Optineurin regulates osteoblastogenesis through STAT1

A sophisticated and delicate balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts regulates bone metabolism. Optineurin (OPTN) is a gene involved in primary open-angle glaucoma and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although its function has been widely studied in ophthalmology and neurology, recent reports have shown its possible involvement in bone metabolism through negative regulation of osteoclast differentiation. However, little is known about the role of OPTN in osteoblast function. Here, we demonstrated that OPTN controls not only osteoclast but also osteoblast differentiation. Different parameters involved in osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis were assessed in Optn−/- mice. The results showed that osteoblasts from Optn−/- mice had impaired alkaline phosphatase activity, defective mineralized nodules, and inability to support osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, OPTN could bind to signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and regulate runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) nuclear localization by modulating STAT1 levels in osteoblasts. These data suggest that OPTN is involved in bone metabolism not only by regulating osteoclast function but also by regulating osteoblast function by mediating RUNX2 nuclear translocation via STAT1

JASMINE: Near-infrared astrometry and time-series photometry science

The Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for INfrared Exploration (JASMINE) is a planned M-class science space mission by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. JASMINE has two main science goals. One is Galactic archaeology with a Galactic Center survey, which aims to reveal the Milky Way’s central core structure and formation history from Gaia-level (∼25 ${\mu}$as) astrometry in the near-infrared (NIR) Hw band (1.0–1.6 ${\mu}$m). The other is an exoplanet survey, which aims to discover transiting Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zone from NIR time-series photometry of M dwarfs when the Galactic Center is not accessible. We introduce the mission, review many science objectives, and present the instrument concept. JASMINE will be the first dedicated NIR astrometry space mission and provide precise astrometric information on the stars in the Galactic Center, taking advantage of the significantly lower extinction in the NIR. The precise astrometry is obtained by taking many short-exposure images. Hence, the JASMINE Galactic Center survey data will be valuable for studies of exoplanet transits, asteroseismology, variable stars, and microlensing studies, including discovery of (intermediate-mass) black holes. We highlight a swath of such potential science, and also describe synergies with other missions

Reconstructing individual hand models from motion capture data

In this paper, we propose a new method of reconstructing the hand models for individuals, which include the link structure models, the homologous skin surface models and the homologous tetrahedral mesh models in a reference posture. As for the link structure model, the local coordinate system related to each link consists of the joint rotation center and the axes of joint rotation, which can be estimated based on the trajectories of optimal markers on the relative skin surface region of the subject obtained from the motion capture system. The skin surface model is defined as a three-dimensional triangular mesh, obtained by deforming a template mesh so as to fit the landmark vertices to the relative marker positions obtained motion capture system. In this process, anatomical dimensions for the subject, manually measured by a caliper, are also used as the deformation constraints

Diatoms Grow Faster Using Ammonium in Rapidly Flushed Eutrophic Dokai Bay, Japan

The importance of the nitrogen source for phytoplankton growth in a highly eutrophic embayment, Dokai Bay, was investigated. The DIN concentration often exceeded 100 mu M of which 40-70\% was NH4+. During two incubation experiments, the natural assemblage of mainly diatoms took up NH4+ instead of NO3-. The growth of two Skeletonema species isolated in Dokai Bay were significantly faster on NH4+ (1.86 and 1.27 div. d(-1) respectively) than on NO3- (1.55 and 1.04 div. d(-1) respectively). Our re suits indicated that these diatoms could grow faster by using NH4+ compared to NO3- in this eutrophic bay

Digital Twin-Driven Human Robot Collaboration Using a Digital Human

Advances are being made in applying digital twin (DT) and human–robot collaboration (HRC) to industrial fields for safe, effective, and flexible manufacturing. Using a DT for human modeling and simulation enables ergonomic assessment during working. In this study, a DT-driven HRC system was developed that measures the motions of a worker and simulates the working progress and physical load based on digital human (DH) technology. The proposed system contains virtual robot, DH, and production management modules that are integrated seamlessly via wireless communication. The virtual robot module contains the robot operating system and enables real-time control of the robot based on simulations in a virtual environment. The DH module measures and simulates the worker’s motion, behavior, and physical load. The production management module performs dynamic scheduling based on the predicted working progress under ergonomic constraints. The proposed system was applied to a parts-picking scenario, and its effectiveness was evaluated in terms of work monitoring, progress prediction, dynamic scheduling, and ergonomic assessment. This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for introducing DH technology into DT-driven HRC for human-centered production systems

Analysis of the Alignment of Whole Spine in Automotive Seated and Supine Postures Using an Upright Open MRI System

The purpose of this study is to provide the alignment of whole spine in an automotive seated posture by analyzing image data acquired with an upright open MRI system. Five female and three male asymptomatic subjects were scanned in seated and supine postures, and midsagittal images were analyzed in the location of the center of vertebral body and the vertebral angle relative to lower adjacent vertebra from C2 to sacrum. Results showed that 1) females were more likely to have non-lordosis than males, 2) lumbar lordosis was larger for females than males, and sacrum slope was greater for males than females, 3) thoracic kyphosis and T1 slope were greater for the cervical lordotic type than kyphotic type in seated posture

Analysis of the Alignment of Whole Spine in Automotive Seated and Supine Postures Using an Upright Open MRI System

The purpose of this study is to provide the alignment of whole spine in an automotive seated posture by analyzing image data acquired with an upright open MRI system. Five female and three male asymptomatic subjects were scanned in seated and supine postures, and midsagittal images were analyzed in the location of the center of vertebral body and the vertebral angle relative to lower adjacent vertebra from C2 to sacrum. Results showed that 1) females were more likely to have non-lordosis than males, 2) lumbar lordosis was larger for females than males, and sacrum slope was greater for males than females, 3) thoracic kyphosis and T1 slope were greater for the cervical lordotic type than kyphotic type in seated posture

Analysis of the Alignment of Whole Spine in Automotive Seated and Supine Postures Using an Upright Open MRI System

The purpose of this study is to provide the alignment of whole spine in an automotive seated posture by analyzing image data acquired with an upright open MRI system. Five female and three male asymptomatic subjects were scanned in seated and supine postures, and midsagittal images were analyzed in the location of the center of vertebral body and the vertebral angle relative to lower adjacent vertebra from C2 to sacrum. Results showed that 1) females were more likely to have non-lordosis than males, 2) lumbar lordosis was larger for females than males, and sacrum slope was greater for males than females, 3) thoracic kyphosis and T1 slope were greater for the cervical lordotic type than kyphotic type in seated posture

Analysis of the Alignment of Whole Spine in Automotive Seated and Supine Postures Using an Upright Open MRI System

The purpose of this study is to provide the alignment of whole spine in an automotive seated posture by analyzing image data acquired with an upright open MRI system. Five female and three male asymptomatic subjects were scanned in seated and supine postures, and midsagittal images were analyzed in the location of the center of vertebral body and the vertebral angle relative to lower adjacent vertebra from C2 to sacrum. Results showed that 1) females were more likely to have non-lordosis than males, 2) lumbar lordosis was larger for females than males, and sacrum slope was greater for males than females, 3) thoracic kyphosis and T1 slope were greater for the cervical lordotic type than kyphotic type in seated posture