Multiplicative Nonholonomic/Newton -like Algorithm

We construct new algorithms from scratch, which use the fourth order cumulant of stochastic variables for the cost function. The multiplicative updating rule here constructed is natural from the homogeneous nature of the Lie group and has numerous merits for the rigorous treatment of the dynamics. As one consequence, the second order convergence is shown. For the cost function, functions invariant under the componentwise scaling are choosen. By identifying points which can be transformed to each other by the scaling, we assume that the dynamics is in a coset space. In our method, a point can move toward any direction in this coset. Thus, no prewhitening is required.Comment: 12 page

Ultrastructural alterations in skeletal muscle fibers of rats after exercise

Ultrastructural alterations in skeletal muscle fibers were electron microscopically studied in rats forced to run on the treadmill until all-out. When they were mild and limited to relatively small areas, the reconstruction of filaments ensued within 10 days without infiltration of cells. When they were severe and extensive, phagocytes infiltrated in the lesions and removed degenerative sacroplasmic debris from muscle fibers. A little later, myoblasts appeared and regeneration was accomplished in 30 days in much the same manner as in myogenesis

Effective QCD Partition Function in Sectors with Non-Zero Topological Charge and Itzykson-Zuber Type Integral

It was conjectured by Jackson et.al. that the finite volume effective partition function of QCD with the topological charge $M-N$ coincides with the Itzyskon-Zuber type integral for $M\times N$ rectangular matrices. In the present article we give a proof of this conjecture, in which the original Itzykson-Zuber integral is utilized.Comment: 7pages, LaTeX2

EMG analysis while using a smartphone

The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of different postures on the activity of the shoulder girdle and lower back muscles while using a smartphone. Sixteen healthy male participants maintained two postures while using a smartphone : a good posture in which the tragus and acromion were closer to the vertical line passing through the greater trochanter, and a poor posture in which the tragus and acromion were farther from the vertical line passing through the greater trochanter. The target muscles were the rhomboid major (Rhom), upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius (LT), lumbar erector spinae (LES), and lumbar multifidus (LMF). The activities of the Rhom and LT were significantly lower with poor posture than those with good posture. The activities of LES and LMF were significantly higher with poor posture than those with good posture. The results of this study indicated that poor posture was associated with hypoactivity of the shoulder girdle muscles and hyperactivity of the lower back muscles when compared with good posture. Poor posture for prolonged periods while using a smartphone would lead to malfunction of the shoulder girdle muscles and musculofascial lower back pain

A Semantic Analysis of Finite Control in Japanese

Seigakuin UniversityNational Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistic

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist attenuates the severity of spinal cord ischemic injury in rabbits

ObjectiveThoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery is sometimes complicated by subacute or delayed paraplegia. Pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) β has been implicated in extensive inflammation and progressive neurodegeneration after ischemia. Using a rabbit model, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in a temporal fashion.MethodsSpinal cord ischemia was induced by aortic cross-clamping in New Zealand White rabbits. The animals were assigned to three groups. Group C (n = 20) received saline (0.2-mL) and Group I (n = 20) received IL-1ra (200-μg/0.2-mL) intrathecally just after reperfusion. Group S (n = 3) underwent sham operation without aortic occlusion. We assessed the neuroprotective effects of IL-1ra by evaluating neurological function, histopathological changes, and in-situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL staining). We also measured the levels of Nitric Oxide (NO) and S100β in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Each evaluation was performed sequentially within 120 hours after reperfusion.ResultsGroup C showed progressive deterioration of motor function which became statistically significant from 48 hours after the onset of reperfusion (P < .05, P < .01, P < .001, P < .001 at 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours, respectively). Compared to Group C, a higher number of viable neurons was observed with less severe spinal cord injury in Group I (P < .01, .05 and .05 at 24, 72, and 120 hours, respectively). TUNEL-positive neurons were also significantly reduced by the administration of IL-1ra (P <.01 and .05 at 24, and 120 hours, respectively). The difference between Group C and Group I with regard to NO was significant at 72 and 120 hours (P < .05), while that in terms of S100β was significant only at 24 hours (P < .05).ConclusionsAdministration of IL-1ra attenuates spinal cord ischemic-reperfusion injury as evidenced by reducing both neuronal necrosis and apoptosis.Clinical RelevanceThe present study explores the possibility of reducing subacute or delayed paraplegia after thoracoabdominal aortic surgery using a pharmacological agent that is already available for clinical use. IL-1 mediated inflammatory reaction after ischemic insult can be thought as one of the mechanisms responsible for delayed infarct expansion leading to subacute or delayed paraplegia. IL-1ra has known anti-inflammatory properties and was therefore expected to suppress such post-ischemic inflammatory reaction, if given at an appropriate time. The results of the present study indicate that IL-1-targetted anti-cytokine therapy can be a potentially useful strategy for the attenuation of neurological injury after spinal cord ischemia