Probability-Based Crack Width Estimation Model for Flexural Members of Underground RC Box Culverts

Crack control for slabs and beams in current design practices in Korea are based on the Frosch’s model, which is adapted in ACI 318. It is more difficult to have consistent quality control in underground construction sites, such as the RC box culverts used for electric power distribution built below the ground level. There are more discrepancies between the as-built dimensions and the design dimensions provided in drawings in these structures. Due to this variability in construction error, the crack widths measured in such structures have higher potential to have more differences than the calculated values. Although crack control is a serviceability concern, if the owner chooses to have a target crack width that needs better control, crack width estimations can be improved by considering such construction variability. The probability-based crack width model suggested in this study will allow minimizing the discrepancies between the measured and calculated crack widths and provide reliable estimations of crack widths. Typical size of slabs and beams ranging between 300 mm (12 in.) to 500 mm (20 in.) used in underground RC box culverts in Korea were tested under the four-point bending test program. The thicker specimens had smaller bar spacings which created more cracks with smaller crack widths. However, with smaller crack widths generated in these specimens, there were more errors between the measurements and calculated values. From site investigations in Korea, the thickness of slabs in underground box culverts varied the most among all parameters. As a result, the bottom concrete covers had the highest variability. Bottom concrete covers and bar spacings are the two most important parameters in concrete crack control. A probability-based crack width estimation model for flexural members was developed in this study to consider this construction variability. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to evaluate the probabilistic characteristics of the design surface crack widths with a target width of either 0.3 mm (12 mils) or 0.5 mm (20 mils). The probabilistic models of design variables included in the crack width estimation model were generated based on field-collected information from construction sites in Korea. Because the surface crack widths in RC flexural members are sensitive to the construction errors of concrete cover depths, and since there are differences between the assumed and actual stress distribution closer to the reinforcing bars, the probability of having surface cracks of 0.3 mm width (12 mils) is found to be quite high, such as 89% at the positive moment region (mid-span, bottom surface) of the top slab in RC box culverts and 45% for the negative moment region (support area, top surface) of the top slab with current design practice. In order to ensure crack widths to be smaller than the design target width, probability-based crack width factors are recommended in this study to improve estimations depending on the selected target reliability levels

MODULATORY EFFECT OF PERIOSTRACUM CICADAE AND BETULAE CORTEX EXTRACTS ON THE ACTIVATION OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS-RELATED ION CHANNELS ORAI1 AND TRPV3

Background: The cast-off shells of Cryptotympana pustulata (Periostracum Cicadae, PC) and the bark of Betula platyphylla (Betulae Cortex, BC) are used as traditional medicines for the treatment of skin diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the regulatory effects of PC and BC extracts on the activation of the ion channels, calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (ORAI1) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 3 (TRPV3). Materials and Methods: Human HEK293T cells, co-overexpressing ORAI1/stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) or overexpressing TRPV3, were treated with PC or BC extracts at 0.1 mg/mL. The changes in ORAI1 and TRPV3 activities were measured using a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results: PC and BC extracts significantly decreased ORAI1 activation in ORAI1-STIM1 co-overexpressing HEK293T cells and significantly increased TRPV3 activation in TRPV3 overexpressing cells, compared to that of 2- aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB, 100 μM), a known agonist of TRPV3. Conclusion: Our results suggest that PC and BC extracts have therapeutic potential to improve skin barrier abnormalities in atopic dermatitis via modulation of ORAI1 and TRPV3 activation

Efficacy of Anticholinergics for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome in Young and Middle-Aged Patients: A Single-Blinded, Prospective, Multi-Center Study

Purpose Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) exhibits variable lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of LUTS and the efficacy of an anticholinergic agent in young and middle-aged CP/CPPS patients. Methods Ninety-six men with CP/CPPS were randomly assigned in a single-blind fashion and received either ciprofloxacin (group 1, 49 patients) or ciprofloxacin and solifenacin (5 mg/day; group 2, 47 patients) for 8 weeks. The National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) were used to grade the patients' symptoms and the quality of life impact at the start of the study, and at 4 and 8 weeks from the initiation of the study. Results There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 with respect to age, duration of disease, or sub-domains of the IPSS, NIH-CPSI, or IIEF-5 at baseline. Of these patients, 67.4% had LUTS. Statistically significant differences were determined via the NIH-CPSI for total score and the pain and urinary domain scores. Statistically significant differences were determined via the IPSS for total score and the storage domain score. The total score of the IIEF-5 increased, but the change was not significant. There was no statistically significant difference in residual urine. Conclusions Many CP/CPPS patients had LUTS. Solifenacin in CP/CPPS demonstrated improvements in the NIH-CPSI and the IPSS total score and storage score. Storage factors significantly improved via the NIH-CPSI and IPSS assessments in the solifenacin treatment group

Small intestinal model for electrically propelled capsule endoscopy

The aim of this research is to propose a small intestine model for electrically propelled capsule endoscopy. The electrical stimulus can cause contraction of the small intestine and propel the capsule along the lumen. The proposed model considered the drag and friction from the small intestine using a thin walled model and Stokes' drag equation. Further, contraction force from the small intestine was modeled by using regression analysis. From the proposed model, the acceleration and velocity of various exterior shapes of capsule were calculated, and two exterior shapes of capsules were proposed based on the internal volume of the capsules. The proposed capsules were fabricated and animal experiments were conducted. One of the proposed capsules showed an average (SD) velocity in forward direction of 2.91 ± 0.99 mm/s and 2.23 ± 0.78 mm/s in the backward direction, which was 5.2 times faster than that obtained in previous research. The proposed model can predict locomotion of the capsule based on various exterior shapes of the capsule

Auxin response factor 2 (ARF2) plays a major role in regulating auxin-mediated leaf longevity

Auxin regulates a variety of physiological and developmental processes in plants. Although auxin acts as a suppressor of leaf senescence, its exact role in this respect has not been clearly defined, aside from circumstantial evidence. It was found here that ARF2 functions in the auxin-mediated control of Arabidopsis leaf longevity, as discovered by screening EMS mutant pools for a delayed leaf senescence phenotype. Two allelic mutations, ore14-1 and 14-2, caused a highly significant delay in all senescence parameters examined, including chlorophyll content, the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, membrane ion leakage, and the expression of senescence-associated genes. A delay of senescence symptoms was also observed under various senescence-accelerating conditions, where detached leaves were treated with darkness, phytohormones, or oxidative stress. These results indicate that the gene defined by these mutations might be a key regulatory genetic component controlling functional leaf senescence. Map-based cloning of ORE14 revealed that it encodes ARF2, a member of the auxin response factor (ARF) protein family, which modulates early auxin-induced gene expression in plants. The ore14/arf2 mutation also conferred an increased sensitivity to exogenous auxin in hypocotyl growth inhibition, thereby demonstrating that ARF2 is a repressor of auxin signalling. Therefore, the ore14/arf2 lesion appears to cause reduced repression of auxin signalling with increased auxin sensitivity, leading to delayed senescence. Altogether, our data suggest that ARF2 positively regulates leaf senescence in Arabidopsis

Protective Effects of Platycodon grandiflorum Aqueous Extract on Thioacetamide-induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure in Mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective activity of aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum (BC703) on thioacetamide (TA)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. We found that BC703 significantly decreased mortality and the change in serum transaminase following TA administration. The group treated with BC703 at doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg produced significant hepatoprotective effects against TA-induced liver damage by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation in dose-dependent manners. Histopathological studies further substantiated the protective effect of BC703. These results show the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum on thioacetamide-induced fulminant hepatic failure

A Clinical Pilot Study Showing the Safety and Efficacy of Intramuscular Injection of Atelocollagen for Prevention of Paraspinal Muscle Atrophy after Spine Surgery

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of intramuscular injection of atelocollagen for the prevention of paraspinal muscle atrophy after spine surgery. Atelcollagen has been widely used as an intradermal filler to restore soft tissue defect. Many studies demonstrated that atelocollagen provides good therapeutic results by promoting cell proliferation and enhances the healing effect on injured connective tissues such as tendons and fasciae, while causing few complications. Methods A total of 118 patients who underwent single level of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PILF) between December 2017 and April 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. In the study group of 60 patients, 3 mL of gel-type 3% atelocollagen solution was prepared and injected into the multifidus muscle during wound closure. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by the improvement of back pain, elevation of a muscle enzyme, and inflammatory markers. Radiologic efficacy was evaluated with a comparison of density and cross-sectional area (CSA) of multifidus and erector spinae muscle in CT images. Results Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for back pain was not significantly lower in the study group postoperatively compared with the control group. The reduction of postoperative paraspinal muscle density and CSA was significantly lower in the study group. The serum level of muscle enzyme and inflammatory markers were significantly lower in the study group. No major procedure-related complications were observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion Intramuscular injection of atelocollagen is safe and feasible for the prevention of paraspinal muscle atrophy after spine surgery. This novel method seems advantageous for accelerating wound healing without causing inflammation