Targeting CBLB as a potential therapeutic approach for disseminated candidiasis

We thank J.M. Penninger (University of Toronto) for providing Cblb−/− mice, Y. Iwakura (Tokyo University of Science) for providing Clec4n−/− mice, S. Lipkowitz (National Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health) for providing Cblb constructs, X. Lin (MD Anderson Cancer Center) for providing the antibody to mouse dectin-3 and Card9−/− bone marrow cells, P.R. Sundstrom (Dartmouth University) for providing the C. albicans cap1 mutant, and L.D. Chaves (University at Buffalo) for flow cytometric analysis of myeloid cells in the kidneys. We also thank A. Lovett-Racke (Ohio State University) for her advice on in vivo Cblb-knockdown experiments. This work was supported by the US National Institutes of Health (grants R01 AI090901, R01 AI123253, and R21 AI117547; all to J.Z.), the American Heart Association (AHA Great Rivers Associate Grant-in-Aid grant 16GRNT26990004; J.Z.), a start-up fund from the Ohio State University College of Medicine (J.Z.), and the Wellcome Trust (G.D.B.).Peer reviewedPostprin

Finite element analysis of dynamic fracture behaviour of drill pipe under various impact loads

In this study, a finite element (FE) model is developed and used to capture 3-D dynamic fracture responses of a defected DP under various elementary impact loads, including tension, eccentric compression, torsion and transverse collision between the DP and borehole wall. The defect is simplified as a 3-D circumferential semi-elliptical surface crack on the outer surface of the DP, and inertial effects on the crack driving force are evaluated

Research progress on mechanical properties of short carbon fibre/epoxy composites

Background: Short carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites have many advantages such as high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, low cost, short fabrication time and easy manufacturing. Researches on the mechanical performance of the composites are mainly carried out by means of experimental techniques and numerical calculation. Objective: The study aims to report the latest progress in the studies of mechanical properties of short carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites. Methods: Based on recently published patents and journal papers, the experimental studies of short carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites are reviewed and the effects of short carbon fibre on the mechanical properties of the composites are discussed. Numerical studies using representative volume element in simulating macroscopic mechanical properties of the short fibre reinforced composites are also reviewed. Finally, future research of short carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites is proposed. Results: Experimental techniques, experimental results and numerical simulating methods are discussed. Conclusion: Mechanical properties of epoxy can be improved by adding short carbon fibres. Fiber surface treatment and matrix modification are effective in enhancing interfacial adhesion between fiber and matrix, and as a result, better mechanical performance is achieved. Compared to the studies on equivalent mechanical properties of the composites, researches on the micro-mechanism of interaction between fiber and matrix are still in infancy due to the complexity of both the internal structure and reinforcing mechanism

A three-dimensional numerical simulation of cell behavior in a flow chamber based on fluid-solid interaction

The mechanical behavior of blood cells in the vessels has a close relationship with the physical characteristics of the blood and the cells. In this paper, a numerical simulation method was proposed to understand a single-blood cell’s behavior in the vessels based on fluid-solid interaction method, which was conducted under adaptive time step and fixed time step, respectively. The main programme was C++ codes, which called FLUENT and ANSYS software, and UDF and APDL acted as a messenger to connect FLUENT and ANSYS for exchanging data. The computing results show: (1) the blood cell moved towards the bottom of the flow chamber in the beginning due to the influence of gravity, then it began to jump up when reached a certain height rather than touching the bottom. It could move downwards again after jump up, the blood cell could keep this way of moving like dancing continuously in the vessels; (2) the blood cell was rolling and deforming all the time; the rotation had oscillatory changes and the deformation became conspicuously when the blood cell was dancing. This new simulation method and results can be widely used in the researches of cytology, blood, cells, etc

An inverse analysis-based optimal selection of cohesive zone model for metallic materials

Five different cohesive zone models (CZMs), including bilinear, polynomial, trapezoidal, exponential, and PPR (Park–Paulino–Roesler) models, which are commonly used in simulating fracture failure of metallic materials, are evaluated in this paper. The cohesive parameters of these CZMs are determined by an inverse analysis based on the modified Levenberg–Marquardt method. A finite element (FE) model is developed by employing these CZMs and used to predict fracture behaviors of steel grade 120, which is frequently used for the tool joints of drill pipes. Tensile and fracture tests are conducted to determine material properties and fracture behaviors of the steel grade 120, and the fracture behavior obtained from the experiment is used to determine the CZM parameters and validate the FE model. It is found that the five CZMs, with the cohesive parameters determined by the inverse analysis, can be used to simulate the ductile fracture process of the steel, and that among the five CZMs, the exponential CZM provides the closest results to the experimental data

Flexible MnO nanoparticle-anchored N-doped porous carbon nanofiber interlayers for superior performance lithium metal anodes

International audienc

A study on ductile fracture of coiled tubing based on cohesive zone model

Aiming at the characteristics of small diameter and thin wall of coiled tubing (CT), arc specimens were cut from a length of CT longitudinally. Tensile tests were conducted to get elastic-plastic constitutive curve, and fracture tests were done to obtain relationships among loading force, load line displacement, crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) and crack propagation. Based on the results of the fracture tests, optimal cohesive parameters of Park-Paulino-Roesler (PPR) model for CT steel were determined by means of an inverse analysis based on the modifieded Levenberg-Marquardt optimization algorithm, and an effective cohesive zone model (CZM) was proposed for CT steel. By embedding the optimal CZM into the ABAQUS software via a user-defined subroutine UMAT, the ductile fracture of CT with a transverse surface crack was studied under two typical operating conditions: working in a wellbore and being wound back to a reel. Critical loading forces and critical crack sizes corresponding to crack initiation are determined, and methods of safety assessment for the cracked CT are given

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Sequential C–H Arylation/Aerobic Oxidative C–H Amination: One-Pot Synthesis of Benzimidazole-Fused Phenanthridines from 2‑Arylbenzimidazoles and Aryl Halides

Starting from 2-arylbenzimidazoles and aryl halides, an efficient palladium-based catalytic method for the synthesis of benzimidazole-fused phenanthridines has been developed. This reaction sequence comprises intermolecular C–H arylation and intramolecular aerobic oxidative C–H amination, involving the rupture of two C–H bonds, one C–X bond, and one N–H bond in one pot. The Pd^II–Pd^IV–Pd^II and Pd^II–Pd⁰–Pd^II catalytic cycles work together under the reported conditions to generate phenanthridines with diverse substituents