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In this study, a prescriptive seismic design procedure for post-tensioned mass timber rocking wall lateral force–resisting systems is proposed. Unlike performance-based design approaches that employ nonlinear analysis, this procedure utilizes techniques and analysis procedures that are routinely applied in design industry practice as well as adhering to traditional approaches contained in current US standards. The design procedure targets providing a basis for prescriptive design of mass timber rocking wall lateral force–resisting systems and their future adoption into model codes. For illustration, the design approach is applied to an example building, with the building's performance validated through a nonlinear numerical model simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemopreventive effects of zinc for esophageal cancer have been well documented in animal models. This prospective study explores if a similar, potentially chemopreventive action can be seen in Barrett's esophagus (BE) in humans. Aims: To determine if molecular evidence can be obtained potentially indicating zinc's chemopreventive action in Barrett's metaplasia. Methods: Patients with a prior BE diagnosis were placed on oral zinc gluconate (14 days of 26.4 mg zinc BID) or a sodium gluconate placebo, prior to their surveillance endoscopy procedure. Biopsies of Barrett's mucosa were then obtained for miRNA and mRNA microarrays, or protein analyses. Results: Zinc-induced mRNA changes were observed for a large number of transcripts. These included downregulation of transcripts encoding proinflammatory proteins (IL32, IL1β, IL15, IL7R, IL2R, IL15R, IL3R), upregulation of anti-inflammatory mediators (IL1RA), downregulation of transcripts mediating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (LIF, MYB, LYN, MTA1, SRC, SNAIL1, and TWIST1), and upregulation of transcripts that oppose EMT (BMP7, MTSS1, TRIB3, GRHL1). miRNA arrays showed significant upregulation of seven miRs with tumor suppressor activity (-125b-5P, -132-3P, -548z, -551a, -504, -518, and -34a-5P). Of proteins analyzed by Western blot, increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, BAX, and the tight junctional protein, CLAUDIN-7, along with decreased expression of BCL-2 and VEGF-R2 were noteworthy. Conclusions: When these mRNA, miRNA, and protein molecular data are considered collectively, a cancer chemopreventive action by zinc in Barrett's metaplasia may be possible for this precancerous esophageal tissue. These results and the extensive prior animal model studies argue for a future prospective clinical trial for this safe, easily-administered, and inexpensive micronutrient, that could determine if a chemopreventive action truly exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional methods, such as the detection of total and fecal coliforms, and more recently enterococci, that are used to detect fecal pollution levels do not identify the source of the pollution. Despite a significant volume of research in this field, at present there is no common methodology to identify sources of fecal contamination affecting bathing and shellfish waters in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]