A reliability based analysis method for a drilled shaft stabilized slope system is presented in this paper. The drilled shaft stabilization mechanisms for the slope were treated as the drilled shaft induced soil archi...A reliability based analysis method for a drilled shaft stabilized slope system is presented in this paper. The drilled shaft stabilization mechanisms for the slope were treated as the drilled shaft induced soil arching, which was quantified by the load transfer factor in the limited equilibrium analysis. However, due to the inherent uncertainties of the soil properties and the model error of the semi-empirical load transfer equation, an extension modification of the deterministic method into a probabilistic method is developed in this paper. The MCS （Monte Carlo simulation） with log-normal random variables has been employed to calculate the probability of failure （Pf） for the drilled shafts/slope system. The developed theories were coded into a computer program for analyzing complex slope geometry and slope profile conditions. Finally, a case study has been performed to illustrate the application analysis of the developed probability approach in drilled shafts/slope system.展开更多
It is common to assume that structures are designed in view of 50 year life cycle as per Euro-Code 2 and other codes. In special cases, structures are designed in view of longer life cycle, such as bridges, important ...It is common to assume that structures are designed in view of 50 year life cycle as per Euro-Code 2 and other codes. In special cases, structures are designed in view of longer life cycle, such as bridges, important infrastructure facilities, important religious structures or in case of extended returning period of seismic event or floods. Beside issues of durability and maintenance aspects, this involves also the need to cover the probability of exceeding characteristic design live loads during the extended period, while keeping the same levels of the accepted risk that were assumed by the various codes, as good enough for the standard 50 year life cycle. Bearing in mind that design procedures, formulations, materials characteristic strengths and partial safety factors are used for these structures as per the existing codes, scaling of partial safety factors, or alternatively an additional ＂compensating＂ factor is required. A simplified approach and procedure to arrive at a reasonable calibration of the code safety factors based on 50 years to compensate for an extended life cycle, based upon structural reliability considerations, is proposed.展开更多
Genetic transformation in some plant species, including cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）, is hampered by laborious and time-consuming processes and often unachievable. Virus-induced gene silencing （VIGS） by double-stra...Genetic transformation in some plant species, including cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）, is hampered by laborious and time-consuming processes and often unachievable. Virus-induced gene silencing （VIGS） by double-stranded RNAs can serve as a reverse-genetics tool to determine gene function. However, knockdown levels vary greatly when using a tobacco rattle virus-based vector that carries different cDNA fragments of a gene. How to choose the optional target fragment for high interference efficiency is very challenging. Addressing this challenge requires increasing the efficacy of small interference RNA （siRNA） in target fragment. Here, we describe a method to assess VIGS efficiency by comparing the following parameters of siRNA in target sequence： the disruptionenergy of the target （△Gdisruption）, the differential stability of siRNA duplex ends （DSSE）, and the internal stability at positions 9-14 of the siRNA antisense strand （AIS）, which are calculated by Sfold program （http：//sfold.wadsworth. org）. We find that the siRNAs with low mGdisruption, high DSSE and high AIS have high activity and easily result in high VIGS efficiency by experimentally testing the actual knockdown levels of the four target genes, GhPDS, GhCLA1, GhAOS1, and GhCXE1 via choosing different target sequences for each gene. Therefore, the Sfold pro- gram can be used to analyze target sequences when car- rying out VIGS design to increase gene-silencing effects in plants.展开更多
文摘A reliability based analysis method for a drilled shaft stabilized slope system is presented in this paper. The drilled shaft stabilization mechanisms for the slope were treated as the drilled shaft induced soil arching, which was quantified by the load transfer factor in the limited equilibrium analysis. However, due to the inherent uncertainties of the soil properties and the model error of the semi-empirical load transfer equation, an extension modification of the deterministic method into a probabilistic method is developed in this paper. The MCS （Monte Carlo simulation） with log-normal random variables has been employed to calculate the probability of failure （Pf） for the drilled shafts/slope system. The developed theories were coded into a computer program for analyzing complex slope geometry and slope profile conditions. Finally, a case study has been performed to illustrate the application analysis of the developed probability approach in drilled shafts/slope system.
文摘It is common to assume that structures are designed in view of 50 year life cycle as per Euro-Code 2 and other codes. In special cases, structures are designed in view of longer life cycle, such as bridges, important infrastructure facilities, important religious structures or in case of extended returning period of seismic event or floods. Beside issues of durability and maintenance aspects, this involves also the need to cover the probability of exceeding characteristic design live loads during the extended period, while keeping the same levels of the accepted risk that were assumed by the various codes, as good enough for the standard 50 year life cycle. Bearing in mind that design procedures, formulations, materials characteristic strengths and partial safety factors are used for these structures as per the existing codes, scaling of partial safety factors, or alternatively an additional ＂compensating＂ factor is required. A simplified approach and procedure to arrive at a reasonable calibration of the code safety factors based on 50 years to compensate for an extended life cycle, based upon structural reliability considerations, is proposed.
基金supported by Major Program of Joint Funds (Sinkiang) of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U1303282)
文摘Genetic transformation in some plant species, including cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）, is hampered by laborious and time-consuming processes and often unachievable. Virus-induced gene silencing （VIGS） by double-stranded RNAs can serve as a reverse-genetics tool to determine gene function. However, knockdown levels vary greatly when using a tobacco rattle virus-based vector that carries different cDNA fragments of a gene. How to choose the optional target fragment for high interference efficiency is very challenging. Addressing this challenge requires increasing the efficacy of small interference RNA （siRNA） in target fragment. Here, we describe a method to assess VIGS efficiency by comparing the following parameters of siRNA in target sequence： the disruptionenergy of the target （△Gdisruption）, the differential stability of siRNA duplex ends （DSSE）, and the internal stability at positions 9-14 of the siRNA antisense strand （AIS）, which are calculated by Sfold program （http：//sfold.wadsworth. org）. We find that the siRNAs with low mGdisruption, high DSSE and high AIS have high activity and easily result in high VIGS efficiency by experimentally testing the actual knockdown levels of the four target genes, GhPDS, GhCLA1, GhAOS1, and GhCXE1 via choosing different target sequences for each gene. Therefore, the Sfold pro- gram can be used to analyze target sequences when car- rying out VIGS design to increase gene-silencing effects in plants.
