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It is common that initial gaps exist between the steel tube and the core concrete in concrete-filled steel tubular structural members, which might affect the performance of the structure. This article aims to study the effects of the gaps on the cyclic behaviour of circular concrete-filled steel tubular members. A total of 24 concrete-filled steel tubular specimens were tested under constant axial load and cyclically lateral loads, where the main testing parameters included the types of gap, the gap ratio, the axial load level and the steel ratio. The failure mode, lateral load versus lateral displacement hysteretic curve and load versus displacement envelope curve of concrete-filled steel tubular specimens with pre-designed gaps were experimentally investigated and compared with those of the reference ones without any gap. The effects of gaps on the ultimate strength, ductility and dissipated energy of the concrete-filled steel tubular members were quantitatively evaluated according to the test results. The influence of gaps on circular concrete-filled steel tubes under different loading conditions, such as axial compressive loading, pure bending, eccentrically compressive loading and cyclic lateral loading, was also compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

When using microsatellite loci for DNA paternity testing, genetic inconsistencies sometimes occur in true trios and duos and may be erroneously attributed to germline mutations of microsatellite alleles. Here, we reported a typical case and discussed the issue of how to find out the cause of a genetic inconsistency. In our case, a genetic inconsistency in a true trio was observed at the D8S1179 locus, where the father has only allele 10 as compared to only allele 16 of his son. A set of tests were then performed. The results showed that the inconsistency was not result from the germline mutation of allele 10 to allele 16, or from the presence of null alleles due to primer binding site mutations, but from the microdeletion at 8q24.13, about 2.99 to 49.76 kb, detected in both the father and his son, which revealed by deletion mapping using short tandem repeats (STRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In conclusion, genetic inconsistencies observed in true trios or duos cannot be rashly attributed to germline STR mutations, especially multistep mutations, in the absence of verification or specification; otherwise, the reliability of the genetic proofs established will be challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of sea surface wind in Guangdong's coastal areas were analyzed with data from four offShore observational stations between 2012 and 2015. The results are shown as follows: (I) The probability distribution of wind speed was basically consistent with Gaussian distribution characteristics; winds of Beaufort force 6 or higher were observed mainly in far offshore stations from October to March. (2) The probability distribution of wind direction was represented well by Weibull distribution. The deviation of wind direction of far station was relatively small for it was mainly controlled by monsoon over the South China Sea, while the near offShore station had a relatively large diurnal variation because of the influence of local synoptic systems such as sea-land breeze. (3) There were significant seasonal differences in wind speed and direction observed by different offShore observational stations. In strong wind seasons, the deviation of wind direction was relatively small while the deviation of wind speed was relatively large, and vice versa. In contrast with Class I station, the other three stations exhibited approximately normal distribution of wind direction and wind speed deviations. ( 4) Wind direction diurnal variation was moderate in windy periods, while it was obvious in relatively lower speed conditions. The deviation of wind speed in windy periods was generally greater because it was influenced by mesoscale weather systems for 10-20 h, and the influence was complicated, resulting in greater local differences in wind speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A rare severe case of the coinfection of cerebral falciparum malaria and dengue is reported in this paper. The patient was a 50 yr old male in the north of China, who returned from Uganda not long ago and suffered unconsciousness after fever for 4 d before the falciparum malaria and dengue infection was diagnosed via blood smear microscopy, RT-PCR and serology, although the antimalarial and symptomatic treatment was carried out, ultimately the patients died of septic shock because of multiple organ dysfunctions. This case report showed such a coinfection was prone to cause severe acute consequence. The timely diagnosis and delicate treatment are crucial for prognosis of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Abstract: Background: Currently, amrubicin is used as first‐line in the treatment of patients with small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the effect of amrubicin‐based treatment in extensive‐disease (ED) SCLC remains controversial. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy and safety of amrubicin‐based regimen in the treatment of patients with ED‐SCLC. Methods: RCTs published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically reviewed. Eligible studies were these that evaluated the efficacy and safety profiles of amrubicin‐based regimen in ED‐SCLC. Outcomes included progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), and adverse events. Results were expressed with hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CIs. Results: Four RCTs involving a total of 740 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta‐analysis. Amrubicin‐based regimen was not associated with significantly prolonged PFS (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.90–1.30; P = 0.463) and OS (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.89–1.29; P = 0.443) in patients with ED‐SCLC. However, it significantly improved ORR (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04–1.25; P = 0.008). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that neither amrubicin alone nor in combination with cisplatin prolonged the PFS and OS, and only the combination therapy significantly increased ORR. The incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events was comparable between amrubicin‐containing and other treatment groups (RR = 1.42, 95% CI: 0.78–2.58; P = 0.248). However, amrubicin‐based treatment induced a significantly higher incidence of febrile neutropenia (RR = 3.32, 95% CI: 2.04–5.41; P < 0.001), anemia (RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06–1.97; P = 0.022), leukopenia (RR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.41–3.33; P < 0.001), neutropenia (RR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.70; P = 0.021), and interstitial lung disease (RR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.21–1.98; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Amrubicin‐based regimen used as first‐line had no survival benefits in patients with ED‐SCLC. But it significantly improved ORR. Further well‐conducted, large‐scale trials are needed to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Ageratina adenophora (A. adenophora), one of the prominent invasive plants in the Asian continent has shown toxicity in animals. However, studies examining the gene expression and metabolic profiles of animals that ingest A. adenophora have not yet been reported in the literature. Therefore, considering the wide distribution of A. adenophora , it is necessary to elucidate the toxic mechanisms of A. adenophora via multiomics approach. In this study, we identified and evaluated the toxic mechanisms of action associated with bioactive compounds in A. adenophora by using network toxicology studies combined with metabolomics and transcriptomics and found that 2-deoxo-2-(acetyloxy)− 9-oxoageraphorone, 10Hβ-9-oxo-agerophorone, 10Hα-9-oxo-agerophorone, nerolidol, 9-oxo-10,11-dehydro-agerophorone were the main active toxic compounds in A. adenophora. In addition, using metabolomics approach we identified differential metabolites such as L-pyroglutamic acid, 1-methylhistidine, prostaglandin F2alpha and hydrocortisone from A. adenophora and these metabolites were involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and signal conducting media regulation. Based on network toxicological analysis, we observed that, A. adenophora can affect the Ras signaling, Phospholipase D signaling and MAPK signaling pathways by regulating EGFR, PDGFRB, KIT and other targets. From the results of this study we concluded that A. adenophora induces liver inflammatory damage by activating the EGFR expression and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways as well as affect nutrients metabolism and neuron conduction. • A multiomics approach was used to reveal the mechanism of toxic effects of Ageratina adenophora. • Ageratina adenophora induces liver inflammatory damage by activating the EGFR expression. • Toxicity biomarkers alterations was highlighted in exposed animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...