AN INTELLIGENT TREADMILL SYSTEM FOR RUNNING TRAINING: CONTROL OF BELT SPEED AND BIOFEEDBACK

We developed an intelligent treadmill system to realize more comfortable and safer running exercise. In the first part, we developed an algorithm to estimate the intended running speed of the user. We used the relation between the forward impulse of ground reaction force during the stance phase, stance time and swing time to estimate the intended running speed. We implemented the algorithm to an instrumented treadmill. In the second part, we evaluated the effects of real-time biofeedback of the mechanical stress on the legs. Initial peak of ground reaction force and leg stiffness value calculated based on the mass-spring model was visually shown. The subjects were instructed to reduce these values. It was found that initial peak of ground reaction force as well as leg stiffness can be effectively adjusted using visual biofeedback

A connecter-like factor, CacA, links RssB/RpoS and the CpxR/CpxA two-component system in Salmonella

BACKGROUND: Bacteria integrate numerous environmental stimuli when generating cellular responses. Increasing numbers of examples describe how one two-component system (TCS) responds to signals detected by the sensor of another TCS. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain poorly defined. RESULTS: Here, we report a connector-like factor that affects the activity of the CpxR/CpxA two-component system in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. We isolated a clone that induced the expression of a cpxP-lac gene fusion from a high-copy-number plasmid pool of random Salmonella genomic fragments. A 63-amino acid protein, CacA, was responsible for the CpxA/CpxR-dependent activation of the cpxP gene. The CpxR-activated genes cpxP and spy exhibited approximately 30% and 50% reductions in transcription, respectively, in a clean cacA deletion mutant strain in comparison to wild-type. From 33 response regulator (RR) deletion mutants, we identified that the RssB regulator represses cacA transcription. Substitution mutations in a conserved -10 region harboring the RNA polymerase recognition sequence, which is well conserved with a known RpoS -10 region consensus sequence, rendered the cacA promoter RpoS-independent. The CacA-mediated induction of cpxP transcription was affected in a trxA deletion mutant, which encodes thioredoxin 1, suggesting a role for cysteine thiol-disulfide exchange(s) in CacA-dependent Cpx activation. CONCLUSIONS: We identified CacA as an activator of the CpxR/CpxA system in the plasmid clone. We propose that CacA may integrate the regulatory status of RssB/RpoS into the CpxR/CpxA system. Future investigations are necessary to thoroughly elucidate how CacA activates the CpxR/CpxA system

A Sillén Oxyhalide SrBi₃O₄Cl₃ as a Promising Photocatalyst for Water Splitting: Impact of the Asymmetric Structure on Light Absorption and Charge Carrier Dynamics

Bismuth-based oxyhalides with layered Sillén(–Aurivillius) structures have attracted significant attention as photocatalysts. Recent studies have unveiled a part of the structure–property relationship of the materials; however, it has not been fully understood. In the present study, we investigated a Sillén-type oxyhalide SrBi₃O₄Cl₃ with single and double halogen layers. Interestingly, SrBi₃O₄Cl₃ showed a visible light response up to ∼460 nm, whereas SrBiO₂Cl and BiOCl with single and double halogen layers, respectively, did not. Rietveld refinement and STEM-EDX mapping determined the asymmetric Bi occupation in the fluorite [Sr₀.₅Bi₁.₅O₂] layer of SrBi₃O₄Cl₃, which was derived from the coexistence of the halogen layers. DFT calculations and Madelung potential calculations showed that the asymmetric Bi occupation affords both the Bi–Bi interaction across the single halogen layer and the electrostatic destabilization of Cl in the double halogen layer, probably leading to the narrow bandgap of SrBi₃O₄Cl₃. Another merit of possessing the two different halogen layers was revealed by time-resolved microwave conductivity measurements as well as DFT calculations; the spatial separation of the conduction band minimum and valence band maximum based on the coexistence of the halogen layers would promote charge carrier separation. Visible-light-driven Z-scheme water splitting was accomplished using a RuO₂-loaded SrBi₃O₄Cl₃ sample as an O₂-evolving photocatalyst. This study provides another option for engineering band structures and promoting the charge carrier separation of layered oxyhalides for efficient water splitting under visible light

Spatially Resolved Spectral Imaging by A THz-FEL

Using the unique characteristics of the free-electron-laser (FEL), we successfully performed high-sensitivity spectral imaging of different materials in the terahertz (THz) and far-infrared (FIR) domain. THz imaging at various wavelengths was achieved using in situ spectroscopy by means of this wavelength tunable and monochromatic source. In particular, owing to its large intensity and directionality, we could collect high-sensitivity transmission imaging of extremely low-transparency materials and three-dimensional objects in the 3–6 THz range. By accurately identifying the intrinsic absorption wavelength of organic and inorganic materials, we succeeded in the mapping of spatial distribution of individual components. This simple imaging technique using a focusing optics and a raster scan modality has made it possible to set up and carry out fast spectral imaging experiments on different materials in this radiation facility

Artifact tolerance test for capacitive wearable chest-belt electrocardiograph - Effect of electrode configuration

Electrocardiogram (ECG) provides useful information for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. In capacitive-coupled ECG sensing, electrostatic artifact and movement artifact become serious problems. In particular, low frequency components such as T wave of ECG are susceptible to the artifacts. To obtain clear ECG, high stability is required for the electrocardiograph using capacitive-coupled electrode. In this study, tolerance of capacitive wearable chest-belt electrocardiograph was tested for the electrostatic and movement artifacts. A constant electrostatic artifact was discharged repeatedly on three types of electrode having different shielding configurations, and their transient responses were compared in terms of deviation area, transient slope and recovery time. The results revealed the best tolerance of doubly-shielded five-layered electrode. The best performed five-layered electrode was used for exercise tolerance test. Then, detection rates of R-wave and T-wave of ECG, and standard deviation of base line of the recordings were calculated as tolerance indices and compared to those obtained by commercial disposable electrode. Although R-wave detection rate of the five-layered electrode decreased by 2.0%, the rate of T-wave was comparable to those of the disposable electrode. Furthermore, the standard deviation of the base line was significantly smaller than that of the disposable electrode (p<0.01)

Manipulation of charge carrier flow in Bi₄NbO₈Cl nanoplate photocatalyst with metal loading

Separation of photoexcited charge carriers in semiconductors is important for efficient solar energy conversion and yet the control strategies and underlying mechanisms are not fully established. Although layered compounds have been widely studied as photocatalysts, spatial separation between oxidation and reduction reaction sites is a challenging issue due to the parallel flow of photoexcited carriers along the layers. Here we demonstrate orthogonal carrier flow in layered Bi₄NbO₈Cl by depositing a Rh cocatalyst at the edges of nanoplates, resulting in spatial charge separation and significant enhancement of the photocatalytic activity. Combined experimental and theoretical studies revealed that lighter photogenerated electrons, due to a greater in-plane dispersion of the conduction band (vs. valence band), can travel along the plane and are readily trapped by the cocatalyst, whereas the remaining holes hop perpendicular to the plane because of the anisotropic crystal geometry. Our results propose manipulating carrier flow via cocatalyst deposition to achieve desirable carrier dynamics for photocatalytic reactions in layered compounds

Current Status and Future of Land Surface Models

Although climate conditions primarily determine the distribution and functioning of vegetation, vegetation also influences climate via biophysical and biogeochemical features such as evapotranspiration, albedo, carbon cycling, trace gas emissions, and the roughness of the land surface. Forecasts of rapid climate change during the next 100~200 years, fueled by an increase in greenhouse gases, have motivated the development of land surface models (LSMs) that predict changes in vegetation functions. Here, we review how these models have been developed and used to simulate interactive processes between climate and the land surface. Current limitations and future perspectives of the LSMs are also presented

Changes in temporomandibular joint and ramus after sagittal split ramus osteotomy in mandibular prognathism patients with and without asymmetry

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and ramus after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) with and without Le Fort I osteotomy. The subjects consisted of 87 Japanese patients diagnosed with mandibular prognathism with and without asymmetry. They were divided into 2 groups (42 symmetric patients and 45 asymmetric patients). The TMJ disc tissue was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the TMJ space, condylar and ramus angle were assessed by computed tomography (CT) preoperatively and postoperatively. Medial joint space on the deviation side in the asymmetry group was significantly larger than that in the symmetry group (P = 0.0043), and coronal ramus angle on the non-deviation side in the asymmetry group was significantly larger than that in the symmetry group preoperatively (P = 0.0240). The horizontal condylar angle on the deviation side in the asymmetry group was significantly larger than that in the symmetry group (P = 0.0302), posterior joint space on the non-deviation side in the symmetry group was significantly larger than that in the asymmetry group postoperatively (P = 0.00391). The postoperative anterior joint space was significantly larger than the preoperative value on both sides in both groups (the deviation side in the symmetry group: P = 0.0016, the non-deviation side in the symmetry group: P < 0.0001, the deviation side in the asymmetry group: P = 0.0040, the non-deviation side in the asymmetry group: P = 0.0024). The preoperative disc position could was not changed in either group. These results suggest that significant expansion of anterior joint space could occur on the deviation side and non-deviation side in the asymmetry group as well as on both sides in the symmetry group, although disc position did not change in either group. © 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery