• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

This study conducts uniaxial compression tests on intact and single crack-contained rocks to investigate the time-frequency domain characteristics of acoustic emission (AE) signals monitored during the deformation failure process. A processing approach, short-time Fourier transform (STFT), is performed to obtain the evolution characteristics of time-frequency domain of AE signals. The AE signal modes at different deformation stages of rocks are different. Five modes of AE signal are observed during the cracking process of rocks. The evolution characteristics of time-frequency domain of AE signals processed by STFT can be utilized to evaluate the damage process of rocks. The difference of time-frequency domain characteristics between intact and cracked rocks is comparatively analyzed. The distribution characteristics of frequency changing from a single band-shaped cluster to multiple band-shaped clusters can be regarded as an early warning information of damage and failure of rocks. Meanwhile, the attenuation of frequency enables the exploration of rock failure trends.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes-related neuropathic pain frequently occurs, and the underpinning mechanism remains elusive. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) exhibits descending inhibitory effects on central pain transmission. The current work aimed to examine whether inflammatory cytokines regulate mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by diabetes through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the PAG. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered intraperitoneally to mimic allodynia and hyperalgesia evoked by diabetes in rats. Behavioral assays were carried out for determining mechanical pain and thermal hypersensitivity. Immunoblot and ELISA were performed to examine PAG protein amounts of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as their corresponding receptors in STZ rats, and the expression of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt)/mTOR signaling effectors. Results: Increased PAG p-PI3K/p-Akt/p-mTOR protein amounts were observed in STZ-induced animals, a PI3K-mTOR pathway inhibition in the PAG attenuated neuropathic pain responses. Moreover, the PAG concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and their receptors (namely, IL-1R, IL-6R, and tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR] subtype TNFR1, respectively) were increased in the STZ rats. Additionally, inhibiting IL-1R, IL-6R, and TNFR1 ameliorated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in STZ rats, alongside the downregulation of PI3K-mTOR signaling. Conclusions: Overall, the current study suggests that upregulated proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the PAG activate PI3K-mTOR signaling, thereby producing a de-inhibition effect on descending pathways in modulating pain transmission, and eventually contributing to neuropathic pain.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.46.1-46.16
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• 2023

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) affects all age group and occurs mainly in women. Pyroptosis is a novel programmed cell death featured with cell bursting and release of proinflammatory cytokines. A deeper understanding of AIH pathogenesis will contribute to novel therapy for AIH patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of IL-17 in immune-mediated liver injury. The levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA, and mRNA levels of STAT3 and IFN gamma-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) were detected by PCR. Expressions of STAT3, IFI16, gasdermin D and cleaved caspase-1 were measured by western-blotting. Immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy were applied to evaluate liver histopathological changes of the treated mice. Our results showed that the levels of IFI16 was increased in hepatocytes treated with IL-17 protein, and further elevated after STAT3-overexpressed (STAT3-OE) lentivirus treatment. The levels of IFI16 were reduced in hepatocytes treated with IL-17 neutralizing Ab (nAb), but were significantly increased after STAT3-OE treatment. Pyroptosis was observed in hepatocytes treated with IL-17 protein, and further cell damage was observed after STAT3-OE lentivirus treatment. Liver damage was alleviated in mice treated with IL-17 nAb, however sever damage was experienced after STAT3-OE lentivirus treatment. A binding interaction between IFI16 and STAT3 was detected in IL-17 treated hepatocytes. Glutathione transaminase activity was enhanced in concanavalin A-induced AIH mice compared to the control group (p<0.01). IL-17 plays an important role in activating STAT3 and up-regulating IFI16, which may promote the pyroptosis in AIH-related liver injury through STAT3-IFI16 axis.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.78-81
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• 2003

The present study illustrates a method for monitoring the urban vegetation around Shaoxing city, Monitoring spatiotemporal changes in urban areas will become increasingly important as the number and proportion of urban residents continues to increase. The synoptic view of urban land cover provided by satellite and airborne sensors is an important complement to in situ measurements of physical, environmental and socioeconomic variables in urban settings. The results obtained have revealed a notable change in the vegetation cover in and around the City premises. In this study, we discussed methodology for measurement of urban vegetation and vegetation distributions based on band ratioing in Shaoxing city using Land sat TM imageries. A systematic analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation in urban areas is required to ensure a healthy sustainable environment.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.5
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• pp.595-608
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• 2021

To investigate the mechanical behavior of large stud shear connector embedded in hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HFRC), a refined 3D nonlinear finite element (FE) model incorporating the constitutive model of HFRC was developed using ANSYS. Firstly, the test results conducted by the authors (He et al. 2017) were used to validate FE model of push out tests. Secondly, a total of 27 specimens were analyzed with various parameters including fiber volume fractions of HFRC, diameter of studs and HFRC strength. Finally, an empirical equation considering the contribution of steel fiber (SF) and polypropylene fiber (PF) was recommended to estimate the ultimate capacity of large stud shear connector embedded in HFRC.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.197-213
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• 2023

To investigate the static properties of large high strength bolt shear connector in hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HFRC) and normal concrete (NC), eight push-out test specimens with single/double nut and HFRC/NC slabs were designed and push-out tests were conducted. A fine 3D nonlinear finite element (FE) model including HFRC constitutive model was established by using ANSYS 18.0, and the test results were used to verify FE models of the push-out test specimens. Then a total of 13 FE models were analyzed with various parameters including fiber volume fractions of HFRC, bolt diameter and thickness of steel flange. Finally, the empirical equations considering the contribution of polypropylene fiber (PF) and steel fiber (SF) obtained from the regression of the test results and FE analysis were recommended to evaluate the load-slip curve and ultimate capacity of the large high strength bolt shear connector embedded in HFRC/NC.

• Bulletin of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.1337-1346
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• 2017

We define Bloch-type spaces of ${\mathcal{C}}^1({\mathbb{H}})$ on the upper half plane H and characterize them in terms of weighted Lipschitz functions. We also discuss the boundedness of a composition operator ${\mathcal{C}}_{\phi}$ acting between two Bloch spaces. These obtained results generalize the corresponding known ones to the setting of upper half plane.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.177-189
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• 2017

Hybrid-fiber reinforced concrete (HFRC) may provide much higher tensile and flexural strengths, tensile ductility, and flexural toughness than normal concrete (NC). HFRC slab has outstanding advantages for use as a composite bridge potential deck slab owing to higher tensile strength, ductility and crack resistance. However, there is little information on shear connector associated with HFRC slabs. To investigate the mechanical behavior of the stud shear connectors embedded in HFRC slab, 14 push-out tests (five batches) in HFRC and NC were conducted. It was found that the stud shear connector embedded in HFRC had a better ductility, higher stiffness and a slightly larger shear bearing capacity than those in NC. The experimentally obtained ultimate resistances of the stud shear connectors were also compared against the equations provided by GB50017 2003, ACI 318-112011, AISC 2011, AASHTO LRFD 2010, PCI 2004, and EN 1994-1-1 (2004), and an empirical equation to predict the ultimate shear connector resistance considering the effect of the HFRC slabs was proposed and validated by the experimental data. Curve fitting was performed to find fitting parameters for all tested specimens and idealized load-slip models were obtained for the specimens with HFRC slabs.

• Kyungpook Mathematical Journal
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.185-196
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• 2024

In this article, we investigate the growth of meromorphic solutions of $${\alpha}(z)(\frac{{\Delta}_c{\eta}}{{\eta}})^2\,+\,(b_2(z){\eta}^2(z)\;+\;b_1(z){\eta}(z)\;+\;b_0(z))\frac{{\Delta}_c{\eta}}{{\eta}} \atop =d_4(z){\eta}^4(z)\;+\;d_3(z){\eta}^3(z)\;+\;d_2(z){\eta}^2(z)\;+\;d_1(z){\eta}(z)\;+\;d_0(z),$$ where a(z), b_i(z) for i = 0, 1, 2 and d_j (z) for j = 0, ..., 4 are given functions, △_cη = η(z + c) - η(z) with c ∈ ℂ\{0}. In particular, when the a(z), the b_i(z) and the d_j(z) are polynomials, and d₄(z) ≡ 0, we shall show that if η(z) is a transcendental entire solution of finite order, and either deg a(z) ≠ deg d₀(z) + 1, or, deg a(z) = deg d₀(z) + 1 and ρ(η) ≠ ½, then ρ(η) ≥ 1.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.533-543
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• 2021

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is the result of persistent and repeated aggravation of myocardial ischemia and hypoxia, leading to the gradual development of heart failure of chronic ischemic heart disease. Triptolide (TPL) is identified to be involved in the treatment for MF. This study aims to explore the mechanism of TPL in the treatment of MF. The MF rat model was established, subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol and treated by subcutaneous injection of TPL. The cardiac function of each group was evaluated, including LVEF, LVFS, LVES, and LVED. The expressions of ANP, BNP, inflammatory related factors (IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, MCP-1, VCAM1), NLRP3 inflammasome factors (NLRP3, ASC) and fibrosis related factors (TGF-β1, COL1, and COL3) in rats were dete cted. H&E staining and Masson staining were used to observe myocardial cell inflammation and fibrosis of rats. Western blot was used to detect the p-P65 and t-P65 levels in nucleoprotein of rat myocardial tissues. LVED and LVES of MF group were significantly upregulated, LVEF and LVFS were significantly downregulated, while TPL treatment reversed these trends; TPL treatment downregulated the tissue injury and improved the pathological damage of MF rats. TPL treatment downregulated the levels of inflammatory factors and fibrosis factors, and inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome or NF-κB pathway reversed the effect of TPL on MF. Collectively, TPL inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting NF-κB pathway, and improved MF in MF rats.