Selection of Optimized Retaining Wall Technique Using Self-Organizing Maps

Construction projects in urban areas tend to be associated with high-rise buildings and are of very large-scales; hence, the importance of a project’s underground construction work is significant. In this study, a rational model based on machine learning (ML) was developed. ML algorithms are programs that can learn from data and improve from experience without human intervention. In this study, self-organizing maps (SOMs) were utilized. An SOM is an alternative to existing ML methods and involves a subjective decision-making process because a developed model is used for data training to classify and effectively recognize patterns embedded in the input data space. In addition, unlike existing methods, the SOM can easily create a feature map by mapping multidimensional data to simple two-dimensional data. The objective of this study is to develop an SOM model as a decision-making approach for selecting a retaining wall technique. N-fold cross-validation was adopted to validate the accuracy of the SOM model and evaluate its reliability. The findings are useful for decision-making in selecting a retaining wall method, as demonstrated in this study. The maximum accuracy of the SOM was 81.5%, and the average accuracy was 79.8%

4,4’-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and 4,4’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) promote adipogenesis in 3TL1 adipocyte cell culture

4,4’-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, was extensively used in the 1940s and 1950s. DDT is mainly metabolically converted into 4,4’- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE). Even though most countries banned DDT in the 1970s, due to the highly lipophilic nature and very stable characteristics, DDT and its metabolites are present ubiquitously in the environment, including food. Recently, there are publications on relationships between exposure to insecticides, including DDT and DDE, and weight gain and altered glucose homeostasis. However, there are limited reports regarding DDT or DDE and adipogenesis, thus we investigated effects of DDT and DDE on adipogenesis using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment of DDT or DDE resulted in increased lipid accumulation accompanied by increased expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP), peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor- (PPAR), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), adipose triglyceride lipase, and leptin. Moreover, treatment of DDT or DDE increased protein levels of C/EBP, PPAR, AMP-activated protein kinase- (AMPK), and ACC, while significant decrease of phosphorylated forms of AMPK and ACC were observed. These finding suggest that increased lipid accumulation caused by DDT and DDE may mediate AMPK pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Growth of quantum dot coated core-shell anisotropic nanowires for improved thermal and electronic transport

Anisotropic nanowires are promising candidates for electronic thermal management due to their unique electrical and thermal properties.However, eco-friendly solution-processed nanomaterials with an elaborate morphology and microstructure for modulating thermal andcharge transfer are still a considerable challenge. Herein, we present a simple but effective approach for synthesizing pseudo core-shell nano-wires through quantum dot (QD)-like nanostructure coating (p-NW@QD) to generate exceptional electron-phonon transport properties.With the assistance of diphenyl ether as a coordination solvent, high crystallinity lead sulfide NWs can be fabricated with a large aspect ratiotogether with uniform QD coating. Thisp-NW@QD exhibits high electronic mobility (30.65 cm2/Vs) as well as a diameter independent lowthermal conductivity (1.5361 W/m K). Direct charge/heat carrier flow measurements and computational simulations demonstrate that theunusual electrical and thermal transport phenomenon is strongly dependent on the fast charge transport through the QD shell, and a slowphonon migration across the Umklapp process dominated NW cores. These findings indicate a significant step toward colloidal synthesisnanostructures for future high-performance nanoelectronics and thermal energy devices

Interstitial lung disease and specialist palliative care access: a healthcare professionals survey

Background Fibrotic interstitial lung disease is an incurable disease with poor prognosis. We aimed to understand factors affecting decisions regarding referrals to specialist palliative care services and to address barriers and facilitators to referrals from healthcare professionals’ perspectives. Methods A survey study of healthcare professionals, including respiratory physicians, interstitial lung disease nurse specialists, respiratory nurse specialists and palliative care physicians, was conducted using a questionnaire, entailing 17 questions. Results Thirty-six respondents, including 15 interstitial lung disease nurse specialists completed the questionnaire. Symptom control, psychological/spiritual support, general deterioration and end-of-life care were the most common reasons for referrals to specialist palliative care services. Most respondents felt confident in addressing palliative care needs and discussing palliative care with patients. A few participants emphasised that experienced respiratory nurse specialists are well placed to provide symptom management and to ensure continuity of patient care. Participants reported that access to palliative care could be improved by increasing collaborative work between respiratory and palliative care teams. Conclusions Most respondents felt that enhancing access to specialist palliative care services would benefit patients. However, palliative care and respiratory care should not be considered as mutually exclusive and multidisciplinary approach is recommended

The influence of depression on risk development of acute cardiovascular diseases in the female population aged 25–64 in Russia

Background. Recent studies showed that depression was an independent predictor of mortality from cardio-vascular disease in healthy women. Objective. To explore the effect of depression (D) on relative risk (RR) of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke for 16 years (1995–2010) in the female population aged 25–64 years from Novosibirsk, Russia. Materials and methods. Under the third screening of the WHO “MONICA-psychosocial” (MOPSY) programme, a cohort of women aged 25–64 years (N=560) was surveyed. Women were followed for 16 years for the incidence of MI and stroke (1995–2010). D was measured at the baseline examination by means of test “MOPSY”. Participants having stroke, MI, arterial hypertension, coronary artery diseases and diabetes in their medical history at the baseline were excluded from this analysis. Results. The prevalence of D in women aged 25–64 years was 55.2%. With the growth of D levels, positive self-rated health reduced and almost 100% of those women have complaints about their health, but considered the care of their health insufficient. Women with major D significantly extended negative behavioural habits: smoking and unsuccessful attempts to give up, low physical activity, and less likely to follow a diet (healthy food). Major D associated with high job strain and family stress. Relative risk (RR) of MI development in women with D during 16 years of study was higher in 2.53 cases (p<0.05) and risk of stroke was higher in 4.63 cases (p<0.05). Conclusions. The prevalence of D in women aged 25–64 years was >50%. Women with D had a 2.53-fold risk of MI and 4.63-fold risk of stroke during the 16 years of follow-up

Synthesis, characterisation and photochemistry of PtIV pyridyl azido acetato complexes

PtII azido complexes [Pt(bpy)(N3)2] (1), [Pt(phen)(N3)2] (2) and trans-[Pt(N3)2(py)2] (3) incorporating the bidentate diimine ligands 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or the monodentate pyridine (py) respectively, have been synthesised from their chlorido precursors and characterised by X-ray crystallography; complex 3 shows significant deviation from square-planar geometry (N3–Pt–N3 angle 146.7°) as a result of steric congestion at the Pt centre. The novel PtIV complexes trans, cis-[Pt(bpy)(OAc)2(N3)2] (4), trans, cis-[Pt(phen)(OAc)2(N3)2] (5), trans, trans, trans-[Pt(OAc)2(N3)2(py)2] (6), were obtained from 1–3via oxidation with H2O2 in acetic acid followed by reaction of the intermediate with acetic anhydride. Complexes 4–6 exhibit interesting structural and photochemical properties that were studied by X-ray, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy and TD-DFT (time-dependent density functional theory). These PtIV complexes exhibit greater absorption at longer wavelengths (ε = 9756 M−1 cm−1 at 315 nm for 4; ε = 796 M−1 cm−1 at 352 nm for 5; ε = 16900 M−1 cm−1 at 307 nm for 6, in aqueous solution) than previously reported PtIV azide complexes, due to the presence of aromatic amines, and 4–6 undergo photoactivation with both UVA (365 nm) and visible green light (514 nm). The UV-vis spectra of complexes 4–6 were calculated using TD-DFT; the nature of the transitions contributing to the UV-vis bands provide insight into the mechanism of production of the observed photoproducts. The UV-vis spectra of 1–3 were also simulated by computational methods and comparison between PtII and PtIV electronic and structural properties allowed further elucidation of the photochemistry of 4–6

Phase II trial of palbociclib in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy

Background: The majority of urothelial cancers (UC) harbor alterations in retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway genes that can lead to loss of Rb tumour suppressor function. Palbociclib is an oral, selective inhibitor of CDK 4/6 that restores Rb function and promotes cell cycle arrest. Methods: In this phase II trial, patients with metastatic platinum-refractory UC molecularly selected for p16 loss and intact Rb by tumour immunohistochemistry received palbociclib 125 mg p.o. daily for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 4 months (PFS4) using a Simon’s two-stage design. Next-generation sequencing including Rb pathway alterations was conducted. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled and two patients (17%) achieved PFS4 with insufficient activity to advance to stage 2. No responses were seen. Median PFS was 1.9 months (95% CI 1.8–3.7 months) and median overall survival was 6.3 months (95% CI 2.2–12.6 months). Fifty-eight percent of patients had grade ≥3 hematologic toxicity. There were no CDKN2A alterations found and no correlation of Rb pathway alterations with clinical outcome. Conclusions: Palbociclib did not demonstrate meaningful activity in selected patients with platinum-refractory metastatic UC. Further development of palbociclib should only be considered with improved integral biomarker selection or in rational combination with other therapies