Angular velocity measurement with wide range based on dual-comb Sagnac interferometer.

Interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes are widely used in spacecraft, navigation, and autopilot and missile systems due to their high accuracy and fast speed. However, the dynamic measurement range is generally limited to a small value. In this paper, an angular velocity measurement system based on a dual-comb Sagnac interferometer is proposed. The theoretical dynamic range can reach the order of 108 deg/s, which is remarkably superior to that of the conventional fiber optic gyroscopes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a dual-comb-based passive fiber optic gyroscope system, offering an attractive tool for measuring angular velocity with large dynamic range.

Application of Moire Profilometry in Three-Dimensional Profile Reconstruction of Key Parts in Railway.

Moire profilometry (MP) is one of the three-dimensional (3D) topography measurement methods of structured light, which has the advantages of single frame reconstruction, high speed, no contact and high precision, and is suitable for dynamic measurement scenes. In this article, the digital MP is applied to the wheel tread measurement, the virtual grating is generated by computer to project to the object surface, the moire fringe pattern of the object is obtained by filtering, and finally the continuous phase pattern is obtained by phase unwrapping. The 3D shape reconstruction of the wheel tread is realized, and a new method of wheel tread detection is provided. At the same time, in this paper, the results of using different filters are compared, and the significance of the frequency domain filtering to MP is proved. It is necessary to choose a suitable filtering method according to different environmental conditions. At present, digital MP can be used in industrial static detection, and it can be extended to the dynamic detection of rolling wheels in the future, so as to improve the detection efficiency and realize the automatic detection of trains.

Novel Hot Melt Extruded Matrices of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose and Amorphous Felodipine-Plasticized Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose as Controlled Release Systems.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a hydrophilic retarding-release polymer with the limited application in hot melt extrusion (HME) due to its high glass transition temperature (Tg 181-191°C) and melt viscosity. The aim of this study is to develop hot melt extruded matrices using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and felodipine (FLDP) with HPMC for controlled release and explore the relations of their specialty, processability, and structure with the product properties. Results showed that FLDP/HPCEF/HPMC can be extruded at 160°C with torques not more than 0.5 N·m. The extruded matrices of FLDP/HPCEF/HPMCK15M (10:45:45 and 30:35:35) achieved the controlled release for 24 h. Rheological behaviors demonstrated that HPCEF and FLDP were miscible with HPMCK15M, attaining maximum 30% FLDP soluble in the molten mixtures. HPCEF and FLDP decreased the complex viscosity and plasticized HPMCK15M to improve the extrusion processing. DSC and FT-IR indicated that the molten soluble FLDP was amorphous in the extruded matrices by hydrogen bonding with HPCEF/HPMCK15M. SEM/energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis illustrated that the microstructure of extrudates was surface dense and interior loose, and FLDP was homogenously dispersed. Three-point bending test revealed that the plasticizers of HPCEF and FLDP contributed differently to the mechanical properties. HPCEF decreased the flexural modulus of HPMCK15M while that of HPCEF/HPMCK15M was increased by FLDP. Besides controlled release, low moisture absorption and enhanced stability were also the correlated achievements. Therefore, HPCEF-combined poorly water-soluble drugs to plasticize HPMCK15M provide an alternative novel potential approach to realize the controlled-release delivery via HME.

[Combined Probe for Determining Canal Filing Cutting Path].

In order to help a surgeon to determine a proper canal filing cutting path in a hip replacement operation conveniently, this paper presents a kind of probe with combined structure. Firstly, the doctor can use this kind of combined probe to choose canal filing cutting path. Then, the doctor can use computer to guide the surgeon to file femoral cavity along the selected canal filing cutting path. Through hip replacement corpse experiments, filing effects and used time of using combined probe group and separate control group were analyzed. The experiment results showed that the methods introduced in this paper could lower the difficulty of hip replacement operations, improve the implantation of hip stem prostheses further, and reduce the incidence of surgical complications.

Oxymatrine alleviates high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in C57BL/6 J mice by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a complex complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Oxymatrine (OMT) is an alkaloid extracted from Sophora flavescens with broad pharmacological effects. However, there is currently a lack of research on OMT in the field of NAFLD. The present study aimed to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of oxymatrine in treating T2DM with NAFLD. The T2DM mice model was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in male C57BL/6 J mice. Animals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): Control group, DC group, OMT-L group (45 mg/kg i.g.), and OMT-H group (90 mg/kg, i.g.). The drug was administered once a day for 8 weeks. In addition, HepG2 hepatocytes were incubated with palmitic acid (PA) to establish a fatty liver cell model. Treated with OMT, the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) of DC mice were reduced and the liver organ coefficient was significantly optimized. Meanwhile, OMT markedly enhanced the activities of key antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These biochemical alterations were accompanied by noticeable improvements in liver histopathology. Furthermore, OMT down-regulated the expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and collagen I significantly, highlighting its potential in modulating inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. In conclusion, OMT improved liver impairment effectively in diabetic mice by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. These results suggest that OMT may represent a novel therapy for NAFLD with diabetes.

[Effects of ferulic acid on inflammation and autophagy levels in glomerular mesangial cells induced by high glucose].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of ferulic acid on diabetic nephropathy by observing the effects of ferulic acid on the level of inflammation and autophagy in glomerular mesangial cells induced by high glucose. METHODS: SV40 MES 13 cells were cultured and randomly divided into the following groups: normal group (Control, 5.6 mmol/L glucose), mannitol group (Man, 30 mmol/L mannitol), high glucose group (HG, 30 mmol/L glucose), ferulic acid group (FA, 30 mmol/L glucose + 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 µmol/L ferulic acid), and the proliferation of SV40 MES 13 cells in each group was observed by MTT method. The levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 1ß(IL-1ß)in cell supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of NLRP3, IL-1ß, LC3-II/I and p62 proteins in SV40 MES 13 cells were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: ①The proliferative activity of SV40 MES 13 cells was significantly higher in the HG group compared to the control group (P＜0.01), while the proliferative activity of SV40 MES 13 cells was decreased to different degrees in the FA group compared to the HG group (P＜0.05～0.01). ②Compared to the control group, the levels of TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-1ß were increased significantly in the cell supernatant of HG group (P＜0.01). Compared with the HG group, the levels of TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-1ß were decreased significantly in the FA group (P＜0.01). ③Compared with the control group, LC3-II/Ⅰ protein expression was decreased in the HG group, while the levels of p62, NLRP3 and IL-1ß protein were increased significantly (P＜0.01). Compared with the HG group, the expression of LC3-II/Ⅰ protein was elevated significantly (P＜0.05) in the FA group, while the levels of p62, NLRP3 and IL-1ß protein in the FA group were decreased significantly (P＜ 0.01). CONCLUSION: FA can inhibit the abnormal proliferation of SV40 MES 13 cells induced by high glucose. FA can protect glomerular mesangial cells by inhibiting inflammation and increasing the level of autophagy.

Ferulic acid ameliorates renal injury via improving autophagy to inhibit inflammation in diabetic nephropathy mice.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious microvascular complications following diabetes mellitus (DM). Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic acid widely found in plants, has multiple pharmacological effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor. However, the current research on FA in the field of DN is insufficient. The present study aimed to explore the nephroprotective effect of FA on DN in mice and reveal its underlying mechanism. DN was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in male C57BL/6J mice. Animals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): Control group, DN group, FA group (200 mg/kg FA, i.g.) and valsartan (VAL) group (12 mg/kg VAL, i.g.). The drug was administered once a day for 8 weeks. Treated with FA, the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) of DN mice were reduced and the renal organ coefficient was significantly optimized. Meanwhile, FA decreased levels of 24-h urine protein excretion (24-h UP) in urine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) in serum, reduced levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum. In addition, FA promoted light chain 3 (LC3) expression markedly, and inhibited the expressions of p62, NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in renal tissues. In conclusion, FA played a positive role in alleviating renal injury in HFD/STZ-induced DN mice by enhancing autophagy and suppressing excessive inflammation.

Icariin ameliorates streptozocin-induced diabetic nephropathy through suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the complex and severe complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Icariin (ICA) is a flavonoid extracted from the leaves and stems of Herba epimedii with a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as anti-osteoporosis, anti-fibrosis, anti-aging, anti-inflammation and antioxidation. The purpose of our study was to explore the renal protective effect of ICA on DN in mice and its possible mechanisms. ICR mice were exposed to STZ-induced DN. The kidney organ coefficient of mice was computed. 24 h UP in urine was measured. Serum FBG, Cr and BUN were detected. The content of MDA and the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in renal tissues were tested. HE staining, PAS staining, PASM staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe renal pathological changes. Furthermore, TLR4, p-NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-6 of renal tissues were assayed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Our results indicated that ICA observably optimized the renal organ coefficient, reduced the level of 24 h UP in urine, decreased the content of Cr, BUN in serum and MDA in renal tissues, promoted the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in renal tissues, and ameliorated pathological lesions of kidneys noticeably. Besides, ICA inhibited the expressions of TLR4, p-NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-6 remarkably in renal tissues. ICA, which might lighten the renal inflammatory response by suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway, played a protective role in kidneys of STZ-induced DN mice.

Unidirectional invisibility induced by parity-time symmetric circuit.

Parity-time (PT) symmetric structures present the unidirectional invisibility at the spontaneous PT-symmetry breaking point. In this paper, we propose a PT-symmetric circuit consisting of a resistor and a microwave tunnel diode (TD) which represent the attenuation and amplification, respectively. Based on the scattering matrix method, the circuit can exhibit an ideal unidirectional performance at the spontaneous PT-symmetry breaking point by tuning the transmission lines between the lumped elements. Additionally, the resistance of the reactance component can alter the bandwidth of the unidirectional invisibility flexibly. Furthermore, the electromagnetic simulation for the proposed circuit validates the unidirectional invisibility and the synchronization with the input energy well. Our work not only provides an unidirectional invisible circuit based on PT-symmetry, but also proposes a potential solution for the extremely selective filter or cloaking applications.

Analysis and modeling of Fano resonances using equivalent circuit elements.

Fano resonance presents an asymmetric line shape formed by an interference of a continuum coupled with a discrete autoionized state. In this paper, we show several simple circuits for Fano resonances from the stable-input impedance mechanism, where the elements consisting of inductors and capacitors are formulated for various resonant modes, and the resistor represents the damping of the oscillators. By tuning the pole-zero of the input impedance, a simple circuit with only three passive components e.g. two inductors and one capacitor, can exhibit asymmetric resonance with arbitrary Q-factors flexiblely. Meanwhile, four passive components can exhibit various resonances including the Lorentz-like and reversely electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) formations. Our work not only provides an intuitive understanding of Fano resonances, but also pave the way to realize Fano resonaces using simple circuit elements.

[A method for automatic selection of optimal standard hip stems].

In a hip replacement case when a standard hip stem is chosen, it is rough to select hip stems before operation, thus some stand-up standard hip stems should be prepared. The operation time is usually prolonged. In order to solve this problem, this paper presents a method to automatically select optimal standard hip stems by computers. Femoral anatomical data of a patient are acquired from X-ray films. Based on these anatomical data and a database of average cross-sections in proximal femurs, proximal femur of the patient can be reconstructed. This proximal femur model makes it possible to optimally select a standard hip stem. Theory analyses indicate that the method, presented in this paper, is practicable.

[Custom design of hip joint prostheses based on X-ray films].

A novel method for the design of hip joint prostheses based on X-ray films is introduced. Only arcs and straight-lines form figures of hip joint prostheses. Because geometrical tolerances of manufacturing hip joint prostheses matching section are usually not strict, hip joint prostheses can be manufactured without CNC machine tool. Three hip joint prostheses for three different femurs were designed through a program which was developed by the present authors. Approximate marrow cavities of these femurs were simulated according to a standard database about femur. These models of femur marrow cavities were used to verify the hip joint prostheses designed. These hip joint prostheses designed were manufactured and implanted into femurs respectively. Experimental results indicate that the novel method for the design of hip joint prostheses is practicable.