Load-bearing characteristics and energy evolution of fractured rock masses after granite and sandstone grouting

Experiments on grouting-reinforced rock mass specimens with different particle sizes and features were carried out in this study to examine the effects of grouting reinforcement on the load-bearing characteristics of fractured rock mass.The strength and deformation features of grouting-reinforced rock mass were analyzed under different loading manners;the energy evolution mechanism of grouting-reinforced rock mass specimens with different particle sizes and features was investigated;the energy dissipation ratio and post-peak stress decreasing rate were employed to evaluate the bearing stability of grouting-reinforced rock mass.The results show that the strength and ductility of granite-reinforced rock mass(GRM)under biaxial loading are higher than that of sandstone-reinforced rock mass(SRM)under uniaxial loading.Besides,the energy evolution characteristics of grouting-reinforced rock mass under uniaxial and biaxial loading mainly could be divided into early,middle,and late stages.In the early stage,total,elastic,and dissipation energies were quite small with flatter curves;in the middle stage,elastic energy increased rapidly,whereas dissipation energy increased slowly;in the late stage,dissipation energy increased sharply.The energy dissipation ratio was used to represent the pre-peak plastic deformation.Under uniaxial loading,this ratio increased as the particle size increased and the pre-peak plastic deformation of grouting-reinforced rock mass became larger;under biaxial loading,it dropped as the particle size increased,and the pre-peak plastic deformation of grouting-reinforced rock mass became smaller.The post-peak stress decline rate A_(v) was used to assess the post-peak bearing performance of grouting-reinforced rock mass.Under uniaxial loading,parameter A_(v) exhibited reduction as the particle size kept increasing,and the ability of post-peak of grouting-reinforced rock mass to allow deformation development was greater,and the bearing capacity was greater;under biaxial loading,A_(v) increased with the particle size,and the ability of post-peak of grouting-reinforced rock mass to allow deformation development was low and the bearing capacity was reduced.The findings are considered instrumental in improving the stability of the roadway-surrounding rock by granite and sandstone grouting.

Optimization of Linear Antenna Arrays Based on Genetic Algorithms

The methods of moment and genetic algorithm (GA) are combined to optimize the Yagi Uda antenna array and Log periodic dipole antenna (LPDA) array. The element lengths and spacing are optimized for the Yagi Uda array; while the ratio factor of spacing to length as well as the ratio of length to diameter of the elements are optimized for LPDA array. The results show that the main parameters, such as gain and pattern, have been improved apparently; and the high back lobe level of LPDA can be reduced greatly, therefore, GA is a very competent method for optimizing the linear array as well as in other fields.

Comparison of Soleus Muscle Fibers in Rats and Rabbits at Different Stages of Postnatal Development

In the present study,the effects of postnatal development on the number and distribution of skeletal muscle fibers of different types in hind leg of rat and rabbit were studied.The soleus muscles of rats aged 2 days,2,4,6,8,and 10 weeks (body weight 10,32,95,190,280,and 320 g),and rabbits aged 2 days,2,4,8,12,16,20,and 24 weeks (body weight 100,220,400,750,1 200,1 600,2 100,and 2 500 g) were stained with succinic dehydrogenase.With an image analysis system,the X-Y coordinates of fibers were used to analyze the growth-related changes.The results of present study showed that three types of fibers were found in the soleus muscles of rat and rabbit,i.e.,type Ⅰ (slow oxidative),ⅡX (fast oxidative),and ⅡA (fast oxidative glycolytic).The type Ⅰ fibers were present throughout the muscle that had a uniform distribution and tended to increase in number with aging.Type ⅡX fibers were scattered throughout the muscle and decreased markedly in number with aging.Type ⅡA fibers were located at the central and deep regions,and showed a little or no change in number and distribution with aging.While be of age,type ⅡA and ⅡX fibers became restricted to the superficial region.No type ⅡB fibers were detected.Type ⅡA fibers had the largest diameter,type Ⅰ intermediate and type ⅡX the smallest.Mean cross-sectional area of each type fibers of rabbits was larger than that of rats.The present results indicate that the number and distribution of muscle fibers of different types in hind limb of rat and rabbit change with the process of postnatal growth.

Prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal/hepatic vein tumor thrombosis

AIM To investigate whether the preoperative neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio(NLR) could predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients with portal/hepatic vein tumor thrombosis(PVTT/HVTT) after hepatectomy.METHODS The study population included 81 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy and were diagnosed with PVTT/HVTT based on pathological examination. The demographics, laboratory analyses, and histopathology data were analyzed.RESULTS Overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) were determined in the patients with a high(> 2.9) and low(≤ 2.9) NLR. The median OS and DFS duration in the high NLR group were significantly shorter than those in the low NLR group(OS: 6.2 mo vs 15.7 mo, respectively, P = 0.007; DFS: 2.2 mo vs 3.7 mo, respectively, P = 0.039). An NLR > 2.9 was identified as an independent predictor of a poor prognosis of OS(P = 0.034, HR = 1.866; 95%CI: 1.048-3.322) in uni-and multivariate analyses. Moreover, there was a significantly positive correlation between the NLR and the Child-Pugh score(r = 0.276, P = 0.015) and the maximum diameter of the tumor(r = 0.435, P < 0.001). Additionally, the NLR could enhance the prognostic predictive power of the CLIP score for DFS in these patients. CONCLUSION The preoperative NLR is a prognostic predictor after hepatectomy for HCC patients with PVTT/HVTT. NLR > 2.9 indicates poorer OS and DFS.

Al-modified mesocellular silica foam as a superior catalyst support for dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization

A series of Al‐containing mesostructured cellular silica foams(Al‐MCFs)with different Si/Al molar ratios(x;x=10,20,30,40,or50)were prepared by a post synthetic method using aluminum isopropoxide as an alumina source.The corresponding NiMo catalysts supported on Al‐MCFs were prepared and evaluated using dibenzothiophene(DBT)as the probe reactant.All the synthesized samples were characterized by small‐angle X‐ray scattering,scanning electron microscopy,nitrogen adsorption‐desorption,UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy,H2temperature‐programmed reduction,27Al MAS NMR,temperature‐programmed desorption of ammonia,pyridine‐FTIR,Raman spectroscopy,HRTEM,and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy to analyze their physicochemical properties and to gain a deeper insight of the interrelationship between the structures and the catalytic performance.The synthesis mechanism was proposed to involve the formation of Br?nsted acid and Lewis acid sites through the replacement of Si4+with Al3+.Aluminum introduced into MCFs by the post synthetic method has a negligible influence on the mesostructure of the parent MCFs but can form silicoaluminate materials with moderate Br?nsted acidity.For Al‐MCFs(x)materials,the detection of tetrahedrally coordinated Al3+cations demonstrated that the Al species had been successfully incorporated into the silicon frameworks.Furthermore,the DBT hydrodesulfurization(HDS)catalytic activity of the NiMo/Al‐MCFs(x)catalysts increased with increasing Si/Al molar ratio,and reached a maximum at a Si/Al molar ratio of20.The interaction of Ni and Mo species with the support became stronger when Al was incorporated into the MCFs supports.The high activities of the NiMo/Al‐MCFs catalysts for the DBT HDS were attributed to the suitable acidity properties and good dispersions of the Ni and Mo active phases.

Clinical utility of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of postoperative complications after radical gastrectomy for clinical T2-4 gastric cancer

AIMTo identify simple and sensitive markers for postoperative complications after gastrectomy, the predictive values were compared among candidate preoperative factors.METHODSThree-hundred and twelve patients with previously untreated clinical T2-4 gastric cancer who underwent a D2 standard gastrectomy (distal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy) were included in the analysis. Correlations between 21 parameters that can be determined by preoperative routine blood tests and clinically relevant postoperative complications (grade II or higher according to the Clavien-Dindo classification) were evaluated. The optimal cutoff values and clinical significance of the selected markers were further evaluated by subgroup analyses according to age, body mass index, operative procedure and clinical disease stage.RESULTSSixty-six patients (21.1%) experienced grade II or higher postoperative complications. The platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR, total lymphocyte count/platelet count × 100) exhibited the highest area under the curve value (0.639) for predicting postoperative complications among the 21 parameters, and the optimal cutoff value was determined to be 0.71 (sensitivity = 70%, specificity = 56%). In the univariate analysis, the odds ratio of a low PLR for the occurrence of postoperative complications was 2.94 (95%CI: 1.66-5.35, P < 0.001), and a multivariate binomial logistic analysis involving other potential risk factors identified a low PLR as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (OR = 3.32, 95%CI: 1.82-6.25, P < 0.001). In subgroups classified according to age, body mass index, operative procedure and clinical disease stage, the low PLR group exhibited an increased incidence of postoperative complications.CONCLUSIONThe preoperative PLR is a simple and useful predictor of complications after curative gastrectomy in patients with clinical T2-4 gastric cancer.

Prognostic factors for 5-year survival after local excision of rectal cancer

AIM:To evaluate the prognostic factors for 5-year survival after local excision of rectal cancer,and to examine the therapeutic efficacy and surgical indications for this procedure. METHODS:Clinical data,obtained from 106 local rectal cancer excisions performed between January 1980 and December 2005,were retrospectively analyzed.Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method,statistical comparisons were performed using the log-rank test,and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS:Transanal,transsacral,and transvaginal excisions were performed in 92,12,and 2 cases, respectively.The rate of complication,local recurrence, and 5-year survival was 6.6%,17.0%,and 86.7%, respectively.Univariate analysis showed that T stage, vascular invasion,and local recurrence were related to the prognosis of the cases(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that T stage[P=0.011,95% confidence interval(CI)=1.194-3.878]and local recurrence(P=0.022,95%CI=1.194-10.160)were the major prognostic factors for 5-year survival of cases after local excision of rectal cancer. CONCLUSION:Local rectal cancer excision is associated with few complications,and suitable for stages Tis and T1 rectal cancer.Prevention of local recurrence,active postoperative follow-up,and administration of salvage therapy are the effective methods to increase the efficacy of local excision of rectal cancer.

Systemic immune-inflammation index for predicting prognosis of colorectal cancer

AIM To investigate the clinical significance of preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index(SII) in patients with colorectal cancer(CRC). METHODS A retrospective analysis of 1383 cases with CRC was performed following radical surgery. SII was calculated with the formula SII =(P × N)/L, where P, N, and L refer to peripheral platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, respectively. The clinicopathological features and follow-up data were evaluated to compare SII with other systemic inflammation-based prognostic indices such as the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio(PLR) in patients with CRC.RESULTS The optimal cut-off point for SII was defined as 340. The overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) were better in patients with low NLR, PLR, and SII(P < 0.05). The SII was an independent predictor of OS and DFS in multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics(ROC) curve for SII(0.707) was larger than those for NLR(0.602) and PLR(0.566). In contrast to NLR and PLR, SII could effectively discriminate between the TNM subgroups. CONCLUSION SII is a more powerful tool for predicting survival outcome in patients with CRC. It might assist the identification of high-risk patients among patients with the same TNM stage.

Branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine ratio value as a potential prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) depends on tumor extension as well as hepatic function.Hepatic functional reserve is recognized as a factor affecting survival in the treatment of HCC;the ChildPugh classif ication system is the most extensively used method for assessing hepatic functional reserve in patients with chronic liver disease,using serum albumin level to achieve accurate assessment of the status of protein metabolism.However,insuff icient attention has been given to the status of amino acid(AA) metabolism in chronic liver disease and HCC.Fischer's ratio is the molar ratio of branched-chain AAs(BCAAs:leucine,valine,isoleucine) to aromatic AAs(phenylalanine,tyrosine) and is important for assessing liver metabolism,hepatic functional reserve and the severity of liver dysfunction.Although this ratio is diff icult to determine in clinical situations,BCAAs/tyrosine molar concentration ratio(BTR) has been proposed as a simpler substitute.BTR correlates with various liver function examinations,including markers of hepatic f ibrosis,hepatic blood flow and hepatocyte function,and can thus be considered as reflecting the degree of hepatic impairment.This manuscript examines the literature to clarify whether BTR can serve as a prognostic factor for treatment of HCC.

Analysis of Prognostic Factors of Esophageal and Gastric Cardiac Carcinoma Patients after Radical Surgery Using Cox Proportional Hazard Model-A Random Sampling Study from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University during the Period of 1996-2004

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively analyze clinical data of patientsfrom our hospital who underwent radical surgery for esophagealcarcinoma and for adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia,as well asto investigate prognostic factors affecting the long-term survival ofthe patients.METHODS Data from the patients eligible for our study,admitted to the 4th Hospital of Hebei Medical University fromJanuary 1996 to December 2004,were randomized,and 12distinctive clinicopathologic factors influencing the survival rateof those who underwent radical surgery for esophageal carcinomaor carcinoma of the gastric cardia were collected.Univariate andmultivariate analysis of these individual variables were performedusing the Cox proportional hazard model.RESULTS It was shown by univariate analysis that age,tumorsize,pathologic type,lymph node status,TNM staging,depthof infiltration and encroachment into local organs,etc.,were thefactors that markedly influenced the prognosis of patients(P<0.01).Multivariate analysis showed that pathologic type,numberof the lymph node metastases,involvement of local organs,andTNM staging were independent prognostic factors(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The independent factors influencing theprognosis of patients with esophageal cancer and carcinoma ofthe gastric cardia include pathologic type,number of lymph nodemetastases,involvement of local organs and TNM staging.Themain prognostic factors affecting the patient's survival are patientage,tumor size and depth of infiltration.In addition,patients withinvolvement of the local organs have a worse prognosis,and theyshould be closely followed up.

Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Postharvest Quality of Barangan Banana

An experiment retail film packaging system was used to compare the atmospheric composition within sealed packs containing barangan banana fruits. This research was done in order to study the effect of packaging films with different permeability properties on the physicochemicalproperties of barangan banana during storage at room temperature （28 ± 2 °C） and at 15 °C. The films used were 0.09 mm low density polyethylene （LDPE）, 0.04 mm polypropylene and 0.057 mm LDPE compared with unwrapped fruits as control. Barangan bananas were evaluated each 5 days intervals for changes in moisture content, total sugars, vitamin C, hardness and color. Unwrapped barangan bananas were overripe and soft after 15 days at both temperature conditions. Sealed packages especially using LDPE at 15 °C delayed the development of the yellow color of banana until 20 days of storage and had the lowest weight loss.

Prognostic Factors of Ampulla of Vater Carcinoma after Radical Surgery

OBJECTIVE Ampullary carcinoma is a rare disease with betterprognosis than other periampullary neoplasms. This studyinvestigated the association between clinicopathologic factors andprognosis after radical resection of ampulla of Vater carcinoma.METHODS Clinical data from 105 patients who underwentradical pancreaticoduodenectomy from January 1990 to December2005 were retrospectively analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method,log-rank test, and the Cox proportional hazard model.RESULTS The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.6%, the lymphnode metastasis rate was 37.1%, and the five-year survival ratewas 42.8%. Pancreatic involvement (P = 0.027), tumor diameter (P= 0.008), T stage (P = 0.003), TNM stage (P < 0.001), and number ofmetastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.001) were associated with prognosiswhen the univariate analysis was used. Multivariate analysisshowed that the number of lymph node metastases (P < 0.001;OR: 1.923; CI: 1.367-2.705) and tumor diameter (P = 0.03; OR: 1.432;CI: 1.035-1.981) were the independent prognostic factors.CONCLUSION The number of metastatic lymph nodes andtumor diameter are important pathologic factors predictingprognosis of ampulla of Vater carcinoma after radical resection,and lymph node dissection during the radical surgery effectivelyimproves the survival rate.

Bilding Dmage Level Based According to Distance Image Contrast.

Estimation method of building damage level was introduced for the accurate and effective estimation of damage extent and relief goods demand according to long-distance image contrast. In order to obtain completion degree of building edge extracted from long-distance images before and after disaster, the concentration ratio was analyzed with Hough transformation. Based on the maximum posterior probability, estimation method of affected population was designed to accurately estimate victim population, which can be directly reflected by fugitive population. Moreover, on basis of escape route and fugitive population, demand assignment algorithm by backward calculation was designed to improve rescue efficiency.

Swirl Jets in Crossflow at Low Velocity Ratios

This investigation examines experimentally the behavior of swirled jets produced by axial flow fans blowing into a crossflow at low velocity ratios. The main difference with non-swirl cases is an asymmetry of the dominant kidney vortex and a slight distortion of the jet trace downstream of the injection hole. The effect of jet rotation at relatively low swirl numbers and similar velocity ratios is also investigated by a validated computational analysis tool. The numerical results are analyzed by means of various post-processing procedures, aiming to clarify, quantify and analyze the impact of swirl on the characteristics and the flow domain of a jet in crossflow. In general, swirl introduces an asymmetry in all examined quantities and prevents the penetration of the jet into the crossflow, causing the jet to remain closer to the wall surface. The rotation of the injected fluid results in an imparity of the two parts of the Counter Rotating Vortex Pair （CVP） which is no longer symmetric to the axial centerline plane. High swirl numbers result in the destruction of the CVP and the dominant kidney shape vortex is transformed into a comma shape vortex, rotating close to the wall.

Agricultural Structure in Western China by Comparing with before and after CFFG Based on Shift-share Method

Based on shift-share method,this article employs regional share,structural shift and competitive shift to analyze the structural benefit and competitive position of agricultural structure in western China by comparing with agriculture,foresting,stockbreeding and fishing before and after Conversion of Farmland to Forest and Grassland(CFFG) .Then authors draw following conclusion:while CFFG program has been put in practice,the agricultural structure in western China has some typical characteristics,such as growth faster,structural predominance obvious and more competitive.But the contributiveness from the competition is not too much yet,and the structural benefit of forest estate and stockbreeding are restrained.

Multivariate analysis by Cox Proportional Hazards Model on pro gnoses of patients with bile duct carcinoma after resection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of various clinicopathologic factors on the survival of patients with bile duct carcinoma after curative resection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 86 cases of bile duct carcinoma treated from January 1981 to September 1995. Fifteen clinicopathologic factors that could possibly influence survival were selected. A multivariate analysis of these individuals was performed using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model. RESULTS: The overall cumulative survival rate was 73% for 1 year, 32% for 3 years and 19% for 5 years. The results of univariate analysis showed that the major significant prognostic factors for influencing survival of these patients were type of histological lesion, lymph node metastasis, pancreatic invasion, duodenal invasion, perineural invasion, macroscopic vessel involvement, resected surgical margin and depth of cancer invasion (P

Multivariate analysis by Cox Proportional Hazards Model on prognoses of patients with bile duct carcinoma after resection

To evaluate the influence of various clinicopathologic factors on the survival of patients with bile duct carcinoma after curative resection Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 86 cases of bile duct carcinoma treated from January 1981 to September 1995 Fifteen clinicopathologic factors that could possibly influence survival were selected A multivariate analysis of these individuals was performed using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model Results The overall cumulative survival rate was 73% for 1 year, 32% for 3 years and 19% for 5 years The results of univariate analysis showed that the major significant prognostic factors for influencing survival of these patients were type of histological lesion, lymph node metastasis, pancreatic invasion, duodenal invasion, perineural invasion, macroscopic vessel involvement, resected surgical margin and depth of cancer invasion ( P 【0 05) Pancreatic invasion, perineural invasion and lymph node metastases were the three most important prognostic factors determined by multivariate analysis using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model Conclusion Pancreatic invasion, perineural invasion and lymph node metastases are the most important prognostic factors for bile duct carcinoma after curative resection

Design methodology of an osculating cone waverider with adjustable sweep and dihedral angles

When considering the practical engineering application of a waverider,the on-design and off-design aerodynamic characteristics of the design conditions,especially the lift-to-drag ratio and the stability,deserve attention.According to recently studies,the planform and rear sight shape of a waverider are closely related to the above aerodynamic performance.Thus,the planform leading-edge profile curve used to design the planform shape of a vehicle is applied to designing an osculating cone waverider.Two key parameters concerned in planform and rear sight shape,namely the plan view sweep angle of the leading edge and the dihedral angle of the underside are introduced to the waverider design process.Each parameter is inserted in the control curve equation.Especially,a parameterization scheme is put forward for the free adjustment of the sweep angle along the leading edge.Finally,three examples are generated for verification and investigation.After the verification process based on the inviscid flow field of one case,the influences of the sweep and dihedral angles on the lift-to-drag ratio and the lateral static stability are evaluated,and meaningful results are obtained.Based on these results,we can conclude that,considering the maximum lift-to-drag ratio,the sweep angle plays a role on the lift-to-drag ratio only at subsonic and trans/supersonic speed as a negligible effect is observed at hypersonic speeds,whereas the dihedral angle is seem to produce a relevant difference at hypersonic speeds.Considering the lateral static stability,the dihedral angles have more influence on the waverider than the sweep angles.

Body attributes of both parents jointly affect offspring sex allocation in a socially monogamous, size-monomorphic passerine

Theory predicts that because males are more variable in reproductive success than females, a mother should produce more sons to maximize fitness return from the sex allocation if she is of high-quality （the female quality hypothesis） or mates with a high-quality male （the male quality hypothesis）. While most previous studies have looked at each hypothesis, we tested both of them simultaneously in the white-rumped snowfinch Montifringilla taczanowskii, a socially monogamous, sexually monomorphic passerine where body size is a potential indicator of individual quality in intrasexual competition and territory de- fense. Brood sex ratios at the population level did not deviate from random expectation. Among individual broods, the proportion of sons did not depend on body size of either male or female parent, but on interaction of this trait of both parents. Further analy- ：~es revealed that brood sex ratios were independent of body size of male or female parents when their mates were smaller, but positively related with body size of male or female parents when their mates were larger. These results suggest that mechanisms underlying the two hypotheses may act jointly on offspring sex allocation. The mechanisms are expected to evolve through size-assortative mating which is often reached by sexual selection [Current Zoology 59 （2）： 271-277, 2013].