Finite Element Analysis of a Novel Tensegrity-Based Vibratory Platform

The study aims to conduct the finite element analysis (FEA) of a novel tensegrity-based vibratory platform by using IronCAD software. and analyze its deformation under external forces to verify if the platform can generate the required advancing motion. Firstly, the structure and operating principles of the proposed platform are introduced. Subsequently, individual parts are created using IronCAD software and assembled to form a solid model of the entire platform. Finally, employing Multiphysics for IronCAD, FEA is conducted to analyze the platform’s displacement under different external forces, as well as to examine its natural frequencies and mode shapes. The simulation results indicate that the proposed platform effectively moves a part in a specified direction. Additionally, the maximum stress remains below the yield strength. Moreover, the mode shapes corresponding to the initial 3 natural frequencies contribute to the advancing motion

THE ACUTE EFFECT OF UPPER EXTREMITY PLYOMETRIC TRAINING

The purpose of this study was to probe the acute effect of the performance of upper extremity muscle groups after the plyometric training intervention. The participants were 13 healthy male college students. The force transducers (300kg, 200 Hz) and EMG sensor (1000 Hz) were taken to diagnose the acute effects of strength and muscle activation done by upper extremity pre and post plyometric training (load :24kg, 12 repetiiion times Iset, 3 set), and pair t-test was taken to test the significance(a=.05). The result showed that the strength after the upper extremity plyometric training intervention obviously had decreased 8% (

Distinct patterns of temporal and directional connectivity among intrinsic networks in the human brain

To determine the spatiotemporal relationships among intrinsic networks of the human brain, we recruited seven neurosurgical patients (four males and three females) who were implanted with intracranial depth electrodes. We first identified canonical resting-state networks at the individual subject level using an iterative matching procedure on each subject's resting-state fMRI data. We then introduced single electrical pulses to fMRI pre-identified nodes of the default network (DN), frontoparietal network (FPN), and salience network (SN) while recording evoked responses in other recording sites within the same networks. We found bidirectional signal flow across the three networks, albeit with distinct patterns of evoked responses within different time windows. We used a data-driven clustering approach to show that stimulation of the FPN and SN evoked a rapid (&lt;70 ms) response that was predominantly higher within the SN sites, whereas stimulation of the DN led to sustained responses in later time windows (85–200 ms). Stimulations in the medial temporal lobe components of the DN evoked relatively late effects (&gt;130 ms) in other nodes of the DN, as well as FPN and SN. Our results provide temporal information about the patterns of signal flow between intrinsic networks that provide insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics that are likely to constrain the architecture of the brain networks supporting human cognition and behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDespite great progress in the functional neuroimaging of the human brain, we still do not know the precise set of rules that define the patterns of temporal organization between large-scale networks of the brain. In this study, we stimulated and then recorded electrical evoked potentials within and between three large-scale networks of the brain, the default network (DN), frontoparietal network (FPN), and salience network (SN), in seven subjects undergoing invasive neurosurgery. Using a data-driven clustering approach, we observed distinct temporal and directional patterns between the three networks, with FPN and SN activity predominant in early windows and DN stimulation affecting the network in later windows. These results provide important temporal information about the interactions between brain networks supporting human cognition and behavior.</jats:p

Survival Outcomes of Patients with Esophageal Cancer Who Did Not Proceed to Surgery after Neoadjuvant Treatment

Background: This retrospective study examined outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who did not undergo surgical resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Methods: Patients receiving nCRT between 2012 and 2020 were divided into two groups: group 1 (scheduled surgery) and group 2 (no surgery). Group 2 was further categorized into subgroups based on reasons for not proceeding to surgery: group 2a (disease progression), group 2b (poor general conditions), and group 2c (patient refusal). Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome. Results: Group 1 comprised 145 patients, while subgroups 2a, 2b, and 2c comprised 24, 16, and 31 patients, respectively. The 3-year OS rate was significantly lower in group 2 compared with group 1 (34% versus 56%, p &lt; 0.001). A subgroup analysis showed varying 3-year OS rates: 13% for group 2a, 25% for group 2b, and 58% for group 2c (p &lt; 0.001). Propensity score matching for group 2c and group 1 revealed no significant difference in 3-year OS rates (p = 0.91). Conclusion: One-third of ESCC patients receiving nCRT did not undergo surgical resection. Overall survival in this group was generally poorer, except for those who refused surgery (group 2c).</p

Antioxidant activity and growth inhibition of human colon cancer cells by crude and purified fucoidan preparations extracted from Sargassum cristaefolium

AbstractFucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides, also termed “fucoidans”, which are known to possess antioxidant, anticoagulant, anticancer, antiviral, and immunomodulating properties, are normally isolated from brown algae via various extraction techniques. In the present study, two methods (SC1 and SC2) for isolation of fucoidan from Sargassum cristaefolium were compared, with regard to the extraction yields, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of growth of human colon cancer cells exhibited by the respective extracts. SC1 and SC2 differ in the number of extraction steps and concentration of ethanol used, as well as the obtained sulfated polysaccharide extracts, namely, crude fucoidan preparation (CFP) and purified fucoidan preparation (PFP), respectively. Thin layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared analysis, and measurements of fucose and sulfate contents revealed that the extracts were fucoidan. There was a higher extraction yield for CFP, which contained less fucose and sulfate but more uronic acid, and had weaker antioxidant activity and inhibition of growth in human colon cancer cells. In contrast, there was a lower extraction yield for PFP, which contained more fucose and sulfate but less uronic acid, and had stronger antioxidant activity and inhibition of growth in human colon cancer cells. Thus, since the difference in bioactive activities between CFP and PFP was not remarkable, the high extraction yield of SC1 might be favored as a method in industrial usage for extracting fucoidan

Recombinant lipidated dengue-4 envelope protein domain III elicits protective immunity

AbstractThe combination of recombinant protein antigens with an immunostimulator has the potential to greatly increase the immunogenicity of recombinant protein antigens. In the present study, we selected the dengue-4 envelope protein domain III as a dengue vaccine candidate and expressed the protein in lipidated form using an Escherichia coli-based system. The recombinant lipidated dengue-4 envelope protein domain III folded into the proper conformation and competed with the dengue-4 virus for cellular binding sites. Mice immunized with lipidated dengue-4 envelope protein domain III without exogenous adjuvant had higher frequencies of dengue-4 envelope protein domain III-specific B cells secreting antibodies than mice immunized with the nonlipidated form. Importantly, lipidated dengue-4 envelope protein domain III-immunized mice demonstrated a durable neutralizing antibody response and had reduced viremia levels after challenge. The study demonstrates that lipidated dengue-4 envelope protein domain III is immunogenic and may be a potential dengue vaccine candidate. Furthermore, the lipidation strategy can be applied to other serotypes of dengue virus

An Optical Wavefront Sensor Based on a Double Layer Microlens Array

In order to determine light aberrations, Shack-Hartmann optical wavefront sensors make use of microlens arrays (MLA) to divide the incident light into small parts and focus them onto image planes. In this paper, we present the design and fabrication of long focal length MLA with various shapes and arrangements based on a double layer structure for optical wavefront sensing applications. A longer focal length MLA could provide high sensitivity in determining the average slope across each microlens under a given wavefront, and spatial resolution of a wavefront sensor is increased by numbers of microlenses across a detector. In order to extend focal length, we used polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) above MLA on a glass substrate. Because of small refractive index difference between PDMS and MLA interface (UV-resin), the incident light is less refracted and focused in further distance. Other specific focal lengths could also be realized by modifying the refractive index difference without changing the MLA size. Thus, the wavefront sensor could be improved with better sensitivity and higher spatial resolution

Site classification and Vs30 estimation of free-field TSMIP stations using the logging data of EGDT

The Engineering Geological Database for TSMIP (EGDT), the Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program, has been under construction by the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering and the Central Weather Bureau in Taiwan since 2000. Site characterization, comprising surface investigations and logging measurements, was carried out throughout the project. We provide a set of specifications and a description to help users understand the subject matter of the database. EGDT contains 469 surveyed stations, 439 of which were drilled and the logging measurements completed. Of these, 385 had logging data reaching at least 30 m, and we used these to examine and determine the most accurate extrapolation of Vs30 (the average S-wave velocity of the top 30 m of strata) for the other 54 stations with velocity profiles less than 30 m. The chosen method assumed that the bottom velocity is identical from the actual depth of the hole to a distance of 30 m, that is, the Bottom Constant Velocity (BCV) method. In order to utilize other existing boreholes which have only N values but no velocities in the future, the empirical S-wave velocity equations for seven different regions and the whole of Taiwan were evaluated by a multivariable analysis. Henceforth, for those existing boreholes which have an N profile less than 30 m, the S-wave velocity profile can first be calculated by empirical S-wave velocity equations, and then Vs30 can be estimated by reliable extrapolation. Some other studies of site classifications of TSMIP stations were compared with our results to demonstrate the necessity of reclassification. Ultimately, the Vs30 values of the 439 drilled free-field TSMIP stations were derived and the new site classification was achieved according to the Vs30-based provisions of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program