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With wind farms expanding into seismically active areas, wind turbines face the combined hazard of wind and earthquakes. Strong winds often accompany strong earthquakes, posing a significant threat to wind turbine safety. When subjected to multihazard loads, ignoring the correlation between loads could underestimate the risk to the structure. However, there is limited research on wind turbines under the combined effect of wind and earthquakes. In this paper, based on historical data considering the correlation between wind and earthquakes, a failure probability analysis method for wind turbine towers under the joint action of wind and earthquakes is presented. To accurately simulate the mechanical behavior of lattice-type wind turbine towers, the bolt slippage effect is taken into account. A finite element model of a lattice wind turbine tower is established, and the failure probability of the tower under the joint action of wind and earthquakes is calculated. The study also analyzes the influence of the bolt slippage effect and load correlation on the reliability of lattice-type wind turbine towers. The results indicate that ignoring load correlation can underestimate the failure probability of the structure, thus decreasing its safety. Similarly, ignoring the bolt slippage effect can also underestimate the failure probability of the structure and seriously threaten the safety of wind turbines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Elevated cystatin C level was associated with excessive risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in the highly cardiovascular risk populations. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between serum cystatin C level and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in the general population. Methods We searched for all relevant studies published through May 2015 using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Prospective studies that assessed the relationship between serum cystatin C level and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in the general population were selected. Pooled adjust hazard risk (HR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for continuous and category of cystatin C level. Results Nine studies composed of 38,854 participants were analyzed. Elevated serum cystatin C level was associated with excessive risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.72; 95% CI 1.37–2.16) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.74; 95% CI 2.04–3.68) comparing the highest to lowest category of cystatin C. Each standard deviation increment in serum cystatin C level increased 32% all-cause (HR 1.32; 95% CI 1.12–1.55) and 57% cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.57; 95% CI 1.31–1.88) risk. Conclusions Elevated serum cystatin C level is independently associated with excessive cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk in elderly persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Our previous studies showed that expression and functional profile of voltage-dependent potassium channels Kv1.3 were increased in lymphocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to normotensive rats, suggesting a crucial role for lymphocyte Kv1.3 in the development of hypertension. Here, we further investigated whether the expression and functional profile of Kv1.3 was related to increased blood pressure in SHR with age of 4, 8, 16 and 24 wk., Methods: Systolic blood pressure was measured through pressure device around the tail. mRNA and protein expression were assessed by real-time PCR and western blot in lymphocytes of SHR. Current density of Kv channels in lymphocytes was measured by patch-clamp., Results: Systolic blood pressure was elevated in an age-dependent manner (ANOVA P < 0.05). mRNA and protein level of Kv1.3 were significantly increased in an age-dependent manner in lymphocyte of SHR (ANOVA P < 0.05). Moreover, the current density of Kv was dramatically enhanced in an age-dependent manner (ANOVA P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The systolic blood pressure positively correlated with expression as well as current density of potassium channels in lymphocytes of SHR at age of 8, 16 and 24 wk. In conclusion, Kv1.3 channels were upregulated in an age-dependent manner in SHR and correlates with systolic blood pressure during aging. The present study implies that Kv1.3 blockers may be applied as a therapeutic treatment for the development of hypertension during aging.