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Biomarkers of bone and cartilage metabolism were proposed as early diagnosis indicators for knee osteoarthritis (OA), however, which were influenced by disease stage, age, and menopause state. Accurate diagnosis indicators are eagerly awaited. The current study aims to investigate associations of joint metabolism biomarkers and bone mineral density (BMD) with early knee OA in males and premenopausal females before age 50 years.A total of 189 patients aged before 50 years with early knee OA and 152 healthy participants were enrolled. Levels of bone biomarkers (PINP, OC, and CTX-I) and cartilage biomarkers (PIIANP, COMP, CTX-II, and MMP-3) were assessed. BMD was measured at the lumbar, femoral neck, and hip. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between biomarkers, BMD, and early knee OA.Serum COMP, urine CTX-II and BMD at femoral neck and hip were increased in premenopausal patients as compared to control; with serum PINP and OC reduced. Meanwhile, serum COMP, urine CTX-II, and BMD at femoral neck and hip showed positive associations with premenopausal early knee OA, while serum PINP had negative association. However, in male patients, only serum COMP was higher than control, and no association of biomarkers or BMD was found with early knee OA.The joint metabolism biomarkers and BMD showed multiple associations with early knee OA in premenopausal females, but not in males aged before 50 years. It was suggested that sex differences should be taken into account when evaluating cartilage and bone metabolism in early knee OA. Key Points • The joint metabolism biomarkers and BMD are associated with early knee OA in premenopausal females, but not in males aged before 50 years. • Sex differences should be taken into account when evaluating cartilage and bone metabolism in early knee OA.

Previous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of regulatory T (Treg) cells on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the mechanism is not well-understood. Exosomes have been proposed as a novel mechanism underlying the action of Tregs. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of exosomes secreted by Treg cells (Treg-Exo) on IBD and to explore the underlying mechanism. Treg-Exo was isolated from BALB/c mouse spleen mononuclear cells and then injected into a murine model of IBD induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) exposure. A co-culture model of Treg-Exo and colonic epithelial YAMC cells in the presence of TNF-α was used to investigate the communication between Tregs and intestinal epithelial cells. in vitro results showed that Treg-Exo could be transferred to YAMC cells where Treg-Exo promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. Animal experiments showed that Treg-Exo administration alleviated the DSS-induced IBD in mice. The therapeutic effects of Treg-Exo both in vitro and in vivo were eliminated when miR-195a-3p expression was inhibited in Treg-Exo. The pro-apoptotic Caspase 12 was identified as a direct target of miR-195a-3p. In conclusion, Treg-Exo alleviated the DSS-induced IBD through transferring miR-195a-3p.

We hypothesise that dietary sodium intake interacts with serum uric acid to influence blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents. In the present study, we investigated ambulatory BP in relation to hyperuricaemia, dietary sodium intake and their interaction in children and adolescents with hypertension.A total of 616 study participants were 10-24 years old and had primary hypertension diagnosed after admission in a specialised inpatient ward. Ambulatory BP monitoring was performed during hospitalisation. 24-h urine was collected for measurements of electrolytes. Hyperuricaemia was defined as a serum uric acid of ≥327.25 μmol/L in patients18 years old and of ≥420 and ≥360 μmol/L, respectively, in male and female patients ≥18 years old.In adjusted analyses, patients with hyperuricaemia (Both hyperuricaemia and higher dietary sodium intake were associated with higher pulse pressure, and their interaction further heightened systolic BP.

Background This study aimed to investigate the effects of STOML2 and the relationship between STOML2 and PAI-1 in the development of multiple myeloma (MM). Methods Cell proliferation was tested using CCK-8 assay and cell colony formation assay. Glucose consumption, lactate production and ATP level were measured using commercial kits. The mRNA and protein expression were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively. Results Both mRNA and protein expression of STOML2 were upregulated in MM patients compared to healthy volunteers. CCK-8 and colony formation assays demonstrated that STOML2 silencing inhibited cell proliferation in MM cells. Knockdown of STOML2 reduced glucose consumption, lactate production and ATP/ADP ratios. STOML2 silencing by shSTOML2 led to reduced PAI-1 expression. Overexpression of PAI-1 reversed the inhibitory effects of shSTOML2 on MM cell growth. Conclusion Results from this study demonstrated that STOML2 silencing inhibits cell proliferation and glycolysis through downregulation of PAI-1 expression, suggesting a new therapeutic target for MM.

Grafting is widely used in fruit, vegetable, and flower propagation to improve biotic and abiotic stress resistance, yield, and quality. At present, the systemic changes caused by grafting, as well as the mechanisms and effects of long-distance signal transport between rootstock and scion have mainly been investigated in model plants (Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana). However, these aspects of grafting vary when different plant materials are grafted, so the study of model plants provides only a theoretical basis and reference for the related research of grafted vegetables. The dearth of knowledge about the transport of signaling molecules in grafted vegetables is inconsistent with the rapid development of large-scale vegetable production, highlighting the need to study the mechanisms regulating the rootstock-scion interaction and long-distance transport. The rapid development of molecular biotechnology and "omics" approaches will allow researchers to unravel the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the rootstock-scion interaction in vegetables. We summarize recent progress in the study of the physiological aspects (e.g., hormones and nutrients) of the response in grafted vegetables and focus in particular on long-distance molecular signaling (e.g., RNA and proteins). This review provides a theoretical basis for studies of the rootstock-scion interaction in grafted vegetables, as well as provide guidance for rootstock breeding and selection to meet specific demands for efficient vegetable production.

This study aimed to establish and independently validate a prognostic nomogram for individual risk prediction in patients with early-onset diffuse gastric cancer (EODGC). Data for 794 patients with EODGC from the SEER database were randomly assigned to training (N=558) and internal validation (N=236) sets, and data for 82 patients from the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (RMHWHU) were used as an independent validation cohort. Our LASSO regression analyses of the training set yielded five clinicopathological features (race, AJCC stage, surgery for primary site, chemotherapy and tumor size), which were used to create a survival nomogram. Our survival nomogram achieved better predictive performance than the AJCC staging system, the current standard. Additionally, the calibration curves of the prognostic nomogram revealed good agreement between the predicted survival probabilities and the ground truth values. Indeed, our nomogram, which estimates individualized survival probabilities for patients with EODGC, shows good predictive accuracy and calibration ability for both the SEER and RMHWHU cohorts. These results suggest that a survival nomogram may be better at predicting OS for EODGC patients than the AJCC staging system.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) has become the most frequent cause of impaired visual acuity and blindness in working-age population in developed countries. Here we use diabetic rats to clarify the role of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on DR. We treated diabetic rats with LBP (400 mg/kg/d or 200 mg/kg/d) orally for 20 weeks. Electroretinogram (ERGs) and Laser Doppler blood flow were measured to assess the retinal function, routine histology and ultrastructural studies were performed to evaluate the morphological alterations, and immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and RT-PCR were conducted to detect the protein and mRNA levels of pro- and antiangiogenic factors. The results showed that diabetes suppressed the amplitudes of a-wave, b-wave, and oscillatory potential in ERG, reduced retinal blood flow, decreased the thickness of the retina, and increased the thickness of basement membrane of the retinal capillary. Furthermore, diabetes increased the mRNA and protein expressions of proangiogenic GFAP and VEGF and suppressed the levels of antiangiogenic PEDG. Treatment with LBP either completely or partially reversed the alterations caused by diabetes. It is concluded that the LBP protects retinal function and morphology in diabetic rats, probably through reinstallation of the balance between proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, which reduces neovascularization. LBP could be used as a therapeutic drug for DR.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to achieve the trajectory tracking measurement of a moving target based on double position sensitive detectors (PSDs). Design/methodology/approach In this paper, first, a double PSD-based measurement system including hardware system and software system is built up. Then, the working principle is studied to calculate parameters, and calibration experience is conducted. Finally, this double PSD-based measurement system is used to test angular displacement and axial displacement on the tool magazine and automatic tool changer. Findings In the experiment, the maximum position error of a space point based on double PSD measurement system is 0.8566 mm, and the average error is 0.4716 mm. These results show that the built double PSD-based measurement system of trajectory tracking of a moving target is reasonable. Originality/value Combining the characteristics of the PSD and principles of binocular visual measurement, a non-contact three-dimensional measuring system based on double PSDs is developed. The designed double-based measurement system is quite suitable for measurement of a fast-changing illuminant or in the case that the tracking accuracy is not tight.

Background: Heroin use disorder (HUD) is a complex brain disease that includes multiple phenotypes. Heroin acts primarily as a mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) agonist. The κ opioid receptor 1 (OPRK1) is...

There has been a great increase in the applications of micro thin-walled parts in many fields, such as medical devices, aerospace and so on. The requirement of machining dimensional accuracy for micro thin-walled parts is very high. Inconel 718has the advantages of high strength and corrosion resistance, which can meet the requirements of micro thin-walled parts under poor applying working conditions. However, it is difficult to machine. Micro-milling is a potentially effective processing technique for processing Inconel 718 thin-walled parts. Because of the low rigidity, deflection of Inconel 718 thin-walled parts is easy to occur in micro-milling process, which affects the machining accuracy. So far, the research on the deflection of micro-milling Inconel 718 thin-walled parts is still blank. In this paper, a method of deflection prediction of micro-milling thin-walled parts is proposed. Firstly, a simulation model of micro-milling Inconel 718 thin-walled parts process is established, which realizes the prediction of milling force. Then, by using element birth/death technique, a deflection prediction model of micro-milling thin-walled parts is built based on the predicted value of milling force output by the simulation model, which achieves the more efficient and accurate deflection prediction of micro-milling thin-walled parts. Finally, the correctness of the built simulation model of micro-milling thin-walled parts process as well as the deflection prediction model of micro-milling thin-walled parts are verified by experiments. The research provides a feasible way for deflection prediction of micro-milling thin-walled parts, and lays foundation for deflection suppression and machining accuracy improvement of micro-milling thin-walled parts to a certain extent.

OBJECTIVE Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased mortality related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This systematic review and meta-analysis identified the risk of CVD in SLE patients, CVD risk factors in SLE patients, and the risk of CVD in lupus nephritis (LN) patients. METHODS On-line databases were used to search the eligible studies from January 2013 to August 2020. The relevant characteristics and the data of disease extracted from included publications. RESULTS A total of 20 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the general or healthy population, the risk of CVD in SLE patients increased by 2 times (RR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.95-2.84, P

A new Talaromyces species, T. rubrifaciens, was isolated from supply air outlets of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in three kinds of public building in Beijing and Nanjing, China. Morphologically it exhibits many characters of section Trachyspermi but is distinguished from other species of this section by restricted growth and broad and strictly biverticillate conidiophores. Phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS), β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) genes reveal that T. rubrifaciens is a distinct species in section Trachyspermi.

Instantaneous undeformed chip thickness is one of the key parameters in modeling of micro-milling process. Most of the existing instantaneous undeformed chip thickness models in meso-scale cutting process are based on the trochoidal trajectory of the cutting edge, which neglect the influences of cutter installation errors, cutter-holder manufacturing errors, radial runout of the spindle and so forth on the instantaneous undeformed chip thickness. This article investigates the tooth trajectory in micro-milling process. A prediction model of radial runout of cutting edge is built, with consideration of the effects of the extended length of micro-milling cutter and the spindle speed. Considering the effects of cutting-edge trochoidal trajectory, radial runout of cutting edge and the minimum cutting thickness, a novel instantaneous undeformed chip thickness model is proposed, and the phenomenon of single-tooth cutting in micro-milling process is analyzed. Comparisons of cutting forces under different chip thickness models and experimental data indicate that this new model can be used to predict cutting forces.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish a roughness prediction model of micro-milling Inconel718 with high precision. Design/methodology/approach – A prediction model of micro-milling surface roughness of Inconel718 is established by SVM (support vector machine) in this paper. Three cutting parameters are involved in the model (spindle speed, cutting depth and feed speed). Experiments are carried out to verify the accuracy of the model. Findings – The results show that the built SVM prediction model has high prediction accuracy and can predict the surface roughness value and variation law of micro-milling Inconel718. Practical implication – Inconel718 with high strength and high hardness under high temperature is the suitable material for manufacturing micro parts which need a high strength at high temperature. Surface roughness is an important performance indication for micro-milling processing. Establishing a roughness prediction model with high precision is helpful to select the cutting parameters for micro-milling Inconel718. Originality/value – The built SVM prediction model of micro-milling surface roughness of Inconel718 is verified by experiment for the first time. The test results show that the surface roughness prediction model can be used to predict the surface roughness during micro-milling Inconel718, and to provide a reference for selection of cutting parameters of micro-milling Inconel718.

With the continuous construction of 500 m concrete-filled steel-tube (CFST) arch bridges such as the Bosideng Yangtze River Bridge and the Hejiang Changjiang Highway Bridge, the deviation between the dead pressure line and the arch axis produced by extant arch axis optimization methods increases. Therefore, an arch axis optimization method for long-span CFST arch bridges with a truss section must be designed. Following the optimization of the truss arch axis, this study develops the minimum section eccentricity method that aims to optimize the arch axis of long-span CFST arch bridges. To minimize the main tube eccentricity of the truss arch, the bending moment of the main tubes is reduced by applying the main tube eccentricity method iteratively in a finite element model. Afterward, a smooth and reasonable arch axis is fitted by applying a cubic spline interpolation function in MATLAB. The entire optimization procedure is performed using the Bosideng Yangtze River Bridge as an example. Compared with that of optimal arch axis line types (e.g., parabola and catenary) and other traditional arch axes, the bending moment of main tubes optimized by the proposed method is substantially lower and more uniformly distributed along the arch axis span. The mechanical properties of the finished bridge, including its strength, stiffness, and stability, are all improved, thereby verifying the feasibility of using the proposed method to optimize the arch axis of CFST arch bridges with a truss section.

Background Breast cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. MicroRNAs play a key role in breast cancer development and progression. microRNA(miR)-8084 has been observed an aberrant expression in breast cancer. However, the functions and regulatory axes of miR-8084, particularly in breast cancer, were not entirely clear. Methods miR-8084 expression in breast cancer were investigated in a GEO dataset by in silico analysis and in 42 paired tumor tissues by qPCR. The effects of deregulation of miR-8084 on breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo were examined by colony-formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay and nude mouse subcutaneous tumor formation model. The target gene of miR-8084 were predicted by TargetScan and miRDB, and confirmed by luciferase reporter system. The roles of miR-8084 in the breast cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated by MTS, FACS and associated-marker detection by western blot. Results miR-8084 is significantly up-regulated in both serum and malignant tissues from the source of breast cancer patients. miR-8084 promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells by activating ERK1/2 and AKT. Meanwhile miR-8084 inhibits apoptosis by decreasing p53-BAX related pathway. miR-8084 also enhances migration and invasion by inducing EMT. Moreover, the tumor suppressor ING2 is a potential target of miR-8084, and miR-8084 regulatory axes contribute to pro-tumor effect, at least partially through regulating ING2. Conclusion Our results strongly suggest that miR-8084 functions as an oncogene that promotes the development and progression of breast cancer, and miR-8084 is a potential new diagnostic marker and therapeutic target of breast cancer.

Nowadays, there is strong demand for micro parts and components which are able to function properly at high temperature in the fields of aerospace, biomedicine, and energy and power. Nickel-based superalloy with good comprehensive thermal performance is well fit for the requirement of micro parts and components. Micro-milling is a novel processing technology for machining micro and high-precision parts with high temperature resistance and it can be applied to manufacture nickel-based superalloy micro parts. Nickel-based superalloy is a kind of typical difficult-to-machine material and chatter tends to occur during its micro-milling process. Chatter damages machining precision and efficiency during the process. Considering the influences of multiple regenerative effect, minimum cutting thickness, and elastic recovery of processed surface, dynamical model of micro-milling process of nickel-based superalloy is built and chatter stability is analyzed in the time domain. Based on the stability lobes, cutting parameters to avoid chatter can be gained. Consequently, machining precision and efficiency are improved.

Nowadays, there are urgent demands of micro structure/parts which have high strength in high-temperature environment in the fields such as aerospace, energy, power, biomedical, etc. Nickel-based superalloy with high strength and high hardness under high temperature is the suitable material for manufacturing this kind of micro parts. Aimed at the problem of the complicated cutting force variation rule when micro-end milling nickel-based superalloy, the cutting forces model during micro-end milling of nickel-based superalloy processing is studied. Firstly, micro-end milling hole experiments are carried out to establish the radical run-out prediction model of cutting edge, which lays the foundation for establishing the cutting thickness calculation model during micro-end milling. Then, based on the minimum cutting thickness value, micro-end milling of nickel-based superalloy process is divided into two different cutting processes: shear-dominant regime cutting process and ploughing-dominant regime cutting process. Moreover, cutting forces prediction model during shear-dominant regime cutting process is developed based on the cutting forces in proportion to cutting layer area, which takes the effect of ploughing into account. Meanwhile, cutting forces prediction model during ploughing-dominant regime cutting process is developed based on the cutting force in proportion to interference volume between the flank surface of cutting tool and the workpiece. The experiment results verify that the cutting forces prediction results and experiment results are well matched.

Background Tumor suppressor gene p53 expression has been reported in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the correlation between p53 expression and UC remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between p53 expression and different pathological types of UC. Methods Publications were searched in the PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Wangfang, and CNKI databases. The overall odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were summarized in this study. Results Final 19 papers were identified in this meta-analysis, including 1068 patients with UC and 130 normal tissue samples. Immunohistochemical p53 expression was significantly higher in UC without dysplasia and carcinoma (UC group) compared to normal tissue samples (OR = 3.14, P = 0.001), higher in UC with dysplasia than in UC group (OR = 10.76, P

Biomimetic surfaces with sliding angle (SA) anisotropy have the capacity to directionally control the motion of water droplets and therefore have wide applications in various domains. Parallel and narrowing dual-rail hydrophilic tracks (DRHTs) are fabricated on etched superhydrophobic Al surfaces using a micromilling technique. Orthogonal and linear SA anisotropies are observed and investigated on the parallel and narrowing DRHTs, respectively. Track spacings of the parallel DRHTs are designed to regulate the orthogonal SA anisotropy of the water droplet. Experimental data shows that the along-track droplet–substrate interfacial widths, together with the sliding anisotropy, decrease with the increase of the track spacings. SA contrast (linear SA anisotropy) in two opposite directions along the tracks is observed and discussed on the narrowing DRHTs. Results indicate that droplets slide with more difficulty in the spacing-expanding direction than those in the shrinking direction, and when a droplet is dispensed at the tail end of a DRHT segment, the along-track outward detaching SAs and inward SAs also show sharp linear anisotropy due to the droplet–track interfacial liquid tension. On the basis of the discussed orthogonal and linear SAs, potential lab-on-a-chip applications for intelligent droplet transport, mixing and capture & release are explored.

This paper presents a transit network optimization method, in which travel time reliability on road is considered. A robust optimization model, taking into account the stochastic travel time, is formulated to satisfy the demand of passengers and provide reliable transit service. The optimization model aims to maximize the efficiency of passenger trips in the optimized transit network. Tabu search algorithm is defined and implemented to solve the problem. Then, transit network optimization method proposed in this paper is tested with two numerical examples: a simple route and a medium-size network. The results show the proposed method can effectively improve the reliability of a transit network and reduce the travel time of passengers in general.

Because of the differences in spindle speed and extended length of micro milling cutter, Tool life and machining surface quality vary markedly. Therefore, a geometric model of carbide end mill whose diameter is 0.2mm is built. With free meshing method, meshing density is set up reasonably, which ensure the rationality of the built finite element model. On the premise of considering the extended length of the micro milling cutter, apply linear load on the main cutting edge and front-cutting edge, carry out the deformation and stress analysis using finite element software. Applying different spindle speeds under four extended lengths, through comparing maximum stress and strain under four extended lengths, change rules are summarized and the extended lengths of the tool suited for micro-milling are achieved.

Sinomenine (SIN) has been reported to exert antitumor effects in various types of human cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of SIN on gastric cancer and to briefly address its mechanism of action. In this study, the single and combined effects of SIN with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on human gastric cancer cells were assessed using an MTT assay, a combination index method and an MKN-28 xenograft mice model. Levels of apoptosis were determined using Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. Expression levels of certain apoptosis-related proteins were examined by western blotting. mRNA levels of the 5-FU-associated gene, thymidylate synthase (TS), were measured by RT-PCR. The results showed that SIN enhances 5-FU-mediated cellular growth inhibition and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells, reduces TS mRNA accumulation and activates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The same chemotherapy sensitizer effect of SIN was confirmed in vivo. SIN is a promising chemotherapy sensitizer for 5-FU. Our results indicate that this may be a potential combination chemotherapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

The indexing precision of power tool rest cutter head is the prima choice to judge the performance of the tool rest and the test of it is the premise of the tool rest quality. Considering the lack of an effective indexing precision detection method of power tool rest cutter head, the testing methods of the indexing precision of power tool rest cutter head are discussed and an indexing precision testing system based on photoelectric auto collimator is set up. The testing results can show the indexing error of every tool. The studied system of the indexing precision of power tool rest cutter head is suitable for various indexing device to realize dynamic indexing accuracy testing and the system has a high reliability and testing accuracy.

Tool magazine and automatic tool changer (ATC) are two of the most important key functional units of the tool reserving and exchanging in machining center, reliability of which directly influences that of the machining centers. Failure analysis is the basic work in reliability analysis. So far, there is little in-depth and meticulous study about failure of the tool magazine and ATC, but there are many problems in the use of tool magazine and ATC. Based on the failure data received from field tracing tests, the failure modes, effects, and criticality analysis of the studied circular tool magazine and ATC are evaluated. The failure positions, causes, and criticalities in circular tool magazine and ATC, which have the highest criticality parameters are explored, offering the basis for the improvement in the design of the new products.

According to the existing problems in production planning management mode and management processes of Chinese medium and small manufacture enterprise, referring to the advanced management concept of MRPII/ERP, a master production schedule system which is suitable for management state of Chinese medium and small manufacture enterprise is researched and developed. The operation process, data flow and ER model of the master production schedule system are discussed and researched. Finally, Microsoft vb.net is selected as the development tool of the master production schedule system and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 is used as the database management system, a master production schedule prototype system is designed and implemented.

The scarcity and imperfection of power tool rest noise detection method have seriously limited the development of the industry of CNC lathe, lathe and milling composite machining center. A noise detection system based on LabVIEW is developed. The developed system adopts a noise sensor as noise detection component to test the noise information of the power tool rest. To enhance the anti-interference ability of this system, the sampled signals are amplified and adjusted by the signal disposal instrument. Through the spectrum transformation and spectrum analysis of the sampled noise signals, the noise causes of the power tool rest can be inquired and the concerned measurements can be taken to reduce the noise effectively. Finally, the sampled data is stored by the data saving function.

As the tool magazine and automatic tool changer (ATC) are the important function units to reserve and change tools for the machining center, the tool-changing rate affects their reliability life which directly influences the performance level of the machining center. However, the reliability of the tool magazine and ATC has not yet got a reasonable evaluation index. Directing at the features of the tool magazine and ATC system, the mean tool change numbers between failures evaluation index is proposed, which is used to calculate the mean time to repair and estimate the collected failure data of the chain-type tool magazine and ATC. It can be seen that the tool magazine with continuous tool-changing adopts the mean tool change numbers between failures as the reliability evaluation index.

The energy distribution of the incident light spot on position-sensitive detector (PSD) screen is uneven and the output coordinate value is the energy centre of the light spot. Measurement error caused by the deviation between the geometric and gravity centre of the light spot will occur. The deviation will increase with the increase of the diameter of the light spot. There is no quantitative research on the position error caused by the changes of the light spot diameter and the distance from the light spot to the PSD. To evaluate the magnitude of the error, the infrared spotlight is selected as the target light. The changing pattern that the spot diameter varies with the distance between the light source and lens is studied. Additionally, the effect of the spot size on the PSD measure error is studied. The research provides reference for error evaluation of the distance and position detection of PSD. [Submitted 5 July 2017; Accepted 24 December 2017]

PEM-guided biopsy is successful in localizing sub-centimeter lesions that cannot be seen by other modalities. To help the physician quickly visualize the position of an interventional device in relation to a lesion, we have developed a method to view PEM images in near real time, allowing visualization of lesion displacement within 30 seconds. Phantom and patient data were collected on a commercially available high-resolution, organ-specific PET scanner. The real-time display is realized by showing only one imaging plane and calculating the intersection point of each line of response through a plane where the lesion was targeted based on a prior diagnostic-quality scan. A variety of refresh and persistence times from 2 to 30 seconds were evaluated. In a phantom study both point source and line source movements were successfully visualized in real-time with a refresh time of two seconds and a persistence time of 10 to 15 seconds. Simulation based on real clinical data shows that the localization of lesions can be obtained almost real-time and even relatively faint lesions with a lesion to background ratio of 2:1 can be localized in 10 seconds.

To overcome the shortcomings of the traditional free-form surface tracking measurement data sampling methods, a new data accept and reject method which combines isochronous indistinctive sampling with off-line equal-error accurate arithmetic is designed. Dual-thread and dual-buffer dynamic storage technique is adopted to solve the problem of mass data information storage, and data acquisition processing is divided into two links: data sampling thread and data storage thread, each link being achieved by an individual thread and can concurrently assess data buffer without overlapping. SQLite3 is chosen to realize data storage, and the storage speed is tested by experiments. To reflect the geometric characteristic of the model surface figure accurately and make the measured data close to the real model curve more, the circle ratio method is utilized to achieve the curve smoothing treatment. The designed data sampling method enhances the sampling precision and sampling efficiency. Finally, a bicycle saddle model intersection’s self-learning control process is simulated with Matlab. Simulation results demonstrate the workability and the effectiveness of the proposed method.

In recent years, micro-milling techniques have attracted great attention and interest from academia and industry. Inconel 718 is a nickel-based superalloy with good tensile, fatigue, creep and rupture strength and can find great application in nuclear and aerospace industry. In this paper, the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to develop the model for predicting surface roughness in micro-milling Inconel 718. The magnitudes of cutting parameters affecting the surface roughness, which were depth of cut, spindle speed, and feed rate, were analysed by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The validity of the surface roughness prediction model was proved due to the tiny error between the measured values and the prediction results. Then, genetic algorithm (GA) was used to determine the optimal cutting parameters achieving minimum surface roughness in micro-milling Inconel 718 process. All experiments show that the optimised results agree well with the test ones.

A simple formula is obtained using the method of statistical fitting for calculating the back scattering coefficient of rain media in millimeter (mm) wave band. Based on this, the influences of attenuation and scattering due to rain on the range and the detection performance of radar are discussed.

In this paper, a surface roughness prediction model of micro-milling Inconel 718 by applying response surface methodology (RSM) is presented. The experiments based on centre composite rotatable design (CCRD) are designed to conduct the experiments. The cutting parameters considered are depth of cut, spindle speed and feed rate. Statistical methods, analysis of variance (ANOVA), are used to analyse the adequacy of the predictive model. The influence of each micro-milling parameter on surface roughness is analysed; also the magnitude order of parameters is determined. Depth of cut is found to be the critical influence factor. At last, the parameters interaction on surface roughness of micro-milling Inconel 718 is discussed by graphical means through MATLAB.

In our series of patients with primary aldosteronism, we compared diagnostic concordance and clinical outcomes after adrenalectomy between adrenal venous sampling (AVS) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Our retrospective analysis included 886 patients with primary aldosteronism diagnosed in our hospital between 2005 and 2014. Of them, 269 patients with CT unilateral adrenal disease were included in the analysis on the diagnostic concordance and 126 patients with follow-up data in the analysis on clinical outcomes after adrenalectomy. Hypertension was considered cured if systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) was controlled (

Considering Windows operating system has advantages such as good cross-platform-ability, supporting the network and multimedia, low request of hardware and its real-time function can be achieved by its kernel or establishing real-time system in the non real-time kernel, this paper selects Windows2000 to be the platform and utilizes Visual C++6.0 as the program language to realize the complete software type copying manufacturing CNC system. The function modules of the system are discussed. The function of parallel processing with time-sharing mode is achieved by distributing tasks with different real-time request to different threads. Through operation test, the designed complete software type copying manufacturing CNC system achieved the design requirements.

A function module composition for copying manufacturing oriented complete software type CNC system is proposed through analyzing basic features and present research technologies of digital copying manufacturing control system. Based on the hardware platform of IPC, a complete software type digital copying CNC system is designed. Components selection and control principles of the control system's hardware platform are introduced, among them the design and connection of the hardware platform's control circuit, the link between the system and its servo driver and the link connected the system with a profiling probe and a handheld pulse generator are described in detail. Design ideas of development process and key technology are given as well. Finally, a bicycle saddle model intersection's self-learning control process is simulated with Matlab. Simulation results demonstrate the workability and the effectiveness of the hardware circuit.

During any biopsy procedure, the targeted lesion is frequently displaced from its original position after trocar or needle insertion. To confirm the location of the lesion before tissue sampling, an additional confirmation scan is often obtained to view and adjust the needle position. For Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) guided localization procedures, a low activity radioactive line source is used to confirm the biopsy device position relative to the targeted lesion. However the typical time for a confirmation scan of 5 minutes makes real-time adjustments infeasible. We have developed a method to view PEM images in nearly real-time so as to visualize lesion displacement within 30 seconds. Phantom and patient data were collected on a high-resolution, small-organ, PET scanner (PEM Flex, Naviscan Inc., San Diego, USA). The real-time display is realized by showing only one imaging plane and calculating the intersection point of each line of response (LOR) through a plane where the lesion was targeted. A variety of refresh and persistence times from 2 to 30 seconds were evaluated. In a phantom study the point source and line source movements were successfully visualized in real-time with a refresh time of two seconds and a persistence time of 10 to 15 seconds. Simulation based on real clinical data shows that the localization of lesions can be obtained almost real-time and even relatively faint lesions with a lesion to background ratio of 2:1 can be localized in 10 seconds.

The increasing competition in market and particular demand of customer bring the unprecedented challenges to small and medium-sized enterprises. In order to adapt to the new circumstances, the enterprises should take full advantage of the vast network resources to enhance their productivity. A multi-agent-based network manufacturing ASP (Application Service Provider) platform has so many advantages on resources, efficiency and cost, so it is an important way to promote the informationization of small and medium-sized enterprises. A detailed working flowchart model based on MAS (Multi-Agent System) theory is established in the paper. The resource management subsystem of the network manufacturing ASP system is based on multi-agent. Agents have been divided and formally described and the internal structure, the behavior method, the active flow, the communication language as well as the management pattern of the agent has been studied. Each agent can communicate and collaborate with the others, so that the system exhibits certain intelligence in resource choice and decision-making. The purpose of the research is to offer a feasible pathway for information industry constructing of Chinese manufacturing enterprises.

Nowadays, there are urgent demands of micro structure/parts which have high strength in high temperature environment in the fields such as aerospace, energy, power, bio-medical, etc. Nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718 is the suitable material for manufacturing the kind of micro parts. Micro-milling can be applied to manufacture Inconel 718 micro components. Different processing conditions lead to different residual stress on workpiece surface, which has a significant effect on reliability and working life of product. To study the residual stress problem in micro-milling of Inconel 718, the investigation of micro-milling Inconel 718 process was implemented based on ABAQUS simulation. The model based on the input of cutting parameters and the output of surface residual stress was developed. At last, the experiments of micro-milling Inconel 718 were conducted to verify the validity of model. The work offers reference for selecting cutting parameters in micro-milling of Inconel 718.

In order to offer better support for the rapid product development of manufacturing enterprises, a networked manufacturing system for ASP (application service provider) is researched and developed. As one of the most important component of the system, collaborative design system should be an open system and has its characteristics. This paper applies the MAS (multi-agent system) technologies to construct the DBMS (database management system) of the system. Utilize UML (Unified Modeling Language) use case diagram to denote the function of the system. As collaborative design process is synergic and repetitive, its model should have the abilities to express the hierarchy and collaboration of the system. Hierarchy color Petri nets (CPN) is proposed to denote the collaborative design system. These new models built based on theories and techniques described above have exerted great guidance to the construction of the system named DLUTASP. Application cases indicate that the collaborative design system is advantageous to quicken the step of development of a new product.

The adrenal gland may give rise to pheochromocytomas, which are catecholamine-producing tumors originating from the adrenal medulla, or to adrenocortical tumors, which derive from the adrenocortical cortex and may be secreting or not. The genetic mechanisms underlying the formation of these tumors include somatic mutations in susceptibility genes, especially in the familial forms, and allelic loss, especially in chromosome 1. The aim of this study was to investigate a third genetic mechanism by evaluating microsatellite instability using the reference markers (Bat25, Bat26, D2S123, D5S346, D17S250) validated by the National Cancer Institute. Microsatellite loci were analyzed in 32 benign tumors, including 11 pheochromocytomas and 21 adrenocortical tumors, in patients with and without familial syndrome. The different alleles of microsatellite loci were reliably detected by DNA fragments analysis, whereas data obtained after melting-point analysis on the Lightcycler were inconsistent. No microsatellite instability was detected in any tumor. One patient with a unilateral pheochromocytoma showed a loss of heterozygosity for D17S250. A second patient with a MEN-2A syndrome and a two-sided pheochromocytoma exhibited a loss of heterozygosity for D2S123 in the right tumor only and a retention of heterozygosity for all markers in the left tumor. These results suggest that microsatellite instability, evaluated by the five reference markers of the National Cancer Institute, is not a feature of benign adrenal tumors.

Expatiate the concept and design process of Lean Production (LP) cylinder liner product line through implementing LP concept and technologies in rework on cylinder liner production line. A reconstructive scheme-U-shaped Production line was contrived based on the technologies of facilities layout, work study and efficiency analysis, industrial system diagnose. Optimization algorithms and procedure are developed to solve the U-shaped line balancing problem. According to the rework scheme and optimization procedure, the standard operation regulations were constituted. The implementation of the standard operation regulations has reduced the product cycle, decreased the worker number, eliminated the waste and increased the productivity efficiency. The research can offer reference for the construction and balancing research of the similar production line.

The paper mainly studied an open architecture control system for micro milling machine, including hardware construction and the software development of the control system. Taking programmable multi-axis controller (PMAC) as movement controller, together with industrial computer, high-speed spindle, precision feeding stage, etc., constitute the hardware of the control system for the micro milling machine. The software on the platform of windows was developed using Microsoft Visual C (VC). After the measurement of operation precision for the numerical control system, experiments of milling micro component have been carried out. The experimental results demonstrate the overall performance of the control system designed for the micro milling machine.