In this study, we propose a modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, which is an improved version of the conventional PSO algorithm. To improve the performance of the conventional PSO, a ...novel method is applied to intelligently control the number of particles. The novel method compares the cost value of the global best (gbest) in the current iteration to that of the gbest in the previous iteration. If there is a difference between the two cost values, the proposed algorithm operates in the exploration stage, maintaining the number of particles. However, when the difference in the cost values is smaller than the tolerance values assigned by the user, the proposed algorithm operates in the exploitation stage, reducing the number of particles. In addition, the algorithm eliminates the particle that is nearest to the best particle to ensure its randomness in terms of the Euclidean distance. The proposed algorithm is validated using five numerical test functions, whose number of function calls is reduced to some extent in comparison to conventional PSO. After the algorithm is validated, it is applied to the optimal design of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), aiming at minimizing the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the back electromotive force (back EMF). Considering the performance constraint, an optimal design is attained, which reduces back EMF THD and satisfies the back EMF amplitude. Finally, we build and test an experimental model. To validate the performance of the optimal design and optimization algorithm, a no-load test is conducted. Based on the experimental result, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm on optimal design of an electric machine is validated.
Macrophages are critically involved in wound healing, from dampening inflammation to clearing cell debris and coordinating tissue repair. Within the wound, the complexity of macrophage function is ...increasingly recognized, with adverse outcomes when macrophages are inappropriately activated, such as in fibrosis or chronic non-healing wounds. Recent advances in in vivo and translational wound models, macrophage-specific deletions and new technologies to distinguish macrophage subsets, have uncovered the vast spectrum of macrophage activation and effector functions. Here, we summarize the main players in wound-healing macrophage activation and function, including cytokines, apoptotic cells, nucleotides and mechanical stimuli. We highlight recent studies demonstrating cooperation between these factors for optimal wound healing. Next, we describe recent technologies such as cell tracking and single-cell RNA-seq, which have uncovered remarkable plasticity and heterogeneity in blood-derived or tissue-resident macrophages and discuss the implications for wound healing. Lastly, we evaluate macrophage dysfunction in aberrant wound healing that occurs in aging, diabetes and fibrosis. A better understanding of the longevity and plasticity of wound-healing macrophages, and identification of unique macrophage subsets or specific effector molecules in wound healing, would shed light on the therapeutic potential of manipulating macrophage function for optimal wound healing.
Malignant ascites constitute a unique tumor microenvironment providing a physical structure for the accumulation of cellular and acellular components. Ascites is initiated and maintained by physical ...and biological factors resulting from underlying disease and forms an ecosystem that contributes to disease progression. It has been demonstrated that the cellular contents and the molecular signatures of ascites change continuously during the course of a disease. Over the past decade, increasing attention has been given to the characterization of components of ascites and their role in the progression of ovarian cancer, the most malignant gynecologic cancer in women. This review will discuss the role of ascites in disease progression, in terms of modulating cancer cell behavior and contributing to tumor heterogeneity.
The ascites of cancer provide a physical structure for the accumulation of cellular and acellular components. The resulting tumor microenvironment contributes to the disease progression and tumor heterogeneity, as well as poor prognosis in ovarian cancer.
This paper presents study of design characteristics with wide constant power speed range (CPSR) for electric vehicle Propulsion. Through analysis of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor ...(IPMSM) control logic, design characteristic of extending CPSR is proposed. To achieve wide CPSR, center of voltage limit ellipse should be placed at cross point of current limit circle and d-axis. To analyze characteristic of voltage ellipse, four types of representative IPMSM rotor topologies are selected. Through rotor topology analysis, tendency of φ f and L ds parameters which decide center of voltage limit ellipse is analyzed. This paper also considers shifting of voltage limit ellipse center according to change in motor speed. Reflecting the result, this paper focuses on center of voltage limit ellipse position at maximum speed, because central coordinates of high-speed range determine characteristics of CPSR. Through the analysis result, this paper suggests direction of IPMSM design for wide CPSR.
Purpose This study compared the clinical results and second-look arthroscopic findings of patients undergoing open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for varus deformity, with or without mesenchymal ...stem cell (MSC) therapy. Methods This prospective, comparative observational study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of MSC therapy. The patients were divided into 2 groups: HTO with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection only (n = 23) or HTO in conjunction with MSC therapy and PRP injection (n = 21). Prospective evaluations of both groups were performed using the Lysholm score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and a visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain. Second-look arthroscopy was carried out in all patients at the time of metal removal. Results The patients in the MSC-PRP group showed significantly greater improvements in the KOOS subscales for pain (PRP only, 74.0 ± 5.7; MSC-PRP, 81.2 ± 6.9; P < .001) and symptoms (PRP only, 75.4 ± 8.5; MSC-PRP, 82.8 ± 7.2; P = .006) relative to the PRP-only group. Although the mean Lysholm score was similarly improved in both groups (PRP only, 80.6 ± 13.5; MSC-PRP, 84.7 ± 16.2; P = .357), the MSC-PRP group showed a significantly greater improvement in the VAS pain score (PRP only, 16.2 ± 4.6; MSC-PRP, 10.2 ± 5.7; P < .001). There were no differences in the preoperative (PRP only, varus 2.8° ± 1.7°; MSC-PRP, varus 3.4° ± 3.0°; P = .719) and postoperative (PRP only, valgus 9.8° ± 2.4°; MSC-PRP, valgus 8.7° ± 2.3°; P = .678) femorotibial angles or weight-bearing lines between the groups. Arthroscopic evaluation, at plate removal, showed that partial or even fibrocartilage coverage was achieved in 50% of the MSC-PRP group patients but in only 10% of the patients in the PRP-only group ( P < .001). Conclusions MSC therapy, in conjunction with HTO, mildly improved cartilage healing and showed good clinical results in some KOOS subscores and the VAS pain score compared with PRP only. Level of Evidence Level II, prospective comparative study.
Compliant thermoelectric generators (TEGs) can fully exploit their energy conversion efficiency by establishing conformal interfaces on arbitrarily shaped 3D heat sources. Although additive ...manufacturing processes allow scalable fabrication with flexibility and customizability, most printable TEGs are fabricated as planar‐type devices that harvest heat only in the in‐plane direction. Herein, 3D‐compliant TEGs fabricated solely using direct ink writing, which enables thermal‐transfer optimization for efficient through‐plane heat‐to‐electricity conversion owing to the out‐of‐plane printing of viscoelastic thermoelectric (TE) inks and unique device design is proposed. The rheological properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) TE inks are engineered to ensure conformal printing along directly written vertical thermal insulators. The ink TE properties are enhanced by the fine‐tuned incorporation of p‐ and n‐type dopants, where the electrical conductivity is further facilitated by nozzle‐induced CNT packing to achieve high‐power factors. To minimize the parasitic thermal loss from heat sources, an ultra‐thin bottom substrate is directly printed with polydimethylsiloxane, thereby realizing compliant 3D TEGs for heat harvesting in the out‐of‐plane direction. The TEG exhibits the highest normalized open‐circuit voltage (0.28 mV K−1 cm−2) among the additively manufactured TEGs and retains remarkable mechanical reliability against repetitive deformation, promising its potential as body heat harvesters or temperature sensors.
3D‐compliant thermoelectric generators (TEGs) fabricated solely by direct ink writing through out‐of‐plane printing of viscoelastic carbon nanotube‐based thermoelectric (TE) inks are proposed. By optimizing 3D structural design and doped printable TE materials, TEGs exhibit the highest TE performance among printed TEGs and outstanding mechanical reliability.
Histologic features of diffuse-type gastric cancer indicate that the tumor microenvironment (TME) may substantially impact tumor invasiveness. However, cellular components and molecular features ...associated with cancer invasiveness in the TME of diffuse-type gastric cancers are poorly understood.
We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) using tissue samples from superficial and deep invasive layers of cancerous and paired normal tissues freshly harvested from five patients with diffuse-type gastric cancer. The scRNA-seq results were validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and duplex
hybridization (ISH) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.
Seven major cell types were identified. Fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and myeloid cells were categorized as being enriched in the deep layers. Cell type-specific clustering further revealed that the superficial-to-deep layer transition is associated with enrichment in inflammatory endothelial cells and fibroblasts with upregulated
transcripts. IHC and duplex ISH revealed the distribution of the major cell types and CCL2-expressing endothelial cells and fibroblasts, indicating tumor invasion. Elevation of CCL2 levels along the superficial-to-deep layer axis revealed the immunosuppressive immune cell subtypes that may contribute to tumor cell aggressiveness in the deep invasive layers of diffuse-type gastric cancer. The analyses of public datasets revealed the high-level coexpression of stromal cell-specific genes and that
correlated with poor survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer.
This study reveals the spatial reprogramming of the TME that may underlie invasive tumor potential in diffuse-type gastric cancer. This TME profiling across tumor layers suggests new targets, such as CCL2, that can modify the TME to inhibit tumor progression in diffuse-type gastric cancer.
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We report an electrochemical biosensor combined with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for rapid and sensitive detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The ...electrochemical biosensor based on a multi-microelectrode array allows the detection of multiple target genes by differential pulse voltammetry. The RPA reaction involves hybridization of the RPA amplicon with thiol-modified primers immobilized on the working electrodes, which leads to a reduction of current density as amplicons accumulate. The assay results in shorter “sample-to-answer” times than conventional PCR without expensive thermo-cycling equipment. The limits of detection are about 0.972 fg/μL (RdRP gene) and 3.925 fg/μL (N gene), which are slightly lower than or comparable to that of RPA assay results obtained by gel electrophoresis without post-amplification purification. The combination of electrochemical biosensors and the RPA assay is a rapid, sensitive, and convenient platform that can be potentially used as a point-of-care test for the diagnosis of COVID-19.
•Electrochemical sensor is combined with recombinase polymerase amplification for rapid and sensitive detection of COVID-19.•The developed biosensor can detect target genes in less than 20 min at body temperature by electrochemical measurements.•The sensitivity was investigated by detecting DPV signals under different template concentrations from 103 to 109 copies.
This study investigates the origin of the interdecadal variability in the warm Arctic and cold Eurasia (WACE) pattern, which is defined as the second empirical orthogonal function of surface air ...temperature (SAT) variability over the Eurasian continent in Northern Hemisphere winter, by analyzing the Twentieth Century Reanalysis dataset. While previous studies highlight recent enhancement of the WACE pattern, ascribing it to anthropogenic warming, the authors found that the WACE pattern has experienced a seemingly periodic interdecadal variation over the twentieth century. This long-term variation in the Eurasian SAT is attributable to the altered coupling between the Siberian high (SH) and intraseasonal Rossby wave emanating from the North Atlantic, as the local wave branch interacts with the SH and consequentially enhances the continental temperature perturbation. It is further identified that these atmospheric circulation changes in Eurasia are largely controlled by the decadal amplitude modulation of the climatological stationary waves over the North Atlantic region. The altered decadal mean condition of stationary wave components brings changes in local baroclinicity and storm track activity over the North Atlantic, which jointly change the intraseasonal Rossby wave generation and propagation characteristics as well. With simple stationary wave model experiments, the authors confirm how the altered mean flow condition in the North Atlantic acts as a source for the growth of the Rossby wave that leads to the change in the downstream WACE pattern.
Purpose To compare the clinical and radiologic efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) with fibrin glue and microfracture (MFX) versus MFX alone in patients with symptomatic knee cartilage ...defects. Methods Patients who were aged 18 to 50 years and had a single International Cartilage Repair Society grade III/IV symptomatic cartilage defect (≥3 cm2 ) on the femoral condyle were randomized to receive ADSCs with fibrin glue and MFX treatment (group 1, n = 40) or MFX treatment alone (group 2, n = 40). There was a lack of blinding for patients because of the additional intervention method (liposuction). The cartilage defect was diagnosed using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and quantitative and qualitative assessments of the repair tissue were carried out at 24 months by using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue scoring system with follow-up MRI. Clinical results were evaluated using the Lysholm score, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and a 10-point visual analog scale for pain (0 points, no pain; 10 points, worst possible pain) preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 months, 12 months, and the last follow-up visit. Results The 2 groups had similar baseline patient characteristics. Follow-up MRI was performed at 24 months (mean, 24.3 months; range, 24.0 to 25.1 months) after the operation. Group 1 included 26 patients (65%) who had complete cartilage coverage of the lesion at follow-up compared with 18 patients (45%) in group 2. Significantly better signal intensity was observed for the repair tissue in group 1, with 32 patients (80%) having normal or nearly normal signal intensity (i.e., complete cartilage coverage of the lesion) compared with 28 patients (72.5%) in group 2. The mean clinical follow-up period was 27.4 months (range, 26 to 30 months). The improvements in the mean KOOS pain and symptom subscores were significantly greater at follow-up in group 1 than in group 2 (pain, 36.6 ± 11.9 in group 1 and 30.1 ± 14.7 in group 2 P = .034; symptoms, 32.3 ± 7.2 in group 1 and 27.8 ± 6.8 in group 2 P = .005). However, the improvements in the other subscores were not significantly different between group 1 and group 2 (activities of daily living, 38.5 ± 12.8 and 37.6 ± 12.9, respectively P = .767; sports and recreation, 33.9 ± 10.3 and 31.6 ± 11.0, respectively P = .338; quality of life, 38.4 ± 13.1 and 37.8 ± 12.0, respectively P = .650). Among the 80 patients, second-look arthroscopies were performed in 57 knees (30 in group 1 and 27 in group 2), and biopsy procedures were performed during these arthroscopies for 18 patients in group 1 and 16 patients in group 2. The second-look arthroscopies showed good repair tissue quality, although no significant intergroup difference was observed. The mean total histologic score was 1,054 for group 1 compared with 967 for group 2 ( P = .036). Age, lesion size, duration of symptoms before surgery, mechanism of injury, and combined procedures were not correlated with clinical results, Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue scores, and histologic outcomes at short-term follow-up. Conclusions Compared with MFX alone, MFX and ADSCs with fibrin glue provided radiologic and KOOS pain and symptom subscore improvements, with no differences in activity, sports, or quality-of-life subscores, in symptomatic single cartilage defects of the knee that were 3 cm2 or larger, with similar structural repair tissue. Level of Evidence Level II, prospective comparative study.
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