Search

The main purpose of this article is to investigate the bursting oscillations of the medical shaking tables resulted from friction in practical application. Using the theoretical method of linear loading, the analytic expression of friction acting on an eccentric turntable is derived in detail. Besides, through numerical simulation, the decisive role of friction in bursting oscillations is verified. On this basis, several practical operation plans are proposed to eliminate harmful vibrations. Last but not least, the effectiveness of theoretical methods is validated through example calculations in cases with special parameters.

Follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells are the regulatory T cell subset mainly localized in the germinal center (GC), acting as modulators of GC responses. They can disrupt Tfh cell- and B cell-linked recognition, induce Tfh apoptosis, and suppress B cell function. Evidences show that dysregulated Tfr cells are associated with the disease activity index and serum autoantibody levels, influencing the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This review focuses on the interaction among Tfr, Tfh, and B cells, summarizes the characterization and function of Tfr cells, concludes the imbalance of CD4+T subsets in SLE, and presents potential therapies for SLE. In general, we discuss the roles of Tfr cells in the progress of SLE and provide potential treatments.

Hereditary hearing loss is one of the most common sensory disabilities worldwide. Mutation of POU domain class 4 transcription factor 3 (POU4F3) is considered the pathogenic cause of autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss (ADNSHL), designated as autosomal dominant nonsyndromic deafness 15. In this study, four novel variants in POU4F3, c.696G>T (p.Glu232Asp), c.325C>T (p.His109Tyr), c.635T>C (p.Leu212Pro), and c.183delG (p.Ala62Argfs∗22), were identified in four different Chinese families with ADNSHL by targeted next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, c.183delG (p.Ala62Argfs∗22) is classified as a pathogenic variant, c.696G>T (p.Glu232Asp) and c.635T>C (p.Leu212Pro) are classified as likely pathogenic variants, and c.325C>T (p.His109Tyr) is classified as a variant of uncertain significance. Based on previous reports and the results of this study, we speculated that POU4F3 pathogenic variants are significant contributors to ADNSHL in the East Asian population. Therefore, screening of POU4F3 should be a routine examination for the diagnosis of hereditary hearing loss.

A mud-water balance shield is the preferred method for the high permeability and high water pressure stratum, but when restricted by construction and environmental conditions, the shield must be constructed with the earth pressure balance shield (EPBS). The risk of slag spraying is extremely high during construction, and this often results in great hidden dangers that threaten workers’ safety during the construction of the tunnel. Slag improvement is an effective measure to prevent slag spraying, and the relevant research is bringing more and more attention to this activity. Based on the background for the tunnel project of Shangteng-Dadao Section of the No. 1 line for Fuzhou Rail Transit, ratio method is proposed for the combined application of sodium bentonite-carboxymethyl cellulose-polyacrylamide adopted by laboratory test focusing on the challenge of residual soil spraying for earth pressure balance shield under the stratum with high water pressure and high permeability; consequently, the best improvement program is suggested for the construction using earth pressure balance shield on this typical kind of stratum, which can be briefly described as the respective mixing of 2.5% and 0.5% accounting for the sand volume by swelling soil with a concentration of 10%, sodium bentonite-CMC mixed mud with a concentration of 5%, and polyacrylamide solution with a concentration ranging from 3% to 4%; furthermore, the results for the field application are random inspected.

Special vehicles named flat transporters are used to deliver heavy ship assembly blocks in shipyards. Because each movement of assembly blocks among workshops needs transporters and the transportations are time-consuming, the scheduling of transporters is important for maintaining the overall production schedule of assembly blocks. This paper considers an optimization transporter scheduling problem for assembly blocks. The objective is to minimize logistics time, which includes empty travel time of transporters and waiting time and delay time of block tasks. Considering time windows of ship blocks, carrying capacity of transporters, and precedence relationships of tasks, a mathematical model is proposed. A hybrid topological graph is used to denote precedence and cooperating relationships of tasks. A metaheuristic algorithm based on the hybrid topological graph and genetic algorithm and Tabu search is proposed. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated by comparing the algorithm to optimal result in small-sized instances and several strategies in large-sized instances. The results showed the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Rotor rub-impact has a great influence on the stability and safety of a rotating machine. This study develops a dynamic model of a two-span rotor-bearing system with rubbing faults, and numerical simulation is carried out. Moreover, frictional screws are used to simulate a rubbing state by establishing a set of experimental devices that can simulate rotor-stator friction in the rotor system. Through the experimental platform and its analysis system, the rubbing experiment was conducted, and the vibration of the rotor-bearing system before and after the critical speed is observed. Rotors running under normal condition, local slight rubbing, and severe rubbing throughout the entire cycle are simulated. Dynamic trajectories, frequency spectrum diagrams, chart of axis track, and Poincare maps are used to analyze the features of the rotor-bearing system with rub-impact faults under various parameters. The vibration characteristics of rub impact are obtained. Results show that the dynamic characteristics of the rotor-bearing system are affected by the change in velocity and degree of impact friction. The findings are helpful in further understanding the dynamic characteristics of the rub-impact fault of the two-span rotor-bearing system and provide reference for fault diagnosis.

Majocchi’s granuloma (MG) is an unusual but not rare dermatophyte infection of dermal and subcutaneous tissues. Dermatophytes usually result in the infections of hair, epidermis, and nail, and are rarely involved in deep cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues. Now it is considered that MG includes two forms: one is a small perifollicular papular form and the other is a deep subcutaneous nodular form; the front one mainly occurs in healthy individuals and the latter one usually presents in immunocompromised hosts. The clinical manifestations of MG are many and varied, except the common presentations of erythema, papule and nodules, and Kaposi sarcoma-like and molluscum-like lesions have been reported in literatures (Kim et al. (2011), Bord et al. (2007), and Lillis et al. (2010)). This characteristic induces the difficulty of diagnosis, and thus it is so important and necessary to make direct microscopical and histological examinations. We describe a case of MG over the face in a patient who had been treated with topical corticosteroids over a long time.

The application of perfluorocarbon liquids has been well acclaimed in vitreoretinal surgery. Its unique physical properties make it an ideal intraoperative tool to improve the efficiency and safety of surgical procedures in complicated cases. The main functions of perfluorocarbon liquids in vitreoretinal surgery include relocating and fixing the detached retina, displacing the subretinal and subchoroidal to fluid anteriorly, revealing proliferative vitreous retinopathy (PVR) for further maneuvers, protecting the macula from exposure to chemicals with potential toxicity, and assisting the removal of foreign body. The related clinical applications include retinal detachment with severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy, giant tear, diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and posterior dislocated crystalline and intraocular lenses. The application of perfluorocarbon liquids has been expended over the past fewer years. Several PFCLs related ocular inflammations have been observed in in vitro studies, animal studies, and clinical follow-up. The complete removal of PFCLs is recommended at the end of the surgery in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 9-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the impact of dietary lipid sources on the lipid mechanisms of large yellow croaker by feeding three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SO) and beef tallow (BT) respectively. The effects of the diets on the growth performance, somatic indices, tissue fatty acid composition, histological changes and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ expression were evaluated. Experimental diets were all well accepted by fish and no significant ( P>0.05) differences were found in the weight gain, growth rate and feed conversion rate. The fatty acid profile of the fish fillet and liver reflected the fatty acid composition of the diets. Specific-fatty acids were selectively retained, however, in the flesh of the fish; in particular, docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid concentrations were higher than the dietary concentrations. When FO was replaced by SO or BT diets, the reduction in eicosapontaenoic acid in fish tissue was more pronounced, suggesting a preferred utilization of this fatty acid. The consumption of SO displayed intense lipid accumulation in the liver of the fish. The expression of PPARγ increased significantly in the SO group compared with the FO and BT groups ( P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blueberry flowers were rich in polyphenols and eight essential amino acids. They were used to prepare blueberry flowers yogurt (BFY) with milk and probiotics. The effects of blueberry flower pulp on sensory and physicochemical properties, lactic acid bacteria, and antioxidant of set‐type yogurt were evaluated. Results showed that blueberry flower pulp compatible with yogurt well. Syneresis rate of BFY ranged from 20.7% to 23.9%, and viscosity ranged from 2.5 to 3.8 pa.s. Blueberry flower pulp reduced the rate of syneresis at different degrees and significantly improved the viscosity of yogurt. It could also promote the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus thermophilus, and the production of amino acids. During the 29 days' refrigerated storage, the total number of probiotics in BFY was more than 1 × 107 cfu/mL. Compared to the control yogurt, IC50 values of BFY scavenging DPPH (21.06–34.05 mg/ml), ABTS (20.12–34.57 mg/ml), and OH radical (19.87–33.99) reduced at varying degrees. The antioxidant activities of BFY were meaningfully enhanced by blueberry flower pulp and relatively stable. Practical applications: In recent years, blueberry flower has been used as a scented tea in China, and it is popular among consumers. In this study, we added 1%–5% of blueberry flower pulp to develop BFY, and its effects on physicochemical properties, probiotics, and antioxidant activity of yogurt were evaluated. Blueberry flower pulp could remarkably improve the quality and antioxidant activities of yogurt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]