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A speed tracking control scheme is proposed for freight trains in this paper. This speed tracking scheme approach can prevent the wheel from slipping while controlling the traction motor to drive freight trains at an appropriate speed. Direct Torque Control (DTC) used by the HXD1 electric traction locomotive is applied in this strategy to control the asynchronous motor. Velocity tracking control is implemented by a Predictive Auto Disturbance Rejection Control (PADRC). Through an modified Smith estimator, this PADRC can predict the response of time-delay systems. In addition, an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) observer is designed. An adaptive parameter adjustment mechanism implemented by Affinity Propagation-Fuzzy Neural Network (AP-FNN) is also integrated into this observer. It is used to solve the problem that is difficult to measure the radial velocity and creep rate accurately. Using the anti-slip parameters obtained by this observer, the control scheme of anti-skid control is determined. Under wet and dry pavement conditions, an actual speed curve of a freight train is used to simulate and verify the effectiveness of this scheme.

BackgroundAcrylamide is a common environmental volatile organic compound that humans are frequently exposed to in their daily lives. However, whether exposure to acrylamide is associated with long-term survival in patients with hyperglycemia remains largely unknown.Methods and ResultsA total of 3,601 hyperglycemic people were recruited in this study, including 1,247 people with diabetes and 2,354 people with pre-diabetes, who enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (2003–2004, 2005–2006, and 2013–2014). The acrylamide exposure was measured by the serum hemoglobin adduct of acrylamide (HbAA) and glycidamide (HbGA), and the ratio of HbAA and HbGA (HbAA/HbGA) was calculated, which were all categorized into quintiles. The National Death Index was used to identify the participants' death information until 2015. Cox proportional hazards (CPHs) regression models were performed to examine the survival relationship between these biomarkers and mortality. During the 28,652 person-year follow-up, 268 deaths due to the cardiovascular disease (CVD) were documented. After adjustment for multiple confounders, compared with participants in the lowest quintile of HbAA/HbGA, the participants in the highest quintile were more likely to die due to CVD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.09–2.39) and all-cause (HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.25–2.01). Moreover, subgroup analysis showed that the highest quintile of HbAA/HbGA in the people with diabetes or pre-diabetes was related to mortalities risk of CVD (HRdiabetes = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.11–3.31; HRpre−diabetes = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.01–3.14) and all-cause mortality (HRdiabetes = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.27–2.58; HRpre−diabetes = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.14–2.20). Additionally, no significant association between the levels of HbAA or HbGA and CVD mortality was observed among people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.ConclusionHigher levels of HbAA/HbGA are associated with greater mortalities of CVD and all-cause among hyperglycemic people.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has great potential for application in the treatment of cartilage defects. However, the preparation of biocompatible and stable bioinks is still a major challenge. In this study, decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) of soft tissue was used as the basic material to prepare the bioink. Our results showed that this novel dECM-derived bioink had good printing performance and comprised a large number of fine nanofibers. Biological characterization revealed that the bioink was compatible with the growth of chondrocytes and that the nanofibrous structure greatly promoted cell proliferation. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed that the in vitro printed cartilage displayed the presence of characteristic cartilage lacunae. Thus, a new preparation method for dECM-derived bioink with potential application in generation of cartilage was developed in this study.

In our case, 3D printing was used to fabricate a custom-made titanium alloy total talar prosthesis as a mirror image of the contralateral healthy talus for a 16-year-old girl who underwent right talar resection for a recurrent giant cell tumour (GCT) of the talus. A porous surface was used over the neck and tail of the talus prosthesis to promote soft tissue attachment and improve the stability of the prosthesis. Pre-drilled medial and lateral holes were prepared for ligament repair and attachment. Eighteen months after the operation, there was no tumour recurrence, and the patient walked without symptoms. The Musculoskeletal Tumour Society score was 22/30, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 88/100, and the prosthesis was well positioned on radiographs. The short- and medium-term outcomes indicated that 3D-printed modular talar prostheses could be an effective treatment option.

Reconstruction of severe bone defects in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a challenge for orthopaedists. The progression of medical imaging and additive manufacturing technology has enabled the rapid manufacture of custom-made implants, and 3D-printed augments with interconnected pore structures have become an alternative approach for the reconstruction of bone defects in revision TKA, especially in patients with complex bone defects. The size and location of the bone defect were determined by thin-layer computed tomography (CT; layer thickness is 1 mm) after reduction of artifacts. The 3D reconstruction models of the host bone were obtained based on thin-layer CT imaging. The custom-made augmentation was designed according to the 3D reconstruction bone model. The augmentation had an interconnected porous structure on the bone-implant interface to achieve biological fixation. After the design was complete, the 3D model of augment was exported in STL format, and augments were fabricated with Ti6Al4V powder using electron beam melting. Thin-layer CT and 3D reconstruction bone models are accurate methods for evaluating periprosthetic bone loss after artifact reduction. The 3D-printed augments perfectly match the bone defects during surgery. 3D-printed augmentation is an effective approach for the reconstruction of bone defects in revision TKA. Thus, surgeons and engineers should carefully evaluate the bone defect during augment design to avoid a mismatch between the augment and host bone.

A schwannoma is a relatively common benign spinal cord tumour; however, giant schwannomas with extensive cervical vertebral erosion are rare, and the treatment strategy, especially the reconstruction of the upper cervical vertebra, remains a challenge for spine surgeons. Here, we present a rare case of giant invasive high-cervical schwannoma with extensive erosion of the C2—C4 vertebral bodies and tumour-encased left vertebral artery. The surgical strategy and the reconstruction of C2—C4 with 3D printing techniques were discussed and performed. A 32-year-old man presented to our department with complaints of gait disturbance and weakness in both upper and lower extremities. His limb muscle strength was grade 2 or 3/5, and he exhibited severe bladder and bowel dysfunction on admission. X-ray and computed tomography of the cervical spine showed an extremely large erosive lesion at the C2—C4 vertebral bodies and lateral masses. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed a large soft-tissue mass on the left aspect of the C2—C5 vertebra and in the spinal canal at the C3—C4 level. A staged schwannoma resection, instrumented fixation, and reconstruction of C2—C4 with 3D metal printing technique were performed. The patient achieved good postoperative outcomes and returned to normal daily life with no recurrence of schwannoma during follow-up for four and a half years. The 3D-printed implant achieved solid fusion with the remaining cervical spine. We performed staged resection of the giant invasive high-cervical schwannoma and reconstructed the erosive C2—C4 vertebra with the assistance of a 3D printing technique. 3D printing technology has facilitated the design and manufacture of customised implants for complex surgical procedures.

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is being used increasingly in tissue engineering. However, the printing accuracy remains limited, making it difficult to prepare a tissue engineering scaffold with high precision and high porosity. Melt electrowriting (MEW) technology is based on extrusion printing, in which an extruded material is pulled by the action of an electric field, thereby reducing the fiber diameter and improving the printing accuracy. However, MEW technology imposes high requirements on the material properties, and therefore, few printing materials are currently available for use in this process. The present study investigates the characteristics and molding conditions of polycaprolactone, a commonly used printing material, as well as other materials such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/polyethylene oxide, gelatin methacrylate, and hyaluronic acid methacrylate for MEW applications, and develops new and suitable inks for MEW that will provide more and better choices for constructing a bioactive scaffold in future tissue engineering research. Experiments suggest that a printing ink should have low electrical conductivity, suitable viscosity, and high curing speed for realizing successful printing.

BACKGROUND A porous Ti6Al4V implant that is manufactured using selective laser melting (SLM) has broad potential applications in the field of orthopaedic implants. The pore structure of the SLM porous Ti6Al4V implant allows for cell migration and osteogenic differentiation, which is favorable for bone ingrowth and osseointegration. However, it is unclear whether the pore structure and partially melted Ti6Al4V particles on a SLM porous Ti6Al4V implant will increase bacterial adhesion and, perhaps, the risk of implant-related infection. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES (1) Is there more bacterial adhesion and colonization on SLM porous Ti6Al4V implants than on polished orthopaedic implants? (2) Do partially melted Ti6Al4V particles on SLM porous Ti6Al4V implants reduce human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) adhesion, viability, and activity? METHODS To determine bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, we incubated five different Ti6Al4V discs (polished, grit-blasted, plasma-sprayed, particle SLM porous, and nonparticle SLM porous discs) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli. Bacterial coverage on the surface of the five different Ti6Al4V discs were evaluated based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images quantitatively. In addition, a spread-plate method was used to quantitatively evaluate the bacterial adhesion on those implants. The biofilm formation was stained with crystal violet and semi-quantitatively determined with a microplate reader. The morphology and adhesion of hBMSCs on the five Ti6Al4V discs were observed with SEM. The cell viability was quantitatively evaluated with a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. In addition, the osteogenic activity was determined in vitro with a quantitatively alkaline phosphatase activity assay and alizarin-red staining. For semiquantitative analysis, the alizarin-red stained mineralized nodules were dissolved and determined with a microplate reader. RESULTS The polished discs had the lowest MRSA adhesion (8.3% ± 2.6%) compared with grit-blasted (19.1% ± 3.9%; p = 0.006), plasma-sprayed (38.5% ± 5.3%; p < 0.001), particle (23.1% ± 2.8%; p < 0.001), and nonparticle discs (15.7% ± 2.5%; p = 0.003). Additionally, when comparing the two SLM discs, we found that particle discs had higher bacterial coverage than nonparticle discs (23.1% ± 2.8% versus 15.7% ± 2.5%; p = 0.020). An E. coli analysis showed similar results, with the higher adhesion to particle SLM discs than to nonparticle discs (20.7% ± 4.2% versus 14.4% ± 3.6%; p = 0.011). In addition, on particle SLM porous discs, bacterial colonies were localized around the partially melted Ti6Al4V particles, based on SEM images. After a 7-day incubation period, the cell viability in the particle group (optical density value 0.72 ± 0.05) was lower than that in the nonparticle groups (optical density value: 0.87 ± 0.08; p = 0.003). Alkaline phosphatase activity, as a marker of osteogenic differentiation, was lower in the particle group than in the nonparticle group (1.32 ± 0.12 U/mL versus 1.58 ± 0.09 U/mL; p = 0.012). CONCLUSION Higher bacterial adhesion was observed on SLM porous discs than on polished discs. The partially melted Ti6Al4V particles on SLM porous discs not only enhanced bacterial adhesion but also inhibited the osteogenic activity of hBMSCs. Postprocessing treatment is necessary to remove partially melted Ti6Al4V particles on an SLM implant before further use. Additional studies are needed to determine whether an SLM porous Ti6Al4V implant increases the risk of implant-related infection in vivo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE As implants with porous Ti6Al4V made using SLM are being designed, our preliminary findings suggest that postprocessing treatment is needed to remove partially melted Ti6Al4V particles before further use. In addition, the depth of the porous structure of the SLM implant should not exceed the maximum depth of bone ingrowth because the host immune defense cannot prevent bacterial adhesion without integration.

Additional file 6 Supplementary Table 6: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality by adjusting the minerals intake score instead of individual mineral intake.

Additional file 2 Supplementary Table 2: Multivariate adjusted HRs of the total dietary minerals intake with cancer and all-cause mortality

Additional file 1 Supplementary Table 1: The distribution of minerals in each meal. The data in the table is expressed as the mean× 100% (the standard deviation × 100%).

Additional file 3 Supplementary Table 3: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality with additionally adjusted for breakfast skipping.

Additional file 4 Supplementary Table 4: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality with additionally excluding those having mineral supplements.

Additional file 5 Supplementary Table 5: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality with additionally excluding those who died within two years of follow-up.

Additional file 6 Supplementary Table 6: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality by adjusting the minerals intake score instead of individual mineral intake.

Additional file 3 Supplementary Table 3: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality with additionally adjusted for breakfast skipping.

Additional file 7 Supplementary Table 7: The food sources of the minerals. The data in the table are expressed as median (minimum, maximum).

Additional file 5 Supplementary Table 5: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality with additionally excluding those who died within two years of follow-up.

Additional file 4 Supplementary Table 4: Adjusted HRs for the differences in minerals intake between dinner and breakfast and cancer and all-cause mortality with additionally excluding those having mineral supplements.

Background Total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prosthesis is an effective and reliable method of joint reconstruction. However, there is still an urgent need to design a new TMJ prosthesis because of no commercially available TMJ prosthesis appropriate for the clinical application on the Chinese population. This study was introduced to prospectively confirm the safety and effectiveness of a new TMJ prosthesis with customized design and 3D printing additive fabrication in clinical application. Methods Patients with unilateral end-stage TMJ osteoarthrosis were recruited in this study from Nov 2016 to Mar 2017. Computed tomography scans for all patients were obtained and transformed into three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction models. The customized TMJ prosthesis consisted of three components including the fossa, condylar head, and mandibular handle units, which were designed based on the anatomy of the TMJ and were fabricated using the 3D printing technology. The prominent characters of the prosthesis were the customized design of the fossa component with a single ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and the connection mechanism between the condylar head (Co–Cr–Mo alloy) and mandibular handle components (Ti6Al4 V alloy). The clinical follow-up, radiographic evaluation and laboratory indices were all done to analyze the prosthesis’ outcomes in the clinical application. Results 12 consecutive patients were included in the study. There were no complications (infection of the surgical wound, damage of liver and kidney, displacement, breakage, or loosening of the prosthesis) found after surgery. Pain, diet, mandibular function, and maximal interincisal opening showed significant improvements after surgery. But the lateral movement was limited to the non-operated side and the mandible deviated towards the operated side on opening mouth following surgery. Conclusions The presented TMJ prosthesis is considered an innovative product in TMJ Yang’s system, which is unique compared to other prostheses for the special design and 3D printing additive manufacture. Moreover, the prosthesis is very safe and efficient for clinical use. Trial registration Prospective reports on Chinese customized total temporomandibular joint prosthesis reconstruction cases, ChiCTR-ONC-16009712. Registered 22 Nov 2016, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=16091

Surface volcanics are well developed in the north of Hainan Island, China, and their bottoms are fluctuant. Because of weathering and denudation, it is difficult to well understand the distribution of surface volcanics by only using finite uphole data. So the source depth optimization becomes one of key problems of the upcoming high precision 3-D seismic survey. The solution is to improve the precision of surface volcanics investigation. This paper illustrates that the distribution of volcanics and their bottom depth are defined with joint interpretation of TEM, magnetic and upohole data, and then the optimization of source depth design is conducted, which guarantees better excitation effect and reduces exploration cost.

In the RNA gene finding area, the covariance model, a probabilistic model based on context-free grammar, provides excellent accuracy. However, high computational complexity has limited its usefulness. This research improves the covariance model's search efficiency by building combined models for a group of different RNA families, which is selected using a hierarchical clustering strategy. Two approaches for building combined models are proposed and implemented. The first approach uses a greedy algorithm to select base pairs from each original family's secondary structure to form a new structure from which a combined covariance model is then built. The second approach constructs a series of combined partial covariance models which are built from the stem loop structural elements and are less complicated than complete models. Experimental results suggest that for most RNA gene families investigated, our combination search method successfully provides run time improvement with acceptable accuracy. Although there still exist limitations such as recall loss for a few RNA gene families, this novel combination approach has implications for future studies of reducing covariance model's search complexity.