In order to consider the effects of spatial attention on human saccadic eye movements, we analyzed peak velocity, duration, latency and amplitude of saccades during Kanji-recognition tasks. The results suggest that the choice of region allocated for spatial attention has no effect on the characteristics of saccades. The distributions of saccadic latency showed 1 to 3 peaks, and their peak values were consistent with the results of earlier studies. Because of these facts, we consider that there are basic phases for making saccades regardless of the complexity of the tasks. The relation between saccadic latency and amplitude shows that a longer latency leads to a smaller amplitude. This suggests that the state of spatial attention before execution of a saccade affects its amplitude. Based on these results, a schematic model of the brain system for generating of saccades is proposed, and the process of generating saccades is hypothesized using this conceptual model.
In this paper, we describe a development of the motion visualization system which make us understand intuitively a series of action of an actor by coordinates information obtained from motion capture system (MC system). The MC system we use is wireless magnetic type and has 11 sensors each which give us position and angle data. To visualize the motion of limbs, we transform momentary position and/or angle data from corresponding sensor into color lines and place the line in a row every moment. As a result, the motion of a sensor is shown as an image like a color belt on display. The idea of this method is based on principle of slit camera. Once the image is generated, we can get some characteristics of motion by image processing techniques without original sensor data. Some examples of the image and extracted features from the image will be shown.
Abstract Morphinan-based opioids, derived from natural alkaloids like morphine, codeine and thebaine, have long been pivotal in managing severe pain. However, their clinical utility is marred by significant side effects and high addiction potential. This review traces the evolution of the morphinan scaffold in light of advancements in biochemistry and molecular biology, which have expanded our understanding of opioid receptor pharmacology. We explore the development of semi-synthetic and synthetic morphinans, their receptor selectivity and the emergence of biased agonism as a strategy to dissociate analgesic properties from undesirable effects. By examining the molecular intricacies of opioid receptors and their signaling pathways, we highlight how receptor-type selectivity and signaling bias have informed the design of novel analgesics. This synthesis of historical and contemporary perspectives provides an overview of the morphinan landscape, underscoring the ongoing efforts to mitigate the problems facing opioids through smarter drug design. We also highlight that most morphinan derivatives show a preference for the G protein pathway, although detailed experimental comparisons are still necessary. This fact underscores the utility of the morphinan skeleton in future opioid drug discovery.
The purposes of this research are to analyze and visualize some properties of aesthetic surfaces and to construct the shapes, which satisfy designers' intentions. To extract and visualize the properties, surface edges of a free-form surface were introduced. The edges are loci of the points that have the extremum values for characteristics of the surfaces such as curvature, height, brightness and so on. By analyzing idea sketches drawn by styling designers, we find that the designers' intentions are closely related to the contour curves and the surface edges. The results of this research give fundamental technology not only to classify features of free-form surfaces but also to generate an aesthetic shape according to the styling designers' feelings.
The purpose of this study was to develop the new type actuator which has flexibility by using an EHD phenomenon for the application to the small machine or welfare system. The EHD phenomenon is a phenomenon that generates the flow in the insulating fluid by applying a high voltage electric field. Especially, rotation type actuator using an EGD phenomenon was developed by this study. And, EGD (Electro Gas Dynamics) phenomenon is a kind of the EHD phenomenon which occurs in the gas. Then, this actuator was called EGD motor. The EGD motor has one pair of electrode, one of these is a cylindrical electrode for a stator and another is L shaped electrode for a rotor. We changed the shape of electrode and measured the torque and rotation speed, to evaluate the rotational performance of the EGD motor
Orexins are a family of neuropeptides that regulate sleep/wakefulness, acting on two G-protein-coupled receptors, orexin receptors 1 (OX1R) and 2 (OX2R). Genetic and pharmacologic evidence suggests that orexin receptor agonists, especially OX2R agonist, will be useful for mechanistic therapy of the sleep disorder narcolepsy/cataplexy. We herein report the discovery of a potent (EC50 on OX2R is 0.023 μM) and OX2R-selective (OX1R/OX2R EC50 ratio is 70) agonist, 4'-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-3'-[N-(3-{[2-(3-methylbenzamido)ethyl]amino}phenyl)sulfamoyl]-(1,1'-biphenyl)-3-carboxamide 26.
Abstract An electrochemical pinacol coupling reaction of acetophenone using a boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrode has been reported. This transformation is driven by the one‐electron reduction of acetophenone on the BDD cathode, followed by an intermolecular radical coupling. Owing to the BDD's outstanding electrochemical properties, the pinacol‐type compound has been obtained in good conversion yield. The roles of a supporting electrolyte and solvent were addressed; (1) lithium ions contribute to increase in the reactivity of the radical intermediate. (2) Addition of water promotes the electron transfer process at the BDD surface. The reaction is relatively tolerant to para ‐substituted acetophenone derivatives. Since electric current is directly employed as reducing reagents to generate a radical intermediate, the reaction is metal‐free, sustainable, and inherently safe.
