Spatial performance of skewed continuous rigid-frame bridges based on finite element analysis

Continuous rigid-frame bridges are usually symmetrically designed along the bridge center line for simplicity and clarity purposes. However, the skewed bridges are necessary in case of complex intersections with space constraint in highways. Previous research mainly focuses on the discussion of skewed angle and the interaction between girders and cross frames on I shape section. Box sections are also used for skewed bridge due to large torsion stiffness, which have many problems during service time. This paper analyzed coupled skew and bending effect for the bridge which combines the continuous rigid-frame system and skewed system. For skewed bridges, significant out-of-lane effect occurs in bridges, which is hard to be predicted through linear analysis. For continuous bridges, at the interior supports, negative bending moments exist. In addition, a part of each diaphragm of the bridge is connected to the main girder, and the rest part only carries its self-weight, which makes the girder behavior more complex in the transverse direction. Therefore, the spatial performance of the bridge is very complex. The design cannot only use simple two dimension analysis. In the paper the three dimensional finite element analysis was conducted to find the effect due to dead load, live load, temperature, and brake force to find critical position for monitoring and maintainance. Primary bending normal stress, warping normal stress, coefficient of shearing force lag and stress distribution of consolidation pier were analyzed and output. The behavior of both superstructure and sub structure were investigated. The effect of coupled bending and torsion is significant to the behavior of the bridge. Finally the design recommendations about the skew bridge are given. The critical positions for the further test and monitoring are found

The Roles of GRKs in Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Along with cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases remain by far the most common causes of death. Heart attacks and strokes are diseases in which platelets play a role, through activation on ruptured plaques and subsequent thrombus formation. Most platelet agonists activate platelets via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which make these receptors ideal targets for many antiplatelet drugs. However, little is known about the mechanisms that provide feedback regulation on GPCRs to limit platelet activation. Emerging evidence from our group and others strongly suggests that GPCR kinases (GRKs) are critical negative regulators during platelet activation and thrombus formation. In this review, we will summarize recent findings on the role of GRKs in platelet biology and how one specific GRK, GRK6, regulates the hemostatic response to vascular injury. Furthermore, we will discuss the potential role of GRKs in thrombotic disorders, such as thrombotic events in COVID-19 patients. Studies on the function of GRKs during platelet activation and thrombus formation have just recently begun, and a better understanding of the role of GRKs in hemostasis and thrombosis will provide a fruitful avenue for understanding the hemostatic response to injury. It may also lead to new therapeutic options for the treatment of thrombotic and cardiovascular disorders

Geotechnical monitoring and safety assessment of large-span triple tunnels using drilling and blasting method

The excavation of large-span triple tunnels using drilling and blasting method inevitably causes complicated load transfer effects and induces potentially damaging ground vibrations. In this study, the structural responses (including the surrounding rock pressure, normal-contact pressure between the primary and secondary linings, internal forces in the secondary lining) and the seismic responses (including peak particle velocity and corner frequency), are systematically recorded. It is found that the first-excavated left tunnel is influenced heavily by the excavation of the last-excavated middle tunnel, whereas it is hardly affected by the excavation of the second-excavated right tunnel. The load carried by the primary lining is approximately three times as that carried by the secondary lining. The middle tunnel was in the least desirable state due to the formation of the large Protodyakonov’s equilibrium arch (PEA). Based on timely feedback of the comprehensive monitoring system, a series of vibration-reducing techniques were applied and effectively guaranteed safety during blasting construction. By referring to Chinese codes, the minimum safety factor of the secondary lining is 1.3; the maximum PPV (0.15 cm/s) is lower than the allowable value; and the corner frequency (40-140 Hz) will not cause resonant vibration of the Great Wall

Torque Enhancement of Dual Three-Phase PMSM by Harmonic Injection

The torque enhancement of dual three-phase permanent magnet synchronous machine (DT-PMSM) drive system by full exploitation of flux-linkage and current harmonics are comparatively studied in this paper. The torque capability of DT-PMSM is previously evaluated with strategies of harmonics utilization, i.e. Strategy-1 of 3rd harmonic utilization and Strategy-2 of 5th and 7th harmonic utilization, which can extend the torque capability by 18.2% and 9.0% respectively. However, the full exploitation of harmonics including 3rd, 5th and 7th harmonics in the dual three-phase system are not addressed. In this paper, the Strategy-3 of 3rd, 5th and 7th harmonic utilization is also included. Its corresponding harmonic current control is proposed and the average torque and harmonic torque are analyzed in detail. Based on a test rig with existing prototype DT-PMSM, the torque with Strategy-3 is increased up to 26.5%, which is superior to the previous strategies

Local Cortical Tension by Myosin II Guides 3D Endothelial Cell Branching

SummaryA key feature of angiogenesis is directional control of endothelial cell (EC) morphogenesis and movement [1]. During angiogenic sprouting, endothelial “tip cells” directionally branch from existing vessels in response to biochemical cues such as VEGF or hypoxia and migrate and invade the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) in a process that requires ECM remodeling by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) [2–4]. Tip EC branching is mediated by directional protrusion of subcellular pseudopodial branches [5, 6]. Here, we seek to understand how EC pseudopodial branching is locally regulated to directionally guide angiogenesis. We develop an in vitro 3D EC model system in which migrating ECs display branched pseudopodia morphodynamics similar to those in living zebrafish. Using this system, we find that ECM stiffness and ROCK-mediated myosin II activity inhibit EC pseudopodial branch initiation. Myosin II is dynamically localized to the EC cortex and is partially released under conditions that promote branching. Local depletion of cortical myosin II precedes branch initiation, and initiation can be induced by local inhibition of myosin II activity. Thus, local downregulation of myosin II cortical contraction allows pseudopodium initiation to mediate EC branching and hence guide directional migration and angiogenesis

Surrounding species diversity improves subtropical seedlings’ carbon dynamics

Increasing biodiversity has been linked to higher primary productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the underlying ecophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of surrounding species richness (monoculture, two- and four-species mixtures) on the ecophysiology of Lithocarpus glaber seedlings in experimental plots in subtropical China. A natural rain event isotopically labelled both the water uptaken by the L.glaber seedlings and the carbon in new photoassimilates through changes of photosynthetic discrimination. We followed the labelled carbon (C) and oxygen (O) in the plant-soil-atmosphere continuum. We measured gas-exchange variables (C assimilation, transpiration and above- and belowground respiration) and C-13 in leaf biomass, phloem, soil microbial biomass, leaf- and soil-respired CO2 as well as O-18 in leaf and xylem water. The C-13 signal in phloem and respired CO2 in L.glaber in monoculture lagged behind those in species mixture, showing a slower transport of new photoassimilates to and through the phloem in monoculture. Furthermore, leaf-water O-18 enrichment above the xylem water in L.glaber increased after the rain in lower diversity plots suggesting a lower ability to compensate for increased transpiration. Lithocarpus glaber in monoculture showed higher C assimilation rate and water-use efficiency. However, these increased C resources did not translate in higher growth of L.glaber in monoculture suggesting the existence of larger nongrowth-related C sinks in monoculture. These ecophysiological responses of L.glaber, in agreement with current understanding of phloem transport are consistent with a stronger competition for water resources in monoculture than in species mixtures. Therefore, increasing species diversity in the close vicinity of the studied plants appears to alleviate physiological stress induced by water competition and to counterbalance the negative effects of interspecific competition on assimilation rates for L.glaber by allowing a higher fraction of the C assimilated to be allocated to growth in species mixture than in monoculture.Peer reviewe