A Novel Model of the Ideal Point Method Coupled with Objective and Subjective Weighting Method for Evaluation of Surrounding Rock Stability

The classification of surrounding rock stability is the critical problem in tunneling engineering. In order to decrease engineering disasters, the surrounding rock stability should be accurately evaluated. The ideal point method is applied to the classification of surrounding rock stability. Considering the complexity of surrounding rock classification, some factors such as rock uniaxial compressive strengthen, integrality coefficient of rock mass, the angle between tunnel axis and the main joint, joints condition, and seepage measurement of groundwater are selected as evaluation indices. The weight coefficients of these evaluation indices are determined by the objective and subjective weighting method, consisting with the delphi method and the information entropy theory. The objective and subjective weighting method is exact and reliable to determine the weights of evaluation indices, considering not only the expert’s experiences, but also objectivity of the field test data. A new composite model is established for evaluating the surrounding rock stability based on the ideal point method and the objective and subjective weighting method. The present model is applied to Beigu mountain tunnel in Jiangsu province, China. The result is in good agreement with practical situation of surrounding rock, which proves that the ideal point method used to classify the surrounding rock in tunnels is reasonable and effective. The present model is simple and has very strong operability, which possesses a good prospect of engineering application

Association between sleep duration and quality with rapid kidney function decline and development of chronic kidney diseases in adults with normal kidney function: The China health and retirement longitudinal study

Research have shown that sleep is associated with renal function. However, the potential effects of sleep duration or quality on kidney function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults with normal kidney function has rarely been studied. Our study aimed to investigate the association of sleep and kidney function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Four thousand and eighty six participants with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 at baseline were enrolled between 2011 and 2015 from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Survey questionnaire data were collected from conducted interviews in the 2011. The eGFR was estimated from serum creatinine and/or cystatin C using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations (CKD-EPI). The primary outcome was defined as rapid kidney function decline. Secondary outcome was defined as rapid kidney function decline with clinical eGFR of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 at the exit visit. The associations between sleep duration, sleep quality and renal function decline or chronic kidney disease (CKD) were assessed based with logistic regression model. Our results showed that 244 (6.0%) participants developed rapid decline in kidney function, while 102 (2.5%) developed CKD. In addition, participants who had 3–7 days of poor sleep quality per week had higher risks of CKD development (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.24–2.80). However, compared with those who had 6–8 h of night-time sleep, no significantly higher risks of rapid decline in kidney function was found among those who had <6 h or >8 h of night time sleep after adjustments for demographic, clinical, or psychosocial covariates. Furthermore, daytime nap did not present significant risk in both rapid eGFR decline or CKD development. In conclusion, sleep quality was significantly associated with the development of CKD in middle-aged and older Chinese adults with normal kidney function

The Global Open Science Cloud: Vision and Initial Successes

The Global Open Science Cloud has the potential to advance the way scientific data and resources are shared and accessed, and how global collaboration happens. However, addressing the challenges associated with its creation and ensuring inclusivity, interoperability, data privacy, and sustainability are crucial for its success. The collaborative efforts of stakeholders from different disciplines, regions, and sectors will be essential in realising the vision of a truly global and open science platform. The achievements of GOSC so far, including successful collaborations, funded projects, and the development of a common reference framework, demonstrate its potential and progress towards its goals

Adenoid lymphocyte heterogeneity in pediatric adenoid hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnea

IntroductionAdenoid hypertrophy is the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Previous studies have suggested that pathogenic infections and local immune system disorders in the adenoids are associated with adenoid hypertrophy. The abnormalities in the number and function of various lymphocyte subsets in the adenoids may play a role in this association. However, changes in the proportion of lymphocyte subsets in hypertrophic adenoids remain unclear.MethodsTo identify patterns of lymphocyte subsets in hypertrophic adenoids, we used multicolor flow cytometry to analyze the lymphocyte subset composition in two groups of children: the mild to moderate hypertrophy group (n = 10) and the severe hypertrophy group (n = 5).ResultsA significant increase in naïve lymphocytes and a decrease in effector lymphocytes were found in severe hypertrophic adenoids.DiscussionThis finding suggests that abnormal lymphocyte differentiation or migration may contribute to the development of adenoid hypertrophy. Our study provides valuable insights and clues into the immunological mechanism underlying adenoid hypertrophy

Diffusion Characteristics and Driving Factors of the Smart Tourism City Policy—Event History Analysis

It is of great significance to explore the spatial-temporal characteristics and analyze the driving factors of the diffusion of smart tourism city policy, which promotes the adoption of smart tourism city policy and the sustainable development of tourism. We aimed to explore the diffusion law and influencing factors of smart tourism city so as to provide reference for the construction of smart tourism city. By employing the 249 cases in China from 2012 to 2019, we revealed the spatial-temporal characteristics and driving factors influencing the diffusion of smart tourism city policy by employing the event history analysis method. The results reveal that the diffusion of smart tourism city policy presents the typical S-shaped curve in cumulative adoptions over time. Furthermore, the diffusion of smart tourism city policy presents the spatial distribution characteristic of the Hu Line, which spreads from the eastern coastal areas to the central inland areas. Moreover, there are multiple driving sources for the diffusion of smart tourism city policy, among which economic lift force, intellectual support force, technological pull force and demand impetus force are the important driving sources for the policy diffusion

Effects of Uptake of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles into Hepatoma Cells on Cell Adhesion and Proliferation

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nano-HAPs) were prepared by homogeneous precipitation, and size distribution and morphology of these nanoparticles were determined by laser particle analysis and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Nano-HAPs were uniformly distributed, with rod-like shapes sizes ranging from 44.6 to 86.8 nm. Attached overnight, suspended, and proliferating Bel-7402 cells were repeatedly incubated with nano-HAPs. Inverted microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy were used to observe the cell adhesion and growth, the culture medium containing nano-HAPs, the cell ultrastructure, and intracellular Ca2+ labeled with a fluo-3 calcium fluorescent probe. The results showed that nano-HAPs inhibited proliferation of Bel-7402 cells and, caused an obvious increase in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+, along with significant changes in the cell ultrastructure. Moreover, nano-HAPs led suspended cells and proliferating cells after trypsinized that did not attach to the bottom of the culture bottle died. Nano-HAPs continuously entered these cells. Attached, suspended, and proliferating cells endocytosed nano-HAPs, and nanoparticle-filled vesicles were in the cytoplasm. Therefore, hepatoma cellular uptake of nano-HAPs through endocytosis was very active and occurred continuously. Nano-HAPs affected proliferation and adhesion of hepatoma cells probably because uptake of nano-HAPs blocked integrin-mediated cell adhesion, which may have potential significance in inhibiting metastatic cancer cells to their target organ

Exploration of professional practice teaching reform in local application-oriented universities——Taking mechanical engineering as an example

With the increasing demand for teaching quality and personnel training of higher education in China, it has become the goal of application-oriented universities to cultivate high-quality composite application talents with innovative ability, practical ability and entrepreneurial spirit. Innovative professional practice teaching reform is an important way for higher education to better achieve the goal of talent training and improve teaching quality. Firstly, the necessity and significance of professional practice teaching reform is expounded in combination with the current situation of the mechanical engineering and education. Then, the content of teaching reform is explored in the light of the present practical teaching situation of mechanical engineering specialty. Finally, based on the current situation and development goals of the application-oriented universities, some safeguards measures are put forward to ensure the smooth development of practical teaching reform and achieve effective results

Study on the risk assessment of water inrush in karst tunnels based on intuitionistic fuzzy theory

Water inrush is a major geological hazard that threatens the safety of karst tunnels. The risk assessment of water inrush is necessary in tunnel engineering. A new model based on intuitionistic fuzzy analysis was proposed to assess the risk of water inrush, which considered the subjective and objective weights of influencing factors. Seven factors were selected to constitute the set of evaluation attributes, namely, formation lithology, unfavourable geological conditions, groundwater level, landform and physiognomy, modified strata inclination, contact zones of dissolvable and insoluble rock, and layer and interlayer fissures. The proposed model was applied in a typical karst tunnel, Xiakou tunnel in China. The sensitivity of the changes in the index weights was analyzed. The results showed that the water inrush risk of section XJK0 + 110 to XJK0 + 060 in Xiakou tunnel was evaluated as grade I (high risk). The risk assessment results were more sensitive to the index weights of landform, formation lithology, and contact zones of dissolvable and insoluble rock than to those of the other indices. Landform was the most sensitive index. The obtained results were identical to the practical findings, and the rationality and feasibility of the model was verified. Intuitionistic fuzzy analysis is a new method for the quantitative risk assessment of water inrush in karst tunnels