Proposal of new topology information Face-list for manipulation planning of deformable string tying

Our research group has been focusing on the automation of string tying-untying operations by a robot. In this paper, shape abstraction data of a string named Face-list and an operation planning method with Face-list are proposed. In our planning method, string deformation is represented as a state transition of known topology representation P-data and proposed shape abstraction data Face-list. Face-list enables a robot to decide shape operations that can correctly generate a string deformation plan toward the target shape. In addition, an optimal current operation for changing the string toward the target shape is decided based on scoring the difficulty of total shape operations. The results of two experiments using the proposed method are reported in the final

Development of Fluorogenic Probes for Quick No-Wash Live-Cell Imaging of Intracellular Proteins

We developed novel fluorogenic probes for no-wash live-cell imaging of proteins fused to PYP-tag, which is a small protein tag recently reported by our group. Through the design of a new PYP-tag ligand, specific intracellular protein labeling with rapid kinetics and fluorogenic response was accomplished. The probes crossed the cell membrane, and cytosolic and nuclear localizations of PYP-tagged proteins without cell washing were visualized within a 6-min reaction time. The fluorogenic response was due to the environmental effect of fluorophore upon binding to PYP-tag. Furthermore, the PYP-tag-based method was applied to the imaging of methyl-CpG-binding domain localization. This rapid protein-labeling system combined with the small protein tag and designed fluorogenic probes offers a powerful method to study the localization, movement, and function of cellular proteins

The impact of serum testosterone level to reflect age-related multi-organ functions

The aim of this study is to examine the correlation between aging, serum total testosterone and biomarkers of multiple organ functions in men. The participants consisted of 12,547 outpatients, whose serum testosterone level was measured. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether biomarkers including hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), creatinine (Cre), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose (Glu), C-reactive protein (CRP), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values were associated with serum total testosterone concentration. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between total testosterone and Hb, Hct, LH, FSH, ALP, ALB, TG, HDL-C, AST, ALT, Glu, and CRP. In addition, significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between Hb, Hct, LH, FSH, ALP, ALB, TG and HDL-C associated with [age × testosterone]. This large-scale study provided new insights into correlations between serum testosterone and biomarkers associated with age-related diseases, suggesting that testosterone is especially important for maintaining homeostasis in aging males. Thus, hypogonadism in elderly patients may be associated with multiple organ dysfunctions

Synthesis of Novel π-Conjugated Rod-Rod-Rod Triblock Copolymers Containing Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Polyacetylene Segments by Combination of Quasi-Living GRIM and Living Anionic Polymerization

The first successful synthesis of a new rod-rod-rod triblock copolymer, polyacetylene(PA)-b-poly(3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT)-b-PA could be synthesized by a combination of quasi-living Grignard metathesis (GRIM) and living anionic polymerization. We first confirmed that poly(4-tolyl vinyl sulfoxide) (PTVS), which is a soluble precursor for PA, could be synthesized by living anionic polymerization in THF at −78 °C, initiated with 3-methyl-1,1-diphenylpentyllithium as the initiator in the presence of in situ-generated lithium enolate. The molecular weights (MWs) and polydispersities (PDIs) were well controlled (MW = 5,200–27,000, PDI = 1.10–1.22), respectively. A coil-rod-coil triblock copolymer, PTVS-b-P3HT-b-PTVS, (6,000-12,500-6,000) could also be synthesized, initiated with a P3HT-based difunctional macroinitiator in the presence of lithium enolate. GPC-RALLS and 1H NMR analyses confirmed a high degree of structural homogeneity of PTVS-b-P3HT-b-PTVS. A thermal transformation reaction of the polymer was carried out in the film state at 170 °C for 2 h to afford PA-b-P3HT-b-PA quantitatively, as monitored by TGA and FT-IR analyses. The optical and electronic properties as well as the morphological behavior of the block copolymers were investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, conductivity measurement, and AFM observation