Crack detection for concrete bridges with imaged based deep learning.

Within the framework of intelligent bridge detection, a number of crack detection methods based on image processing techniques have been implemented. In this study, a combined novel approach with deep learning of a single shot multibox detector (SSD) and the eight neighborhood algorithm is proposed and applied to bridge crack image identification to provide an automatic method for crack detection. First, a large number of concrete crack images collected from the site were segmented and preprocessed for the establishment of a crack image dataset.

Effect of Cu and Mg addition on the mechanical and degradation properties of Zn alloy wires.

In this study, Zn-xCu (-0.1 Mg) wires with a diameter of 0.3 mm were obtained by hot extrusion and cold drawing.

Different properties of poly(L-lactic acid) monofilaments and its corresponding braided springs after constrained and unconstrained annealing.

Thermal annealing is widely applied to enhance the mechanical performance of PLLA monofilaments, which brings in a variety of expected strengths through different constrained methods. In this work, samples with constrained and unconstrained annealing process were both prepared and characterized, including mechanical performance, surface morphology, radial supporting performance and axial flexibility. Experimental results revealed that the monofilaments under constrained annealing showed higher elastic modulus with 6.

School Bullying Victimization and Associated Factors Among School-Aged Adolescents in China.

There has been a significant amount of research on correlates of bullying victimization, but most prior studies are descriptive and do not distinguish between different types of bullying. The current study used a case-control study design to explore factors related to different types of bullying victimization, including physical, relational, verbal, sexual, property, and poly-bullying victimization. This study was conducted in a southern city in China, including 3054 cases who self-reported being victims of school bullying and 3054 controls who reported not being involved in any school bullying in the past 12 months.

2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether disrupts spermatogenesis in mice by interfering with the ER-Nrf1-Tfam-mitochondria pathway.

2,2',4,4' -tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47), a well-known endocrine disruptor of the estrogen receptor (ER) is toxic to the mitochondria and spermatogenesis. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of BDE47 on spermatogenesis in mammals. Adult male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were gavaged daily with BDE47 (0, 1, or 10 mg/kg bw) for 8 weeks.

Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Esophageal Cancer in Huai'an District, a High-Risk Area in Northern Jiangsu Province, China.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide a clear comparable figure of the trends in incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer (EC) in Huai'an District, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, China, a high-risk area for EC.

Methods: The data for age- and sex-specific incidence rates between 1998 and 2016, the mortality rates in 1990-2016 and the number of EC patients were obtained from Huai'an District Cancer Registry. Crude rates, Age-standardized rates (ASRs) by world standard population and truncated age-standardized rates of EC incidence and mortality were calculated.

Acceptability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of HIV infection is a popular, contemporary research topic. We retrieved PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Wanfang, CNKI, and Sinomed databases, and related websites to identify studies both in Chinese and English, which reported the acceptability of PrEP in China. A total of 3203 citations were retrieved, of which 54 were included.

Nanostructured-lipid carriers-Chitosan hydrogel beads carrier system for loading of resveratrol: A new method of topical application.

The aim of this study was to develop nanostructured-lipid carriers (NLC) encapsulated by Chitosan hydrogel beads for the efficient topical carrier. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were conducted to study the influence of the encapsulation on the characteristic of resveratrol-loaded NLC, and the results showed that there was no impact on resveratrol-loaded NLC. Chitosan hydrogel beads could significantly improve the physical stability of resveratrol-loaded NLC.

A robust H∞-based steering assistance system for the wheeled tractor.

Agricultural machine automatic navigation poses great challenge to the precise agricultural technology system nowadays. To this end, this paper proposes a novel steering assistance system (SAS) to assist drivers in the path-tracking. First, the driver steering model is investigated through the driver simulator tests.

Prognostic Roles of N6-Methyladenosine METTL3 in Different Cancers: A System Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Recent studies have shown that methyltransferase-like 3, a catalytic enzyme that is predominant in the N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase system, is abnormally expressed in various types of carcinoma and is correlated with poorer prognosis. However, the clinical functions of methyltransferase-like 3 in the prognosis of tumors are not fully understood.

Methods: We identified studies by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and MedRvix for literature (up to June 30, 2020), and collected a total of 9 studies with 1257 patients for this meta-analysis.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a New Predictor of Coronary Artery Calcification.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a functional role in vascular endothelium homeostasis and the alleviation of atherosclerosis. Matrix gla protein (MGP) and Nε-(1-carboxymethyl)-l-lysine (CML) are both confirmed to be VC predictors. This study investigated the association between BDNF, MGP, CML and coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Severe COVID-19 Induced Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: The incidence and outcome of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced kidney injury have been variably described. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, correlates and outcomes of critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of 671 critically ill adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 19 hospitals in China between January 1 to February 29, 2020.

Family vulnerability for sick older adults: An empirical ethics study.

Background: In China, the conventional family-based ageing care model is under pressure from social transitions, raising the question of whether and to what extent families are still capable of dealing with the care of the aged.

Objective: This article examines the vulnerability and inadequacy of families to bear responsibility for the care of the aged against a backdrop of socioeconomic transformation and diminishing institutional support in rural China.

Research Design: This article adopts an empirical ethical approach that integrates empirical investigation with ethical inquiry.

Toxicokinetics and distribution in female rats after chronic nonylphenol exposure.

Our previous studies have shown that continuous exposure to nonylphenol (NP) may cause female reproductive toxicity even at low doses. To better understand this toxic effect, the aim of this study was to investigate the basic characteristics of the disposal kinetics of NP under a chronic exposure scenario to simulate human exposure. Female rats were exposed to NP at three dose levels (50-, 500-, and 10,000 µg kg bw day, low, medium, and high dose, respectively) by gavage daily for 17 weeks.

Effect of Combining Furosemide With Standard Hydration Therapy on Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Following Coronary Angiography or Intervention in a High-Risk Population.

This study aimed to investigate whether combining furosemide with standard hydration therapy results in increased preventive effects on contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) following coronary angiography (CA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients (n = 230) were enrolled in the study and were randomized to the furosemide group or the control group. Patients in the furosemide group received 0.

Gendered caregiving and structural constraints: An empirical ethical study.

Background: The pressing issue of aged care has made gendered caregiving a growing subject of feminist bioethical enquiry. However, the impact of feminism on empirical studies in the area of gendered care in Chinese sociocultural contexts has been less influential.

Objectives: To examine female members' lived experiences of gendered care in rural China and offer proper normative evaluation based on their experiences.

Plasma Midkine Is Associated With 28-Day Mortality and Organ Function in Sepsis.

Background: Midkine has been reported to play a crucial role in inflammatory, hypoxia, and tissue injury processes. We aimed to investigate plasma midkine in septic patients and its association with 28-day mortality and organ function.

Methods: Septic patients admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, a tertiary hospital, from November 2017 to March 2018 were enrolled in the study.