A phase dynamic model of the tongue tip was simulated for structural optimization. With the model-based feedback controller, the bionic soft tongue could achieve a fast step response and precise position control. Experimental results showed that the bionic soft tongue could grasp different kinds of objects, including of water, rice, and gel balls. This work is expected to expand the application scope of soft grippers.Cancer is a set of genetic diseases that are driven by mutations. It was recently discovered that the temporal order of genetic mutations affects the cancer evolution and even the nature of the decease itself. The mechanistic origin of these observations, however, remain not well understood. Here we present a theoretical model for cancer initiation dynamics that allows us to quantify the impact of the temporal order of mutations. In our approach, the cancer initiation process is viewed as a set of stochastic transitions between discrete states defined by the different numbers of mutated cells. Using a first-passage analysis, probabilities and times before the cancer initiation are explicitly evaluated for two alternative sequences of two mutations. It is found that the probability of cancer initiation is determined only by the first mutation, while the dynamics depends on both mutations. In addition, it is shown that the acquisition of a mutation with higher fitness before mutation with lower fitness increases the probability of the tumor formation but delays the cancer initiation. Theoretical results are explained using effective free-energy landscapes.The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety (IACRS) was constituted in 1990, as a forum for collaboration and coordination between international bodies with regards to radiation safety. It consists today of representatives of eight intergovernmental member organizations (EC, FAO, IAEA, ILO, OECD/NEA, PAHO, UNSCEAR and WHO) and five observer non-governmental organizations (ICRP, ICRU, IEC, IRPA and ISO). The IACRS provides a platform for interaction between these relevant international bodies to contribute to a common understanding of the scientific basis and legal framework for the application of the system of radiation protection, towards global harmonization of radiation safety standards. The IACRS played a key role in the development of the International Basic Safety Standards (BSS) in 1996 and in its revision in 2014. Further, an IACRS specific Task Group-chaired by the IAEA-fosters the implementation of the BSS in a consistent and coherent manner in all Member States of the United Nations. The IACRS operates via a standing secretariat jointly provided by the IAEA and OECD/NEA and is chaired by one of its member organizations on a rotating basis for periods of about 18 months. This approach has proved to be effective and was the foundation for ensuring continuity of the work of the committee and at the same time allowing a rotating leadership for all member organizations. Currently, the IACRS is chaired by WHO.Objective. Electrical brain stimulation has been used to ameliorate symptoms associated with neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The astrocytic activation and its interaction with neurons may contribute to the therapeutic effects of electrical stimulation. However, how the astrocytic activity is affected by electrical stimulation and its calcium signaling mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study is to explore the influence of electrical stimulus parameters on cellular calcium responses and corresponding calcium signaling mechanisms, with a focus on the heretofore largely overlooked astrocytes.Approach. Usingin vivotwo-photon microscopy in mouse somatosensory cortex, the calcium activity in neurons and astrocytes were recorded.Main results. The cathodal stimulation evoked larger responses in both neurons and astrocytes than anodal stimulation. Both neuronal and astrocytic response profiles exhibited the unimodal frequency dependency, the astrocytes prefer higher frequency stimulation than neurons. Astrocytes need longer pulse width and higher current intensity than neurons to activate. Compared to neurons, the astrocytes were not capable of keeping sustained calcium elevation during prolonged electrical stimulation. The neuronal Ca2+influx involves postsynaptic effects and direct depolarization. The Ca2+surge of astrocytes has a neuronal origin, the noradrenergic and glutamatergic signaling act synergistically to induce astrocytic activity.Significance. The astrocytic activity can be regulated by manipulating stimulus parameters and its calcium activation should be fully considered when interpreting the mechanisms of action of electrical neuromodulation. This study brings considerable benefits in the application of electrical stimulation and provides useful insights into cortical signal transduction, which contributes to the understanding of mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of electrical stimulation for neurorehabilitation applications.The surface modification of nano particles is very important in nanotechnology. Grafting from (GF) and grafting to (GT) are two main methods to prepare surface modified nanoparticles like nanocellulose crystalline (NCC) grafted with polylactic acid (PLA) chains. In the GF method, the NCC can get high grafting degree but short side chains to improve its compatibility with the polymer matrix. The GT method can help obtain long side chains to increase the chain entanglements but owns low grafting density. To take the advantage of both methods, a mixed modification method combining GT and GF methods was put forward to synthesize comb-like NCC-g-PLA (NP) as a macromolecular modifying agent of PLA. Firstly, GT Method was used to obtain long side-chain NP to improve chain entanglement. Secondly, the GF method was applied to obtain NP-g-PLA (NPL) and NP-g-PDLA (NPD) with additional short side chains to improve its dispersion and compatibility in the PLA matrix. https://www.selleckchem.com/peptide/bulevirtide-myrcludex-b.html The products showed an enhanced nucleation effect, the degree of crystallinity (Xc) of PLA composites increased almost four times with only 1 wt% NPD or NPL. What's more, the storage modulus and loss modulus of the composite melts also increased with 1 wt% NPL or NPD. The NPD/PLA shows a higher effect than NPL/PLA owning to stronger interaction originated from the stereocomplex (SC) network of PLA matrix with PDLA short chains in NPD.