Concrete Mechanisms Research Articles

Performance optimization and hydration mechanism of a clinker-free ultra-high performance concrete with solid waste based binder and steel slag aggregate

This study focuses on the feasibility of preparing clinker-free ultra-high performance concrete with solid waste based binder and steel slag aggregate. The influence of refining slag (RS) content, gypsum (DG) content, ground granulated blast furnace slag–hot stifle steel slag (GGBFS–HSSS) ratio and binder–sand ratio on the strength of UHPC were studied by orthogonal test, and then mainly discusses the reaction mechanism and hydration products of four solid wastes to further optimize the performance of clinker-free UHPC. The results showed the compressive and flexural strength of the Y1 samples could be increased to 108.39 MPa and 37.22 MPa respectively by optimizing RS content to 5%, DG content to 20%, GGBFS–HSSS ratio to 3:1, binder–sand ratio to 0.8. According to microanalyses (including XRD, semi-QXRD, FT-IR, TG-DSC, and SEM-EDS), the predominant hydration products of Z1 samples were ettringite and C–(A)–S–H gels, generated by the synergistic reaction of RS, GGBFS, HSSS and DG. In the first 2 days of curing, approximately 12.1% C12A7 and 1.3% gypsum was rapidly consumed, and 20.8% ettringite was simultaneously generated, which demonstrated the early strength was provided by the hydration of RS. During the 3–28 days curing, gypsum and Ca/(Si+Al) molar ratio of gels decreased by 10.9% and 0.61 respectively, and the weight loss rate was 3.85%, which indicated that gypsum reacted synergistically with HSSS and GGBFS during the process, resulting in the formation and growth of a large amount of C–(A)–S–H gels. The gels and ettringite intermingled together, making the structure more compact and the strength of UHPC increased.

Mechanisms and influential variables on the abrasion resistance hydraulic concrete

Abstract Abrasion damage is inevitable for hydraulic structure concrete, to increase the service life of large water conservancies and to keep them running safely and reliably, hydraulic concrete requires a high abrasion resistance. This review synthesizes current practices defined by scientific literature in a format focused on allowing quick comparison and understanding of the current scenario of anti-abrasion concrete enhancing mechanism, measuring methods, and approaches to enhance concrete abrasion resistance. Besides, the review highlights the application of widely used materials and potential materials application, like silica fume and fibers which are mature research at present, and effective but preliminary used materials like nanoparticles, to better understand the development of higher abrasion resistance of concrete. According to the present research, it indicate that incorporating enhancement materials into concrete to achieve better abrasion resistance are basically through the way of hardening cement paste, controlling internal crack propagation, or using stronger coarse aggregate to enhance its ability for anti-abrasive. Finally, based on the systematic literature review, a discussion on major areas holding the significant potential to improve current practices is presented and practical recommendations are provided to advance toward more direct and optimized methods.

Identification of TIMP2 as a Prognostic Biomarker and Its Correlation with Tumor Immune Microenvironment: A Comprehensive Pan-Cancer Analysis.

Background Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2), an endogenous inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases, has been disclosed to participate in the development and carcinogenesis of multiple malignancies. However, the prognosis of TIMP2 in different cancers and its correlation with tumor microenvironment and immunity have not been clarified. Methods In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to evaluate the prognostic and therapeutic value of TIMP2 in cancer patients by utilizing a series of databases, including Oncomine, GEPIA, cBioPortal, GeneMANIA, Metascape, and Sangerbox online tool. The expression of TIMP2 in different cancers was analyzed by Oncomine, TCGA, and GTEx databases, and mutation status of TIMP2 in cancers was then verified using the cBioPortal database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the TIMP family was exhibited by GeneMANIA. The prognosis of TIMP2 in cancers was performed though the GEPIA database and Cox regression. Additionally, the correlations between TIMP2 expression and immunity (immune cells, gene markers of immune cells, TMB, MSI, and neoantigen) were explored using Sangerbox online tool. Results The transcriptional level of TIMP2 in most cancerous tissues was significantly elevated. Survival analysis revealed that an elevated expression of TIMP2 is associated with unfavorable survival outcome in multiple cancers. Enrichment analysis demonstrated the possible mechanisms of TIMPs and their associated genes mainly involved in pathways including extracellular matrix (ECM) regulators, degradation of ECM and ECM disassembly, and several other signaling pathways. Conclusions Our findings systematically dissected that TIMP2 is a potential prognostic maker in various cancers and use the inhibitor of TIMP2, which may be an effective strategy for cancer therapy to improve the poor cancer survival and prognostic accuracy, but concrete mechanisms need to be validated by subsequent experiments.

Dry–Wet Cyclic Sulfate Attack Mechanism of High-Volume Fly Ash Self-Compacting Concrete

High-volume fly ash replacing cement helps to improve the fluidity, volume stability, durability, and economy of self-compacting concrete (SCC). Sulfate attack is the most common form of the durability damage of hydraulic concrete; in particular, the performance degradation at the water level change position is more significant. Therefore, research on the influence effect and mechanism of fly ash on the durability is of great significance. In this paper, the change regularity of the SCC physical and mechanical properties with the fly ash replacement percentage and dry–wet cycles were studied by 60 dry–wet cycles of sulfate attack test. The 6 h electric flux, MIP, and SEM were used to study the performance degradation mechanism of SCC cured for 56 days, which had also been attacked by sulfate. The results show that the physical and mechanical properties of SCC increased first and then decreased with the dry–wet cycles of sulfate attack. After 10–15 cycles, the corresponding properties increased slightly, and then decreased gradually. When the fly ash content was 40%, the corrosion resistance coefficient, relative dynamic elastic modulus, and flexural strength retention were higher than those of the control specimen. However, when the fly ash content was 50%, they were close to the control and deteriorated obviously with the further addition of fly ash. For pore sizes in the range of 120–1000 nm, the porosity of SCC cured for 56 days was inversely proportional to the 6 h electric flux and the retention of mechanical properties, indicating that the porosity of the large pores is the decisive factor affecting the chloride ion permeability and corrosion resistance. The incorporation of fly ash in SCC can change the sulfate attack products and destruction mechanism. The sulfate attack damage of SCC with 40% of fly ash and the control specimen was dominated by ettringite crystallization and expansion, while those with a fly ash content of 50% and 60% had no obvious corrosion products, and the microstructures became looser. The appropriate fly ash replacement percentage could significantly improve the corrosion resistance of SCC.

Critiquing racist ideology as harmful social norms

In what follows, I will argue that racist ideology should be understood in terms of racist social norms that constitute certain incentive structures. To this end, I will motivate my position by examining two existing accounts of ideology: those of Tommie Shelby and Sally Haslanger. First, I will begin by reconstructing Shelby’s account of racism as ideology. After analysing three dimensions of ideology (epistemic, genetic and functional), I will argue that his view is too cognitivist. In this regard, Shelby’s view is doxastic in viewing that racist ideologies consist in misguided beliefs. Rather, what is essential in ideology is its functional dimension. Here, ideologies persist because they function to stabilize and reinforce the unjust status quo of subordination and oppression. Then, I will turn to Haslanger’s account of ideology as cultural technēs. Her view is more functional than Shelby’s since the former is based on the account of social practice and culture. While Haslanger is right about her critique of Shelby’s cognitivist view of ideology, I argue that what she calls nonideal moral epistemology weakens her overall insight. The problem is that without considering how to intervene in concrete social mechanisms, merely knowing certain moral truths may not practically motivate subjects under ideologies. Taken together, both Shelby and Haslanger narrowly understand ideology in terms of epistemic deficiency. Even though Shelby and Haslanger deal with the discursive superstructure of ideology, both underestimate the functional substructure of ideology such as social and psychological motives, desires and needs. Ultimately, I will argue that ideology is better understood in terms of a racist social norm. This account is explanatorily superior to Shelby and Haslanger’s views in its stress on the nonepistemic, nonmoral and functional aspects of ideology.

Governing through design: the politics of participation in neoliberal cities

ABSTRACT This article critically analyses an empirical case of how design mediates governing power in situated contexts. Using the Foucauldian concept of governmentality, the article examines the specific role of co-design to enable governance through the strategic use of design techniques and artefacts. Drawing on ethnographic research undertaken during the participatory urban redevelopment of Waterloo, Sydney, the article unpacks four concrete mechanism of governance through design: (1) the building of a seemingly coherent, stable and shared visions of Waterloo’s future; (2) the regulation of local knowledge production and political imagination; (3) the rendering of community technical through calculation techniques, standardisation, and the objectification of subjects; (4) the performance of diversity of choice while smoothing out differences. In conclusion, the article argues that, in Waterloo, the shift from top-down modes of urban governance to decentralised multi-stakeholders did not imply the reduction of state power but only supposed the rearrangement of governing power in the face of neoliberal urbanism.

Study on the chloride ion transport mechanism of recycled mixed aggregate concrete based on evolution characteristics of pore structure

• An interface model of RMA concrete considering pore structure characteristics was established. • The evolution characteristics of the microscopic pore structure for RMA concrete were studied. • The chloride ion transport mechanism of RMA concrete was studied based on microstructure parameters. The difference in pore structure characteristics is the fundamental reason that the chloride ion transport mechanism of recycled mixed aggregate (RMA) concrete is different from that of ordinary concrete. In this paper, the chloride ion penetration tests were performed on eight groups of specimens with different water-binder ratios (w/b) and coarse aggregate types. The specimens’ micromorphology, pore structure, fractal dimension, and microhardness were analyzed in detail. The results show that the pore structure of the specimen has an important influence on the chloride ion transfer process. With the increase in curing age, the porosity of new mortar (NM) and mortar attached to the surface of brick aggregate (BM) decreased, while the total fractal dimension increased, and the porosity of BM decreased more than that of NM. The brick aggregate is wrapped in a dense hydration layer, which prevents chloride ions from penetrating the brick aggregate to a certain extent. The anti-chloride ion transport performance of NM is weaker than that of BM due to the NM contains more capillary and large pores. Different pore size distribution ranges of the specimens have similar fractal characteristics. The fractal dimension first increases and then decreases with the change of the pore size range from small to large. The interface pore model of RMA concrete was established to provide a reasonable basis for further research on the durability of the specimens.

Deterioration Mechanism of Concrete Subjected to Acid Rain Attack—An Experimental and Modeling Approach

Deterioration Mechanism of Concrete Subjected to Acid Rain Attack—An Experimental and Modeling Approach

MiR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p regulate LPS-induced neuroinflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis by targeting NeuroD1

Neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1) is an essential transcription factor for neuronal differentiation, maturation, and survival, and is associated with inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced glial cells; however, the concrete mechanisms are still ambiguous. Therefore, we investigated whether NeuroD1-targeting miRNAs affect inflammation and neuronal apoptosis, as well as the underlying mechanism. First, we confirmed that miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p, which target NeuroD1, reduced NeuroD1 expression in microglia and astrocytes. In LPS-induced microglia, miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38, and the expression of cyclooxygenase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) via the NF-κB pathway. Moreover, miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p inhibited the expression of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, and IL-1β, which are involved in the innate immune response. In LPS-induced astrocytes, miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p reduced ERK phosphorylation and iNOS expression via the STAT-3 pathway. Notably, miR-30a-5p exerted greater anti-inflammatory effects than miR-153-3p. Together, these results indicate that miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p inhibit MAPK/NF-κB pathway in microglia as well as ERK/STAT-3 pathway in astrocytes to reduce LPS-induced neuronal apoptosis. This study highlights the importance of NeuroD1 in microglia and astrocytes neuroinflammation and suggests that it can be regulated by miR-30a-5p and miR-153-3p.

The investigation into the failure criteria of concrete based on the BP neural network

This paper proposes a method for modelling the failure criteria of concrete through the back propagation (BP) neural network. The mappings between the inputs and outputs are constructed through the mechanical analyses based on two types of failure mechanisms of concrete. The influences of the number of neurons and the activation functions in the hidden layer on the modelling results are studied by tuning the hyperparameters of the neural network. The BP neural network is trained systematically with the hidden layer of different numbers of neurons to construct the failure criteria based on the octahedral shear stress and various failure modes of concrete, respectively. The models are examined by comparing the mean square errors (MSEs) and coefficients of determination (R2). And the geometrical characteristics of the failure surfaces, the tensile and compressive meridians and the envelope features on the deviatoric plane are analyzed to evaluate the failure criteria models. The optimal configuration of the BP neural network is selected through the comparative analyses including the number of neuronal nodes, the activation functions in the hidden layer, and the input and output variables. Compared with the Ottosen failure criterion, the failure surfaces obtained through the BP neural network achieve higher accuracy, being consistent with the morphological characteristics of the failure surfaces described by previous experiments and the classical hypotheses.

Developmental exposure to chlorpyrifos causes neuroinflammation via necroptosis in mouse hippocampus and human microglial cell line

Neurodevelopmental exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) could increase risks for neurological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The potential involvement of microglia reactive to inflammatory stimuli in these neurological disorders has been generally reported. However, the concrete effects and potential mechanisms of microglia dysfunction triggered by developmental CPF exposure remain unclear. Therefore, we established mouse and human embryonic microglial cells (HMC3 cell) models of developmental CPF exposure to evaluate the effects of developmental CPF exposure on neuroinflammation and underlying mechanisms. The results showed that developmental exposure to CPF enhanced the expression of Iba1 in hippocampus. CPF treatment increased inflammatory cytokines levels and TSPO expression in hippocampus and HMC3 cells. The levels of necroptosis and necroptosis-related signaling RIPK/MLKL were increased in hippocampus and HMC3 cells following CPF exposure. Furthermore, the expression of TLR4/TRIF signaling was increased in hippocampus and HMC3 cells subjected to CPF exposure. Notably, the increased levels of TLR4/TRIF signaling, RIPK/MLKL signaling, necroptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by CPF treatment were remarkably inhibited by TAK-242 (a specific TLR4 inhibitor). Additionally, the necroptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines production induced by CPF treatment were significantly relieved by Nec-1 (a specific RIPK1 inhibitor). In general, the above results suggested that activated microglia in hippocampus subjected to developmental CPF exposure underwent RIPK1/MLKL-mediated necroptosis regulated by TLR4/TRIF signaling.

An Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties and Fracture Characteristics of Saturated Concrete under Coupling Effect of Low Temperature and Dynamic Load

Concrete is widely used in bridge foundation, water supply, and drainage engineering. On the one hand, the saturated concrete is always in the saturated state. In the cold winter, northeast China and the alpine region suffer from freezing disaster. On the other hand, it has to continue to bear the dynamic load action of vehicles and running water, which makes the stress state of saturated concrete more complicated under the coupling action of low temperature and dynamic load. In order to study the mechanical properties and fracture characteristics of saturated concrete under the coupling effect of low temperature and dynamic load, the impact compression tests of concrete under normal temperature 20°C, -5°C, -10°C, and -15°C were carried out with a diameter of 74 mm split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The stress-strain characteristics, energy dissipation, and failure modes of specimens under different low temperatures were studied. From a detailed point of view, the failure mechanism of low-temperature water-saturated concrete is expounded. The results show that under the same dynamic load, the dynamic stress-strain curve of saturated concrete changes obviously with the change of low temperature. The dynamic compressive strength of the natural specimen at room temperature is high while that of the water-saturated specimen is low, and the dynamic compressive strength is opposite at low temperature. At the same temperature, the energy time-history curves of concrete in the saturated state are different from those in the natural state, mainly in the plastic section. The energy time-history curves of saturated concrete are different at different temperatures, and the energy dissipation rate of saturated concrete increases linearly with the decrease of temperature. Under the experimental conditions, the dynamic strength of saturated concrete increases linearly with the decrease of temperature, and the peak strain of saturated concrete decreases linearly with the increase of temperature. With the decrease of temperature, the fragmentation of saturated concrete under the impact of the same air pressure gradually increases, and the integrity of the specimen gradually improves. Low temperature can improve the impact resistance of saturated concrete, which is consistent with the failure law of natural state concrete. The water-saturated low-temperature state of the concrete void is filled with ice crystal particles; for low-temperature water-saturated concrete in the impact of the dynamic load, the microstructure is affected by the ice crystal structure which is not easy to change; the specimen along the axial force direction microdefect development produces a crack, the crack along the parallel to the pressure direction of cracking, through the two ends of the specimen, and finally produces axial splitting tensile damage. The research results have important theoretical significance for the safety design of low temperature saturated concrete structures.

Why we need a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty

Why we need a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty

MPST deficiency promotes intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and aggravates inflammatory bowel disease via AKT

Background & aimsExcessive inflammatory responses and oxidative stress are considered the main characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been reported to show anti-inflammatory activity in IBD. The main aim of this study was to explore the role of 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST), a key enzyme that regulates endogenous H2S biosynthesis, in IBD. MethodsColonic MPST expression was evaluated in mice and patients with IBD. Various approaches were used to explore the concrete mechanism underlying MPST regulation of the progression of colitis through in vivo and in vitro models. ResultsMPST expression was markedly decreased in colonic samples from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) and from mice treated with DSS. MPST deficiency significantly aggravated the symptoms of murine colitis, exacerbated inflammatory responses and apoptosis, and inhibited epithelium stem cell-derived organoid formation in an H2S-independent manner. Consistently, when HT29 cells were treated with TNF-α, inhibition of MPST significantly increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, the amount of ROS and the prevalence of apoptosis, whereas overexpression of MPST markedly improved these effects. RNA-seq analysis showed that MPST might play a role in regulating apoptosis through AKT signaling. Mechanistically, MPST directly interacted with AKT and reduced the phosphorylation of AKT. Additionally, MPST expression was positively correlated with AKT expression in human IBD samples. In addition, overexpression of AKT rescued IEC apoptosis caused by MPST deficiency, while inhibition of AKT significantly aggravated it. ConclusionsMPST protects the intestines from inflammation most likely by regulating the AKT/apoptosis axis in IECs. Our results may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colitis.

A developed 3D peridynamic method incorporating non-conservative force for brittle materials

A 3D peridynamic method involving the work done by the non-conservative force is developed, whose theoretical framework comprises two parts: the viscoelastic motion equation of material points and the rate-dependent fracture criterion of the bond. For the description of motion, a viscoelastic interaction model between material points is proposed based on the understanding deformation mechanism of concrete. Further, the viscoelastic motion equation is theorized by applying Hamilton's principle which considers the energy dissipation, as a result, the viscoelastic deformation of brittle material can be captured. The elastic and viscous parameters are calibrated by the energy density equivalence between the developed 3D peridynamic method and the classical continuum mechanics under the same deformation condition. For the control of strength and cracking, the dynamic uniaxial S strength criterion is introduced into the fracture criterion of the bond so that the rate-dependent behavior of strength and cracking failure can be reflected. The function and superiority of the developed 3D peridynamic method are discussed via numerical experiments. It is found that the developed peridynamic method can reasonably reflect the influence of loading rate on the deformation, strength, and cracking of brittle material.

Damage Mechanism and Modeling of Concrete in Freeze–Thaw Cycles: A Review

The deterioration of concrete microstructures in freeze–thaw (F–T) cycles is the primary reason for the reduction in the service life of concrete. This paper reviews recent progress in the theory of damage mechanisms and damage models of concrete in F–T cycles. It is a detailed review of the salt-freeze coupling condition, microstructure testing, and models for the evolution of concrete properties that are subjected to F–T damage. Summarized in this paper are the deterioration theory of water phase transition; the mechanism of chloride-F–T and sulfate-F–T damage; the microstructure testing of hydration products, pore structure, microcracks, and interfacial transition zones (ITZ). Furthermore, F–T damage models for the macrostructure are presented. Finally, the issues that are existing in the research and outlook of concrete F–T damage are highlighted and discussed. This paper is helpful in understanding the evolution of F–T damage, and also provides a comprehensive insight into possible future challenges for the sustainable design and specifications of concrete in cold environments.

Effect of Carbonation on Microstructure Evolution of Alkali-Activated Slag Pastes

In order to reveal the carbonation mechanism of alkali-activated concrete, the accelerated carbonation tests based on alkali-activated slag pastes were carried out. The evolution of microstructure and chemical composition for alkali-activated slag pastes subjected to carbonation was analyzed combining thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and a recently developed extended X-ray attenuation method (XRAM). The results showed that, the microstructure of alkali-activated slag pastes deteriorated gradually. Based on MIP and XRAM, the porosity of S4 (sample with a water-binder ratio of 0.4) increased by 8.24% and 11% after carbonation, and that of S6 (sample with a water-binder ratio of 0.6) increased by 7.45% and 10%, respectively. Besides, thermal analysis showed that, after carbonation, 11.45 mol / L and 19.57 mol /L CaCO3 were produced separately by S4 and S6. The main carbonation product for S6 was calcite, but for S4 vaterite and disorderly stacked calcite were also presented.

A simple fracture model for dam concrete based on the Fuller and Thompson formula

AbstractThis study presents a simple model for determining the fracture parameters of dam concrete, by introducing the Fuller and Thompson formula for estimating the average aggregate size dav when only the maximum aggregate size dmax is known. The crack propagation mechanism of dam concrete is analyzed at the mesoscopic level. The calculation method of fictitious crack growth length and characteristic crack length of dam concrete is also described. A normally distributed fracture model for the variation of fracture toughness KIC and tensile strength ft with dav is proposed for different specimen patterns (wedge splitting, compact tension, and three‐point bending) and different relative sizes. The fracture parameters derived by this model show consistent with the results obtained in the laboratory. The fracture failure curve of a dam concrete is established, and the peak state of a true structure of large size is also predicted satisfying linear elastic fracture.

Interdependence and Cultural Resources to Mediate Change: What Was Missing in Engeström’s Third Generational Activity Theory

In the present paper, I praise the benefits of organizational activity theory by means of an empirical example. I draw here on my work experience within a pharmacy. A client enters the pharmacy and demands medication for skin issues. The pharmacist wanting to prescribe a standard ointment refrains suddenly from this standard treatment while asking for the specific nature of the problem. The client lifting up his shirt lets him glimpse into his very intimate action field (body) which is the basis for an innovative solution – contacting a befriended dermatologist. The client entering the pharmacy is thus – equally – entering the complex interlocked action sphere of the pharmacist that can be made fertile for specific goals and purposes. Activity theory was able to decipher this complex human interaction while showing innovative solutions on the side of the pharmacy. It is thus doing justice to the complexity of dynamic people moving in time. Yet, activity theory lacks concrete cultural mechanisms of change. Here, I appeal interested readers not to create a new generation of organizational activity theory but to complement the third generation of it. I argue that interdependence and jointly negotiated cultural resources can mediate sustainable change within an organizational system. Interdependence of goals is important for the dermatologist to join the pharmacist in an alternative treatment while client and pharmacist need to negotiate the concrete details of exchanging contacts, sending photos of the skin issues and transferring contact details. I argue that these mechanisms should be the beginning of a research program that pays attention to cultural mechanisms that mediate change within organizational activity theory. The time is ripe.

Identification of a BRAF/PA28γ/MEK1 signaling axis and its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral submucous fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic and insidious oral potentially malignant disorder associated with a 4–17% risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our previous study found that proteasomal activator 28 gamma (PA28γ) is frequently overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma and negatively correlated with poor patient prognosis. However, the role of PA28γ in the occurrence and development of OSF remains unclear. Here, we screened PA28γ-related genes and investigated their function in OSF. We demonstrated that the expression of PA28γ was positively associated with MEK1 and gradually elevated from normal to progressive stages of OSF tissue. Arecoline, a pathogenic component of OSF, could upregulate the protein levels of PA28γ and phosphorylated MEK1 and contribute to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial cells. Notably, PA28γ could interact with MEK1 and upregulate its phosphorylation level. Furthermore, arecoline upregulated BRAF, which can interact with PA28γ and upregulate its protein level. Additionally, BRAF, PA28γ, and MEK1 could form protein complexes and then enhance the MEK1/ERK signaling pathways. The concrete mechanism of the protein stability of PA28γ is that BRAF mediates its degradation by inhibiting its ubiquitination. These findings underscore the instrumental role of PA28γ in the BRAF/MEK1 pathway and enhanced EMT through MEK1/ERK activation in OSF.