Coal body is a type of fractured rock mass in which lots of cleat fractures developed. Its mechanical properties vary with the parametric variation of coal rock block, face cleat and butt cleat. Based on the linear elastic theory and displacement equivalent principle and simplifying the face cleat and butt cleat as multi-bank penetrating and intermittent cracks, the model was established to cal...

Abstract. The purpose of the Wedge Splitting Test (WST) is to generate stable mode I fracture crack along a pre-established path, and be able to measure the specific fracture energy parameter of the material GF. The test is performed on standard cylindrical notched specimens. In order to make decision on the optimal notch geometry for a specific rock test, a number of WST experiments were simul...

Enveloped viruses enter host cells through membrane fusion and the cells in turn alter their shape to accommodate components of the virus. However, the role of nonmuscle myosin II of the actomyosin complex of host cells in membrane fusion is yet to be understood. Herein, we show that both (-) blebbistatin, a specific inhibitor of nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) and small interfering RNA markedly aug...

The goal of our study was to explore the mechanical power requirements associated with jumping in yellow-footed rock wallabies and to determine how these requirements are achieved relative to steady-speed hopping mechanics. Whole body power output and limb mechanics were measured in yellow-footed rock wallabies during steady-speed hopping and moving jumps up to a landing ledge 1.0 m high (appro...

The mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix have recently been shown to promote myofibroblast differentiation and lung fibrosis. Mechanisms by which matrix stiffness regulates myofibroblast differentiation are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to determine the intrinsic mechanisms of mechanotransduction in the regulation of matrix stiffness-induced myofibroblast differe...

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) progression is an unmet medical challenge. Since omental metastases were palpated harder than their primary counterparts during cytoreductive surgery of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, we inspired to investigate OC from the perspective biomechanics. Methods: Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was used measure young’s moduli tissues. The collagen-coated pol...

In some instances, extensive room-and-pillar workings can collapse with little warning and pose a serious risk to underground miners. Traditional strength-based pillar design methods applicable to coal or hard-rock mines use a factor of safety defined as pillar strength divided by pillar stress. Factor of stability, defined as local mine stiffness divided by post-failure pillar stiffness, may o...