Surface acoustic waves induced micropatterning of cells in gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels

Acoustic force patterning is an emerging technology that provides a platform to control the spatial location of cells in a rapid, accurate, yet contactless manner. However, very few studies have been reported on the usage of acoustic force patterning for the rapid arrangement of biological objects, such as cells, in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. In this study, we report on a bio-acoustic force patterning technique, which uses surface acoustic waves (SAWs) for the rapid arrangement of cells within an extracellular matrix-based hydrogel such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). A proof-of-principle was achieved through both simulations and experiments based on the in-house fabricated piezoelectric SAW transducers, which enabled us to explore the effects of various parameters on the performance of the built construct. The SAWs were applied in a fashion that generated standing SAWs (SSAWs) on the substrate, the energy of which subsequently was transferred into the gel, creating a rapid, and contactless alignment of the cells (<10 s, based on the experimental conditions). Following ultraviolet radiation induced photo-crosslinking of the cell encapsulated GelMA pre-polymer solution, the patterned cardiac cells readily spread after alignment in the GelMA hydrogel and demonstrated beating activity in 5–7 days. The described acoustic force assembly method can be utilized not only to control the spatial distribution of the cells inside a 3D construct, but can also preserve the viability and functionality of the patterned cells (e.g. beating rates of cardiac cells). This platform can be potentially employed in a diverse range of applications, whether it is for tissue engineering, in vitro cell studies, or creating 3D biomimetic tissue structures

Unidirectional brain-computer interface: Artificial neural network encoding natural images to fMRI response in the visual cortex

While significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have catalyzed progress across various domains, its full potential in understanding visual perception remains underexplored. We propose an artificial neural network dubbed VISION, an acronym for "Visual Interface System for Imaging Output of Neural activity," to mimic the human brain and show how it can foster neuroscientific inquiries. Using visual and contextual inputs, this multimodal model predicts the brain's functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan response to natural images. VISION successfully predicts human hemodynamic responses as fMRI voxel values to visual inputs with an accuracy exceeding state-of-the-art performance by 45%. We further probe the trained networks to reveal representational biases in different visual areas, generate experimentally testable hypotheses, and formulate an interpretable metric to associate these hypotheses with cortical functions. With both a model and evaluation metric, the cost and time burdens associated with designing and implementing functional analysis on the visual cortex could be reduced. Our work suggests that the evolution of computational models may shed light on our fundamental understanding of the visual cortex and provide a viable approach toward reliable brain-machine interfaces

Surface acoustic waves induced micropatterning of cells in gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels

Acoustic force patterning is an emerging technology that provides a platform to control the spatial location of cells in a rapid, accurate, yet contactless manner. However, very few studies have been reported on the usage of acoustic force patterning for the rapid arrangement of biological objects, such as cells, in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. In this study, we report on a bio-acoustic force patterning technique, which uses surface acoustic waves (SAWs) for the rapid arrangement of cells within an extracellular matrix-based hydrogel such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). A proof-of-principle was achieved through both simulations and experiments based on the in-house fabricated piezoelectric SAW transducers, which enabled us to explore the effects of various parameters on the performance of the built construct. The SAWs were applied in a fashion that generated standing SAWs (SSAWs) on the substrate, the energy of which subsequently was transferred into the gel, creating a rapid, and contactless alignment of the cells (<10 s, based on the experimental conditions). Following ultraviolet radiation induced photo-crosslinking of the cell encapsulated GelMA pre-polymer solution, the patterned cardiac cells readily spread after alignment in the GelMA hydrogel and demonstrated beating activity in 5-7 days. The described acoustic force assembly method can be utilized not only to control the spatial distribution of the cells inside a 3D construct, but can also preserve the viability and functionality of the patterned cells (e.g. beating rates of cardiac cells). This platform can be potentially employed in a diverse range of applications, whether it is for tissue engineering, in vitro cell studies, or creating 3D biomimetic tissue structures

A new approach for maintenance scheduling of power systems, using a genetic algorithm and Monte-Carlo simulation

Celem pracy jest przedstawienie nowego, całościowego rozwiązania w zakresie harmonogramowania czynności obsługowych jednostek wytwórczych w warunkach deregulacji, przy założeniu rocznego niezależnego rynku. Rozwiązanie otrzymano poprzez wykorzystanie algorytmu genetycznego (GA) oraz symulacji Monte-Carlo (MCS). W warunkach deregulacji, każde przedsiębiorstwo wytwórcze (Generation Company, GENCO) dąży do optymalizacji zysków, podczas gdy niezależny operator systemowy (Independent System Operator, ISO) troszczy się o niezawodność. Na ogół, zderzenie tych dwóch punktów widzenia stwarza wiele problemów. Dlatego też proponujemy metodę harmonogramowania czynności obsługowych opartą na GA. Zgodnie z tą metodą, przedsiębiorstwa GENCO ustalają swoje strategie uczestnictwa w rocznym rynku usług serwisowych (Annual Maintenance Market, AMM) biorąc pod uwagę niepewności związane z obciążeniem, umowy paliwowe oraz zachowania innych przedsiębiorstw. Z drugiej strony, ISO zarządza AMM w oparciu o niezawodność i daje przedsiębiorstwom premie lub nakłada na nie kary bazując na własnej polityce poprzez MCS. Trafność i stosowalność zaproponowanej metody harmonogramowania czynności obsługowych jednostek wytwórczych oceniono analizując system testowy wyposażony w magistralę IEEE-118.The aim of this study is to present a new comprehensive solution for maintenance scheduling of power generating units in deregulated environments by applying an annual independent market. The solution was obtained by using a Genetic Algorithm (GA) and a Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS). In a deregulated environment, each Generation Company (GENCO) desires to optimize its payoffs, whereas an Independent System Operator (ISO) has its reliability solicitudes. In general, the two points of view create many problems. Therefore, we propose a method based on a GA for maintenance scheduling. In this method, GENCOs set their strategies to participate in an Annual Maintenance Market (AMM) by considering load uncertainties, fuel contracts and the behaviors of other companies. On the other hand, the ISO manages the AMM based on reliability and offers incentives/ penalties for companies relying on its policy through MCS. To evaluate the accuracy and applicability of our solution for maintenance scheduling of power generation units, an IEEE-118 bus test system was studied

Enhancing Power Grid Resilience through an IEC61850-Based EV-Assisted Load Restoration

© 2005-2012 IEEE. Contrary to reliability analysis in power systems with the main mission on safely and securely withstanding credible contingencies in day-to-day operations, resilience assessments are centered on high-impact low probability (HILP) events in the grid. This paper proposes an autonomous load restoration architecture founded on IEC 61850-8-1 GOOSE communication protocol to engender an enhanced feeder-level resilience in active power distribution grids. Different from the past research on outage management solutions, most of which 1) are not resilience-driven; 2) are reactive solutions to local single-fault events; and 3) do not address both network built-in flexibilities and flexible resources. The proposed solution harnesses 1) the imported power and flexibility from the neighboring networks; 2) distributed energy resources; and 3) vehicle to grid capacity of electric vehicles aggregations to enhance the feeder-level resourcefulness for agile response and recovery. Through real-time self-reconfiguration strategies, the suggested solution is capable of coping both single and subsequent outage events, and will engender a heightened resilience before and during the contingency period. Moreover, a resilience evaluation framework, which quantifies the contribution of all resources involved in service restoration, is developed. Real-time performance of the designed architecture is evaluated on a real-world power distribution grid using a real-time hardware-in-the-loop platform. Numerical case studies through a number of diverse scenarios demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed restoration solution in practicing an enhanced resilience in power distribution systems in response to HILP scenarios

A computational and experimental study inside microfluidic systems: the role of shear stress and flow recirculation in cell docking

In this paper, microfluidic devices containing microwells that enabled cell docking were investigated. We theoretically assessed the effect of geometry on recirculation areas and wall shear stress patterns within microwells and studied the relationship between the computational predictions and experimental cell docking. We used microchannels with 150 μm diameter microwells that had either 20 or 80 μm thickness. Flow within 80 μm deep microwells was subject to extensive recirculation areas and low shear stresses (<0.5mPa) near the well base; whilst these were only presented within a 10 μm peripheral ring in 20 μm thick microwells. We also experimentally demonstrated that cell docking was significantly higher (p<0.01) in 80 μm thick microwells as compared to 20 μm thick microwells. Finally, a computational tool which correlated physical and geometrical parameters of microwells with their fluid dynamic environment was developed and was also experimentally confirmed

Applications of Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: A New Frontier

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary astrocytoma associated with short overall survival. Treatment for GBM primarily consists of maximal safe surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy using temozolomide. Nonetheless, recurrence and tumor progression is the norm, driven by tumor stem cell activity and a high mutational burden. Focused ultrasound (FUS) has shown promising results in preclinical and clinical trials for treatment of GBM and has received regulatory approval for the treatment of other neoplasms. Here, we review the range of applications for FUS in the treatment of GBM, which depend on parameters, including frequency, power, pulse duration, and duty cycle. Low-intensity FUS can be used to transiently open the blood&ndash;brain barrier (BBB), which restricts diffusion of most macromolecules and therapeutic agents into the brain. Under guidance from magnetic resonance imaging, the BBB can be targeted in a precise location to permit diffusion of molecules only at the vicinity of the tumor, preventing side effects to healthy tissue. BBB opening can also be used to improve detection of cell-free tumor DNA with liquid biopsies, allowing non-invasive diagnosis and identification of molecular mutations. High-intensity FUS can cause tumor ablation via a hyperthermic effect. Additionally, FUS can stimulate immunological attack of tumor cells, can activate sonosensitizers to exert cytotoxic effects on tumor tissue, and can sensitize tumors to radiation therapy. Finally, another mechanism under investigation, known as histotripsy, produces tumor ablation via acoustic cavitation rather than thermal effects