Mobile robot localization in geometrically symmetric environments

With the rapid development of mobile robots in recent years, the demand for localization and positioning algorithms is getting higher and higher. Although there are already localization algorithms that can successfully localize the mobile robots in certain environments, mobile robots localization is still a challenging task in geometrically repetitive and symmetrical environments. At present, the most used global localization method is based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). However, when it comes to semi-indoor or indoor situations, the GNSS signal will become unstable, resulting in localization failures. Other commonly used localization methods are based on camera or Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) onboard the mobile robots. However, extremely similar and ambiguous environments make these methods difficult to accomplish the localization tasks. In recent years, the ambient magnetic field-based localization has proven to be a feasible solution due to its pervasiveness and ease of implementation, where meter-level accuracy has been achieved in semi-indoor or indoor environments. Therefore, this project aims to propose a magnetic field-based localization system to solve the problem of mobile robots localization issues in highly symmetric environments. At present, the magnetic field-based localization method still faces many problems, such as dependence on the rotation-sensitive magnetic field components, low accuracy in relatively large-scale environments, etc. In addition, the similar magnetic field single fingerprint information can easily cause mismatches in the magnetic field map, then lead to localization failures. This project will explore and propose novel magnetic field-based localization algorithms for mobile robots to achieve highly robust and precise localization in geometrically symmetric environment.Master of Science (Computer Control and Automation

Need to strengthen the patent protection of an invention for a process in China

The article submits that protection for a patent for a process invention is incomplete in China in that it does not protect the product prepared by the process. The question of extending the scope of protection to pharmaceuticals and chemical substances is under consideration in China and the writer argues that a first step which should be taken is to extend the protection for process inventions to the products thereof.

An analysis of patent applications in China (1985-1987)

The article analyses the patent applications received at the Chinese Patent Office since its opening. Japan and the United States are the major sources of foreign applications and the ten most popular sub-sections of the IPC to which the applications pertain are identified.

Estimation of CO2 Emissions of Locomotives in China (1975–2005)

Based on annual statistical data collected by the Chinese Railway Statistic Center, the CO2 emissions of locomotives during 1975–2005 were calculated and the emission intensity and its dynamic characteristics were analyzed. The results show that the CO2 emissions of steam locomotives decreased while that of diesel locomotives increased with time, due to the continuous shift from steam to diesel and electric locomotives. The total CO2 emissions of steam and diesel locomotives in China decreased from 42.23 Mt in 1975 to 16.40 Mt in 2005. The emission intensity of CO2 from the two kinds of locomotives decreased at an average rate of 2.4 g (converted t km)- 1 per year. The percentage of the CO2 emissions of locomotives to the total CO2 emissions in the sector of transportation, storage and post in China also decreased persistently from 1980 to 2005. He, J., and Y. Li, 2010: Estimation of CO2 emissions of locomotives in China (1975–2005). Adv. Clim. Change Res., 1, doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2010.00020

The lncRNA MEG3 downregulation leads to osteoarthritis progression via miR-16/SMAD7 axis

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease and there is no a definitive cure at present. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been confirmed to play important roles in the development of OA. However, the underlying mechanism of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in OA has not been well elucidated. Methods The rat OA model and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced rat chondrocytes were constructed. The expression pattern of lncRNA MEG3 and miR-16 was detected by RT-qPCR assay in cartilage tissues of rat OA model. The effect of MEG3 and miR-16 on IL-1β-induced chondrocytes was evaluated on the basis of cell viability and apoptosis. Then, the interaction among MEG3, miR-16 SMAD7 was explored by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. Results It is found that lncRNA MEG3 was down-regulated and miR-16 was up-regulated in rat OA cartilage tissues. MEG3 knockdown promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis, while miR-16 knockdown suppressed proliferation and promoted apoptosis in IL-1β-induced rat chondrocytes. Moreover, MEG3 was involved in miR-16 pathway and MEG3 suppressed miR-16 expression. Additionally, SMAD7 was a target gene of miR-16 and miR-16 suppressed SMAD7 expression in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. Moreover, the expression of SMAD7 induced by MEG3 or si-MEG3 was markedly reversed by the introduction of miR-16 or anti-miR-16. Furthermore, MEG3 exerted its anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis by regulating miR-16 and SMAD7. Conclusion MEG3 was down-regulated and miR-16 was up-regulated in cartilage tissues of rat OA model. MEG3 knockdown might lead to the progression of OA through miR-16/SMAD7 axis

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Based on Intelligent Electronic Medical Arthroscopy for the Treatment of Varus Knee Osteoarthritis

The incidence of inverted knee osteoarthritis is slowly increasing, there are technical limitations in the treatment, and the operation is difficult. In this article, we will study the benefits and costs of arthroscopic cleaning treatments based on intelligent electronic medicine. This article focuses on knee osteoarthritis patients in the EL database. There are 12 male patients, accounting for 66.67%, and 6 female patients, accounting for 33.33%. The average body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 28.08, the average time from first knee discomfort to surgery was 28.44 months, and the average time of arthroscopic debridement treatment for patients with VKOH knee osteoarthritis was 143.11 minutes. One case of perioperative complication occurred within 35 days after operation, which was a soleus muscle intermuscular venous thrombosis. After immobilization and enhanced anticoagulation for 1 week, it was stable without risk of shedding. The average postoperative study time was 20.00 months. The electronic medical arthroscopy cleaning treatment plan in this article can greatly improve the quality of life of patients and can check the pathological state in time, with low cost. In the course of treatment, comprehensive treatment costs can be saved by 45%. Arthroscopic clean-up treatment can not only reduce knee pain and other uncomfortable symptoms, restore normal knee joint function, and improve the quality of life of patients, but also correct the unequal length of the lower limbs, thereby avoiding spinal degeneration caused by knee instability. Therefore, it is the first choice for the treatment of advanced knee osteoarthritis in patients with VKOH

Downregulation of lncRNA NEAT1 interacts with miR-374b-5p/PGAP1 axis to aggravate the development of osteoarthritis

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by inflammation and articular cartilage degradation, is a prevalent arthritis among geriatric population. This paper was to scrutinize the novel mechanism of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 in OA etiology. Methods A total of 10 OA patients and 10 normal individuals was included in this study. Cell model of OA was built in human normal chondrocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). An OA Wistar rat model was established through intra-articular injection of L-cysteine and papain mixtures (proportion at 1:2) into the right knee. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to ascertain the expression levels of NEAT1, microRNA (miR)-374b-5p and post-GPI attachment to protein 1 (PGAP1), while dual-luciferase reporter experiments were used for the validation of target relationship among them. Cell cycle and apoptosis were calculated by flow cytometry analysis. CCK-8 assay was done to evaluate the proliferative potentials of chondrocytes. The levels of cell cycle-related proteins (Cyclin A1, Cyclin B1 and Cyclin D2) and pro-apoptotic proteins (Caspase3 and Caspase9) were measured by western blotting. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 levels were determined via ELISA. Hematoxylin & eosin (HE) Staining was used for pathological examination in OA rats. Results Pronounced downregulation of NEAT1 and PGAP1 and high amounts of miR-374b-5p were identified in OA patients, LPS-induced chondrocytes and OA rats. NEAT1 targeted miR-374b-5p to control PGAP1 expression. Loss of NEAT1 or upregulation of miR-374b-5p dramatically accelerated apoptosis, led to the G1/S arrest and promoted the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced chondrocytes, while ectopic expression of PGAP1 exhibited the opposite influences on chondrocytes. Additionally, we further indicated that upregulation of miR-374b-5p attenuated the effects of PGAP1 overexpression on LPS-induced chondrocytes. Conclusions Reduced NEAT1 induces the development of OA via miR-374b-5p/PGAP1 pathway. This suggests that the regulatory axis NEAT1/miR-374b-5p/PGAP1 is a novel and prospective target for OA treatment

Data from: Prednisolone induces osteoporosis-like phenotypes via focal adhesion signaling pathway in zebrafish larvae

Patients taking glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid-like drugs for an extended period of time may develop osteoporosis, termed glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). GIOP is the most common form of secondary osteoporosis, but the mechanism underlying its development is unclear. In the present study, we used prednisolone to treat zebrafish larvae to investigate GIOP. Our RNA deep-sequencing (RNA-seq) results show that prednisolone affects genes known to act in the extracellular region. Therefore the extracellular region, extracellular matrix, and collagen trimer might be involved in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that the focal adhesion signaling pathway is the most enriched signaling pathway in terms of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). In this pathway, two adapter proteins, itga10 and itgbl1, were down-regulated in the prednisolone-treated larvae. Further experiments showed that prednisolone contributes to GIOP by down-regulating itga10 and itgbl1