Study on the Rheological Properties and Constitutive Model of Shenzhen Mucky Soft Soil

In order to obtain the basic parameters of numerical analysis about the time-space effect of the deformation occurring in Shenzhen deep soft-soil foundation pit, a series of triaxial consolidated-undrained shear rheology tests on the peripheral mucky soft soil of a deep foundation pit support were performed under different confining pressures. The relations between the axial strain of the soil and time, as well as between the pore-water pressure of the soil and time, were achieved, meanwhile on the basis of analyzing the rheological properties of the soil, the relevant rheological models were built. Analysis results were proved that the rheology of Shenzhen mucky soft soil was generally viscous, elastic, and plastic, and had a low yield stress between 90 and 150 kPa. The increase in pore-water pressure made the rheological time effect of the mucky soft soil more remarkable. Thus, the drainage performance in practical engineering should be improved to its maximum possibility extent to decrease the soft-soil rheological deformation. Lastly, a six-component extended Burgers model was employed to fit the test results and the parameters of the model were determined. Findings showed that the extended Burgers model could satisfactorily simulate the various rheological stages of the mucky soft soil. The constitutive model and the determination of its parameters can be served as a foundation for the time-space effect analysis on the deformation of deep soft-soil foundation pits

Do the Disc Degeneration and Osteophyte Contribute to the Curve Rigidity of Degenerative Scoliosis?

The factors associated with lateral curve flexibility in degenerative scoliosis have not been well documented. Disc degeneration could result in significant change in stiffness and range of motion in lateral bending films. The osteophytes could be commonly observed in degenerative spine but the relationship between osteophyte formation and curve flexibility remains controversial. The aim of the current study is to clarify if the disc degeneration and osteophyte formation were both associated with curve flexibility of degenerative scoliosis

Research on the Automatic Generation Control (AGC) Coordinated Control Modes between Provincial Dispatching and Regional Dispatching in Yunnan Power Grid

AbstractWith the constant expansion of Yunnan power grid, in current dispatching Automatic generation Control (AGC) mode, the use effect of small and medium-sized hydropower resources in the unified dispatching was not ideal. By building zoning control model artificially, the control targets and their coordinated relationship between main area and sub-areas are explicitly pointed out .The zoning and layered control mode of AGC between provincial dispatching and regional dispatching is put forward. Analysis and comparison are also made of the “independent zoning and layered control mode” and “coordinated zoning and layered control mode”, and then their existing problems are pointed out. The research can provide the foundation of further study on AGC coordinated control strategies between provincial dispatching and regional dispatching, which can realize single goal and multi-objects of AGC coordinated control in the power grid

Ginkgolide B Reduces Atherogenesis and Vascular Inflammation in ApoE−/− Mice

To investigate whether ginkgolide B (a platelet-activating factor inhibitor) affects vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice.Human platelets were used to evaluate the effects of ginkgolide B on platelet aggregation and signal transduction. Ginkgolide B attenuated platelet aggregation and inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) activation and Akt phosphorylation in thrombin- and collagen-activated platelets. ApoE(-/-) mice were administered a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Plasma platelet factor 4 (PF4) and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed, and secreted protein) were then measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry were used to determine atherosclerotic lesions. Ginkgolide B decreased plasma PF4 and RANTES levels in ApoE(-/-) mice. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed that ginkgolide B reduced aortic plaque in ApoE(-/-) mice. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that ginkgolide B diminished P-selectin, PF4, RANTES, and CD40L expression in aortic plaque in ApoE(-/-) mice. Moreover, ginkgolide B suppressed macrophage and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) expression in aorta lesions in ApoE(-/-) mice. Similar effects were observed in aspirin-treated ApoE(-/-) mice.Ginkgolide B significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions and P-selectin, PF4, RANTES, and CD40L expression in aortic plaque in ApoE-/- mice. The efficacy of ginkgolide B was similar to aspirin. These results provide direct evidence that ginkgolide B inhibits atherosclerosis, which may be associated with inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway in activated platelets