multiple TLRs in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and demonstrated that knockdown of TLR4 could actively inhibit proliferation and survival of breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results suggest RNAi-directed targeting of TLR4 may be a beneficial strategy for breast cancer therapy.</p

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm complicated with acute myeloid leukemia: a case report

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm （BPDCN） complicated with acute myeloid leukemia （AML） is a rare disease. In this article， we reported the diagnosis and treatment of one patient of BPDCN complicated with AML who presented with fever as the first symptom， aiming to enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic capability of clinicians for this disease. The male patient， aged 69 years old， was admitted to hospital due to fever for 1 week. He had no typical skin lesions. Morphological and cytological observation of bone marrow smear showed extremely active hyperplasia and tumor cells with specific immunophenotype. The diagnosis of BPDCN complicated with AML was confirmed. A low-intensity venetoclax-based chemotherapy regimen was recommended. However， the patient discontinued further treatment

An investigation of a food poisoning by Galerina sulciceps

Objective To investigate a food poisoning caused by wild mushrooms and to identify the risk factors. Methods Epidemiological investigation, morphological and phylogenetic identification, and laboratory testing were taken to analyze the poisoning event. Results All the three cases complained of abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea after ingesting the poisonous mushrooms, and liver function impairment was found later. One case died after 5 days. The mushroom was identified as Galerina sulciceps by morphological and phylogenetic identification. Three kinds of toxins, include α-amanitin, β-amanitin and γ-amanitin were detected in laboratory. Conclusion The incident was caused by ingesting the poisonous mushroom, Galerina sulciceps. Public education, market supervision, foodborne disease surveillance should be enhanced, and the ability of medical institutions to diagnose and treat poisonous mushrooms should be improved