Multimodal sensing and active continuous closed‐loop feedback for achieving reliable manipulation in the outdoor physical world

The use of field robots can greatly decrease the amount of time, effort, and associated risk compared to if human workers were to carryout certain tasks such as disaster response. However, transportability and reliability remain two main issues for most current robot systems. To address the issue of transportability, we have developed a lightweight modularizable platform named AeroArm. To address the issue of reliability, we utilize a multimodal sensing approach, combining the use of multiple sensors and sensor types, and the use of different detection algorithms, as well as active continuous closed‐loop feedback to accurately estimate the state of the robot with respect to the environment. We used Challenge 2 of the 2017 Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotics Competition as an example outdoor manipulation task, demonstrating the capabilities of our robot system and approach in achieving reliable performance in the fields, and ranked fifth place internationally in the competition.     

Role of Metabolism in Bone Development and Homeostasis

Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are the underlying energy sources for animals and are catabolized through specific biochemical cascades involving numerous enzymes. The catabolites and metabolites in these metabolic pathways are crucial for many cellular functions; therefore, an imbalance and/or dysregulation of these pathways causes cellular dysfunction, resulting in various metabolic diseases. Bone, a highly mineralized organ that serves as a skeleton of the body, undergoes continuous active turnover, which is required for the maintenance of healthy bony components through the deposition and resorption of bone matrix and minerals. This highly coordinated event is regulated throughout life by bone cells such as osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes, and requires synchronized activities from different metabolic pathways. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the cellular metabolism involved in bone development and homeostasis, as revealed by mouse genetic studies.     

Photocatalytic Property and Electronic Structure of Lanthanide-based Oxysulfides

Lanthanide-based oxysulfides and sulfide, LnTaO_3.5S_0.5, Ln₁₀OS₁₄ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm) and La₄In₅S₁₃, were successively synthesized by sulfurization in a flowing H₂S. The sulfurization decreased the band-gap energies from >4 eV to <3eV, because of the formation of occupied S3p orbitals on the top of valence band. In accordance with the small band gap, the H₂ evolution from a 0.01 M Na₂S and 0.01 M Na₂SO₃ solution system was observed under irradiation of light up to >500 nm. The rate of H₂ evolution under light irradiation of >500 nm increased in the order of Ni/LaTaO_3.5S_0.5 < Ru/La₁₀OS₁₄ < Pt/La₄In₅S₁₃.     

Infrared sensing properties of positive temperature coefficient thermistors with large temperature coefficients of resistivity

Infrared (IR) detecting elements were prepared using positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors with large temperature coefficients of resistivity (α). Their compositions were denoted as Ba_1−x Sr _x Nb_0.003Ti_0.997O₃ + 1 mol % TiO₂ + 0.07 mol %MnO (x=0, 0.2), and their temperature coefficients of resistivity were 78 and 50% K⁻¹, respectively. Their IR sensing properties were measured under the self-regulating heating conditions, and were compared with those of a detector with small α (18 % K⁻¹). It was shown that large α was effective for controlling the element temperature by self-regulating heating and for improving sensitivity. The responsivity,R _v of the element withx=0.2 was 980 VW⁻¹, and was as large as those of pyroelectric detectors. Expressions which normalize the sensitivity and the thermal time constant were derived. From these expressions, criteria for improving some IR sensing properties were obtained.     

Requirement of major histocompatibility complex-compatible microenvironment for spleen colony formation (CFU-S on day 12 but not on day 8)

The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate interleukin-8 concentrations in cervical secretions in predicting preterm delivery, microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and histologic chorioamnionitis in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes and 2) to compare the diagnostic value of interleukin-8 with fetal fibronectin determinations in predicting preterm delivery, microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and histologic chorioamnionitis in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. Interleukin-8 and fetal fibronectin were assayed in cervical secretions in 106 patients with singleton pregnancies and intact membranes admitted for preterm labor. Amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis was cultured and placentas (No = 43) analyzed for the presence of chorioamnionitis. The prevalence of pregnancies delivered preterm was 46.2% (49/106) and 15.09% (16/106) of amniotic fluid cultures were positive. Interleukin-8 levels in cervical secretions were significantly increased in patients who delivered preterm (p < or = 0.0001), in presence of positive amniotic fluid culture (p = 0.0016) and histological chorioamnionitis (p = 0.008) than in patients with negative findings. Receiver-operator characteristics curve analysis showed that an interleukin-8 value > 450 pg/ml is comparable to that of a fetal fibronectin value > 50 ng/ml in predicting preterm delivery (p = 0.247). Among patients who delivered preterm interleukin-8 concentrations > 860 pg/ml predicted a positive amniotic fluid culture with a sensitivity of 81.2% and a specificity 66.6%. Further, in patients who delivered preterm and had a negative amniotic fluid culture, IL-8 concentrations > 480 pg/ml predicted histological chorioamnionitis with a sensitivity 78.5% and specificity 61.5%. A positive fetal fibronectin > 50 ng/ml was not predictve of either a positive amniotic fluid culture or the presence of histological chorioamnionitis. In conclusion, increased concentrations of interleukin-8 and fetal fibronectin are associated with impending delivery and their diagnostic value seems comparable. However, interleukin-8 concentrations identify patients at risk of a positive amniotic fluid culture and the presence of histological chorioamnionitis. Measurement of interleukin-8 in cervical secretion is a non-invasive method to identify patients at risk for both preterm delivery and intrauterine infection.     

Formation of low-resistivity poly-Si and SiNx films by Cat-CVD for ULSI application

In this paper, bulk-Si metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) are fabricated using the catalytic chemical vapor deposition (Cat-CVD) method as an alternative technology to the conventional high-temperature thermal chemical vapor deposition. Particularly, formation of low-resistivity phosphorus (P)-doped poly-Si films is attempted by using Cat-CVD-deposited amorphous silicon (a-Si) films and successive rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of them. Even after RTA processes, neither peeling nor bubbling are observed, since hydrogen contents in Cat-CVD a-Si films can be as low as 1.1%. Both the crystallization and low resistivity of 0.004 Ω·cm are realized by RTA at 1000 °C for only 5 s. It is also revealed that Cat-CVD SiN_x films prepared at 250 °C show excellent oxidation resistance, when the thickness of films is larger than approximately 10 nm for wet O₂ oxidation at 1100 °C. It is found that the thickness required to stop oxygen penetration is equivalent to that for thermal CVD SiN_x prepared at 750 °C. Finally, complementary MOSFETs (CMOSs) of single-crystalline Si were fabricated by using Cat-CVD poly-Si for gate electrodes and SiN_x films for masks of local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS). At 3.3 V operation, less than 1.0 pA μm⁻¹ of OFF leakage current and ON/OFF ratio of 10⁷–10⁸ are realized, i.e. the devices can operate similarly to conventional thermal CVD process.     

Activation of thymic B cells by signals of CD40 molecules plus interleukin-10

We have previously found that thymic B cells, particularly thymic CD5+ B cells, show low responsiveness to the usual B cell stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide or anti-IgM plus interleukin (IL)-4, although they proliferate and produce antibodies after direct interaction with major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T blasts. These findings raise the possibility that a CD40-CD40 ligand (L) interaction is involved in the activation of thymic B cells. In the present study, we therefore examine this possibility using CD40L-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb). When B cells in the spleen and peritoneal cavity were stimulated, they proliferated and produced immunoglobulin (Ig) in the presence of CD40L-CHO cells or anti-CD40 mAb alone. However, another signal delivered by IL-10 in addition to CD40L-CHO cells or anti-CD40 mAb was found to be necessary for thymic B cells to proliferate and secrete Ig. Other interleukins acting on B cells, such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6, had no effect on the activation of thymic B cells, which thus have unique characteristics not found in peripheral B cells. This report discusses the physiological significance of IL-10- and CD40-driven signals in the activation of thymic B cells.     

High performance 35 nm gate length CMOS with NO oxynitride gate dielectric and Ni salicide

The 35 nm gate length CMOS devices with oxynitride gate dielectric and Ni salicide have been fabricated to study the feasibility of higher performance operation. Nitrogen concentration in gate oxynitride was optimized to reduce gate current I/sub g/ and to prevent boron penetration in the pFET. The thermal budget in the middle of the line (MOL) process was reduced enough to realize shallower junction depth in the S/D extension regions and to suppress gate poly-Si depletion. Finally, the current drives of 676 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m in nFET and 272 /spl mu/A//spl mu/m in pFET at V/sub dd/=0.85 V (at I/sub off/=100 nA//spl mu/m) were achieved and they are the best values for 35 nm gate length CMOS reported to date.     

Characteristics and classification of high-current fault arcs on distribution systems

When a fault occurs on transmission or distribution systems due to lightning or overvoltage, often an arc discharge occurs at the fault point. The arc discharge, which is caused by a fault current, has a high current, high temperature, strong light emission, etc., thus it sometimes causes heavy damages to electric power equipment. The arc discharge is influenced by the conditions around the arcs, i.e., gas, insulation materials, gap length, weather, etc. Also, the arc voltage along the arc column indicates the characteristics of the arc. If the voltage waveforms of the arcs caused by the fault on transmission or distribution systems are classified, it is possible to find the location and the equipment where the fault occurred. In this paper, the arc voltage data in 6-kV class XLPE cables and 6-kV class overhead lines are analyzed and an artificial neural network method is applied to classify the arc voltage waveforms. The results obtained from the six artificial neural networks developed show that the artificial neural network method is effective for classification of arc voltage waveforms if adequate input parameters are selected.