Reliability Evaluation of RC Columns with Wind-Dominated Combination Considering Random Biaxial Eccentricity

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns in frame structures are often subjected to biaxial bending and axial compression under both horizontal loads (e.g., wind load in a given direction) and vertical loads (e.g., gravity). Owing to the random properties of loads, it is important to consider the uncertainties of biaxial eccentricity. However, the fixed eccentricity criterion used in the conventional design methods cannot capture the effects of random biaxial eccentricity on reliability. Based on the reciprocal load method, the reliability is analyzed for columns with both the fixed eccentricity and random eccentricity criteria by Monte Carlo simulation. It is demonstrated that random biaxial eccentricity has a significant influence on the reliability of RC columns with wind-dominated combination

Interaction of serum vitamin B12 and folate with MTHFR genotypes on risk of ischemic stroke

ObjectiveWe evaluated the interaction of serum folate and vitamin B12 with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes on the risk of first ischemic stroke and on the efficacy of folic acid treatment in prevention of first ischemic stroke.MethodsA total of 20,702 hypertensive adults were randomized to a double-blind treatment of daily enalapril 10 mg and folic acid 0.8 mg or enalapril 10 mg alone. Participants were followed up every 3 months.ResultsMedian values of folate and B12 concentrations at baseline were 8.1 ng/mL and 280.2 pmol/L, respectively. Over a median of 4.5 years, among those not receiving folic acid, participants with baseline serum B12 or serum folate above the median had a significantly lower risk of first ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.96), especially in those with MTHFR 677 CC genotype (wild-type) (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.31-0.78). Folic acid treatment significantly reduced the risk of first ischemic stroke in participants with both folate and B12 below the median (2.3% in enalapril-folic acid group vs 3.6% in enalapril-only group; HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46-0.86), particularly in MTHFR 677 CC carriers (1.6% vs 4.9%; HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.55). However, TT homozygotes responded better with both folate and B12 levels above the median (HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.10-0.75).ConclusionsThe risk of first ischemic stroke was significantly higher in hypertensive patients with low levels of both folate and B12. Effect of folic acid treatment was greatest in patients with low folate and B12 with the CC genotype, and with high folate and B12 with the TT genotype

Folic acid therapy reduces the first stroke risk associated with hypercholesterolemia among hypertensive patients

Background and Purpose - We sought to determine whether folic acid supplementation can independently reduce the risk of first stroke associated with elevated total cholesterol levels in a subanalysis using data from the CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial), a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Methods - A total of 20 702 hypertensive adults without a history of major cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to a double-blind daily treatment of an enalapril 10-mg and a folic acid 0.8-mg tablet or an enalapril 10-mg tablet alone. The primary outcome was first stroke. Results - The median treatment duration was 4.5 years. For participants not receiving folic acid treatment (enalapril-only group), high total cholesterol (≥ 200 mg/dL) was an independent predictor of first stroke when compared with low total cholesterol (\u3c200 mg/dL; 4.0% versus 2.6%; hazard ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.97; P=0.001). Folic acid supplementation significantly reduced the risk of first s roke among participants with high total cholesterol (4.0% in the enalapril-only group versus 2.7% in the enalapril-folic acid group; hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.84 P\u3c0.001; number needed to treat, 78; 95% confidence interval, 52-158), independent of baseline folate levels and other important covariates. By contrast, among participants with low total cholesterol, the risk of stroke was 2.6% in the enalapril-only group versus 2.5% in the enalapril-folic acid group (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-1.30; P=0.982). The effect was greater among participants with elevated total cholesterol (P for interaction=0.024). Conclusions - Elevated total cholesterol levels may modify the benefits of folic acid therapy on first stroke. Folic acid supplementation reduced the risk of first stroke associated with elevated total cholesterol by 31% among hypertensive adults without a history of major cardiovascular diseases

Effects of repeated lipopolysaccharide treatment on growth performance, immune organ index, and blood parameters of Sprague-Dawley rats

The study was designed to investigate the effects of repeated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment on growth performance, lymphoid organ indexes, and blood cells in Sprague-Dawley rats

Nuclear astrophysics research based on HI-13 tandem accelerator

The first radioactive ion beam line, GIRAFFE, has been built at the CIAE HI-13 tandem accelerator in China. A total of eleven types of radioactive ion beam, including 6He, 7Be, and 8Li, have been generated. Several significant reactions in nuclear astrophysics have been indirectly measured via transfer reactions, and research on nuclear structure, relevant to nuclear astrophysics, has been performed using charge exchange reactions and thick-target experimental methods. A series of single nucleon or α cluster transfer reactions have been measured using a Q3D magnetic spectrometer, and the astrophysical S-factors and reaction rates for essential reactions have been obtained. The obtained results serve as a crucial experimental foundation for research involving element abundance and celestial body models

Systematic Studies on the

Based on the accurate macroscopic-microscopic mass formula and the experimental data of β-decay half-lives of the nuclei with atomic number ranging from 20 to 190, a systematic formula has been proposed to calculate β-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei. The formula is proved to reproduce the experimental β-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei very well, and then is used to study the r-process nucleosynthesis in models of high-entropy mass outflows. The calculated abundances show a good agreement with the solar r-abundances around the third peak and the rare earth mass region

Systematic Studies on the β-decay Half-lives of r-process Nuclei

Based on the accurate macroscopic-microscopic mass formula and the experimental data of β-decay half-lives of the nuclei with atomic number ranging from 20 to 190, a systematic formula has been proposed to calculate β-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei. The formula is proved to reproduce the experimental β-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei very well, and then is used to study the r-process nucleosynthesis in models of high-entropy mass outflows. The calculated abundances show a good agreement with the solar r-abundances around the third peak and the rare earth mass region

In Vivo Toxicity of Solasonine and Its Effects on cyp450 Family Gene Expression in the Livers of Male Mice from Four Strains

Solasonine was reported to inhibit tumour cell growth in several different models. The in vivo toxicity of solasonine, the effects of genetic background on its toxicity, and its possible roles in regulating the expression of cyp450 family genes were still unclear and required characterisation. Here, Horn’s assays were performed on male mice from four different strains, and the expression of cyp450 family genes in their livers was examined by RT-PCR and ELISA. Mice treated by intraperitoneal injection with high levels of solasonine showed immediate post-excitatory depression, intraperitoneal tissue adhesion, and dissolving of cells in the liver. Furthermore, these four mouse strains showed different toxicological sensitivity to solasonine. The strains, in decreasing order of LD50 value, rescuing speed of body weight, and more severe pathological symptoms, were KM, ICR, C57BL/6, and BALB/c. Interestingly, more cyp450 genes were downregulated at the mRNA and/or protein level in the livers of male mice from C57BL/6 or BALB/c strains than those from KM or ICR strains. These results suggest that (1) Solasonine has hepatic toxicity and downregulates cyp450 genes expression at transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional levels; (2) Genetic background is an important factor which can affect the in vivo toxicity; (3) Downregulation of cyp450 gene expression in the liver may be a clue to help understand whether or not a given strain is sensitive to solasonine; (4) Influences on the expression of cyp450 genes should be considered when using solasonine alone, or in combination with other drugs

Ginsenoside Rg1 regulated subpopulation homeostasis of Tfh cells ameliorate experimental colitis by inhibiting TLR/MyD88 pathway

The imbalance of follicular helper T (Tfh) cell subset is closely related to the occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1), the main component of ginseng, has excellent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, mice colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium and treated with G-Rg1 (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Results showed that G-Rg1 can significantly alleviate symptoms of colitis in mice, regulate the balance of Tfh cell subsets, promote the secretion of IL-4 and IL-10, and inhibit the expression of IFN-γ, IL-17A, and IL-21. Molecular docking analysis revealed that G-Rg1 has excellent binding activity with target genes of the TLR/MyD88 signaling pathway, and and can reduce the expression levels of proteins such as TLR2, MyD88, IRAK4, TRAF6, and TAK1. These findings suggest that G-Rg1 can effectively regulate the balance of Tfh cell subsets, and its potential mechanism is related to the inhibition of the TLR/MyD88 signaling pathway