• Wind and Structures
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.213-236
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• 2015

For high-speed railways (HSR) in wind prone regions, wind barriers are often installed on bridges to ensure the running safety of trains. This paper analyzes the effect of wind barriers on the running safety of a high-speed train to cross winds when it passes on a bridge. Two simply-supported (S-S) PC bridges in China, one with 32 m box beams and the other with 16 m trough beams, are selected to perform the dynamic analyses. The bridges are modeled by 3-D finite elements and each vehicle in a train by a multi-rigid-body system connected with suspension springs and dashpots. The wind excitations on the train vehicles and the bridges are numerically simulated, using the static tri-component coefficients obtained from a wind tunnel test, taking into account the effects of wind barriers, train speed and the spatial correlation with wind forces on the deck. The whole histories of a train passing over the two bridges under strong cross winds are simulated and compared, considering variations of wind velocities, train speeds and without or with wind barriers. The threshold curves of wind velocity for train running safety on the two bridges are compared, from which the windbreak effect of the wind barrier are evaluated, based on which a beam structure with better performance is recommended.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권11호
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• pp.533-538
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• 2013

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) produced by cancer cells has been associated with the high potential of metastasis in several human carcinomas, including breast cancer. Several pieces of evidence demonstrate that protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) have functions that promote cell migration and metastasis in breast cancer. We analyzed whether PTP inhibitor might control breast cancer invasion through MMP expression. Herein, we investigate the effect of 4-hydroxy- 3,3-dimethyl-2H benzo[g]indole-2,5(3H)-dione (BVT948), a novel PTP inhibitor, on 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 cells. The expression of MMP-9 and cell invasion increased after TPA treatment, whereas TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion were decreased by BVT948 pretreatment. Also, BVT948 suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. However, BVT948 didn't block TPA-induced AP-1 activation in MCF-7 cells. Our results suggest that the PTP inhibitor blocks breast cancer invasion via suppression of the expression of MMP-9.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.143-155
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• 2016

The interaction between two different shaped structures is very important to be understood. Fluid-structure interactions and aerodynamics of a circular cylinder in the wake of a V-shaped cylinder are examined experimentally, including forces, shedding frequencies, lock-in process, etc., with the V-shaped cylinder width d varying from d/D = 0.6 to 2, where D is the circular cylinder diameter. While the streamwise separation between the circular cylinder and V-shaped cylinder was 10D fixed, the transverse distance T between them was varied from T/D = 0 to 1.5. While fluid force and shedding frequency of the circular cylinder were measured using a load cell installed in the circular cylinder, measurement of shedding frequency of the V-shaped cylinder was done by a hotwire. The major findings are: (i) a larger d begets a larger velocity deficit in the wake; (ii) with increase in d/D, the lock-in between the shedding from the two cylinders is centered at d/D = 1.1, occurring at $d/D{\approx}0.95-1.35$ depending on T/D; (iii) at a given T/D, when d/D is increased, the fluctuating lift grows and reaches a maximum before decaying; the d/D corresponding to the maximum fluctuating lift is dependent on T/D, and the relationship between them is linear, expressed as $d/D=1.2+{\frac{1}{e}}T/D$; that is, a larger d/D corresponds to a greater T/D for the maximum fluctuating lift.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.139-150
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• 2017

The structural strain plays a significant role in structural condition assessment of in-service bridges in terms of structural bearing capacity, structural reliability level and entire safety redundancy. Therefore, it has been one of the most important parameters concerned by researchers and engineers engaged in structural health monitoring (SHM) practices. In this paper, an SHM system instrumented on the Jiubao Bridge located in Hangzhou, China is firstly introduced. This system involves nine subsystems and has been continuously operated for five years since 2012. As part of the SHM system, a total of 166 fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors are installed on the bridge to measure the dynamic strain responses of key structural components. Based on the strain monitoring data acquired in recent two years, the strain-based structural condition assessment of the Jiubao Bridge is carried out. The wavelet multi-resolution algorithm is applied to separate the temperature effect from the raw strain data. The obtained strain data under the normal traffic and wind condition and under the typhoon condition are examined for structural safety evaluation. The structural condition rating of the bridge in accordance with the AASHTO specification for condition evaluation and load and resistance factor rating of highway bridges is performed by use of the processed strain data in combination with finite element analysis. The analysis framework presented in this study can be used as a reference for facilitating the assessment, inspection and maintenance activities of in-service bridges instrumented with long-term SHM system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.1342-1348
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• 2007

POU1F1 is a positive regulator for GH, PRL and TSH${\beta}$ and its mutations associate with production traits in ruminant animals. We described a DdeI PCR-RFLP method for detecting a silent allele in the goat POU1F1 gene: TCT (241Ser)>TCG (241Ser). Frequencies of $D_1$ allele varied from 0.600 to 1.000 in Chinese 801 goats. Significant associations of DdeI polymorphism with production traits were found in milk yield (*p<0.05), litter size (*p<0.05) and one-year-old weight (*p<0.05) between different genotypes. Individuals with genotype $D_1D_1$ had a superior performances when compared to those with genotype $D_1D_2$ (*p<0.05). Hence, the POU1F1 gene was suggested to the potential candidate gene for superior milk performance, reproduction trait and weight trait. Genotype $D_1D_1$, characterized by a DdeI PCR-RFLP detection, was recommended to geneticists and breeders as a molecular marker for better performance in the goat industry.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.6369-6374
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• 2012

Vitexicarpin (3', 5-dihydroxy-3, 4', 6, 7-tetramethoxyflavone), a polymethoxyflavone isolated from Viticis Fructus (Vitex rotundifolia Linne fil.), has long been used as an anti-inflammatory herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It has also been reported that vitexicarpin can inhibit the growth of various cancer cells. However, there is no report elucidating its effect on human prostate carcinoma cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the apoptotic induction activity of vitexicarpin on PC-3 cells and molecular mechanisms involved. MTT studies showed that vitexicarpin dose-dependently inhibited growth of PC-3 cells with an $IC_{50}{\sim}28.8{\mu}M$. Hoechst 33258 staining further revealed that vitexicarpin induced apoptotic cell death. The effect of vitexicarpin on PC-3 cells apoptosis was tested using prodium iodide (PI)/Annexin V-FITC double staining and flow cytometry. The results indicated that vitexicarpin induction of apoptotic cell death in PC-3 cells was accompanied by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that vitexicarpin induction of PC-3 cell apoptosis was associated with upregulation of the proapoptotic protein Bax, and downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, release of Cytochrome c from mitochondria and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Our findings suggested that vitexicarpin may become a potential leading drug in the therapy of prostate carcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1657-1662
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• 2012

Fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) has been implicated in cell adhesion, motility, and tumor progression in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. We previously reported that it promotes cell proliferation through the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying FUT4-induced cell invasion remain unknown. In this study we determined the effect of FUT4 on expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 induced by EGF in A431 cells. Treatment with EGF resulted in an alteration of cell morphology and induced an increase in the expression of MMP-12. EGF induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kB (NF-${\kappa}B$) and resulted in phosphorylation of $IkB{\alpha}$ in a time-dependent manner. In addition, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were shown to play a crucial role in mediating EGF-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ translocation and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ when treated with the MAPK inhibitors, PD98059 and SB203580, which resulted in increased MMP-12 expression. Importantly, we showed that FUT4 up-regulated EGF-induced MMP-12 expression by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, thereby inducing phosphorylation/degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Base on our data, we propose that FUT4 up-regulates expression of MMP-12 via a MAPK-NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent mechanism.

• 한국수소및신에너지학회논문집
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.238-245
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• 2017

Mg-Ni nanoparticles were synthesized by a physical vapor condensation method (DC arc-discharge) in a mixture of argon and hydrogen atmosphere, using compressed mixture of micro powders as the raw materials. The crystal phases, morphology, and microstructures of nanoparticles were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the intermetallic compounds of $Mg_2Ni$ and $Mg_2Ni$ formed with existence of phases of Mg, Ni, and MgO in Mg-Ni nanoparticles. After one cycle of hydrogen absorption/desorption process (activation treatment), Mg-Ni nanoparticles exhibited excellent hydrogen absorption properties. $Mg_2Ni$ phase became the main phase by aphase transformation during the hydrogen treatments. The phenomenon of refinement of grain size in the nanoparticle was also observed after the hydrogen absorption/desorption processes, which was attributed to the effect of volume expansion/shrinkage and subsequent break of nanoparticles. Maximum hydrogen absorption contents are 1.75, 2.21 and 2.77 wt.% at 523, 573 and 623 K, respectively.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.78-84
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to optimize the solid state cultivation of Monascus ruber on sterile rice. A single-level-multiple-factor and a single-factor-multiple-level experimental design were employed to determine the optimal medium constituents and to optimize carbon and nitrogen source concentrations for lovastatin production. Simultaneous quantitative analyses of the ${\beta}$-hydroxyacid form and ${\beta}$-hydroxylactone for of lovastatin were performed by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with a UV photodiode-array (PDA) detector. The total lovastatin yield ($4{\sim}6\;mg/g$, average of five repeats) was achieved by adding soybean powder, glycerol, sodium nitrate, and acetic acid at optimized levels after 14 days of fermentation. The maximal yield of lovastatin under the optimal composition of the medium increased by almost 2 times the yield observed prior to optimization. The experimental results also indicated that the ${\beta}$-hydroxylactone form of lovastatin (LFL) and the ${\beta}$-hydroxyacid form of lovastatin (AFL) simultaneously existed in solid state cultures of Monascus ruber. while the latter was the dominant form in the middle-late stage of continued fermentation. These results indicate that optimized culture conditions can be used for industrial production of lovastatin to obtain high yields.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.273-283
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• 2018

Previous experimental researches indicate that reinforced concrete beam-column joints play an important role in the mechanical properties of moment resisting frame structures, so as to require proper design. In order to get better understanding of the beam-column joint performance, a rational model needs to be developed. Based on the former considerations, two typical models for calculating the shear carrying capacity of the beam-column joint including the inelastic reinforced concrete joint model and the softened strut-and-tie model are selected to be introduced and analyzed. After examining the applicability of two typical models mentioned earlier to interior beam-column joints, several adjustments are made to get better predicting of the test results. For the softened strut-and-tie model, four adjustments including modifications of the depth of the diagonal strut, the inclination angle of diagonal compression strut, the smeared stress of mild steel bars embedded in concrete, as well as the softening coefficient are made. While two adjustments for the inelastic reinforced concrete joint model including modifications of the confinement effect due to the column axial load and the correction coefficient for high concrete are made. It has been proved by test data that predicted results by the improved softened strut-and-tie model or the modified inelastic reinforced concrete joint model are consistent with the test data and conservative. Based on the test results, it is also not difficult to find that the improved beam-column joint model can be used to predict the joint carrying capacity and cracks development with sufficient accuracy.