To explore the safety and efficacy of the allogeneic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) strip transplantation for patients with RPE degeneration. Single-arm, open-label, interventional study. Three eyes from 3 patients clinically diagnosed with RPE impairment disease; 1 patient had dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and remaining 2 patients had MERTK-associated retinitis pigmentosa. Allogeneic iPSC-derived RPE strip transplantation was performed by a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. The RPE strips were prepared by incubating iPSC-derived RPE cells in 2-mm-wide grooves in the mold. Artificial retinal detachment was generated using a 38-gauge subretinal cannula, and the RPE strips were injected into the retinal bleb using a 31-gauge cannula with the maximum graft dose limited to 2 strips. The reduction of RPE abnormal area by the engraftment of transplanted allogeneic iPSC-derived RPE cells, which was measured by analyzing fluorescein angiography with an automated evaluation program at pretransplantation and up to 52 weeks posttransplantation. The primary endpoint of reducing abnormal areas of RPE through the survival of the transplanted graft cells was achieved in all patients at 52 weeks posttransplantation. Visual function assessments confirmed significant vision-related quality of life improvement and potential retinal sensitivity restoration in 1 patient with dry AMD. The successful subretinal delivery of the iPSC-derived RPE strips was confirmed during and immediately after surgery. The engraftment of RPE cells migrated out from the strips was observed using polarization-sensitive OCT specifically and visualized as characteristic hexagonal cells via adaptive optics imaging in all patients. While no serious adverse events occurred, suspected immune reactions to graft cells and epiretinal membrane formation were observed in 1 patient each. A decrease in the RPE abnormal area by reliable delivery of allogeneic iPSC-derived RPE strips was achieved in all 3 cases with no serious adverse events. Further long-term studies and larger cohorts with better preoperative vision are warranted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RPE strip transplantation. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

In this study, an experimental investigation of separation control using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator was performed on an NACA0015 airfoil over a wide range of Reynolds numbers, angles of attack, and nondimensional burst frequencies. The range of the Reynolds number was based on a chord length ranging from 2.52 × 10${}^5$ to 1.008 × 10${}^6$. A plasma actuator was installed at the leading edge and driven by AC voltage. Burst mode (duty-cycle) actuation was applied, with the nondimensional burst frequency ranging between 0.1–30. The control authority was evaluated using the time-averaged distribution of the pressure coefficient $Cp$ and the calculated value of the lift coefficient $C_l$. The baseline flow fields were classified into three types: (1) leading-edge separation; (2) trailing-edge separation; and (3) the hysteresis between (1) and (2). The results of the actuated cases show that the control trends clearly depend on the differences in the separation conditions. In leading-edge separation, actuation with a burst frequency of approximately $F^{+}=$ 0.5 creates a wide negative pressure region on the suction-side surface, leading to an increase in the lift coefficient. In trailing-edge separation, several actuations alter the position of turbulent separation.

Recent advances in the microfabrication technology have made it possible to control surface properties at micro- and nanoscale levels. Functional surfaces drastically change wettability and condensation processes that are essential for controlling of heat transfer. However, the direct observation of condensation on micro- and nanostructure surfaces is difficult, and further understanding of the effects of the microstructure on the phase change is required. In this research, the contact angle of droplets with a wall surface and the initial condensation process were analyzed using a molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the impact of nanoscale structures and their adhesion force on condensation. The results demonstrated the dependence of the contact angle of the droplets and condensation dynamics on the wall structure and attractive force of the wall surface. Condensed water droplets were adsorbed into the nanostructures and formed a water film in case of a hydrophilic surface.

The purpose of this study was to compare the basic aerodynamic characteristics of a previously developed 8-panel soccer ball with those of a new 32-panel soccer ball by conducting wind tunnel tests. Experimental results show that the critical Reynolds number (Re) was approximately 3.3 × 10⁵ for the 8-panel ball and approximately 2.4 × 10⁵ for the new ball, i.e., the Re of the new ball was slightly lower than that of the 8-panel ball. We conclude that the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the new 32-panel ball is closer to that of a golf ball than an 8-panel ball.

The configuration of new soccer balls has closely approached a perfect round shape by not only reducing the number of panels but also by eliminating roughness of the panel joints by utilizing thermal bonding process recently. Therefore, in a non-rotating or low-rotating moving shot, a soccer ball drops and curves, i.e. motion by the change of wake flow, which is called a knuckle ball effect. Factors of the knuckle ball effect on the new soccer balls were investigated in case of a non-rotating shot and a low-rotating one. A correlation between fluctuation of the wake and fluid forces was identified in a symmetric panel configuration of the ball. The asymmetric configuration of the ball panel was also investigated as a factor to bring unpredictable change of the ball flight path. The low-rotating ball changes its frontal area against the moving direction and it produces irregular lateral forces. Consequently, the factors which produced the knuckle ball effect were found to be different from the case of non-rotating shots and low rotating shots.