Machine learning approaches for lateral strength estimation in squat shear walls:A comparative study and practical implications

This study investigated the influence of input parameters on the shear strength of RC squat walls using machine learning (ML) models and finite element method (FEM) analysis. The analyses were conducted on the largest currently available dataset of 639 squat RC walls with a height-to-length ratio of less than or equal to 2.0. The findings suggest that ensemble learning models, specifically XGBoost, CatBoost, GBRT, and RF, are effective in predicting the shear strength of RC short shear walls and using Bayesian Optimization for hyperparameter tuning improves their performance. The axial load had a greater influence on the shear strength than reinforcement ratio, and longitudinal reinforcement had a more significant impact compared to horizontal and vertical reinforcement. The performance of XGBoost model significantly outperforms traditional design models such as ACI 318-19, ASCE/SEI 43-05, and Wood 1990. Additionally, reducing the number of input features from 13 to 10, 8, or 6 still yields reliable predictions with high accuracy. The finding suggests that the use of XGBoost models provides not only comparable accuracy to FEM simulations with non-linear pushover analysis but also the first one can predict the lateral strength in the case of incomplete data which could not be done by FEM. A web application incorporating XGBoost model with various input features can provide valuable insights for predicting the lateral strength of squat shear walls in building structures.</p

Machine learning approaches for lateral strength estimation in squat shear walls: A comparative study and practical implications

This study investigated the influence of input parameters on the shear strength of RC squat walls using machine learning (ML) models and finite element method (FEM) analysis. The analyses were conducted on the largest currently available dataset of 639 squat RC walls with a height-to-length ratio of less than or equal to 2.0. The findings suggest that ensemble learning models, specifically XGBoost, CatBoost, GBRT, and RF, are effective in predicting the shear strength of RC short shear walls and using Bayesian Optimization for hyperparameter tuning improves their performance. The axial load had a greater influence on the shear strength than reinforcement ratio, and longitudinal reinforcement had a more significant impact compared to horizontal and vertical reinforcement. The performance of XGBoost model significantly outperforms traditional design models such as ACI 318-19, ASCE/SEI 43-05, and Wood 1990. Additionally, reducing the number of input features from 13 to 10, 8, or 6 still yields reliable predictions with high accuracy. The finding suggests that the use of XGBoost models provides not only comparable accuracy to FEM simulations with non-linear pushover analysis but also the first one can predict the lateral strength in the case of incomplete data which could not be done by FEM. A web application incorporating XGBoost model with various input features can provide valuable insights for predicting the lateral strength of squat shear walls in building structures

Baicalin administration attenuates hyperglycemia-induced malformation of cardiovascular system

In this study, the effects of Baicalin on the hyperglycemia-induced cardiovascular malformation during embryo development were investigated. Using early chick embryos, an optimal concentration of Baicalin (6 μM), was identified which could prevent hyperglycemia-induced cardiovascular malformation of embryos. Hyperglycemia-enhanced cell apoptosis was reduced in embryos and HUVECs in the presence of Baicalin. Hyperglycemia-induced excessive ROS production was inhibited when Baicalin was administered. Analyses of SOD, GSH-Px, MAQE and GABAA suggested Baicalin plays an antioxidant role in chick embryos possibly through suppression of outwardly rectifying Cl(-) in the high-glucose microenvironment. In addition, hyperglycemia-enhanced autophagy fell in the presence of Baicalin, through affecting the ubiquitin of p62 and accelerating autophagy flux. Both Baicalin and Vitamin C could decrease apoptosis, but CQ did not, suggesting autophagy to be a protective function on the cell survival. In mice, Baicalin reduced the elevated blood glucose level caused by streptozotocin (STZ). Taken together, these data suggest that hyperglycemia-induced embryonic cardiovascular malformation can be attenuated by Baicalin administration through suppressing the excessive production of ROS and autophagy. Baicalin could be a potential candidate drug for women suffering from gestational diabetes mellitus

Phosphate Adsorption by Silver Nanoparticles-Loaded Activated Carbon derived from Tea Residue.

This study presents the removal of phosphate from aqueous solution using a new silver nanoparticles-loaded tea activated carbon (AgNPs-TAC) material. In order to reduce costs, the tea activated carbon was produced from tea residue. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of impregnation ratio of AgNPs and TAC, pH solution, contact time, initial phosphate concentration and dose of AgNPs-AC on removing phosphate from aqueous solution. Results show that the best conditions for phosphate adsorption occurred at the impregnation ratio AgNPs/TAC of 3% w/w, pH 3, and contact time lasting 150 min. The maximum adsorption capacity of phosphate on AgNPs-TAC determined by the Langmuir model was 13.62 mg/g at an initial phosphate concentration of 30 mg/L. The adsorption isotherm of phosphate on AgNPs-TAC fits well with both the Langmuir and Sips models. The adsorption kinetics data were also described well by the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models with high correlation coefficients of 0.978 and 0.966, respectively. The adsorption process was controlled by chemisorption through complexes and ligand exchange mechanisms. This study suggests that AgNPs-TAC is a promising, low cost adsorbent for phosphate removal from aqueous solution

Lung macrophage scavenger receptor SR-A6 (MARCO) is an adenovirus type-specific virus entry receptor

<div><p>Macrophages are a diverse group of phagocytic cells acting in host protection against stress, injury, and pathogens. Here, we show that the scavenger receptor SR-A6 is an entry receptor for human adenoviruses in murine alveolar macrophage-like MPI cells, and important for production of type I interferon. Scavenger receptors contribute to the clearance of endogenous proteins, lipoproteins and pathogens. Knockout of SR-A6 in MPI cells, anti-SR-A6 antibody or the soluble extracellular SR-A6 domain reduced adenovirus type-C5 (HAdV-C5) binding and transduction. Expression of murine SR-A6, and to a lower extent human SR-A6 boosted virion binding to human cells and transduction. Virion clustering by soluble SR-A6 and proximity localization with SR-A6 on MPI cells suggested direct adenovirus interaction with SR-A6. Deletion of the negatively charged hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of hexon reduced HAdV-C5 binding and transduction, implying that the viral ligand for SR-A6 is hexon. SR-A6 facilitated macrophage entry of HAdV-B35 and HAdV-D26, two important vectors for transduction of hematopoietic cells and human vaccination. The study highlights the importance of scavenger receptors in innate immunity against human viruses.</p></div

Removing ammonium from water using modified corncob-biochar

© 2016 Elsevier B.V. Ammonium pollution in groundwater and surface water is of major concern in many parts of the world due to the danger it poses to the environment and people's health. This study focuses on the development of a low cost adsorbent, specifically a modified biochar prepared from corncob. Evaluated here is the efficiency of this new material for removing ammonium from synthetic water (ammonium concentration from 10 to 100 mg/L). The characteristics of the modified biochar were determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that ammonium adsorption on modified biochar strongly depended on pH. Adsorption kinetics of NH4+-N using modified biochar followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Both Langmuir and Sips adsorption isotherm models could simulate well the adsorption behavior of ammonium on modificated biochar. The highest adsorption capacity of 22.6 mg NH4+-N/g modified biochar was obtained when the biochar was modified by soaking it in HNO3 6 M and NaOH 0.3 M for 8 h and 24 h, respectively. The high adsorption capacity of the modified biochar suggested that it is a promising adsorbent for NH4+-N remediation from water

Racial differences in patient-reported outcomes among men treated with radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer

Background: Real-world data on racial differences in the side effects of radical prostatectomy on quality of life (QoL) are lacking. We aimed to evaluate differences in patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) men using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP) questionnaire to measure health-related QoL after radical prostatectomy. // Methods: We retrospectively assessed prospectively collected PROMs using EPIC-CP scores at a tertiary care center between 2015 and 2021 for men with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy. The primary endpoint was the overall QoL score for NHB and NHW men, with a total score of 60 and higher scores indicating worse QoL. An imputed mixed linear regression model was used to examine the effect of covariates on the change in overall QoL score following surgery. A pairwise comparison was used to estimate the mean QoL scores before surgery as well as up to 24 months after surgery. // Results: Our cohort consisted of 2229 men who answered at least one EPIC-CP questionnaire before or after surgery, of which 110 (4.94%) were NHB and 2119 (95.07%) were NHW men. The QoL scores differed for NHB and NHW at baseline (2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36–4.31, p = 0.02), 3 months (4.36, 95% CI 2.29–6.42, p < 0.01), 6 months (3.26, 95% CI 1.10–5.43, p < 0.01), and 12 months after surgery (2.48, 95% CI 0.19–4.77, p = 0.03) with NHB having worse scores. There was no difference in QoL between NHB and NHW men 24 months after surgery. // Conclusions: A significant difference in QoL between NHB and NHW men was reported before surgery, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, with NHB having worse QoL scores. However, there was no long-term difference in reported QoL. Our findings inform strategies that can be implemented to mitigate racial differences in short-term outcomes

Standing waves for acoustic levitation

Standing waves are the most popular method to achieve acoustic trapping. Particles with greater acoustic impedance than the propagation medium will be trapped at the pressure nodes of a standing wave. Acoustic trapping can be used to hold particles of various materials and sizes, without the need of a close-loop controlling system. Acoustic levitation is a helpful and versatile tool for biomaterials and chemistry, with applications in spectroscopy and lab-on-a-droplet procedures. In this chapter, multiple methods are presented to simulate the acoustic field generated by one or multiple emitters. From the acoustic field, models such as the Gor'kov potential or the Flux Integral are applied to calculate the force exerted on the levitated particles. The position and angle of the acoustic emitters play a fundamental role, thus we analyse commonly used configurations such as emitter and reflector, two opposed emitters, or arrangements using phased arrays

Explanatory factors for first and second-generation non-western women’s inadequate prenatal care utilisation: a prospective cohort study

Background Little research into non-western women’s prenatal care utilisation in industrialised western countries has taken generational differences into account. In this study we examined non-western women’s prenatal care utilisation and its explanatory factors according to generational status. Methods Data from 3300 women participating in a prospective cohort of primary midwifery care clients (i.e. women with no complications or no increased risk for complications during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium who receive maternity care by autonomous midwives) in the Netherlands (the DELIVER study) was used. Gestational age at entry and the total number of prenatal visits were aggregated into an index. The extent to which potential factors explained non-western women’s prenatal care utilisation was assessed by means of blockwise logistic regression analyses and percentage changes in odds ratios. Results The unadjusted odds of first and second-generation non-western women making inadequate use of prenatal care were 3.26 and 1.96 times greater than for native Dutch women. For the first generation, sociocultural factors explained 43% of inadequate prenatal care utilisation, socioeconomic factors explained 33% and demographic and pregnancy factors explained 29%. For the second generation, sociocultural factors explained 66% of inadequate prenatal care utilisation. Conclusion Irrespective of generation, strategies to improve utilisation should focus on those with the following sociocultural characteristics (not speaking Dutch at home, no partner or a first-generation non-Dutch partner). For the first generation, strategies should also focus on those with the following demographic, pregnancy and socioeconomic characteristics (aged ≤19 or ≥36, unplanned pregnancies, poor obstetric histories (extra-uterine pregnancy, molar pregnancy or abortion), a low educational level, below average net household income and no supplementary insurance.(aut. ref.

A free weekly iron-folic acid supplementation and regular deworming program is associated with improved hemoglobin and iron status indicators in Vietnamese women

Background Anemia due to iron deficiency is recognized as one of the major nutritional deficiencies in women and children in developing countries. Daily iron supplementation for pregnant women is recommended in many countries although there are few reports of these programs working efficiently or effectively. Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFS) and regular deworming treatment is recommended for non-pregnant women living in areas with high rates of anemia. Following a baseline survey to assess the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and soil transmitted helminth infections, we implemented a program to make WIFS and regular deworming treatment freely and universally available for all women of reproductive age in two districts of a province in northern Vietnam over a 12 month period. The impact of the program at the population level was assessed in terms of: i) change in mean hemoglobin and iron status indicators, and ii) change in the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and hookworm infections. Method Distribution of WIFS and deworming were integrated with routine health services and made available to 52,000 women. Demographic data and blood and stool samples were collected in baseline, and three and 12-month post-implementation surveys using a population-based, stratified multi-stage cluster sampling design. Results The mean Hb increased by 9.6 g/L (95% CI, 5.7, 13.5, p < 0.001) during the study period. Anemia (Hb<120 g/L) was present in 131/349 (37.5%, 95% CI 31.3, 44.8) subjects at baseline, and in 70/363 (19.3%, 95% CI 14.0, 24.6) after twelve months. Iron deficiency reduced from 75/329 (22.8%, 95% CI 16.9, 28.6) to 33/353 (9.3%, 95% CI 5.7, 13.0) by the 12-mnth survey, and hookworm infection from 279/366 (76.2%,, 95% CI 68.6, 83.8) to 66/287 (23.0%, 95% CI 17.5, 28.5) over the same period. Conclusion A free, universal WIFS program with regular deworming was associated with reduced prevalence and severity of anemia, iron deficiency and h