Secondary Development Research Articles

Wood forming tissue-specific expression of PaTyDC4 promotes xylem differentiation and lignin deposition during secondary growth and confers drought tolerance in Populus

Tyrosine decarboxylase (TyDC) converts tyrosine to tyramine and plays a crucial role in secondary metabolite reactions, development, and stress responses in plants. Currently, the biological role of TyDC proteins from trees is unknown. This study provided evidence showing that poplar PaTyDC4 functions in wood development and drought stress response. PaTyDC4 is preferentially expressed in wood-forming cells in stems. Overexpression of PaTyDC4 in poplars under the control of a xylem-specific promoter resulted in an increase in the ratio of xylem to phloem width, vessel cell area, and lignin accumulation in the stems. Biochemical assays revealed that PaTyDC4 is a component of the PaC3H17-PaMYB199 module-mediated pathway. In poplar stems, PaTyDC4 expression was directly suppressed by PaMYB199, which was attenuated by the interaction between PaC3H17 and PaMYB199. In addition, PaTyDC4 overexpression lines showed stronger drought tolerance than the wild-type lines, with higher photosynthetic capacity and lower levels of H2O2. These results indicate that PaTyDC4 promotes xylem differentiation and lignin deposition during secondary growth and confers drought tolerance. Our findings may be useful for the genetic modification of biomass and drought resistance in trees.

Simulation method for filling stage in liquid composite molding based on a two-phase flow volume of fluid model

Liquid composite molding (LCM) is a process for manufacturing fiber-reinforced resin matrix composites. The chemical rheological properties of resin in the filling stage of LCM will produce a non-isothermal flow process that includes multi-field coupling of thermal field, flow field, and chemical field. During the filling stage, the resin is injected into a closed mold pre-laid with a fiber at a certain temperature and pressure to flow continuously and undergo a curing chemical reaction. The viscosity of resin changes constantly under the influence of temperature and the curing reaction, which affects the flow of resin. The simulation of this multi-field coupling filling stage in LCM can provide an effective reference for the design of process parameters. The simulation method of the filling stage in LCM is studied in this paper. The mathematical model of the filling stage is derived based on the air–resin two-phase flow volume of the fluid model. Based on the secondary development of the ANSYS FLUENT software, the mathematical model is solved to realize the simulation. The parameters of an alkali-free glass fiber plain weave fabric are measured and the calculation model of thermosetting resin viscosity is established by designed experiments, which are applied in simulation. The filling stage experiment of LCM is designed to verify the accuracy of simulation results. Meanwhile, by comparing with the traditional simulation method, it is found that the data error obtained by the simulation method in this paper is significantly reduced.

Isolation, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of NAC Transcription Factor from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees and Their Role in Andrographolide Production.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees is an important medicinal plant known for its bioactive compound andrographolide. NAC transcription factors (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) play a crucial role in secondary metabolite production, stress responses, and plant development through hormonal signaling. In this study, a putative partial transcript of three NAC family genes (ApNAC83, ApNAC21 22 and ApNAC02) was used to isolate full length genes using RACE. Bioinformatics analyses such as protein structure prediction, cis-acting regulatory elements, and gene ontology analysis were performed. Based on in silico predictions, the diterpenoid profiling of the plant's leaves (five-week-old) and the real-time PCR-based expression analysis of isolated NAC genes under abscisic acid (ABA) treatment were performed. Additionally, the expression analysis of isolated NAC genes under MeJA treatment and transient expression in Nicotiana tabacum was performed. Full-length sequences of three members of the NAC transcription factor family, ApNAC83 (1102 bp), ApNAC21 22 (996 bp), and ApNAC02 (1011 bp), were isolated and subjected to the promoter and gene ontology analysis, which indicated their role in transcriptional regulation, DNA binding, ABA-activated signaling, and stress management. It was observed that ABA treatment leads to a higher accumulation of andrographolide and 14-deoxyandrographolide content, along with the upregulation of ApNAC02 (9.6-fold) and the downregulation of ApNAC83 and ApNAC21 22 in the leaves. With methyl jasmonate treatment, ApNAC21 22 expression decreased, while ApNAC02 increased (1.9-fold), with no significant change being observed in ApNAC83. The transient expression of the isolated NAC genes in a heterologous system (Nicotiana benthamiana) demonstrated their functional transcriptional activity, leading to the upregulation of the NtHMGR gene, which is related to the terpene pathway in tobacco. The expression analysis and heterologous expression of ApNAC21 22 and ApNAC02 indicated their role in andrographolide biosynthesis.

Methylation of microRNA genes and its effect on secondary xylem development of stem in poplar.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and DNA methylation are both vital regulators of gene expression. DNA methylation can affect the transcription of miRNAs, just like coding genes, through methylating the CpG islands in the gene regions of miRNAs. Although previous studies have shown that DNA methylation and miRNAs can each be involved in the process of wood formation, the relationship between the two has been relatively little studied in plant wood formation. Studies have shown that the second internode (IN2) (from top to bottom) of 3-month-old poplar trees can represent the primary stage of poplar stem development and IN8 can represent the secondary stage. There were also significant differences in DNA methylation patterns and miRNA expression patterns obtained from PS and SS. In this study, we first interactively analyzed methylation and miRNA sequencing data to identify 43 differentially expressed miRNAs regulated by differential methylation from the primary stage and secondary stage, which were found to be involved in multiple biological processes related to wood formation by enrichment analysis. In addition, six miRNA/target gene modules were finally identified as potentially involved in secondary xylem development of poplar stems through degradome sequencing and functional analysis. In conclusion, this study provides important reference information on the mechanism of interaction between different regulatory pathways of wood formation.

Application of Python-Based Abaqus Secondary Development in Laser Shock Forming of Aluminum Alloy 6082-T6.

Aluminum alloy 6082-T6 is an important material for manufacturing the outer skin of high-speed trains, and laser shock forming can realize the rapid forming of complex-shaped plates. In order to improve the efficiency of the simulation modeling of laser shock forming for aluminum alloy 6082-T6, Python scripting language was used for the secondary development of Abaqus. A plugin was utilized to simulate and analyze the laser shock forming process of aluminum alloy 6082-T6. The coordinates of the plate after laser impact molding were measured using a coordinate measuring machine to calculate the arc bow height of the plate. The accuracy of the simulation model was verified by comparing with the simulation results. The deformation characteristics of plastic strain and arc height of aluminum alloy 6082-T6 under different laser process parameters were analyzed. The simulation plugin has a concise interface, high operability, and accurate results with the other parameters unchanged. When the laser energy is 5 J, 6 J, and 7 J, the corresponding arc heights are 5.9 mm, 6.6 mm, and 7.2 mm, respectively. As the thickness of the sheet increases, the deformation changes from concave at 1 mm to convex at 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm. As the spot size increases from 1 mm to 5 mm, the transmission mode of the shock wave gradually changes from spherical wave to planar wave, and the arc height of the sheet increases from 4.6 mm to 8.2 mm. With the increase in the spot overlap rate, the impact area accumulates residual stress, and the arc height of the sheet is 5.7 mm, 6.6 mm, 7.3 mm, and 8.5 mm, respectively. The secondary development of ABAQUS 2021 using Python 3.6 scripting language has improved the efficiency of simulation modeling and provided reference for rapidly predicting the deformation characteristics of aluminum alloy 6082-T6 under different laser process parameters.

Parametric Design Method and Lift/Drag Characteristics Analysis for a Wide-Range, Wing-Morphing Glide Vehicle

The parametric design method is widely utilized in the preliminary design stage for hypersonic vehicles; it ensures the fast iteration of configuration, generation, and optimization. This study proposes a novel parametric method for a wide-range, wing-morphing glide vehicle. The whole configuration, including a waverider fuselage, a rotating wing, a blunt leading edge, rudders, etc., can be easily described using 27 key parameters. In contrast to the typical parametric method, the new method takes internal payloads into consideration during the shape optimization process. That is, the vehicle configuration can be flexibly adjusted depending on the internal payloads; these payloads may be of random amounts and have different shapes. The code for the new parametric design method is developed using the secondary development tools of UG (UG 10.0) commercial software. The lift and drag characteristics over a wide operational range (H = 6–25 km, M = 2.5–8.5, AOA = 0–10°) were numerically investigated, as was the influence of the retracting angle of the morphing wings. It was found that, for the mode of the fully deployed wings, the lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) remained at a high level (≥4.7) over a Mach range of 4.0–8.5 and an AOA range of 4–7°. For the mode of the fully retracted wings, the drag coefficient remained smaller than 0.02 over a Mach range of 4.0–8.5 and an AOA range of 0–5°. A wide L/D of 0.3–4.7 could be achieved by controlling the retracting angle of the wings, thus demonstrating a good potential for flight maneuverability. The flexible change in L/D proved to be a combined result of varying pressure distribution and edge-flow spillage. This will aid in the further optimization of lift/drag characteristics.

Psoriasis and Bullous Pemphigoid Developing Simultaneously During Systemic Administration with Bisoprolol and Losartan

Psoriasis and bullous pemphigoid are both chronic inflammatory skin disorders, involving abnormal immune responses. Their coexistence is often observed in the literature in the context of secondary development following an initial inflammatory process. In the majority of cases, the development of psoriasis seems to occur before the onset of bullous pemphigoid. While psoriasis is associated with autoimmune bullous diseases, it’s important to note that not every individual with psoriasis will develop bullous pemphigoid. Therefore the pathogenetic mechanism behind this association remains rather a mystery. Several case reports/studies have been published describing the subsequent development of either psoriasis or bullous pemphigoid following initial monotherapy with beta blockers, sartans, or other drug class medications (which will not be mentioned in our case report as they are not relevant to the presented data). We believe that our case is the first documented example of polymedicamentous development of 2 skin diseases within the intake of 2 antihypertensive drugs heterogeneous in class and action. We present a 78-year-old female with plaque psoriasis followed shortly thereafter by bullous pemphigoid after 10-year period of antihypertensive therapy with bisoprolol and losartan. We believe that the cumulative effect of both medications may have contributed to the coexistence of these skin disorders. Following the discontinuation of the initial antihypertensive therapy with bisoprolol and losartan and substituting it verapamil and moxonidine, along with the initiation of methotrexate and folic acid, the patient showed significant improvement. Key words: psoriasis; bullous pemphigoid; drug-induced; bisoprolol; losartan

Effect of dynamic constitutive differences in materials on the impact performance of CFST via secondary development of ABAQUS

To investigate the effect and adaptability of dynamic constitutive models on the impact performance of concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST), a numerical study on the dynamic properties of CFST under impact loading is conducted. By analyzing the impact response, including impact force, mid-span displacement, energy absorption, and mid-span bending moment, the effect of dynamic constitutive differences in materials on the impact performance of CFST is assessed quantitatively. Moreover, the HJC dynamic model was developed and validated by secondary development in ABAQUS. The findings show that the material model without considering strain rate effects would significantly underestimate the impact performance of CFST members. In contrast, the impact resistance of CFST is overestimated by using the J-C model and the C-S model with biased elastic conditions. The results obtained using the DIFavg model are most in agreement with the results of the actual model. The impact resistance of CFST is only slightly influenced by variations in the dynamic constitutive model of concrete. The impact performance of CFST is accurately predicted by using the VUMAT subroutine to program the HJC dynamic constitutive model.

Abstract 6373: Effectiveness of tumor surveillance across pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes

Abstract Background: Pediatric oncology patients are increasingly recognized as having an underlying cancer predisposing syndrome (CPS). For individuals diagnosed with a CPS, surveillance is often recommended to detect new tumors at their earliest and most curable stages. Screening is heavily based on radiologic imaging, however data on the effectiveness and outcomes of surveillance are limited. Methods: Patients with a clinical and/or molecular CPS diagnosis, including 274 children and young adults with 35 CPS at a single specialty pediatric oncology center, were monitored using standardized surveillance protocols over an average of 3 years (range 1 month - 12 years). Patients with hereditary retinoblastoma were excluded as surveillance was completed by a separate team. The cohort included 139 patients (50.7%) with a prior tumor history while 135 (49.3%) had no prior cancer. This study reviewed tumors diagnosed, method of detection, clinical course, and patient outcomes. Individual reports from 1,533 surveillance tests including diagnostic imaging, colonoscopy, and upper endoscopy, were assessed and classified for accuracy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated for selected surveillance methods, and themes of common strengths or weaknesses of specific imaging modalities were identified. Results: During the study period from January 1, 2009 - September 31, 2021, 35 asymptomatic tumors were detected in 27 patients through surveillance (9.9% of the cohort), while five symptomatic tumors were detected in five patients (1.8%) outside of surveillance. Ten tumors (28.6%) discovered through surveillance were identified on first surveillance imaging. Among these 35 new tumors, 19 (54.3%) were diagnosed in children with a previously treated cancer, six (17.1%) were diagnosed in patients still being treated for cancer, and 10 (28.6%) were diagnosed in those with no prior cancer history. Malignant solid and brain tumors identified through surveillance were more often localized (20 of 24; 83.3%) than similar tumors detected before CPS diagnosis (71 of 125; 56.8%, p ≤0.0001). Of the 24 tumors identified through surveillance and surgically resected, 17 (70.8%) had completely negative margins. When analyzed across all CPS, the sensitivity (96.4%), specificity (99.6%), PPV (95.7%), and NPV (99.6%) of surveillance testing was high, with few false positive (n=6/1,533, 0.4%) or false negative (n=5/1,533, 0.3%) reports. No invasive interventions were performed due to false positive results. Conclusion: Patients with CPS are at increased risk of primary and secondary tumor development with 10% of our cohort developing a tumor in a short time span. Surveillance effectively enabled early detection of new brain and solid tumors across a wide spectrum of CPS which allowed for complete surgical resection and successful treatment in most cases. Citation Format: Melissa R. Perrino, Alise Blake, Cara E. Morin, Leslie Taylor, Rose B. McGee, Sara Lewis, Stacy Hines-Dowell, Arti Pandey, Paige Turner, Manish Kubal, Yin Su, Li Tang, Laura Howell, Lynn W. Harrison, Zachary Abramson, Ann Schechter, Noah D. Sabin, Kim E. Nichols. Effectiveness of tumor surveillance across pediatric cancer predisposition syndromes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6373.

Research on Temperature Field of Cement-Mixing Pile-Reinforced Soft Soil Foundation

To investigate the mechanism of reinforcing soft soil with cement-mixing pile, based on ABAQUS secondary development, a numerical simulation study of the hydration reaction of cement-mixing piles was conducted. In this study, the influence of ground temperature variations on the distribution patterns of the temperature field in and around the pile was also considered. The temperature field of the pile–soil model can be primarily divided into two stages: the temperature rise stage (0~5 d) and the temperature decrease stage (5~90 d). The following observations were made: (1) The temperature of the pile body rapidly increased within the first 5 days, dissipating heat to the surrounding soil, leading to an elevation of the temperature in the soil around the pile and a decrease in soil moisture content. Around the 5th day, the temperature reached its maximum value, and the heat release rate of the pile body was higher than that of the surrounding soil. (2) With a 15% cement admixture, under the influence of 425# cement hydration, the temperature inside the pile increased by 5 °C, and the temperature in the soil around the pile increased by 4.2 °C. After considering the ground temperature, the temperature in the soil around the pile increased by 4.6 °C. (3) The maximum temperature generated during the hydration of 425# Portland cement is higher than that of 525#; the temperature of the soil around piles made with 425# cement is consistently higher than that made with 525#. (4) The hydration temperature of piles with a 10% cement admixture increased by 4.4 °C; for piles with a 15% cement admixture, the hydration temperature increased by 6.6 °C; and for piles with a 20% cement admixture, the hydration temperature increased by 9.1 °C. The temperature field of this structure gradually stabilizes after 7 days with increasing time and cement admixture. The results indicate that the hydration of cement-mixing piles raises the temperature of the soil around the piles. Additionally, the temperature resulting from the hydration of cement-mixing pile increases with the addition of cement.

Correlation between Structural and Functional Changes in Patients with Raised Intraocular Pressure Due to Graves' Orbitopathy.

This study explores the complication of secondary intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and consequent glaucoma development in Graves' orbitopathy (GO), an autoimmune disorder associated with hyperthyroidism. Utilizing Octopus 900 visual field testing and optical coherence tomography (OCT), the research established correlations between functional and structural changes in optic nerve regions in patients with GO and patients with GO with elevated IOP (GO IOP) groups. A comparison with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) was conducted in a cohort of 182 subjects. The study identifies optic nerve head parameters that effectively differentiate changes in GO and GO IOP groups. In the GO group, the strongest correlation between structural and functional changes was observed in sector 7, while in the GO IOP group, it was in sectors 1 and 7. For POAG, correlation was found in six sectors. Elevated IOP in GO correlates with structural and functional impairments similarly to early glaucoma. Risk factors for GO-related elevated IOP included older age, longer duration of thyroid disease, and higher anti-thyroglobulin values. The study highlights the significance of regular IOP measurements, visual field assessments, and OCT examinations in GO patients. Early antiglaucoma intervention is warranted when characteristic structural and functional changes and/or risk factors are identified.

PagARGOS promotes low-lignin wood formation in poplar.

Wood formation, which occurs mainly through secondary xylem development, is important not only for supplying raw material for the 'ligno-chemical' industry but also for driving the storage of carbon. However, the complex mechanisms underlying the promotion of xylem formation remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that overexpression of Auxin-Regulated Gene involved in Organ Size (ARGOS) in hybrid poplar 84 K (Populus alba × Populus tremula var. glandulosa) enlarged organ size. In particular, PagARGOS promoted secondary growth of stems with increased xylem formation. To gain further insight into how PagARGOS regulates xylem development, we further carried out yeast two-hybrid screening and identified that the auxin transporter WALLS ARE THIN1 (WAT1) interacts with PagARGOS. Overexpression of PagARGOS up-regulated WAT1, activating a downstream auxin response promoting cambial cell division and xylem differentiation for wood formation. Moreover, overexpressing PagARGOS caused not only higher wood yield but also lower lignin content compared with wild-type controls. PagARGOS is therefore a potential candidate gene for engineering fast-growing and low-lignin trees with improved biomass production.

Mechanism interpretation of Guhan Yangshengjing for protection against Alzheimer’s disease by network pharmacology and molecular docking

Ethnopharmacological relevanceGuhan Yangshengjing (GHYSJ) is an effective prescription for delaying progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) based on the ancient Chinese medical classics excavated from Mawangdui Han Tomb. Comprising a combination of eleven traditional Chinese herbs, the precise protective mechanism through which GHYSJ acts on AD progression remains unclear and has significant implications for the development of new drugs to treat AD. Aim of the studyTo investigate the mechanism of GHYSJ in the treatment of AD through network pharmacology and validate the results through in vitro experiments. Materials and methodsChemical composition-target-pathway network and protein-protein interaction network were constructed by network pharmacology to predict the potential targets of GHYSJ for the treatment of AD. The interaction relationship between active ingredients and targets was verified by molecular docking and molecular force. Furthermore, the chemical constituents of GHYSJ were analyzed by LC-MS and HPLC, the effects of GHYSJ on animal tissues were analyzed by H&E staining. An Aβ-induced SH-SY5Y cellular model was established to validate the core pathways and targets predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking. ResultsThe results of the network pharmacology analysis revealed a total of 155 bioactive compounds capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and interacting with 677 targets, among which 293 targets specifically associated with AD, which mainly participated in and regulated the amyloid aggregation pathway and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby treating AD. In addition, molecular docking analysis revealed a robust binding affinity between the principal bioactive constituents of GHYSJ and crucial targets implicated in AD. Our findings were further substantiated by in vitro experiments, which demonstrated that Liquiritigenin and Ginsenosides Rh4, crucial constituents of GHYSJ, as well as GHYSJ pharmaceutic serum, exhibited a significant down-regulation of BACE1 expression in Aβ-induced damaged SH-SY5Y cells. This study provides valuable data and theoretical underpinning for the potential therapeutic application of GHYSJ in the treatment of AD and secondary development of GHYSJ prescription. ConclusionThrough network pharmacology, molecular docking, LC-MS, and cellular experiments, GHYSJ was initially confirmed to delay the progression of AD by regulating the expression of BACE1 in Amyloid aggregation pathway. Our observations provided valuable data and theoretical underpinning for the potential therapeutic application of GHYSJ in the treatment of AD.

Construction and application of online parametric modeling platform for face milling cutters based on WebGL and Open CASCADE

The secondary development of traditional commercial CAD/CAE software has been widely used in the process of cutting tools design and optimization. However, limited by copyright and hardware configuration, the effect of this development is limited, and the secondary development can no longer meet the needs of rapid and accurate cutting tools design. With the rapid development of Internet, online cutting tools CAD software based on Web has become a new development direction with its characteristics of specialization and lightweight. In order to build an online cutting tools CAD software, an online parametric design platform for indexable face milling cutters is established based on Web development technology, Open CASCADE and Three.js. The platform can quickly generate a 3D basic model for NC machining programing and a 3D detailed model for finite element simulation of cutting process according to ISO 13399. Based on the built platform, the finite element simulation model of cutting process of indexable surface milling cutter is established. The establishment of the model can play an important role in improving the design efficiency and reducing the design cost for the optimal design of this kind of milling cutter.

Study on mechanical properties of shotcrete lattice girder in a tunnel considering the excavation effect at early-age

The lattice girder (LG) and shotcrete work together to provide support in tunnel engineering, being influenced by the hardening process of concrete and the excavation process. To elucidate the dynamic changes in the mechanical behavior of the LG during this process, the present study conducted indoor experiments using a self-developed loading system suitable for early age flow-plastic state shotcrete LG. Through the secondary development of the ABAQUS concrete hardening process constitutive model, an analysis of parameters such as curvature and load values was conducted to understand the evolution of the load patterns on the LG. Subsequently, relying on the background of the construction of an underground excavation station in Qingdao Metro, refined numerical simulations of the construction process were carried out. Combining the analysis with measured data, the following conclusions were drawn: 1. In the first three days after concrete casting, the LG specimen experiences relatively low stress, and after seven days, the LG specimen and concrete form a cohesive synergy; 2. The initial load caused the deterioration of the supporting performance of the unhardened grid concrete specimens, and the bearing capacity of the test group was reduced by 25% compared with the control group; 3. In the early stages of tunnel excavation and support, due to the low hardening process of shotcrete, the ability to transfer the surrounding rock load to the LG is limited, and the layout of the LG has no significant impact on the stability of the surrounding rock; 4. The collaborative support effect between the rebar bent frame (RBF) and concrete is greater than that of the LG, and it coordinates better with prestressed anchor bolts, presenting advantages in hard rock tunnels.

Dıabetic Foot: Wound Healing, Amputation Decision, and Innovative Developments

Aim: To review the effects of diabetes-related diseases on the healing process and amputation decision in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) results, and current treatment approaches.
 Materials and Methods: The study was planned as retrospective and cross-sectional. Data of patients who were admitted to our clinic due to DFU and were treated were examined. A total of 38 patients were included in the study. The results of patients (n=19) who underwent periodic debridement and classic dressing were compared with the results of patients (n=19) who underwent NPWT. Healing in patients was achieved by amputation (n=8), repair with partial thickness grafts or flaps (n=10), and secondary epithelialization development (n=10). The effect of diabetes-related peripheral arterial disease (PAD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic retinopathy (DRP), and previous amputation history (AH) on recovery time was examined. The predictive importance of diabetes-related diseases for amputation was investigated.
 Results: It was determined that diabetes-related diseases caused a delay in wound healing. [PAD (p

Database-driven lightweight design for axle housing of heavy-duty truck

Rapid and efficient design methods of axle housing are an increasingly important area for the lightweight design of heavy-duty trucks. Here, a database-driven lightweight design method for axle housing is developed. A theoretical analysis is conducted to explore the relationship between the shape and maximum stress of cross-sections. Subsequently, A double super-ellipse equation is applied to generate massive cross-sections with different shapes and sizes. The secondary development module is constructed to achieve the parametric modeling, finite element analysis, and result analysis of axel housing. Finally, the proposed database-driven lightweight design is employed to carry out the lightweight design of axel housing under different design criteria. The results show that compared to their counterpart, the mass of axel housing using Q345 and Q420 is decreased by 10.3% and 18.9%, respectively, and their maximum stress are declined by 32.9% and 20.8%, respectively, under the design criteria of equal strength. Under the design criteria of specified safety factors, the mass and maximum stress of axel housing are decreased by 11.7% and 25.0%, respectively. This investigation offers some important insights into the lightweight design of tube components.

In-situ characterization of thermo-mechanical deformation fields based on DIC during orthogonal cutting of Ti6Al4V

Cutting phenomena containing abundant kinematic and thermo-mechanical information during the cutting process provide direct evidence for investigating machining mechanisms. In-situ digital image correlation (DIC) measurements are important methods for obtaining dynamic data such as strain and strain rate during the material deformation process. However, the secondary development of those deformation data is limited. The deformation information obtained by DIC is also limited to understanding complex thermo-mechanical deformation. In this study, an in-situ imaging system was developed to simultaneously acquire gray and infrared radiation (IR) images within the same deformation area during orthogonal cutting of Ti6Al4V. The deformation evolution and thermal history can be obtained simultaneously. In addition, a postprocessing methodology based on the DIC was proposed to derive thermo-mechanical information. Based on the postprocessing methodology, the stress fields were determined by the constitutive equation combined with the strain, strain rate, and temperature data. The stress propagation path during the formation of the chip segment was determined. Finally, the strain energy fields were derived to assess the potential energy of plastic deformation with the generation of the adiabatic shear band. The dependency between the machining phenomena and the cutting parameters was investigated. This work provides a novel understanding of the thermo-mechanical coupling behavior during the generation progress of serrated chips. The nature of the formation mechanisms and the deformation process involved for serrated chips are closely revealed.

A novel network pharmacology strategy to decode mechanism of Wuling Powder in treating liver cirrhosis

BackgroundLiver cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease with hepatocyte necrosis and lesion. As one of the TCM formulas Wuling Powder (WLP) is widely used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. However, it’s key functional components and action mechanism still remain unclear. We attempted to explore the Key Group of Effective Components (KGEC) of WLP in the treatment of Liver cirrhosis through integrative pharmacology combined with experiments.MethodsThe components and potential target genes of WLP were extracted from published databases. A novel node importance calculation model considering both node control force and node bridging force is designed to construct the Function Response Space (FRS) and obtain key effector proteins. The genetic knapsack algorithm was employed to select KGEC. The effectiveness and reliability of KGEC were evaluated at the functional level by using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Finally, the effectiveness and potential mechanism of KGEC were confirmed by CCK-8, qPCR and Western blot.Results940 effective proteins were obtained in FRS. KEGG pathways and GO terms enrichments analysis suggested that effective proteins well reflect liver cirrhosis characteristics at the functional level. 29 components of WLP were defined as KGEC, which covered 100% of the targets of the effective proteins. Additionally, the pathways enriched for the KGEC targets accounted for 83.33% of the shared genes between the targets and the pathogenic genes enrichment pathways. Three components scopoletin, caryophyllene oxide, and hydroxyzinamic acid from KGEC were selected for in vivo verification. The qPCR results demonstrated that all three components significantly reduced the mRNA levels of COL1A1 in TGF-β1-induced liver cirrhosis model. Furthermore, the Western blot assay indicated that these components acted synergistically to target the NF-κB, AMPK/p38, cAMP, and PI3K/AKT pathways, thus inhibiting the progression of liver cirrhosis.ConclusionIn summary, we have developed a new model that reveals the key components and potential mechanisms of WLP for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. This model provides a reference for the secondary development of WLP and offers a methodological strategy for studying TCM formulas.

A Revit-Midas/Civil conversion approach for bridge superstructures analysis

In this study, a model conversion method that combined Revit with Midas Civil software was proposed to improve the modeling efficiency and accuracy of finite element calculations for a large bridge structure. The secondary development program was established using the Visual Studio 2022 platform, which was used to convert the model information. A model conversion interface was created by extracting, screening, and then sorting the geometric information of the business information model and generating a Midas Civil Text file. This interface served as a link between Revit and Midas Civil, specifically for the bridge superstructure. The feasibility and reliability of the proposed model conversion method was confirmed using a single-box three-cell Box-girder bridge. The results demonstrated that the model conversion method transfered the Revit model information successfully to a Midas Civil structural analysis model, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the finite element modeling of a complex bridge superstructure.