A micro ultrasonic motor using a micro-machined cylindrical bulk PZT transducer

In this paper, a micro ultrasonic motor using a micro-machined bulk piezoelectric transducer is introduced. The cylindrical shaped bulk piezoelectric transducer, a diameter of 0.8 mm and a height of 2.2 mm, was developed as stator transducer for traveling wave type ultrasonic motor. The transducer was made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) bulk ceramics, and formed by micro machining, Ni plating and laser beam cutting process. Using this stator transducer, we have fabricated a cylindrical micro ultrasonic motor, a diameter of 2.0 mm and a height of 5.9 mm. We have also evaluated some characteristics and succeeded in driving the micro ultrasonic motor.</p

Quasi-Randomized Trial of Effects of Perioperative Oral Hygiene Instruction on Inpatients with Heart Diseases Using a Behavioral Six-Step Method

The assessor-blinded, parallel-design, quasi-randomized study (alternating allocation) aimed to determine the effects of the six-step method on postoperative numbers of oral bacteria, periodontal status, and atrial fibrillation (AF) among inpatients with heart diseases and periodontitis. Seventy inpatients who received preoperative periodontal treatment were quasi-randomly assigned to intervention and control groups at University Hospital. The intervention group received intensive oral hygiene instruction using a six-step method for 15 minutes per week and the control group received routine oral hygiene instruction. Significantly fewer oral bacteria were identified on the tongue at discharge compared with baseline in the intervention than the control group (ANCOVA) (large effect size, p = 0.02). Changes in scores for self-efficacy, plaque scores, probed pocket depth, and bleeding on probing between baseline and discharge were significantly greater in the intervention, than in the control group (p < 0.05). The period of postoperative AF (days) was significantly shorter in the intervention, than in the control group (p = 0.019). In conclusion, oral hygiene instruction using the six-step method decreased the numbers of oral bacteria on the tongue and improved self-efficacy, oral health behaviors, oral hygiene status, periodontal status, and period of postoperative AF among inpatients with periodontitis and heart diseases

Effects of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin in supplementary protein powder on athlete body composition: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

BackgroundEnzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a water-soluble quercetin, has been shown to intensify muscle hypertrophy in mice. We investigated the effect of EMIQ in supplementary protein powder on athlete body composition.MethodsForty Japanese males who played American football (age: 19.8 ± 1.4 years; body height: 174.1 ± 6.0 cm; body mass: 75.5 ± 10.7 kg) were assigned to a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of parallel group. Participants received either EMIQ in whey protein (EW, n = 19) or contrast whey protein (W, n = 20) 6 days per week over 4 months. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Markers of oxidative stress, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP), were assessed using a free radical analytical system. Data were analyzed using a univariate and repeated measures general model statistics.ResultsAfter 4 months, changes in lower limb fat-free mass and muscle mass were significantly greater in the EW group than in the W group (mean change ±95% CI; W: 324.1 ± 284.3, EW: 950.3 ± 473.2, p = 0.031, W: 255.7 ± 288.6, EW: 930.9 ± 471.5, p = 0.021, respectively). Moreover, the EW group exhibited a significantly higher BAP/d-ROMs ratio, antioxidation index, than the W group after 4 months (mean change ± SD; W: 8.8 ± 1.1, EW: 10.3 ± 2.8; p = 0.028). No significant differences in body mass, lean body mass, fat mass, or lower limb fat mass were observed between the groups.ConclusionIngestion of EMIQ in supplementary protein powder for 4 months exerts antioxidant effects and increases muscle mass among American football players

Influence of Input Energy Density on Morphology of Unique Layered Microstructure of γ-TiAl Alloys Fabricated by Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion

Microstructure and tensile properties of Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb (at%) rods fabricated by electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) process were investigated by changing input energy density (ED) which is one of the important factors affecting formation of the melt pool. We found that unique layered microstructure consisting of an equiaxed γ grain layer (γ band) and a duplex region can be formed by EB-PBF with ED in the range of 13 to 31 J/mm3. It is interesting to note that the width of the γ band and the volume fraction of the γ phase in the duplex region decrease with increasing ED. On the other hand, the α2/γ lamellar grain in the duplex region increases with increasing ED. These morphological changes in the layered microstructure are attributed to variation of temperature distribution from melt pool caused by increasing ED. Moreover, we also found for the first time the strength of the alloys can be improved by decreasing width of the γ band and increasing of the α2/γ lamellar grain in the duplex region. Whereas, the width of the γ band and the fraction of the equiaxed γ grain in the duplex region should be increased to enhance ductility of the alloys.Cho Ken, Morita Naohide, Matsuoka Hiromasa, et al. Influence of Input Energy Density on Morphology of Unique Layered Microstructure of γ-TiAl Alloys Fabricated by Electron Beam Powder Cho Ken, Morita Naohide, Matsuoka Hiromasa, et al. Influence of Input Energy Density on Morphology of Unique Layered Microstructure of γ-TiAl Alloys Fabricated by Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion. MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS 64, 44 (2023); https://doi.org/10.2320/matertrans.MT-MLA2022015

Different impressions of other agents obtained through social interaction uniquely modulate dorsal and ventral pathway activities in the social human brain

Internal (neuronal) representations in the brain are modified by our experiences, and this phenomenon is not unique to sensory and motor systems. Here, we show that different impressions obtained through social interaction with a variety of agents uniquely modulate activity of dorsal and ventral pathways of the brain network that mediates human social behavior. We scanned brain activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 16 healthy volunteers when they performed a simple matching-pennies game with a human, human-like android, mechanical robot, interactive robot, and a computer. Before playing this game in the scanner, participants experienced social interactions with each opponent separately and scored their initial impressions using two questionnaires. We found that the participants perceived opponents in two mental dimensions: one represented “mind-holderness” in which participants attributed anthropomorphic impressions to some of the opponents that had mental functions, while the other dimension represented “mind-readerness” in which participants characterized opponents as intelligent. Interestingly, this “mind-readerness” dimension correlated to participants frequently changing their game tactic to prevent opponents from envisioning their strategy, and this was corroborated by increased entropy during the game. We also found that the two factors separately modulated activity in distinct social brain regions. Specifically, mind-holderness modulated activity in the dorsal aspect of the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and medial prefrontal and posterior paracingulate cortices, while mind-readerness modulated activity in the ventral aspect of TPJ and the temporal pole. These results clearly demonstrate that activity in social brain networks is modulated through pre-scanning experiences of social interaction with a variety of agents. Furthermore, our findings elucidated the existence of two distinct functional networks in the social human brain. Social interaction with anthropomorphic or intelligent-looking agents may distinctly shape the internal representation of our social brain, which may in turn determine how we behave for various agents that we encounter in our society

SOCS-1/SSI-1-Deficient NKT Cells Participate in Severe Hepatitis through Dysregulated Cross-Talk Inhibition of IFN-γ and IL-4 Signaling In Vivo

AbstractSuppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), also known as STAT-induced STAT inhibitor-1 (SSI-1), is a negative feedback molecule for cytokine signaling, and its in vivo deletion induces fulminant hepatitis. However, elimination of the STAT1 or STAT6 gene or deletion of NKT cells substantially prevented severe hepatitis in SOCS-1-deficient mice, while administration of IFN-γ and IL-4 accelerated its development. SOCS-1 deficiency not only sustained IFN-γ/IL-4 signaling but also eliminated the cross-inhibitory action of IFN-γ on IL-4 signaling. These results suggest that SOCS-1 deficiency-induced persistent activation of STAT1 and STAT6, which would be inhibited by SOCS-1 under normal conditions, may induce abnormal activation of NKT cells, thus leading to lethal pathological changes in SOCS-1-deficient mice

[1.1]meta-Stilbenophanes as calixarene analogs: preparation, crystal structure, and cis-trans photoisomerization

Abstract-Three isomers of [1.1]meta-stilbenophane were synthesized by the McMurry reaction of diarylmethane dialdehyde and their crystal structures and photochemical properties were investigated. X-ray crystallographic analyses of these isomers revealed that they were assigned to a trans-trans (t-t) form with a 1,3-alternate conformation, a cis-trans (c-t) form with a distorted-cone conformation, and a cis-cis (c-c) form with a 1,2-alternate conformation. A 1 H NMR study indicated that a t-t isomer could be completely transformed into a 35:65 mixture of c-t and c-c isomers by photoirradiation at 254 nm