An E-Learning Semantic Grid for Life science Education

There are a lot of life science databases and services on the Internet nowadays, especially in life science e-science. In this paper, we will present an E-Learning Semantic Grid that integrates these resources provided by both teachers and scientists for life science education. It uses domain ontologies to integrate these heterogeneous life science database and service resources, and supports ontology-based e-learning data-sharing and service-coordination for life science teachers and students in an e-learning virtual organization. Our system provides life science students with semantically superior experience in learning activities, and also extends the function of life science e-science. It has a promising future in the domain of life science education

STABILITY ANALYSIS OF THE GRAVITY ANCHORAGE OF A SUSPENSION BRIDGE BASED ON LARGE-SCALE FIELD TESTS

The stability of gravity anchorages is critical to the safe operation of suspension bridges. The purpose of this paper is to study the stability of a gravity anchorage under the tension of main cables. Large-scale load tests and direct shear tests under the nature state and the saturated state were carried out in the adit at the bottom of the gravity anchorage, because the bottom surface of the gravity anchorage is below the design water level of a reservoir to be built. Representative rock samples in the anchorage area were selected for indoor tests. The basic parameters of the rock mass and the characteristic value of subsoil bearing capacity were obtained based on the field and indoor tests results. The static theory was used to calculate the anti-sliding stability coefficient, anti- overturning stability coefficient and contact stress of the gravity anchorage. The finite element software was used to calculate the horizontal displacement, vertical settlement and contact stress of the gravity anchorage. The calculation results met the relevant requirements, and it can be considered that the gravity anchorage was stable under the tension of main cables. It would provide a reference for the stability study of the gravity anchorage of suspension bridges

Protective Effect of Rivaroxaban Against Amyloid Pathology and Neuroinflammation Through Inhibiting PAR-1 and PAR-2 in Alzheimer’s Disease Mice

Background: Recent studies have revealed that atrial fibrillation (AF) patients have a high risk of developing cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Some reports suggest that the application of oral anticoagulant with an appropriate dose may have a preventive effect on AD. However, which oral anticoagulant drug is more appropriate for preventing AD and the underlying mechanism(s) is still unknown. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the treatment effect of rivaroxaban administration as well as investigate the roles of PAR-1 and PAR-2 in the AD + CAA mice model. Methods: In the present study, we compared a traditional oral anticoagulant, warfarin, and a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), rivaroxaban, via long-term administration to an AD with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) mice model. Results: Rivaroxaban treatment attenuated neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, memory deficits, and amyloid-β deposition through PAR-1/PAR-2 inhibition in the AD + CAA mice model compared with warfarin and no-treatment groups. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that rivaroxaban can attenuate AD progress and can be a potential choice to prevent AD