A living system reveals local computing by referring to a whole system beyond the exploration–exploitation dilemma. The slime mold,
Physarum polycephalum, uses protoplasmic flow to change its own ...outer shape, which yields the boundary condition and forms an adaptive and robust network. This observation suggests that the whole
Physarum can be represented as a local protoplasmic flow system. Here, we show that a system composed of particles, which move and are modified based upon the particle transformation that contains the relationship between the parts and the whole, can emulate the network formed by
Physarum. This system balances the exploration–exploitation trade-off and shows a scale-free sub-domain. By decreasing the number of particles, our model, VP-S, can emulate the
Physarum adaptive network as it is attracted to a food stimulus. By increasing the number of particles, our model, VP-D, can emulate the pattern of a growing
Physarum. The patterns produced by our model were compared with those of the
Physarum pattern quantitatively, which showed that both patterns balance exploration with exploitation. This model should have a wide applicability to study biological collective phenomena in general.
The development of efficient fuel cells greatly promotes reducing the consumption of fossil energy, and it is crucial to enhance the platinum (Pt) catalytic activity by optimizing both the ...nanoparticle size and support effect. In this study, we generate a smaller and uniform size of naked Pt nanocluster (NC) catalysts
a dry process in the gas phase, and using the direct powder embedded trapping method, the Pt NCs are
supported on Marimo carbon (MC) that comprises a high density of carbon nanofilaments. At a minimum Pt loading of 0.05 mg
cm
for both the anode and cathode in a single cell configuration, a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) formed by the dry-deposition Pt-NC(
)/MC exhibits superior power density (rated) of 0.105 g
kW
at a current density of 1.2 A cm
, which is better output power density than the conventional MEA formed by Pt catalysts
a wet process. The origin of the improved performance is investigated using transmission electron microscopy; dry-deposition Pt catalysts that are monodispersely loaded on the outer surface of MC can facilitate not only the gas reaction but also leaving the generated water. The present results demonstrate that the dry deposition of Pt NCs on MC can be used as a scalable catalyst synthesis method to reduce the Pt loading.
The feeling that a body part is one's own body (sense of ownership; SoO) and the feeling based on the causal relationship between one's will and action (sense of agency; SoA) have been recognized as ...the basis of our bodily self-consciousness. Previously, the illusory SoO over a fake body part (e.g., rubber hand) was introduced as the rubber hand illusion (RHI). Furthermore, it was determined that one could also evoke a SoA over an object with movements linked to the one's prior intention. On the other hand, the postdictivity of our spontaneity implies that it is essentially inseparable whether actions originate from self or others. In other words, our SoA or daily experiences are obtained in such as inseparable scenario. Previous research, however, has maintained the premise that self- and other-origin movements are perceptually distinguishable. Here, we implement a protocol to make these aspects ambiguous for the participants and to estimate whether they can feel SoO and/or SoA and how. To this end, we employ an experiment using virtual reality, under which participants observe virtual fingers moving very slowly (or quickly or not moving) while their own fingers do not move. For evaluation of the illusory SoO, measurements of skin conductance responses against a knife threat are adopted. Additionally, we introduce face-to-face interviews to determine whether the feelings regarding the slow movement match the conventional SoA definition. Our representative results suggest that the SoO is evoked over the hand, and various attitudes to accept its movement as the participant's own with awareness that they did not originate it are reported by the majority. As the results show, the novelty of this protocol is discovering that in such a situation, the SoO cooperates with an externally produced SoA to establish one's own bodily experience rather than the independence of the SoO and SoA.
Introduction
To evaluate the safety and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects of a ripasudil 0.4% ophthalmic solution in Japanese patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH) as a ...post-marketing surveillance.
Methods
This was a 2-year prospective observational study in patients with glaucoma or OH who had not previously received ripasudil. Patients registered in the study using a central internet-based system from June 1, 2015 to April 30, 2017. Data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and IOP were collected and analysed from the first 3 months of ripasudil treatment.
Results
Of the 3058 patients in the safety analysis set, 3016 had IOP data and were included in the efficacy analysis. ADRs were seen in 244 (8.0%) of the 3058 patients. IOP decreased significantly in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (− 2.9 ± 4.2 mmHg;
p
< 0.001), normal tension glaucoma (− 1.7 ± 2.4 mmHg;
p
< 0.001), primary angle-closure glaucoma (− 3.9 ± 5.3 mmHg;
p
< 0.001), and OH (− 3.8 ± 5.8 mmHg;
p
< 0.001). Significant IOP reduction was also noted in exfoliation glaucoma (− 3.0 ± 5.5 mmHg;
p
< 0.001), uveitis-associated glaucoma (− 4.7 ± 7.2 mmHg;
p
< 0.001) and steroid glaucoma (− 5.5 ± 6.0 mmHg;
p
< 0.001), but not for neovascular glaucoma (− 2.8 ± 12.1 mmHg;
p
= 0.669).
Conclusion
Ripasudil was safe and effective in the treatment of glaucoma and OH in Japanese patients, with a low incidence of ADRs or treatment discontinuation, and reduced IOP after 3 months of treatment.
Funding
Kowa Company, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
Human decision-making is relevant for concept formation and cognitive illusions. Cognitive illusions can be explained by quantum probability, while the reason for introducing quantum mechanics is ...based on ad hoc bounded rationality (BR). Concept formation can be explained in a set-theoretic way, although such explanations have not been extended to cognitive illusions. We naturally expand the idea of BR to incomplete BR and introduce the key notion of nonlocality in cognition without any attempts on quantum theory. We define incomplete bounded rationality and nonlocality as a binary relation, construct a lattice from the relation by using a rough-set technique, and define probability in concept formation. By using probability defined in concept formation, we describe various cognitive illusions, such as the guppy effect, conjunction fallacy, order effect, and so on. It implies that cognitive illusions can be explained by changes in the probability space relevant to concept formation.
The squeeze machine is a V-shaped device that applies pressure to the user's entire body to encourage relaxation, especially in individuals with autism. Thus far, this device has only been used for ...therapy; however, by experiencing the balance of "to squeeze" and "to be squeezed" throughout the body, the transformation of the user's bodily self-consciousness can be expected. Here, we estimated these changes by measuring the peri-personal space (PPS) using a preestablished cross-modal (auditory and tactile) task in neurotypical adults. As a result, the PPS boundary, which was clear in the control condition, was degraded during the squeeze machine experience, even though participants subjectively reported no difference in their impressions of the auditory stimuli between the two conditions. This result points to the modification of the implicit relationship between the self and the external world in terms of the PPS.
We prepared and investigated the composites of the spinel Li
4
Ti
5
O
12
(LTO) and Marimocarbon (MC) by the hydrothermal method that could form uniform electric paths without aggregation of the LTO ...particles for high capacity and high rate lithium-ion batteries. MC consisted of many fine carbon nanofilaments (CNFs) intertwined with each other in a complicated fashion. There are vacant space volumes of hundred nanometers between the CNFs. LTO particles were deposited in the space volumes among the tangled CNFs of the MCs. LTO is one of the most attractive anode materials for lithium-ion batteries because of its structural stability and safety. The morphology, microstructure and elemental composition of the LTO/MC composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A charge–discharge test revealed that the LTO/MC composite (MC 10 wt%, prepared using a fluidized bed flow-reactor) produced the specific capacity of 170 mA g
−1
at 1C (1C = 175 mA g
−1
). The LTO/MC composite maintained the specific capacity of 47 mAh g
−1
even in the high rate zone at 30C whereas only the pristine LTO the produced 15 mAh g
−1
at this rate. The unique structure of the LTO/MC composites can contribute to improving the electrochemical performance of the LTO anode. The LTO/MC composites can provide an effective approach to improve the lithium-ion battery performances.
Graphical abstract
The facile preparation of bulk porous silica and a desulfurization ability of this silica-supported ZnO as application are reported. Bulk porous silica was prepared by the sol–gel method using ...tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and surfactant as a template. The swollen gel was filled in a plastic vial followed by curing for 1 day. Bulk porous silica was prepared by the calcination of the cured gel. The bulk porous silica was characterized by nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The bulk porous silica has micropore and mesopore: the micropore distribution was calculated to be 1.7 nm by the MP method and the mesopore-size distribution was calculated as 6.3 nm by the Barrett–Joyner–Halenda method. The volume of micropore was larger than that of mesopore; hence, bulk porous silica would be formed as a pillared-clay-like structure. Bulk porous silica-supported ZnO was prepared by the impregnation of ZnCl
2
followed by calcination in air. The content of ZnO in bulk porous silica (1.9, 15.3, 33.8, and 46.2 wt%) was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, and the ZnO content was depended on the concentration of ZnCl
2
aqueous solution. Characterization was achieved by nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements and TEM. The specific surface area decreased with increasing concentration of ZnO because ZnO deposited onto wall within pores. The sulfurization capacity of the bulk porous silica-supported ZnO was evaluated, and the sulfurization capacity per gram of the bulk porous silica-supported 46.2 wt% ZnO showed 12.56 mg/g.
Bulk porous silica-supported ZnO was prepared by the sol–gel method using TEOS and Pluronic P123 followed by the impregnation of ZnCl
2
and calcination. It was characterized by nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements and TEM/EDS analysis, along with sulfurization capacity measurements.
Highlights
Bulk porous silica was prepared by the sol–gel method using TEOS and Pluronic P123.
Bulk porous silica-supported ZnO was prepared by the impregnation of ZnCl
2
.
Bulk porous silica-supported ZnO was characterized by general measurements.
The sulfurization capacity of the bulk porous silica-supported ZnO was high.
F. Ando et al.
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•Pt/TiO2/cup-stacked carbon nanotube (CSCNT) composite is synthesized.•Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on TiO2/CSCNT enhance the oxygen reduction reaction.•The Pt NPs exhibit a ...high durability for the oxygen reduction reaction.•The Pt NPs do not aggregate on the TiO2/CSCNT even after 2000 times potential cycling.•Embedding the Pt NPs into rough TiO2 layers prevents them from aggregating.
Platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) have been selectively anchored by photodeposition on titanium oxide (TiO2) matrix which is formed by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide on cup–stacked carbon nanotubes (CSCNT) in isopropanol, producing the composite Pt catalyst useful for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic media, i.e., Pt NPs/TiO2/CSCNT. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with a high–angle annular–dark–field (HAADF) detector it has been clarified that Pt NPs are sunk into the TiO2 moieties and have the unique polyhedral shape surrounded mainly by the Pt (1 1 1) and Pt (1 0 0) facets. X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) allowed us to confirm changes in electronic properties of both Pt NPs and TiO2 support, induced by the so-called strong metal–support interactions (SMSI) and the significantly increased ORR activity was attained in 0.1M HClO4, compared with the Pt NPs deposited on CB (Vulcan carbon) and CSCNT. The surface structure of the Pt NPs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), indicating the improved durability of the Pt NPs deposited on the TiO2/CSCNT, i.e., the only slight increase in the particle size after the durability test (typically 2000 times’ potential cycling at 10mVs−1 in the potential ranges of 0.05 to 1.1V and 1.0 to 1.5V vs. RHE in 0.1M HClO4). The results obtained demonstrate that the anchoring of Pt NPs on the TiO2 support material deposited on CSCNT is an effective way to enhance the ORR activity of Pt NPs by the SMSI as well as to prohibit Pt NPs from aggregating, i.e., the degradation of the ORR activity of Pt NPs.
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