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This paper will investigate the vertical vibration of a pile group connected to a rigid cap in multilayered poroelastic soils with compressible constituents. Individual piles in the pile g...

Background Taurine is an organic amino acid and a major constituent of bile. With its contribution to various cellular functions, it has demonstrated therapeutic effects in a wide range of diseases. Since there is a lack of literature investigating taurine as a treatment for lupus nephritis (LN), here we examined the potential of taurine as a treatment for LN. Methods Experiments were carried out using MRL/lpr mice as a model of LN, and C57BL/6 mice were used as negative controls. At 12 weeks old, MRL/lpr mice were divided into four groups and treated with 0, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight taurine for 5 days. Enalapril is used as a positive control drug. All animals were sacrificed after treatment. LN-induced damage was assessed by proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (CRE) levels. The degree of inflammation was assessed by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. The degree of oxidative stress was assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and TUNEL staining assessed histopathological damage and apoptosis, respectively. The levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, and NF-κB p65 were detected by western blot. Results The data indicated that taurine administration improved kidney functions, reversed cell death, suppressed oxidative stress, and importantly, adjusted the immune response of LN mice to a more balanced state. Conclusions These results provide a novel strategy for LN therapy, which may overcome the disadvantages of traditional immunosuppression and hormone treatments with greater efficacy and fewer side effects.

Aim To investigate the variation of IGSF3 gene in three families with congenital absence of lacrimal puncta and canaliculi, and to lay a foundation for further research on the pathogenic gene of congenital lacrimal duct agenesis. Methods The members of the three families were recruited. The ophthalmologic examinations in details, including slit-lamp biomicroscope, intraocular pressure and fundus examination, etc. were carried out. All patients were checked with paracentesis of puncta membrane and lacrimal duct probing, as well as the computed tomography-dacryocystography (CT-DCG). Peripheral blood of 14 participants (3 normal) from three families were collected, 4 mL each, for genomic DNA extraction, and 11 exon fragments of IGSF3 gene were amplified and sequenced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine whether there were IGSF3 genetic variation. Results A total of 14 members from three families were screened for 4 synonymous variants: c.930C>T (p.Pro366=), c.1359T>C (p.Ser709=), c.1797G>A (p.Ser855=), c.1539G>A (p.Ser769=), and 6 missense variants: c.1507G>A (p.Gly759Ser), c.1783T>C (p.Trp851Arg), c.1952G>T (p.Ser 907Ile), c.3120C>G (p.Asp1040Glu), c.3123C>G (p.Asp1041Glu), c.3139_3140insGAC (p.Asp1046_Pro1047insAsp), and the latter three were only found in two patients with absence of lacrimal puncta and canaliculi combined with congenital osseous nasolacrimal canal obstruction from the first family. Conclusion The same IGSF3 gene mutation c.3139_3140insGAC is found in the patients with congenital absence of lacrimal puncta and canaliculi combine with osseous nasolacrimal canal obstruction.

Saturated soils with overlying dry layers are frequently encountered in geotechnical engineering. In urban construction works, the underground water level is usually influenced by the extr...

A magnetic targeting nanoparticle based on graphene oxide-ferroferric oxide (GO-Fe₃O₄) was investigated as a potential drug delivery vehicle. The formation of GO/Fe₃O₄ hybrid material was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The GO/Fe₃O₄ hybrid still shows a higher saturation magnetization of 58.42 emu/g after coating with graphene oxide. Drug loading and releasing experiments demonstrate the GO-Fe₃O₄ hybrid has a good loading capacity of (6.47±0.08) mg/mg for temozolomide and a satisfactory release under slightly acidic condition. The MTT assays of glioma C6 cells exhibits the GO-Fe₃O₄ hybrid does not display toxicity with the concentration ranged from 40 to 120 μg/mL

This paper presents a coupled method of the analytical layer element and finite element for investigating the behavior of a pile group with a rigid cap in multilayered poroelastic soils du...

Aims This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects of Berberine hydrochloride (BBR) following canalicular laceration (CL) surgical repair. Main methods We used a rabbit CL model in this study. BBR and the control medicine were administered during and after the surgical operation. The degree of fibrosis in the canaliculi was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining 7 days after the operation. Inflammation inside the canaliculi was observed using a transcanalicular endoscope. Expression levels of inflammatory cell cytokines [tumor growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), intracellular adhesion molecule-I (ICAM-1), and interleukin-β1 (IL-1β)] were detected using immunohistochemistry. P38 and ERK1 phosphorylation and activation were determined using western blot analysis. Key findings The degree of inflammation and fibrosis were less in the BBR groups compared to Surgery group. The anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects of BBR were concentration-dependent. The levels of TGF-β1, CTGF, ICAM-1, and IL-1β were significantly lower in the BBR groups compared to Surgery group. BBR reduced the phosphorylation of P38 compared to Surgery group. Significance In conclusion, this study shows that BBR can reduce local fibrosis after CL surgical repair via its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects.

Accurate imaging of soft tissues is one of the ultimate goals in biomedical imaging. Different imaging modalities can improve their disadvantages, and promote the imaging ability. However, once an imaging agent has been prepared, it is usually hard to adjust it according to the actual needs. Herein, we developed a supramolecular brush polymer (SBP) as a versatile imaging agent platform. The SBP platform (SBPP) is constructed by the intermolecular inclusion complexation of bridged tris(β-cyclodextrin) (1) with Mn(III)-porphyrin-bearing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains (Mn(III)-TPP), and can further bind other functional groups by host–guest interactions of cyclodextrin and adamantine. The SBPP is characterized by UV/vis absorption spectroscopy, NMR, dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We demonstrated that this SBPP not only has no cellular toxicity against NIH 3T3 cells in in vitro cell experiments, but it also shows an efficient enhanced T1 relaxivity in in vitro MR imaging experiments. When used as multifunctional imaging agents, different imaging probes and/or targeting agents can be introduced to this SBPP as needed through simple host–guest interactions. In in vitro imaging experiments, it shows accurate imaging of different kinds of cancer cells by choosing on-demand targeting agents. These results suggest a promising strategy for engineering multifunctional imaging agents with SBPs.

The creep and consolidation behavior of clays subjected to mechanical or thermal loads is of fundamental interest in the applications of energy piles, geothermal extraction, and geological ...

To provide clinical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) and to provide possible molecular targets for the treatment.By summarizing the clinical data of 14 patients with CNL, the clinical characteristics, gene mutation types and possible prognostic factors were analyzed.Among the 14 patients with CNL, males (9 cases) were more than females (5 cases), with a median age of 57 years old. The detection rate of CSF3R mutation was 92.86% (13/14), including 12 cases (85.71%) with T318I mutation and 1 case of Y799X mutation, and only 1 case was not detected for mutation of CSF3R. The ASXL1 mutation was detected in 42.86% (6/14) of the patients, all of which were nonsense mutations, including 4 cases with R693X and 2 cases with E705X, and 14.29% (2/14) of the patients was detected for SETBP1 mutation, all of which were with D868N mutation. No patients with simultaneous ASXL1 and SETBP1 mutations were found, and JAK2 and CALR mutations were not detected. All of the patients had normal karyotypes. These patients' median survival time was 30 months (95%CI 13.19-46.80), and the influence of age over 60 years old was statistically significant (21.83 months vs 35.35 months) (P＜0.05).It is difficult to diagnose CNL. CSF3R T618I mutation is its specific mutation, and ASXL1 mutation and SETBP1 mutation have auxiliary diagnostic significance for CNL. The age＞60 years old at diagnosis is a factor of unfavourable prognosis.慢性中性粒细胞白血病患者的临床特征及预后分析.为慢性中性粒细胞白血病（chronic neutrophilic leukemia，CNL）诊断和治疗提供临床依据，为其治疗提供可能的分子靶标.总结14例CNL患者的临床资料，分析其临床特点、基因突变类型及影响患者预后的因素.14例CNL患者中男性（9例）多于女性（5例），中位年龄57岁。CSF3R突变检出率为92.86%（13/14），包括12例（85.71%）T318I突变和1例Y799X突变，另1例未检测到CSF3R突变；42.86%（6/14）患者检测到ASXL1突变，且均为无义突变，分别为R693X（4例）和E705X（2例）；14.29%（2/14）患者检测出SETBP1突变，均为D868N，未发现ASXL1、SETBP1突变同时存在的患者，JAK2和CALR突变均未检出，所有患者染色体核型均为正常核型。中位生存期30（95%CI 13.19- 46.80）个月，年龄是否大于60岁对总生存影响有统计学意义（21.83 vs 35.35个月，P=0.011）.CNL诊断较困难，CSF3R T618I突变是其特异性突变，ASXL1突变及SETBP1突变对其具有辅助诊断意义，确诊时年龄大于60岁为不良预后因素.

Acupuncture has been widely used for obesity treatment, but its mechanism is still unclear. To investigate the molecular mechanisms, we applied electroacupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint and treadmill exercise (TE) in a diet-induced obese (DIO) rat model and used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify molecular consequences. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were selected and randomly divided into five groups: control (C), DIO model (M), EA, TE, and EA + TE groups. According to the results, acupuncture reduced body weight and the ratio of retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (retro-WAT) to body weight. Total RNA was extracted from the retro-WAT from five groups for RNA-seq. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) analysis showed that there were obvious differences among the four comparisons of C vs. M, M vs. EA, M vs. TE, and M vs. EA + TE, followed by 1383, 913, 3324, and 2794 DE genes. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were performed to further classify the DEGs. Several GO terms were commonly significantly enriched in both M vs. TE and M vs. EA, such as myofibril and muscle contraction. In addition, some pathways were regulated by EA and TE, such as the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor signaling pathway and calcium signaling pathway. This study is the first to compare and analyze the differences in gene expression profiles in the retro-WAT of rats in different groups, which provide a clue for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of obesity treatment by EA and TE.

High-temperature compressive experiments of a Ni-based superalloy containing δ phase (Ni3Nb) are conducted. The dynamic dissolution behavior of δ phase in hot deformation process is quantitatively investigated. The dissolution mechanisms of δ phase are analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and first-principles calculations. Results reveal that the dissolution of δ phase is accelerated with increasing deformation temperature or deformation degree. But, the dissolution of δ phase becomes weaken as the strain rate is raised. The shear modulus (G) and bulk modulus (B) of δ phase decrease with increasing temperature or reducing pressure. The positive Cauchy pressure (C12–C44) and the larger ratio of B/G (greater than 1.75) reveal that δ phase is ductile at high temperatures or pressures. The intense interactions between dislocations and δ phase induce the stress concentration and the rapid diffusion of Nb atoms, which accelerate the precipitation/dissolution of δ phase. A phenomenological model is established for depicting the dissolution behavior of δ phase in hot deformation process. The measured results are identical with the forecasted ones, which demonstrates the established model is feasible to accurately depict the dynamic dissolution behaviors of δ phase in hot deformation process. Keywords: Alloy, Hot deformation, δ phase, Dissolution mechanisms, First-principle calculation

As abiotic stresses become more severe as a result of global climate changes, the growth and development of plants are restricted. In the development of agricultural crops with greater stress tolerance, AmDUF1517 had been isolated from the highly stress-tolerant shrub Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, and can significantly enhance stress tolerance when inserted in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we inserted this gene into cotton to analyze its potential for conferring stress tolerance. Two independent transgenic cotton lines were used. Southern blot analyses indicated that AmDUF1517 was integrated into the cotton genome. Physiological analysis demonstrated that AmDUF1517-transgenic cotton had stronger resistance than the control when treated with salt, drought, and cold stresses. Further analysis showed that trans-AmDUF1517 cotton displayed significantly higher antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST)) activity and less reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, which suggests that overexpression of AmDUF1517 can improve cotton resistance to stress by maintaining ROS homeostasis, as well as by alleviating cell membrane injury. These results imply that AmDUF1517 is a candidate gene in improving cotton resistance to abiotic stress.

Objective: To discuss the clinical effect of kinesio taping on shoulder pain after stroke. Methods: A total of 60 patients with shoulder pain after stroke in our hospital between July 2016 and March 2018 were divided into the treatment group and the control group according to the SPSS random method, 30 in each group. The treatment group was treated with kinesio taping and combined comprehensive rehabilitation therapy, while the control group received simple comprehensive rehabilitation therapy for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function score (FMA) and range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate the pain degree, upper limb function and shoulder joint activity of the patients before and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Results: There was no difference in VAS score between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05),and the VAS score of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group after 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P0.05), and the FMA scores of the treatment group were significantly higher than that of the control group after 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P0.05), and the shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation of the patients in the treatment group were significantly greater than those in the control group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (P

The relationship between theThe data of 618 lung adenocarcinoma patients were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between SUVmax measured on preoperativeThe SUVmax was significantly different between the low, intermediate, and high-grade groups(p.001). SUVmax value increased with increase in the degree of malignancy. The optimal cut-off value for identifying low-grade tumors was 2.01 (sensitivity 90.4%, specificity 86.9%, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.928, 95% confidence interval: 0.91-0.95; p.001). The optimal cutoff SUVmax value for identifying high-grade tumors was 7.41 (sensitivity 79.8%, specificity 73.5%, AUC = 0.830, 95% confidence interval: 0.79-0.87; p.001). The validation experiment showed that the coincidence rate was 88.89% in the low-level group, 64.15% in the middle-level group, and 78.57% in the high-level group.SUVmax can be used to predict pathological subtype and histological grade of lung adenocarcinoma. Thus

Objective: The folate-modified graphene oxide (GO-FA), which had good stability and biocompatibility on rat glioma cells was successfully prepared. Methods: The formation and composition of GO-FA were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FT-IR), Raman spectra and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS spectra). The cell experiment suggested good biocompatibility of GO-FA on rat glioma cells. Results: The experiment of GO-FA loading with Temozolomide (TMZ) showed that the maximum drug loading of GO-FA was 8.05 ± 0.20 mg/mg, with the drug loading rate of 89.52 ± 0.19 %. When TMZ was released from the folate-modified graphene oxide loading with temozolomide (GO-FATMZ), its release behavior in vitro showed strong pH dependence and sustained release property. The growth of rat glioma cells can be effectively inhibited by GO-FA-TMZ, with the cell inhibition rate as high as 91.72 ± 0.13 % at the concentration of 600 μg/mL and time of 72 h. Conclusion: According to the above experimental results, this composite carrier has potential applications in drug delivery and cancer therapy.

The belief that the vertebrate brain functions normally without classical lymphatic drainage vessels has been held for many decades. On the contrary, new findings show that functional lymphatic drainage does exist in the brain. The brain lymphatic drainage system is composed of basement membrane-based perivascular pathway, a brain-wide glymphatic pathway, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage routes including sinus-associated meningeal lymphatic vessels and olfactory/cervical lymphatic routes. The brain lymphatic systems function physiological as a route of drainage for interstitial fluid (ISF) from brain parenchyma to nearby lymph nodes. Brain lymphatic drainage helps maintain water and ion balance of the ISF, waste clearance, and reabsorption of macromolecular solutes. A second physiological function includes communication with the immune system modulating immune surveillance and responses of the brain. These physiological functions are influenced by aging, genetic phenotypes, sleep-wake cycle, and body posture. The impairment and dysfunction of the brain lymphatic system has crucial roles in age-related changes of brain function and the pathogenesis of neurovascular, neurodegenerative, and neuroinflammatory diseases, as well as brain injury and tumors. In this review, we summarize the key component elements (regions, cells, and water transporters) of the brain lymphatic system and their regulators as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of neurologic diseases and their resulting complications. Finally, we highlight the clinical importance of ependymal route-based targeted gene therapy and intranasal drug administration in the brain by taking advantage of the unique role played by brain lymphatic pathways in the regulation of CSF flow and ISF/CSF exchange.

Malnutrition is the main determinant of mortality and morbidity in maintenance hemodialysis patients. In many countries except for China, it has been reported that short daily hemodialysis (SDHD) could improve nutritional status. We will report here the nutritional results obtained in the SDHD therapy period compared with conventional hemodialysis (cHD) therapy period in Chinese patients. This study compared 29 SDHD patients (SDHD group), each patient served as his own control, with 30 cHD patients (cHD group) serving as the parallel controls. The hematologic parameters, anthropometric measurements, modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA) score, weekly standard Kt/V (std Kt/V) and average daily intake of protein were measured at baseline (SDHD0 or cHD0 period), at 3 months (SDHD1 or cHD1 period) and at 6 months (SDHD2 or cHD2 period). The average daily intake of protein, dry weight, body mass index, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, serum albumin, prealbumin, cholesterol, hemoglobin, weekly std Kt/V values at SDHD2 were higher than the corresponding values at SDHD0 (p

Xanthoceraside, a novel triterpenoid saponin extracted from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge, has neuroprotective effects in vivo and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. However, the exact mechanism of xanthoceraside on anti-amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced neuroinflammatory responses has not been elucidated. Therefore, we used intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid 1-42 (Aβ1-42) to establish a mouse model to test the effects of xanthoceraside on Aβ-induced cognitive impairments and the TLR2/NF-κB and MAPK pathways. The mice received xanthoceraside (0.02, 0.08 or 0.32mg/kg) or vehicle from the day of Aβ1-42 injection. The Morris water maze test was performed 4 days after Aβ1-42 injection. The levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-4) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b) in the hippocampus were determined with an immunohistochemistry assay. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were analysed by Western blotting; iNOS, COX-2 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mRNA expression levels were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Here, we observed that xanthoceraside at doses of 0.08 and 0.32mg/kg significantly improved learning and memory impairments and significantly inhibited GFAP and CD11b overexpression induced by Aβ1-42 in mice. ELISA results revealed that xanthoceraside suppressed IL-6 release and increased IL-4 levels. Western blotting results showed that xanthoceraside reduced iNOS and COX-2 protein levels in hippocampus; xanthoceraside also inhibited translocation of NF-κB p50 and p65 into the nucleus and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. RT-PCR confirmed that xanthoceraside decreased iNOS, COX-2 and TLR2 mRNA levels. These results suggest that xanthoceraside inhibition of the TLR2 pathway and down-regulation of MAPK and NF-κB activities may be related to the improvement in learning and memory impairments.

Objective: This study assessed the relationship between serum albumin (ALB) at start of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and long-term outcomes of continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) in Anhui Han patients. Methods: A total of 149 Anhui Han CAPD patients were enrolled in this study and followed up for 3 years. They were initially diagnosed with the end-stage renal disease and underwent surgical PD catheter placement from January 2009 to December 2013. According to serum ALB at start of PD, the patients were divided into two groups: low ALB group (ALB < 35 g/L) and high ALB group (ALB ≥35 g/L). Demographic, hematologic, biochemical, and dialysis-related data were collected. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were conducted to compare patient mortality, cardiovascular mortality and technique failure between the low ALB group and the high ALB group. Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors, calculate the hazard ratio (HR), adjusted HR (AHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The low ALB group showed a greater number of diabetes mellitus compared with the high ALB group. Patient mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and technique failure in the high ALB group were significantly lower than those in the low ALB group. In Cox regression analysis, serum ALB < 35 g/L was an independent predictor of patient mortality (AHR 3.043, 95% CI 1.085–8.536, p = 0.034), cardiovascular mortality (AHR 11.587, 95% CI 1.466–91.574, p = 0.020), and technique failure (AHR 3.148, 95% CI 1.603–6.182, p = 0.001) in CAPD patients after adjustment for sex, age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, primary renal disease, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: In Anhui Han patients on CAPD, the levels of serum ALB at start of PD are inversely correlated with patient mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and technique failure, and the long-term outcomes of patients with hypoalbuminemia at start of PD are poor. To improve the long-term outcomes of Anhui Han CAPD patients, patients with hypoalbuminemia at start of PD should be closely monitored.

As one of the most aggressive types of tumor, pancreatic cancer is a principal cause of tumor‑associated mortality. Negative associations between microRNA‑29 (miR‑29) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) 3a and 3b have been demonstrated to be associated with the carcinogenesis of a number of types of cancer; however, this has not been completely elucidated in pancreatic cancer. In the present study, pancreatic cancer tissues (n=15) and corresponding paracancerous tissues (n=15) were obtained and the results of reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated decreased expression of miR‑29b and enhanced mRNA expression of DNMT3b in pancreatic cancer tissues, compared with the corresponding paracancerous tissues. Increased protein expression of DNMT3b was demonstrated by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the negative association between miR‑29b and DNMT3b was noted in pancreatic cancer tissues, and luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR‑29b was able to directly target DNMT3b in vitro. Notably, miR‑29b overexpression was able to decrease cell viability and to promote the apoptosis by targeting DNMT3b, and the knockdown of DNMT3b exhibited consistent results in vitro and in vivo. The results of the present study suggested that miR‑29b, as a tumor suppressor, may be a novel target for the development of treatments for pancreatic cancer.

C14H9NO2, orthorhombic, Pca21 (no. 29), a = 27.190(4) Å, b = 4.3317(6) Å, c = 17.297(2) Å, V = 2037.2(5) Å3, Z = 8, R gt(F) = 0.0524, wR ref (F 2) = 0.1122, T = 150.0(1) K.

We consider the Q − Φ criticality of RN-AdS black hole in four-dimensional spacetime. Especially, by employing the fractional derivative we reanalyze the order of phase transition at the critical point. By means of this fine-grained classification of phase transition, it is found that at the critical point it is a 4/3-order, but not the second-order phase transition. This result is the same as that obtained in a previous work on the basis of P − V criticality.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction usually exhibits an irreversible course, and available treatments for delaying the progression to end-stage renal disease are limited. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine, Niaoduqing particles, for delaying renal dysfunction in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD. Methods: The present study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. From May 2013 to December 2013, 300 CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 20 and 45 ml·min −1 ·1.73 m −2 , aged 18–70 years were recruited from 22 hospitals in 11 Chinese provinces. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a test group, which was administered Niaoduqing particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks, or a control group, which was administered a placebo using the same methods. The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and eGFR after completion of treatment. The primary endpoints were analyzed using Student's t -test or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. The present study reported results based on an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Results: A total of 292 participants underwent the ITT analysis. At 24 weeks, the median (interquartile range) change in Scr was 1.1 (−13.0–24.1) and 11.7 (−2.6–42.9) μmol/L for the test and control groups, respectively ( Z = 2.642, P = 0.008), and the median change in eGFR was −0.2 (−4.3–2.7) and −2.2 (−5.7–0.8) ml·min −1 ·1.73 m −2 , respectively ( Z = −2.408, P = 0.016). There were no significant differences in adverse events between the groups. Conclusions: Niaoduqing particles safely and effectively delayed CKD progression in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD. This traditional Chinese medicine may be a promising alternative medication for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR-TRC-12002448; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=7102 .

This paper investigates the transient response of a transversely isotropic multilayered half-space under vertical loadings. With the aid of a Laplace–Hankel transform, the global stiffness matrix for a multilayered half-space is acquired by assembling the analytical layer-element of each layer medium. The solutions for the displacements in the time domain are obtained by using the global stiffness matrix equations and a numerical inversion procedure. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified through comparisons with existing solutions for displacements induced by a step and rectangular pulse loading. In addition, selected numerical results for displacements induced by the buried loading are presented to illustrate the effect of transient loading type and material anisotropy on the transient response.

This paper mainly investigates the influences of compressible parameters on the vertical vibration of a pile embedded in layered poroelastic soil media. The pile is treated as a 1D elastic bar by the finite element method, and fundamental solutions for the layered poroelastic soils due to a vertical dynamic load are obtained by the analytical layer element method. Based on the compatibility conditions, the pile-soil dynamic interaction problem is solved. The numerical scheme has been compiled into a Fortran program for numerical calculation. Influences of the pile-soil stiffness ratio, compressible parameters, vibration frequency and the soil stratification are discussed.

When high-speed trains were passing through a tunnel, pressure wave will change seriously and cause large aerodynamic loads, which may bring problems to the comfort of passengers and the aerodynamic fatigue failure of train bodies, components and fixed equipment in the tunnel. Therefore, this paper systematically studied aerodynamic characteristics of a high-speed train under three kinds of situation including open air, entering a tunnel and completely in a tunnel, experimentally verified the correctness of numerically computational model. In the open air, vortexes of the high-speed train were mainly distributed in the bogie and compartment connections. Sound pressure level curves had many peak and valley points and the maximum sound pressure level was 72 dB. Sound pressure levels gradually decreased with the increase of analyzed frequency. In addition, sound energy was mainly distributed below 2000 Hz. Aerodynamic noises presented an obvious directivity and attenuation distribution. In the entering the tunnel, peak and valley values of pressures at train head and tail appeared at different time. The maximum pressures at the observation points of train head and tail were 345 Pa and –450 Pa respectively, while the minimum negative pressures at the observation points of train head and tail were –2900 Pa and –3260 Pa respectively. Computational pressures of observation points were basically consistent with the experimental test, and the relative error was only within 2 %, which indicated that the adopted numerical simulation can better simulate aerodynamic characteristics of the high-speed train. The change of the length of the tunnel had no an obvious effect on the aerodynamic lift of the high-speed train. When the length of the tunnel was less than 800 m, the negative peak of the aerodynamic lift increased continuously with the extension of the tunnel, but the increased rate was gradually reduced. When the length of the tunnel was more than 800 m, the negative peak of the aerodynamic lift was gradually reduced. According to the acoustic panel contribution, these panels which had an obvious effect on the interior noise of the high-speed train were recognized. Composite sound absorption material was then applied to these panels and the interior noise at the observation points was improved obviously.

A novel Eu(III) complex, [Eu(L) 2 (H 2 O) 4 ]·(NO 3 )·(H 2 O) 4 (1) (H 2 L = 4-imidazolecarboxaldehyde-pyridine-2-carbohydrazide), was synthesized. Its structure has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. Complex 1 is of orthorhombic, space group Fdd2 with a = 29.471(6) A˚, b = 10.287(2) A˚, c = 24.340(5) A˚, V = 7379(3) A˚3, Z = 8, Mr = 902.58, Dc = 1.625 µg·m -3 , µ = 1.789 mm -1 , F(000) = 3656, GOOF = 1.099, the final R= 0.0517, ωR= 0.1292 for 3043 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I). The A 3 coupling reaction has been investigated using the complex 1 as catalyst. The luminescent spectrum of the complex 1 gives two weak peaks (448 nm and 491 nm) and two strong peaks (596 nm and 620 nm) from excitation at 279 nm. Copyright © 2017 BCREC Group. All rights reserved. Received: 11 st November 2016; Revised: 10 th February 2017; Accepted: 23 rd February 2017 How to Cite: Wang, L.H., Liang, L., Li, P.F. (2017). Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Catalytic Properties, and Luminescent of a Novel Eu(III) Complex Material with 4-Imidazolecarboxaldehyde-pyridine-2-carbohydrazone. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis , 12 (2): 185-190 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.12.2.764.185-190) Permalink/DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.12.2.764.185-190

The problem is formulated on the basis of Biot's theory and the analytical layer element method, and the global stiffness matrix for the multilayered soil is established by combining continuity conditions of adjacent layers and boundary conditions based on the analytical layer element for a single poroelastic saturated layer in the Hankel transformed domain. Solutions in frequency domain are obtained by taking the Hankel inverse transform. Selected numerical examples are performed to validate the correctness of the present method and to discuss the influences of compressibility parameters of soil grain and pore fluid as well as the influence of soil stratification on vertical displacement and pore pressure.

The dynamic response of transversely isotropic soils is simulated by the analytical layer-element method, and each pile in the partially embedded pile group is modeled as a 1D vibration bar. Based on the displacement compatibility and force equilibrium at the pile-soil interface, the pile group-soil interaction equations are established and solved. The accuracy of the proposed method is confirmed by comparing with existing solutions. Finally, some representative results are presented to investigate the influence of embedment ratio, pile spacing and pile-soil modulus ratio on the dynamic impedances of partially embedded pile groups.

In order to understand the microscopic mechanism of the joint surface, simulations of three-dimensional microscopic topography of the joint surface are done based on the fractal theory. Further, the three-dimensional microscopic surface contact models of the joint surface are designed using the fractal simulation surface topography. Then, the contact simulation analyses are carried out using finite element method and the microscopic elasticity and elastic-plastic contact characteristics between the three-dimensional microscopic surfaces are studied. The research results showed that the displacement along normal direction, contact area, and contact pressure of the joint surface increase nonlinearly with an increase in the contact load and vary with the roughness of the joint surfaces. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further research on the microscopic mechanism of the joint surface.