On-machine identification of rotary axis location errors under thermal influence by spindle rotation

Position and orientation errors of rotary axis average lines are often among dominant error contributors in the five-axis kinematics. Although many error calibration schemes are available to identify them on -machine, they cannot be performed when a machine spindle is rotating. Rotary axis location errors are often influenced by the machine’s thermal deformation. This paper presents the application of a non-contact laser light barrier system, widely used in the industry for tool geometry measurement, to the identification of rotary axis location errors, when the spindle rotates in the same speed as in actual machining applications. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified by experimental comparison with the R-Test and a machining test. The uncertainty analysis is also presented.This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant NumberJP15K05721

Effect of Donepezil on Group II mGlu Receptor Agonist- or Antagonist-Induced Amnesia on Passive Avoidance in Mice

We examined the effect of the acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) inhibitor, donepezil hydrocloride (DONP), on group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor agonist- or antagonist-induced amnesia in the step-through passive avoidance task in male mice. DCG-IV, a group II mGlu receptor agonist, at dose of 50 ng and LY341495, a group II mGlu receptor antagonist, at dose of 300 ng, significantly attenuated the latency on the step-through task. The subcutaneous injection of DONP at dose of 1 mg/kg 1 hour before passive avoidance performance ameliorated the amnesia induced by DCG-IV and LY341495, whereas donepezil alone did not affect task latency. The results suggest that activation of group II mGlu receptors and disinhibition of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway (caused by group II mGlu receptor antagonist) have a negative action on step-through passive avoidance memory performance, and that group II mGlu receptors and ACh interact to modulate learning and memory function

Thorough elucidation of synthesis and structure of poly(glycerol) functionalized nanodiamonds

Poly(glycerol) (PG) is one of the most promising platforms for the surface modification of nanomaterials especially for in vivo applications. Since the “grafting-from” process is facile to functionalize the nanomaterial surface covalently through the ring-opening polymerization of glycidol (GD), it has been applied to a variety of nanomaterials. The resulting numerous hydroxy groups in the hyperbranched structure serve as scaffolds for further functionalization and provide good dispersibility under physiological conditions. On the other hand, nanodiamond (ND) is a nanomaterial most intensely worked with PG because of its prominent properties including fluorescence from color centers. Despite the wide-spread use, the process has not been extended to be scalable and controllable. In addition, the structural details of PG chain on ND surface are yet elusive. In this work, we develop more scalable and safer PG functionalization of NDs by dropwise-addition of GD to ethylene glycol (EG) suspension of ND. The resulting PG amount can be controlled or even estimated by the reaction conditions (weights of GD, ND and EG) and the ND properties (diameter and oxygen content). The structure of PG chain was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Based on these results, the structure of PG is elucidated

Phylogenetic position of a whale-fall lancelet (Cephalochordata) inferred from whole mitochondrial genome sequences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The lancelet <it>Asymmetron inferum </it>(subphylum Cephalochordata) was recently discovered on the ocean floor off the southwest coast of Japan at a depth of 229 m, in an anaerobic and sulfide-rich environment caused by decomposing bodies of the sperm whale <it>Physeter macrocephalus</it>. This deep sulfide-rich habitat of <it>A. inferum </it>is unique among the lancelets. The distinguishing adaptation of this species to such an extraordinary habitat can be considered in a phylogenetic framework. As the first step of reconstruction of the evolutionary processes in this species, we investigated its phylogenetic position based on 11 whole mitochondrial genome sequences including the newly determined ones of the whale-fall lancelet <it>A. inferum </it>and two coral-reef congeners.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our phylogenetic analyses showed that extant lancelets are clustered into two major clades, the <it>Asymmetron </it>clade and the <it>Epigonichthys </it>+ <it>Branchiostoma </it>clade. <it>A. inferum </it>was in the former and placed in the sister group to <it>A. lucayanum </it>complex. The divergence time between <it>A. inferum </it>and <it>A. lucayanum </it>complex was estimated to be 115 Mya using the penalized likelihood (PL) method or 97 Mya using the nonparametric rate smoothing (NPRS) method (the middle Cretaceous). These are far older than the first appearance of large whales (the middle Eocene, 40 Mya). We also discovered that <it>A. inferum </it>mitogenome (mitochondrial genome) has been subjected to large-scale gene rearrangements, one feature of rearrangements being unique among the lancelets and two features shared with <it>A. lucayanum </it>complex.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study supports the monophyly of genus <it>Asymmetron </it>assumed on the basis of the morphological characters. Furthermore, the features of the <it>A. inferum </it>mitogenome expand our knowledge of variation within cephalochordate mitogenomes, adding a new case of transposition and inversion of the <it>trnQ </it>gene. Our divergence time estimation suggests that <it>A. inferum </it>remained a member of the Mesozoic and the early Cenozoic large vertebrate-fall communities before shifting to become a whale-fall specialist.</p

A Case of Ovarian Actinomycosis

Background: Pelvic actinomycosis is uncommon and often presents as a complication of an intrauterine device (IUD). A diagnosis of actinomycosis can be made from the finding of sulfur granules within inflammatory exudate on histologic examination after surgery. However, it may be possible to diagnose actinomycosis before surgery by finding Actinomyces-like organisms on Papanicolaou smears. Case: A 41-year-old woman had been diagnosed as having a pelvic abscess, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. She had been an IUD user for 6 years. Actinomyces-like organisms were detected in her previous Papanicolaou cervical smears. If the patient had been treated when the Actinomyces-like organisms were detected by Papanicolaou smears, the serious ovarian actinomycosis might have been avoided. Conclusion: We suggest that routine cervical examinations are important for women who are IUD users

Relationship between intracellular uptake of adriamycin and membrane potential in ADR resistant Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

We observed adiamycin (ADR) uptake and cellular transmembrane potential [amount of intracellular fluorescence of 3,3'- (Di-n-hexyl)- 2,2'- oxacarbocyanine iodide (NK-2280)] in ADR-resistant cells established from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) and wild type EATC. In ADR-resistant cells, ADR uptake and the cellular transmembrane potential decreased as the degree of resistance increased. 4,4'- diisothiocyanatostilbene- 2,2'- disulfonic acid (DIDS) induced markedly decreases of ADR uptake and the cellular transmembrane potential. A good correlation was observed between ADR uptake and transmembrane potential in cultured cells

Direct Brachial Approach for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Experience

In mechanical endovascular thrombectomy (MET) for acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO) in the elderly, navigating a guide catheter via the femoral artery may be difficult due to the approach route’s significant tortuosity. To resolve this problem, we have been performing a technique that uses a direct brachial approach (DiBA) with a large-bore aspiration catheter. We reported our preliminary clinical experience with this technique. MET for ABAO using the DiBA technique was performed on 4 consecutive patients between August 2017 and December 2018. In all patients, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2B or 3 recanalization was achieved, but the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days was ≥4. There were no technical difficulties or complications with this technique. The DiBA technique is an effective and feasible approach in MET for ABAO. Although excellent clinical outcomes could not be achieved, the angiographic outcomes were excellent with no technical complications. This approach can be an alternative to the femoral artery approach, particularly for tortuous arteries in the elderly

A case of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma metastatic to skin

We report a rare case of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma with widespread metastases in a 68-year-old woman who presented with subcutaneous nodules as the initial symptom. Computed tomography showed a pancreatic mass with hepatic tumors and enlarged lymph nodes besides ring-enhanced subcutaneous nodules. Magnetic resonance diffusionweighted imaging detected the presence of lesions in other organs. Histological analysis of a colonic polypoid lesion revealed carcinoma with endocrine and acinar differentiation compatible with pancreatic origin. Regrettably, she died of a cerebral infarction without any treatment, and autopsy findings confirmed our diagnosis