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Recently, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water environment exhibited potential risks to both human and aquatic organisms. In order to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of pharmaceutical detection, the polyimidazolyl acetate ionic liquid was synthesized by Radziszewski reaction and coated on cellulose filter papers as a thin-film extraction phase for extraction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from water. The attenuated total reflection-infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope analyses demonstrated that the polyimidazolyl acetate ionic liquid was successfully prepared and attached to the surface of the cellulose filter paper through chemical bonding. The adsorption capacity of the homemade thin-film extraction material for the four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was greater than 8898 ng/cm

Increasing evidence suggests that immunological disturbances and abnormalities in axonal myelination are involved in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study aimed to determine the role of cytokines in myelin damage in Chinese children with ASD and the role of cytokine dysregulation, myelin damage, and cytokine polymorphisms in ASD in Chinese children. The present case-control study included 98 ASD subjects and 252 typically developing (TD) controls; the levels of serum cytokines and myelin basic protein (MBP) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cytokine polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Autistic clinical manifestations were assessed by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). The results showed that serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, and MBP were higher in children with ASD compared with those in TD children. In individuals with ASD, serum MBP level was significantly positively associated with the CARS total score, and serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2R, IL-6, and MBP demonstrated positive correlations. The data identified IL-6*MBP as a factor that influenced the risk of ASD, and IL-2R*MBP was identified as a factor that influenced symptom severity, which influenced auxiliary diagnosis of ASD. The presence of the interleukin-6-572CC genotype was associated with significantly higher serum levels of IL-6 and MBP but did not influence the risk and symptom severity of ASD. Therefore, the results suggested inflammatory responses and myelin damage in Chinese children with ASD. Cytokine dysregulation influenced myelin damage in ASD; moreover, the interactions of the cytokines and myelin damage influenced the risk and symptom severity of ASD. The IL-6-572C/G genotypes may be associated with myelin damage in ASD by influencing the circulating level of IL-6.

Chitosan is a kind of biodegradable natural polysaccharide, and it is a very promising adsorber material for removing metal ions from aqueous solutions. In this study, chitosan-based magnetic adsorbent CMC@Fe3O4 was synthesized by a one-step method using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and ferric salts under relatively mild conditions. The Fe3O4 microspheres were formed and the core–shell structure of CMC@Fe3O4 was synthesized in the meantime, which was well characterized via SEM/TEM, XRD, VSM, FT-IR, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), XPS, size distribution, and zeta potential. The effects of initial arsenic concentration, pH, temperature, contact time, and ionic strength on adsorption quantity of inorganic arsenic was studied through batch adsorption experiments. The magnetic adsorbent CMC@Fe3O4 displayed satisfactory adsorption performance for arsenic in water samples, up to 20.1 mg/g. The optimal conditions of the adsorption process were pH 3.0, 30−50 °C, and a reaction time of 15 min. The adsorption process can be well described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting that chemisorption was main rate-controlling step. The Langmuir adsorption model provided much higher correlation coefficient than that of Freundlich adsorption model, indicating that the adsorption behavior is monolayer adsorption on the surface of the magnetic adsorbents. The above results have demonstrated that chitosan-based magnetic adsorbent CMC@Fe3O4 is suitable for the removal of inorganic arsenic in water.

Metastasis is one of the main causes of mortality in cancer patients. Inotilone, a major component of Inonotus linteus, is a traditional Chinese medical herb. In this study, MTT results showed that inotilone had no obvious cytotoxicity. Animal model results revealed that inotilone suppressed cancer metastatic efficacy. Serum results showed that inotilone reduced the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) activity as well as NO content. Additionally, inotilone affected MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 protein expression and improved the activity of the antioxidant enzymes in the lung tissues of LLC-bearing mice. In addition, cell experimental results showed that inotilone reduced the activity of MMP-2/-9 and inhibited the ability for cellular migration and invasion. Inotilone decreased interleukin (IL)-8 expression in A549 cells. Western blot results revealed that inotilone affected the protein expression of MMPs, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, anti-oxidant enzymes, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)-AKT, and nuclear factor (NF)κB. Therefore, we propose that inotilone is a potential therapeutic candidate against metastatic lung cancer cells.

Adenostemma lavenia is a perennial herb belonging to the Compositae family and is widely distributed in the tropical parts of Asia. It has been widely used as medicine in Taiwan with the whole plant used to treat pulmonary congestion, pneumonia, bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, edema, and inflammation. This study sought to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of A. lavenia in vitro and in animal models. The anti-inflammatory effects of ethyl acetate fractions of A. lavenia (EAAL) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and lung injury in mice. EAAL reduced proinflammatory cytokine responses. Preoral EAAL alleviated LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissue and inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells and protein concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). EAAL prevented protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); phosphorylation of I[Formula: see text]B-[Formula: see text], MAPKs, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); and activated anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD, and GPx), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in LPS-stimulated cells and lung tissues. Fingerprinting of EAAL was performed with HPLC to control its quality, and [Formula: see text]-coumaric acid was found to be a major constituent. This study suggests that EAAL is a potential therapeutic agent to treat inflammatory disorders.

Objective: To explore the value of Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) for evaluating the pathologic features of breast cancer. Methods: A total of 76 patients with primary breast cancer who were diagnosed and underwent radical mastectomy in our hospital between May 2016 and January 2018 were selected as the breast cancer group, and 89 patients with breast adenoma who underwent breast nodule resection in our hospital during the same period were selected as the breast adenoma group. The differences in lesion SWE parameter as well as the expression of proliferation, apoptosis and invasion genes in the lesions were compared between the two groups of patients, and correlation analysis was used to judge the correlation between Emax level and gene expression in breast cancer tissue. Results: The Emax level in the lesions of breast cancer group was higher than that of breast adenoma group; proliferation-related genes Ghrelin, Jab1, galectin-3, TRIM11, RRS1 and MTDH mRNA expression in the lesions were higher than those of breast adenoma group; apoptosis-related gene SFRP2 mRNA expression in the lesions was lower than that of breast adenoma group whereas Smo and TPX2 mRNA expression were higher than those of breast adenoma group; invasion-related genes AEG-1 and HERC4 mRNA expression in the lesions were higher than those of breast adenoma group whereas HSPC238 and TET1 mRNA expression were lower than those of breast adenoma group; correlation analysis showed that the SWE parameter Emax level in breast cancer lesions was directly correlated with the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion activity of cancer cells. Conclusion: SWE parameter level in breast cancer tissue is significantly different from that in benign lesions, and the specific level can be used to determine the malignant degree of cancer cells.

First-principles calculations combined with particle swarm optimisation technique are employed to provide an in-depth understanding of the structures, stabilities, electronic properties, and hardne...

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical problem, characterized by a sudden loss of renal function, a high risk of death, and the eventual development of renal fibrosis and renal failure. Cordyceps cicadae is a traditional Chinese medicine with the potential function of kidney protection. We analyze two sputum extracts, a water extract (WCC), and an ethanol extract (ECC), to assess the potential of treating AKI in an animal model of kidney injury induced by cisplatin. A nephrotoxic mouse model was first established by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin. Subsequently, WCC and ECC were orally administered in these mice. The results show that WCC and ECC significantly alleviated cisplatin-induced AKI renal histological changes, serum creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) production, and the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were suppressed by administration of WCC and ECC. However, WCC treatment prevented these changes significantly better than ECC treatment. In addition, Western blot data showed that WCC attenuated the cisplatin-induced protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in the kidney tissues. Furthermore, WCC greatly inhibited the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and cisplatin-induced NF-κB activation, as well as dramatically increasing the production of antioxidative enzymes (i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1)), silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1), and p-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the kidney tissues. In addition, we found that WCC increased the expression levels of the autophagy-related proteins LC3B and Beclin-1; proapoptotic proteins, including cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1; and organic anion transporters 1 (OAT1) and 3 (OAT3) in the kidney tissues. Finally, WCC, ECC, and two bioactive compounds—adenosine and N6-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine (HEA)—inhibited the production of nitrite oxide (NO) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. Collectively, WCC could provide a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention of cisplatin-induced kidney injury through the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Renovation construction is employed for maintaining the long-term performance of buildings. For the occupants, the building users, renovation contributes to the acceptable levels of convenience and quality of the buildings. However, if the operation continues during the renovation for an area containing several buildings, such as a university campus, the impacts on the occupants are unavoidable. The complicated schedule plan is needed due to the various types of buildings and types of renovation under limited resources. The goal of this study is to build a model that can help the planners to make the renovation schedule plan. Taking a university campus as an example, the occupants&rsquo, convenience rate and the long-term quality of the building are analyzed in this paper. Based on the key attributes of building renovation, this study proposes a model integrating the genetic algorithm and simulation to provide the optimal schedule plan to the planners. The model is demonstrated by an application case of a university campus of 11 buildings remaining in operation. It helps the university maintain a good level of long-term performance of buildings.

Alpinumisoflavone (AIF) is a plant-derived pyranoisoflavone that exhibits a number of pharmacological activities, but the protective effects of AIF against pulmonary inflammation are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and possible molecular mechanisms of AIF in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and mice. The results revealed that AIF dramatically suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory mediators [including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-17, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and nitric oxide (NO)] and increased the levels of anti-oxidative enzymes [including catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, pre-treatment with AIF could not only significantly prevent histopathological changes and neutrophil infiltration but also decreased the expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, as well as IL-17 production in LPS-induced lung tissues. The anti-inflammatory effects of AIF were mediated by up-regulating anti-oxidative enzymes and suppressing the NF-κB, MAPK, NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-17 signaling pathways. This is the first study to reveal that AIF has a protective effect against LPS-induced lung injury in mice.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to present results of a pilot program to educate nurses in China about rehabilitation nursing. Design A single cohort, pre- and posttest design with an educational intervention. Methods A 3-day basic rehabilitation nursing education program was conducted in Shanghai and Hangzhou by a certified rehabilitation nurse specialist from the United States. The effect of the educational intervention was measured using pre- and posttests for six topic areas. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and paired samples t-tests. Findings Paired samples t-tests showed a significant improvement (p

The exploitation and utilization of mineral materials during urban construction causes a large amount of carbon emission, but could also contribute to carbon sequestration. In the related literature, carbon sequestration process of building mineral materials has received limited attention and scientific quantification. On the basis of extracting building capacity and identifying building types, we used the technology of remote sensing image shadow height inversion to quantify mineral material consumption and carbon content parameters. Carbonization rate was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, a calculation method for carbon sink in urban buildings was constructed. We investigated the uncertainty of this method with Puhe New Town in Shenyang as an example. The results showed that the order of carbon sink density of different types of buildings followed the order of residential buildingspublic service buildingsother types of buildingscommercial and financial buildingsindustrial buildings; the ratio of carbon sink volumetric in diffe-rent types of construction land followed the order of commercial and financial buildingsresidential buildingspublic service buildingsother types of buildingsindustrial buildings. The carbon sink calculation method based on the urban scale of building capacity in this study could quickly and accurately estimate the magnitude of carbon sinks from the inorganic materials in various types of urban construction lands. Under the background of limited urban natural carbon sequestration, using building carbon sequestration to enhance the urban carbon sequestration could provide new ideas for the low-carbon development of cities in China.城市建设中的矿物质材料开发利用活动不仅导致大量碳排放,也产生了碳吸收.以往建筑矿物质材料的碳吸收过程一直没有得到重视和科学量化.本研究采用遥感影像阴影高度反演技术,提取地块的建筑容量,识别建筑类型,以此为依据确定矿物材料用量及碳含量参数,采用热重分析法测定碳化率,基于以上步骤构建城市建筑碳汇量的核算方法,并选取沈阳市蒲河新来测试这一核算方法,同时进行不确定性分析.结果表明: 1996—2016年,沈阳市蒲河新城各类型建筑产生的碳汇总量依次为:居住建筑公共服务建筑其他类建筑商业金融建筑工业建筑;各类建筑用地的碳汇容积率依次为:商业金融建筑居住建筑公共服务建筑其他类建筑工业建筑.本研究构建的基于建筑容量提取的城市尺度的建筑碳汇量核算方法,可以快速准确地估算不同类型城市建设用地无机材料产生的碳汇量.在城市自然碳汇有限条件下,利用建筑碳汇增加城市碳汇量,能够为我国城市低碳发展提供新的思路.

Front cover: The cover image, by Yu‐Xi Zhou et al., is based on the Original Article IL‐2mAb reduces demyelination after focal cerebral ischemia by suppressing CD8+ T cells. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cns.13084. [Image: see text]

Alpinumisoflavone (AIF) is a plant-derived pyranoisoflavone that exhibits a number of pharmacological activities, but the protective effects of AIF against pulmonary inflammation are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and possible molecular mechanisms of AIF in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and mice. The results revealed that AIF dramatically suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory mediators [including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-17, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and nitric oxide (NO)] and increased the levels of anti-oxidative enzymes [including catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] both

Background/Introduction: At present, human diet is replete with sugar and fat. Abnormal metabolism and hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia in the body induces the development of an overactive and continuous inflammatory response, resulting in obesity and metabolic syndromes, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Torenia concolor Lindley var. formosana Yamazaki (TC), a perennial creeping herbaceous plant, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely used for the treatment of heat stroke, aching muscles and bones, cold, dysentery, and ambustion. Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of TC on inflammation responses and lipid metabolism. Methods: In this study, ground TC powder was extracted with 95% ethanol. The ethanol was removed by vacuum concentration, and the resulting extract was further extracted with a number of solvents of different polarity to produce four final extracts: an ethanol extract (TCEE), an ethyl acetate extract (TCEAE), an n-butanol extract (TCBUE), and a water extract (TCWE). The anti-inflammatory efficacy of the extracts and their capability for lipid metabolism regulation was then explored. Results: TCEE, TCEAE, and TCBUE exhibited good anti-inflammatory efficacy; TCEAE also simultaneously regulated lipid metabolism. In RAW264.7 cells, these three extracts suppressed the expression of iNOS and IL-6 via the signaling pathway activation of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and thereby showed anti-inflammatory efficacy. In 3T3-L1 cells, these three extracts promoted lipid metabolism and reduced lipid accumulation through the activation of PPARα and the increased expression of adiponectin, thus demonstrating regulation of lipid metabolism. Conclusion: These results indicate that TC possesses anti-inflammatory efficacy and can regulate lipid metabolism through the activation of transcription factor PPARs. We speculate that these nutraceutical effects are attributable to betulin, an active ingredient in this herbal medicine.

Scutellaria baicalensis has been widely used as both a dietary ingredient and traditional herbal medicine in Taiwan to treat inflammation, cancer, and bacterial and viral infections of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. This paper aims to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of S. baicalensis. In HPLC analysis, the fingerprint chromatogram of the water extract of S. baicalensis (WSB) was established. The anti-inflammatory effects of WSB were inverstigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage (RAW264.7) in vitro and LPS-induced lung injury in vivo. WSB attenuated the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[Formula: see text], interleukin-[Formula: see text] (IL-1[Formula: see text], and IL-6 in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment with WSB markedly reduced the LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. Furthermore, WSB significantly reduced the number of total cells and the protein concentration levels in the BALF. WSB blocked protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phosphorylation of I[Formula: see text]B-[Formula: see text] protein and MAPKs in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and LPS-induce lung injury was also blocked. This study suggests that WSB possesses anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo, and the results suggested that WSB may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

3, 4-Dihydroxybenzalacetone (DBL) is a constituent of Phellinus linteus. This study demonstrated the protective effect of DBL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injuries in mice. Pretreatment with DBL significantly improved LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. In addition, DBL markedly reduced the total cell number, the leukocytes, the protein concentrations, and decreased the release of nitrite, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and the activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. DBL also inhibited the W/D ratio and myeloperoxidase activity in the lung tissues. Western blot analysis indicated DBL efficiently blocked the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Moreover, DBL enhanced the expression of anti-oxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Based on our results, DBL might be a potential target for attenuating tissue oxidative injuries and nonspecific pulmonary inflammation.

To assess Cryptosporidium infections among wild animals in a zoo located in Anhui province, we conducted an investigation on the fecal samples collected from 44 primates, 41 herbivores, 44 carnivores and omnivores, and 103 birds in the zoo with the use of Sheather's sugar flotation technique and modified acid-fast staining. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in the fecal samples from six primates, two herbivores, four carnivores and omnivores, and seven birds by using Sheather's sugar flotation technique; the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in primates, herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and birds was 13.64, 4.88, 9.09, and 6.80%, respectively. Modified acid-fast staining detected the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the fecal samples of one primate, three herbivores, 0 carnivores and omnivores, and one bird, and the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in primates, herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and birds was 2.27, 7.32, 0.00, and 0.97%, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and phylogenetic analysis with the use of the neighbor-joining (NJ) method based on the aligned partial small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences showed that the protozoan pathogen isolated from primates was Cryptosporidium hominis and the pathogen isolated from camels ( Camelus dromedarius ) was Cryptosporidium andersoni. Subtyping the Cryptosporidium hominis by 60-kDa glycoprotein (GP60) gene phylogenetic analysis showed the Cryptosporidium hominis belongs to the subtype IdA and IbA.

In order to meet the demands of practical, convenient and quick charge requirements, a mathematical model of a certain type of vehicle starting lead-acid battery is established. Using the method of circuit analysis, the model parameters are identified by the known test data. In addition, battery charge model is simulated in each charge stage using the intelligent three-stage charge method, simulation waveform and test waveform fit very well, absolute errors between them reach to 10-6. Simulation results show that the mathematical model and its analysis method is proper for the charge characteristics of vehicle starting lead-acid battery. This has a good guidance to design intelligent charger and extend the battery life.

In the DC power system of the unwatched transformer substation, the battery charger is one of the key devices. The stability of its performances directly affect the stability of DC power system. In the paper, using the computer technologies and the real-time Ethernet technology to communicate with the battery charger monitor to achieve remote monitoring technology of the performances of the battery charger. It can not only remote monitor the operations and fault states of the battery charger on line, but also remote sensing the ripple factor and the stabilized voltage precision when the battery charger is under the states of the floating charge and the constant voltage equalizing charge, at the same time remote sensing the stabilized current precisions when the battery charger is under the stage of constant current equalizing charge, and the characteristics of equalizing current when the battery charger is in operation. So the remote monitoring technology of the performances of the battery charger is very important in the transformer substation.

In this paper, using current advanced computer and real-time Ethernet technologies to design a set of high performances’ DC power dynamic management system for digitalized transformer substation. In the system, the operation states and fault conditions of DC power system can be remote monitored and controlled, the state informations of the feeder switches are real time displayed, the state transformations of DC generatrices are remote controlled, the states of equalizing charge and floating charge of the battery charger are remote controlled and remote transformed, the parameters of the battery charger are remote set, etc. In addition, the operation modes of the whole DC power system in the transformer substation are shown by way of simulation map installed in the upper management machine. This dynamic management system greatly contribute to the construction of unwatched, intelligentized, digitalized transformer substation.

This paper deals with a new type of Anchor with an underreamed-segment formed by High Pressure Jet Grouting (HPJG–Anchor) of which the load–displacement behaviour is seldom studied. A numerical pull-out experiment is firstly conducted using FLAC3D to reveal the basic mechanical characteristics. Based on the simulation results, the failure modes and loading stages of HPJG–Anchors are summarized. For one important failure mode, the methods for analyzing all the ultimate resistance components are theoretically presented. Then, the load transfer models for the end resistance and frictional resistance are analytically established, respectively, using the cavity expansion theory and shear displacement method. These load transfer models can effectively consider the nonlinear load transfer characteristics and the coupled–decoupled behaviour of the grout–soil interface. They can then be used to predict the load–displacement behaviour of HPJG–Anchors using analytical solutions or nonlinear rod system finite element methods.

A new type of anchorage structure, anchor with an underreamed-segment formed by High Pressure Jet Grouting (HPJG-Anchor), has been extensively used in practice for the anti-floating of underground structures, support of foundation pits and protection of slopes. However, its load–displacement behaviour is seldom researched and not well-understood. Based on the load transfer models pre-proposed in a companion paper, a nonlinear load-transfer method is developed to predict the load–displacement behaviour of HPJG-Anchors, and the specific calculation procedure is also presented. This proposed method is then validated by comparing the calculated results with the field test data, and it is proved that the proposed prediction procedure is capable of providing rational estimation provided that the soil parameters are reliably determined. Afterwards, a series of parametric studies is carried out. The results indicate: the length of the free-stress segment is of an optimal value corresponding to the most efficient displacement control effect; an excessively strengthened free-stress segment will lead to obvious increase of construction cost but little increase of displacement control effect; bearing capacity of an HPJG-Anchor increases nonlinearly with the soil frictional angle and approximately linearly with the soil cohesion and shear modulus.

For schools, parks, and recreational areas, the maintenance of green areas is important, but it places a heavy burden on both manpower and budget. In this paper, we proposed a model to search for the minimum gardener manpower requirements and a near-optimal maintenance schedule for the green areas. Unlike other applications of ant colony optimization, we grouped the ants into teams to represent gardeners and considered the path of an ant team a schedule solution. We implemented the proposed model using a decision support system called the Garden-Ant. In addition, the feasibility of the model was evaluated on a campus. The results of the evaluation indicated that the proposed model could provide an appropriate maintenance plan, including manpower estimation and an all-inclusive maintenance schedule. Because the complicated calculations are performed by the model instead of by an administrator, the maintenance planning of green areas can be accomplished in an easy and efficient manner.

This survey was conducted at Tainan station which is an At-Ground Station. The designation of the Tainan station as a historic site limits, certain changes to the structure such as re-constructed o...

This study attempts to understand how users use rest facilities and, through observation and surveys conducted in three plazas, tries to identify their demand on the rest facilities. The results showed activities in the plaza bringing in large crowds. Half of all users used the supplementary rest facilities such as green decks, railings, and stairs. As a result of ongoing user activities, the rest and other facilities were observed to be closely related. Additionally, children comprised more than 10% of users in the three plazas and tended to use the rest facilities in a dangerous manner. The survey results demonstrated that cleanliness and communication were crucial issues for users. Thus, suggestions include having a plaza design that is based on activities to be held there, that take into account the needs of children, and that consider the environment, users′ comfort, and the need to facilitate communication.

To isolate cow-origin Cryptosporidium in Hefei, and identify its species.285 dairy cattle fecal samples collected from a farm in Hefei were examined by using floating saturated solution of sucrose and modified acid-fast staining. Cryptosporidium oocysts were isolated and purified from positive fecal samples. Genetic DNA was extracted to be the template. According to the sequence of 18S rRNA gene and HSP70 gene from Cryptosporidium sp., the primers were designed and synthesized. The PCR products were amplified by PCR and nested-PCR. The nested PCR products were cloned and sequenced. Homology searches and phylogenic tree construction were done by DNAStar software.Five fecal samples were positive by morphological methods with an infection rate of 1.8% (5/285). Oocysts from the 5 positive fecal samples were elliptical or ovoid detected by using floating saturated solution of sucrose and modified acid-fast staining with the size of 7.37 microm x 6.13 microm and 7.58 microm x 6.20 microm, and a shape index of 1.20 and 1.22, respectively. Nested-PCR resulted in a 18S rRNA and HSP70 gene fragments with approximately 250 bp and 325 bp, respectively. The five isolates showed a high level of nucleic acid identity with sequence data of the 18S rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium andersoni (DQ989573), and they were clustered in the same clade. The highest HSP70 gene sequence identity was found among the five isolates and other reported C. andersoni isolates (AY954892 and DQ989576), and they were placed into the same clade.The cow-origin Cryptosporidium isolates derived from Hefei is Cryptosporidium andersoni.