Search

Brucellar cervical epidural abscess (CEA) is a rare condition with potentially permanent neurological damage if left untreated. This study aims to define the clinical presentation of brucellar CEA and evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment, specifically decompression and fusion surgery. The findings will contribute to understanding whether all patients with brucellar CEA could benefit from this surgical intervention. A retrospective study on brucellar spondylitis was conducted at the First Hospital of Jilin University from August 2018 to August 2022. During this period, a total of 37 patients were diagnosed with brucellar spondylitis at the hospital. Out of the 37 cases, six patients (16.2%) were confirmed to have CEA through cervical magnetic resonance imaging examination and serology test results.. Six patients were diagnosed with brucellar CEA (16.2%), of whom 5 successfully underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery. One patient had a large prevertebral abscess that could only be drained. In combination with effective antibiotic therapy, the clinical performance of the 5 patients who underwent surgery improved after the surgery. The remaining one patient required delayed surgery due to instability of the cervical spine. The follow-up period of all the 6 patients was 6 months. Brucellosis should be considered as a potential cause of CEA, especially in endemic areas. Timely detection and effective management of this condition are crucial in order to minimize the associated morbidity and mortality. For patients with detectable brucellar CEA, we recommend decompression and fusion surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing load-end shortening formulae with beam-column buckling in CSR-H were derived from the theoretical buckling formulae of stiffener elements considering the effective width of attached plate. However, due to different yielding stress and plastic flow ability, the critical stress of stiffener elements for elastic-plastic beam-column buckling may be relevant to steel grades. The critical stress of beam-column buckling was analysed by numerical method and compression test under supply supported constraints. Separate seven steel column samples from slender to sturdy were designed to be studied for various grades of steel mainly including 921A, S355 and Q235. After comparison, the empirical formulae of critical stress considering different yield stress were proposed in power exponent expression, and then employed to replace the theoretical buckling formulae in the load-end shortening curves in incremental-iterative method. This new load-end shortening expression of stiffener elements with beam-column buckling mode could more accurately evaluate the progressive collapse behaviours under longitudinal compression. • Test, FEM and CSR-H are utilized to evaluate the critical stress of steel column considering steel grades with different yield stress. • Arc curved surfaces at the fore and aft ends could simulate the simply constraint contact between steel column sample and supporting. • A new improved formula with beam-column buckling could evaluate the load-end shortening curves of stiffener elements under longitudinal compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An empirical study of the performance of the 6th generation ports (6GP) model is conducted for six container ports in mainland China. • A novel hybrid methodology is developed, comprising of CFPR, TOPSIS, and VIKOR. • Insights and implications for port managers, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and policy-makers, are suggested in the post-pandemic era. • This paper contributes to expanding the port devolution theory. Since the UNCTAD proposed the initial port model, called the first generation port model (1GP) in 1994, its adaptation and transformation have evolved, reflecting not only the evolution of port operations and technological advancements, but also the resilience of ports to natural disasters and supply disruptions. Recently, the trio of COVID-19, digitalization, and decarbonization (CDD) has emerged as core challenges whilst providing numerous opportunities for building adaption and resilience for the port industry. In light of this, the sixth generation ports (6GP) model has emerged. This paper addresses crucial research gaps by empirically testing the 6GP model, emphasizing the impact of emerging factors of the CDD, including 1) the lack of empirical testing for the 6GP model and the emphasis on the CDD; 2) the exploration of factors contributing to the significant development of Chinese container ports; 3) the investigation into how the CDD lead to the reversal of the port devolution continuum path. In doing so, an empirical study has been conducted, focusing on six major container ports in mainland China, all of which are among the world's top 10 container ports in terms of container throughput. It evaluates the importance of the criteria of the 6GP model with the performance of the six ports. The findings of this research are discussed for managerial and policy implications, enriching the existing literature on port devolution, and providing the port industry with a holistic view of port development and strategy in the post-pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A reference-plane-based approach is applied to estimate the principle optical axis of LED light source as well as its principle energy. • An iterative process was proposed to optimize initial system parameters, and accurate 3D reconstruction results can be obtained for various objects. • Accurate 3D reconstruction results can be obtained based on the low-cost setup composed with some LEDs and a web-camera. Abstract This paper presents a complete computational framework for the photometric stereo system composed of some LED lamps and a single web-camera. To describe the lighting condition accurately, the angular and distance attenuation factors, as well as the LED radiance property, are considered in the modeling of the light source. The calibration of the system's parameters is a critical step for our setup, and a two-step calibration procedure is proposed in this work. A multiple-sphere-based approach is first used to estimate the light source positions. Then, a reference-plane-based approach is applied to estimate the principal optical axis of each light source and its principal energy. For each surface point on the target, the direction and intensity of its incidental light ray can be precisely determined by the calibration parameters and the quasi-point light model. Based on the initial 3D reconstruction result, an iterative procedure is applied to optimize the model's parameters for each surface point with respect to its initial estimated depth. In the experiments, both regular and free-form surfaces including a real human face are used. The results show that accurate 3D reconstruction results can be obtained by the proposed approach based on the low-cost setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Detailed reaction mechanism and kinetics for BPA removal by PAA/Cl– were studied. • Free chlorine and carbon-centered radicals (R-O•) are predominant reactive species. • Activation of PAA by Cl− is ∼107 times higher than its self-decomposition. • R-O• reduces production of disinfection products during treatment of saline water. Peracetic acid is an emerging oxidant and disinfectant for wastewater purification. In this study, we first developed a comprehensive and accurate model to elucidate the reaction mechanisms and simulate reaction kinetics of peracetic acid (PAA, CH 3 C(=O)OOH) activated by chloride (Cl–) based on experimental results and literature. A diversity of experiments methods (e.g., quenching experiments, probe compounds degradation, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements) and kinetic modeling were used to determine the reactive species. As a result, carbon-centered radicals and free chlorine reactive species (Cl 2 and HClO) were devoted to BPA degradation in the PAA/Cl− system. The carbon-centered radicals CH 3 C(=O)OO•, CH 3 C(=O)O•, CH 3 OO•, and •CH 3 greatly accelerated BPA degradation with their corresponding kinetics of k CH 3 C(=O)OO•, BPA = 2 × 108 M−1 s−1, k CH 3C(= O)O• , BPA = 2 × 107 M−1 s−1, k •CH 3 , BPA = 2 × 106 M−1 s−1 and k CH 3 OO•, BPA = 2 × 104 M−1 s−1. Dissolved Cl 2 (l) species was also important for BPA degradation with k Cl 2 , BPA of 2 × 107 M−1 s−1, much higher than HClO/ClO− of k HClO, BPA = 1.2 × 101 M−1 s−1 and k ClO − , BPA = 9 × 10−3 M−1 s−1. While free chlorine tends to transform BPA to estrogenic chlorinated organic products, the primary degradation of BPA by carbon-centered radicals results in chlorine-free products, reducing the production of disinfection byproducts during the treatment of saline wastewater. This study improves the knowledge of reaction kinetics and mechanism and reactive species generation in the PAA/Cl– system. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of lateral pressure and stiffener type on the collapse behaviours of steel stiffened panels are investigated in the FE (finite element) analysis. Based on the numerical results, the empirical expressions are derived for the ultimate strength assessment of stiffened panels under combined in-plane axial compression and different levels of lateral pressure. The regression formulae only include the plate slenderness ratio and column (stiffener) slenderness ratio. Hence, to consider the influence of stiffener type, the databases of sample points are separately grouped for various cross sections in the regression process. At the same time, for the convenient of utilizing the regression model, the coefficients are expressed as water head in meters. To investigate the approximating accuracy of regression model, the statistical measurement analyses are conducted by comparing with FE analysis, simplified analytical method and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents experimental and numerical studies on the ultimate behaviour of K-joints in transmission tubular structures. Tests were conducted on nine connection specimens using high-strength steel to investigate ultimate strength. The material properties and load–displacement responses of nine tubular K-joints are tested and discussed with emphasis on the factors that affect the ultimate strength of the joints. Based on the experimental and numerical results, the failure mode and mechanism of the high-strength steel K-joints are identified. Using energy theory and the virtual work principle, a formula for predicting the ultimate strength of high-strength steel K-joints is developed. In order to verify the validity of the proposed formula, finite element models are built to perform a sensitivity analysis on the parameters that affect the ultimate strength of the connections. The results indicate that the compression ratio of the chord and the thickness and diameter of the chord have significant effects on the ultimate strength of the K-joints with an external annular steel plate. Moreover, the results predicted by the proposed formula correlated very well with the experimental and numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The various assessment methods of ultimate strength for hull girder of ships or offshore structures might lead to different results and computation time. The nonlinear finite element (FE) analyses include the implicit static analysis and explicit dynamic analysis, which both can consider the large deflection and material nonlinearity during the process of progressive collapse. Comparing with the implicit static analysis, the explicit dynamic analysis can consider the transient influence of time and avoid the convergence issue in iterative procedure. The object of the present paper is to figure out a reliable and suitable FE modelling in the explicit dynamic method, which could keep the balance of the acceptable accurate results and computation resources. Several influential factors on the collapse behaviours of hull girder are discussed including boundary conditions, geometric ranges of finite element model, element types, loading methods and loading time. The results of a Suezmax oil tanker and Reckling models assessed by the explicit dynamic method are compared with that by the other analytical methods or in the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collapse behaviour of stiffened panels under uniaxial compression load and lateral pressure are investigated in the FE analysis, in which two spans model with periodical boundary conditions are adopted. Fourier components including symmetric and asymmetric shapes are used to estimate the half-wave number of collapse for local plate by using nonlinear finite element analysis. The comparisons of the results between the FE analysis and analytical method are performed. The influences of half-wave number, direction and magnitude of initial deflection, lateral pressure as well as constraint conditions along longitudinal edges on the collapse behaviour and the ultimate strength of the stiffened panels are discussed. The ultimate strength and collapse deformation of stiffened panels are affected by not only the magnitude but also the half-wave number of initial imperfections. The lateral pressure caused by water head might increase the load carrying capacity of the stiffened panels, which depends on the collapse mode that relates with the configurations of stiffener and plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrauterine sensitization caused by food allergens plays an important role in the food allergy development in progeny. The aim of our study was to determine the critical period of intrauterine sensitization during pregnancy. Female mice were exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) during different trimesters of pregnancy. Lymphocytes from their offspring were isolated and cultured, and proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in serum were measured using ELISA. In addition, the expressions of IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNAs and proteins were detected by real-time PCR and western blot. The mice were divided into the first trimester pregnancy (FTP1 and FTP2) group, the second trimester pregnancy (STP1 and STP2) group, and the third trimester pregnancy (TTP1 and TTP2) group based on the stages of pregnancy in which their mothers were exposed to OVA and their ages. The OVA-specific lymphocyte proliferation of the TTP1 group was statistically significantly greater that in the FTP1 and STP1 groups. The serum level of IFN-γ in the TTP1 group was significantly decreased, and the serum level of IL-4 in the TTP1 group was significantly increased compared with the levels in the FTP1 and STP1 groups. The mRNA and protein expression levels of IFN-γ in the TTP1 group were significantly decreased and the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-4 in this group were significantly increased compared with the levels in the FTP1 and STP1 groups. Our results suggest that OVA-induced intrauterine sensitization in the third trimester may increase the risk of food allergy after birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper studies the influence of cut-outs of local plates on the ultimate strength of stiffened panels based on the tests and numerical simulations. Four intact and perforated stiffened panels subjected to uniaxial compression loads were tested firstly. The initial imperfections of the specimens have been measured before testing, which were used in the FE (finite element) analysis. The tensile tests are used to determine the properties of material. The experimental results are used to verify the modelling technology of FE models. Based on the numerical simulations, the parametric studies with various configurations including the initial twisting distortion, boundary condition and the dimensions of opening are performed to investigate their influences on the collapse behaviours of the stiffened panels. It is found that the residual ultimate strength of perforated stiffened panel mainly depends on the transverse length of opening. Using numerical database, the empirical formulae of ultimate strength of perforated stiffened are developed. • Four intact and perforated stiffened panels under longitudinal compression were tested. • The influence of initial twisting torsion on the ultimate strength is slightly for intact stiffened panel, but is significantly for the perforated stiffened panel. • The residual ultimate strength of perforated stiffened panel mainly depends on the projective transverse length of opening and initial warping torsion, which should be included in proposing closed-form formula. • Using numerical database, the empirical formulae of ultimate strength of perforated stiffened are developed, which could give reasonable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) facilitates cancer invasion and is initiated by mesenchyme-driving transcription factors and actin cytoskeletal assembly. We show a cytoplasmic-to-nuclear transport gradient of the EMT transcription factor Zeb1 toward sites of invasion in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), driven by the EMT inducer Tgfb, which is expressed in M2 polarized macrophages. We show that Zeb1 binds free actin monomers and RhoA in the cytoplasm to inhibit actin polymerization, blocking cell migration and Yap1 nuclear transport. Tgfb causes turnover of the scaffold protein Rassf1a, which targets RhoA. Release of this RhoA inhibition in response to Tgfb overcomes Zeb1's block of cytoskeleton assembly and frees it for nuclear transport. A ZEB1 nuclear transport signature highlights EMT progression, identifies dedifferentiated invasive/metastatic human LUADs, and predicts survival. Blocking Zeb1 nuclear transport with a small molecule identified in this study inhibits cytoskeleton assembly, cell migration, Yap1 nuclear transport, EMT, and precancerous-to-malignant transition. [Display omitted] • Cytoplasmic Zeb1 inhibits actin cytoskeleton assembly • TGFb regulates Zeb1 nuclear transport • A Zeb1 nuclear transport signature predicts LUAD outcome • Zeb1 controls Yap1 nuclear transport Guo et al. show that Zeb1 cycles between the cytoplasm and nucleus in lung cancer, where it controls cytoskeleton assembly and Yap1 nuclear transport in the cytoplasm and initiates epithelial-mesenchymal transition gene expression as TGFB drives its transition to the nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymorphisms in the intracellular pattern recognition receptor gene NLRP3 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3) have been associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Following tissue damage or infection, NLRP3 triggers the formation of inflammasomes, containing NLRP3, ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD domain), and caspase-1, that mediate secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. However, the precise role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in mucosal inflammation and barrier protection remains unclear. Here we show that upon infection with the attaching/effacing intestinal pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, Nlrp3−/− and Asc−/− mice displayed increased bacterial colonization and dispersion, more severe weight loss, and exacerbated intestinal inflammation. Analyses of irradiation bone marrow chimeras revealed that protection from disease was mediated through Nlrp3 activation in nonhematopoietic cells and was initiated very early after infection. Thus, early activation of Nlrp3 in intestinal epithelial cells limits pathogen colonization and prevents subsequent pathology, potentially providing a functional link between NLRP3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new strain FS3 was isolated and identified as Clostridium sp. by 16S rDNA. [•] It could directly convert raw corn stalk to H2 without substrate pretreatment. [•] The maximum H2 yield of 92.9ml/g was obtained by the optimized medium from RSM. [•] It opens a new avenue for direct conversion of cellulosic biomass to H2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new fermentative hydrogen-producing strain FS2011 was isolated from an effluent of bio-hydrogen production reactor, and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on the basis of 16S rDNA gene sequence. The strain could utilize various carbon and nitrogen sources to produce hydrogen in a broad range of initial pH (5.29–7.38). Phosphate buffer concentration and fermentation temperature significantly affected hydrogen production and cell growth. The maximum hydrogen yield of 2.26 mol/mol was observed at glucose concentration of 10 g/l, beef extract concentration of 2 g/l, initial pH 6.98, phosphate buffer of 20 mmol/l, and 35 °C, indicating FS2011 was a high-efficiency hydrogen-producing bacterium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A major polysaccharide fraction (PMPP) was obtained by purifying the crude polysaccharides extracted from Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata. Preliminary structural characterization was conducted by physicochemical property and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Monosaccharide component analysis indicated that PMPP was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose and glucose in a molar ratio of 1.64:1.00:1.34:6.06. Intraperitoneal administration of PMPP could increase levels of serum IL-2 and hematological parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet counts), enhance antioxidant profiles, and promote hematopoiesis of splenocytes though up-regulating expressions of EPOR and GATA-1 proteins in cyclophosphamide (Cy) induced anemic mice. These findings indicate that PMPP played an important role in the protection against myelosuppression and immunosuppression in Cy-treated mice and may warrant further evaluation as a potential immunomodulatory agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The bio-hydrogen production potential from corn stalk was significantly affected by microwave irradiation pretreatment of cow dung compost in batch tests. The maximum hydrogen yield of 144.3 ml/g-corn stalk and hydrogen production rate of 3.6 ml/g-corn stalk h−1 were observed using the pretreated compost by microwave radiation of 1.5 min at fixed Na2CO3 dosage of 800 mg/l, Fe dosage of 400 mg/l, substrate concentration of 20 g/l, which increased about 99.6% and 85.2% compared with that of the control. The effects of microwave irradiation on microbial characteristics were further discussed by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), determination of protein content and PCR-DGGE. The four dominant hydrogen-producing strains had been isolated and confirmed to be Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium, respectively. The diversity and symbiosis relations of the mixed bacteria were also observed in fermentation hydrogen production process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of pretreatment method of cow dung compost, which was employed as natural hydrogen bacteria source, on the microbial community, population distribution of microbes and hydrogen production potential were investigated in the batch tests. The maximum hydrogen yield of 290.8 mL/L-culture appeared in the pretreated method A (infrared drying) by dark fermentation. The pretreated method of compost significantly affected microbial succession, population distribution of microbes. Both Clostridium sp. and Enterobacter sp. were found to be two species of preponderant hydrogen-producing bacteria, the next best was Bacteroides sp. and Veillonella sp., the last was Lactobacillus sp. and Streptococcus sp., which were also essential. The results showed that the mutualism and symbiosis relations of the mixed bacteria played a critical role in hydrogen fermentation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new type of amperometric l-lactate biosensor based on silica sol-gel and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) organic–inorganic hybrid composite material was developed. The sol-gel film was used to immobilize l-lactate oxidase on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). MWCNTs were used to increase the current response and improve the performance of biosensor. The sol-gel film fabrication process parameters such as H2O:TEOS and pH were optimized, Effects of some experimental variables such as applied potential, temperature, and pH on the current response of the biosensor were investigated. Analytical characteristics and dynamic parameters of the biosensors with and without MWCNTs in the hybrid film were compared, and the results showed that analytical performance of the biosensor could be improved greatly after introduction of the MWCNTs. Sensitivity, linear range, limit of detection (S / N =3) were 2.097 μA mM−1, 0.3 to 1.5 mM, 0.8×10−3 mM for the biosensor without MWCNTs and 6.031 μA mM−1, 0.2 to 2.0 mM, 0.3×10−3 mM for the biosensor with MWCNTs, respectively. This method has been used to determine the l-lactate concentration in real human blood samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel amperometric biosensor based on the determination of H2O2 liberated by the enzyme choline oxidase (ChOx) was fabricated by immobilization of ChOx into a sol–gel silicate film on the multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) modified platinum electrode. Cyclic voltammetric results clearly showed that carbon nanotubes possess an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of H2O2 at a low potential (0.16V versus Ag/AgCl). The remarkable catalytic property of MWCNT was further exploited as a selective determination scheme for choline in the presence of some electroactive compounds. Experimental parameters of the choline sensor, such as applied potential, pH, and temperature were studied. The performance of the sensor showed sensitive determination of choline with a linear range from 5×10−6 to 1×10−4 M and a response time of less than 8s. The detection limit of choline was determined to be about 1×10−7 M. This biosensor was used to detect choline released from Lecithin by phospholipase D (PLD) in serum samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A layer-by-layer deposition technique was employed for fabricating choline sensors with different polycations. We used two kinds of choline oxidase (ChOx)/polycation thin films to modify platinum (Pt) electrodes, each having the same enzyme (ChOx) but with different polycations, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The Pt electrodes coated with a ChOx/PEI or ChOx/PDDA thin film were used successfully as choline sensors. The ChOx/PEI film-modified sensor showed a higher response, wider dynamic range and shorter response time than those of the ChOx/PDDA film-based sensor. The results were rationalized based on the different permeability of the thin films due to the different structure of the polycationic materials. The assembly processes of the thin films were monitored by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• We introduce third parties and disputants on interdependent network. • Disputants play prisoner's dilemma game and bring third parties extra payoffs. • Third parties intervene disputants play snowdrift dilemma game or not. • Conflicts in disputants are relieved though non-interventions exist in third party layer. Interventions from third parties, such as governmental agencies or organizations, play an important role in mitigating conflicts in modern human societies. The goal thereby is to pacify disputants, although this is subject to failure on account of self-interest from all involved. To study how relationships between disputants and third parties evolve, we propose an interdependent network model, where one layer is occupied by disputants and the other layer is occupied by third parties. Disputants play a prisoner's dilemma game, where defection is the dominant strategy, whereas third parties play a snowdrift game, where cooperation and defection coexist more commonly. Moreover, third parties have the ability to mediate a conflict on the other layer by enforcing a snowdrift game onto disputants, for which they can receive a fee. We show that third party interventions improve the evolution of cooperation between disputants, and also, that the improvement of cooperation in turn promotes interventions. Nonetheless, non-intervention does not go extinct, which enables defectors to survive, thus creating a feedback loop between the two networks layers. The evolutionary dynamics is characterized by fascinating spatial pattern formation, which we explore by means of Monte Carlo simulations and via replicator equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]