High Precision Positioning and Rotation Angle Estimation of a Flatbed Truck Based on BDS and Vision.

Centimeter-level localization and precise rotation angle estimation for flatbed trucks pose significant challenges in unmanned forklift automated loading scenarios. To address this issue, the study proposed a method for high-precision positioning and rotation angle estimation of flatbed trucks using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and vision technology. First, an unmanned forklift equipped with a Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera and a dual-antenna mobile receiver for BDS positioning collected depth images and localization data near the front and rear endpoints of the flatbed. The Deep Dual-Resolution Network-23-slim (DDRNet-23-slim) model was used to segment the flatbed from the depth image and extract the straight lines at the edges of the flatbed using the Hough transform. The algorithm then computed the set of intersection points of the lines. A neighborhood feature vector was designed to identify the endpoint of a flatbed from a set of intersection points using feature screening. Finally, the relative coordinates of the endpoints were converted to a customized forklift navigation coordinate system by BDS positioning. A rotation angle estimation was then performed using the endpoints at the front and rear. Experiments showed that the endpoint positioning error was less than 3 cm, and the rotation angle estimation error was less than 0.3°, which verified the validity and reliability of the method.

Research on the performance of the active vibration cutting system for the rotary cylinder of a tunneling machine.

High-efficiency rock breaking technology is an important problem to be solved urgently in deep mining. The existing auxiliary rock breaking technology for coal mine excavation has problems such as polluting coal, high requirements for tool materials, and difficulty in subsequent washing. In this paper, an active excitation cutting system for rotary cylinder of cantilever roadheader based on alternating valve is proposed. According to the classical calculation formula of cutting load of roadheader, considering the stiffness-damping characteristics of cutting part and cutting cylinder, the simulation algorithm of cutting load is compiled based on MATLAB simulation analysis software. The excitation cutting experiments of different cutting depths are carried out on the cutting test bench, and compared with the simulation algorithm of cutting load. Taking the cutting load as the discriminant index, the influence of oil supply pressure and excitation frequency of rotary cylinder on the cutting load is analyzed based on the simulation algorithm of cutting load. The results show that the error between the simulation results and the experimental results of the active excitation state is less than 12%, and the two are in good agreement. Under the condition of 30 HZ, when the excitation amplitude is 8 Mpa, 10 Mpa, 12 Mpa, 14 Mpa, when the rotary cylinder excitation amplitude is 10 Mpa, the minimum is 131.42 KN. Compared with the rotary cylinder excitation amplitude under the condition of 10 Mpa, when the excitation frequency is 30 HZ, 35 HZ, 40 HZ, 45 HZ, when the excitation frequency is 40 HZ, the minimum is 83.08 KN, indicating that changing the excitation amplitude or oil supply pressure of the rotary cylinder is helpful to adjust the cutting performance.

A Leakage Prediction Model for Sealing Performance Assessment of EPDM O-Rings under Irradiation Conditions.

In this work, a model for predicting the leakage rate was developed to investigate the effect of irradiation on the sealing performance of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) O-rings. The model is based on a mesoscopic interfacial gap flow simulation and accurately predicts the sealing performance of irradiated and non-irradiated materials by utilizing the gap height as an indicator in a mechanical simulation of the O-ring under operating conditions. A comparison with vacuum test results indicates that the model is a good predictor of leak initiation. The positive pressure leakage of the O-rings was investigated numerically. The results show the following. The sealing performance of the non-irradiated O-ring is much better than that of the irradiated one. The sealing performance is the worst at 0. 713 MGy and the best at 1.43 MGy, and the seal is maintained at an absorbed dose of 3.55 MGy. A theoretical analysis of the non-monotonic variation using the proposed model shows that the leakage behavior of the O-rings depends not only on the material properties but also on the roughness and prestressing properties. Finally, a method was proposed to classify the sealing performance, using the maximum allowable leakage rate as an indicator.

CRTC2 promotes paclitaxel resistance by inducing autophagy in ovarian cancer in part via the PI3K-AKT signaling axis.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most malignant gynecological disease, which seriously threatens female physical and mental health. Paclitaxel is a first-line chemotherapy drug in the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer, but drug resistance has become an important factor affecting the survival of ovarian cancer patients. However, the main mechanism of chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the Integrated Gene Expression Database (GEO) dataset using comprehensive bioinformatics tools to provide new therapeutic strategies and search for prognostic targets for ovarian cancer. Methods: Ovarian cancer related genes were extracted from GSE18520 by bioinformatics method. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by differential analysis, and related genes and functions were elucidated. The key gene CRTC2 was identified by prognostic analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CRTC2 in chemotherapy-resistant and chemotherapy-sensitive ovarian cancer tissues. Functional analysis (cell assay) confirmed the role of CRTC2 in paclitaxel resistance. Autophagy related proteins were detected by Western blot. Autophagy flux analysis was performed using the GFP/RFP-LC3 adenovirus reporter. Results: A total of 3,852 DEGs were identified in the GEO microarray dataset. Key genes were screened by prognostic analysis. We found that CRTC2 was highly expressed in chemoresistant tissues of ovarian cancer. In 110 patients with ovarian cancer, high expression of CRTC2 was associated with poorer prognostic factors and shorter survival. At the same time, we found that CRTC2 can promote the proliferation and invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells. In addition, CRTC2 can affect the expression of PI3K, AKT, autophagic flux and sensitivity to paclitaxel chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. Conclusion: CRTC2 can affect autophagy partially through PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and then affect the sensitivity of ovarian cancer to paclitaxel chemotherapy. CRTC2 may be a potential predictor or target for ovarian cancer therapy.

Influence of hypobaric hypoxic conditions on ocular structure and biological function at high attitudes: a narrative review.

Background: With the development of science and technology, high-altitude environments, involving aviation, aerospace, and mountainous regions, have become the main areas for human exploration, while such complex environments can lead to rapid decreases in air and oxygen pressure. Although modern aircrafts have pressurized cabins and support equipment that allow passengers and crew to breathe normally, flight crew still face repeated exposure to hypobaric and hypoxic conditions. The eye is a sensory organ of the visual system that responds to light and oxygen plays a key role in the maintenance of normal visual function. Acute hypoxia changes ocular structure and function, such as the blood flow rate, and can cause retinal ischemia. Methods: We reviewed researches, and summarized them briefly in a review. Results: The acute hypobaric hypoxia affects corneal, anterior chamber angle and depth, pupils, crystal lens, vitreous body, and retina in structure; moreover, the acute hypoxia does obvious effect on visual function; for example, vision, intraocular pressure, oculometric features and dynamic visual performance, visual field, contrast sensitivity, and color perception. Conclusion: We summarized the changes in the physiological structure and function of the eye in hypoxic conditions and to provide a biological basis for the response of the human eye at high-altitude.

Development of a quantitative measurement on visual clutter in see through display.

Objective: With the wide use of transmission displays to improve operation performance, the display information highlights clutter because of the contradiction between the massive amount of information and limited display area. Our study aimed to develop a quantitative measurement for declutter design and appraisal. Methods: Using the ergonomics research system of characters and symbols in a see-through cockpit display, we set the simulated flight task interface at four pixel scale levels by enlarging all the display elements in a certain ratio. Flight task videos of 12 clutter degrees were recorded using each flight interface matched with three flight scene complexity levels. A total of 60 pilots completed the visual search tasks in the flight task video while the eye tracker was used to record the view path in real time. Visual search performance was analyzed to study the effect of various clutter factors and levels on pilots' performance in visual search tasks, and acquire quantitative clutter measure parameters. Results: GLM univariate test revealed that there were significant differences among the fixation time in areas of interest (AOI), total Fixation point number, total fixation time at four pixel scale levels, and three flight scene complexity levels (P < 0.05). Visual search performance declined after the cutoff point, while the clutter degree increased. According to the visual search performance data, the recommend feature congestion upper pixel number limit in a 600*800 display was 18,576, and the pixel ratio was 3.87%. Conclusion: A quantitative measurement for declutter design and appraisal of cockpit displays was developed, which can be used to support see-through display design.

MicroRNA-205-5p Promotes Unstable Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation In Vivo.

PURPOSE: Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the arteries caused by plaque buildup. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed to participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Here, we aimed to investigate miR-205-5p's role in promoting atherosclerotic progression. METHODS: Knock-in (KI) mice with human/murine miR-205-5p within the murine host gene for miR-205 (MIR205HG) were crossed with apolipoprotein E knockout (Apoe-/-) mice. This miR-205KI Apoe-/- murine model was employed to study the impact of miR-205-5p in Apoe-/- mice susceptible to atherosclerotic plaque formation. RESULTS: miR-205KI Apoe-/-mice developed larger, more unstable plaques relative to their Apoe-/- counterparts (0.45 vs. 0.26 mm2, P < 0.001). miR-205KI Apoe-/- mice exhibited lower serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (5.18 vs. 19.31 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and triglycerides (32.79 vs. 156.76 mg/dL, P < 0.001) with system-wide reversal of cholesterol transport. Macrophages derived from miR-205KI Apoe-/- mice exhibited ~ 20% lowered cholesterol efflux capability with enhanced pro-inflammatory gene expression through lipid raft formation. Bone marrow transplantation demonstrated that bone marrow (BM) donor cells with miR-205-5pKI simulated plaque formation independent of the recipients' miR-205-5p status. CONCLUSIONS: miR-205-5p encourages unstable atherogenesis in vivo. miR-205-5p also adversely influences lipid metabolism and promotes a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype. Our findings advocate miR-205-5p as a potential therapeutic target for combating unstable atherogenesis.