Transcriptional profiling of dental sensory and proprioceptive trigeminal neurons using single-cell RNA sequencing

Dental primary afferent(DPA)neurons and proprioceptive mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus(MTN)neurons,located in the trigeminal ganglion and the brainstem,respectively,are essential for controlling masticatory functions.Despite extensive transcriptomic studies on various somatosensory neurons,there is still a lack of knowledge about the molecular identities of these populations due to technical challenges in their circuit-validated isolation.Here,we employed high-depth single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)in combination with retrograde tracing in mice to identify intrinsic transcriptional features of DPA and MTN neurons.Our transcriptome analysis revealed five major types of DPA neurons with cell type-specific gene enrichment,some of which exhibit unique mechano-nociceptive properties capable of transmitting nociception in response to innocuous mechanical stimuli in the teeth.Furthermore,we discovered cellular heterogeneity within MTN neurons that potentially contribute to their responsiveness to mechanical stretch in the masseter muscle spindles.Additionally,DPA and MTN neurons represented sensory compartments with distinct molecular profiles characterized by various ion channels,receptors,neuropeptides,and mechanoreceptors.Together,our study provides new biological insights regarding the highly specialized mechanosensory functions of DPA and MTN neurons in pain and proprioception.

Ion shielding functional separator using halloysite containing a negative functional moiety for stability improvement of Li–S batteries

Lithium–sulfur batteries are one of the attractive next-generation energy storage systems owing to theienvironmental friendliness,low cost,and high specific energy densities.However,the low electrical conductivity of sulfur,shuttling of soluble intermediate polysulfides between electrodes,and low capacitretention have hampered their commercial use.To address these issues,we use a halloysitemodulated(H-M)separator in a lithium–sulfur battery to mitigate the shuttling problem.The H-M separator acts as a mutual Coulombic repulsion in lithium-sulfur batteries,thereby selectively permitting Lions and efficiently suppressing the transfer of undesired lithium polysulfides to the Li anode sideMoreover,the use of halloysite switches the surface of the separator from hydrophobic to hydrophilicconsequently improving the electrolyte wettability and adhesion between the separator and cathodeWhen sulfur-multi-walled carbon nanotube(S-MWCNT)composites are used as cathode active materialsa lithium–sulfur battery with an H-M separator exhibits first discharge and charge capacities of 1587 an1527 m Ah g-1,respectively.Moreover,there is a consistent capacity retention up to 100 cyclesAccordingly,our approach demonstrates an economical and easily accessible strategy for commercialization of lithium–sulfur batteries.

Mimicking a Superhydrophobic Insect Wing by Argon and Oxygen Ion Beam Treatment on Polytetrafluoroethylene Film

Biological tiny structures have been observed on many kinds of surfaces such as lotus leaves and insect wings,which enhance the hydrophobicity of the natural surfaces and play a role of self-cleaning.We presented the fabrication technology of a superhydrophobic surface using high energy ion beam.Artificial insect wings that mimic the morphology and the superhydrophobocity of cicada's wings were successfully fabricated using argon and oxygen ion beam treatment on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)film.The wing structures were supported by carbon/epoxy fibers as artificial flexible veins that were bonded through an autoclave process.The morphology of the fabricated surface bears a strong resemblance to the wing surface of a cicada,with contact angles greater than 160°,which could be sustained for more than two months.

Growth of BaTiO_3-Ag hybrid composite films at room temperature by aerosol deposition

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) and silver (Ag) composite film with high dielectric constant was grown at room temperature by an aerosol deposition method.The dielectric constant increases by 0.5 times after adding Ag to the BaTiO3 matrix,compared with pure BaTiO3.The high dielectric constant can be attributed to the percolation effect of Ag inclusions in the BaTiO3 matrix.The Ag was present in the form of discrete layer in the BaTiO3 film.The dielectric properties of BaTiO3 Ag were discussed in detail taking into account the changes in microstructures.

Structural Evolution of Polyacrylonitrile Fibers in Stabilization and Carbonization

The effect of structural evolution polyacrylonitrile (PAN) on mechanical properties was investigated in stabilization and carbonization. PAN spun fibers were stabilized in a convection oven with a constant tension for various times at 250℃. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gel fraction results suggested that intra and intermolecular stabilization reactions occurred simultaneously. X-ray diffractograms revealed a disruption of crystalline structure and an appearance of pre-graphitic structure of PAN fibers due to stabilization. These structural changes by stabilization resulted in the significant decrease of tensile properties of fibers. In Raman spectra with heat treated fibers from 400℃ up to 1200℃, the intensity ratio of the D to G bands (ID/IG) decreased as heat treatment temperature increased, indicating an increase of basal plane of graphitic layer of heat treated fibers. Tensile strength of heat treated fibers at 1200℃ was found to be as high as 2.2 GPa.

录像、电影与后电影:论让-吕克·戈达尔的《电影史》

在我看来,录像似乎是电影的一个化身,但在毫无创造力、只为了传播而存在的广播电视中,录像已经变得与电影截然不同。但是录像会被信息技术或者某种混合技术所超越,这些技术虽然刚刚问世,却会愈发远离电影创作。我想说的是,录像和电影之间差别不大,在使用上亦然……

Soft wearable flexible bioelectronics integrated with an anklefoot exoskeleton for estimation of metabolic costs and physical effort

Activities and physical effort have been commonly estimated using a metabolic rate through indirect calorimetry to capture breath information.The physical effort represents the work hardness used to optimize wearable robotic systems.Thus,personalization and rapid optimization of the effort are critical.Although respirometry is the gold standard for estimating metabolic costs,this method requires a heavy,bulky,and rigid system,limiting the system’s field deployability.Here,this paper reports a soft,flexible bioelectronic system that integrates a wearable ankle-foot exoskeleton,used to estimate metabolic costs and physical effort,demonstrating the potential for real-time wearable robot adjustments based on biofeedback.Data from a set of activities,including walking,running,and squatting with the biopatch and exoskeleton,determines the relationship between metabolic costs and heart rate variability root mean square of successive differences(HRV-RMSSD)(R=−0.758).Collectively,the exoskeleton-integrated wearable system shows potential to develop a field-deployable exoskeleton platform that can measure wireless real-time physiological signals.

Gait Optimization of a Quadruped Robot Using Evolutionary Computation

Evolutionary Computation(EC)has strengths in terms of computation for gait optimization.However,conventional evolutionary algorithms use typical gait parameters such as step length and swing height,which limit the trajectory deformation for optimization of the foot trajectory.Furthermore,the quantitative index of fitness convergence is insufficient.In this paper,we perform gait optimization of a quadruped robot using foot placement perturbation based on EC.The proposed algorithm has an atypical solution search range,which is generated by independent manipulation of each placement that forms the foot trajectory.A convergence index is also introduced to prevent premature cessation of learning.The conventional algorithm and the proposed algorithm are applied to a quadruped robot;walking performances are then compared by gait simulation.Although the two algorithms exhibit similar computation rates,the proposed algorithm shows better fitness and a wider search range.The evolutionary tendency of the walking trajectory is analyzed using the optimized results,and the findings provide insight into reliable leg trajectory design.

Ceramic-metal package for high power LED lighting

High power light-emitting diodes （LEDs） lighting has drawn a great interest in the field of street light system in recent years. Key parameters for successful launching of LED street light in the commercial market are price and light efficiency, respectively, and they are greatly influenced by the materials and design factors used in high power LED package. This article presents a new design and materials processing technology to realize the solution of LED packaging with advantageous in price and performance. Cost effective materials and processing technology can be realized via thick film glass-ceramic insulating layer and silver conductor. Highly effective thermal design using direct heat dissipation to heat sink in LED package is demonstrated.