Effect of carbonated water on cerebral blood flow in the frontal region: a study using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Introduction: Carbonated water (CarbW) affects the swallowing function associated with the action of the brainstem. In addition, CarbW ingestion promotes mean blood flow in the middle cerebral artery, which is associated with blood flow to the frontal and temporal lobes. In this milieu, studies regarding the effect of drinking CarbW on brain activity are of significance.

Tangle- and contact-free path planning for a tethered mobile robot using deep reinforcement learning.

This paper presents a tangle- and contact-free path planning (TCFPP) for a mobile robot attached to a base station with a finite-length cable. This type of robot, called a tethered mobile robot, can endure long-time exploration with a continuous power supply and stable communication via its cable. However, the robot faces potential hazards that endanger its operation such as cable snagging on and cable entanglement with obstacles and the robot.

Modeling of slip rate-dependent traversability for path planning of wheeled mobile robot in sandy terrain.

A planetary exploration rover has been employed for scientific endeavors or as a precursor for upcoming manned missions. Predicting rover traversability from its wheel slip ensures safe and efficient autonomous operations of rovers on deformable planetary surfaces; path planning algorithms that reduce slips by considering wheel-soil interaction or terrain data can minimize the risk of the rover becoming immobilized. Understanding wheel-soil interaction in transient states is vital for developing a more precise slip ratio prediction model, while path planning in the past assumes that slips generated at the path is a series of slip ratio in steady state.

Adeno-Associated Virus-Encapsulated Alginate Microspheres Loaded in Collagen Gel Carriers for Localized Gene Transfer.

This work reports localized in vivo gene transfer by biodegradation of the adeno-associated virus-encapsulating alginate microspheres (AAV-AMs) loaded in collagen gel carriers. AAV-AMs are centrifugally synthesized by ejecting a mixed pre-gel solution of alginate and AAV to CaCl solution to form an ionically cross-linked hydrogel microsphere immediately. The AAV-AMs are able to preserve the AAV without diffusing out even after spreading them on the cells, and the AAV is released and transfected by the degradation of the alginate microsphere.

Hydrogel-Sheathed hiPSC-Derived Heart Microtissue Enables Anchor-Free Contractile Force Measurement.

In vitro reconstruction of highly mature engineered heart tissues (EHTs) is attempted for the selection of cardiotoxic drugs suitable for individual patients before administration. Mechanical contractile force generated in the EHTs is known to be a critical indicator for evaluating the EHT response. However, measuring contractile force requires anchoring the EHT in a tailored force-sensing cell culture chamber, causing technical difficulties in the stable evaluation of contractile force in long-term culture.

Spatiotemporal single-cell tracking analysis in 3D tissues to reveal heterogeneous cellular response to mechanical stimuli.

Mechanical stimuli have been recognized as important for tissue maturation, homeostasis and constructing engineered three-dimensional (3D) tissues. However, we know little about the cellular mechanical response in tissues that could be considerably heterogeneous and spatiotemporally dynamic due to the complex structure of tissues. Here, we report a spatiotemporal single-cell tracking analysis of in vitro 3D tissues under mechanical stretch, to reveal the heterogeneous cellular behavior by using a developed stretch and optical live imaging system.

Air Stabilization of LiPS Solid-State Electrolytes through Laser-Based Processing.

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) that employ solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) have the potential to replace more conventional batteries that employ liquid electrolytes due to their inherent safety, compatibility with lithium metal and reputable ionic conductivity. LiPS is a promising SSE with reported ionic conductivities in the order of 10 mS/cm. However, its susceptibility to degradation through oxidation and hydrolysis limits its commercial viability.

Titanium Culture Vessel Presenting Temperature Gradation for the Thermotolerance Estimation of Cells.

Hyperthermia can be induced to exploit the thermal intolerance of cancer cells, which is worse than that of normal cells, as a potential noninvasive cancer treatment. To develop an effective hyperthermia treatment, thermal cytotoxicity of cells should be comprehensively investigated. However, to conduct such investigations, the culture temperature must be accurately regulated.

Controlled release of adeno-associated virus from alginate hydrogel microbeads with enhanced sensitivity to ultrasound.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy holds promise as a fundamental treatment for genetic disorders. For clinical applications, it is necessary to control AAV release timing to avoid an immune response to AAV. Here we propose an ultrasound (US)-triggered on-demand AAV release system using alginate hydrogel microbeads (AHMs) with a release enhancer.

Multicellular dynamics on structured surfaces: Stress concentration is a key to controlling complex microtissue morphology on engineered scaffolds.

Tissue engineers have utilised a variety of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for controlling multicellular dynamics and the resulting tissue microstructures. In particular, cutting-edge microfabrication technologies, such as 3D bioprinting, provide increasingly complex structures. However, unpredictable microtissue detachment from scaffolds, which ruins desired tissue structures, is becoming an evident problem.

Cultivation and Transplantation of Three-Dimensional Skins with Laser-Processed Biodegradable Membranes.

For the treatment of irreversible, extensive skin damage, artificial skins or cultured skins are useful when allogeneic skins are unavailable. However, most of them lack vasculature, causing delayed perfusion and hence delay or failure in engraftment of the tissues. We previously developed a prevascularized three-dimensional (3D) cultured skin based on the layer-by-layer cell coating technique (LbL-3D skin), in which cells are seeded and laminated on a porous polymer membrane for medium supply to the thick cultured tissue.

A Novel Rat Model of Embolic Cerebral Ischemia Using a Cell-Implantable Radiopaque Hydrogel Microfiber.

The failure of neuroprotective treatment-related clinical trials, including stem cell therapies, may be partially due to a lack of suitable animal models. We have developed a stem cell-implantable radiopaque hydrogel microfiber that can survive for a long time in vivo. The microfiber is made of barium alginate hydrogel containing zirconium dioxide, fabricated in a dual coaxial laminar flow microfluidic device.

Computationally efficient and sub-optimal trajectory planning framework based on trajectory-quality growth rate analysis.

A planetary exploration rover has been used for scientific missions or as a precursor for a future manned mission. The rover's autonomous system is managed by a space-qualified, radiation-hardened onboard computer; hence, the processing performance for such a computer is strictly limited, owing to the limitation to power supply. Generally, a computationally efficient algorithm in the autonomous system is favorable.

Simultaneous laser-based graphitization and microstructuring of bamboo for supercapacitors derived from renewable resources.

Utilizing renewable resources for electrodes realizes the sustainable fabrication of a supercapacitor with high environmental friendliness. Laser-based graphitization of biomass has been emerging as a promising technique for patterning the electrodes of a supercapacitor with renewable resources. Herein, simultaneous patterning and microstructuring of laser-induced graphene (LIG) on a renewable biomass resource, bamboo, by a laser-based graphitization technique was demonstrated.

Repeatable detection of Ag ions using a DNA aptamer-linked hydrogel biochemical sensor integrated with microfluidic heating system.

This paper describes repeatable detection of Ag ions using a DNA aptamer-linked hydrogel biochemical sensor integrated with a microfluidic heating system. Biochemical sensors that respond to chemical compounds and produce detectable signals have a critical role in many aspects of modern society. In particular, the repeatable measurement of environmental information such as toxic substances including Ag ions could be expected to improve the environment.

Ultrastructure of setae of a planktonic diatom, Chaetoceros coarctatus.

Silica frustules of most planktonic diatoms have many shallow holes in which the length (L) is smaller than the width (W). The present study focuses on a silica ultrastructure of setae of a planktonic diatom having deep (L/W > 1) holes. Here, we characterized microscopically patterned nanoholes on the silica walls of thick, robust, and hollow setae of a colony of Chaetoceros coarctatus.

Frontotemporal EEG as potential biomarker for early MCI: a case-control study.

Background: Previous studies using EEG (electroencephalography) as biomarker for dementia have attempted to research, but results have been inconsistent. Most of the studies have extremely small number of samples (average N = 15) and studies with large number of data do not have control group. We identified EEG features that may be biomarkers for dementia with 120 subjects (dementia 10, MCI 33, against control 77).

Characteristics of single-channel electroencephalogram in depression during conversation with noise reduction technology.

Background: Previous studies have attempted to characterize depression using electroencephalography (EEG), but results have been inconsistent. New noise reduction technology allows EEG acquisition during conversation.

Methods: We recorded EEG from 40 patients with depression as they engaged in conversation using a single-channel EEG device while conducting real-time noise reduction and compared them to those of 40 healthy subjects.

Tailored Structure and Antibacterial Properties of Silica-Coated Silver Nanoplates by Pulsed Laser Irradiation.

We coated triangular-shaped silver nanoparticles, a type of anisotropic nanoplate (NPL), with silica (i.e., prepared Ag@SiO NPLs).

Finding of the factors affecting the severity of COVID-19 based on mathematical models.

Since 2019, a large number of people worldwide have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Among those infected, a limited number develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which generally has an acute onset. The treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 is challenging.

Spatial Heterogeneity of Invading Glioblastoma Cells Regulated by Paracrine Factors.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal type of malignant primary brain tumor in adults. GBM displays heterogeneous tumor cell population comprising glioma-initiating cells (GICs) with stem cell-like characteristics and differentiated glioma cells. During GBM cell invasion into normal brain tissues, which is the hallmark characteristic of GBM, GICs at the invasion front retain stemness, while cells at the tumor core display cellular differentiation.

Determinant analysis and developing evaluation indicators of grade of execution score of double axel jump in figure skating.

A figure skating jump score is determined by the sum of the base value based on the difficulty and grade of execution (GOE) that indicates the performance quality. Therefore, performing a high-quality jump to obtain a high GOE is essential to win a competition. However, the relationship between the GOE and kinematic parameters remains unclear.

Travelling ultrasound promotes vasculogenesis of three-dimensional-monocultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

To generate three-dimensional tissue in vitro, promoting vasculogenesis in cell aggregates is an important factor. Here, we found that ultrasound promoted vasculogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Promotion of HUVEC network formation and lumen formation were observed using our method.