Novel damage constitutive models and new quantitative identification method for stress thresholds of rocks under uniaxial compression

Four key stress thresholds exist in the compression process of rocks,i.e.,crack closure stress(σ_(cc)),crack initiation stress(σ_(ci)),crack damage stress(σ_(cd))and compressive strength(σ_(c)).The quantitative identifications of the first three stress thresholds are of great significance for characterizing the microcrack growth and damage evolution of rocks under compression.In this paper,a new method based on damage constitutive model is proposed to quantitatively measure the stress thresholds of rocks.Firstly,two different damage constitutive models were constructed based on acoustic emission(AE)counts and Weibull distribution function considering the compaction stages of the rock and the bearing capacity of the damage element.Then,the accumulative AE counts method(ACLM),AE count rate method(CRM)and constitutive model method(CMM)were introduced to determine the stress thresholds of rocks.Finally,the stress thresholds of 9 different rocks were identified by ACLM,CRM,and CMM.The results show that the theoretical stress−strain curves obtained from the two damage constitutive models are in good agreement with that of the experimental data,and the differences between the two damage constitutive models mainly come from the evolutionary differences of the damage variables.The results of the stress thresholds identified by the CMM are in good agreement with those identified by the AE methods,i.e.,ACLM and CRM.Therefore,the proposed CMM can be used to determine the stress thresholds of rocks.

债券定价的离散时间仿射模型群

In this paper,we put forward a class of discrete time affine models on bond pricing.In the models class,we suppose the dynamics of the vector of state variables follow a first order vector autoregressive stochastic process and the pricing kernel is taken the form of affine function of the state variables.Then we derive the discrete time affine models on zero coupon bond pricing with different maturities.Finally,we list some special examples which come from the class of discrete time affine models,including a few well known interest and bond price term structure models.

Damage and fracture behavior and spatio-temporal evolution of acoustic emission of sandstone before and after laser radiation

Laser technology holds significant promise for enhancing rock-breaking efficiency.Experimental investigations were carried out on sandstone subjected to laser radiation,aiming to elucidate its response mechanism to such radiation.The uniaxial compressive strength of sandstone notably decreases by 22.1%–54.7%following exposure to a 750 W laser for 30 s,indicating a substantial weakening effect.Furthermore,the elastic modulus and Poisson ratio of sandstone exhibit an average decrease of 33.7%and 25.9%,respectively.Simultaneously,laser radiation reduces the brittleness of sandstone,increases the dissipated energy proportion,and shifts the failure mode from tensile to tension-shear composite failure.Following laser radiation,both the number and energy of acoustic emission events in the sandstone register a substantial increase,with a more dispersed distribution of these events.In summary,laser radiation induces notable damage to the mechanical properties of sandstone,leading to a substantial decrease in elastic energy storage capacity.Laser rock breaking technology is expected to be applied in hard rock breaking engineering to significantly reduce the difficulty of rock breaking and improve rock breaking efficiency.

The Expression of Apoptosis-Related Genes Bcl-2 and Bax Protein and Apoptosis Positivity in Cervical Carcinoma during Irradiation

To evaluate the apoptosis positivity, the expression of Bcl-2, bax proteinsin 30 patients with squamous cell cervix carcinoma before and after radiotherapy. Methods: By usingimmuno-histochemical and TDT-dUTP nick end labelling techniques, 30 cases of squamous cell cervicalcarcinoma were analyzed. Results: The apoptosis positivity before and after irradiation was 76.7%and 100% respectively, with the difference being significant (P 【 0.05); The positive rates of Bcl-2protein before and after irradiation were 73.3% and 46.7% respectively, with the difference beingsignificant (P 【 0.05); The positive rates of bax protein before and after irradiation were 86% and100% respectively, with the difference being significant (P 【 0.05). Conclusion: bax and Bcl-2protein play an important role in apoptosis induced by fractionated radiation therapy. Apoptosisinduced by irradiation is contributed to upregulation of bax protein or downregulation of Bcl-2protein.

Characterization of Ga NAs/ Ga As and Ga In NAs/ Ga As Quantum Wells Grown by Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy: Effects of Ion Damage

The effects of ion damage on Ga NAs/Ga As and Ga In NAs/Ga As quantum wells ( QWs) grown by plas- ma- assisted molecular beam epitaxy have been investigated. Itis found thation damage is a key factor affecting the quality of Ga NAs and Ga In NAs QWs. Obvious appearance of pendello¨ sung fringes in X- ray diffraction pattern and remarkable im provement in the optical properties of the samples grown with ion removal magnets are observed.By removing nitrogen ions,the PL intensity of the Ga In NAs QW is improved so as to be comparable with that of Ga In As QW. The stronger is the magnetic field,the m ore obvious the PL intensity im provement would be.

美国式自由——枪枝泛滥 殃及无辜

美国总统克林顿的家乡阿肯色州东北部农业城镇琼斯伯勒镇今年3月24日发生震惊全美的校园凶杀案,两名持有强力火器的少年在镇郊西城中学制造假火警把该校师生骗出教室后,躲在校后树林中对同学大开杀戒,总共射杀4名女生和一名女教师,另外还击伤10人。

一种曲率新算法及其在图像处理中的应用

利用曲线所张成的弓形与弦长之间的关系制成查表 ,将曲率求取简化为可以递推的链码和查表运算 .这种算法的精度、速度和稳定性等综合性能均优于以往的曲率算法 ,该法在抗仿射失真的目标识别上取得较满意的效果 .

Clinical and dosimetric factors of radiation-induced esophageal injury: Radiation-induced esophageal toxicity

AIM: To analyze the clinical and dosimetric predictive factors for radiation-induced esophageal injury in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) during threedimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 208 consecutive patients (146 men and 62 women) with NSCLC treated with 3D-CRT. The median age of the patients was 64 years (range 35-87 years). The clinical and treatment parameters including gender, age, performance status, sequential chemotherapy, concurrent chemotherapy, presence of carinal or subcarinal lymph nodes, pretreatment weight loss, mean dose to the entire esophagus, maximal point dose to the esophagus, and percentage of volume of esophagus receiving ＞55 Gy were studied. Clinical and dosimetric factors for radiation-induced acute and late grade 3-5 esophageal injury were analyzed according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria.RESULTS: Twenty-five (12%) of the two hundred and eight patients developed acute or late grade 3-5 esophageal injury. Among them, nine patients had both acute and late grade 3-5 esophageal injury, two died of late esophageal perforation. Concurrent chemotherapy and maximal point dose to the esophagus ≥60 Gy were significantly associated with the risk of grade 3-5 esophageal injury. Fifty-four (26%) of the two hundred and eight patients received concurrent chemotherapy. Among them, 25 (46%) developed grade 3-5 esophageal injury (P = 0.0001＜0.01). However, nograde 3-5 esophageal injury occurred in patients who received a maximal point dose to the esophagus ＜60 Gy (P= 0.0001＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Concurrent chemotherapy and the maximal esophageal point dose ≥60 Gy are significantly associated with the risk of grade 3-5 esophageal injury in patients with NSCLC treated with 3D-CRT.

Cell cycle and radiosensitivity of progeny of irradiated primary cultured human hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM： To evaluate the change of growth characteristics and radiosensitivity of irradiated primary cultured human hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS： All tumor tissue samples were obtained from 39 hepatocarcinoma patients with a mean age of 49.6 years （range 22-76 years）. We divided the samples into irradiated group and non-irradiated group and measured their plating efficiency （PE）, population doubling time （PDT）, radiosensitivity index SF2 and cell RESULTS： The PDT of primary culture of hepatocardnoma cells was 91.0±6.6 h, PE was 12.0±1.4%, SF2 was 0.41±0.05%. The PDT of their inadiated progeny was 124.8±5.8 h, PE was 5.0±0.7%, SF2 was 0.65±0.09%. The pdmary cultured human hepatocarcinoma cells showed significant S reduction and G^2 arrest in a dose-dependent manner. The progeny of irradiated primary cultured hepatocarcinoma cells grew more slowly and its radiosensitivity increased. CONCLUSION： The progeny of irradiated primary cultured human hepatocarcinoma cells grows more slowly and its radiosensitivity increases.

Significance of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of early and delayed radiation enteropathy

This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of early and delayed intestinal radiation toxicity and discusses various endothelial-oriented interventions aimed at reducing the risk of radiation enteropathy. Studies published in the biomedical literature during the past four decades and cited in PubMed, as well as clinical and laboratory data from our own research program are reviewed. The risk of injury to normal tissues limits the cancer cure rates that can be achieved with radiation therapy. During treatment of abdominal and pelvic tumors, the intestine is frequently a major close-limiting factor. Microvascular injury is a prominent feature of both early （inflammatory）, as well as delayed （fibroproliferative） radiation injuries in the intestine and in many other normal tissues. Evidence from our and other laboratories suggests that endothelial dysfunction, notably a deficiency of endothelial thrombomodulin, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of these radiation responses. Deficient levels of thrombomodulin cause loss of vascular thromboresistance, excessive activation of cellular thrombin receptors by thrombin, and insufficient activation of protein C, a plasma protein with anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. These changes are presumed to be critically involved in many aspects of early intestinal radiation toxicity and may sustain the fibroproliferative processes that lead to delayed intestinal dysfunction, fibrosis, and clinical complications. In conclusion, injury of vascular endothelium is important in the pathogenesis of the intestinal radiation response. Endothelial-oriented interventions are appealing strategies to prevent or treat normal tissue toxicity associated with radiation treatment of cancer.

Hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy prevents radiation-induced liver damage

AIM: To transfer human HGF gene into the liver of rats by direct electroporation as a means to prevent radiationinduced liver damage.METHODS: Rat whole liver irradiation model was accomplished by intra-operative approach. HGF plasmid was injected into liver and transferred by electroporation using a pulse generator. Control rats (n = 8) received electrogene therapy (EGT) vehicle plasmid and another 8rats received HGF-EGT 100 μg 48 h before WLIR.Expression of HGF in liver was examined by RT-PCR and ELISA methods. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay. Histopathology was evaluated 10 wk after whole liver irradiation.RESULTS: Marked decrease of apoptotic cells and downregulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)mRNA were observed in the HGF-EGT group 2 d after liver irradiation compared to control animals. Less evidence of radiation-induced liver damage was observed morphologically in liver specimen 10 wk after liver irradiation and longer median survival time was observed from HGF-EGT group (14 wk) compared to control rats (5 wk). (P = 0.031).CONCLUSION: For the first time it has been demonstrated that HGF-EGT would prevent liver from radiation-induced liver damage by preventing apoptosis and down-regulation of TGF-β1.

Cell survival curve for primary hepatic carcinoma cells and relationship between SF2 of hepatic carcinoma cells and radiosensitivity

AIM： To establish the cell survival curve for primary hepatic carcinoma cells and to study the relationship between SF2 of primary hepatic carcinoma cells and radiosensitivity. METHODS： Hepatic carcinoma cells were cultured in vitro using 39 samples of hepatic carcinoma at stages Ⅱ-Ⅳ. Twenty-nine samples were cultured successfully in the fifth generation cells. After these cells were radiated with different dosages, the cell survival ratio and SF2 were calculated by clonogenic assay and SF2 model respectively. The relationship between SF2 and the clinical pathological feature was analyzed. RESULTS： Twenty-nine of thirty-nine samples were successfully cultured. After X-ray radiation of the fifth generation cells with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy, the cell survival rate was410, 36.5%, 31.0%, 26.8%, and 19%, respectively. There was a negative correlation between cell survival and irradiation dosage （r = -0.973, P〈0.05）. SF2 ranged 0.28-0.78 and correlated with the clinical stage and pathological grade of hepatic carcinoma （P〈0.05）. There was a positive correlation between SF2 and D0.5 （r = 0.773, P〈0.05）. CONCLUSION： SF2 correlates with the clinical stage and pathological grade of hepatic carcinoma and is a marker for predicting the radiosensitivity of hepatic carcinomas.

Biochemical metabolic changes assessed by ^(31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy after radiation-induced hepatic injury in rabbits

AIM： To compare the features of biochemical metabolic changes detected by hepatic phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy （^31p MRS） with the liver damage score （LDS） and pathologic changes in rabbits and to investigate the diagnostic value of ^31p MRS in acute hepatic radiation injury. METHODS： A total of 30 rabbits received different radiation doses （ranging 5-20 Gy） to establish acute hepatic injury models. Blood biochemical tests, ^31p MRS and pathological examinations were carried out 24 h after irradiation. The degree of injury was evaluated according to LD5 and pathology. Ten healthy rabbits served as controls. The MR examination was performed on a 1.5 T imager using a 1H/^31P surface coil by the 2D chemical shift imaging technique. The relative quantities of phosphomonoesters （PME）, phosphodiesters （PDE）, inorganic phosphate （Pi） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） were measured. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS： （1） Relative quantification of phosphorus metabolites： （a） ATP： there were significant differences （P 〈 0.05） （LDS-groups：control group vs mild group vs moderate group vs severe group, 1.83±0.33 vs 1.55±0.24 vs 1.27±0.09 vs 0.98±0.18; pathological groups： control group vs mild group vs moderate group vs severe group, 1.83±0.33 vs 1.58±0.25 vs 1.32±0.07 vs 1.02±0.18） of ATP relative quantification among control group, mild injured group, moderate injured group, and severe injured group according to both LDS grading and pathological grading, respectively, and it decreased progressively with the increased degree of injury （r = -0.723, P = 0.000）. （b） PME and Pi; the relative quantification of PME and Pi decreased significantly in the severe injured group, and the difference between the control group and severe injured group was significant （P 〈 0.05） （PME： 1DS- control group vs LDS-severe group, 0.86±0.23 vs 0.58±0.22, P = 0.031; pathological control group vs pathological severe group, 0.86±0.23 vs 0.60±0.21, P = 0.037; Pi： LDS-control group vs LDS-severe group, 0.74±0.18 vs 0.43±0.14, P = 0.013; pathological control group vs pathological severe group, 0.74±0.18 vs 0.43±0.14, P = 0.005） according to LDS grading and pathological grading, respectively. （c） PDE; there were no significant differences among groups according to LDS grading, and no significant differences between the control group and experimental groups according to pathological grading. （2） The ratio of relative quantification of phosphorus metabolites： significant differences （P 〈 0.05） （LDS- moderate group and LDS-severe group vs LDS-control group and LDS-mild group, 1.94±0.50 and 1.96±0.72 vs 1.43±0.31 and 1.40±0.38） were only found in PDE/ATP between the moderate injured group, the severe injured group and the control group, the mild injured group. No significant difference was found in other ratios of relative quantification of phosphorus metabolites.CONCLUSION： ^31p MRS is a useful method to evaluate early acute hepatic radiation injury. The relative quantification of hepatic ATP levels, which can reflect the pathological severity of acute hepatic radiation injury, is correlated with LDS.

Practical approaches to effective management of intestinal radiation injury:Benefit of resectional surgery

AIM:To study the outcome of patients undergoing surgical resection of the bowel for sustained radiation-induced damage intractable to conservative management.METHODS:During a 7-year period we operated on 17 cases (5 male,12 female) admitted to our surgical department with intestinal radiation injury (IRI).They were originally treated for a pelvic malignancy by surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy.During follow-up,they developed radiation enteritis requiring surgical treatment due to failure of conservative management.RESULTS:IRI was located in the terminal ileum in 12 patients,in the rectum in 2 patients,in the descending colon in 2 patients,and in the cecum in one patient.All patients had resection of the affected region(s).There were no postoperative deaths,while 3 cases presented with postoperative complications (17.7%).All patients remained free of symptoms without evidence of recurrence of IRI for a median follow-up period of 42 mo (range,6-96 mo).CONCLUSION:We report a favorable outcome without IRI recurrence of 17 patients treated by resection of the diseased bowel segment.

Effects of UV-B radiation on tetraspores of Chondrus ocellatus Holm(Rhodophyta),and effects of red and blue light on repair of UV-B-induced damage

We evaluated the effects of red and blue light on the repair of UV-B radiation-induced damage in tetraspores of Chondrus ocellatus Holm. Tetraspores of C. ocellatus were treated with different UV-B radiation levels(0,36,72,108,144 and 180 J/m2),and thereafter subjected to PAR,darkness,or red or blue light during a 2-h repair stage,each day for 48 days. The diameters and cellular contents of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimmers(CPDs),chlorophyll a(Chl a),phycoerythrin,and UV-B-absorbing mycosporinelike amino acids(MAAs) contents of the tetraspores were determined. Our results show that low doses of UV-B radiation(36 and 72 J/m 2) promoted the growth of C. ocellatus; however,increased UV-B radiation gradually reduced the C. ocellatus growth(greater than 72 J/m2). The MAAs(palythine and asterina-330) in C. ocellatus were detected and analyzed by LC/MS. Our results suggest that moderate red light could induce the growth of this alga in aquaculture. In addition,photorepair was inhibited by red light,so there may be some other DNA repair mechanism activated by red light. Blue light promoted the activity of DNA photolyase,greatly improving remediation efficiency. Red and blue lights were found to reduce the capacity of C. ocellatus to form MAAs. Therefore,PAR,red light,and blue light play different roles during the repair processes for damage induced by UV-B radiation.

Experimental investigation on synergetic prediction of granite rockburst using rock failure time and acoustic emission energy

The frequent occurrence of rockburst and the difficulty in predicting were considered in deep engineering and underground engineering.In this work,laboratory experiments on rockburst under true triaxial conditions were carried out with granite samples.Combined with the deformation characteristics of granite,acoustic emission(AE)technology was well applied in revealing the evolution law of micro-cracks in the process of rockburst.Based on the comprehensive analysis of acoustic emission parameters such as impact,ringing and energy,the phased characteristics of crack propagation and damage evolution in granite were obtained,which were consistent with the stages of rock deformation and failure.Subsequently,based on the critical point theory,the accelerated release characteristics of acoustic emission energy during rockburst were analyzed.Based on the damage theory,the damage evolution model of rock under different loading conditions was proposed,and the prediction interval of rock failure time was ascertained concurrently.Finally,regarding damage as an intermediate variable,the synergetic prediction model of rock failure time was constructed.The feasibility and validity of model were verified.

Protection of the liver against CCl_4-induced injury by intramuscular electrotransfer of a kallistatin-encoding plasmid

AIM:To investigate the effect of transgenic expression of kallistatin(Kal) on carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4)induced liver injury by intramuscular(im) electrotransfer of a Kal-encoding plasmid formulated with poly-Lglutamate(PLG).METHODS:The pKal plasmid encoding Kal gene was formulated with PLG and electrotransferred into mice skeletal muscle before the administration of CCl 4.The expression level of Kal was measured.The serum biomarker levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),malonyldialdehyde(MDA),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were monitored.The extent of CCl 4-induced liver injury was analyzed histopathologically.RESULTS:The transgene of Kal was sufficiently expressed after an im injection of plasmid formulated with PLG followed by electroporation.In the Kal gene-transferred mice,protection against CCl 4-induced liver injury was reflected by significantly decreased serum ALT,AST,MDA and TNF-α levels compared to those in control mice(P < 0.01 to 0.05 in a dose-dependent manner).Histological observations also revealed that hepatocyte necrosis,hemorrhage,vacuolar change and hydropic degeneration were apparent in mice after CCl 4 administration.In contrast,the damage was markedly attenuated in the Kal gene-transferred mice.The expression of hepatic fibrogenesis marker transforming growth factor-β1 was also reduced in the pKal transferred mice.CONCLUSION:Intramuscular electrotransfer of plasmid pKal which was formulated with PLG significantly alleviated the CCl 4-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response,and reduced the liver damage in a mouse model.

Gene expression arrays as a tool to unravel mechanisms of normal tissue radiation injury and prediction of response

Over the past 5 years there has been a rapid increase in the use of microarray technology in the field of cancer research, The majority of studies use microarray analysis of tumor biopsies for profiling of molecular characteristics in an attempt to produce robust classifiers for prognosis. There are now several published gene sets that have been shown to predict for aggressive forms of breast cancer, where patients are most likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy and tumors most likely to develop distant metastases, or be resistant to treatment. The number of publications relating to the use of microarrays for analysis of normal tissue damage, after cancer treatment or genotoxic exposure, is much more limited. A PublVled literature search was conducted using the following keywords and combination of terms： radiation, normal tissue, microarray, gene expression profiling, prediction. With respect to normal tissue radiation injury, microarrays have been used in three ways： （1） to generate gene signatures to identify sensitive and resistant populations （prognosis）; （2） to identify sets of biomarker genes for estimating radiation exposure, either accidental or as a result of terrorist attack （diagnosis）; （3） to identify genes and pathways involved in tissue response to injury （mechanistic）. In this article we will review all （relevant） papers that covered our literature search criteria on microarray technology as it has been applied to normal tissue radiation biology and discuss how successful this has been in defining predisposition markers for radiation sensitivity or how it has helped us to unravel molecular mechanisms leading to acute and late tissue toxicity. We also discuss some of the problems and limitations in application and interpretation of such data.

Prospect of Functional Salivary Gland Enhancement with Biomedical Strategies for Head and Neck Cancers

Xerostomia is the main complication inflicting head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.Conventional treatment is not very effective in alleviating this morbidity.Biomedical strategies such as gene transfer and tissue engineering have made substantial progress that will potentially lead to successful new treatment options for this condition.This report reviews the process of radiation damage to the salivary glands and the advances in functional salivary gland enhancement with these two brand-new technologies.

THE EFFECT OF SKIN GRAFTING AT DIFFERENT TIME POST BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION ON RATS COMBINED RADIATION-BURN INJURY

After the rats were inflicted with 8 Gy total body gamma ray irradiation and 15 % total body surface area (TBSA) full thickness burn injury, they were treated with blood transfusion (BT) and bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Then the survival of allografts grafted on the escharectomized burn wounds in the 24, 48 and 72 h postinjury was observed. It was found that when the burn wounds were closed with allo- grafts in the 24h postinjury, there were an early elevation of leucocytes, the appearance of the donor’s cells and a significantly higher survival rate of the rats on the 30 day postinjury. The allografts could survive longer and wounds showed no signs of infection and healed quicker. When the allografts were grafted in the 48 h or 72 h postinjury, only harmful effects to hasten the death of rats were observed.