DYNAMIC CONSTRUCTION CONTROL METHOD FOR A DEEP FOUNDATION PIT WITH SAND-PEBBLE GEOLOGY

Taking the water-rich sand and pebble geology deep foundation pit of Jinfu Station of Chengdu Metro Line 6 as the research object, combined with the ladder excavation method of slotting, utilizing finite difference software FLAC 3D as well as on-site monitoring result, the deformation law of the diaphragm wall during the dynamic excavation of the foundation pit is analysed, and the influence of the relative stiffness between the vertical and horizontal walls of the foundation pit on the lateral deformation of the retaining structure is discussed. The results show that while using the ladder excavation method of slotting, the maximum lateral displacement of the underground diaphragm walls decreases gradually with the excavation depth of the foundation pit, which occurs at the intersection of the middle point of the oblique excavation line and the step distance section of the transverse excavation. Additionally, the lateral displacement increases closer to the excavation section. The lateral displacement of the envelope enclosure mainly depends on the relative constraint stiffness of the vertical and horizontal underground diaphragm wall of the foundation pit. The use of the ladder layered excavation method of slotting can effectively reduce the lateral displacement of the underground diaphragm wall. The simulated result and on-site monitoring result are nearly the same. These results can provide a corresponding theory and engineering basis for the selection of excavation methods for the same type of sand and pebble stratum foundation pit

Characterization of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol and Its Induction of Oxidative Stress Response in Oral Keratinocytes.

In this study, we have generated and characterized Electronic Cigarette (EC) aerosols using a combination of advanced technologies. In the gas phase, the particle number concentration (PNC) of EC aerosols was found to be positively correlated with puff duration whereas the PNC and size distribution may vary with different flavors and nicotine strength. In the liquid phase (water or cell culture media), the size of EC nanoparticles appeared to be significantly larger than those in the gas phase, which might be due to aggregation of nanoparticles in the liquid phase. By using in vitro high-throughput cytotoxicity assays, we have demonstrated that EC aerosols significantly decrease intracellular levels of glutathione in NHOKs in a dose-dependent fashion resulting in cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that EC aerosols cause cytotoxicity to oral epithelial cells in vitro, and the underlying molecular mechanisms may be or at least partially due to oxidative stress induced by toxic substances (e.g., nanoparticles and chemicals) present in EC aerosols

E-cigarette aerosols induce unfolded protein response in normal human oral keratinocytes.

Objective: Since the introduction in 2004, global usage of e-cigarettes (ECs) has risen exponentially. However, the risks of ECs on oral health are uncertain. The purpose of this study is to understand if EC aerosol exposure impacts the gene pathways of normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOKs), particularly the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. Materials and methods: EC aerosols were generated reproducibly with a home-made puffing device and impinged into the culture medium for NHOKs. DNA microarrays were used to profile the gene expression changes in NHOKs treated with EC aerosols, and the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used to reveal signaling pathways altered by the EC aerosols. Quantitative PCR was used to validate the expression changes of significantly altered genes. Results: DNA microarray profiling followed by IPA revealed a number of signaling pathways, such as UPR, cell cycle regulation, TGF-β signaling, NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response, PI3K/AKT signaling, NF-κB signaling, and HGF signaling, activated by EC aerosols in NHOKs. The UPR pathway genes, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), X box binding protein 1 (XBP1), and inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α) were all significantly up-regulated in EC aerosol-treated NHOKs whereas immunoglobulin heavy-chain binding protein (BIP) and PRKR-like ER kinase (PERK) were slightly up-regulated. qPCR analysis results were found to be well correlated with those from the DNA microarray analysis. The most significantly changed genes in EC aerosol-treated NHOKs versus untreated NHOKs were CHOP, ATF4, XBP1, IRE1α and BIP. Meanwhile, Western blot analysis confirmed that CHOP, GRP78 (BIP), ATF4, IRE1α and XBP1s (spliced XBP1) were significantly up-regulated in NHOKs treated with EC aerosols. Conclusion: Our results indicate that EC aerosols up-regulate the UPR pathway genes in NHOKs, and the induction of UPR response is mediated by the PERK - EIF2α - ATF4 and IRE1α - XBP1 pathways

NEFA-Sensitive Orai1 Expression in Regulation of De Novo Lipogenesis

Background/Aims: Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are important inducers of inflammatory responses and hepatic lipid accumulation, which lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). High plasma NEFA is found in NAFLD patients, and associated with metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. NFκB is known to upregulate Orai1, the Ca2+ channel responsible for store-operated Ca2+ entry. The present study explored the role of NEFA-sensitive NFκB-dependent Orai1 expression in the regulation of lipid synthesis. Methods: BRL-3A rat liver hepatocyte lines were studied in the absence and presence of NEFA. Transcript and protein expression levels of factors involved in lipid synthesis were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analyses. Fatty acids were measured by immunofluorescence. Results: NEFA significantly increased, as indicated by the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACC1), Orai1, and NFκB p65 by qPCR and western blot analyses. These effects were reversed by the Orai1 inhibitor, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, and the NFκB inhibitor, wogonin. Furthermore, SREBP-1c, FAS, ACC1, and Orai1 were significantly decreased by Orai1 silencing. Conclusions: Taken together, these results demonstrated that NEFA-sensitive NFκB-dependent Orai1 expression regulates de novo lipogenesis

Survival after radiofrequency ablation and/or chemotherapy for lung cancer and pulmonary metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) and chemotherapy are used to treat lung cancer or pulmonary metastases, but no direct comparison of overall survival (OS) has been published. The present study aimed to assess the OS of RFA and/or chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer or pulmonary metastases who were not candidates for surgical resection.MethodsTo identify relevant studies, the following databases were electronically searched from their inception to 31 March 2023: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid, ScienceDirect, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Wanfang Database, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Chictr.org. Manual retrieval was also conducted. We used published hazard ratios (HRs) if available or estimates from other survival data.ResultsA total of 1,387 participants from 14 trials were included in the final analysis. Patients treated with RFA combined with chemotherapy significantly improved OS compared with those treated with chemotherapy alone [HR 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41–0.61; p < 0.00001], with an absolute difference at 12 months of 29.6% (95% CI 23.7–35.5), at 24 months of 19.2% (95% CI 10.1–28.2), and at 36 months of 22.9% (95% CI 12.0–33.7). No statistically significant difference was observed in the subgroups of case type, cancer type, chemotherapy drugs, and tumor size. The HR for OS with RFA plus chemotherapy vs. RFA alone was 0.53 (95% CI 0.41–0.70; p < 0.00001), corresponding to a 27.1% (95% CI 18.3–35.8), 31.0% (95% CI 19.9–41.9), and 24.9% (95% CI 15.0–34.7) absolute difference in survival at 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months, respectively. Subgroup analysis by geographic region and TNM stage showed that RFA combined with chemotherapy still significantly improved OS compared to RFA. The HR of RFA vs. chemotherapy was 0.98 (95% CI 0.60–1.60; p = 0.94), with an absolute difference at 12 months of 1.4% (95% CI -19.2 to 22.1), at 24 months of 7.8% (95% CI -11.3 to 26.8), and at 36 months of 0.3% (95% CI -13.2 to 13.8). The overall indirect comparison of OS for RFA vs. chemotherapy was 0.95 (95% CI 0.72–1.26; p = 0.74). Data on progression-free survival were not sufficiently reported.ConclusionRFA combined with chemotherapy might be a better treatment option for patients with lung cancer or pulmonary metastases than chemotherapy alone or RFA alone. The comparison between RFA and/or chemotherapy remains to be specifically tested.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=335032, identifier CRD42022335032

Targeting the metabolic profile of amino acids to identify the key metabolic characteristics in cerebral palsy

BackgroundCerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor impairment. In this study, we aimed to describe the characteristics of amino acids (AA) in the plasma of children with CP and identify AA that could play a potential role in the auxiliary diagnosis and treatment of CP.MethodsUsing high performance liquid chromatography, we performed metabolomics analysis of AA in plasma from 62 CP children and 60 healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then applied to characterize different AA. AA markers associated with CP were then identified by machine learning based on the Lasso regression model for the validation of intra-sample interactions. Next, we calculated a discriminant formula and generated a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on the marker combination in the discriminant diagnostic model.ResultsA total of 33 AA were detected in the plasma of CP children and controls. Compared with controls, 5, 7, and 10 different AA were identified in total participants, premature infants, and full-term infants, respectively. Of these, β-amino-isobutyric acid [p = 2.9*10(−4), Fold change (FC) = 0.76, Variable importance of protection (VIP) = 1.75], tryptophan [p = 5.4*10(−4), FC = 0.87, VIP = 2.22], and asparagine [p = 3.6*10(−3), FC = 0.82, VIP = 1.64], were significantly lower in the three groups of CP patients than that in controls. The combination of β-amino-isobutyric acid, tryptophan, and taurine, provided high levels of diagnostic classification and risk prediction efficacy for preterm children with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.8741 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7322–1.000]. The discriminant diagnostic formula for preterm infant with CP based on the potential marker combination was defined by p = 1/(1 + e−(8.295–0.3848* BAIBA-0.1120*Trp + 0.0108*Tau)).ConclusionFull-spectrum analysis of amino acid metabolomics revealed a distinct profile in CP, including reductions in the levels of β-amino-isobutyric acid, tryptophan, and taurine. Our findings shed new light on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of premature infants with CP

La croissance et l'application de couches minces développées par dépôt de couche atomique (ALD)

Nous avons étudié les mécanismes de croissance du dépôt atomique couche par couche (ALD) de films minces de ZnO, TiO2, Al2O3 et HfO2, en particulier en utilisant le traçage isotopique stable en conjonction avec les techniques d'analyse par faisceau d'ions isotopiquement sensibles, à savoir, la Spectrométrie de rétrodiffusion de Rutherford (RBS), l’analyse de détection de recul élastique (ERDA) et l’analyse de réaction nucléaire (NRA). En utilisant des précurseurs ALD marqués au deutérium, isotope rare, nous distinguons l'origine des éléments bruts et des impuretés dans chacun des films - de l'un ou l'autre des précurseurs, ou des gaz résiduels dans la chambre de réaction. Les contributions relatives sont suivies en fonction de la température de dépôt, du bas vers le haut de la fenêtre de température ALD. Nous avons constaté que la structure de surface du film pouvait être lisse ou rugueuse selon les matériaux déposés. En faisant croître différents couples de films A-sur-B ou B-sur-A, dans des précurseurs différemment marqués, nous avons mis en évidence le rôle de la molécule d'eau dans le mécanisme de croissance multicouche, et avons pu observer la diffusion atomique de H et D dans le système multicouche. Dans un système multicouche, nous avons développé un prototype de structure sandwich qui facilite le transport des ions protons lorsque le film multicouche est polarisé électriquement dans un électrolyte acide également enrichi en deutérium ou utilisant des acides marqués au deutérium, dans des conditions pertinentes pour le fonctionnement des batteries proton-ion (PIB).We have studied the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) growth mechanisms of ZnO, TiO2, Al2O3 and HfO2 thin films, in particular using stable isotopic tracing in conjunction with the isotopically sensitive ion beam analysis techniques Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA) and Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA). By using ALD precursors labelled in rare isotope deuterium we distinguish the origin of the bulk and impurity elements in each of the films - from one or other of the precursors, or from residual gases in the reaction chamber. The relative contributions are followed as a function of deposition temperature, from below to above the ALD temperature window. We show by NRA determination of carbon in the films that there is a narrower temperature range, within the ALD window, for which residual contaminants are minimized. We found that the film surface structure could be smooth or rough depending on the grown materials. By growing different couples of films A-on-B or B-on-A, in differently labelled precursors, we highlight the role of the water molecule in the multilayer growth mechanism, and could observe the H and D atomic diffusion in the multilayer system. In the TiO2/ZnO multilayer system, we developed a prototype sandwich structure that facilitates proton ion transport when the multilayer film is electrically polarized in an acid electrolyte also enriched in deuterium or using deuterium labelled acids, under conditions relevant to the operation of proton ion batteries (PIB). The depth distributions of H and D established in this system by ERDA showed fast galvanostatic proton insertion and extraction. We have studied the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) growth mechanisms of ZnO, TiO2, Al2O3 and HfO2 thin films, in particular using stable isotopic tracing in conjunction with the isotopically sensitive ion beam analysis techniques Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis (ERDA) and Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA). By using ALD precursors labelled in rare isotope deuterium we distinguish the origin of the bulk and impurity elements in each of the films - from one or other of the precursors, or from residual gases in the reaction chamber. The relative contributions are followed as a function of deposition temperature, from below to above the ALD temperature window. We show by NRA determination of carbon in the films that there is a narrower temperature range, within the ALD window, for which residual contaminants are minimized. We found that the film surface structure could be smooth or rough depending on the grown materials. By growing different couples of films A-on-B or B-on-A, in differently labelled precursors, we highlight the role of the water molecule in the multilayer growth mechanism, and could observe the H and D atomic diffusion in the multilayer system. In the TiO2/ZnO multilayer system, we developed a prototype sandwich structure that facilitates proton ion transport when the multilayer film is electrically polarized in an acid electrolyte also enriched in deuterium or using deuterium labelled acids, under conditions relevant to the operation of proton ion batteries (PIB). The depth distributions of H and D established in this system by ERDA showed fast galvanostatic proton insertion and extraction

strengthening qim-based watermarking by non-uniform discrete cosine transform

Motion Pictures Laboratories, Inc.; Thomson; Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS); Vision Research Lab, UCSB; INRIABeing extremely precise and at a low loss of perceptual quality, the attacks of value modification and optimized noise reduction still threaten the watermarking based on quantization index modulation (QIM). To resist them, the paper construct