Examination of High-Torque Sandwich-Type Spherical Ultrasonic Motor Using with High-Power Multimode Annular Vibrating Stator

Spherical ultrasonic motors (SUSMs) that can operate with multiple degrees of freedom (MDOF) using only a single stator have high holding torque and high torque at low speed, which makes reduction gearing unnecessary. The simple structure of MDOF-SUSMs makes them useful as compact actuators, but their development is still insufficient for applications such as joints of humanoid robots and other systems that require MDOF and high torque. To increase the torque of a sandwich-type MDOF-SUSM, we have not only made the vibrating stator and spherical rotor larger but also improved the structure using three design concepts: (1) increasing the strength of all three vibration modes using multilayered piezoelectric actuators (MPAs) embedded in the stator, (2) enhancing the rigidity of the friction driving portion of the stator for transmitting more vibration force to the friction-driven rotor surface, and (3) making the support mechanism more stable. An MDOF-SUSM prototype was tested, and the maximum torques of rotation around the X(Y)-axis and Z-axis were measured as 1.48 N?m and 2.05 N?m, respectively. Moreover, the values for torque per unit weight of the stator were obtained as 0.87 N?m/kg for the X(Y)-axis and 1.20 N?m/kg for the Z-axis. These are larger than values reported for any other sandwich-type MDOF-SUSM of which we are aware. Hence, the new design concepts were shown to be effective for increasing torque. In addition, we measured the transient response and calculated the load characteristics of rotation around the rotor’s three orthogonal axes

The role of melatonin as an antioxidant in the follicle

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is secreted during the dark hours at night by pineal gland, and it regulates a variety of important central and peripheral actions related to circadian rhythms and reproduction. It has been believed that melatonin regulates ovarian function by the regulation of gonadotropin release in the hypothalamus-pituitary gland axis via its specific receptors. In addition to the receptor mediated action, the discovery of melatonin as a direct free radical scavenger has greatly broadened the understanding of melatonin's mechanisms which benefit reproductive physiology. Higher concentrations of melatonin have been found in human preovulatory follicular fluid compared to serum, and there is growing evidence of the direct effects of melatonin on ovarian function especially oocyte maturation and embryo development. Many scientists have focused on the direct role of melatonin on oocyte maturation and embryo development as an anti-oxidant to reduce oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species, which are produced during ovulation process. The beneficial effects of melatonin administration on oocyte maturation and embryo development have been confirmed by in vitro and in vivo experiments in animals. This review also discusses the first application of melatonin to the clinical treatment of infertile women and confirms that melatonin administration reduces intrafollicular oxidative damage and increase fertilization rates. This review summarizes our recent works and new findings related to the reported beneficial effects of melatonin on reproductive physiology in its role as a reducer of oxidative stress, especially on oocyte maturation and embryo development

Development of electromagnetic and piezoelectric hybrid actuator system

An ordinal force-feedback device typically uses an electromagnetic motor (EMM), which provides an excellent expression of elasticity. However, it is not easy to express the sense of hardness and roughness because the response of the current is delayed due to the inductance of the armature winding. On the contrary, a piezoelectric actuator, which has a rapid response, is good at expressing the sense of hardness and roughness. Thus, if different types of actuators are used in the same actuator system (AS), the weaknesses of each type can be compensated for. In this study, as an ideal force-feedback device, a hybrid actuator system combining an EMM with an ultrasonic motor (USM) and a piezoelectric clutch/brake (piezo-clutch/brake) is proposed and examined. This AS can expand the range of representable feelings. This paper describes the construction of a hybrid AS and some experimental results of a force-feedback display. In this experiment, the feelings of roughness, friction, and elasticity were represented. The feeling of roughness was represented by the on-off control of the piezo-brake at defined positions. The feeling of friction was represented by the PID control of braking using the piezo-clutch. The feeling of elasticity was represented by two methods: the use of the EMM and brake and the use of a combination of the USM, clutch, and brake. As a result, the hardness feeling was realistically represented by the piezo-brake, and the elastic feeling was represented by either the EMM or the USM

Influence of vitreomacular interface score on treatment outcomes of anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

[Background] To quantitatively evaluate the vitreomacular interface of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to investigate its association with the 1-year treatment outcome following intravitreal injections of aflibercept (IVA). [Methods] This prospective observational case series included 59 eyes of 59 consecutive patients with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD who were treated with three monthly IVA and subsequent four bi-monthly IVA and were followed up for 1 year. We estimated posterior vitreous detachment at 1, 9, and 25 macular points within an area of 6 × 6 mm2 at the center of the fovea using the built-in enhanced vitreous visualization mode of swept-source optical coherence tomography. One year after the initial IVA, we classified the eyes into either wet or dry groups. [Results] The wet and dry groups included 12 and 47 eyes, respectively. The resistance rate against IVA was 20.3%. The 25-point interface score was higher in the wet group than in the dry group (23.0 ± 4.3 vs. 18.6 ± 9.8, P = 0.03), whereas there were no significant between-group differences in the 9-point and 1-point scores (P = 0.21, and 0.47, respectively) or in the other studied parameters. Multivariable analysis revealed that the 25-point vitreomacular interface score was strongly correlated with subfoveal choroidal thickness (P = 0.02, β =  − 0.31). [Conclusions] Our findings suggest that wide-ranged separation of the posterior vitreous membrane from the retina induces poor response to IVA

Choriocapillaris flow deficit in a pachychoroid spectrum disease using en face optical coherence tomography angiography averaging

[Purpose] To investigate the choriocapillaris changes associated with pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) in comparison with healthy eyes. [Methods] Nine 3 × 3 mm macular optical coherence tomography angiography images were acquired in patients with PPE and age-matched healthy participants. Multiple en face image averaging of the choriocapillaris was binarized for quantitative image analysis of the flow voids. In PPE eyes, we evaluated the presence of pachyvessels and the association between the location of the choriocapillaris flow deficit and pachyvessels. [Results] Thirty-two eyes with PPE and 30 eyes of healthy participants were included. In PPE eyes, the mean total area (1.16 ± 0.18 vs. 0.91 ± 0.16, p < 0.001) and average size of the flow voids (790 ± 144 vs. 520 ± 138; p < 0.001) were significantly larger than those in control eyes. Composite images of the choriocapillaris and choroid showed choriocapillaris flow deficits just above and outside the pachyvessels. The mean proportion of the flow void area overlying the pachyvessels against the whole flow void area of the choriocapillaris was 21.3% ± 10.2% (9.38%-44.42%) in PPE eyes. [Conclusions] In PPE eyes, the blood flow area of the choriocapillaris decreased diffusely within the macular area compared to control eyes, and the choriocapillaris flow deficit was not necessarily related to pachyvessel location

Pre-stroke physical activity is associated with post-stroke physical activity and sedentary behavior in the acute phase

This study investigated the link between pre-stroke and acute-stage physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. Forty individuals with stroke (aged 73.6 ± 8.9 years) were enrolled. Post-stroke activity, including metabolic equivalents (METs), sedentary behavior, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), was measured using a tri-axial accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) over 11 consecutive days starting from the 4th day post-stroke. Pre-stroke PA levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We measured skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and phase angle using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (Inbody S10) upon admission. Physical therapists assessed the Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS) within 3 days post-stroke. Total daily activity averaged 1.05 ± 0.05 METs. Throughout the day, 91.2 ± 5.1, 7.6 ± 4.1, and 1.2 ± 1.3% was spent in sedentary behavior, light PA, and MVPA, respectively. Only pre-stroke PA was independently associated with METs (β = 0.66), sedentary behavior (β = -0.58), light PA (β = 0.50), and MVPA (β = 0.71) after adjusting for age, sex, stroke severity, and activities of daily living. This suggests that pre-stroke PA might play a crucial role in reducing sedentary behavior and promoting PA during the acute phase

Natural Course of Pachychoroid Pigment Epitheliopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the natural course of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE). DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: From the Kyoto central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) cohort consisting of 548 patients with CSC as of September 2020, we included consecutive unilateral patients with acute or chronic CSC between January 2013 and December 2016. METHODS: All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, including multimodal imaging such as fundus autofluorescence, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography/indocyanine green angiography and/or optimal coherence tomography angiography. The fellow eyes of eyes diagnosed with CSC were screened for PPE, and their natural course was evaluated. We also evaluated the association of ARMS2 rs10490924, CFH rs800292, TNFRSF10A rs13278062, and GATA5 rs6061548 genotypes with the natural course. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of CSC, pachychoroid neovasculopathy, and pachychoroid geographic atrophy (GA). RESULTS: In total, 165 patients with unilateral CSC (mean age, 55.7 ± 12.6 years; female, 22.4%) were included from the Kyoto CSC cohort. Among them, 148 (89.7%) were diagnosed as having PPE in their non-CSC eye. Survival analysis revealed that 16.8% of PPE eyes developed CSC during the 6-year follow up, whereas non-PPE eyes did not. Although genetic factors did not have significant association with CSC development (P > 0.05, log-rank test), choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (CVH) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were significantly associated with CSC incidence (P = 0.001, log-rank test). Survival analysis showed that eyes without CVH and eyes with SFCT < 300 μm did not develop CSC during the 6-year follow-up. Pachychoroid neovasculopathy developed in only 1 eye with PPE during a follow-up of 46.4 months. Pachychoroid GA did not develop in any of the studied eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a natural history of PPE in a relatively large Japanese cohort. Choroidal vascular hyperpermeability and SFCT were significant risk factors for the development of CSC in PPE eyes. Although the current results cannot be generalized for all eyes with PPE, these findings present an important clinical implication