Oxygen tension modulates cell function in an in vitro three-dimensional glioblastoma tumor model

Hypoxia is a typical feature of the tumor microenvironment,one of the most critical factors affecting cell behavior and tumor progression.However,the lack of tumor models able to precisely emulate natural brain tumor tissue has impeded the study of the effects of hypoxia on the progression and growth of tumor cells.This study reports a three-dimensional(3D)brain tumor model obtained by encapsulating U87MG(U87)cells in a hydrogel containing type I collagen.It also documents the effect of various oxygen concentrations(1%,7%,and 21%)in the culture environment on U87 cell morphology,proliferation,viability,cell cycle,apoptosis rate,and migration.Finally,it compares two-dimensional(2D)and 3D cultures.For comparison purposes,cells cultured in flat culture dishes were used as the control(2D model).Cells cultured in the 3D model proliferated more slowly but had a higher apoptosis rate and proportion of cells in the resting phase(G0 phase)/gap I phase(G1 phase)than those cultured in the 2D model.Besides,the two models yielded significantly different cell morphologies.Finally,hypoxia(e.g.,1%O2)affected cell morphology,slowed cell growth,reduced cell viability,and increased the apoptosis rate in the 3D model.These results indicate that the constructed 3D model is effective for investigating the effects of biological and chemical factors on cell morphology and function,and can be more representative of the tumor microenvironment than 2D culture systems.The developed 3D glioblastoma tumor model is equally applicable to other studies in pharmacology and pathology.

Study of the geomagnetic field's regional gradients in Chinese continent using three-dimensional surface Spline model

We combined domestic ground-based and satellite magnetic measurements to create a regional three-dimensional surface Spline(3DSS)gradient model of the main geomagnetic field over the Chinese continent.To improve the precision of the model,we considered the data gap between the ground and satellite data.We compared and analyzed the results of the Taylor polynomial,surface Spline,and CHAOS-6(the CHAMP,?rsted and SAC-C model of Earth’s magnetic field)gradient models.Results showed that the gradients in the south-north and east-west directions of the four models were consistent.The 3DSS model was able to express not only gradients at different altitudes,but also average gradients inside the research area.The two Spline models were able to capture more information on gradient anomalies than were the fitted models.Strong local anomalies were observed in northern Xinjiang,Beijing,and the junction area between Jiangsu and Zhejiang,and the total intensity F decreased whereas the altitude increased.The gradient decreased by 21.69%in the south-north direction and increased by 11.78%in the east-west direction.In addition,the altitude gradient turned from negative to positive while the altitude increased.The Spline model and the two fitted models differed mainly in the field sources they expressed and the modeling theory.

Can preoperative planning using IRIS™three-dimensional anatomical virtual models predict operative findings during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy?

Objective To evaluate the predictive validity of IRIS™(Intuitive Surgical®,Sunnyvale,CA,USA)as a planning tool for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy(RAPN)by assessing the degree of overlap with intraoperative execution.Methods Thirty-one patients scheduled for RAPN by four experienced urologists were enrolled in a prospective study.Prior to surgery,urologists reviewed the IRIS™three-dimensional model on an iphone Operating System(iOS)app and completed a questionnaire outlining their surgical plan including surgical approach,and ischemia technique as well as confidence in executing this plan.Postoperatively,questionnaires assessing the procedural approach,clinical utility,efficiency,and effectiveness of IRIS™were completed.The degree of overlap between the preoperative and intraoperative questionnaires and between the planned approach and actual execution of the procedure was analyzed.Questionnaires were answered on a 5-point Likert scale and scores of 4 or greater were considered positive.Results Mean age was 65.1 years with a mean tumor size of 27.7 mm(interquartile range 17.5-44.0 mm).Hilar tumors consisted of 32.3%;48.4%of patients had R.E.N.A.L.nephrometry scores of 7-9.On preoperative questionnaires,the surgeons reported that in 67.7%cases they were confident that they can perform the procedure successfully,and on intraoperative questionnaires,the surgeons reported that in 96.8%cases IRIS™helped achieve good spatial sensation of the anatomy.There was a high degree of overlap between preoperative and intraoperative questionnaires for the surgical approach,interpreting anatomical details and clinical utility.When comparing plans for selective or off-clamp,the preoperative plan was executed in 90.0%of cases intraoperatively.Conclusion A high degree of overlap between the preoperative surgical approach and intraoperative RAPN execution was found using IRIS™.This is the first study to evaluate the predictive accuracy of IRIS™during RAPN by comparing preoperative plan and intraoperative execution.

Three-Dimensional Analytical Modeling of Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet Drivers

In this paper, the axial-flux permanent magnet driver is modeledand analyzed in a simple and novel way under three-dimensional cylindricalcoordinates. The inherent three-dimensional characteristics of the deviceare comprehensively considered, and the governing equations are solved bysimplifying the boundary conditions. The axial magnetization of the sectorshapedpermanent magnets is accurately described in an algebraic form bythe parameters, which makes the physical meaning more explicit than thepurely mathematical expression in general series forms. The parameters of theBessel function are determined simply and the magnetic field distribution ofpermanent magnets and the air-gap is solved. Furthermore, the field solutionsare completely analytical, which provides convenience and satisfactoryaccuracy for modeling a series of electromagnetic performance parameters,such as the axial electromagnetic force density, axial electromagnetic force,and electromagnetic torque. The correctness and accuracy of the analyticalmodels are fully verified by three-dimensional finite element simulations and a15 kW prototype and the results of calculations, simulations, and experimentsunder three methods are highly consistent. The influence of several designparameters on magnetic field distribution and performance is studied and discussed.The results indicate that the modeling method proposed in this papercan calculate the magnetic field distribution and performance accurately andrapidly, which affords an important reference for the design and optimizationof axial-flux permanent magnet drivers.

Shear behavior of intact granite under thermo-mechanical coupling and three-dimensional morphology of shear-formed fractures

The shear failure of intact rock under thermo-mechanical(TM)coupling conditions is common,such as in enhanced geothermal mining and deep mine construction.Under the effect of a continuous engineering disturbance,shear-formed fractures are prone to secondary instability,posing a severe threat to deep engineering.Although numerous studies regarding three-dimensional(3D)morphologies of fracture surfaces have been conducted,the understanding of shear-formed fractures under TM coupling conditions is limited.In this study,direct shear tests of intact granite under various TM coupling conditions were conducted,followed by 3D laser scanning tests of shear-formed fractures.Test results demonstrated that the peak shear strength of intact granite is positively correlated with the normal stress,whereas it is negatively correlated with the temperature.The internal friction angle and cohesion of intact granite significantly decrease with an increase in the temperature.The anisotropy,roughness value,and height of the asperities on the fracture surfaces are reduced as the normal stress increases,whereas their variation trends are the opposite as the temperature increases.The macroscopic failure mode of intact granite under TM coupling conditions is dominated by mixed tensileeshear and shear failures.As the normal stress increases,intragranular fractures are developed ranging from a local to a global distribution,and the macroscopic failure mode of intact granite changes from mixed tensileeshear to shear failure.Finally,3D morphological characteristics of the asperities on the shear-formed fracture surfaces were analyzed,and a quadrangular pyramid conceptual model representing these asperities was proposed and sufficiently verified.

Seepage simulation of high concrete-faced rockfill dams based on generalized equivalent continuum model

This research focused on the three-dimensional(3 D) seepage field simulation of a high concrete-faced rockfill dam(CFRD) under complex hydraulic conditions. A generalized equivalent continuum model of fractured rock mass was used for equivalent continuous seepage field analysis based on the improved node virtual flow method. Using a high CFRD as an example, the generalized equivalent continuum range was determined, and a finite element model was established based on the terrain and geological conditions, as well as structural face characteristics of the dam area. The equivalent seepage coefficients of different material zones or positions in the dam foundation were calculated with the Snow model or inverse analysis. Then, the 3 D seepage field in the dam area was calculated under the normal water storage conditions, and the corresponding water head distribution, seepage flow, seepage gradient, and seepage characteristics in the dam area were analyzed. The results show that the generalized equivalent continuum model can effectively simulate overall seepage patterns of the CFRD under complex hydraulic conditions and provide a reference for seepage analysis of similar CFRDs.

Monitoring models for base flow effect and daily variation of dam seepage elements considering time lag effect

Affected by external environmental factors and evolution of dam performance, dam seepage behavior shows nonlinear time-varying characteristics. In this study, to predict and evaluate the long-term development trend and short-term fluctuation of the dam seepage behavior, two monitoring models were developed, one for the base flow effect and one for daily variation of dam seepage elements. In the first model, to avoid the influence of the time lag effect on the evaluation of seepage variation with the time effect component of seepage elements, the base values of the seepage element and the reservoir water level were extracted using the wavelet multi-resolution analysis method, and the time effect component was separated by the established base flow effect monitoring model. For the development of the daily variation monitoring model for dam seepage elements, all the previous factors, of which the measured time series prior to the dam seepage element monitoring time may have certain influence on the monitored results, were considered. Those factors that were positively correlated with the analyzed seepage element were initially considered to be the support vector machine(SVM) model input factors, and then the SVM kernel function-based sensitivity analysis was performed to optimize the input factor set and establish the optimized daily variation SVM model. The efficiency and rationality of the two models were verified by case studies of the water level of two piezometric tubes buried under the slope of a concrete gravity dam.Sensitivity analysis of the optimized SVM model shows that the influences of the daily variation of the upstream reservoir water level and rainfall on the daily variation of piezometric tube water level are processes subject to normal distribution.

Seepage safety monitoring model for an earth rock dam under influence of high-impact typhoons based on particle swarm optimization algorithm

Extreme hydrological events induced by typhoons in reservoir areas have presented severe challenges to the safe operation of hydraulic structures. Based on analysis of the seepage characteristics of an earth rock dam, a novel seepage safety monitoring model was constructed in this study. The nonlinear influence processes of the antecedent reservoir water level and rainfall were assumed to follow normal distributions. The particle swarm optimization （PSO） algorithm was used to optimize the model parameters so as to raise the fitting accuracy. In addition, a mutation factor was introduced to simulate the sudden increase in the piezometric level induced by short-duration heavy rainfall and the possible historical extreme reservoir water level during a typhoon. In order to verify the efficacy of this model, the earth rock dam of the Siminghu Reservoir was used as an example. The piezometric level at the SW1-2 measuring point during Typhoon Fitow in 2013 was fitted with the present model, and a corresponding theoretical expression was established. Comparison of fitting results of the piezometric level obtained from the present statistical model and traditional statistical model with monitored values during the typhoon shows that the present model has a higher fitting accuracy and can simulate the uprush feature of the seepage pressure during the typhoon perfectly.

A three-dimensional semi-implicit unstructured grid finite volume ocean model

A new three-dimensional semi-implicit finite-volume ocean model has been developed for simulating the coastal ocean circulation, which is based on the staggered C-unstructured non-orthogonal grid in the hor- izontal direction and z-level grid in the vertical direction. The three-dimensional model is discretized by the semi-implicit finite-volume method, in that the free-surface and the vertical diffusion are semi-implicit, thereby removing stability limitations associated with the surface gravity wave and vertical diffusion terms. The remaining terms in the momentum equations are discretized explicitly by an integral method. The partial cell method is used for resolving topography, which enables the model to better represent irregular topography. The model has been tested against analytical cases for wind and tidal oscillation circulation, and is applied to simulating the tidal flow in the Bohal Sea. The results are in good agreement both with the analytical solutions and measurement results.

Three-Dimensional Tidal Model and Its Application to Numerical Simulation of Water Quality in Coastal Waters

The turbulence mechanism plays an important part in the mixing process and momentum transfer of turbulence. A three-dimensional Prandtl mixing length tidal model has been developed to simulate tidal flows and water quality. The eddy viscosities and diffusivities are computed from the Prandtl mixing length model. In order to model the water quality of an estuary or coastal area many interdependent processes need to be simulated. These may be conveniently separated into three main groups: transport and mixing processes, biochemical interaction of water quality variables and the utilization and re-cycling of nutrients by living matter. The model simulates full oxygen and nutrient balance, primary productivity and the transport, reaction mechanism and fate of pollutants over tidal time-scales. The model is applied to numerical simulation of tidal flows and water quality in Dalian Bay. The model has been calibrated against a limited data set of historical water quality observations and in general demonstrates excellent agreement with all available data.

Three-dimensional cell culture systems as an in vitro platform for cancer and stem cell modeling

Three-dimensional(3D)culture systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to mimic tissue-like structures more effectively than the monolayer cultures.In cancer and stem cell research,the natural cell characteristics and architectures are closely mimicked by the 3D cell models.Thus,the 3D cell cultures are promising and suitable systems for various proposes,ranging from disease modeling to drug target identification as well as potential therapeutic substances that may transform our lives.This review provides a comprehensive compendium of recent advancements in culturing cells,in particular cancer and stem cells,using 3D culture techniques.The major approaches highlighted here include cell spheroids,hydrogel embedding,bioreactors,scaffolds,and bioprinting.In addition,the progress of employing 3D cell culture systems as a platform for cancer and stem cell research was addressed,and the prominent studies of 3D cell culture systems were discussed.

The study on three-dimensional numerical model and fronts of the Jiulong Estuary and the Xiamen Bay

Applying the methods of on-site observation and dynamic model, the research on the fronts at the Jiulong Estuary has been carried out, during which spatial and temporal distribution, dynamic characteristics and formation mechanism of salinity fronts are analyzed and discussed. The research shows that the estuarine fronts mainly lie in the area from the Jiyu Islet to the Haimen Island, outside of Yuweizai to Hulishan cross-section, the near coast of Yuweizai and the south of the Songyu-Gulangyu Channel. The fronts in the former two regions are formed directly by plume, while the one near the coast of Yuweizai is a tidal intrusion front caused by flood current and the one at the south of the Songyu-Gulangyu Channel is the result of current shear transformation. Under normal circumstances, fresh water of the Jiulong River mainly influences the inside of the Xiamen Bay, and when it is in typhoon seasons, plume front can affect the Taiwan Strait and has an effect on the biogeochemical Drocesses in the strait.

Groundwater flow through fractured rocks and seepage control in geotechnical engineering: Theories and practices

Groundwater flow through fractured rocks has been recognized as an important issue in many geotechnical engineering practices.Several key aspects of fundamental mechanisms,numerical modeling and engineering applications of flow in fractured rocks are discussed.First,the microscopic mechanisms of fluid flow in fractured rocks,especially under the complex conditions of non-Darcian flow,multiphase flow,rock dissolution,and particle transport,have been revealed through a com-bined effort of visualized experiments and theoretical analysis.Then,laboratory and field methods of characterizing hydraulic properties(e.g.intrinsic permeability,inertial permeability,and unsaturated flow parameters)of fractured rocks in different flow regimes have been proposed.Subsequently,high-performance numerical simulation approaches for large-scale modeling of groundwater flow in frac-tured rocks and aquifers have been developed.Numerical procedures for optimization design of seepage control systems in various settings have also been proposed.Mechanisms of coupled hydro-mechanical processes and control of flow-induced deformation have been discussed.Finally,three case studies are presented to illustrate the applications of the improved theoretical understanding,characterization methods,modeling approaches,and seepage and deformation control strategies to geotechnical engi-neering projects.

A Novel Three-Dimensional Mouse Embryonic Implantation Model In Vitro

To regenerate three-dimensional endometrium in vitro as a novel model for studying the mechanism of implantation of embryos, the luminal epithelial cells and stromal cells of the rabbit uterus were separated and cultured in vitro. The type Ⅰ mouse tail collagen was used as scaffolding material. The stromal cells were inoculated in the type I mouse tail collagen, and the luminal epithelial cells were inoculated on the type i mouse tall collagen to regenerate the endometrium in vitro. The regenerated endometrium was cultured in DMEM-F/12 media containing 100 nmol L^-1 progesterone, 10 nM β-estradiol, and 10% fetal bovine serum （FBS） for 3 d. The media were then replaced with CZB containing 100 nM progesterone, 10 nmol L-1 β-estradiol, and 10% FBS, and the mouse blastulas were co-cultured with it. The results of scanning electronic micrography showed that the epithelial cells on the surface of the reconstructed endometrium were covered with numerous slender microvilli and some epithelial cells protruded pinopodes. After culturing for 12 h with the mouse blastula, the shedding, attachment, and implantation of the blastula were observed. The blastula can escape from zona pellucida and attach to the three-dimensional endometrium and is then implanted into it. This study showed that the reconstructed three-dimensional endometrium can serve as a robust embryo implantation model in vitro.

A Three-Dimensional Water Quality Model and Its Application to Jiaozhou Bay, China

A three-dimensional coupled physical and water quality model was developed and applied to the Jiaozhou Bay to study water quality involving nutrients, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and phytoplankton that are closely related to eutrophication process. The physical model is a modified ECOM-si version with inclusion of flooding/draining processes over the intertidal zone. The water quality model is based on WASP5 which quantifies processes governing internal nutrients cycling, dissolved oxygen balance and phytoplankton growth. The model was used to simulate the spatial distribution and the temporal variation of water quality in the Jiaozhou Bay for the period of May 2005 to May 2006. In addition, the effect of reduction of riverine nutrients load was simulated and evaluated. The simulated results show that under the influence of nutrients discharged from river, the concentrations of nutrients and phytoplankton were higher in the northwest and northeast of the bay, and decreased from the inner bay to the outer. Affected by strong tidal mixing, the concentrations of all state variables were vertically homogeneous except in the deeper regions where a small gradient was found. Obvious seasonal variation of phytoplankton biomass was found, which exhibited two peaks in March and July, respectively. The variation of riverine waste loads had remarkable impact on nutrients concentration in coastal areas, but slightly altered the distribution in the center of the bay.

Construction and Analysis of Three-dimensional Graphic Model of Single-chain Fv Derived from an Anti-human Placental Acidic Isoferritin Monoclonal Antibody by Computer

Summary: A three-dimensional (3D) graphic model of a single-chain Fv (scFv) which was derived from an anti-human placental acidic isoferritin (PAF) monoclonal antibody (MAb) was construct- ed by a homologous protein-predicting computer algorithm on Silicon graphic computer station. The structure, surface static electricity and hydrophobicity of scFv were investigated. Computer graphic modelling indicated that all regions of scFv including the linker, variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light (VL) chains were suitable. The VH region and the VL region were involved in composing the 'hydrophobic pocket'. The linker was drifted away VH and VL regions. The complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of VH and VL regions surrounded the 'hydrophobic pocket'. This study provides a theory basis for improving antibody affinity, investigating antibody structure and analyzing the functions of VH and VL regions in antibody activity.

Three-dimensional fuzzy logic system for process modeling and control

The traditional fuzzy logic system （FLS） can only model and control the process in two-dimensional nature. Many of real-world systems are of multidimensional features, such as, thermal and fluid processes with spatiotemporal dynamics, biological systems, or decision-making processes that contain stochastic and imprecise uncertainties. These types of systems are difficult for the traditional FLS to model and control because they require a third dimension for spatial or probabilistic information. The type-2 fuzzy set provides the possibility to develop a three-dimensional fuzzy logic system for modeling and controlling these processes in three-dimensional nature.

Three-dimensional tidal current numerical model of the Oujiang Estuary

The characteristics of three-dimensional （3-D） tidal current in the Oujiang Estuary are investigated according to in situ observations. The Oujiang Estuary has features of irregular coastline, complex topography, many islands, moveable boundary, and submerged dyke, therefore, σ 3-D numerical model oil an unstructured triangular grid has been degeloped. The σ coordinate transforination, the moveable boundary and submerged dyke treatment techniques were employed in the model so it is suitable for the tidal simulations in the Oujing Estuary with submerged dyke and moveable boundary problems. The model is evaluated with the in situ data, and the results show that the calculated water elevations at 19 stations and currents at 19 profiler stations are in good agreement with measured data both in magnitude and phase. This numerical model is applied to the 3-D tidal circulation simulations of experiments in stopping flow transport through the South Branch of the Oujiang Estuary, and the feasibility to cutoff the flow in the South Branch of the Oujiang Estuary is demonstrated by numerical simulation experiments. The developed numerical model simulated the 3-D tidal current circulations in complicated coastal and estuarine waters very well.