Seismic resilience of retrofitted RC buildings

Existing buildings can be at a greater seismic risk due to non-conformance to current design codes and may require structural retrofitting to improve building performance.The performance of buildings is measured in terms of immediate consequences due to direct damage,but the continuing impacts related to recovery are not considered in seismic retrofit assessment.This paper introduces a framework of retrofit selection based on the seismic resilience of deficient buildings retrofitted with the conventional mitigation approaches.The assembly-based methodology is considered for the seismic resilience assessment by compiling a nonlinear numerical model and a building performance model.The collapse fragility is developed from the capacity curve,and the resulting social,economic,and environmental consequences are determined.The seismic resilience of a building is assessed by developing a downtime assessment methodology incorporating sequence of repairs,impeding factors,and utility availability.Five functionality states are developed for the building functionality given investigated time interval,and a functionality curve for each retrofit is determined.It is concluded that seismic resilience can be used as a performance indicator to assess the continuing impacts of a hazard for the retrofit selection.

A Microcomputer Fitted Method for Determination of the True ODF of Hexagonal Materials according to the Maximum-Entropy Estimate

A method which is especially suitable for microcomputer calculation of the true orientation distribution function (ODF) according to the maximum-entropy estimate is proposed for hexagonal system polycrystalline materials with physical symmetry.The resultant computational software system has been also designed and first carried out in a microcomputer PANAFACOM-U1200 being on line with the X-ray diffractometer D/max-3A.The simu- lated calculation shows that the method is concisely pragmatic and easily popularized,while the results obtained are trust worthy.

Parker Test for Heteroskedasticity Based on Sample Fitted Values

To address the drawbacks of the traditional Parker test in multivariate linear models: the process is cumbersome and computationally intensive, we propose a new heteroscedasticity test. A new heteroskedasticity test is proposed using the fitted values of the samples as new explanatory variables, reconstructing the regression model, and giving a new heteroskedasticity test based on the significance test of the coefficients, it is also compared with the existing Parker test which is improved using the principal component idea. Numerical simulations and empirical analyses show that the improved Parker test with the fitted values of the samples proposed in this paper is superior.

Real and Fitted Spherical Indentations

Spherical indentations that rely on original date are analyzed with the physically correct mathematical formula and its integration that take into account the radius over depth changes upon penetration. Linear plots, phase-transition onsets, energies, and pressures are algebraically obtained for germanium, zinc-oxide and gallium-nitride. There are low pressure phase-transitions that correspond to, or are not resolved by hydrostatic anvil onset pressures. This enables the attribution of polymorph structures, by comparing with known structures from pulsed laser deposition or molecular beam epitaxy and twinning. The spherical indentation is the easiest way for the synthesis and further characterization of polymorphs, now available in pure form under diamond calotte and in contact with their corresponding less dense polymorph. The unprecedented results and new possibilities require loading curves from experimental data. These are now easily distinguished from data that are “fitted” to make them concur with widely used unphysical Johnson’s formula for spheres (“P = (4/3)h3/2R1/2E∗”) not taking care of the R/h variation. Its challenge is indispensable, because its use involves “fitting equations” for making the data concur. These faked reports (no “experimental” data) provide dangerous false moduli and theories. The fitted spherical indentation reports with radii ranging from 4 to 250 μm are identified for PDMS, GaAs, Al, Si, SiC, MgO, and Steel. The detailed analysis reveals characteristic features.

ON CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH ORDER EXPONENTIALLY FITTED METHODS BASED ON PARAMETERIZED RATIONAL APPROXIMATIONS TO exp

By the discussion of the formula and properties of (4,4) parametric form rational approximation to function exp(q), the fourth order derivative one_step exponentially fitted method and the third order derivative hybrid one_step exponentially fitted method are presented, their order p satisfying 6≤p≤8. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the two methods to be A_ stable are given. Finally, for the fourth order derivative method, the error bound and the necessary and sufficient conditions for it to be median are discussed.

HIGH ORDER ONE-STEP A-STABLE EXPONENTIALLY FITTED METHODS

In this paper,the necessary and sufficient conditions for generalone-step m ethods to be exponentially fitted atq0∈C aregiven.A classofm ultiderivative hybrid one-step m ethods of order at leasts+ 1 is constructed w ith s+ 1 param eters,w here sis the order of derivative.The necessary and sufficient conditions for these m ethods to be A-stable and exponentially fitted is proved.Furtherm ore,a class ofA-stable 2 param eters hybrid one-step m ethods oforderatleast 8 are constructed,w hich use 4th order derivative.These m ethods are exponentially fitted atq0 if and only if its fitted function f(q) satisfies f(q0)= 0.Finally,an A-stable exponentially fitted m ethod oforder 8 is obtained.

AN EXPONENTIALLY FITTED DIFFERENCE SCHEME FOR THE HYPERBOLIC-HYPERBOLIC SINGULARLY PERTURBED INITIAL-BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM

In this paper we discuss, an initial-boundary value problem of hyperbolic type with first derivative with respect to x. The asymptotic solution is constructed and its uniform validity is proved under weader compatibility conditions. Then we develop an exponentially fitted difference scheme and establish discrete energy inequality. Finally, we prove that the solution of difference problem uniformly converges to the solution of the original problem.

Subpopulations of regulatory T cells are associated with subclinical atherosclerotic plaques,levels of LDL,and cardiorespiratory fitness in the elderly

Background:Atherosclerosis forms the pathological basis for the development of cardiovascular disease.Since pathological processes initially develop without clinically relevant symptoms,the identification of early markers in the subclinical stage plays an important role for initiating early interventions.There is evidence that regulatory T cells(Tregs)are involved in the development of atherosclerosis.Therefore,the present study aimed to identify and investigate associations with Tregs and their subsets in a cohort of healthy elderly individuals with and without subclinical atherosclerotic plaques(SAP).In addition,various lifestyle and risk factors,such as cardiorespiratory fitness,were investigated as associated signatures.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed in 79 participants(male:n=50;age=63.6±3.7 years;body mass index=24.9±3.1 kg/m2;mean±SD)who had no previous diagnosis of chronic disease and were not taking medication.Ultrasound of the carotids to identify SAP,cardiovascular function measurement for vascular assessment and a cardiorespiratory fitness test to determine peak oxygen uptake were performed.Additionally,tests were conducted to assess blood lipids and determine glucose levels.Immunophenotyping of Tregs and their subtypes(resting(rTregs)and effector/memory(mTregs))was performed by 8-chanel flow cytometry.Participants were categorized according to atherosclerotic plaque status.Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between parameters.Results:SAP was detected in a total of 29 participants.The participants with plaque were older(64.8±3.6 years vs.62.9±3.5 years)and had higher peripheral systolic blood pressure(133.8±14.7 mmHg vs.125.8±10.9 mmHg).The participants with SAP were characterized by a lower percentage of rTregs(28.8%±10.7%vs.34.6%±10.7%)and a higher percentage of mTregs(40.3%±14.7%vs.30.0%±11.9%).Multiple logistic regression identified age(odds ratio(OR)=1.20(95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.011.42))and mTregs(OR=1.05(95%CI:1.021.10))as independent risk factors for SAP.Stepwise linear regression could reveal an association of peak oxygen uptake(β=0.441),low-density lipoprotein(LDL)(β=0.096),and SAP(β=6.733)with mTregs and LDL(β=0.104)with rTregs.Conclusion:While at an early stage of SAP,the total proportion of Tregs gives no indication of vascular changes,this is indicated by a shift in the Treg subgroups.Factors such as serum LDL or cardiopulmonary fitness may be associated with this shift and may also be additional diagnostic indicators.This could be used to initiate lifestyle-based preventive measures at an early stage,which may have a protective effect against disease progression.

Numerical Simulation of Flow Field in Tidal Estuary Using Body-Fitted Coordinate System

On the basis of the physical mechanism, a body-fitted coordinate system is developed. By using this system the boundaries in simulation and in real are fitted well, and simulation with great accuracy is achieved. A computation example indicates that compared to traditional two-dimensional computation methods, the body-fitted simulation has an advantange of better coincidence with the real and can be adopted in simulating flow fields in tidal estuaries.

Influence of the Fitted Straight Line for Confidence Bands Algorithm in Q-Q Plots

Confidence bands in a Normal Q-Q Plot allow us to detect non-normality of a data set rigorously, and in such a way that the conclusion does not depend on the subjectivity of the observer of the graph. In the construction of the graph, it is usual to fit a straight line to the plotted points, which serves both to check the hypothesis of normality (linear configuration of the plotted points) and to produce estimates of the parameters of the distribution. We can opt for dif-ferent types of lines. In this paper, we study the influence of five types of fitted straight lines in a Normal Q-Q Plot used for construction the confidence bands based on the exact distribution of the order statistics.

Body-Fitted Momentum Source Method for Predicting Rotor Aerodynamics Characteristics in Hover

To gain high efficiency for the simulation of the aerodynamic characteristics of the rotor in hover,body?fitted momentum source(BFMS)method is proposed.In this method,the actual blade geometry is represented by the single layer of volume grid surrounding the blade.Aiming at correctly simulating the aerodynamic characteristics of the discrete cells along the chordwise of blade airfoil section,a new distributed force model is proposed.For comparison,the RANS method with S?A turbulence model and the steady rotor momentum source(SRMS)method based on embedded grid systems are established,respectively.And the grid connecting methodology is improved to embed the blade into the background grids for the three methods.Then,simulations are performed for the hovering Caradonna?Tung rotor by these methods,and the calculated results are compared with the available experimental data.Moreover,the pressure distributions along the blade are compared with the conventional momentum source methods.It is demonstrated that the BFMS method can be employed as an effective approach to predict rotor aerodynamic characteristics with a low computational resource and reasonable accuracy.

Irregular surface seismic forward modeling by a body-fitted rotated–staggered-grid finite-difference method

Finite-difference(FD) methods are widely used in seismic forward modeling owing to their computational efficiency but are not readily applicable to irregular topographies. Thus, several FD methods based on the transformation to curvilinear coordinates using body-fitted grids have been proposed, e.g., stand staggered grid(SSG) with interpolation, nonstaggered grid, rotated staggered grid(RSG), and fully staggered. The FD based on the RSG is somewhat superior to others because it satisfies the spatial distribution of the wave equation without additional memory and computational requirements; furthermore, it is simpler to implement. We use the RSG FD method to transform the firstorder stress–velocity equation in the curvilinear coordinates system and introduce the highprecision adaptive, unilateral mimetic finite-difference(UMFD) method to process the freeboundary conditions of an irregular surface. The numerical results suggest that the precision of the solution is higher than that of the vacuum formalism. When the minimum wavelength is low, UMFD avoids the surface wave dispersion. We compare FD methods based on RSG, SEM, and nonstaggered grid and infer that all simulation results are consistent but the computational efficiency of the RSG FD method is higher than the rest.

Numerical Tidal Current Modeling Using Fine Boundary-Fitted Grids for Tidal Flats

Fine grids with small spacing in boundary-fitted coordinates are normally used to treat the computation of fluid dynamics for estuarine areas and tidal flats. However, the adoption of Cartesian components of velocity vectors in this kind of non-orthogonal coordinates will definitely result in a difficulty in solving implicitly the transformed momentum equations, and also complicate the wet-dry point judgement used for flood areas. To solve this problem, equations in terms of generalized contravariant velocity vectors in curvilinear coordinates are derived in the present study, by virtue of which, an Alternative-Direction-Implicit numerical scheme in non-orthogonal grids would then be easily obtained, and wet-dry point judgement would as well be largely simplified. A comparison is made between the explicit scheme and implicit scheme, showing that the present model is accurate and numerically stable for computations of fluid dynamics for estuarine areas and tidal flats.

Effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness:A multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial

Purpose:To examine the effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness in children aged 7-8 years.Methods:Twenty schools in 5 different European countries(2 second-grade classrooms per school)participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial(Sport at School trial).Participants were assigned to either a control group,which continued with their habitual physical education lessons,or to an intervention group,which replaced these lessons with a 1-year karate intervention(Karate Mind and Movement program).A total of 721 children(344 girls and 377 boys,7.4±0.5 years old,mean±SD)completed the study,of which 333 and 388 were assigned to the control group and intervention group,respectively.Outcomes included academic performance(average grade),psychosocial functioning(Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents),and different markers of physical fitness(cardiorespiratory fitness,balance,and flexibility).Results:The intervention provided small but significant benefits compared to the control group for academic achievement(d=0.16;p=0.003),conduct problems(d=-0.28;p=0.003),cardiorespiratory fitness(d=0.36;p<0.001),and balance(d=0.24;p=0.015).There was a trend towards significant benefits for flexibility(d=0.24;p=0.056).No significant benefits were observed for other variables,including psychosocial difficulties,emotional symptoms,hyperactivity/inattention,peer problems,or prosocial behaviour(all p>0.05).Conclusion:A 1-year school-based karate intervention was effective in improving academic achievement,conduct problems,and physical fitness in primary school children.The results support the inclusion of karate during physical education lessons.

Associations between health-related fitness and patient-reported symptoms in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients

Background:Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients experience symptoms that may affect their quality of life,treatment outcomes,and survival.Preventing and managing breast cancer-related symptoms soon after diagnosis is essential.The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between health-related fitness(HRF)and patient-reported symptoms in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.Methods:This study utilized baseline data from the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer Cohort Study that were collected within 90 days of diagnosis.HRF measures included peak cardiopulmonary fitness(peak volume of oxygen consumption(VO_(2peak))),maximal muscular strength and endurance,flexibility,and body composition.Symptom measures included depression,sleep quality,and fatigue.Adjusted multivariable logistic regression was performed for analyses.Results:Of 1458 participants,51.5%reported poor sleep quality,26.5%reported significant fatigue,and 10.4%reported moderate depression.In multivariable-adjusted models,lower relative VO_(2peak)was independently associated with a greater likelihood of all symptom measures,including moderate depression(p<0.001),poor sleep quality(p=0.009),significant fatigue(p=0.008),any symptom(p<0.001),and multiple symptoms(p<0.001).VO_(2peak)demonstrated threshold associations with all symptom measures such that all 3 lower quartiles exhibited similar elevated risk compared to the highest quartile.The strength of the threshold associations varied by the symptom measure with odds ratios ranging from-1.5 for poor sleep quality to-3.0 for moderate depression and multiple symptoms.Moreover,lower relative upper body muscular endurance was also independently associated with fatigue in a dose-response manner(p=0.001),and higher body weight was independently associated with poor sleep quality in an inverted U pattern(p=0.021).Conclusion:Relative VO_(2peak)appears to be a critical HRF component associated with multiple patient-reported symptoms in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.Other HRF parameters may also be important for specific symptoms.Exercise interventions targeting different HRF components may help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients manage specific symptoms and improve outcomes.

Resistance development,cross-resistance,and fitness costs associated with Aphis gossypii resistance towards sulfoxaflor and acetamiprid in different geographical regions

Aphis gossypii has become increasingly difficult to manage due to its strong insecticide resistance.In the laboratory,we established sulfoxaflor-resistant and acetamiprid-resistant strains in two A.gossypii populations with different basal insecticide resistance levels,and evaluated the effects of basal insecticide resistance on the resistance development and cross-resistance,as well as differences in fitness.Under the same selection pressure,Yarkant A.gossypii(with low basal insecticide resistance)evolved resistance to sulfoxaflor and acetamiprid more quickly than Jinghe A.gossypii(with high basal insecticide resistance),and the evolution of A.gossypii resistance to sulfoxaflor developed faster than acetamiprid in both Yarkant and Jinghe,Xingjiang,China.The sulfoxaflor-resistant strains selected from Yarkant and Jinghe developed significant cross-resistance to acetamiprid,imidacloprid,thiamethoxam and pymetrozine;while the acetamiprid-resistant strains developed significant cross-resistance to sulfoxaflor,imidacloprid,thiamethoxam,pymetrozine,and chlorpyrifos.The relative fitness of A.gossypii decreased as the resistance to sulfoxaflor and acetamiprid developed.The relative fitness levels of the sulfoxaflor-resistant strains(Yarkant-SulR and Jinghe-SulR)were lower than those of the acetamipridresistant strains(Yarkant-AceR and Jinghe-AceR).In addition,the relative fitness levels of sulfoxaflor-and acetamiprid-resistant strains were lower in Jinghe than in Yarkant.In summary,basal insecticide resistance of A.gossypii and insecticide type affected the evolution of resistance to insecticides in A.gossypii,as well as cross-resistance to other insecticides.The sulfoxaflor-and acetamiprid-resistant A.gossypii strains had obvious fitness costs.The results of this work will contribute to the insecticide resistance management and integrated management of A.gossypii.

Genetic benefits of female from extra-pair paternity are context dependent within the socially monogamous Tree Sparrow

Females actively seek extra-pair paternity(EPP)to acquire a fitness advantage for their offspring.The“contextdependence hypothesis”posits that female extra-pair mate choice has plasticity in response to environmental conditions,and therefore magnitude of female genetic benefits from EPP depends on the environmental variation.Furthermore,chronic heavy metal pollution can cause adverse effects on fitness-related traits of wild birds.However,few studies were available on the interactions between heavy metal pollution and EPP.We selected an area that was contaminated by heavy metals for more than 60 years(Baiyin,BY),a relatively unpolluted area(Liujiaxia,LJX),and Tree Sparrows(Passer montanus)as study species to explore the response of female extrapair mate choice and genetic benefits from EPP to heavy metal pollution in socially monogamous birds.The relatedness between social mates and extra-pair mates was investigated.Additionally,we compared the body size and heterozygosity of extra-pair offspring(EPO),within-pair offspring(WPO),social males and extra-pair males from the two Tree Sparrow populations.We found that at BY,female Tree Sparrows tended to choose extra-pair males with larger body size and lower genetic similarity,thereby producing higher heterozygosity and larger body size of EPO compared with those of WPO.However,no similar phenomenon was observed in the Tree Sparrow population from LJX.In addition,there was a significant interaction between population and paternity in the analyses of the fitness-related traits,suggesting that environmental variation could affect female genetic benefits from EPP.This study confirmed the existence of presumed interactions between environmental pollution and EPP within the natural population of socially monogamous Tree Sparrows.Our findings shed lights on the possible effects of long-term environmental stress on mating system in wild birds.

The Impact and Intervention of Handheld Tai Chi Water-Resistance Fitness Ball on Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Through the use of a survey and statistical methods, this study explores the effects and interventions of handheld Tai Chi water resistance fitness balls on the elderly with Parkinson’s disease. Firstly, a questionnaire on exercise compliance for patients with Parkinson’s disease was developed, and its reliability and validity were tested. Then, a survey was conducted to investigate the current status of exercise compliance among Parkinson’s disease patients, including general information, scoring status, and single and multiple factor analyses of influencing factors [1]. The results of the study show that through qualitative research, the dimensions and item pools of the questionnaire were initially constructed, and the reliability analysis of the questionnaire was conducted through Delphi expert consultation, with favorable results in terms of its reliability and validity [2]. Regarding the current status of exercise compliance among Parkinson’s disease patients, the study found that the level of exercise compliance needs improvement, and there are significant differences in exercise compliance levels among patients under different circumstances. Finally, the research results were discussed and conclusions were drawn. The innovation of this study lies in the development of a questionnaire on exercise compliance for patients with Parkinson’s disease and the preliminary qualitative research and Delphi expert consultation conducted on it, providing new ideas and methods for the study of exercise compliance. However, the study also has limitations as it did not examine the effects of other interventions on Parkinson’s disease, so further research should be conducted [3].

基于多靶点粪便FIT-DNA联合检测技术的结直肠癌早筛应用研究

目的评价多靶点粪便FIT-DNA联合检测技术在结直肠癌早期筛查中的效果并进一步分析其应用前景。方法选取内蒙古医科大学附属医院就诊人群,每位受试者分别行血清肿瘤标志物检测、多靶点粪便FIT-DNA联合检测、肠镜检查,以接受多靶点粪便FIT-DNA联合检测人群为实验组,以接受肠镜检查及血清肿瘤标志物检测人群为对照组,以病理结果为金标准,评价新型粪便分子检测技术对于结直肠癌筛查的效果,对筛出的阳性人群给予及时干预。结果共分析了115例患者。血清肿瘤标志物检测敏感度63.2%(43/68),特异度74.5%(35/47);肠镜检查敏感度97.1%(66/68),特异度80.7%(38/47);而多靶点粪便FIT-DNA联合检测敏感度89.7%(61/68),特异度87.2%(41/47)。多靶点粪便FIT-DNA联合检测敏感度、特异度等均优于血清肿瘤标志物检测,敏感度虽低于肠镜检查,但相较肠镜检查操作简单,可居家自测。

Is economic fitness helpful in achieving environmental sustainability in BRICS economies?A risk exposure perspective

A country’s ability to create complex goods and diversify its lines of products is essential for addressing all types of vulnerabilities.Quantifying a country’s vulnerability to extreme climatic events,such as droughts,superstorms,and other natural disasters,and its capacity for successful adaption,is an essential global need that has been ignored.This study examines the role of economic fitness(EF)in addressing climate change risk ex‐posure in BRICS countries in the context of the environmental Kuznets curve using panel data from 1995 to 2015.Panel threshold methodology is employed to ascertain the nonlinear relationship between EF and climate change risk exposure(i.e.,Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index(ND-GAIN)).In addition,empirical associations were estimated using panel-corrected standard errors,Driscoll-Kraay standard errors,and feasible generalized least squares estimation techniques.These findings demonstrated an inverted N shaped link between EF and ND-GAIN.Moreover,even after controlling for significant ND-GAIN influencing variables such as gross domestic product per capita,financial development,and urbanization,our robustness checks revealed significant and consistent findings.