Lightweight bamboo structures - Report on 2021 International Collaboration on Bamboo Construction

2021 International Collaboration on Bamboo Construction was held from September 1 to December 1, 2021. The practice was held by the College of Civil Engineering of Nanjing Forestry University, University College London, International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) and co-organized by 6 international institutions and national companies of China. Two main bamboo structures were setup by the teachers and students in the campus of Nanjing Forestry University. More than 50 students attended the practice, including international students from different countries. The practice was held to deliver the feasibility and applicability of bamboo in various geometries and different spans, and different areas. Innovative technologies like BIM Revit Architecture and Sketchup were used for the design of bamboo structures. The main principle of the practice was that the raising of bamboo structures should be simple using a minimum of materials aside from bamboo. The results of the project contributed to the popularization of the use of bamboo in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors

MRI and clinical features of maple syrup urine disease: preliminary results in 10 cases

PURPOSE:We aimed to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical features of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD).METHODS:This retrospective study consisted of 10 MSUD patients confirmed by genetic testing. All patients underwent brain MRI. Phenotype, genotype, and areas of brain injury on MRI were retrospectively reviewed.RESULTS:Six patients (60%) had the classic form of MSUD with BCKDHB mutation, three patients (30%) had the intermittent form (two with BCKDHA mutations and one with DBT mutation), and one patient (10%) had the thiamine-responsive form with DBT mutation. On diffusion-weighted imaging, nine cases presented restricted diffusion in myelinated areas, and one intermittent case with DBT mutation was normal. The classic form of MSUD involved the basal ganglia in six cases; the cerebellum, mesencephalon, pons, and supratentorial area in five cases; and the thalamus in four cases, respectively. The intermittent form involved the cerebellum, pons, and supratentorial area in two cases. The thiamine-responsive form involved the basal ganglia and supratentorial area.CONCLUSION:Our preliminary results indicate that patients with MSUD presented more commonly in classic form with BCKDHB mutation and displayed extensive brain injury on MRI