Poly[[hepta-μ2-aqua-bis­(μ2-pyrazine-2-carboxyl­ato)dibarium] bis­(pyrazine-2-carboxyl­ate)]

In the layered title coordination polymer, {[Ba2(C5H3N2O2)2(H2O)7](C5H3N2O2)2}n, the coordination geometries around the two independent BaII ions can be described as bicapped square-anti­prismatic [BaNO9] arrangements. A two-dimensional polymeric framework with (6,3) topology can be observed in the ac plane, the nodes being provided by BaII ions and the connectors being N and O atoms belonging to pyrazine-2-carboxyl­ate ligands and O atoms of bridging water mol­ecules. Non-coordinating pyrazine-2-carboxyl­ate ions are located between the polymeric layers in the crystal and are interconnected through extensive O—H⋯N,O hydrogen bonding

Effects of a Sliding Plate on Morphology of the Epiphyseal Plate in Goat Distal Femur

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of a sliding plate on the morphology of the epiphyseal plate in goat distal femur. Eighteen premature female goats were divided randomly into sliding plate, regular plate and control groups. Radiographic analysis and histological staining were performed to evaluate the development of epiphyseal plate at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. In the sliding plate group, the plate extended accordingly as the epiphyseal plate grows, and the epiphyseal morphology was kept essential normal. However, the phenomenon of the epiphyseal growth retardation and premature closure were very common in the regular plate group. In addition, the sliding plate group exhibited more normal histologic features and Safranin O staining compared to the regular plate group. Our results suggest that the sliding plate can provide reliable internal fixation of epiphyseal fracture without inhibiting epiphyseal growth

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field

GA-AHP Method to support robotic polishing process planning

The finishing stage of mould manufacturing is generally completed via mechanical polishing, manual conducted. Not only is this the most expensive phase of the process but also is currently struggling with a deficit of skilled workers. To address these issues, and support the wider needs of Industry 4.0, the manufacturing community has investigated robotic technologies to support the polishing process. The work reported here, investigating the polishing process planning and optimisation for mould manufacture is part of a larger project aiming to automate 80% of the current manual process. Presented in this article is an optimization strategy for robotic polishing process sequencing aiming at satisfying polishing sequence rules and shortest polishing time simultaneously. A hybrid approach combining both genetic algorithm (GA) and analytical hierarchical process (AHP) is proposed based on the specific characterises of polishing process sequencing. A multi-objective fitness function is defined using AHP including the calculation of polishing time and evaluation of polishing process rules. The proposed GA-based process sequencing has been successfully demonstrated on test piece examples

A methodology to support robotic polishing of moulds integrated with CAD/CAM

Typically, the final process in the manufacture of moulds is mechanical polishing, a process predominantly conducted manually. This is an important process step to improve the surface quality of the mould without affecting the geometry of the cavity. Currently, the European mould manufacturing industry faces two challenges for the polishing phase of manufacture. Firstly, economics when compared to global low-cost production areas. Secondly, the industry is starting to suffer the loss of skilled benchmen specialized in performing such operations. To address these two problems, robotic polishing has been investigated as an alternative or supplement to the conventional manual polishing process in the manufacturing of moulds because of its high efficiency, improved reliability, and robustness. This paper presented a new methodology that allows robotic polishing to replace majority of manual polishing work for the manufacture of moulds and achieves complete information integration with current CAD/CAM systems. Based on a number of experimental works, the types of features that are suitable for robotic polishing have been identified and a new robotic polishing feature classification has been proposed. A new polishing process planning has been developed to integrated with current CAD/CAM systems, which includes: a robotic polishing process knowledge database; a polishing process selection method; and a polishing process sequencing using genetic algorithm aiming to combine minimum polishing time and the specific constraints and rules for polishing process sequencing. Finally, a case study based on the proposed methods has been given, which demonstrates the proposed methodology is able to be implemented in the practical environment to allow robotic polishing to take majority of manual polishing workloads for mould manufacturing and achieve information integration with current CAD/CAM systems

Analysis of Imaging Characteristics of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Misdiagnosed Bone Tuberculosis: A Report of 12 Cases

Abstract Objective: To analyze the imaging characteristics of <SUP>18</SUP>F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography (<SUP>18</SUP>F-FDG PET/CT) in 12 cases of misdiagnosed bone tuberculosis so as to explore the differential diagnostic method with metastatic bone tumors. Methods: The images of 12 patients with bone tuberculosis diagnosed by <SUP>18</SUP>F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. Distribution of lesion locations in the whole body and characteristics of glucose metabolism were analyzed by qualitative and semi-quantitative methods, especially for bone lesion location, number and range, glucose uptake form and CT imaging characteristics, and the maximum of standardized uptake value (SUV<SUB>max</SUB>) was measured and recorded. Results: Of 12 patients, 1 showed increased glucose uptake of diffuse bone marrow in the whole body, whereas the rest suffered from 19 bone lesions, in which each one had 1 bone lesion in 9 cases, accounting for 75.0%. The images of PET/CT in 12 patients primarily manifested annular or nonuniform increase of glucose uptake (63.2%), sequestrum within osteolytic lesions (31.6%), injured intervertebral disc caused by vertebral lesions (61.5%) and cold abscess es around the lesions (68.4%). The glucose uptake rate of cold abscesses was higher than that of bone lesion locations. The tuberculosis complicated with other parts included lymphatic tuberculosis (100.0%), pulmonary tuberculosis (66.7%), pericardial or pleural tuberculosis (25.0%) and hepatolienal tuberculosis (8.3%). Conclusion: The characteristics of bone tuberculosis lesions are prominent in <SUP>18</SUP>F-FDG PET/CT imaging, which could contribute to diagnosis of whole body tuberculosis and has a greater value in the differentiation of bone tuberculosis and metastatic bone tumors

Application of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Rare Metastatic Locations of Esophageal Carcinoma

Background: Esophageal carcinoma is a kind of malignant tumor commonly seen in clinic. In recent years, positron emission tomography (PET)/CT can accurately locate the general tumor nidi and PET/CT detection is recommended to determine the clinical stages of esophageal carcinoma. The common metastatic locations of esophageal carcinoma include lymph nodes (including cervical, supraclavicular and celiac lymph nodes), lung, liver and bone. This study aimed to summarize the distribution and incidence of rare metastatic locations and the characteristics of 18F-FDG PET/CT image in patients with esophageal carcinoma. Methods: A total of 185 patients with esophageal carcinoma undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT detection in our hospital from August, 2009 to August, 2013 were collected to retrospectively analyze their clinical data. Metastatic nidi in rare locations were confirmed according to the results of clinical evaluation, imageological methods and follow-up. Results: A total of 19 patients with esophageal carcinoma suffered from metastases in rare locations according to the 18F-FDG PET/CT detection, with incidence of 10.27%. The rare locations included pleura (28.6%), peritoneum (23.8%), adrenal gland (1.6%), axillary lymph nodes (14.3%), nasal septum (4.8%), cerebellum (4.8%) and napes (4.8%). Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT detection can excellently detect the metastatic nidi in rare or uncommon locations and increase the accuracy of clinical staging and re-staging in patients with esophageal carcinoma, which has great guiding significance for clinical therapy