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CNC system has improved greatly upon machining precision and speed over the past six decades but remains vendor-proprietary and working in a stand-alone pattern. Open CNC aims to deal with the vend...

Optimizing the intrinsic activity of active sites is an appealing strategy for accelerating the kinetics of the catalytic process. Here, a design principle, namely "dual self-built gating", is proposed to tailor the electronic structures of catalysts. Catalytic improvement is confirmed in a model catalyst with a ReS

The development of open CNC systems is a popular topic in the past three decades. From the perspective of software engineering, most open CNC prototypes are developed based on the component-based software development (CBSD) approach. That is, they are constructed by composing functional or logical components. This paper retrospects the development of CBSD-based open CNC systems. These systems are analyzed from three aspects. For the component granularity aspect, CNC domain analysis and component reusability are discussed. For the component model aspect, component models used in open CNC systems are summarized, illustrated, and discussed. Likewise, for the software architecture aspect, architecture styles are summarized, described, and analyzed. But due to the diversity and platform dependency of component models, there is no widely accepted platform that can collect and execute heterogeneous CNC components. Service is an evolution of components. It makes a traditional component to be platform-independent and supports communication via message. Thus, a service-oriented architecture (SOA)-based universal open CNC platform is an attractive development trend of diverse CBSD-based open CNC systems. And its development is similar to the development of the CBSD-based system, but more complicated because it contains more domain logic. Therefore, this paper provides a technical foundation for developing SOA-based open CNC platform which is a part of novel automation patterns, such as cloud manufacturing and cyber-physical production system.

The CNC interpreter is an important part of CNC systems. It detects errors in NC programs and translates NC programs into internal commands for the followed CNC tasks. There are many vendor-specific NC programming languages. For each language, a corresponding CNC interpreter must be encapsulated in the CNC system. Thus, a universal CNC interpreter is desired. Besides, the CNC interpreter is desired to be scalable that allows users to define new instructions. In this paper, therefore, a universal and scalable CNC interpreter is presented. The interpretation process contains the grammar analysis part and the synthesis part. The grammar analysis is implemented depending on the grammar specification. Thus, as long as the grammar specification for vendor-specific commands or user-defined commands is constructed and configured, the CNC interpreter can interpret them. The synthesis part maps the output of the grammar analysis to machining functions. Specific operations contained in NC programs are implemented by an integrated operation postprocessor to guarantee positions in machining functions are practical cutter location positions. Moreover, the CNC interpreter is error tolerant for specific errors. There is a simulation module encapsulated in the prototype CNC interpreter so that this interpreter can run independently to pre-test NC programs in addition to implementing the interpretation task for a CNC system.

This paper illustrates the direct and indirect effects of democracy on CO2 emissions in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1992 to 2018. In view of the distribution heterogeneity of CO2 emissions, the panel quantile regression model is especially used to explore the nexus among different variables. Furthermore, in order to predict the trends of CO2 emissions in different countries, we also estimate the kernel density function of CO2 emissions in the BRICS countries by the quantile-fitted values. The results indicate that the direct impact of democracy on carbon dioxide emissions is significantly negative and great at high-emission countries. Although the indirect effect of democracy is positive in China and negative in Brazil and South Africa, the total effect of democracy on CO2 emissions remains negative in all BRICS countries. The estimation of kernel density function shows that the distribution of CO2 emissions in each country is gradually concentrated. Moreover, there is an environmental Kuznets curve depicting the linkage of urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in Brazil and South Africa. These findings further highlight that the impact of democracy on high-emission and low-emission countries should be taken into account in policymaking to achieve sustainable developments.

Interleukin (IL)-25, a cytokine of IL-17 family, can activate p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein kinases(MAPK) and Nuclear Factor(NF)-κB pathways to propagate Th2 responses. The allergic rhinitis mouse model was established by stimulating BALB/c mouse with ovalbumin (OVA). Then we detected expression of IL-25 and downstream p38MAPK and NF-κB. The expression of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-κB were detected in the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis mouse model. The allergic parameters, such as allergic symptoms, serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa were compared between OVA group and control group. OVA-induced mice displayed significantly higher allergic responses compared with the saline control group. OVA induced mice demonstrated more allergic symptoms, higher serum OVA-specific IgE levels and eosinophil infiltrations. The increased expression of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-κB immunoreactivity were detected in epidermal cells in the OVA group. The mRNA measurement of IL-25, p38MAPK and NF-κB showed the same result. IL-25 enhances the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis by activating p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

Objective To investigate the referral rate, prevalence and aetiology of neonatal hearing loss. Methods A total of 11,894 infants were screened by two-stage transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing. Those who failed were diagnosed by distortion product otoacoustic emission, 1000 Hz probe tone tympanometry and auditory brainstem response. The results of these tests were analysed by statistical software SPSS16.0. Results The initial referral rate was 17.36%. The rescreening referral rate was 21.29%. The referral rate of initial screening in maternity wards (15.37%) was lower than in neonatal intensive care unit wards (22%) (chi-square [ χ2], P < 0.05). There were 68 cases (106 ears) diagnosed with hearing loss (incidence 0.571%). Of these, 31 cases were conductive, 16 cases were sensorineural, and 21 cases were mixed hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss was 12.92% (38/294) in the bilateral referred group and 5.00% (30/600) in the unilateral referred group. The moderate/severe hearing loss was 33.33% (10/30) and 86.84% (66/76), respectively ( χ2, P < 0.05). The causes of hearing loss included jaundice (24.56%, 14/57), infection (24.56%, 14/57), asphyxia (19.30%, 11/57), low birth weight (17.54%, 10/57) and other factors (14.04%, 8/57). Conclusion Bilateral referrals were more likely to suffer greater degrees of hearing loss than unilateral referrals. Jaundice, infection, asphyxia and low birth weight were the major aetiologies of neonatal hearing loss.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of 226 Hz probe-tone tympanometry in infants with effusion in the middle ear.Fifty-two infants aged 3 to 7 months were recruited as clinical subjects in a hearing-ability screening program. After a spiral computerized tomography (CT) scan, we tested their hearing using tympanometry of 226 Hz probe-tone frequency. We recorded the tympanograms and compared the tympanometric results with CT to get the concordance rate between tympanometry and CT diagnose. The date was analyzed by the statistic software SPSS16.0.One hundred and four ears in 52 patients,CT tests showed normal in 47 middle ears, but middle ear effusion in 57 ears. Among normal 47 ears,24 ears were type "A" (51.06%), 1 ear type "B" (2.13%), 1 ear type "C" (2.13%), 21 ears type "D" (44.68%); among 57 ears with effusion, 44 ears was type "A" (77.19%), 2 ears type "B"(3.51%0), 11 ears type "D" (19. 30%); 226 Hz probe tone tympanograms and CT test results were consistent with lower rate, kappa=0.103.In clinical practice, 226 Hz tympanometry should not be recommended to determine the presence of middle ear fluid or not in infants younger than 7 months.

Two rare cases of benign submucosal pharyngo-oesophageal mesenchymoma are presented in this paper. One patient was treated by tumour removal via a combined thoracic and laterocervical approach and the other by resection through a laterocervical approach. The paper discusses the pathology and diagnosis of benign mesenchymomas. The authors suggest that for large tumours located in the pharynx and extending down the oesophagus without adhesion to the oesophageal wall, the laterocervical approach can avoid complications associated with the thoracic approach. The new technique caused less tissue damage and provided a quicker recovery and shorter hospitalization.

To investigate the expression of IGF-IR and PKC and their clinical significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC).The expression of IGF-IR and PKC protein were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in 60 cases of LSCC, 25 cases of adjacent non-tumorous laryngeal epithelium and 10 cases of normal laryngeal epithelium.The positive rate of IGF-IR and PKC expression in LSCC were significantly higher than that in normal laryngeal epithelium and adjacent non-tumorous laryngeal epithelium (P0.05). IGF-IR positive expression were increased more in cases with stage III-IV, cervical lymph node metastasis and well differentiation than that in cases with stage I-II, non-lymph node metastasis and poor/mediate differentiation, respectively (P0.05). The positive rate of PKC in LSCC were correlated with clinical stage and cervical lymph node metastasis. There was a correlation between the expression of IGF-IR and PKC in LSCC.The overexpression of IGF-IR and PKC in the laryngeal carcinoma may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of LSCC. It is suggested that detecting the expression of IGF-IR and PKC can be used for early diagnosis and treatment of LSCC.

To explore the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in the signal transduction cascade in the expression of interleukin-5 (IL-5) by peripheral blood T lymphocytes from allergic rhinitis.Twenty-five allergic rhinitis patients and twenty-three deflection of nasal septum(DNS) persons in the study. T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from peripheral blood of each person and randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, blank (DNS and AR); group B, PKC excitomotor 12-myristate 13-acetate (DNS PMA and AR PMA); group C , PMA and curcumin (DNS PMA/curcumin and AR PMA/curcumin). ELISA was used to assess the expression of IL-5 in supernatants, and immunocytochemical staining for the activation of AP-1.The percentage of cells of active AP-1, IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated without PMA (P0.01) and with PMA and curcumin (P0.01); than those of deflection of nasal septum T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA (P0.01), with PMA and curcumin (P0.01) and without PMA. The percentage of cells of active AP-1, IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and curcumin were significantly lower than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated with PMA (P0.01); but significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes stimulated without PMA and those of deflection of nasal septum T lymphocytes stimulated. There were good positive correlation between the percentage of cells of active AP-1 and IL-5 protein in supernatants (r = 0.92, P0.01).AP-1 may participate in the signal transduction of PKC-triggered expression of IL-5 in allergic rhinitis T lymphocytes. This suggests the activation of PKC/AP-1 signal transduction cascade of T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

To explore the role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the signal pathway of protein kinase C (PKC) regulating the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) by T lymphocyte in allergic rhinitis.Twenty-four allergic rhinitis patients and 24 normal control persons participated in the study. T lymphocytes were isolated and purified from blood of each person and divided into 3 groups: cells of 1st group were control group(Normal control and AR control),cells of 2nd group were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (Normal PMA and AR PMA),cells of 3rd group were stimulated with PMA and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (Normal PMA/PDTC and AR PMA/PDTC). The expression of NF-kappaB were observed by immunocytochemical staining, IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants were measured by ELISA.The percentage of cells of active NF-kappaB, IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated without PMA ( P0.01) and with PMA and PDTC ( P0.01); than those of normal control T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA ( P0.01), with PMA and PDTC ( P0.01) and without PMA. The percentage of cells of active NF-kappaB, IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA and PDTC were significantly lower than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated with PMA (P0.01); but significantly higher than those of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte stimulated without PMA and those of normal T lymphocyte stimulated. There were good positive correlation between the percentage of cells of active NF-kappaB and IL-4 and IL-5 protein in supernatants (r = 0.88,0.85, P0.01, respectively).The active PKC of allergic rhinitis T lymphocyte increasing the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 may be mediated by activating NF-kappaB, the activation of PKC-NF-kappaB signal pathway of T lymphocyte NF-kappaB may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

To investigate the relation between radiological and clinical diagnosis for Eagle's syndrome and to evaluate the value of plain radiograph (PR) and three-dimensional CT reconstructional image (3-DCT) of styloid process (SP).The length of the 144 SPs from the PR was recorded and the palpation of the SP in tonsillar fossa was carried out in 113 patients with suspective Eagles syndrome. Twenty-three of 113 patients also underwent 3-DCT, so that the length and angulation of the 30 SPs were measured.Seventy-eight of 113 patients (31 men and 47 women) were diagnosed as having Eagles syndrome. The age ranged from 32 to 68 years (average age: Forty-two years). A good agreement between the PR and the palpation was determinated, Kappa coefficient was 0.58. The difference value of the length of 30 SPs between the PR and the 3-DCT was (1.59 +/- 1.32) mm, and there were statistically significant difference of the length (t = 6.64, P0.01) on the length of SP between the PR and the 3-DCT. Positive correlation between the PR and the 3-DCT was found to be statistically significant (r = 0.982 4 +/- 95% confidence interval: 0.9631, 0.9917). The mean of medial angle of SPs was (25.60 +/- 2.56) degrees in patients with positive palpation and (15.42 +/- 2.79) degrees in those with negative palpation, respectively (P0.01) and the mean of anterior angle of SPs was (16.86 +/- 4.83) degrees in patients with positive palpation and (12.71 +/- 3.39) degrees in those with negative palpation, respectively (P0.01). The abnormal medial and anterior angles of unilateral SP without more than 30mm long was also objectively diagnostic of SPS in 8 patients with positive palpation. Four patients, whose elongated SP is too tenuous to be palpated preoperatively, underwent intraoral styloidectomy because of the fact that 3-DCT showed the tip of SPs medial and anterior deflexion.Despite magnifying image, the PR of SP is enough to diagnose Eagle's syndrome for the majority of cases. 3-DCT allows precise measurement of the length and the angulation of SPs, it is the best for the complementary purpose to the PR and to the selection of surgical approach in some cases.

To investigate the role of dendritic cells in the pathogenesis of acute attack of allergic rhinitis in mouse.The adherent precursors of DC were isolated from peripheral blood of allergic rhinitis mouse in acute attack stage and healthy controls. The adherent cells were induced with CpG ODN-1826 to DC in vitro. The expression of the surface molecules CD80, CD86, HLA-DR etc. on the DC was examined by fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS), so the ability of DCs secrete IL-10, IL-12.The results showed that the allergic rhinitis mouse in acute attack stage had remarkably decreased the ability to secret IL-10 compared with normal control subjects (P0.01), while the ability to secret IL-12 remarkably decreased compared with normal control subjects (P0.01); meanwhile, the HLA-DR and co-stimulating factor CD86 expressed by DCs remarkably increased in the allergic rhinitis mouse in acute attack stage compared with the normal control subjects (P0.01).DC possibly plays a vital role in the immunological mechanism of allergic rhinitis by means of inducing the differentiation of Th1/Th2, that is DC may be the key factor in initiating the airway allergic reaction and the possible mechanism may involve interleukins (especially IL-10 and IL-12, etc.) secreted by DCs.

To investigate the immunoregulation of dendritic cells in allergic rhinitis.Adopting the cell culture and the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay to examine the patients' Th1/Th2 in the blood. Observing that how is the DC's function in immunoregulation of allergic rhinitis.The concentration of the IFN-gamma advanced obviously in post-stimulatory supernatant liquid after using the mature DC.The mature dendritic cells can polarize naive T-cells into Th1 effector cells, and are recognized as having a central role in the establishment of T-cell memory and peripheral immune tolerance. DC could be exploited as targets for therapy in asthma and allergic rhinitis.

To explore the peri-operative cure of patients suffered allergic purpura before tonsillectomy.To review the perioperative cure of 7 cases operated on tonsillectomy in retrospect.7 cases didn't bleed during peri-operation and were discharged from hospital after recovery.The operation was arranged in allergic purpura catabasis and the acute inflammation controlled. The patients should avoid to contact all kinds of doubtful predisposition and were administered antihistamin, anti-inflammatory agent, drugs decreasing capillary permeability during peri-operation.

To investigate the roles of IL-18 in the perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR).We measured IL-18 concentration in sera of 30 PAR patients and 20 health control subjects with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The concentration of IL-18 in PAR patients [(424.12 +/- 60. 47) ng/L] was significantly higher compared to health control subjects [(210.71 +/- 57. 37) ng/L](P0.01) and the concentration of L-18 in PAR patients with asthma [(591.19 +/- 46.54) ng/L] was significantly higher than those without asthma [(352.52 +/- 64.25) ng/L](P0.05).The IL-18 is high in PAR patients and the persistence of elevated IL-18 concentration suggests its role in the expression of persistence and exacerbation of allergic inflammation.

To investigate the levels of plasma reactive oxygen species(ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to observe the state of metabolism of free radical in patients with NPC and the effects of them on nasopharyngeal carcinoma.The levels of plasma ROS, SOD and GSH-PX in 40 patients with NPC and 20 normal controls were identified by Fenton reaction method, xanthine oxidase method and dithiocarbamate method respectively.Plasma ROS activity[(11,327.835 +/- 483.777)/(U.ml-1)] in NPC increased significantly in comparison with the control group [(10,262.712 +/- 525.287)/(U.ml-1)] (P0.05). Plasma SOD and GSH-PX activities [(76.619 +/- 22.283)/(NU.ml-1), (98.653 +/- 46.374)/AU] in NPC decreased significantly in comparison with the control group [(154.603 +/- 27.241)/(NU.ml-1), (307.872 +/- 116.275)/AU] (P0.05). But there was no significant difference of the levels of plasma ROS[(10,987.235 +/- 469.340)/(U.ml-1), (10,081.53 +/- 488.409)/(U.ml-1), (12,085.044 +/- 564.721)/(U.ml-1)], SOD[(79.517 +/- 20.368)/(NU.ml-1), (67.975 +/- 24.202)/(NU.ml-1), (58.692 +/- 29.946)/(NU.ml-1)] and GSH-PX[(101.362 +/- 59.859)/AU, (89.338 +/- 42.259)/AU, (101.890 +/- 33.559)/AU] in different pathological kinds of NPC.The metabolism of free radical is disturbed and the ability of anti-oxidation injury decreases significantly in patients with NPC, so anti-oxidation treatment should be given to suppress the development of NPC.