T-spline based unifying registration procedure for free-form surface workpieces in intelligent CMM

With the development of the modern manufacturing industry, the free-form surface is widely used in various fields, and the automatic detection of a free-form surface is an important function of future intelligent three-coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). To improve the intelligence of CMMs, a new visual system is designed based on the characteristics of CMMs. A unified model of the free-form surface is proposed based on T-splines. A discretization method of the T-spline surface formula model is proposed. Under this discretization, the position and orientation of the workpiece would be recognized by point cloud registration. A high accuracy evaluation method is proposed between the measured point cloud and the T-spline surface formula. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method has the potential to realize the automatic detection of different free-form surfaces and improve the intelligence of CMMs

Original Article Sodium butyrate protects the intestinal barrier function in peritonitic mice

Abstract: Objective: Peritonitis is a commonly seen disease with high morbidity and mortality. It is prevalently considered that the impaired intestinal barrier during peritonitis is the access point of gut microbes into the blood system, and acts as the engine of the following systemic infection. In our previous study, we found that Sodium Butyrate (NaB) was protective on intestinal barrier function. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of NaB on overwhelming infection animal models of peritonitis. Methods: Mouse cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model was used to study the effects of NaB on the intestinal barrier. Experimental animals were fed of NaB by gavage. Post-CLP mortality, gut permeability and intestinal histological alterations were studied. Results: Gastrointestinal NaB pharmacodynamics profiles after medication were studied. Measurements of NaB concentration in chyme showed significantly higher intestinal concentration of NaB in the NaB treated group than that of the control group. CLP-induced mortality was significantly decreased by oral NaB treatments. Gut permeability was largely increased after CLP, which was partially prevented by NaB feeding. Histological study showed that intestinal, especially ileal injury following peritonitis was substantially alleviated by NaB treatments. Moreover, tissue regeneration was also prompted by NaB. Conclusion: NaB has a potential protective effect on intestinal barrier function in peritonitis

PAH/DAS covalently cross-linked layer-by-layer multilayers: A "nano-net" superstratum immobilizes nanoparticles and remains permeable to small molecules

A "nano-net" superstratum strategy is developed to stabilize layer-by-layer (LbL) films that incorporate nanoparticles. The superstratum immobilizes silica, gold, or magnetic nanoparticles and at the same time is permeable to small molecules. Unlike most strategies to stabilize LbL multilayers reported in the literature, our strategy does not directly cross-link the nanoparticles and polymers in the adjacent layer, thus circumventing the tedious processes of (surface) modification of the nanoparticles or polymers. The unique advantage of our strategy is further employed in the preparation of a model functional device, where mesoporous silica nanoparticles are held in the composite multilayers with enhanced stabilities. A model drug, methylene blue, is then loaded in large amounts due to the porous structure of the silica particles, and could be released in a delayed manner up to 55 h

Nanocrystalline Cellulose Cures Constipation <i>via</i> Gut Microbiota Metabolism

Constipation can seriously affect the quality of life and increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The present strategies for constipation therapy have adverse effects, such as causing irreversible intestinal damage and affecting the absorption of nutrients. Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), which is from natural plants, has good biocompatibility and high safety. Herein, we used NCC to treat constipation assessed by the black stool, intestinal tissue sections, and serum biomarkers. We studied the effect of NCC on gut microbiota and discussed the correlation of gut microbiota and metabolites. We evaluated the long-term biosafety of NCC. NCC could effectively treat constipation through gut microbiota metabolism, which required a small dosage and did not affect the organs and intestines. NCC could be used as an alternative to medications and dietary fiber for constipation therapy