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AbstractWe investigated the effect of anterior disc displacement without osteoarthritis (ADDwoOA) on the morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) utilizing three-dimensional (3D) models of 23 asymptomatic individuals and 30 ADDwoOA patients. Statistical analyses between the groups were performed by measuring 10 morphological parameters. ADDwoOA patients showed significantly decreased levels of the sagittal ramus angle (SRA) and joint spaces compared with asymptomatic subjects. Moreover, the patients who had recovered exhibited normal joint spaces levels. Consequently, ADDwoOA caused the condyles to move backward and upward, approaching the articular fossa. Joint spaces can serve as an important observation during the treatment of ADD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Demethylzeylasteral (T-96), a new extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, exerted immunomodulatory properties in autoimmune diseases, but its effect on airway inflammatory diseases remains unclear. Our study aims to explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of T-96 in allergic asthma. Methods: The OVA-induced asthmatic mice were administered by gavage with T-96 (0.1 mg/10 g, 0.3 mg/10 g, or 0.6 mg/10 g) 1 h before each challenge. The airway hyperresponsiveness was assessed, pathological changes were evaluated by HE and PAS staining, and expressions of Th2 cytokines were determined by PCR and ELISA. The activation of MAPK/ERK and NF-κB pathway was assessed by western blot. Results: T-96 significantly relieved airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice, evidenced by reduced airway resistance (Raw) and increased lung compliance dynamic compliance (Cdyn). Also, enhanced inflammatory infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were ameliorated in lungs of asthmatic mice following increasing doses of T-96 treatment, accompanied by decreased eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), IgE and OVA-specific IgE levels in serum, and downregulated IL-5 and IL-13 expressions in BALF and lung tissues as well. Notably, phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK, ERK, and p65 NF-κB were obviously increased in asthmatic mice compared with the control group, which were then abrogated upon T-96 treatment. Conclusion: This study first revealed that T-96 alleviated allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness via inhibiting MAPK/ERK and NF-κB pathway. Thus, T-96 could potentially act as a new anti-inflammatory agent in allergic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the dummy high-speed airdrop test is to evaluate the maximum overload on the human body during the process of opening the parachute. Due to the poor repeatability and high cost of the test, it is necessary to establish a calculation model to provide theoretical basis for the system design. Based on impulse theorem, the maximum dummy overload calculation model is established to calculate the maximum dummy overlord quickly under a certain airdrop condition. The typical high-speed airdrop system is selected as the instance to conduct the system simulation based on multi-body dynamics. The key parameters of the calculation model are determined by simulation results, and the mathematical expressions of the maximum dummy overlord calculation model are given. The results show that the calculation model can quickly and effectively determine the maximum dummy overlord, evaluate the safety of the life-saving parachute system, and has high engineering application value.

This paper demonstrates a high-performance optical-code-division-multiple-access (O-CDMA) network testbed using the spectral phase encoded time spreading (SPECTS) method. Through additional time and polarization multiplexing, a total of 32 10-Gb/s users are supported while sharing eight O-CDMA spreading codes. User detection is achieved with time gating and nonlinear thresholding to suppress the multiaccess interference of other users. Incorporation of forward error correction successfully reduces the performance loss imposed by coherent beat interference, resulting in error-free performance (BER

A parafoil is a crucial aerodynamic deceleration device used in the field of airdrop. The overall objective of this paper is to study the aerodynamic characteristics of the curving process of the canopy using the lattice Boltzmann method, to verify it with the experimental results, and to analyze the stalling phenomenon using the finite volume method(FVM). Simulations were conducted to analyze the aerodynamic curves of four−stage models of canopies, examining the flow field characteristics. Additionally, the influence of air chamber structures is also analyzed. The reasons for differences in the aerodynamic characteristics are discussed based on the results obtained. The reliability of utilizing the lattice Boltzmann method for aerodynamic simulations is demonstrated. Overall, the lift coefficient of models II/III/IV was increased by 30.97% compared with model I, which proved the effectiveness of the air chamber structure and curving process. Notably, different curved canopies showed significantly improved lift and drag aerodynamic characteristics to varying extents, highlighting their robustness. Also, it was observed that air chamber partitions exerted a greater influence compared to perforation. Through validation and analysis, it was determined the accuracy of the LBM improved up to 10.9% with respect to the FVM. These findings provide a valuable reference for parafoil experiments and simulation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter presents a high-capacity optical code-division multiple-access (O-CDMA) network testbed based on the spectral phase-encoded time-spreading technique. Two 10-Gb/s/user O-CDMA network architectures (time-slotted and time-slotted polarization multiplexed) are investigated. The first O-CDMA network testbed architecture utilizes eight encoders and a decoder to produce 16 users equally distributed in two time slots while the second architecture evenly distributes 32 users in two time slots and two polarizations. The 16-user testbed achieved error-free performance. The 32-user testbed obtained bit-error rates below 10(-8) without using forward-error-correction techniques.

Error-free operation of a 12 x 10 Gbit/s synchronous, time-slotted spectral phase-encoded time-spreading optical code division multiple access (O-CDMA) network testbed without using forward-error-correction (FEC) is demonstrated. A nonlinear optical loop mirror time gate and nonlinear thresholding minimise multiuser interference.

In order to ensure the health and safety of female astronauts in space, the risks of space radiation should be evaluated, and effective methods for protecting against space radiation should be investigated. In this paper, a dose calculation model is established for Chinese female astronauts. The absorbed doses of some organs in two historical solar particle events are calculated using Monte Carlo methods, and the shielding conditions are 0 gcm-2 and 5 gcm-2 aluminum, respectively. The calculated results are analysed, compared, and discussed. The results show that 5 gcm-2 aluminum cannot afford enough effective protection in solar particle events. Hence, once encountering solar particle events in manned spaceflight missions, in order to ensure the health and safety of female astronauts, they are not allowed to stay in the pressure vessel, and must enter into the thicker shielding location such as food and water storage cabin.

The application of the Kane equation in analyzing airdrop dynamics problems is rare. The main objective of this paper is to apply the Kane equation dynamics model to the analysis of the status continuity problem during the out-of-cabin process and the line sail phenomenon during the extra-vehicular process. In the out-of-cabin process, an analysis of off-aircraft security and traction ratio impact was conducted. Furthermore, the BP neural network model was trained to predict the status transition of the payload for a multiple airdrop mission. In the extra-vehicular process, the spring network method was used together with the Kane equation to analyze the form and overload of the parachute line. The modeling avoids complex equations and derivations. The results suggest significant potential applications of the Kane equation in precision airdrop missions during out-of-cabin and extra-vehicular processes without heavy reliance on experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]