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This paper presents a new procedure for the integrated plant and flight control system design in the presence of parametric uncertainties. The proposed approach is based on a design procedure consisting in casting gain-scheduling and robustness requirements into the framework of structured H ∞ design. As both controller architecture and gain-scheduling structure are defined a priori , the scheduled gains can be tuned by the newly available MATLAB-based tool systune to minimize H ∞ constraints related to performance requirements over both operating and uncertain domains. It is shown that this technique allows for optimization and adjustment of plant's physical parameters while satisfying closed-loop performance requirements. The proposed procedure is applied to the F-16 Fighting Falcon flight control system design under mass and center of gravity uncertainties by adjusting the location of an additional accelerometer to optimize the closed-loop performance while minimizing the horizontal tail area. Numerical studies are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We present a Six-Point positioning algorithms which can automatically update tool coordinate system. • We choose two kinds of measurement paths for testing the wall thickness values of the blades. • Our method can automatically determine suitable adjustment parameters for distorted wave shapes. • Our method demonstrates excellent precision, accuracy, and stable. It can greatly improve the measurement efficiency. Compared with inner solid structures, the inner hollow structures of turbine blades show excellent mechanical properties and better physical properties, e.g., excellent heat dissipation and diversion effects, and light weight. Its complex inner structures cannot be detected accurately by traditional testing methods. Among all non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, ultrasonic testing method has certain advantages in measurement accuracy and efficiency for measuring wall thickness values. The accuracy of measurement results is provided by four criteria: precision, accuracy, stability, and efficiency. However, ultrasonic testing method still faces new challenges that are barely explored, e.g., inner structures have unique characteristics of complex geometrical features, the measurement process need to meet high-precision positioning and quickly detecting requirements. In this paper, in order to improve the detection accuracy and efficiency, an industrial robot is used to substitute the existing detection methods: once a new blade is clamped by terminal mechanism, a new calibration method adopted the six-point positioning scheme was provided to solve the problem of rapid and accurate updating tool coordinate system. The support vector machine (SVM) system was used to output regression results of the adjustment parameters based on the geometric features of distorted wave shapes. Two kinds of measurement paths were used to measure the wall thickness values for accurate measurement. The experimental results show the superiority and effectiveness of our method in terms of measuring stability, accuracy and testing efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Iron-filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized using a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition method with a great excess of ferrocene (more than 30 mg/min of vaporization rate) at 800 ∘C. The amount of ferrocene is more than that in previous reports. The ferrocene was employed as both catalyst precursor and an iron source. Our observations indicate that the CNTs were more than 10 micrometer in length, with an outer diameter of 20–100 nm and inner diameter of 10–30 nm. The inner cavity of the CNTs was partial filled with iron nanowires. Magnetic property measurements reveal that the iron-filled CNTs exhibit an average coercivity of about 257.05 G. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: All-optical OR operation has been demonstrated using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and delayed interferometer (DI) at 80Gb/s. The DI is based on a polarization maintaining loop mirror. Q-factor of the operation is discussed through numerical simulations. The results show the OR gate operation rate is limited by the gain recovery time and input pulse energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To explore the pharmacological mechanisms of topiramate (TPM), we determined the effects of TPM on monoamine (dopamine and serotonin) exocytosis associated with N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors and Ca2+-induced Ca2+-releasing systems, including inositol-triphosphate receptor and ryanodine receptor in freely moving rat pre-frontal cortex using in vivo microdialysis. During resting stage, Ca2+ output from endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store via inositol-triphosphate receptor regulates syntaxin-associated monoamine exocytosis mechanism, whereas during neuronal hyperexcitable stage, Ca2+ output via ryanodine receptor regulates synaptobrevin-associated monoamine exocytosis mechanism. Basal monoamine releases were increased and decreased by therapeutically relevant and supratherapeutic concentration of TPM, respectively. The therapeutic-relevant concentration of TPM increased Ca2+-evoked release concentration-dependently; however, its stimulatory effect was attenuated in the supratherapeutic range. The K+-evoked releases were reduced by TPM concentration-dependently (from therapeutic to supratherapeutic ranges). The therapeutic-relevant concentration of TPM-induced elevation of basal release was reduced by cleavage with syntaxin and inhibition of inositol-triphosphate receptor predominantly, by cleavage with SNAP-25 and synaptobrevin weakly, but not by ryanodine receptor inhibitor. The therapeutic-relevant concentration of TPM-induced elevation of Ca2+-evoked release was reduced by cleavage with syntaxin and inositol-triphosphate receptor inhibitor selectively. The therapeutic-relevant concentration of TPM-induced reduction of K+-evoked monoamine release was abolished by cleavage with synaptobrevin, but was not affected by cleavage with SNAP-25 or synaptobrevin. The stimulatory effect of ryanodine receptor agonist on K+-evoked monoamine release was reduced by TPM, whereas that of inositol-triphosphate receptor agonist was not affected by TPM. Therefore, these results indicate that the combination of the effects of TPM on exocytosis mechanisms associated with SNARE and Ca2+-induced Ca2+-releasing systems, enhancement of inositol-triphosphate receptor/syntaxin and inhibition of ryanodine receptor/synaptobrevin in pre-frontal cortex, may be involved in clinical actions of TPM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: All-optical OR operation has been demonstrated using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and delayed interferometer (DI) at 20 and 40 Gb/s. The DI is based on a polarization maintaining loop mirror. Q-factor of the operation is discussed through the numerical simulations. The results show the OR gate operation rate is limited by the carrier lifetime and the input pulse energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The conventional methods (e.g., sulphuric acid roasting) for extracting rare earth (RE) from the bastnasite concentrate are inefficient and energy intensive, accompanied by serious environmental issues resulting from HF and SO2 evolution. Direct application of chloride roasting process followed by hot water leaching could cause a significant loss (up to one-third) of RE to the tailings. This is because the RE fluorides formed from bastnasite decomposition are water-insoluble. A novel process is developed in this study to deactivate fluorine by adding magnesium oxide into the bastnasite decomposition prior to chloride roasting. The added magnesium oxide reacts with the fluorine in the bastnasite to form water insoluble magnesium fluoride. As a result, more RE elements are converted to RE oxides, thereby facilitating chloride roasting and RE leaching process. Consequently, RE recovery increased significantly (ca. 90%) with a high purity of RE oxide product (containing >94% RE oxide). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pullorum disease caused by Salmonella Pullorum is one of the most important infectious diseases in the poultry industry worldwide, which leads to serious economic losses in many developing countries because of its high mortality rate in young chicks. The traditional slide agglutination test with low cost, fast reaction, and on-site detection has been widely used in the diagnosis of Pullorum disease. However, in practice, the test performance is with the disadvantages of false positive results and unstable detection results. In this paper, we developed self-made agglutination antigens prepared by local isolates in the poultry farm and compare the detection performance with commercial agglutination antigens (China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control) and Group D Salmonella ELISA kit (BioChek UK Ltd). The results of detecting 200 serum samples indicated that the consistency of commercial agglutination antigen detecting in 2 times was only 79.5%. Using the ELISA kit as the reference method, the commercial agglutination antigen detecting results of the Kappa test were only moderately consistent (0.58 ∼ 0.59). Meanwhile, positive and total coincidence rates of the self-made agglutination antigen test with more reliable repeat could reach 97.4 and 88%, respectively, and the result of Kappa test was highly consistent (0.75). The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis clarified that the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve values of self-made and commercial agglutination antigen tests could reach 0.861 and 0.804, respectively. These results were coincident when detecting known positive serum from the infected chickens. It's worth mentioning that the visible positive reaction of self-made agglutination antigen test appeared faster and stronger than commercial antigen test. In conclusion, self-made Salmonella Pullorum agglutination antigen developed in this study was much better than commercial agglutination antigen and is expected to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of the epidemiology of Salmonella Pullorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective was to evaluate whether a molecular point-of-care test (POCT) for viral and atypical pathogens added to routine real-time PCR could reduce duration of intravenous antibiotics in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) compared with routine real-time PCR. In this single-centre, open-label, randomized controlled study, we enrolled hospitalized adults diagnosed with LRTI. Patients were randomized to an intervention group (POCT FilmArray Panel for 20 viruses, atypical pathogens and bacteria plus routine real-time PCR) or a control group (routine real-time PCR for ten pathogens). The primary outcome was duration of intravenous antibiotics during hospitalization. The secondary outcomes included length of stay, cost of hospitalization and de-escalation within 72 hours and between 72 hours and 7 days. Intention-to-treat analysis was used. Between October 2017 and July 2018, we enrolled 800 eligible patients (398 in the intervention group and 402 in the control group). Duration of intravenous antibiotics in the intervention group was shorter than in the control (7.0 days (interquartile range (IQR) 5.0–9.0) versus 8.0 days (IQR 6.0–11.0); p <0.001). Length of hospital stay in the intervention group was significantly shorter (8.0 days (IQR 7.0–11.0) versus 9.0 days (IQR 7.0–12.0; p <0.001) and the cost of hospitalization in the intervention group was significantly lower ($1804.7 (IQR 1298.4–2633.8) versus $2042.5 (IQR 1427.4–2926.2); p 0.002) than control group. More patients in the intervention group achieved de-escalation within 72 hours (7.9%, 29/367 versus 3.2%, 12/377; p 0.005) and between 72 hours and 7 days (29.7%, 109/367 versus 22.0%, 83/377; p 0.024). Use of molecular POCT testing for respiratory viruses and atypical pathogens might help to reduce intravenous antibiotic use in hospitalized LRTI patients. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03391076. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The goal of this study was to analyze the protective role of ARA290 in early renal allograft injury by using a rat model of renal allograft. Methods Lewis rats were divided into 3 groups: sham, University of Wisconsin solution (UW), and ARA290. A rat model of renal allograft was established by anastomosis using a titanium ring pin stapler. The kidneys were removed 24 hours after transplantation to accomplish the following: (1) examine the protective effect of ARA290 on renal morphology and function; (2) investigate the underlying mechanism by determining the binding affinity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) to DNA by using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay; (3) observe the effect of ARA290 on macrophage infiltration using immunohistochemistry; and (4) detect messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of inflammatory mediators by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in the ARA290 group were significantly lower than those in the UW group. Kidney tissue samples from the UW group exhibited morphologic abnormalities and marked macrophage infiltration compared with those in the sham group. In the ARA290 group, renal morphology was greatly improved with decreased macrophage infiltration. The binding affinity of NF-κB to DNA in the ARA290 group was markedly lower than that in the UW and sham groups. The mRNA expression of NF-κB downstream effectors (monocyte chemotactic protein-1; regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted; intercellular adhesion molecule-1; and vascular cell adhesion molecular-1) was significantly downregulated in the ARA290 group compared with that in the UW group. Conclusions ARA290 protects against early renal allograft injury in rats by reducing macrophage infiltration, improving renal morphology, inhibiting mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, and weakening the binding affinity of NF-κB to DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background To evaluate the clinical efficacies and toxicities of induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant cisplatin-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or cetuximab-radiotherapy (ERT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Previously untreated patients with stage III–IVb NPC were eligible. They were randomized to CRT arm: intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with weekly cisplatin (30 mg/m 2 /w) or ERT arm: IMRT with weekly cetuximab (loading dose of 400 mg/m 2 followed by weekly doses of 250 mg/m 2 ). Two cycles of induction chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 d1 and cisplatin 80 mg/m 2 d1) were administered to both arms. Endpoints were survivals, toxicities and quality of life (QoL). Results Because of the unexpectedly high rates of grade 3/4 mucositis observed in the ERT arm, the study was closed ahead of schedule. A total of 44 patients (23 in CRT arm and 21 in ERT arm) were enrolled. All patients completed the scheduled induction chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy. The results showed better compliance ( P < 0.001) with more oral mucositis, acneiform rash and dysphagia ( P < 0.05) of cetuximab. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) were achieved as 78.3% and 85.7% ( P = 0.547) in CRT and ERT arm, respectively. In the analysis of QoL, the addition of cetuximab to radiotherapy temporarily increased the adverse symptoms but did not result in long-term dysfunction. Conclusions ERT was not more efficacious than CRT but was more likely to cause acute adverse events in LA NPC. The recommended treatment modality was still concurrent cisplatin-IMRT. The combination of TP induction chemotherapy and concurrent cetuximab-radiotherapy should only be used in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal seizures caused by perinatal asphyxia and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy can be refractory to conventional anticonvulsants. This may be due to the depolarizing effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) achieved by the activity of the Na + -K + -2Cl − cotransporter (NKCC1). The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term effects of bumetanide, a NKCC1 inhibitor, on hippocampal neurogenesis and seizure susceptibility in hypoxia-induced neonatal seizure model. Wistar rats were subjected to hypoxia-induced neonatal seizures at postnatal day 10 (P10). Following acute seizures, the rats were treated with intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of bumetanide at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for 3 weeks. In later adulthood, hypoxia-induced seizures increased the number of newborn dentate gyrus cells (DGCs), promoted mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) and reduced the apical dendritic complexity of newborn DGCs 1 month after the insults. In addition, these seizures resulted in long-lasting consequences, such as spontaneous electroencephalography (EEG) seizures, though spatial learning impairments were not seen. Bumetanide treatments significantly enhanced cell proliferation and dendritic development of newborn DGCs after neonatal seizures, accompanied by the decreased seizure activity. However, systemic administration of bumetanide resulted in much lower brain concentrations, and was incompatible with NKCC1 inhibition in blood–brain barrier (BBB)-protected brain tissue. Our results suggested that bumetanide might have long-term effects in suppressing seizure activity, and altering the neurogenesis after neonatal seizures. These effects of bumetanide may be mediated by the targets outside the BBB-protected central nerve system (CNS) or CNS-located target(s) other than NKCC1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in tumorigenesis and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Conventional anticancer therapeutics failed to eradicate CSCs, which may eventually lead to the disease relapse and metastasis. Therefore, targeting prostate CSCs may be an ideal strategy to cure PCa. Genistein is a major isoflavone constituent of soybeans and soy products, which has been shown to exhibit potent anticancer effect on many cancers. We have previously reported that genistein can inhibit PCa cell invasion by reversing epithelial to mesenchymal transition, suggesting that genistein may be effective against metastatic PCa. In addition, we have recently demonstrated that PCa tumorsphere cells (TCs) possess CSC properties. Here, we found that tumorsphere formation and colony formation of Pca cells were noticeably suppressed in the presence of genistein. Pretreatment of PCa TCs with genistein also suppressed tumorigenicity in vivo. Additionally, genistein treatment inhibited tumor growth of PCa TCs. Further studies showed that genistein treatment not only led to the down-regulation of PCa CSC markers CD44 in vitro and in vivo, but also inhibited Hedgehog-Gli1 pathway, which may contribute to the anti-CSC effect of genistein in PCa TCs. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that genistein may be a dietary phytochemical with potential to target prostate CSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Neuronal Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-2 and -4 have been shown to play a pivotal role in ischemic brain injury, and the interleukin-1 receptor associated kinases (IRAKs) are considered to be the key signaling molecules involved downstream of TLRs. Here, we investigated the expression levels of IRAK-1 and -4 and the effects of IRAK-1/4 inhibition on brain ischemic insult and neuronal hypoxia-induced injury. Male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and the rat neuroblastoma B35 cell line were used in these experiments. Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced by the intraluminal filament technique, and B35 cells were stimulated with the hypoxia-mimetic, cobalt chloride (CoCl2). Following induction of hypoxia/ischemia (H/I), B35 cells and cerebral cortical neurons expressed higher levels of IRAK-1 and -4. Furthermore, IRAK-1/4 inhibition decreased the mortality rate, functional deficits, and ischemic infarct volume by 7 days after MCAO. Similarly, IRAK-1/4 inhibition attenuated CoCl2-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in B35 cells in vitro. Our results show that IRAK-1/4 inhibition decreased the nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65 subunit, the levels of activated (phosphorylated) c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and cleaved caspase-3, and the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 in B35 cells at 6 h after CoCl2 treatment. These data suggest that IRAK-1/4 inhibition plays a neuroprotective role in H/I-induced brain injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BackgroundBenazepril hydrochloride is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Previous clinical trials show that antihypertensive treatment with benazepril provides effective blood pressure (BP) control and is generally well tolerated by patients with hypertension. However, the long-term antihypertensive effects and tolerability of benazepril remain to be established in Chinese patients with hypertension.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of benazepril in Chinese patients with essential hypertension.MethodsThis 36-month, community-based, open-label, postmarketing surveillance study was conducted in the Nanshi District (Shanghai, China). Chinese patients with essential hypertension were to receive 1 or more benazepril tablets PO QD in the morning for 36 months. Data for BP and pulse pressure (PP) were collected at baseline (month 0) and throughout the surveillance period. The rate of patients achieving BP targets (systolic BP [SBP]/diastolic BP [DBP], <140/<90 mm Hg) was determined, as was the rate of decrease in BP. Subanalyses by sex and age group also were conducted.ResultsA total of 1831 patients (1090 men, 741 women; mean [SD] age, 55.8 [10.1] years [range, 35-88 years]) entered the study. After the 36-month treatment period, 75.7% of patients receiving benazepril as prescribed (1289 patients) had achieved the SBP target, 87.4% achieved the DBP target, and 71.5% achieved both targets. After 36 months of treatment, the mean (SD) decreases in SBP, DBP, and PP were 15.1 (0.4) mm Hg, 11.0 (0.3) mm Hg, and 4.2 (0.4) mm Hg, respectively, among compliers. In general, the rate of BP decrease slowed over time. No serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were detected during the 36-month follow-up period. All ADRs except cough (19.9%) occurred at a relatively low incidence rate (<3.0%). The cumulative incidence of benazepril related cough was statistically significantly higher in women than in men (23.6% vs 18.8%, respectively; P = 0.007). Of the 1831 patients studied, 1360 patients (74.3%) persisted in taking benazepril and were considered optimally compliant at 36-month follow-up.ConclusionIn this study of Chinese patients with hypertension, benazepril was associated with prolonged, stable efficacy in lowering BP and relatively low incidence of ADRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Essential hypertension, as a complex disorder with unknown etiology cause, is a major public health problem worldwide. Patients need constant drug therapy to maintain their blood pressure in a normal range. However, the current facts suggest that the treatment is not optimized in a large number of patients, and as a result they are at risk for compliance resulting in uncontrolled blood pressure. Genetic and environmental factors associated with individual variation in response to anti-hypertensive drug remain largely unknown. METHODS: In order to illustrate the existence and to attempt to identify the factors modifying drug effect, we conducted a large-scale follow-up study in two Chinese rural counties differing in both genetic background and residential environment. Hypertensive patients were treated with benazepril, a commonly used angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, for 15 days, and the end-point effect was evaluated. RESULTS: We found that there were large and significant differences in drug response between subjects from two counties, even after adjustment for known factors. The responses to benazepril, measured in diastolic blood pressure drop, in male patients from Yuexi was twice as effective as their counterparts from Huoqiu. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adjustment of treatment regimen is necessary to improve efficacy, and it could be done at the population level to make it more feasible and affordable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]