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Chiral conjugated polymer has promoted the development of the efficient circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) device, nevertheless, it remains a challenge to develop chiral polymers with high electroluminescence performance. Herein, by the acceptor copolymerization of axially chiral biphenyl emitting skeleton and benzophenone, a pair of axially chiral conjugated polymers namely R‐PAC and S‐PAC are synthesized. The target polymers exhibit obvious thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) activities with high photoluminescence quantum yields of 81%. Moreover, the chiral polymers display significant circularly polarized luminescence features, with luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) of nearly 3 × 10−3. By using the chiral polymers as emitters, the corresponding circularly polarized organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐OLEDs) exhibit efficient CPEL signals with electroluminescence dissymmetry factor |gEL| of 3.4 × 10−3 and high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 17.8%. Notably, considering both EQEmax and |gEL| comprehensively, the device performance of R‐PAC and S‐PAC is the best among all the reported CP‐OLEDs with chiral conjugated polymers as emitters. This work provides a facile approach to constructing chiral conjugated TADF polymers and discloses the potential of axially chiral conjugated luminescent skeletons in architecting high‐performance CP‐OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-specific endonucleases can be used for the digestion of nucleic acids because they hydrolyze DNA/RNA into 3–5 base pairs (bp) length oligonucleotide fragments without strict selectivity. In this work, a novel non-specific endonuclease from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PfNuc) with high activities for both DNA and RNA was successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The production of PfNuc in flask scale could be achieved to 1.73 × 106 U/L and 4.82 × 106 U/L for DNA and RNA by investigation of the culture and induction conditions. The characterization of PfNuc indicated that it was Mg2+-dependent and the catalytic activity was enhanced by 3.74 folds for DNA and 1.06 folds for RNA in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+. The specific activity of PfNuc for DNA was 1.44 × 105 U/mg at pH 8.0 and 40 °C, and 3.93 × 105 U/mg for RNA at pH 8.5 and 45 °C. The Km of the enzyme for both DNA and RNA was close to 43 µM. The Vmax was 6.40 × 105 U/mg and 1.11 × 106 U/mg for DNA and RNA, respectively. There was no observed activity loss when PfNuc was stored at 4 °C and − 20 °C after 28 days or 10 repeated freeze–thaw cycles at − 80 °C. Molecular docking revealed that PfNuc formed 17 and 19 hydrogen bonds with single-stranded RNA and double-stranded DNA, respectively. These results could explain the high activity and stability of PfNuc, suggesting its great potential applications in the industry and clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Previous studies reported inconsistent results on the prevalence and prognostic implications of frailty among older adults with gastric cancer. This systematic review synthesized available literature pertaining on this topic to establish the prevalence and unfavorable outcomes of frailty in older adults with gastric cancer. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple English databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science as well as Chinese databases, namely, CNKI, Wan Fang, and CBM, from inception to July 4, 2023, to identify potential studies. Data related to the incidence of frailty and its unfavorable outcomes in older adults with gastric cancer were extracted. RevMan5.3 and R 4.2.2 were used to evaluate pooled prevalence, hazard ratios (HR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: This review comprehensively selected 13 studies, comprising 9 cohort studies and 4 cross-sectional studies, on 44,117 older adults diagnosed with gastric cancer. The incidence of frailty among older adults with gastric cancer ranged from 10 to 71%. The pooled prevalence of frailty was 29% (95% CI 0.21–0.39). Frailty was found to be associated with an elevated risk of postoperative complications (HR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.45–2.73), prolonged postoperative hospital stay (HR = 2.68, 95% CI 2.38–3.02), likelihood of readmission (HR = 3.28, 95% CI 1.77–6.08), and an increased mortality risk (HR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.36–1.90). Conclusions: Frailty was associated with a poor prognosis in older adults with gastric cancer. Clinical medical staff should focus on the frailty of older adults with gastric cancer, conduct large-scale, multicenter, and prospective studies and early screening of patients, and provide guidance for the implementation of prevention and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "[Retracted] Downregulation of long non-coding RNA GAS5 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma" has been retracted by the Editor of Oncology Letters due to concerns about the integrity of the data presented. An area of similarity was identified in the cellular data, and the western blots showed atypical and possibly anomalous protein bands. The authors were asked for an explanation but did not respond. The Editor apologizes for any inconvenience caused and thanks the concerned reader for bringing this matter to their attention. [Extracted from the article]

This paper comprehensively discusses the seismic performance of steel moment-resisting frames with hybrid-self-centring connections (SMRF-HSCC) employing energy dissipation sequences by probabilistic seismic assessment. The hysteretic model of the HSCC was first developed based on experimental results, and a simplified nonlinear-spring-based model to simulate the behaviour of the connection was proposed and verified by physical test data. A series of codified prototype structures were developed, considering the fracture behaviour of post-tensioned (PT) steel strands in the connections. The seismic performance of prototype structures was assessed in terms of nonlinear static analyses and nonlinear dynamic analyses. The results indicated that the hysteretic response of SMRF-HSCC exhibited trilinear hysteretic features with the expected energy dissipation sequences. The influence of the high-mode effects on SMRF-HSCC was mitigated with the increase in energy dissipation and post-yield stiffness of the structure. Finally, the fragility analyses of the prototype structures were further performed, and the risk assessment was also made considering a 50-year service period. The collapse probability and the exceedance probability of target residual drift over a 50-year service period of SMRF with conventional self-centring connections showing flag-shaped hysteresis were higher than that of SMRF-HSCCs. The results also confirmed that the collapse probability and exceedance probability of target residual drift over a 50-year service period of SMRF-HSCC can be adjusted by reasonably modulating the arrangement of the HSCCs. • Hybrid-self-centring connection (HSCC) was proposed. • The trilinear hysteretic model of the HSCC was developed. • Probabilistic seismic assessment of SMRF equipped with HSCCs was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel triptycene-fused hole transport material is designed and synthesized. • The HTM exhibits both high T 1 of 2.95 eV and large hole mobility of 9.73 × 10-5 cm2 V−1 s−1. • Efficient OLEDs based on this HTM show high EQE max of up to 33.5%, which are more prefer than the commercial HTMs. The improvement of high-performance organic light-emitting diodes (OELDs) is still attracted much attention in research and application fields. In an OLED device, the hole/electron transport layers, emitting layers and electrodes together determine the performance of the device. However, the development of hole transport materials (HTM) is severely fallen behind. Herein, we report a novel triptycene-derived HTM 2,6-di-[4-(N , N -di-p-tolyl-amino)-phenyl]triptycene (TAPT), which can transform the molecule from planar to 3D configuration. Compared with most of commercial HTMs, TAPT exhibits a relatively high T 1 of 2.95 eV, which is very helpful for blocking exciton leakage. Moreover, TAPT shows the hole mobility up to 9.73 × 10-5 cm2 V−1 s−1, which are almost two orders of magnitude higher than those commercial HTMs. By using TAPT as hole transport layer (HTL), it is further found that the fabricated OLEDs with various emitters display more preferable device performance than those using TAPC as HTL. This work provides an advanced approach for constructing high-performance hole transport materials and corresponding OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable Sn isotopes have been widely used to trace the planetary differentiation processes, the provenance and trade paths of ancient bronze artifacts, the mineralization history of tin ore deposits, and the terrestrial magmatic processes. However, systematic Sn isotope studies of felsic igneous rocks especially the Sn mineralization-related highly evolved granites are still lacking. In this study, we present the first high-precision Sn isotope data of two Sn-rich highly evolved S-type granites (Laochang and Kafang) from the world-class Gejiu Sn ore district. These granite samples show remarkably variable δ122/118Sn values (relative to the Sn standard solution NIST 3161a) ranging from 0.11 ± 0.02‰ to 0.93 ± 0.02‰ (2σ), which is the largest variation range reported in granites so far. The absence of correlations between Sn isotopes and LOI (loss-on-ignition) and ε Nd (t) values, along with the low magmatic oxygen fugacity (△FMQ < 0) for these granites, rule out hydrothermal alteration, wall-rock assimilation, source composition heterogeneity, and anatexis processes as causes of the Sn isotope fractionation. The Laochang granites show negative correlations between δ122/118Sn values and magmatic differentiation indicators (e.g., CaO, Fe 2 O 3 , Ti, Eu/Eu*, F/Cl), suggesting fractional crystallization increased the δ122/118Sn isotopes in the residual melts. The fractional crystallized minerals are mainly composed of biotite, plagioclase, and minor ilmenite. Compared with the Laochang granites, the Kafang granites show higher SiO 2 contents, F/Cl ratios, and δ122/118Sn values, suggesting the magma at this stage was fluid-saturated and fluid exsolution coupled with fractional crystallization would further enrich the heavy Sn isotopes in the residual melts. We further quantified the contributions of crystal fractionation and fluid exsolution on Sn isotopic variability using a Rayleigh fractionation model. The modeling indicates that △122/118Sn crystal-melt = −0.6 to −0.5‰ and △122/118Sn fluid-melt = −1.9 to −0.7‰ with an initial H 2 O content of 2 wt.% can explain the observed δ122/118Sn values of Gejiu granites. This study implies that both crystal fractionation and fluid exsolution processes cause increase of Sn isotopic values in the highly evolved granites and Sn isotopes are useful for tracing the evolution of highly differentiated igneous rocks. [Display omitted] • Sn-rich Gejiu highly evolved granites show remarkable Sn isotope fractionation (0.11–0.93‰ in δ 122 / 118 Sn). • Both the fractional crystallization and fluid exsolution processes could increase the Sn isotopes in the residual magmas. • The mineralization-related hydrothermal fluids at Gejiu deposit are exsolved from highly differentiated magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic helical π‐conjugated skeleton makes helicenes highly promising for circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL). Generally, carbon helicenes undergo low external quantum efficiency (EQE), while the incorporation of a multi‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) BN structure has led to an improvement. However, the reported B,N‐embedded helicenes all show low electroluminescence dissymmetry factors (gEL), typically around 1×10−3. Therefore, the development of B,N‐embedded helicenes with both a high EQE and gEL value is crucial for achieving highly efficient CPEL. Herein, a facile approach to synthesize B,N‐embedded hetero[9]helicenes, BN[9]H, is presented. BN[9]H shows a bright photoluminescence with a maximum at 578 nm with a high luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) up to 5.8×10−3, attributed to its inherited MR‐TADF property and intrinsic helical skeleton. Furthermore, circularly polarized OLED devices incorporating BN[9]H as an emitter show a maximum EQE of 35.5 %, a small full width at half‐maximum of 48 nm, and, more importantly, a high |gEL| value of 6.2×10−3. The Q‐factor (|EQE×gEL|) of CP‐OLEDs is determined to be 2.2×10−3, which is the highest among helicene analogues. This work provides a new approach for the synthesis of higher helicenes and paves a new way for the construction of highly efficient CPEL materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic helical π‐conjugated skeleton makes helicenes highly promising for circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL). Generally, carbon helicenes undergo low external quantum efficiency (EQE), while the incorporation of a multi‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) BN structure has led to an improvement. However, the reported B,N‐embedded helicenes all show low electroluminescence dissymmetry factors (gEL), typically around 1×10−3. Therefore, the development of B,N‐embedded helicenes with both a high EQE and gEL value is crucial for achieving highly efficient CPEL. Herein, a facile approach to synthesize B,N‐embedded hetero[9]helicenes, BN[9]H, is presented. BN[9]H shows a bright photoluminescence with a maximum at 578 nm with a high luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) up to 5.8×10−3, attributed to its inherited MR‐TADF property and intrinsic helical skeleton. Furthermore, circularly polarized OLED devices incorporating BN[9]H as an emitter show a maximum EQE of 35.5 %, a small full width at half‐maximum of 48 nm, and, more importantly, a high |gEL| value of 6.2×10−3. The Q‐factor (|EQE×gEL|) of CP‐OLEDs is determined to be 2.2×10−3, which is the highest among helicene analogues. This work provides a new approach for the synthesis of higher helicenes and paves a new way for the construction of highly efficient CPEL materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, a diverse array of smart materials, drawing inspiration from nature, is developed, exhibiting remarkable shape or color‐changing capabilities, which hold great promise in applications such as bionic soft robots and information encryption platforms. Achieving reversible shape‐shifting and color variation harmoniously within a single material is a particularly appealing prospect. Herein, a facile approach to creating such materials is presented, capable of undergoing reversible shape and color‐change synchronously. This is achieved by harnessing the stress‐free two‐way shape‐memory effect (2W‐SME) of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), meticulously programmed at both macro and micro scales. Specifically, the LCE with stress‐free 2W‐SME is fabricated, and permanent grating nanostructures are meticulously constructed through UV‐assisted nanoimprinting. By enabling reversible shape alterations at multiple dimensions, encompassing both macro and micro scales, the LCE material concurrently exhibits reversible changes in shape and color, triggered by heat. As a result, intelligent information encryption and decryption platforms that leverage the unique capabilities of LCE are demonstrated. The outcomes of this research endeavor are poised to pave the way for the advancement of smart materials in the realms of data storage and encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-centering beam-to-column connections (SBCs) were widely investigated to enhance conventional steel moment-resisting frame's (MRF's) post-earthquake repairability by reducing residual displacements. The peak displacement-targeted design methodology was adopted to develop the design guidelines for enhancing MRFs with the emerging self-centering members, where the desired post-earthquake repairability of the enhanced MRF needs to be achieved with inevitable iterative dynamic analyses. This paper intends to develop a novel post-earthquake repairability-based methodology for enhancing MRFs with SBCs, where residual and peak displacements are both targets. To this end, artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed to estimate the peak and residual displacements of the enhanced MRFs with SBCs under given seismic intensities. Peak and residual displacement-based design (PRBD) procedures were developed based on the proposed post-earthquake repairability-based methodology and established ANN models. Four design cases were designed through the developed PRBD procedure and analyzed. The design and analysis outcomes demonstrate that the improved MRFs can attain the intended post-earthquake repairability and meet the peak and residual displacement objectives without necessitating iterative design and dynamic analyses. This confirms the effectiveness and precision of the proposed post-earthquake repairability-based approach and PRBD procedure. Moreover, the enhanced MRFs with partially self-centering behavior achieved nearly zero residual displacements (lower than 0.2%) under maximum considered earthquakes. This finding shows that the partially self-centering MRF is a more cost-efficient solution for developing seismic resilient MRF than fully self-centering MRF to achieve excellent post-earthquake repairability with a lower requirement of self-centering capacities. • Post-earthquake repairability-based design methodology was proposed. • PRBD procedures were developed for enhancing MRFs with SBCs. • The enhanced MRFs can achieve the desired post-earthquake repairability without iterative design and dynamic analyses. • The enhanced MRFs with partially self-centering behavior can achieve nearly zero residual displacements under MCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The neural cells in the brains of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PWP) display aberrant synchronized oscillatory activity within the beta frequency range. Additionally, enhanced gamma oscillations may serve as a compensatory mechanism for motor inhibition mediated by beta activity and also reinstate plasticity in the primary motor cortex affected by Parkinson’s disease. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can synchronize endogenous oscillations with exogenous rhythms, thereby modulating cortical activity. The objective of this study is to investigate whether the addition of tACS to multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment (MIRT) can improve symptoms of PWP so as to enhance the quality of life in individuals with Parkinson’s disease based on the central-peripheral-central theory. Methods: The present study was a randomized, double-blind trial that enrolled 60 individuals with Parkinson’s disease aged between 45 and 70 years, who had Hoehn-Yahr scale scores ranging from 1 to 3. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the tACS + MIRT group or the sham-tACS + MIRT group. The trial consisted of a two-week double-blind treatment period followed by a 24-week follow-up period, resulting in a total duration of twenty-six weeks. The primary outcome measured the change in PDQ-39 scores from baseline (T0) to 4 weeks (T2), 12 weeks (T3), and 24 weeks (T4) after completion of the intervention. The secondary outcome assessed changes in MDS-UPDRS III scores at T0, the end of intervention (T1), T2, T3, and T4. Additional clinical assessments and mechanistic studies were conducted as tertiary outcomes. Discussion: The objective of this study is to demonstrate that tACS can enhance overall functionality and improve quality of life in PWP, based on the framework of MIRT. Additionally, it seeks to establish a potential correlation between these therapeutic effects and neuroplasticity alterations in relevant brain regions. The efficacy of tACS will be assessed during the follow-up period in order to optimize neuroplasticity and enhance its potential impact on rehabilitation efficiency for PWP. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300071969. Registered on 30 May 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unsatisfactory because of tumor heterogeneity, multidrug resistance, and poor target accumulation. Therefore, multimodality-treatment with accurate drug delivery has become increasingly popular. Herein, a cell penetrating peptide-aptamer dual modified-nanocomposite (USILA NPs) was successfully constructed by coating a cell penetrating peptide and aptamer onto the surface of sorafenib (Sora), ursolic acid (UA) and indocyanine green (ICG) condensed nanodrug (USI NPs) via one-pot assembly for targeted and synergistic HCC treatment. USILA NPs showed higher cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in HepG2 and H22 cells, with a high expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). Furthermore, these NPs caused more significant mitochondrial membrane potential reduction and cell apoptosis. These NPs could selectively accumulate at the tumor site of H22 tumor-bearing mice and were detected with the help of ICG fluorescence; moreover, they retarded tumor growth better than monotherapy. Thus, USILA NPs can realize the targeted delivery of dual drugs and the integration of diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, the effects were more significant after co-administration of iRGD peptide, a tumor-penetrating peptide with better penetration promoting ability or programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody for the reversal of the immunosuppressive state in the tumor microenvironment. The tumor inhibition rates of USILA NPs + iRGD peptide or USILA NPs + PD-L1 antibody with good therapeutic safety were 72.38 % and 67.91 % compared with control, respectively. Overall, this composite nanosystem could act as a promising targeted tool and provide an effective intervention strategy for enhanced HCC synergistic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex network theory involves network structure and dynamics; dynamics on networks and interactions between networks; and dynamics developed over a network. As a typical application of complex networks, the dynamics of disease spreading and control strategies on networks have attracted widespread attention from researchers. We investigate the dynamics and optimal control for an epidemic model with demographics and heterogeneous asymmetric control strategies (immunization and quarantine) on complex networks. We derive the epidemic threshold and study the global stability of disease-free and endemic equilibria based on different methods. The results show that the disease-free equilibrium cannot undergo a Hopf bifurcation. We further study the optimal control strategy for the complex system and obtain its existence and uniqueness. Numerical simulations are conducted on scale-free networks to validate and supplement the theoretical results. The numerical results indicate that the asymmetric control strategies regarding time and degree of node for populations are superior to symmetric control strategies when considering control cost and the effectiveness of controlling infectious diseases. Meanwhile, the advantages of the optimal control strategy through comparisons with various baseline immunization and quarantine schemes are also shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic notes on the Talaus species from China are provided. Two new species, T. yuyang Yao & Liu, sp. nov. and T. zhangjiangkou Yao & Liu, sp. nov. are described and illustrated, and a further three species are redescribed based on their genitalic characters: T. dulongjiang Tang, Yin, Ubick & Peng, 2008, T. niger Tang, Yin, Ubick & Peng, 2008, and T. sulcus Tang & Li, 2010. The species T. xiphosus Zhu & Ono, 2007 is considered a junior synonym of T. triangulifer Simon, 1886 based on an examination of many recently collected female and male specimens from Guangxi Province, China. Diagnoses, detailed illustrations and a map of distributional records of the six treated species of Talaus in China are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By targeted introduction of 6-nitrobenzimidazole into polymolybdate, two new polymolybdate-based copper-organic complexes were successfully synthesized, namely {Cu2(6-nbm)4[β-Mo8O26](H2O)2}·(6-nbm)2·4H2O (1) and H2{Cu2(6-nbm)4[TeMo6O24](H2O)4}·(6-nbm)2·4H2O (2) (6-nbm = 6-nitrobenzimidazole), and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Complexes 1 and 2 are both one-dimensional (1D) chain structures, in which 6-nbm hangs on the 1D chain in a monodentate coordination mode, appearing with a butterfly-like configuration. Complexes 1 and 2 both display bifunctional electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of KNO2, as well as the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA). The title complexes, used to prepare bulk-modified carbon paste electrodes (1–CPE and 2–CPE), can be used as electrochemical sensors, which show lower detection limit, good selectivity and anti-interference ability. In addition, the carbon cloth-based electrode modified with complex 1 (1–CC) exhibits ideal capacitance and long-term cycle stability, indicating that complex 1 can be a potential candidate for a pseudocapacitive material. In addition, complexes 1 and 2 show catalytic activity for the CO2 reduction reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven leptonetid species belonging to four genera collected in Jiangxi and Fujian Provinces, China are presented. Ten new species of midget cave spiders from southern China are diagnosed, described, and illustrated: Leptonetela dawu Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. yuanhaoi Yao & Liu, sp. nov. and L. zuojiashanensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov. from Jiangxi; Longileptoneta guadunensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. huboliao Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. jiaxiani Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. letuensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. renzhouensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. tianmenensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., and Pararana mingxuani Yao & Liu, sp. nov. from Fujian. Furthermore, Falcileptoneta monodactyla (Yin, Wang & Wang, 1984) is recorded from Jiangxi province for the first time. Distributions records are given for all investigated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duplex stainless steel (DSS) is an emerging construction material for structural engineering, which is featured with high mechanical strength and superior corrosion resistance. Compared with considerable research on DSS structural members, available research is relatively limited for structural joints/connections between these members. In line with this concern, this paper presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical study of duplex stainless steel bolted connections (DSSBCs), focusing on the behaviour and design related to block shear failure. Eleven specimens are tested to investigate the effect of different bolt arrangements on the block shear behaviour. Furthermore, a detailed numerical study was performed as a supplement to the experimental tests, where the anisotropic mechanical properties of DSS are considered in the finite element modelling. Based on the test and analysis results, it is found that the block shear failure mode of DSSBCs resembles that of carbon steel bolted connections, which can be characterised as necking of the tensile section and yielding of the shear sections. Using the experimental and numerical data obtained in this and previous studies, the applicability of various block shear design methods to stainless steel bolted connections is assessed. An updated design method is proposed for predicting the block shear capacity of duplex and austenitic stainless steel bolted connections. A proper partial safety factor/resistance factor is suggested for the proposed method based on the results of reliability analyses. • Block shear of duplex stainless steel bolted connections (DSSBCs) are studied. • DSSBCs exhibit similar block shear mode to carbon steel bolted connections. • Existing design methods are evaluated for stainless steel bolted connections. • A modified method is proposed for stainless steel bolted connections. • A reliability analysis is performed to provide suggestion of partial factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an energy-based plastic design method for steel staggered truss framing (SSTF) structures with multiple Vierendeel panels. The effectiveness of the method was investigated and the improved seismic performance of plastically designed SSTF structures was verified. First, parameter analysis based on a refined finite element analysis model of steel trusses with multiple Vierendeel panels was conducted. The plastic bending resistance ratio of the chord member to the intermediate vertical member was recommended based on evaluating the failure modes. Then, the energy-based plastic design procedure for the SSTF structure with multiple Vierendeel panels were described step by step. Finally, three SSTF structures were comparatively analyzed by pushover analysis and nonlinear time-history analysis, including a force-based designed SSTF structure with single Vierendeel panels, a plastically designed SSTF structure with single Vierendeel panels, and a plastically designed SSTF structure with multiple Vierendeel panels. Compared with the forced-based designed structure, the plastically designed structures showed slightly lower load-carrying capacities, but much higher ductility. The force-based designed structure had obvious soft stories, while the two plastically designed structures showed more uniform story drift distributions and formed a controllable failure mode. Compared with the structures with single Vierendeel panels, the rotation demand on the chord members of SSTF structures with multiple Vierendeel panels was significantly reduced. • The plastic bending resistance ratio of the chord member to the intermediate vertical member was recommended. • An energy-based plastic design method for SSTFs with multiple Vierendeel panels was proposed. • Seismic behaviors of SSTFs with multiple Vierendeel panels were elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]