Simulation Model for Studying the Effect of Function Distribution on the Evaluation of Building Damage Caused by Missile Attack

When a building is hit by a missile, the most important parts are usually destroyed first to achieve maximum damage to the functions of the building. To accurately quantify the damage to a building, a function distribution density is constructed to describe the importance of different parts, and is applied to the probability damage calculation of a building under a missile strike. Based on the objective characteristics, the building is divided into several modules. The importance of the different modules is calculated using the damage tree. The distribution densities of the physical and system functions are constructed separately and combined into the function distribution density of the building. Meanwhile, the landing points of the missile are simulated using the Monte Carlo method, and depending on whether the function distribution density is considered, a probability damage calculation is performed. In comparison, the calculation results considering the function distribution density have a larger irregular shape, which can describe the damage to the building more accurately. This study can provide support for improving the physical protection of buildings and ensuring the operational reliability of their functions

Research on Optimizing National Mental Health Literacy from the Perspective of Health in China: Significance and Approach

Improving the level of national mental health and strengthening the construction of social psychological service system are the necessary and important ways to promote the implementation of the Healthy China strategy. However, the gap between the requirements of Healthy China strategy for social mental health service system and the current situation of mental health service in China is still widespread. Promoting the public to form an effective demand for psychological help and establishing a new mental health service model is the key to bridge this gap. Optimizing mental health literacy is an important starting point and breakthrough to solve this problem. At present, the research on mental health literacy is undergoing a transformation from the paradigm of psycho-epidemiology to the paradigm of psychology and sociology. Taking contemporary China as the background, the reconceptualization of mental health literacy and the exploration of the current situation of Chinese mental health literacy in the new era is one of the core task of current psychological path research. The significance of this study is mainly reflected in: (1) promote the formation of effective demand for help and improve the level of public mental health; (2) enhance cultural selfconfidence and construct the theory of mental health literacy of contemporary Chinese people; (3) guide the supply side structural reform of mental health services and promote mental health equity; (4) reduce the burden of mental illness and help build a well-off society in an all-round way; (5) help build a social and psychological service system

Gardy Loo 2010 Fall

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/gardyloo201019/1015/thumbnail.jp

Experimental and numerical investigation on dynamic behaviors of the concrete wall in underground coal mine with hydraulic blasting demolition

In order to investigate the dynamic response and failure modes of concrete wall under hydraulic blasting load in underground tunnels, the fracture mechanism and zoning characteristics of hydraulic blasting of concrete wall was analyzed theoretically. Stress field, displacement field and energy variation laws of concrete wall has been simulated based on the finite element dynamic program LS/dyna. Meanwhile, different experimental conditions on the dynamite, reserved hole parameters such as demolition parameters are designed studied according to the blasting fracturing principle. The effects of stress wave, high pressure gas expansion effect in the dismantling process, application of line of least resistance principle and directional blasting effect control principle are analyzed. Results reveal the FSI effect between concrete wall and the water-dynamite-pore wall and the relationship between parameters of the structure and the dynamite dynamite, the concrete dynamic compressive strength and dynamic tensile strength. Numerical and experimental methods as well as conclusions will provide basis for the blasting demolition of brick concrete wall under similar conditions

Spatially Guided Construction of Multilayered Epidermal Models Recapturing Structural Hierarchy and Cell–Cell Junctions

A current challenge in 3D bioprinting of skin equivalents is to recreate the distinct basal and suprabasal layers and promote their direct interactions. Such a structural arrangement is essential to establish 3D stratified epidermis disease models, such as for the autoimmune skin disease pemphigus vulgaris (PV), which targets the cell– cell junctions at the interface of the basal and suprabasal layers. Inspired by epithelial regeneration in wound healing, a method that combines 3D bioprinting and spatially guided self-reorganization of keratinocytes is developed to recapture the fine structural hierarchy that lies in the deep layers of the epidermis.Herein, keratinocyteladen fibrin hydrogels are bioprinted to create geographical cues, guiding dynamic self-reorganization of cells through collective migration, keratinocyte differentiation, and vertical expansion. This process results in a region of self-organized multilayers (SOMs) that contain the basal-to-suprabasal transition, marked by the expressed levels of different types of keratins that indicate differentiation. Finally, the reconstructed skin tissue as an in vitro platform to study the pathogenic effects of PV is demonstrated, illuminating a significant difference in cell–cell junction dissociation induced by PV antibodies in different epidermis layers, which indicates their applications in the preclinical test of possible therapies

Microfabricated platforms to investigate cell mechanical properties

Mechanical stimulation has been imposed on living cells using several approaches. Most early investigations were conducted on groups of cells, utilizing techniques such as substrate deformation and flow-induced shear. To investigate the properties of cells individually, many conventional techniques were utilized, such as AFM, optical traps/optical tweezers, magnetic beads, and micropipette aspiration. In specific mechanical interrogations, microelectro- mechanical systems (MEMS) have been designed to probe single cells in different interrogation modes. To exert loads on the cells, these devices often comprise piezo-electric driven actuators that attach directly to the cell or move a structure on which cells are attached. Uniaxial and biaxial pullers, micropillars, and cantilever beams are examples of MEMS devices. In this review, the methodologies to analyze single cell activity under external loads using microfabricated devices will be examined. We will focus on the mechanical interrogation in three different regimes: compression, traction, and tension, and discuss different microfabricated platforms designed for these purposes

Amine-responsive bilayer films with improved illumination stability and electrochemical writing property for visual monitoring of meat spoilage

Amine-responsive bilayer films were developed by using agar (AG), anthocyanins (AN), gellan gum (GG) and TiO2 nanoparticles for visual monitoring of meat spoilage. The AG-AN layer worked as the sensing layer to volatile amines, while GG-TiO2 layer served as the light barrier layer and simultaneously the conducting layer to improve the illumination stability and electrochemical writing ability of the AG-AN layer, respectively. The Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra indicated the successful fabrication of bilayer films. Illumination experiments showed that the incorporation of TiO2 in the GG-TiO2 layer significantly improved the illumination stability of AN in the AG-AN layer. Meanwhile, electrochemical writing process could be easily conducted on the AG-AN layer in the presence of GG-TiO2 layer, indicating the feasibility of ink-free printing on bilayer biopolymer films. The AG-AN/GG-2%TiO2 film presented a limit of detection of 0.018 mM to trimethylamine (TMA), a typical basic gas generated during meat spoilage. Based on its good illumination stability and sensing ability to basic gases, the AG-AN/GG-2%TiO2 film exhibited rose red-to-green color changes along with the spoilage of pork and silver carp, indicating its great potential for monitoring meat spoilage in intelligent food packaging

Phase I Trial of the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Flavopiridol in Combination with Docetaxel in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the toxicities and characterize the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel and flavopiridol in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Experimental Design: Docetaxel was administered at an initial dose of 60 mg/m2 followed in 24 hours by a 72-hour infusion of flavopiridol at 50 mg/m2/d every 3 weeks. Because dose-limiting myelosuppression occurred, the schedule was amended to docetaxel, 50 mg/m2, followed by escalating doses of flavopiridol (starting dose, 26 mg/m2/d) as a 1-hour infusion daily for 3 days. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed. Ki67, p53, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (phospho-Rb) in paired tumor and buccal mucosa biopsies (obtained pre- and posttreatment) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Eleven patients were enrolled. Five patients received docetaxel and 72-hour flavopiridol. Dose-limiting toxicity was grade 4 neutropenia. Six patients received docetaxel and 1-hour flavopiridol, and the dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3 hypotension. Pharmacokinetics of flavopiridol and docetaxel were consistent with historical data. Nuclear staining with p53 increased and phospho-Rb decreased in 10 pairs of buccal mucosa biopsies posttreatment (P = 0.002 and P = 0.04, respectively). No significant changes in Ki67, p53, or phospho-Rb were detected in six paired tumors. Two patients sustained stable disease for >3 months (72-hour flavopiridol), and one partial response was observed (1-hour flavopiridol). Conclusions: Docetaxel combined with 72-hour flavopiridol was not feasible because of dose-limiting neutropenia. Dose escalation of a 1-hour infusion of flavopiridol with docetaxel was also not possible. The changes in p53 and phospho-Rb in buccal mucosa suggest that a biological effect with flavopiridol was achieved

Genetic Landscape of the ACE2 Coronavirus Receptor

Background:SARS-CoV-2, the causal agent of COVID-19, enters human cells using the ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) protein as a receptor. ACE2 is thus key to the infection and treatment of the coronavirus. ACE2 is highly expressed in the heart and respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, playing important regulatory roles in the cardiovascular and other biological systems. However, the genetic basis of the ACE2 protein levels is not well understood.Methods:We have conducted the largest genome-wide association meta-analysis of plasma ACE2 levels in >28 000 individuals of the SCALLOP Consortium (Systematic and Combined Analysis of Olink Proteins). We summarize the cross-sectional epidemiological correlates of circulating ACE2. Using the summary statistics–based high-definition likelihood method, we estimate relevant genetic correlations with cardiometabolic phenotypes, COVID-19, and other human complex traits and diseases. We perform causal inference of soluble ACE2 on vascular disease outcomes and COVID-19 severity using mendelian randomization. We also perform in silico functional analysis by integrating with other types of omics data.Results:We identified 10 loci, including 8 novel, capturing 30% of the heritability of the protein. We detected that plasma ACE2 was genetically correlated with vascular diseases, severe COVID-19, and a wide range of human complex diseases and medications. An X-chromosome cis–protein quantitative trait loci–based mendelian randomization analysis suggested a causal effect of elevated ACE2 levels on COVID-19 severity (odds ratio, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.10–2.42]; P=0.01), hospitalization (odds ratio, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.05–2.21]; P=0.03), and infection (odds ratio, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.08–2.37]; P=0.02). Tissue- and cell type–specific transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis revealed that the ACE2 regulatory variants were enriched for DNA methylation sites in blood immune cells.Conclusions:Human plasma ACE2 shares a genetic basis with cardiovascular disease, COVID-19, and other related diseases. The genetic architecture of the ACE2 protein is mapped, providing a useful resource for further biological and clinical studies on this coronavirus receptor

Research on Environmental Sustainability of Coal Cities: A Case Study of Yulin, China

Coal cities are an essential impetus for economic development and urbanization processes in China. However, a series of environmental issues provoked by resource exploitation cause the environmental sustainability of coal cities to face enormous challenges. Therefore, on the basis of the time series data of Yulin City from 1996 to 2017, this paper explores the nexus between socioeconomic development and industrial “three wastes” emissions by adopting the Tapio decoupling model, the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, and the vector auto-regressive (VAR) model. The results show that Yulin’s economic development remains in an extensive stage and will not decouple from the environmental pollution in a short time. Except for the nexus of industrial solid waste and economic growth, which is an inverted U-shaped, the EKC hypothesis is not valid for industrial wastewater and industrial waste gas. Through the VAR (2) model, the impact of per capita gross domestic product (GDP) on industrial waste emissions is consistent with the results of the EKC hypothesis. Moreover, industrial waste emissions have a positive correlation with the per capita raw coal output, the energy consumption per unit of GDP, and the proportion of secondary industry. Hence, it is necessary to formulate targeted measures from industrial restructuring, industrial chain extension, governance model optimization, and waste comprehensive utilization to realize the environmental sustainability of coal cities