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The dual‐function retrofitting system that uses the carbon‐fabric reinforced cementitious matrix (C‐FRCM) as both the anode of impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system and the structural strengthening (SS) material, that is, an ICCP‐SS system, is investigated. The experimental program mainly focused on the shear behavior of C‐FRCM strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) continuous beam under the dual‐function retrofitting system. The influence of anode polarization on the shear strengthening of RC continuous beams is analyzed. Shear tests were conducted on a total of 14 corroded RC continuous beams to investigate the influence of key parameters, including anode polarization degree of prefabricated C‐FRCM plate, layer of carbon fiber mesh and side‐wrapping. The failure modes, shear capacities, and load‐deflection curves of the shear‐strengthened RC continuous beams are reported. Based on the test results, the applicability of relevant design codes was evaluated and found to provide rather conservative predictions for the shear capacity of the examined C‐FRCM strengthened RC continuous beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the flexural and cracking behavior of corroded reinforced concrete continuous beams with 11‐month wet–dry cycles strengthened by anodic polarized carbon‐fabric‐reinforced cementitious matrix (C‐FRCM) plates. The failure modes and flexural bearing capacities were discussed. The influences of the layer of carbon fabric mesh and complete carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) wrapping as end anchorage on the strengthening effectiveness were explored. The complete crack development patterns were captured by a digital image correlation system, and the results showed that the C‐FRCM system can provide satisfactory crack width control, as proved by the reduced crack spacing and the maximum crack width. The flexural capacities of the strengthened beams were effectively enhanced and the debonding failure can be eliminated through complete CFRP wrappings. Moreover, the design recommendations were proposed based on the estimation of the crack development as per related design guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are large differences in clinical manifestations and biological markers between elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (EPRA, age >60) and younger patients with RA (YPRA, age ≤60), partly owing to variations in the immune system of different age groups. Here, we focused on the changes of immune cell infiltration in YPRA and EPRA. Methods: The R packages "ssGSEA" and "GSEA" were used to identify the changes in immune cell infiltration and immune‐related pathways between the two groups. The R packages "WGCNA" and "DEseq2" were used to screen and verify age‐related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Hub genes were identified using Cytoscape and cytoHubba. Spearman correlation coefficient was conducted to evaluate correlations between hub age‐related genes and immune cells. Results: Compared with 54 established YPRA, several immune cells and immune‐related pathways were markedly decreased in 29 EPRA synovial tissues. Moreover, 78 age‐related DEGs related to amino acid and glycosphingolipid synthesis and metabolism were identified. USP2 and ARG2 were verified to be upregulated in EPRA, signifying that these two genes could effectively distinguish YPRA and EPRA and have potential as biomarkers. In addition, we found that USP2 was significantly negatively correlated with B cells and monocytes, while there was a significant negative association between ARG2 and T cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study is the first to systematically analyze changes in immune cell infiltration between YPRA and EPRA patients and obtain hub age‐related genes, which may provide the basis for illuminating the pathogenesis of EPRA and informing treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressed sleeve connection is a new type of connection technique reported in China recently. To explore the possibility of combining the advantages of pressed sleeve connections and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) in precast concrete, the seismic performance of precast shear walls with pressed sleeves and recycled fine aggregate (RFA) concrete was investigated through a thorough experimental programme. A total of seven precast shear wall specimens and one cast‐in‐situ specimen were fabricated and tested under lateral cyclic loading, considering the effects of the aspect ratio, the axial compression ratio, and the RFA content. The failure modes, hysteretic behavior, bearing capacity, energy dissipation, stiffness and shear distortion of the specimens, as well as the strains of the steels, were reported and discussed. The test results demonstrated that the pressed sleeve connections were capable of transmitting both tensile and compressive forces between reinforcements, and the precast shear walls with pressed sleeve connections exhibited the same hysteresis behavior, strengths, ductility coefficient and energy dissipation capacity as the cast‐in‐situ counterpart. Moreover, the seismic behavior of the precast specimens with the RFA content of 30% was almost the same as those with natural aggregate concrete (NAC). The increase in the axial compression ratio and aspect ratio led to higher peak loads of the precast shear walls. Finally, existing design methods of ordinary reinforced concrete shear walls were evaluated for their application to the design of precast RFA concrete shear walls with pressed sleeves. Overall, the evaluation results revealed that the examined design methods offer generally accurate strength predictions for the proposed shear walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a comprehensive experimental and numerical study of the cross‐sectional behaviour and resistances of press‐braked S960 ultra‐high strength steel (UHSS) channel section structural members. The experimental study was conducted on eight different ultra‐high strength steel plain channel sections, and comprised material testing, initial local geometric imperfection measurements, as well as a total of 10 stub column tests and 20 four‐point bending tests performed about the minor principal axes in both the 'u' and 'n' orientations. The experimental study was then supplemented by a finite element (FE) simulation programme, in which FE models were firstly developed to replicate the test structural responses and subsequently used to generate further numerical data over a wide variety of cross‐section sizes. On the basis of the experimental and numerical results, the assessment of the applicability of the codified provisions and formulations, established in the European code, to the design of S960 UHSS channel section stub columns and beams was conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the implementation of diversified, traditional Chinese pedagogy at Capital Normal University in Beijing to investigate whether current teaching techniques cultivate a sterile learning experience or help retain the essence of the discipline. The qualitative investigation of three singing instructors revealed that a hybrid Western and Chinese pedagogy has obscured the essence of the discipline. Although a significant emphasis on the necessary breathing techniques remains, the incorporation of Western teaching material has caused the learning to become detached from the surrounding sociocultural context. The researchers recommend the development of curriculum content and pedagogy to restore the nature of traditional Chinese singing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended Hollo‐Bolts (EHBs) are blind bolts that have an extended bolt shank ending in an anchor nut. When used with concrete‐filled tubes, the extension and the anchor in the concrete serve to enhance significantly the performance of both connection components: bolts in tension and tube face in bending. The enhancements are a result of confining the concrete, preventing local buckling of the steel tube and allowing the blind bolt to achieve a tensile strength equal to that of standard bolt+nut fasteners. Overall, the use of the EHB results in a moment‐resisting bolted connection to hollow sections which can achieve rigid behaviour under certain configurations. This paper summarizes research work done to date on such connections at the University of Nottingham. This includes experimental, numerical and analytical modelling. The aim of the work is to provide a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of anchored blind bolt connections to concrete‐filled columns, leading to the specification of appropriate design rules that allow the use of such bolted moment‐resisting connections in practice. The work has proposed analytical models for: connection stiffness, column face‐bending strength considering both single and group behaviour of bolt rows, anchored bolts in tension and anchored bolts under combined tension and shear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vismodegib is an oral and high selective hedgehog (Hh) inhibitor used for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this work, analogs of Vismodegib with deuterium-for-hydrogen replacement at certain metabolically active sites were prepared and found to have a better pharmacokinetic properties in mice. In particular, deuterated compound SKLB-C2211 obviously altered the blood circulation behavior compared to its prototype, which was demonstrated by significantly prolonged blood circulation half-life time (t 1/2 ) and increased AUC 0→∞ . These results suggested SKLB-C2211 had the potential to be a long-acting inhibitor against Hh signaling pathway, and laid the foundation for the further research of its druggability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents synthesis and structure–activity relationship of pyridine derivatives as inhibitors of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2). A series of 2,4,6‐trisubstituted pyridine derivatives have been prepared and evaluated in vitro. Among these compounds, 14n exhibited excellent inhibition activity with the IC50 of 54.6 n m, which is approximately onefold improvement compared to drug candidate AG‐221 (Enasidenib) that is in Phase III trial. Exquisite selectivity of 14n for IDH2 R140Q mutant isoform was demonstrated by the poor activity against the wild‐type IDH1 and IDH2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]