A development of optimized design process for a high performance actuator is presented in this article. A PES (Position Error Signal) estimator employing both numerical model and experimental data is developed for effective and accurate optimization process. Statistically formulated optimization method presented here delivers not only wide bandwidth actuator design for PES reduction but higher shock proof HDA design. Besides the presented method incorporates volume production parameters so that designers are able to expect design tolerance and cost relations.

This paper analyzes the effect of a thermocline on the long-range acoustic signal propagation using the experimental data acquired in the shallow water near Jeju island. Temperature and salinity measurement data in Korea Oceanographic Data Center (KODC) show that the seasonal thermocline exists near Jeju island, and, under the thermocline, the bottom loss property strongly affects the long-range propagation of acoustic signal along the down-ward refractive paths. We estimate the bottom loss under the thermocline using experiment data obtained near Jeju island in May, 2013. The result shows that the estimated bottom losses are below 3 dB and the higher level signal is received at the deeper receiver depths. This shows that the acoustic trapping under the thermocline can be a viable long-range signal transmission channel in the shallow water with a thermocline.

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Background: Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) treatment results in high rates of viral suppression with no described resistance; however its use has been associated with a deterioration in bone mineral density and eGFR over time. TAF, a novel prodrug of tenofovir (TFV), has better stability in plasma resulting in lower systemic TFV exposures than TDF. Phase 3 studies of TAF in CHB demonstrated lower declines in eGFR compared to TDF over 48 weeks of treatment. Aims: Here, we further characterize the clinical renal benefits of TAF compared to TDF. Methods: In two identically-designed Phase 3 studies of TAF (Study 110 in HBeAg positive and Study 108 in HBeAg negative patients), patients were randomized 2:1 to TAF 25 mg QD or TDF 300 mg QD, each with matching placebo, and treated for 96 weeks. After Week 96, patients receive open label TAF for 48 weeks. Renal parameters including eGFR calculated by Cockcroft-Gault and CKD-EPI were evaluated throughout the study period. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging was categorized according to the NKF KDOQI guidelines (Stage 1: eGFR ≥ 90ml/min; Stage 2: eGFR 60-90 ml/min; Stage 3 eGFR 30-59 ml/min). Evaluated risk factors for kidney disease included older age and comorbidities of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Multivariate analysis was performed using backwards stepwise approach. Results: Baseline demographics between TAF and TDF groups in both studies were generally balanced for risk factors for kidney disease. At week 48 , patients treated with TAF had smaller changes in creatinine (median change 0.01 mg/dL for TAF and 0.02 mgdL for TDF; p=0.012) and eGFRCG (median change -1.2 mL/min for TAF and -5.4 mL/min for TDF; p<0.001) during 48 weeks of treatment. The number of patients who had >25% creatinine clearance reductions was also greater in the TDF arm versus the TAF arm (14.5% vs 8.

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