Design of a Modified-Bridge Circuit with a Master-Slave Input Supply Mechanism for Ozone-Driven System Applications

This study proposes a design of a modified-bridge circuit with a master–slave input supply mechanism for ozone-driven system applications. Because the single-source supply design is becoming the mainstream choice in the existing ozone-driven systems, the input supply reliability of the ozone-driven system is crucial. Therefore, this proposed design involves a modified-bridge circuit combined with inductors and transistors, which can be augmented with the energy storage device as a backup source to improve the reliability of the input supply for the ozone-driven system. In addition, considering that the original source directly connected to DC BUS can re-charge the energy storage device, the energy recycling operation mode is designed in this proposed system to extend the duration of the energy storage device, which improves the supply reliability of the ozone-driven system further. To validate this proposed system, both model formulation and hardware realization are assessed through different test scenarios. Experimental outcomes of these tests confirm the practicality of the proposed design.

Long-ranged order in a thermally driven system with temperature dependent interactions

Aggregation of macro-molecules under external drive is far from understood. An important driving situation is achieved by temperature difference. The inter-particle interaction in metallic nanoparticles with ligand capping is reported...

Properties of Plasma Clots in Adult Patients Following Fontan Procedure: Relation to Clot Permeability and Lysis Time—Multicenter Study

Objectives: thromboembolic complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality following Fontan (FO) surgery. It is also well established that altered FO circulation results in systemic complications, including liver and endothelium damage. We sought to evaluate whether dysfunctions of these sources of hemostatic factors may result in changes of fibrin clot properties. Methods: a permeation coefficient (Ks) and clot lysis time (CLT) were assessed in 66 FO patients, aged 23.0 years [IQR 19.3–27.0], and 59 controls, aged 24.0 years [IQR 19.0–29.0]. Ks was determined using a pressure-driven system. CLT value was measured according to assay described by Pieters et al. Endothelium and liver-derived hemostatic factors along with liver function parameters were evaluated. The median time between FO operation and investigation was 20.5 years [IQR 16.3–22.0]. Results: FO patients had lower Ks (p = 0.005) and prolonged CLT (p < 0.001) compared to that of controls. Ks correlated with CLT (r = −0.28), FVIII (r = −0.30), FIX (r = −0.38), fibrinogen (r = −0.41), ALT (r = −0.25), AST (r = −0.26), GGTP (r = −0.27) and vWF antigen (r = −0.30), (all p < 0.05). CLT correlated with the time between FO operation and investigation (r = 0.29) and FIX (r = 0.25), (all p < 0.05). After adjustment for potential cofounders, TAFI antigen and GGTP were independent predictors of reduced Ks (OR 1.041 per 1% increase, 95% CI 1.009–1.081, p = 0.011 and OR 1.025 per 1 U/L increase, 95% CI 1.005–1.053, p = 0.033, respectively). Protein C and LDL cholesterol predicted prolonged CLT (OR 1.078 per 1% increase, 95% CI 1.027–1.153, p = 0.001 and OR 6.360 per 1 μmol/L increase, 95% CI 1.492–39.894, p = 0.011, respectively). Whereas elevated tPA was associated with lower risk of prolonged CLT (OR 0.550 per 1 ng/mL, 95% CI 0.314–0.854, p = 0.004). GGTP correlated positively with time between FO surgery and investigation (r = 0.25, p = 0.045) and patients with abnormal elevated GGTP activity (n = 28, 42.4%) had decreased Ks, compared to that of the others (5.9 × 10−9 cm2 vs. 6.8 × 10−9 cm2, p = 0.042). Conclusion: our study shows that cellular liver damage and endothelial injury were associated with prothrombotic clot phenotype reflected by Ks and CLT.

Studying the Mechanobiology of Aortic Endothelial Cells Under Cyclic Stretch Using a Modular 3D Printed System

Here, we describe a motorized cam-driven system for the cyclic stretch of aortic endothelial cells. Our modular design allows for generating customized spatiotemporal stretch profiles by varying the profile and size of 3D printed cam and follower elements. The system is controllable, compact, inexpensive, and amenable for parallelization and long-term experiments. Experiments using human aortic endothelial cells show significant changes in the cytoskeletal structure and morphology of cells following exposure to 5 and 10% cyclic stretch over 9 and 16 h. The system provides upportunities for exploring the complex molecular and cellular processes governing the response of mechanosensitive cells under cyclic stretch.

Predicting drug–drug interactions by electrochemically driven cytochrome P450 3A4 reactions

Objectives Human cytochrome P450 3A4 is the most abundant hepatic and intestinal Phase I enzyme that metabolizes approximately 60% marketed drugs. Simultaneous administration of several drugs may result in appearance of drug–drug interaction. Due to the great interest in the combination therapy, the exploration of the role of drug as “perpetrator” or “victim” is important task in pharmacology. In this work the model systems based on electrochemically driven cytochrome P450 3A4 for the analysis of drug combinations was used. We have shown that the analysis of electrochemical parameters of cytochrome P450 3A4 and especially, potential of the start of catalysis, Eonset, possess predictive properties in the determination of the leading (“perpetrator”) properties of drug. Based on these experimental data, we concluded, that the more positive potential of the start of catalysis, Eonset, the more pronounced the role of drug as leading medication. Methods Electrochemically driven cytochrome P450 3A4 was used as probe and measuring tool for the estimation of the role of interacting drugs. Results It is shown that the electrochemical non-invasive model systems for monitoring the catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 3A4 can be used as prognostic devise in assessment of drug/drug interacting medications. Conclusions Cytochrome P450 3A4 activity was studied in electrochemically driven system. Method was implemented to monitor drug/drug interactions. Based on the obtained experimental data, we can conclude that electrochemical parameter such as potential of onset of catalysis, Eonset, has predictive efficiency in assessment of drug/drug interacting medications in the case of the co-administration.

Optimal Neuro Fuzzy Classification for Arrhythmia Data Driven System

This paper presents a data driven system used for cardiac arrhythmia classification. It applies the Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to classify MIT-BIH arrhythmia database electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings into five (5) heartbeat types. In fact, in order to obtain the input feature vector from recordings, a time scale method based on a Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) was investigated. Then, the time scale features are selected by applying the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Therefore, the selected input feature vectors are classified by the Neuro-Fuzzy method. However, the ANFIS configuration needs mainly the choice of an initial Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) and the training algorithm. Indeed, two clustering algorithms which are the fuzzy c-means (FCM) and the subtractive ( SUBCLUST) algorithms, are applied to generate the initial FIS. Besides, for tuning the ANFIS membership function and rule base parameters, Gradient descent and evolutionary training algorithms are also evaluated. Gradient descent consists of the backpropagation (BP) method and its hybridization with the least square algorithm (Hybrid). However, the evolutionary training methods involve the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the Genetic Algorithm (GA). Therefore, eight (8) ANFIS are configured and assessed. Accordingly, a comparison study between their obtained Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is analyzed. At the end, we have selected an optimal ANFIS which uses the SUBTRUCT algorithm to generate the initial FIS and the GA to tune its parameters. Moreover, to guarantee the effectiveness of this work, a comparison study with related works is done.