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Quasi-3D Evaluation Method for Optimizing Low-Speed High-Torque Induction Motors with Matrix-Rotor Structure
No full textPermanent magnet machines have been the pinnacle of performance in low-speed high-torque applications, although several unsuccessful attempts have been made to propose suitable induction machine solutions for direct-drive scenarios. Recently in the literature, a new axial-flux matrix-rotor induction machine has been proposed as a potential alternative in direct-drive low-speed high-torque applications, but its competitivity is truncated by the lack of tools to conduct large-scale analysis of their performance. In this work, a semi-analytical tool was developed to quickly assess the performance of axial-flux matrix-rotor induction motors, simplifying the matrix-rotor structure, and devising representative 3D and linear 2D finite element models, extremely reducing computation time. The proposed method aims to leverage the identification of estimation error sources and to allow multi-objective optimization of an axial-flux matrix-rotor induction motor. From the results obtained through the proposed tool, an initial-sized axial-flux matrix-rotor induction motor was refined and optimized using a multi-objective approach. Good results in terms of torque capacity, efficiency, and power factor were obtained, underlining the suitability of the new axial-flux matrix-rotor induction motor for low-speed high-torque applications
Ensemble Transitive Bidirectional Decoupled Self-Distillation for Time-Series Classification
Get PDFNumerous existing deep learning models for time-series classification (TSC) tend to overlook the intricate interplay between higher-and lower-level semantic information. While the focus is often on extracting higher-level semantics from lower-level sources, the reciprocal influence of lower-level information on higher levels is undervalued. To address this, we propose an ensemble transitive bidirectional decoupled self-distillation (ETBiDecSD) method for TSC. ETBiDecSD enhances the robustness of higher-level semantic information using an average feature ensemble (AFE) method to amalgamate the output from each level. Simultaneously, the integrated features are transmitted to each lower level through a directional decoupled distillation (DD) structure. Additionally, to promote deep interaction between higher-and lower-level semantic information, ETBiDecSD introduces a transitive bidirectional DD (TBDD) structure, facilitating the transfer of target-class and nontarget-class knowledge between higher and lower levels. Experimental results demonstrate that whether a fully convolutional network (FCN) with four convolutional blocks or InceptionTime with four Inception blocks is used as the baseline, ETBiDecSD outperforms a quantity of well-established self-distillation algorithms across 85 widely used UCR2018 datasets, as evidenced by the metrics “win”/“tie”/“lose” and avg. rank, which are derived from accuracy and F1-scores. Notably, when compared to a nonself-distillation FCN, ETBiDecSD achieves “win”/“tie”/“lose” results of 64/4/17 in terms of accuracy and 65/4/16 in terms of F1-score. Similarly, in comparison to a nonself-distillation InceptionTime, ETBiDecSD attains “win”/“tie”/“lose” results of 60/12/13 for accuracy and 57/12/16 for F1-score
Dendritic Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Mediate Inflammation in Egg Allergy Patients
Get PDFAtopic allergy is rising globally and placing a significant strain on healthcare systems, yet the understanding of the underpinning mechanisms of allergic sensitization remains incomplete. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently emerged as important mediators of immune modulation, due to their diverse cargo, and therefore may play a mechanistic role in allergic sensitization development. Thus, this study investigated whether EVs released by activated dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to allergic sensitization of the common egg allergen, ovalbumin (OVA). DCs were generated from human monocytes cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4, then stimulated with LPS and/or OVA. EVs were subsequently isolated using size-exclusion chromatography and added to freshly isolated naive T cells at defined time points. T cell responses were then analyzed using spectral flow cytometry. The results highlight that EVs derived from LPS or LPS + OVA-stimulated DCs enhanced IL-4 production and reduced IFN-γ production in naive T cells from egg-allergic donors, indicating a shift toward a Th2 profile. In healthy donors, LPS-induced DC EVs also suppressed IFN-γ expression. Notably, EVs alone were insufficient to activate T cells without CD3/CD28 co-stimulation, suggesting that EVs may function as a “third signal” shaping T cell polarization. These findings highlight a potential role for DC-derived EVs in initiating allergic sensitization
Randomised controlled trial finds no evidence that a synbiotic improves health in assistance dog puppies
Get PDFBackgroundPrebiotics and probiotics (‘synbiotics’ when combined) are purported to be effective in the treatment of diarrhoea and potentially other diseases.MethodsA triple-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a synbiotic in reducing the occurrence and severity of diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disease and atopy. The synbiotic contained Enterococcus faecium, fructo-oligosaccharides and gum arabic. Puppies were randomly allocated to one of two groups, one receiving the synbiotic and the other receiving a placebo from five to approximately 10 weeks of age. A further 116 puppies from 15 litters served as a non-operative control group. Faecal scores were recorded during supplementation, and the incidence of gastrointestinal disease and atopy later in life was assessed.ResultsFifty-seven litters (419 puppies) were given the synbiotic and 57 litters (412 puppies) were given a placebo. Attrition was minimal. Diarrhoea status did not differ significantly among groups, nor did groups differ in incidence of gastrointestinal disease or atopy.LimitationsThe non-operative control group was not randomly allocated. The effectiveness of only one type of synbiotic was investigated and effects were predominantly assessed for a relatively short period early in life.ConclusionNo benefits of administering this synbiotic early in life were observed
Clostridium beijerinckii displays a soluble [FeFe]-hydrogenase/formate dehydrogenase enzyme complex that links H2 and CO2 metabolism
Get PDFThe production of biofuels by bacterial fermentation receives sustained attention due to the need to develop novel circular and sustainable technologies. Clostridium beijerinckii produces both hydrogen (H2) and carbon-based biofuels acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE solvents). H2 metabolism in C. beijerinckii is complex and mostly unexplored. Seven hydrogenase genes are contained in the genome, but their exact physiological role is unknown. Here, we report on the characterisation of a novel heterotetrameric soluble enzyme complex composed of an [FeFe]-hydrogenase component stably bound to a formate dehydrogenase subunit, which we name CbFdh/Hyd. We show that the four subunits form a stable complex that can be conveniently overexpressed and purified recombinantly. CbFdh/Hyd is highly sensitive to atmospheric oxygen and displays reversible catalytic features, including H2 evolution, H2 uptake, formate oxidation and the ability to split formate into H2 and CO2 (formate hydrogen lyase activity, FHL) as well as the opposite reaction, H2-driven CO2 reduction (HDCR). CbFdh/Hyd displays functional and spectroscopic features very similar to Fdh/Hyd complexes previously described in acetogens, suggesting that this enzyme is at the basis of the previously reported unconventional ability of C. beijerinckii to fix CO2 into acetate and butyrate. CbFdh/Hyd could also represent a key player in H2 production metabolism by degrading formate produced from the decarboxylation of pyruvate
Evaluation of one-image 3D reconstruction for plant model generation
Get PDFGenerating accurate and visually realistic 3D models of plants from single-view images is crucial yet remains challenging due to plants’ intricate geometry and frequent occlusions. This capability matters because it supplements current plant datasets and enables non-destructive, high-throughput phenotyping for crop breeding and precision agriculture. More broadly, 3D reconstruction is particularly important because plant morphology is inherently three-dimensional, while 2D representations miss occluded leaves, branching geometry, and volumetric traits. However, plants present unique challenges compared to common rigid objects, and most current generative methods have not been systematically tested in this domain, leaving a gap in understanding their reliability for realistic plant reconstruction. This study systematically evaluates six advanced generative techniques–Hunyuan3D 2.0, Trellis (Structured 3D Latents), One2345++, InstantMesh, Direct3D and Unique3D–using the existing PlantDreamer dataset. Specifically, this research reconstructs mesh models from images of Bean plants and quantitatively assesses each method’s performance against ground-truth models using Chamfer Distance, Normal Consistency, F-Score, PSNR, LPIPS, and CLIP Score. The paper also presents qualitative results of Kale and Mint plants. The results indicate that Hunyuan3D 2.0 achieves superior performance overall, suggesting its effectiveness in capturing complex plant structures. This work provides valuable insights into strengths and limitations of contemporary 3D generative approaches, guiding future improvements in realistic plant digitisation
Generalized Decoupled Control and Capacitor Voltage Balancing for Current Scalable Modular Multilevel Converter
Get PDFModular multilevel converters (MMCs) that utilize parallel cells instead of cascaded cells have the potential to provide scalable high-current, medium-voltage solutions without requiring cell redesign to achieve higher current ratings. However, effective control of circulating currents and capacitor voltage imbalances is crucial. This article proposes a decoupled model and control strategy for MMCs with any type of parallel interleaved cells. The modeling relies on linear transformations to decouple the voltage-current and power-capacitor models, allowing the use of conventional control techniques to regulate the MMC. This transformation is applicable to any converter with an arbitrary number of cells. The balance of the floating capacitors is achieved by injecting a circulating current between the parallel cells, which could be dc or ac. An experimental setup of 3 kVA, comprising an MMC double-star bridge-cell (MMC-DSBC) with three arms in parallel, was effectively utilized to validate the proposed modeling and control strategy. This setup demonstrates the accurate balancing of floating capacitor voltages in which an ac circulating current was injected. These results expand the modularity of the MMC from voltage-scalable applications to current-scalable applications
Exploring vibronic dynamics near a sloped conical intersection with trapped Rydberg ions
Get PDFWe study spin-phonon coupled dynamics in the vicinity of a sloped conical intersection created by laser coupling the electronic (spin) and vibrational degrees of freedom of a pair of trapped Rydberg ions. We show that the shape of the potential energy surfaces can be engineered and controlled by exploiting the sideband transitions of the crystal vibration and dipole-dipole interactions between Rydberg ions in the Lamb-Dicke regime. Using the sideband transition, we realize a sloped conical intersection whose cone axis is only tilted along one spatial axis. When the phonon wave packet is located in the minimum of the lower potential surface, the spin and phonon dynamics are largely frozen owing to the geometric phase effect. When starting from the upper potential surface, the electronic and phonon states tunnel to the lower potential surface, leading to a partial revival of the initial state. In contrast, the dynamics drastically change when the initial wave packets are away from the conical intersection. The initial state is revived, and it is almost entirely irrelevant whether it is from the lower or upper potential surface. Complete Rabi oscillations of the adiabatic states are found when the wave packet is initialized on the upper potential surface. The dynamics occur on the microsecond and nanometer scales, implying that Rydberg ions provide a platform for simulating nonadiabatic processes in the vicinity of a sloped conical intersection
From Subliminality, to the Unconscious Mind: Philosophical Lineages, Evolutionary Paradoxes, and the Future of the Origins of the Unconscious
No full textIn previous works, we provided empirical evidence and the theoretical foundations for a conceptual dissociation between subliminality, such as purported emotional responses to invisible-imperceptible elicitors, and the intelligent workings of the notion of an unconscious mind, such as involuntary and automatic physiological experiences and behavioural patterns that precede but eventually interact with conscious awareness and evaluation. In this manuscript, we address this differentiation from a Theory of Evolution perspective. We show and discuss that a singularly subliminal module of unconscious processing could not have led to phylogenetic and ontogenetic skill acquisition, conscious problem-solving, volitional social engagement , inhibition and affect, and the development of consciously actionable cognitive-behavioural personality traits and characteristics. We argue that unconscious processing in the complete absence of conscious involvement and awareness, meta-awareness, and meta-cognition, would constitute an evolutionary hurdle and limitation. In contrast, we discuss and provide evidence that unconscious responses that occur before but eventually involve and interact with conscious awareness is a necessary condition for ecological adaptation. We highlight that unconscious-and-conscious communication, and interactions can contribute to implicit and explicit skill-acquisition, immediate physiological responses to threatening and social-related elicitors, and the ability to evaluate, appraise, re-appraise and align our experiences and responses to real-life ecological settings and adaptive demands. We conclude our manuscript with a discussion concerning the lack and need thereof of an experimental paradigm with which to, firstly, properly and appropriately explore subliminality, and, secondly, systematically and validly explore the interactions and workings of consciousness and the unconscious mind
Switch metastable dynamics in many-body open quantum systems
Get PDFStochastic switching is a central phenomenon in dissipative many-body systems, offering a key probe of metastability across classical and quantum regimes. Here, we unravel the connection between switching dynamics and quantum metastability through the lens of spectral decomposition, quantum-jump simulations, and the large deviation principles. By establishing a direct correspondence between classical fixed points and quantum metastable states, we distinguish the trajectory-level noise-induced metastability from the spectrum-level deterministic metastability in a Markovian open quantum system with bistability. The Liouvillian gap, the steady-state occupation ratio, and the observed switching rates of the metastable states all exhibit exponential scaling with system size, giving rise to a quantum analogue of Arrhenius law, with the inverse system size serving as an effective temperature. These results provide a unified picture of quantum bistability and clarify the relaxation processes of strongly interacting, dissipative quantum systems far from the thermodynamic limit
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