• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.245-264
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• 2016

A suitable ground motion intensity measure (IM) plays a crucial role in the seismic performance assessment of a structure. In this paper, we introduce a scalar IM for use in evaluating the seismic response of single-layer reticulated domes. This IM is defined as the weighted geometric mean of the spectral acceleration ordinates at the periods of the dominant vibration modes of the structure considered, and the modal strain energy ratio of each dominant vibration mode is the corresponding weight. Its applicability and superiority to 11 other existing IMs are firstly investigated in terms of correlation with the nonlinear seismic response, efficiency and sufficiency using the results of incremental dynamic analyses which are performed for a typical single-layer reticulated dome. The hazard computability of this newly proposed IM is also briefly discussed and illustrated. A conclusion is drawn that this dominant vibration mode-based scalar IM has the characteristics of strong correlation, high efficiency, good sufficiency as well as hazard computability, and thereby is appropriate for use in the prediction of seismic response of single-layer reticulated domes.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.653-663
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• 2017

The modal parameters of the deck of Runyang Suspension Bridge (RSB) as well as their relationships with wind and temperature are studied based on the data recorded by its Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS). Firstly, frequency analysis on the vertical responses at the two sides of the deck is carried out to distinguish the vertical and torsional vibration modes. Then, the vertical, torsional and lateral modal parameters of the deck of RSB are identified using Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) and validated by the identified results before RSB was opened to traffic. On the basis of this, the modal frequencies and damping ratios of RSB during the whole process of Typhoon Masta are obtained. And the correlation analysis on the modal parameters and wind environmental factors is then conducted. Results show that the HHT can achieve an accurate modal identification of RSB and the damping ratios show an obvious decay trend as the frequencies increase. Besides, compared to frequencies, the damping ratios are more sensitive to the environmental factors, in particular, the wind speed. Further study on configuring the variation law of modal parameters related with environmental factors should be continued.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권23호
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• pp.10181-10185
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• 2015

Background: MicroRNAs, small noncoding RNA molecules, can regulate mammalian cell growth, apoptosis and differentiation by controlling the expression of target genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of miR-323-5p in the glioma cell line, U251. Materials and Methods: After over-expression of miR-323-5p using miR-323-5p mimics, cell growth, apoptosis and migration were tested by MTT, flow cytometry and cell wound healing assay, respectively. We also assessed the influence of miR-323-5p on the mRNA expression of IGF-1R by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR), and on the protein levels by Western blot analysi. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to determine the target site of miR-323-5p to IGF-1R 3'UTR. Results: Our findings showed that over-expression of miR-323-5p could promote apoptosis of U251 and inhibit the proliferation and migration of the glioma cells. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that increased expression of miR-323-5p might be related to glioma progression, which indicates a potential role of miR-323-5p for clinical therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권10호
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• pp.1660-1669
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• 2015

The present study describes the gene cloning, overexpression and characterization of a novel nitrilase from hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima MSB8. The nitrilase gene consisted of 804 base pairs, encoding a protein of 268 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 30.07 kDa after SDS-PAGE analysis. The optimal temperature and pH of the purified enzyme were 45℃ and 7.5, respectively. The enzyme demonstrated good temperature tolerance, with 40% residual activity after 60 min of heat treatment at 75℃. The kinetic constants V_max and K_m of this nitrilase toward 3-cyanopyridine were 3.12 μmol/min/mg and 7.63 mM, respectively. Furthermore, this novel nitrilase exhibited a broad spectrum toward the hydrolysis of the aliphatic nitriles among the tested substrates, and particularly was specific to aliphatic dinitriles like succinonitrile, which was distinguished from most nitrilases ever reported. The catalytic efficiency k_cat/K_m was 0.44 /mM/s toward succinonitrile. This distinct characteristic might enable this nitrilase to be a potential candidate for industrial applications for biosynthesis of carboxylic acid.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권11호
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• pp.1769-1776
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• 2019

Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl) propanoate ((S)-HEES) acts as a key chiral intermediate for the blockbuster antidepressant drug duloxetine, which can be achieved via the stereoselective bioreduction of ethyl 3-oxo-3-(2-thienyl) propanoate (KEES) that contains a 3-oxoacyl structure. The sequences of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases from Chryseobacterium sp. CA49 were analyzed, and the putative 3-oxoacyl-acyl-carrier-protein reductase, ChKRED12, was able to stereoselectively catalyze the NADPH-dependent reduction to produce (S)-HEES. The reductase activity of ChKRED12 towards other substrates with 3-oxoacyl structure were confirmed with excellent stereoselectivity (>99% enantiomeric excess) in most cases. When coupled with a cofactor recycling system using glucose dehydrogenase, the ChKRED12 was able to catalyze the complete conversion of 100 g/l KEES within 12 h, yielding the enantiopure product with >99% ee, showing a remarkable potential to produce (S)-HEES.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.1080-1086
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• 2005

The preliminary design optimization of multi-stage spur gear reduction units has been a subject of considerable interest, since many high-performance power transmission applications (e.g., automotive and aerospace) require high-performance gear reduction units. There are multiple objectives in the optimal design of multi-stage spur gear reduction unit, such as minimizing the volume and maximizing the surface fatigue life. It is reasonable to formulate the design of spur gear reduction unit as a multi-objective optimization problem, and find an appropriate approach to solve it. In this paper an interactive physical programming approach is developed to place physical programming into an interactive framework in a natural way. Class functions, which are used to represent the designer's preferences on design objectives, are fixed during the interactive physical programming procedure. After a Pareto solution is generated, a preference offset is added into the class function of each objective based on whether the designer would like to improve this objective or sacrifice the objective so as to improve other objectives. The preference offsets are adjusted during the interactive physical programming procedure, and an optimal solution that satisfies the designer's preferences is supposed to be obtained by the end of the procedure. An optimization problem of three-stage spur gear reduction unit is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.103-112
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• 2020

The dynamic response of crossing tunnels under heavy-haul train loads is still not fully understood. In this study, based on the case of a high-speed tunnel underneath an existing heavy-haul railway tunnel, a model experiment was performed to research the dynamic response characteristics of crossing tunnels. It is found that the under-crossing changes the dynamic response of the existing tunnel and surrounding rock. The acceleration response of the existing tunnel enhances, and the dynamic stress of rock mass between crossing tunnels decreases after the excavation. Both tunneling and the excitation of heavy-haul train loads stretch the tunnel base, and the maximum tensile strain is 18.35 µε in this model test. Then, the measured results were validated by numerical simulation. Also, a parametric study was performed to discuss the influence of the relative position between crossing tunnels and the advanced support on the dynamic behavior of the existing tunnel, where an amplifying coefficient of tunnel vibration was introduced to describe the change in acceleration due to tunneling. These results reveal the dynamic amplifying phenomenon of the existing tunnel during the new tunnel construction, which can be referred in the dynamic design of crossing tunnels.

• Macromolecular Research
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.21-30
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• 2008

Based on the sheath-core bicomponent composite fibers with modified polystyrene (PS) and the modified polypropylene (PP), composite fibers obtained were further cross-linked and sulphonated with chlorosulphonic acid to produce strong acidic cation ion exchange fibers. The structures of the fibers obtained were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) etc. The optimal technology of the fibers obtained is discussed. The static absorption capacity of the sheath-core bicomponent composite cation exchange fibers for $Zn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$ was determined. The absorption kinetics and major factors affecting the absorption capacities of $Zn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$ were studied, and its chemical stability and regenerating properties were probed. The results suggest that cation exchange fibers with better mechanical properties and higher exchange capability were obtained. Moreover, this type of ion exchange fiber has good absorption properties and working stability to various metal ions. Hence, they have higher practicability.

• Advances in materials Research
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

There have been many efforts on the generating metal nanocrystals enclosed by high-index facets for the use as highly active catalysts. This paper describes a facile synthesis of Au trisoctahedra with high-index facets. In brief, the Au trisoctahdra were prepared by reduction of $HAuCl_4$ in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) containing poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and trace amount of $AgNO_3$. The Ag ions in the reaction solution played a critical role in controlling the trisoctahedral shape of the final product by underpotential deposition (UPD) on the Au surfaces. The as-prepared Au trisoctahedra were single crystal and enclosed by high-index {441}, {773} and {331} facets.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.307-324
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• 2011

With the increasing use of concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST) as structural members, there is a growing need to provide suitable measures for possible strengthening or repair of these kinds of structural elements. Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) jacketing is a recent method and is particularly attractive in which it does not significantly increase the section size, and is relatively easy to install. Thus, it can be used to enhance strength and/or ductility of CFST members. Very little information is available on the performance of FRP-strengthened CFST members under fire conditions. This paper is an attempt to study the fire performance of CFST columns strengthened by FRP. The results of fire endurance tests on FRP-strengthened circular CFST columns are presented. Failure modes of the specimens after exposure to fire, temperatures in the cross section, axial deformation and fire resistance of the composite columns are analysed. It is demonstrated that the required fire endurance can be achieved if the strengthened composite columns are appropriately designed.