Search

Objective. The aim of the study is to investigate the role and possible mechanism of fascin-1 (FSCN1) in the invasion, migration, glycolysis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of prostate cancer. Methods. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to determine the mRNA expression level of FSCN1 in prostate cancer tissues and prostate cancer cells PC-3 and DU145. The transwell and the scratch test were applied to detect the invasion and migration abilities of cells, respectively. A metabolic assay was used for measuring the glucose consumption, lactate production, and the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in cells; western blot was used for checking FSCN1, EMT, and yes-associated protein/transcriptional co-activators with the PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) signaling pathway-related protein expression level in cells or tissues. Results. FSCN1 was significantly highly expressed in prostate cancer tissues and cells. On the one hand, interference with the expression of FSCN1 could inhibit the invasion, migration, EMT, and glycolysis of prostate cancer cells. On the other hand, overexpression of FSCN1 promoted the invasion, migration, EMT, and glycolysis of prostate cancer cells. Besides, further mechanistic studies revealed that FSCN1 could activate the YAP/TAZ signaling pathway in prostate cancer cells. Conclusion. FSCN1 promotes invasion, migration, EMT, and glycolysis in prostate cancer cells by activating the YAP/TAZ signaling pathway. FSCN1 may be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis or treatment in prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To explore the role of natural killer (NK) cells in the process of hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance and whether their phenotype is related to antiviral treatment outcome in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Method. We performed a single-center prospective cohort study to analyze changes of NK cells at weeks 12 and 24 from baseline in CHB patients who received PEGylated-interferon- (PEG-IFN-) α-2a versus entecavir. The frequencies of NK, CD56bright, CD56dim, IFNAR2+, NKp46+, NKp46bright, and NKp46dim NK cells and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of receptors NKp46 and IFNAR2 on the surface of NK cells were measured. Subgroup analyses were performed by comparing treatment responders versus nonresponders with aforementioned parameters in each group. Results. In PEG-IFN-α-treated patients, posttreatment CD56bright NK cell frequency increased, but CD56dim NK cell frequency decreased. Additionally, receptor NKp46 and IFNAR2 expression enhanced. In entecavir-treated patients, although NK cell frequency increased, CD56bright and CD56dim NK cell frequencies and IFNAR2 expression did not differ between baseline and posttreatment. In subgroup analyses, posttreatment CD56bright NK cell frequency and IFNAR2 expression significantly increased in PEG-IFN-α responders from baseline, while changes were absent in PEG-IFN-α nonresponders and entecavir treatment responders. Among patients with HBV viremia after entecavir therapy, NK cell frequency significantly increased, whereas NKp46bright and IFNAR2+ NK frequency and IFNAR2 MFI significantly decreased at 12 and 24 weeks from baseline. Conclusions. In CHB patients, PEG-IFN-α treatment significantly enhanced NK cell frequency and function when compared to entacavir. Positive treatment responses to either interferon or entecavir were associated with NK cell function improvement. This trial is registered with clinical trial registration no. NCT03208998. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first documented avian influenza virus subtype H16N3 was isolated in 1975 and is currently detectable in many countries worldwide. However, the prevalence, biological characteristics and threat to humans of the avian influenza virus H16N3 subtype in China remain poorly understood. We performed avian influenza surveillance in major wild bird gatherings across the country from 2017 to 2019, resulting in the isolation of two H16N3 subtype influenza viruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed these viruses belong to the Eurasian lineage, and both viruses presented the characteristics of inter‐species reassortment. In addition, the two viruses exhibited limited growth capacity in MDCK and A549 cells. Receptor‐binding assays indicated that the two H16N3 viruses presented dual receptor‐binding profiles, being able to bind to both human and avian‐type receptors, where GBHG/NX/2/2018(H16N3) preferentially bound the avian‐type receptor, while GBHG/NX/1/2018(H16N3) showed greater binding to the human‐type receptor, even the mice virulence data showed the negative results. Segments from other species have been introduced into the H16N3 avian influenza virus, which may alter its pathogenicity and host tropism, potentially posing a threat to animal and human health in the future. Consequently, it is necessary to increase monitoring of the emergence and spread of avian influenza subtype H16N3 in wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the routine surveillance, we isolated nine H4N6 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in Jiangsu Province, China, in March 2023. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that nine H4N6 viruses belonged to the Eurasian lineage and underwent complex genetic recombination among Asian countries during their evolution. It is particularly noteworthy that the PB2 and PB1 genes of our representative virus were descended from clade 2.3.4.4b H5 high-pathogenic AIVs in Japan. Mutations of D3V and D622G in PB1, N66S in PB1-F2, N30D, I43M, and T215A in M1, and P42S and I106M in NS1 were observed in nine isolates, which may increase the pathogenicity of the viruses in mice. The receptor binding analysis showed that the tested H4N6 virus could bind to both avian-type and human-type receptors. Vitro infection kinetics revealed that the representative virus could efficiently replicate in mammalian cells, including MDCK and 293T cells. Pathogenicity tests in mice indicated that the representative virus could replicate in nasal turbinates and lungs without prior adaptation. Our data reveal the potential public health issues represented by H4N6 viruses from wild birds and highlight the need to strengthen routine surveillance of wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow state of gas in coals is very complicated. We should pay attention to whether the permeability calculated by Darcy's law is in accordance with the actual situation. We conducted an experiment on coal permeability and deformation under fixing confining pressure and increasing axial stress conditions. The objective is to investigate the variation of Reynolds number Re. In this study, the dynamic evolution of the Reynolds number is calculated under the relevant assumptions. The Reynolds number increases with an increase in the axial stress. In addition, the larger the value of initial Reynolds numbers, the greater the value of Re in the postpeak, and the possibility of nonlinear flow state is higher. Further, if the mass density (ρ) and fluid viscosity (μ) are constant, the decrease in the amplitudes of the flow rate is less than the increase in the equivalent diameter of the seepage path. Moreover, the tensile stress generated around the pores and fractures parallel or nearly parallel to the axial stress direction with increase in the axial stress results in an increase in the Reynolds numbers and equivalent diameter of the seepage path increase due to the development, expansion, and penetration of the cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periploca forrestii Schltr. has been used as a Chinese folk medicine due to its versatile pharmacological effects such as promoting wounds and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the antiarthritic activity of Periploca forrestii saponin (PFS) and its active compound Periplocin has still not been demonstrated. Here, we evaluated the antiarthritic effects of PFS in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats by intragastric administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory activities of Periplocin were also examined in LPS-induced AIA splenocytes and synoviocytes. PFS significantly ameliorated joint swelling; inhibited bone erosion in joints; lowered levels of IL-6 and TGF-β1 in AIA rat splenocyte; and reduced joint protein expression levels of phospho-STAT3 and IKKα. Using LPS-induced AIA splenocytes, we demonstrate that Periplocin suppressed the key proinflammatory cytokines levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, TGF-β1, and IL-13 and IL-22 and transcription factor levels of T-bet, GATA3, and C-Jun genes. Periplocin also suppressed LPS-induced cytokine secretion from synoviocytes. Our study highlights the antiarthritic activity of PFS and its derived Periplocin and the underlying mechanisms. These results provide a strong rationale for further testing and validation of the use of Periploca forrestii Schltr. as an alternative modality for the treatment of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient modified QuEChERS method combined with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-MS/MS) was established and evaluated for the residue analysis of thifluzamide in rice grain, husk, straw, seedling, paddy water, and soil. Thifluzamide residues were extracted with acetonitrile, cleaned up with primary secondary amine (PSA), and then determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The fortified recoveries were 76%–106% with RSDs of 3%–13%. The results of the supervised field trials at two experiment sites showed that thifluzamide dissipated rapidly in paddy fields, and the half-lives in paddy water, soil, and rice seedling were 0.3–0.6 d, 1.8–3.6 d, and 4.3–13.9 d, respectively. At harvest time, when the preharvest interval (PHI) was set as 21 d, the final residues of thifluzamide in rice grains were below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.5 mg/kg set by Japan, whereas the final residues in rice husk and straw were still high (the highest value reached 1.36 mg/kg in rice husk and 0.83 mg/kg in rice straw). The results indicated that the highest residue in rice grain was 0.23 mg/kg when PHI was 21 d, and only 6.9–11.0% of acute risk quotient of thifluzamide was occupied by the dietary daily intake in Chinese population consuming rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on hemodynamics and pregnancy outcomes of severe preeclampsia pregnant patients undergoing cesarean section. Methods. 126 patients with severe preeclampsia admitted to Zhangqiu District People's Hospital from August 2018 to August 2019 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 63) and control group (n = 63). After undergoing cesarean section, the patients in the experimental group received CSEA, while those in the control group were given TIVA. After that, the effect of different anesthesia methods on the hemodynamics and pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women was compared. Results. There were no significant differences in age, BMI value, weight, height, gestational weeks, SBP, DBP, and residence between the two groups (P > 0.05). The operation duration, the onset time of anesthesia, and delivery time in the experimental group were significantly shorter than those in the control group, with less intraoperative blood loss in the experimental group than that in the control group (P < 0.001). In both groups, MAP and SpO2 during delivery were significantly lower than those before anesthesia, and HR was significantly higher than that before anesthesia (P < 0.001). In the experimental group, MAP and HR during delivery were significantly lower than those in the control group, and SpO2 was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). The total effective rate of anesthesia in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The Apgar scoring of the newborns in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001), and the total incidence of postoperative adverse reactions in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. CSEA is a reliable anesthesia method for improving the hemodynamics indicators in pregnant patients with severe preeclampsia; such strategy greatly increases the Apgar score of newborns and shortens the anesthesia onset time. Further research will be conducive to establishing a better anesthesia plan for such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Evidence regarding the nonlinear relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and blood lipids in Chinese population with hypertension is limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether there is a nonlinear association between SUA and lipids in Chinese hypertensive population with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m2. Methods. A total of 13,355 hypertensive participants with eGFR ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m2 were selected from the Chinese Hypertension Registry Study. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the linear relationship between SUA and lipids. Smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) and threshold saturation effects were used to analyze the nonlinear association between SUA and lipids. Results. In the fully adjusted model, the results showed a positive correlation between SUA and TG (β = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.16) and LDL-C (β = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.07), respectively. However, the relationship between SUA and HDL-C was nonlinear. The inflection point of SUA was 7.24 mg/dL. On the left side of the inflection point (<7.24 mg/dL), SUA was negatively associated with HDL-C (β = −0.02; 95% CI −0.02, −0.01). On the right side of the inflection point (≥7.24 mg/dL), SUA was not related to HDL-C (β = 0.01; 95% CI −0.01, 0.02). Conclusion. After adjusting for all covariates, SUA was positively associated with TG and LDL-C. The relationship between SUA and HDL-C was nonlinear. The negative correlation between SUA and HDL-C only existed when the SUA was less than 7.24 mg/dL in a hypertensive population with eGFR ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to theoretically analyze the overturning axes of curved box-girder bridges with three equal spans and single-column piers per the influence of curvature radius and bearing eccentricity on overturning axis. The theoretical analysis is verified by a model bridge experiment. The results show that overturning axis can be effectively determined according to the connecting line of either bearings at the central piers or outmost bearings at abutments as influenced by curvature radius and bearing eccentricity. In other words, no bearings are outside of overturning axis. All the bearings but the two on the overturning axis are located on the inner side of the axis. For curved bridges with multispans and single-column or double-column piers, the overturning axis is characterized by the connecting line of the two adjacent outmost bearings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, potato powder (PP) was hydrolyzed with α‐amylase and investigated the characteristics of PP and enzymatically hydrolyzed potato powder (EHPP). The PP was enzymatically hydrolyzed for 30 min at 50°C with different amounts of α‐amylase (0 to 0.015 g/100 ml) for 30 min at 50°C. The swelling power, water solubility index, amylose contents, and dextrose equivalent values of EHPP were improved substantially in comparison to native PP. The α‐amylase concentration of 0.015/100 ml with heat treatment boosted the scale of hydrolysis of PP. Zeta potential (ζ) and particle size distribution showed improved stability and dispersibility of nanocrystals after enzymatic hydrolysis. Further, X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that the amorphous area of potato starch was effectively hydrolyzed by α‐amylase. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy depicted enzymatic erosion accrued primarily at PP granules' surface. EHPP exhibited coarse surface and porous granules as compared to the native form of PP. The results suggest that enzymatic treatment using α‐amylase could be feasible to proficiently prepare EHPP for product development. The results suggested that the EHPP hydrolyzed (0.015 g/100 ml α‐amylase for 30 min at 50°C) has the potential for developing and stabilizing the new kind of food products with high values added. Practical applications: It is recommended that enzymatically hydrolyzed potato powder (EHPP) with α‐ amylase provides a reference for food products with the addition of starch‐based ingredients as well as added market value because of the potential functional properties of potato powder. Moreover, the novel EHPP not only improves the quality but also has numerous health benefits after combining it with other powder proteins. The results provide information about the use of EHPP for the development of potato‐based products, such as ethnic foods and gluten‐free products, with specific rheological and functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress‐induced dysfunction of nerve cells has been implicated as a crucial cause of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. In Asian countries, herbs, such as Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (DG) and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (SDH), have long be considered to have antiaging abilities. The herbs act as neuro protectants that rescue nerve cells from oxidative stress damage and apoptosis. Thus, developing herbal formulas can potentially lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we compared the effective active components and antioxidant properties of extractive of DG and SDH (DG‐SDH) when formulated at different ratios. DG‐SDH formulated at a ratio of 3:2 (DG‐SDH [3:2]) produced the highest content of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and flavonoids. It also showed the best ability in removing DPPH and hydroxyl free radicals compared to single herb or other compounding ratio. The antioxidant activity of DG‐SDH (3:2) showed best synergistic effects in scavenging activity assays of DPPH free radicals and hydroxyl free radicals. DG‐SDH (3:2) could increase the cell viability of SHSY‐5Y cells, PC‐12 cells, and BV‐2 cells. In particular, DG‐SDH (3:2) protected SHSY‐5Y cells from H2O2‐induced cell injury by inhibiting excessive expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing the rate of apoptosis and restoring mitochondrial membrane potential. Actin‐Tracker Green and DAPI staining and fluorescence microscope observation confirmed that DG‐SDH (3:2) helped in preserving cell morphology under oxidative stress. These findings support that DG‐SDH (3:2) promote the neuroprotection against hydrogen peroxide and can serve as a novel therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Practical applications: This is the first study to investigate DG and SDH interaction between effective ingredients. These findings support that DG‐SDH (3:2) has the best synergistic effects in antioxidant activity and promote the neuroprotection against hydrogen peroxide. Hence, DG‐SDH (3:2) will be an excellent candidate to be developed as a functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals for neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The association between triglyceride-rich lipoprotein cholesterol (TRL-C) and diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear because of limited research and data. The aim of this study was to explore the independent association between TRL-C and DM in hypertensive patients and to examine whether a healthy lifestyle would have an impact on this relationship. Methods. In this study, data from 13,721 hypertensive patients who were not treated with lipid-lowering drugs were analyzed. TRL-C was calculated from total cholesterol (TC) minus [LDL cholesterol + HDL cholesterol]. DM was defined as fasting plasma glucose of ≥7.0 mmol/L and/or self-reported history of hypoglycemic drug use. Results. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the TRL-C was significantly positively associated with elevated DM (odds ratio (OR): 1.73 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54–1.94). In subgroup analysis, a healthy lifestyle (HL) failed to modify the positive association between TRL-C and DM (HL: OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.58–2.36; non-HL: OR 1.72, 95%CI 1.50–1.98; P for interaction = 0.38). Conclusion. The results showed a positive association between TRL-C and DM in hypertensive patients. A healthy lifestyle failed to diminish the relationship between TRL-C and DM. The novel findings indicate that TRL-C might be a reliable marker of DM and may provide a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial wastewater may have a long-time effect on the environment and human life as it goes underground and causes serious pollution continuously. To have a well understanding of the migration of such wastewater is a basic task for industrial wastewater treatment as well as industrial design. To study the migration mechanism of industrial wastewater in rock formations, the governing equations such as mechanics, seepage, heat, and mass transfer are reviewed, referenced, and proposed. The thermal (T)-hydraulic (H)-mechanical (M) coupled model of the multimedia of matrix-fault and matrix-fracture-fault is established. The influence of the fault and the fractures on the pressure distribution and contaminant migration is analyzed. The influence of fault length, width, dip angle, permeability, and temperature of wastewater on contaminant migration is parametrically studied. The following results can be obtained. (1) The fracture quantitively affects the concentration distribution, while the fault dominates the concentration distribution and contaminant migration. (2) The migration of the contaminants can be geometrically divided into 3 zones along the direction of the fault: the saturation zone, the rapid diffusion zone, and the concentration decrease zone. (3) There is a peak of the concentration along the bottom of the model. The position of the peak is the projection of the endpoint of the fault. (4) The fault length has the most significant effect on contaminant accumulation. The temperature of the wastewater has the minimum effect on the contaminant accumulation. (5) The accumulation of concentrations can be divided into 2 stages, the slow growth stage (before 20 years) and the rapid growth stage (after 20 years). The main channel of contaminant migration in the slow growth stage is a fault. During the rapid growth stage, the contaminants penetrate through the rock matrix as well as the fault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas is associated with coal mining; it commonly exists in the coal seam. It is one of the major dangers during the production because its reaction between the coal masses may induce the gas-coal outburst as well as it being an expositive matter. The gas accident has caused a huge amount of property damage and casualties. Therefore, the primary precaution for coal mining is gas control. At present, drilling and extraction are the main approaches for gas accident prevention. After drilling, the ground pressure will be released; the gas which is in a free state or absorbed in the coal seam will be easy to extract as the migration channel is enhanced. Hence, one of the most concerned problems is the stress redistribution of the coal and rock mass around the borehole. In practical engineering, there are many joints distributed in the coal and rock strata, so it is necessary to investigate the effect of the drilling in the jointed coal and rock mass. In this paper, the boundary element model of the borehole in the jointed coal and rock mass is established to study the influence of joints on the stress and displacement field. The following results can be obtained. The number of joints has a significant effect on the maximum displacement of the coal and rock mass. The maximum displacement increases with the number of the joint. The position of the maximum displacement shifts from the boundary of the borehole to the far field. Meanwhile, it can be found that the displacement may reach a peak value when the joint angle is 30° and if the joint number is less than 4, and the maximum displacement may occur under the joint angle of 45° and if the joints number continuous increases. The von Mises stress has a trend of increasing with the number of joints when the joint angle is less than 30°, while it has a decreasing trend when the joint angle is larger than 30°. The max stress may occur at the joint angle of 15°. The maximum shear stress occurs mostly in the No. 4 joint and the No.7 joint. When the joint angle is 30°, the maximum shear stress occurs in the No. 3 joint and the No. 4 joint. The overlap of the position of the maximum von Mises stress or the maximum displacement with different joint angles or different numbers of joint leads to a reexploration of such positions. The position of the maximum von Mises stress and the maximum displacement o is relatively steady, which locates symmetrically around the borehole. The line between the points that behaves as the maximum von stress is approximately perpendicular to the joint direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the received traditional predictors are still the mainstay in the diagnosis and prognosis of CVD events, increasing studies have focused on exploring the ancillary effect of biomarkers for the aspiring of precision. Under which circumstances, soluble ST2 (sST2), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and procalcitonin (PCT) have recently emerged as promising markers in the field of both acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. Existent clinical studies have demonstrated the significant associations between these markers with various CVD outcomes, which further verified the potentiality of markers in helping risk stratification and diagnostic and therapeutic work-up of patients. The current review article is aimed at illuminating the applicability of these four novels and often neglected cardiac biomarkers in common clinical scenarios, including acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, and chronic heart failure, especially in the emergency department. By thorough classification, combination, and discussion of biomarkers with clinical and instrumental evaluation, we hope the current study can provide insights into biomarkers and draw more attention to their importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocyte injury plays an important role in diabetic nephropathy (DN), and apoptosis is one of its mechanisms. The transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6) is expressed in podocytes and mediates podocyte injury induced by high glucose levels. Tacrolimus is a novel immunosuppressive agent that is reported to play an important role in podocyte protection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism of podocyte protection by tacrolimus in a type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rat model and in immortalized mouse podocytes (MPC5). Transmission electron microcopy was used to evaluate renal injury morphology. After treatment with FK506, we measured 24-hour urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratios and creatinine clearance rates as well as major biochemical parameters such as glucose, insulin, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Nephrin and TRPC6 protein expression and podocyte apoptotic rates in vivo and in vitro were measured using immunohistochemical staining, TUNEL assays, and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot was used to measure expression of cleaved-caspase-3 and bax/bcl-2. Exposed to high glucose (HG), DM rats exhibited disrupted biochemical conditions and impaired podocyte structure. Decreased expression of nephrin and increased expression of TRPC6, cleaved-caspase-3, and bax/bcl-2 ratios were found in podocytes, along with higher apoptotic percentage, while tacrolimus intervention counteracted the effect of HG on podocytes. Our results suggest that tacrolimus protects podocytes during the progression of type 2 diabetic nephropathy, possibly ameliorating podocyte apoptosis by downregulating the expression of TRPC6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the insufficient understanding of the outburst mechanism, the coal and gas outburst disasters in China are more serious. Gas expansion energy is the main source of energy that causes outburst. In order to explore the distribution law of gas expansion energy in outburst coal seams, a gas-solid coupling equation of outburst coal seams was established. The distribution law of coal stress field, deformation field, gas flow field, and gas expansion energy were simulated and analyzed by using COMSOL Multiphysics. The results showed that from the excavation face to the deep part of coal seam, the stress presented unloading zone, stress concentration zone, and original stress zone. The volumetric strain and permeability reached the minimum, while the gas pressure reached the maximum at the peak value of vertical stress. As time goes on, the gas pressure in the fracture near the working face gradually decreased and was less than the pressure in coal matrix. The total gas expansion energy consists of free gas and desorption gas expansion energy. Affected by the excavation, free gas expansion energy maintained a constant value in the original coal seam and gradually decreased in the area close to the working face. The expansion energy provided by desorption gas was zero in the original coal seam. And it first increased and then decreased rapidly near the working face. Compared with stress and coal seam thickness, gas pressure and initial diffusion coefficient had significant influence on gas expansion energy of coal seam. When the diffusion coefficient was greater than 1e-9 m2/s, the gas expansion energy of the coal seam near the working face was significantly higher than that of the original coal seam, which had the risk of inducing outburst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To eliminate the effects of image’s light and shade difference when separating and distinguishing the material composition, a method is put forward, namely, ring-type and partitions threshold segmentation. It means setting up different segment threshold for different areas of the same image and then combining these different areas into one image. Furthermore, by analyzing the CT image before and after the RLWT rutting test for the drilling specimen and Marshall specimen and taking the volume of air voids and the angle (alpha) between max main axis and X axis, the differences of two kinds of specimens’ macrotest results were discussed from internal structure distribution. Here, we show that there are differences between macrotest results of two kinds of specimens because of internal air voids and aggregate distribution, which should be considered for compliance testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]