Measuring integrated information from the decoding perspective

Accumulating evidence indicates that the capacity to integrate information in the brain is a prerequisite for consciousness. Integrated Information Theory (IIT) of consciousness provides a mathematical approach to quantifying the information integrated in a system, called integrated information, $\Phi$. Integrated information is defined theoretically as the amount of information a system generates as a whole, above and beyond the sum of the amount of information its parts independently generate. IIT predicts that the amount of integrated information in the brain should reflect levels of consciousness. Empirical evaluation of this theory requires computing integrated information from neural data acquired from experiments, although difficulties with using the original measure $\Phi$ precludes such computations. Although some practical measures have been previously proposed, we found that these measures fail to satisfy the theoretical requirements as a measure of integrated information. Measures of integrated information should satisfy the lower and upper bounds as follows: The lower bound of integrated information should be 0 when the system does not generate information (no information) or when the system comprises independent parts (no integration). The upper bound of integrated information is the amount of information generated by the whole system and is realized when the amount of information generated independently by its parts equals to 0. Here we derive the novel practical measure $\Phi^*$ by introducing a concept of mismatched decoding developed from information theory. We show that $\Phi^*$ is properly bounded from below and above, as required, as a measure of integrated information. We derive the analytical expression $\Phi^*$ under the Gaussian assumption, which makes it readily applicable to experimental data

A Study of Lifelong Education for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities at the University Level

Background: In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing lifelong education for persons with disabilities at universities and other institutions of higher learning. However, there is still a lack of practical research on people with intellectual disabilities who participate in lifelong education. Objective: This study analyzes the experiences of participants with intellectual disabilities obtained from the practice of the Lifelong Education Program for Persons with Disabilities (AULEPP). It discusses perspectives for the future development of lifelong education. Methods: Eleven persons with intellectual disabilities who participated in the AULEPP from October 2021 to February 2022 were included in the study. Three surveys were administered to these participants before and after the AULEPP and for each lecture. Results: The average number of participants in each lecture was 5.2, and four participants attended more than eight lectures. Qualitative analysis of the survey results revealed that participants acquired new knowledge, expressed the need for continuous learning, and proposed new questions. The lectures helped them recognize changes in their perspectives on daily life and society. Most of the lectures were conducted online, but there were no negative comments about this modality. Conclusions: The study revealed the need to create opportunities for participants to find meaning in lectures, the effectiveness of online media, and the role of lifelong college education in the community. It is necessary to investigate the transferability of these results to urban areas and explore outcome measures and program content to build an evidence-based lifelong learning program

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Invasive Ductal Breast Carcinoma: Correlation with Detailed Histologic Features and the Enhancement Ratio on Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Images

Purpose. To investigate the correlation of Apperent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values in invasive ductal breast carcinomas with detailed histologic features and enhancement ratios on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Methods and Materials. Dynamic MR images and diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) of invasive ductal breast carcinomas were reviewed in 25 (26 lesions) women. In each patient, DWI, T2WI, T1WI, and dynamic images were obtained. The ADC values of the 26 carcinomas were calculated with b-factors of 0 and 1000 s/mm(2) using echoplanar DWI. Correlations of the ADC values were examined on dynamic MRI with enhancement ratios (early to delayed phase: E/D ratio) and detailed histologic findings for each lesion, including cellular density, the size of cancer nests, and architectural features of the stroma (broad, narrow, and delicate) between cancer nests. Results. The mean ADC was 0.915 ± 0.151 × 10(−3) mm(2)/sec. Cellular density was significantly correlated with ADC values (P = .0184) and E/D ratios (P = .0315). The ADC values were also significantly correlated to features of the stroma (broad to narrow, P = .0366). Conclusion. The findings suggest that DWIs reflect the growth patterns of carcinomas, including cellular density and architectural features of the stroma, and E/D ratios may also be closely correlated to cellular density

Color Registration of Underwater Images for Underwater Sensing with Consideration of Light Attenuation

Colors of objects observed in underwater environments are different from those in air. This is because the light intensity decreases with the distance from objects in water by light attenuation. Robots on the ground or in air usually recognize surrounding environments by using images acquired with cameras. The same is/will be true of underwater robots. However, recognition methods in air based on image processing techniques may become invalid in water because of light attenuation. Therefore, we propose a color registration method of underwater images. The proposed method estimates underwater environments where images are acquired, in other words, parameters essential to color registration, by using more than two images. After estimating parameters, color registration is executed with consideration of light attenuation. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through experiments

Altered expression of testis-specific genes, piRNAs, and transposons in the silkworm ovary masculinized by a W chromosome mutation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the silkworm, <it>Bombyx mori</it>, femaleness is strongly controlled by the female-specific W chromosome. Originally, it was presumed that the W chromosome encodes female-determining gene(s), accordingly called <it>Fem</it>. However, to date, neither <it>Fem </it>nor any protein-coding gene has been identified from the W chromosome. Instead, the W chromosome is occupied with numerous transposon-related sequences. Interestingly, the silkworm W chromosome is a source of female-enriched PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). piRNAs are small RNAs of 23-30 nucleotides in length, which are required for controlling transposon activity in animal gonads. A recent study has identified a novel mutant silkworm line called KG, whose mutation in the W chromosome causes severe female masculinization. However, the molecular nature of KG line has not been well characterized yet.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we molecularly characterize the KG line. Genomic PCR analyses using currently available W chromosome-specific PCR markers indicated that no large deletion existed in the KG W chromosome. Genetic analyses demonstrated that sib-crosses within the KG line suppressed masculinization. Masculinization reactivated when crossing KG females with wild type males. Importantly, the KG ovaries exhibited a significantly abnormal transcriptome. First, the KG ovaries misexpressed testis-specific genes. Second, a set of female-enriched piRNAs was downregulated in the KG ovaries. Third, several transposons were overexpressed in the KG ovaries.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, the mutation in the KG W chromosome causes broadly altered expression of testis-specific genes, piRNAs, and transposons. To our knowledge, this is the first study that describes a W chromosome mutant with such an intriguing phenotype.</p

地域在住女性高齢者における直線および曲線歩行能力と歩行関連自己効力感について : 高い社会機能を有する前期高齢者と後期高齢者の比較

Background: The characteristics of both straight- and curved-path walking abilities and walking self-efficacy among older women aged ≥ 75 years with high social functioning are not clear. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of walking ability and self-efficacy among young-old (age 65-74 years) and old-old women (age ≥ 75 years) with high social functioning. Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional study were 36 community-dwelling older women (mean age ± standard deviation: 73.4 ± 5.2 years) recruited using a convenience sampling method. The 5-m and Figure-of-8 Walk Tests were used to evaluate straight- and curved-path walking abilities. Waking self-efficacy was evaluated using the modified Gait Efficacy Scale. The participants were divided into two age groups: 65-74 (n = 22) and ≥ 75 years (n = 14). The results of the 5-m and Figure-of-8 Walk Tests and the modified Gait Efficacy Scale were compared between groups using an unpaired t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test. The relationships between the evaluation items were analyzed using Pearson\u27s product-moment correlation coefficient and Spearman\u27s rank correlation coefficient. Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups in the 5-m Walk Test (p = 0.011) and Figure-of-8 Walk Test (p = 0.016); however, no significant differences were seen in modified Gait Efficacy Scale scores (p = 0.311). The correlation coefficients between modified Gait Efficacy Scale scores and walking abilities were lower in the group aged ≥ 75 years. Conclusions: The present study found that, compared with women aged 65-74 years, those aged ≥ 75 years with high social functioning showed no decline in walking self-efficacy or straight- and curved-path walking abilities.首都大学東京学位論文甲第965号副論