Search

There are many existing algorithms and damage indices that can effectively meet the engineering need in damage diagnosis. However, all of them (except those with an exact formulation) are based on certain assumptions with approximations, and their performances depend on the combination of test parameters, for example, type, number, and location of excitations and sensors; identification algorithm adopted; and environmental noise effect. Results obtained from different combinations of these test parameters are different and they may be mathematically biased or contradicting. Existing practice adopts the general indication of result for further maintenance decisions or by subjective screening the results with engineering sense. This article demonstrates the possibility to have a better design of the structural health monitoring system where the benefits of different damage indices and evaluation methodologies can be reaped via the fusion of the identified results. The scenario for discussion is the vibration-based damage localization problem. The change in mode shape in the modal domain and change in the covariance of impulse response function change in the time domain are selected as damage indices for the illustration. An exact form of the covariance of impulse response function is also proposed for this purpose. The demonstration is conducted via a simulated truss structure, an experimental beam, and 280 days valid recorded data from an in-service suspension bridge deck. Different measurements are analyzed to produce large number of identified results for reducing traffic excitation effect, the temperature effect, and so on, and to enhance the structural damage information in the final set of results. Experiences in handling the structural health monitoring data for monitoring the movement of a structural joint before and after a typhoon are also presented. The proposed strategy does not need a mathematical model of the structure, but this leads to heavy sensor requirement for a fine spatial resolution of the local damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents mi RNAs are small non-coding regulatory RNAs that play key roles in diverse biological processes. In this study, we used the Solexa sequencing technique to profile mi RNAs in breeder cock testes to illustrate their functions. A total of 663 co-expressed mi RNAs and 3,180 co-expressed pi RNAs were detected in three libraries. Based on Mir-X™ mi RNA qRT- PCR, three mi RNAs representing low, medium and high expression levels according to the sequencing results were selected randomly to validate the mi RNAs' expression profiles. Results suggested that the mi RNA expression profiles data could represent actual mi RNA expression levels. Moreover, target genes prediction of the co-expressed mi RNAs and further Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed, which revealed that some candidate mi RNAs were involved in the regulation of the spermatogenesis process, spermatozoa function and testicular metabolism. In conclusion, we provided a useful resource for further elucidation of the mi RNAs' regulatory role in spermatogenesis, contributing to a preliminary database for functional and molecular mechanistic studies in testicular metabolism, spermatogenesis and other testes functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the most common cause of death among youth in China.MethodA case-control psychological autopsy study in 23 geographically representative disease surveillance points around China collected information from family members and close associates of 114 persons aged 15-24 years who died by suicide (cases) and 91 who died of other injuries (controls). RESULTS: Among the 114 suicides 61% were female, 88% lived in rural villages, 70% died by ingesting pesticides (most commonly stored in the home), 24% previously attempted suicide, and 45% met criteria of a mental illness at the time of death. Multivariate logistic regression identified several independent risk factors: severe life events within 2 days before death (OR 31.8, 95% CI 2.6-390.6), presence of any depressive symptoms within 2 weeks of death (OR 21.1, 95% CI 4.6-97.2), low quality of life in the month before death (OR 9.7, 95% CI 2.8-34.1), and acute stress at time of death (moderate: OR 3.1, 95% CI 0.8-11.9; high: OR 9.1, 95% CI 1.2-66.8). A significant interaction between mental illness at time of death and gender indicated that diagnosis was an important predictor of suicide in males (OR 14.0, 95% CI 2.6-76.5) but not in females (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.0-3.6). Prior suicide attempt was related to suicide in the univariate analysis (OR 57.5) but could not be included in the multivariate model because no controls had made prior attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide prevention efforts for youth in China must focus on restricting access to pesticides, early recognition and management of depressive symptoms and mental illnesses, improving resiliency, and enhancing quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]