Nanoprocessing of layered crystalline materials by atomic force microscopy.

By taking advantage of the mechanical anisotropy of crystalline materials, processing at a single-layer level can be realized for layered crystalline materials with periodically weak bonds. Mica (muscovite), graphite, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), and boron nitride have layered structures, and there is little interaction between the cleavage planes existing in the basal planes of these materials. Moreover, it is easy to image the atoms on the basal plane, where the processed shape can be observed on the atomic level.

Evaluation of mechanical properties of esthetic brackets.

Plastic brackets, as well as ceramic brackets, are used in various cases since they have excellent esthetics. However, their mechanical properties remain uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine how deformation and stress distribution in esthetic brackets differ among materials under the same wire load.

Superior cell penetration by a rigid and anisotropic synthetic protein.

Molecules with structural anisotropy and rigidity, such as asbestos, demonstrate high cell-penetrating activity but also high toxicity. Here we synthesize a biodegradable, rigid, and fibrous artificial protein, CCPC 140, as a potential vehicle for cellular delivery. CCPC 140 penetrated 100% of cells tested in vitro, even at a concentration of 3.

Repeatable change in electrical resistance of Si surface by mechanical and electrical nanoprocessing.

The properties of mechanically and electrically processed silicon surfaces were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Silicon specimens were processed using an electrically conductive diamond tip with and without vibration. After the electrical processing, protuberances were generated and the electric current through the silicon surface decreased because of local anodic oxidation.

Peptide assembly-driven metal-organic framework (MOF) motors for micro electric generators.

Peptide-metal-organic framework (Pep-MOF) motors, whose motions are driven by anisotropic surface tension gradients created via peptide self-assembly around frameworks, can rotate microscopic rotors and magnets fast enough to generate an electric power of 0.1 μW. A new rigid Pep-MOF motor can be recycled by refilling the peptide fuel into the nanopores of the MOF.

PINOID AGC kinases are necessary for phytochrome-mediated enhancement of hypocotyl phototropism in Arabidopsis.

Several members of the AGCVIII kinase subfamily, which includes PINOID (PID), PID2, and WAVY ROOT GROWTH (WAG) proteins, have previously been shown to phosphorylate PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporters and control the auxin flow in plants. PID has been proposed as a key component of the phototropin signaling pathway that induces phototropic responses, although the responses were not significantly impaired in the pid single and pid wag1 wag2 triple mutants. This raises questions about the functional roles of the PID family in phototropic responses.

Low-damage direct patterning of silicon oxide mask by mechanical processing.

To realize the nanofabrication of silicon surfaces using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we investigated the etching of mechanically processed oxide masks using potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. The dependence of the KOH solution etching rate on the load and scanning density of the mechanical pre-processing was evaluated. Particular load ranges were found to increase the etching rate, and the silicon etching rate also increased with removal of the natural oxide layer by diamond tip sliding.

Active AFO with ankle joint brake friction control using force observer.

Optimum friction control of the ankle joint brake is essential for realizing a stable gait when wearing an active ankle foot orthosis (AFO). An optimum friction control system using a force observer is designed and simulated. The brake friction is controlled in proportion to the observed human force of the lower limb without using force sensors.

Automatic actuator control by leg load signal of active AFO for Achilles tendon ruptures.

This paper describes automatic actuator control hardware for an active ankle foot orthosis (AAFO) for a ruptured Achilles tendon. The sole of the AAFO is equipped with a servomotor. The actuator can switch the upright and the forward stepping posture of the patient.

Biomechanical evaluation of surgical correction of prominent ear.

Background: Mustardé sutures and conchal setback are widely used for surgical correction of prominent ear, and numerous cartilage-manipulation techniques accompanying these two methods are also available. However, it is unknown how each technique works biomechanically. The effects of otoplasty were evaluated by finite element analysis.

Powered AFO for Achilles tendon rupture.

This paper proposes a powered ankle foot orthosis (AFO) for the treatment of a ruptured Achilles tendon. Usually, conservative orthosis treatment requires about two months, and a motionless ankle degrades activities of daily living (ADL). It is difficult to go to school or work on foot, and a pair of crutches is needed to go up and down stairs.

Correlations between personal preferences and age for a sample of Japanese open university students.

The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule was administered to open university students of various ages (95 men, 164 women). For both men and women, the scores on Order had positive correlation and those on Heterosexuality had negative correlation with age. Scores on Deference and Endurance had positive correlations for women.

Identification of viscoelastic property of intervertebral disc under flexion, extension and lateral bending.

Viscoelastic behavior of the functional spinal unit (FSU) under the application of moment is important for the biomechanical understanding of physiological and pathological aspects of spine. This paper presents a mechanical model on viscoelastic behavior of intervertebral disc connecting two vertebral bodies where a posterior element and surrounding tissues have been removed from FSU. The model, which is composed of a nonlinear spring and a linear Kelvin element in series, is proposed.