Analysis of Humanoid Appearances in Human–Robot Interaction

Identifying the extent to which the appearance of a humanoid robot affects human behavior toward it is important. We compared participant impressions of and behaviors toward two real humanoid robots in simple human-robot interactions. These two robots, which have different appearances but are controlled to perform the same recorded utterances and motions, are adjusted by a motion-capturing system. We conducted an experiment with 48 human participants who individually interacted with the two robots and also with a human for reference. The results revealed that different appearances did not affect participant verbal behaviors, but they did affect such nonverbal behaviors as distance and delay of response. These differences are explained by two factors: impressions and attributions.     

Evaluation of three-dimensional effects in short deep beams using a rigid-body-spring-model

Three-dimensional (3-D) effects in short deep beams without stirrups that failed in shear were investigated experimentally and analytically. Two deep beams with a shear span to depth ratio (a/d) of 0.5 and with different beam widths were tested. The effect of beam width on load-carrying capacity, failure mode, crack pattern and 3-D behavior was investigated, and shape effect due to beam width was clarified. In addition, the beams were analyzed by the 3-D rigid-body-spring model (RBSM). RBSM is a discrete form of modeling that presents realistic behavior from cracking to failure, and 3-D RBSM is applicable to simulate 3-D behavior as well as the confinement effect of concrete. Analytical results in terms of load–displacement curves and crack pattern are compared with the experimental results. Three-dimensional deformations, strut widths and cross-sectional stress distribution are investigated analytically and compared with the experimental results to determine 3-D behavior in detail. The 3-D effects in short deep beams are clarified.     

Optimization of biohydrogen production by Clostridium butyricum EB6 from palm oil mill effluent using response surface methodology

Clostridium butyricum EB6 successfully produced hydrogen gas from palm oil mill effluent (POME). In this study, central composite design and response surface methodology were applied to determine the optimum conditions for hydrogen production (P_c) and maximum hydrogen production rate (R_max) from POME. Experimental results showed that the pH, temperature and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of POME affected both the hydrogen production and production rate, both individually and interactively. The optimum conditions for hydrogen production (P_c) were pH 5.69, 36 °C, and 92 g COD/l; with an estimated P_c value of 306 ml H₂/g carbohydrate. The optimum conditions for maximum hydrogen production rate (R_max) were pH 6.52, 41 °C and 60 g COD/l; with an estimated R_max value of 914 ml H₂/h. An overlay study was performed to obtain an overall model optimization. The optimized conditions for the overall model were pH 6.05, 36 °C and 94 g COD/l. The hydrogen content in the biogas produced ranged from 60% to 75%.     

Mutation Analysis of Radioresistant Early-Stage Cervical Cancer

Radiotherapy is a definitive treatment for early-stage cervical cancer; however, a subset of this disease recurs locally, necessitating establishment of predictive biomarkers and treatment strategies. To address this issue, we performed gene panel-based sequencing of 18 stage IB cervical cancers treated with definitive radiotherapy, including two cases of local recurrence, followed by in vitro and in silico analyses. Simultaneous mutations in KRAS and SMAD4 (KRAS^mt/SMAD4^mt) were detected only in a local recurrence case, indicating potential association of this mutation signature with radioresistance. In isogenic cell-based experiments, a combination of activating KRAS mutation and SMAD4 deficiency led to X-ray resistance, whereas either of these factors alone did not. Analysis of genomic data from 55,308 cancers showed a significant trend toward co-occurrence of mutations in KRAS and SMAD4. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia dataset suggested upregulation of the pathways involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition and inflammatory responses in KRAS^mt/SMAD4^mt cancer cells. Notably, irradiation with therapeutic carbon ions led to robust killing of X-ray-resistant KRAS^mt/SMAD4^mt cancer cells. These data indicate that the KRAS^mt/SMAD4^mt signature is a potential predictor of radioresistance, and that carbon ion radiotherapy is a potential option to treat early-stage cervical cancers with the KRAS^mt/SMAD4^mt signature.     

Polyunsaturated fatty glyceride syntheses by microbial lipases

The degree of glyceride syntheses by lipase TOYO (Chromobacterium viscosum) and lipase OF (Candida cylindracea) using individual free fatty acids C_18∶1, C_18∶2, C_18∶3, C_18∶4, C_20∶4, C_20∶5 and C_22∶6 were compared. Lipase TOYO incorporated each of the fatty acids into glycerol at levels of greater than 89%. Lipase OF incorporated most of the fatty acids at levels above 70% (docosahexaenoic acid incorporation was 63%). It was concluded that these two lipases are feasible for producing glycerides from unsaturated fatty acids.     

Photoluminescence enhancement by isolating β-FeSi2 layers from defective layers

We have investigated an optimal annealing process in order to enhance 1.55 μm light emission from semiconducting β-FeSi₂ and found that two steps annealing at 600 °C and 800 °C is effective to its enhancement. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and SEM observations revealed that pronounced surface segregation of Fe atoms during annealing at 600 °C caused surface precipitate of β-FeSi₂. The enhancement of light emission is attributed spatial isolation of the surface β-FeSi₂ (light emitting layer) from damaged and defective layers with nonradiative recombination centers.     

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of carbocyclic 2'',3''-dideoxy-3''-fluoro nucleosides as potential antiviral agents

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the symptom of urinary incontinence during athletic endeavors among a group of nulliparous, elite college varsity female athletes. METHODS: All women currently participating in varsity athletics at a large state university were asked to fill out a questionnaire about the occurrence of urinary incontinence while participating in their sport and during activities of daily life. One hundred forty-four of 156 eligible women (92%) responded. RESULTS: The mean age was 19.9 years, and all women were nulliparous. Overall, 40 athletes (28%) reported urine loss while participating in their sport. The proportions in different sports were: gymnastics 67%, basketball 66%, tennis 50%, field hockey 42%, track 29%, swimming 10%, volleyball 9%, softball 6%, and golf 0%. Two-thirds of the women who noted urine loss during athletics were incontinent more often than rarely. There were no statistically significant relations between incontinence and amenorrhea, weight, hormonal therapy, or duration of athletic activity. Activities most likely to provoke incontinence included jumping, high-impact landings, and running. Forty percent and 17% of the women first noted incontinence during their sport while in high school and junior high school, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Incontinence during physical stresses is common in young, highly fit, nulliparous women. This suggests that there is a continence threshold which, when exceeded, can result in urine loss, even in the absence of known risk factors for incontinence.     

Detection of cytochrome P450 substrates by using a small-molecule droplet array on an NADH-immobilized solid surface

Seeing below the surface: A small-molecule droplet array platform on an NADH-immobilized solid surface and a biotinylated acetophenone derivative were developed to identify the substrate candidates for soluble P450 enzymes of interest. This methodology is thought to be easily applicable to other class I P450 systems, including those that use NADPH as cofactor.