•A novel metric is proposed to compare risk mitigation strategies on a common basis.•The metric integrates features of transportation networks and individual bridges.•A ranking mechanism is proposed ...for identifying and prioritizing bridge projects.
Transportation infrastructure has been identified by the US Department of Homeland Security as one of sixteen critical infrastructure systems essential to the well-being of modern societies. In this study, we propose a resilience-based framework for mitigating risk to surface road transportation networks. We utilize recent developments in modern network theory to introduce a novel metric based on system reliability and network connectivity to measure resilience-based performance of a road transportation network. The formulation of this resilience-based performance metric (referred in the paper as WIPW), systematically integrates the network topology, redundancy level, traffic patterns, structural reliability of network components (i.e. roads and bridge) and functionality of the network during community’s post-disaster recovery, and permits risk mitigation alternatives for improving transportation network resilience to be compared on a common basis. Using the WIPW as a network performance metric, we propose a project ranking mechanism for identifying and prioritizing transportation network retrofit projects that are critical for effective pre-disaster risk mitigation and resilience planning. We further present a decision methodology to select optimal solutions among possible alternatives of new construction, which offer opportunities to improve the resilience of the network by altering its existing topology. Finally, we conclude with an illustration that uses the WIPW as the performance metric to support risk-based mitigation decisions using a hypothetical bridge network susceptible to seismic hazards.
Acquired radioresistance is a major clinical obstacle in the treatment of esophageal cancer (EC). Ubiquitin‐specific protease 28 (USP28) has been implicated in tumor growth in various cancer types. ...However, the role of USP28 and its underlying mechanisms of radioresistance in EC remain unknown. In the current study, we found that USP28 and c‐Myc levels were upregulated in EC tissues and EC cell lines. The mRNA expression levels of USP28 and c‐Myc were increased in the radioresistant human EC cell line (ECA109R) compared with those in ECA109 cells. In addition, the expression levels of USP28 and c‐Myc were increased with increase in culture time after irradiation. Meanwhile, overexpression of USP28 decreased the radiosensitivity of ECA109 cells. In contrast, USP28 knockdown enhanced the radiosensitivity of ECA109R cells. Moreover, USP28 positively regulated the protein level of c‐Myc, and c‐Myc negatively regulated the radiosensitivity of ECA109 and ECA109R cells. Furthermore, c‐Myc reversed the inhibitory effect of USP28 on the radiosensitivity of EC cells. Additionally, c‐Myc enhanced the accumulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α) at the posttranscriptional level, and the reinforcing effect of c‐Myc silencing on the radiosensitivity of EC cells could be reversed by HIF‐1α overexpression. Besides, knockdown of USP28 blocked the effect of c‐Myc on activation of ataxia telangiectasia‐mutated/ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3‐related DNA damage checkpoint after irradiation. In conclusion, knockdown of USP28 enhanced the radiosensitivity of EC cells by destabilizing c‐Myc and enhancing the accumulation of HIF‐1α. Therefore, USP28 may serve as a novel therapeutic target to overcome EC radioresistance.
Knockdown of USP28 enhances the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells via the c‐Myc/hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha pathway; c‐Myc reversed the effect of USP28 on the radiosensitivity of EC cells.
Background and Objective: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) play an important role in the regulation of fat metabolism in the placenta and fetus. Changes in placental function in ...pre-eclampsia affect the transport of fatty acids and affect fetal nutrition. The aim of the study was to compare LCPUFA levels in blood, placenta and cord blood of pregnant women with or without pre-eclampsia. Methods: The blood, placenta and umbilical cord blood of pregnant women (n = 30 each) who were normotensive and with pre-eclampsia were collected. The levels of fatty acids in maternal blood, placenta and umbilical cord blood were determined by the quartz capillary gas chromatography technique. Results: The average age of normal pregnant women was 27.0±4.5 years and that of pre-eclampsia pregnant women was 30±4.0 years (P > 0.05). The levels of total fatty acids, arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were higher in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia than in normal women. The level of linoleic acid in cord blood and placenta was significantly higher in pre-eclampsia group than in the normal pregnant women while linoleic acid content in maternal blood being lower in pre-eclampsia group compared to the normal maternal group. Conclusion: The changes of LCPUFA in blood, placenta and umbilical blood of pre-eclampsia may be related to the changes of LCPUFA in placenta. These changes may be involved in the pathophysiological process of pre-eclampsia. Maternal supplement of LCPUFA, such as DHA, in early gestation may be helpful in improving morbidity associated with maternal eclampsia.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
An N‐superdoped 3D graphene network structure with an N‐doping level up to 15.8 at% for high‐performance supercapacitor is designed and synthesized, in which the graphene foam with high conductivity ...acts as skeleton and nested with N‐superdoped reduced graphene oxide arogels. This material shows a highly conductive interconnected 3D porous structure (3.33 S cm−1), large surface area (583 m2 g−1), low internal resistance (0.4 Ω), good wettability, and a great number of active sites. Because of the multiple synergistic effects of these features, the supercapacitors based on this material show a remarkably excellent electrochemical behavior with a high specific capacitance (of up to 380, 332, and 245 F g−1 in alkaline, acidic, and neutral electrolytes measured in three‐electrode configuration, respectively, 297 F g−1 in alkaline electrolytes measured in two‐electrode configuration), good rate capability, excellent cycling stability (93.5% retention after 4600 cycles), and low internal resistance (0.4 Ω), resulting in high power density with proper high energy density.
A N‐superdoped 3D graphene network structure is synthesized to achieve a highly conductive interconnected 3D porous structure and high N‐doping level simultaneously. The supercapacitors based on this material show a remarkably high capacity, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability.
Abstract Background Cardiovascular risk is inconsistent in the normal-weight, overweight, and obese individuals due to metabolic abnormality. We aimed to investigate combined effects of obesity and ...metabolic abnormality on the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Methods The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and references of relevant original articles prior to May 2013 were searched for prospective studies investigating cardiovascular risk and death associated with combined effects of obesity and metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance. Pooled relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effect models when appropriate. Results Fourteen perspective studies with a total of 299,059 participants and 12,125 cases of incident CVD, 2130 cases of CVD death, and 7071 cases of all-cause death were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with healthy normal-weight individuals, metabolically healthy overweight (MHOW) and obese (MHOB) individuals showed increased risk for CVD events, which appeared much stronger during the long-term follow-up period of > 15 years, with pooled RR of 1.47 (95% CI 1.37–1.58) in MHOW and 2.00 (95% CI 1.79–2.24) in MHOB. Normal-weight but metabolically abnormal individuals were at increased risk for CVD (pooled RR 1.81, 95% CI 1.56–2.10), CVD-related death (pooled RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.16–2.08), and all-cause death (pooled RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10–1.47). Metabolically abnormal obese individuals were at the highest risk for CVD and mortality. Conclusion Individuals with metabolic abnormality, although at normal-weight, had an increased risk of CVD and mortality. Healthy overweight and obese persons had higher risk, which refuted the notion that metabolically healthy obese phenotype is a benign condition.
By allowing almost arbitrary distributions of amplitude and phase of electromagnetic waves to be generated by a layer of sub-wavelength-size unit cells, metasurfaces have given rise to the field of ...meta-holography. However, holography with circularly polarized waves remains complicated as the achiral building blocks of existing meta-holograms inevitably contribute to holographic images generated by both left-handed and right-handed waves. Here we demonstrate how planar chirality enables the fully independent realization of high-efficiency meta-holograms for one circular polarization or the other. Such circular-polarization-selective meta-holograms are based on chiral building blocks that reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized waves with an orientation-dependent phase. Using terahertz waves, we experimentally demonstrate that this allows the straightforward design of reflective phase meta-holograms, where the use of alternating structures of opposite handedness yields independent holographic images for circularly polarized waves of opposite handedness with negligible polarization cross-talk.
Controlling the propagation properties of the terahertz waves in graphene holds great promise in enabling novel technologies for the convergence of electronics and photonics. A diode is a fundamental ...electronic device that allows the passage of current in just one direction based on the polarity of the applied voltage. With simultaneous optical and electrical excitations, we experimentally demonstrate an active diode for the terahertz waves consisting of a graphene-silicon hybrid film. The diode transmits terahertz waves when biased with a positive voltage while attenuates the wave under a low negative voltage, which can be seen as an analogue of an electronic semiconductor diode. Here, we obtain a large transmission modulation of 83% in the graphene-silicon hybrid film, which exhibits tremendous potential for applications in designing broadband terahertz modulators and switchable terahertz plasmonic and metamaterial devices.
In this paper, we make a comprehensive study on a highly efficient half-open cavity design for high power random fiber laser (RFL). With the theoretical analysis, we optimize the cavity's fiber ...length for getting higher output power within the scheme, i.e., shorter fiber length is preferred for efficiently harvesting the first order random lasing at the open end of the cavity. As the verification of the theory, we experimentally demonstrate a high output power (7 W), highly efficient (70% optical conversion efficiency) RFL working at 1140 nm, using 10 W 1090 nm laser as the pump source and only 1 km standard single-mode fiber as the distributed cavity.
In electrochemical devices, such as batteries, traditional electric double layer (EDL) theory holds that cations in the cathode/electrolyte interface will be repelled during charging, leaving a large ...amount of free solvents. This promotes the continuous anodic decomposition of the electrolyte, leading to a limited operation voltage and cycle life of the devices. In this work, we design a new EDL structure with adaptive and passivating properties. It is enabled by adding functional anionic additives in the electrolyte, which can selectively bind with cations and free solvents, forming unique cation-rich and branch-chain like supramolecular polymer structures with high electrochemical stability in the EDL inner layer. Due to this design, the anodic decomposition of ether-based electrolytes is significantly suppressed in the high voltage cathodes and the battery shows outstanding performances such as super-fast charging/discharging and ultra-low temperature applications, which is extremely hard in conventional electrolyte design principle. This unconventional EDL structure breaks the inherent perception of the classical EDL rearrangement mechanism and greatly improve electrochemical performances of the device.
Cooperative perception, as a critical technology of intelligent connected vehicles, aims to use wireless communication technology to interact and fuse environmental information obtained by edge nodes ...with local perception information, which can improve vehicle perception accuracy, reduce latency, and eliminate perception blind spots. It has become a current research hotspot. Based on the analysis of the related literature on the Internet of vehicles (IoV), this paper summarizes the multi-sensor information fusion method, information sharing strategy, and communication technology of autonomous driving cooperative perception technology in the IoV environment. Firstly, cooperative perception information fusion methods, such as image fusion, point cloud fusion, and image–point cloud fusion, are summarized and compared according to the approaches of sensor information fusion. Secondly, recent research on communication technology and the sharing strategies of cooperative perception technology is summarized and analyzed in detail. Simultaneously, combined with the practical application of V2X, the influence of network communication performance on cooperative perception is analyzed, considering factors such as latency, packet loss rate, and channel congestion, and the existing research methods are discussed. Finally, based on the summary and analysis of the above studies, future research issues on cooperative perception are proposed, and the development trend of cooperative perception technology is forecast to help researchers in this field quickly understand the research status, hotspots, and prospects of cooperative perception technology.
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