ショウジョウバエ記憶中枢における新規神経可塑性現象の遺伝学的および生理学的研究

首都大学東京, 2018-9-05, 博士（理学）, 乙第180号首都大学東

DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMAL NUMBER OF RIGID-BODY SEGMENTS TO REPRESENT THE TRUNK USING AKAIKE’S INFORMATION CRITERION

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal number of rigid body segments to sufficiently represent the trunk movements, using Akaike’s information criterion. The trunk in static and dynamic conditions was modelled with one, two, three, or six linked rigid-body representations. The difference in the three-dimensional position between the actual and modelled data was calculated to quantify how well these models describe the actual trunk kinematics. The Akaike’s information criterion was calculated using the difference in position data to evaluate the goodness-of-fit for each model. Our findings suggest that two-linked rigid-body representation may be good enough when analysing trunk movements except when the movement includes a large axial rotation, for which the three-linked rigid-bodies would be better. These results would be useful in determining the optimal number of rigid body representation to sufficiently represent the trunk movements

Low Surface Potential with Glycoconjugates Determines Insect Cell Adhesion at Room Temperature

Cell-coupled field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors have attracted considerable attention because of their high sensitivity to biomolecules. The use of insect cells (Sf21) as a core sensor element is advantageous due to their stable adhesion to sensors at room temperature. Although visualization of the insect cell-substrate interface leads to logical amplification of signals, the spatiotemporal processes at the interfaces have not yet been elucidated. We quantitatively monitored the adhesion dynamics of Sf21 using interference reflection microscopy (IRM). Specific adhesion signatures with ring-like patches along the cellular periphery were detected. A combination of zeta potential measurements and lectin staining identified specific glycoconjugates with low electrostatic potentials. The ring-like structures were disrupted after cholesterol depletion, suggesting a raft domain along the cell periphery. Our results indicate dynamic and asymmetric cell adhesion is due to low electrostatic repulsion with fluidic sugar rafts. We envision the logical design of cell-sensor interfaces with an electrical model that accounts for actual adhesion interfaces.Matsuzaki T., Terutsuki D., Sato S., et al. Low Surface Potential with Glycoconjugates Determines Insect Cell Adhesion at Room Temperature. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2022 13(40), 9494-9500. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01673. Copyright © 2022 American Chemical Society

Detection of charge dynamics of a tetraphenylporphyrin particle using GaAs-based nanowire enhanced by particle-metal tip capacitive coupling

We investigate a detection technique of charge dynamics of a molecular particle using a GaAs-based nanowire where the charge sensitivity is locally enhanced by particle-metal tip capacitive coupling. By equivalent circuit analysis, it was clarified that the nanowire channel potential becomes sensitive to the molecular particle on the nanowire when the particle is capacitively coupled with a metal tip. The concept was demonstrated using a GaAs-based nanowire with tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) particles on its surface and a measurement system integrating an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a dynamic current measurement monitor/spectrum analyzer. When the metal tip was in contact with a TPP particle on the nanowire under an appropriate tip bias condition, random telegraph signal (RTS) noise was imposed on the nanowire current, suggesting the increase in sensitivity to the charge state of the particle by the metal tip contact. We discussed the origin of the RTS noise through analysis of the time constant of RTS noise, RTS amplitude, and noise spectrum

Optimal degrees of freedom of the lower extremities for human walking and running

Abstract Determining the degrees of freedom (DOF) of the linked rigid-body model, representing a multi-body motion of the human lower extremity, is one of the most important procedures in locomotion analysis. However, a trade-off exists between the quality of data fitting and the generalizability of the model. This study aimed to determine the optimal DOF of the model for the lower extremities that balance the goodness-of-fit and generalizability of the model during walking and running using Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). Empirically obtained kinematic data for the lower extremities during walking and running were fitted by models with 9, 18, or 22 DOF. The relative quality of these models was assessed using their bias-corrected AIC (cAIC) value. A significant simple main effect of the model was found on the cAIC value for both walking and running conditions. Pairwise comparisons revealed that the cAIC value of the 18-DOF model was significantly smaller than that of the 9-DOF (walking: p < 0.001, running: p = 0.010) and 22-DOF (walking: p < 0.001, running: p < 0.001) models. These findings suggest that the 18-DOF model is optimal for representing the lower extremities during walking and running, in terms of goodness-of-fit and generalizability

Resonant Combustion Start Considering Potential Energy of Free-Piston Engine Generator

Free-piston engine generators without a crank mechanism are expected to be used in series hybrid vehicles because of their lower losses. The series hybrid system requires a low starting thrust because the engine frequently starts depending on the battery state. This study clarifies the effectiveness of the constant thrust resonance starting method that utilizes the compression pressure of the engine and the spring thrust. The piston must pass the combustion starting point with a predetermined speed to start combustion. Herein, we present a thrust setting method that uses the energy state diagram to optimize the velocity at the combustion start point. A simulation is performed assuming output when mounted on a vehicle. Consequently, the simulation results show that the maximum thrust can be reduced by more than 90% compared to that without resonance. Moreover, the speed at the combustion start point is in agreement with the value obtained using an energy state diagram. An impulse-like combustion pressure is generated in 180 ms, and combustion can be started using resonance, as shown in an experiment using a small-output engine and linear motor. The effectiveness of the constant thrust resonance starting method was confirmed

Operation Range of Intermittent Velocity Control for Improving Top-Dead-Center Accuracy in Dual-Sided Free-Piston Engine Linear Generator

A free-piston engine linear generator (FPEG) is constructed by combining a reciprocating internal combustion engine and a linear generator. FPEG is required to improve both the accuracy of the top-dead-center (TDC) positioning considering frequent combustion fluctuations and the reduction of power consumption. This paper confirms the influence of intermittent velocity control on power running suppression and TDC position deviation in a dual-cylinder FPEG. Intermittent velocity control is a simple method, which consists of repeatedly turning the speed control on and off. The experimental results of the glow engine indicate that this control suppresses power consumption and enables continuous combustion. The setting range for intermittent speed control, which continues operation only through regenerative operation, must be determined by considering the gain value. In addition, this paper explains the effects of the control range of intermittent velocity control on power generation efficiency, piston motion frequency, and TDC position deviation in the dual-cylinder FPEG. Increasing the range ratio of intermittent speed control improves power generation efficiency, but it also increases the standard deviation of TDC position