无线供能系统接收装置的结构设计

目的 无线供能系统的接收装置囿于尺寸限制难以满足越来越高的能量要求,提高空间利用率是解决这一难题的关键.方法 从接收装置的姿态稳定性和体内温升安全性角度出发,通过实验方法确定接收装置磁芯的较优形状,并在给定尺寸约束下根据几何关系建立方程解出磁芯尺寸与导线股数和匝数,从而实现接收装置的结构优化.应用该方法对肠道机器人无线供能模块的能量接收装置进行了设计和实验.结果 在外形≤φ10 mm×10 mm的约束下,接收装置输出功率可以保证在500 mW以上,并且符合温升安全性要求.结论 实验结果表明了这种带约束的对称性设计方法的有效性.     

Dilution of candidates: the case of iron-related genes in restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common multifactorial disease. Some genetic risk factors have been identified. RLS susceptibility also has been related to iron. We therefore asked whether known iron-related genes are candidates for association with RLS and, vice versa, whether known RLS-associated loci influence iron parameters in serum. RLS/control samples (n=954/1814 in the discovery step, 735/736 in replication 1, and 736/735 in replication 2) were tested for association with SNPs located within 4 Mb intervals surrounding each gene from a list of 111 iron-related genes using a discovery threshold of P=5 × 10⁻⁴. Two population cohorts (KORA F3 and F4 with together n=3447) were tested for association of six known RLS loci with iron, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin-saturation, and soluble transferrin receptor. Results were negative. None of the candidate SNPs at the iron-related gene loci was confirmed significantly. An intronic SNP, rs2576036, of KATNAL2 at 18q21.1 was significant in the first (P=0.00085) but not in the second replication step (joint nominal P-value=0.044). Especially, rs1800652 (C282Y) in the HFE gene did not associate with RLS. Moreover, SNPs at the known RLS loci did not significantly affect serum iron parameters in the KORA cohorts. In conclusion, the correlation between RLS and iron parameters in serum may be weaker than assumed. Moreover, in a general power analysis, we show that genetic effects are diluted if they are transmitted via an intermediate trait to an end-phenotype. Sample size formulas are provided for small effect sizes.     

Optimization of Polymer Solar Cells Based on the Conjugated Copolymer of Poly(phenylenevinylene‐alt‐4,7‐diphenyl‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole) (PP‐DBT)

Polymer solar cells based on poly(phenylenevinylene‐alt‐4,7‐diphenyl‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole) (PP‐DBT):[6,6]‐phenyl C₇₁ butyric acid methyl‐ester (PC₇₁BM) blend films are optimized. The results show that the solar cell has a better performance at a 1:4 blend ratio than at 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:5 blend ratios, due to the higher hole mobility of active layer and the optimized morphology. The device prepared from chlorobenzene (CB) has a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than the devices prepared from chloroform and o‐dichlorobenzene, because the former has a much higher short‐circuit current density (J_sc) resulting from the morphology with proper phase separation. The solar cell modified with two layers of ZnO nanocrystals achieves the best performance with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.9 V, a J_sc of 7.46 mW cm^?2, fill factor (FF) of 0.50, and PCE of 3.36%.

     

Fully Implantable Deep Brain Stimulation System with Wireless Power Transmission for Long-term Use in Rodent Models of Parkinson's Disease

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study to develop new deep-brain stimulation system for long-term use in animals, in order to develop a variety of neural prostheses.MethodsOur system has two distinguished features, which are the fully implanted system having wearable wireless power transfer and ability to change the parameter of stimulus parameter. It is useful for obtaining a variety of data from a long-term experiment.ResultsTo validate our system, we performed pre-clinical test in Parkinson''s disease-rat models for 4 weeks. Through the in vivo test, we observed the possibility of not only long-term implantation and stability, but also free movement of animals. We confirmed that the electrical stimulation neither caused any side effect nor damaged the electrodes.ConclusionWe proved possibility of our system to conduct the long-term pre-clinical test in variety of parameter, which is available for development of neural prostheses.     

Phenotype classification using the combination of lung sound analysis and fractional exhaled nitric oxide for evaluating asthma treatment

Background

We report the utility of combining lung sound analysis and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) for phenotype classification of airway inflammation in patients with bronchial asthma.We investigated the usefulness of the combination of the expiration-to-inspiration sound power ratio in the mid-frequency range (E/I MF) of 200–400 Hz and FeNO for comprehensively classifying disease type and evaluating asthma treatment.

Power wheelchair driving challenges in the community: a users’ perspective

Purpose: There is limited information on the difficulties individuals experience in manoeuvring their power wheelchairs during daily activities. The aim of this study was to describe the nature and context of power wheelchair driving challenges from the perspective of the user. Methods: A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with power wheelchair users. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes. Results: Twelve experienced power wheelchair users were interviewed. Findings revealed that power wheelchair driving difficulties were related to the accomplishment of activities of daily living, and the influence of environmental context. Four key themes emerged: (1) difficulties accessing and using public buildings-facilities, (2) outdoor mobility, (3) problems in performing specific wheelchair mobility tasks/manoeuvres and (4) barriers and circumstances that are temporary, unforeseen or specific to a particular context. Conclusion: This qualitative study furthers our understanding of the driving difficulties powered wheelchair (PW) users experience during daily activities. This knowledge will assist clinicians and researchers in two areas: in choosing assessment measures that are ecologically valid for power wheelchair users; and, in identifying and refining the content of training programs specific to the use of power wheelchairs.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• A better understanding of the everyday challenges individuals experience in driving their power wheelchair will assist clinicians and researchers in:

• Choosing assessment measures and identifying training programs for this population.

• Refining the content of power wheelchair training programs.

     

早期卧位功率性自行车训练对格林巴利患者步行能力的影响

目的:观察早期卧位功率性自行车训练对格林巴利患者步行能力的影响。方法:格林巴利患者30例随机分为2组各15例,对照组采用常规康复训练,观察组在此基础上增加卧式功率性自行车踩踏训练。治疗前后评定2组患者的平衡功能(BBS)、日常生活能力评分(MBI)、下肢徒手肌力检查(MMT)、步行能力(10m步行时间,6min步行距离)及Holden步行功能。结果:治疗4周后,2组患者的MBI﹑肌力﹑BBS评分及步行能力均较治疗前明显提高(P<0.05),且观察组更高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:卧位功率性功率性自行车训练能有效改善亚急性期格林巴利综合症患者的步行能力。