Basalt-polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete for durable and sustainable pipe production. Part 1: experimental program

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [ Deng, Z, Liu, X, Chen, P, et al. Basalt-polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete for durable and sustainable pipe production. Part 1: Experimental program. Structural Concrete. 2022; 23: 311– 327. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.202000759], which has been published in final form at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/suco.202000759. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.An experimental program consisting in producing and testing reinforced concrete pipes (RCPs) under the three-edge bearing tests considering different types of reinforcement was carried out. Four types of RCPs were produced, these reinforced with: (1) polypropylene macrofibers; (2) basalt microfibers; (3) combination of both (hybrid reinforcement); and (4) plain concrete. The analysis of the crack patterns and both service and ultimate mechanical responses allowed concluding that the use of fibers do not lead to an effective increase of the first cracking load; however, both types of fibers allowed a better crack width control respect to the standard RCP. In this regard, basalt microfiber reinforced concrete led to a better response caused by concentrated loads (jacketing) whilst polypropylene macrofibers increased the concrete pipe performance in terms of bearing capacity and flexural crack control. The hybrid fiber reinforced concrete was found to be the most suitable alternative for increasing the load bearing capacity and the crack width control for service loads. These incipient experimental results permit to conclude that this type of hybrid basalt-polypropylene fiber reinforced concretes are an interesting alternative to traditional steel-cage RCPs.This work is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1504802), Natural Science Foundation Project of Chongqing, Chongqing Science and Technology Commission (cstc2018jscxmszdX0071), Postgraduate Research Innovation Project of Chongqing (CYS19005, CYS18026). In addition, Prof. Albert de la Fuente also wants to express his gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the financial support received under the scope of the project CREEF (PID2019-108978RB-C32).Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Genetic Polymorphisms in CYP2E1: Association with Schizophrenia Susceptibility and Risperidone Response in the Chinese Han Population

CYP2E1 is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, which is involved in the metabolism and activation of both endobiotics and xenobiotics. The genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1 gene (Chromosome 10q26.3, Accession Number NC_000010.10) are reported to be related to the development of several mental diseases and to be involved in the clinical efficacy of some psychiatric medications. We investigated the possible association of CYP2E1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Chinese Han Population as well as the relationship with response to risperidone in schizophrenia patients.In a case-control study, we identified 11 polymorphisms in the 5' flanking region of CYP2E1 in 228 schizophrenia patients and 384 healthy controls of Chinese Han origin. From among the cases, we chose 130 patients who had undergone 8 weeks of risperidone monotherapy to examine the relationship between their response to risperidone and CYP2E1 polymorphisms. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).Statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies were found between cases and controls at rs8192766 (genotype p = 0.0048, permutation p = 0.0483) and rs2070673 (allele: p = 0.0018, permutation p = 0.0199, OR = 1.4528 95%CI = 1.1487-1.8374; genotype: p = 0.0020, permutation p = 0.0225). In addition, a GTCAC haplotype containing 5 SNPs (rs3813867, rs2031920, rs2031921, rs3813870 and rs2031922) was observed to be significantly associated with schizophrenia (p = 7.47E-12, permutation p<0.0001). However, no association was found between CYP2E1 polymorphisms/haplotypes and risperidone response.Our results suggest that CYP2E1 may be a potential risk gene for schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population. However, polymorphisms of the CYP2E1 gene may not contribute significantly to individual differences in the therapeutic efficacy of risperidone. Further studies in larger groups are warranted to confirm our results

Static Magnetic Field Exposure Reproduces Cellular Effects of the Parkinson's Disease Drug Candidate ZM241385

This study was inspired by coalescing evidence that magnetic therapy may be a viable treatment option for certain diseases. This premise is based on the ability of moderate strength fields (i.e., 0.1 to 1 Tesla) to alter the biophysical properties of lipid bilayers and in turn modulate cellular signaling pathways. In particular, previous results from our laboratory (Wang et al., BMC Genomics, 10, 356 (2009)) established that moderate strength static magnetic field (SMF) exposure altered cellular endpoints associated with neuronal function and differentiation. Building on this background, the current paper investigated SMF by focusing on the adenosine A(2A) receptor (A(2A)R) in the PC12 rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line that displays metabolic features of Parkinson's disease (PD).SMF reproduced several responses elicited by ZM241385, a selective A(2A)R antagonist, in PC12 cells including altered calcium flux, increased ATP levels, reduced cAMP levels, reduced nitric oxide production, reduced p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation, inhibited proliferation, and reduced iron uptake. SMF also counteracted several PD-relevant endpoints exacerbated by A(2A)R agonist CGS21680 in a manner similar to ZM241385; these include reduction of increased expression of A(2A)R, reversal of altered calcium efflux, dampening of increased adenosine production, reduction of enhanced proliferation and associated p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation, and inhibition of neurite outgrowth.When measured against multiple endpoints, SMF elicited qualitatively similar responses as ZM241385, a PD drug candidate. Provided that the in vitro results presented in this paper apply in vivo, SMF holds promise as an intriguing non-invasive approach to treat PD and potentially other neurological disorders

A framework of Economic-Social-Natural sustainability evaluation based on multidimensional land-use ecological niche theory: Evidence in Shendong CEBs, China

Coal-electricity base cities (CEBs) are coal-based electric energy centralized and sustained production and output cities built following China’s strategic energy layout, in regions with abundant coal resources, and by the integrated coal-electricity production model. However, CEBs are mainly located in the ecologically fragile area, and coal mining activities and anthropogenic pressures caused a series of land ecological effects such as dramatic land resources change, the alleviation of land supply and demand conflict, and land damage surrounding mining area. Currently, there is not enough research on land use in CEBs, and less attention has been paid to variation ecological system response. Aiming at this problem, the research constructed a modeling framework for evaluating the spatial and temporal evolution of land use characteristics and ecological response of CEBs land use from the perspective of “Economic-Social-Natural” by adopting methods of land transfer matrix, cluster analysis, ecological niche theory, and center of gravity model. Shendong mining area was accordingly chosen as the research region to explore the multidimensional land use dynamic evolution by bringing into the evaluating framework. Therefore, the Shendong area was accordingly chosen as the research region, and land is used as the spatial carrier to explore the evaluation effect of the model framework. The result showed that grassland played a considerable role in the procedure of land transformation with the greatest utilization degree, followed by cultivated land and used land. For ecological niche, mining land and water area dominated the core economic niche, mining land, and construction land occupied the social niche, mining land controlled mostly natural niche and comprehensive niche value. In terms of ecologically integrated and comprehensive quantitative evaluation response, the production functional area, living functional area, and ecological functional area of CEBs were also quantitatively depicted and evaluated. Ecological management should focus on the downtown area of Shenmu and optimize land use patterns by increasing vegetation cover. This study combines different types of indicators to derive regional differences in ecological niches, providing an assessment method for decision makers and stakeholders to optimize land use structure and improve the ecological benefits of CEBs

Experiment Study on Mechanical Evolution Characteristics of Coal and Rock under Three-Dimensional Triaxial Stress

The surrounding rock is in a complex stress environment and its mechanical behavior is also complex, especially after the excavation of the coal seam, the phenomenon of stress release of surrounding rock often occurs. The vertical stress and horizontal stress of the surrounding rock mass will have a series of complex changes. In underground engineering, rock mass is affected by dead weight pressure and tectonic stress. With coal mine production, the original stress of surrounding rock is demolished, and the destruction of surrounding rock is reflected in the loading and unloading failure of three-dimensional stress. Aiming at the phenomenon, this paper takes the Pingshuo East open-pit mine as the research background, and the experiments on physical and mechanical parameters of coal and rock mass was carried out, obtaining the coal and rock mechanics parameters, such as elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, internal friction angle, cohesive force, etc. The stress strain curve was created based on the conventional triaxial experiment of coal and rock under different confining pressure conditions. According to the characteristics of these curves, we obtain underground engineering rock mass unloading stress–strain variation characteristics. Through establishing a stress–strain equation based on confining pressure, we finally describe the mechanical failure characteristics of rock under triaxial stress

Curcumin, Inflammation, and Chronic Diseases: How Are They Linked?

It is extensively verified that continued oxidative stress and oxidative damage may lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn can mediate most chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurological, inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary diseases. Curcumin, a yellow coloring agent extracted from turmeric, shows strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities when used as a remedy for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. How oxidative stress activates inflammatory pathways leading to the progression of chronic diseases is the focus of this review. Thus, research to date suggests that chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and most chronic diseases are closely linked, and the antioxidant properties of curcumin can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammation diseases

Extraction Optimization by Response Surface Methodology and Physicochemical Properties of Total Flavonoids from Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Ness

Objective: To optimize the reflux extraction technology by the response surface methodology and evaluate the stability and antioxidant activity of the total flavonoids from Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Ness. Methods: The best conditions of extracting total flavonoids from Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Ness were screened by the response surface methodology based on single factor experiments with the ratio of materials to liquid, ethanol volume fraction, extraction times and extraction temperature as factors with the yield of total flavonoids as index. Meanwhile, the stability was evaluated at different temperatures, light, pH and metal ions and the antioxidant activity was measured by scavenging of DPPH. Results: The results showed that optimal process obtained were as follows: Materials to liquid was 1:23 g/mL, ethanol volume fraction was 55%, extraction time was 20 min and extraction temperature was 70 ℃. The yield of total flavonoids was 9.02 mg/g. The total flavonoids from Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Ness under the optimal extraction process was stable at 30~90 ℃ and pH4~9 and not stable in metal ions of Cu2+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Ba2+. IC50 of total flavonoids from Rostellularia procumbens (L.) Ness to DPPH free radical was 0.079 mg/mL. Conclusion: The reflux extraction technology by the response surface methodology was rational and feasible and the extract exhibited good stability and antioxidant activity

Study on the pipe friction resistance in long-distance rock pipe jacking engineering

Previous studies on pipe friction resistance are mainly concentrated in the soil layer, whereas the study on that in the rock stratum is limited. To estimate the pipe friction resistance in the rock stratum, the calculation models of pipe friction resistance and their application conditions were compared first. Then the friction resistance calculation model for pipe jacking in the rock stratum was established and simplified. Lastly, the measured (FM) and the computed (FN) pipe friction resistance was compared to validate the simplified friction resistance calculation model. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) The existing calculation methods of pipe friction resistance can be well verified in the soil layer but cannot be applied in the rock stratum. (2) Sediment, pipe–rock friction coefficient and mud buoyancy are the main factors affecting the pipe friction resistance in long-distance rock pipe jacking engineering. (3) The simplified calculation model established by Deng et al. can estimate the pipe friction resistance in different rock strata at different jacking stages with satisfactory outcomes. Further research on the pipe-rock friction coefficient in different rock strata with different pipe–rock contact conditions merits further investigation to better predict the pipe friction resistance in the rock stratum. The research results have certain practicability and can provide a reference for similar projects

Assessing the performance of the pilot national parks in China

The continuous decline of global biodiversity highlights the need for the expansion and improved performance of protected areas (PAs) to achieve the Post-2020 Biodiversity Targets and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. China proposed the establishment of a national park (NP) system and carried out transformative explorations in 10 pilot NPs, however, it is unclear to what extent the pilot NPs represent China’s biodiversity and resolve management issues. To answer this question, we assessed the performance of the pilot NPs by analyzing the representativeness across typical ecosystems, biodiversity priority areas, and ecosystem services, and by analyzing the management effectiveness of reorganizing the existing PAs and improving the management intensity and man-land relationships. We found that China’s pilot NPs achieved improved representativeness and management effectiveness through range expansion and optimization, institution streamlining, and cohesive management. Compared with the existing PAs, the area of protected typical ecosystems, biodiversity priority areas, and key areas of ecosystem services in the 10 pilot NPs increased by 59.6%, 59.6%, and 54.1% on average, respectively, with a similar land cost overall. The 10 pilot NPs integrated 142 existing PAs of seven categories. The protected areas expanded by 19.4%, and the area under strict protection increased by 42.1%. Additionally, the pilot NPs effectively reduced human disturbance and improved management effectiveness through necessary relocation and enhanced land management. Moving forward, the boundaries and zoning of the NPs should be further optimized, and efforts should be directed to strengthen the governing capacity building, improve the legislation system, increase the financing investment, and promote the value realization of ecological products