Matching information terminal based on a spatially coded moiré technique

Kouichi Nitta, Hiroyuki Togo and Jun Tanida, "Matching information terminal based on a spatially coded moiré technique", Opt. Eng. 40, 2386 (2001

Paretian argumentation frameworks for Pareto optimal arguments

Argument-based reasoning offers promising interaction and computation mechanisms for multi-agent negotiation and deliberation. Arguments in this context are typically statements of beliefs or actions related to agents' subjective values, preferences and so on. Consequences of such arguments can and should be evaluated using various criteria, and therefore it is desirable that semantics supports these criteria as principles for accepting arguments. This article gives an instance of Dung's abstract argumentation framework to deal with Pareto optimality, i.e. a fundamental criterion for social welfare. We show that the instance allows Dung's acceptability semantics to interpret Pareto optimal arguments, without loss of generality. We discuss the prospects of justified Pareto optimal arguments and Pareto optimal extensions

Conference -ISSS-5 - The EXAFS Debye-Waller Factors of the Tellurium Nanoparticles *

The Debye-Waller factors obtained by EXAFS analysis of the trigonal Te (t-Te) and the Te nanoparticles are analyzed by a Debye model. In t-Te the Debye temperature (ΘD) of the intrachain interactions is about two times higher than that of the interchain atomic interactions. The ΘD for the intrachain interactions of the Te nanoparticles is higher than that of t-Te, but ΘD for the interchain interactions of the Te nanoparticles is lower than that of t-Te. The reduction of the interchain interactions for the Te nanoparticles would induce the change of the Debye temperatures

Laser-induced reversion of photodarkening in CdS-doped glass

The effect of laser irradiation on photodarkened CdS-doped glass has been investigated as a function of the wavelength of laser light, using electron spin resonance (ESR) and time-resolved luminescence. When the wavelength of laser light is tuned to 500 nm, the intensity of the ESR signal associated with photodarkening decreases, as does the decay rate of luminescence. This indicates laser-induced reversion of photodarkening

Numerical examination of plasmoid-induced reconnection model for solar flares: the relation between plasmoid velocity and reconnection rate

The plasmoid-induced-reconnection model explaining solar flares based on bursty reconnection produced by an ejecting plasmoid suggests a possible relation between the ejection velocity of a plasmoid and the rate of magnetic reconnection. In this study, we focus on the quantitative description of this relation. We performed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of solar flares by changing the values of resistivity and the plasmoid velocity. The plasmoid velocity has been changed by applying an additional force to the plasmoid to see how the plasmoid velocity affects the reconnection rate. An important result is that the reconnection rate has a positive correlation with the plasmoid velocity, which is consistent with the plasmoid-induced-reconnection model for solar flares. We also discuss an observational result supporting this positive correlation.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figures, Accepted for publication in Ap

Germline genes hypomethylation and expression define a molecular signature in peripheral blood of ICF patients: implications for diagnosis and etiology.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Immunodeficiency Centromeric Instability and Facial anomalies (ICF) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by reduction in serum immunoglobulins with severe recurrent infections, facial dysmorphism, and more variable symptoms including mental retardation. ICF is directly related to a genomic methylation defect that mainly affects juxtacentromeric heterochromatin regions of certain chromosomes, leading to chromosomal rearrangements that constitute a hallmark of this syndrome upon cytogenetic testing. Mutations in the de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B, the protein ZBTB24 of unknown function, or loci that remain to be identified, lie at its origin. Despite unifying features, common or distinguishing molecular signatures are still missing for this disease. METHOD: We used the molecular signature that we identified in a mouse model for ICF1 to establish transcriptional biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis and understanding of etiology of the disease. We assayed the expression and methylation status of a set of genes whose expression is normally restricted to germ cells, directly in whole blood samples and epithelial cells of ICF patients. RESULTS: We report that DNA hypomethylation and expression of MAEL and SYCE1 represent robust biomarkers, easily testable directly from uncultured cells to diagnose the most prevalent sub-type of the syndrome. In addition, we identified the first unifying molecular signatures for ICF patients. Of importance, we validated the use of our biomarkers to diagnose a baby born to a family with a sick child. Finally, our analysis revealed unsuspected complex molecular signatures in two ICF patients suggestive of a novel genetic etiology for the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of ICF syndrome is crucial since early immunoglobulin supplementation can improve the course of disease. However, ICF is probably underdiagnosed, especially in patients that present with incomplete phenotype or born to families with no affected relatives. The specific and robust biomarkers identified in this study could be introduced into routine clinical immunology or neurology departments to facilitate testing of patients with suspected ICF syndrome. In addition, as exemplified by two patients with a combination of molecular defects never described before, our data support the search for new types of mutations at the origin of ICF syndrome

Machine learning methods can more efficiently predict prostate cancer compared with prostate-specific antigen density and prostate-specific antigen velocity

BackgroundProstate-specific antigen (PSA)–based screening for prostate cancer has been widely performed, but its accuracy is unsatisfactory. To improve accuracy, building an effective statistical model using machine learning methods (MLMs) is a promising approach.MethodsData on continuous changes in the PSA level over the past 2 years were accumulated from 512 patients who underwent prostate biopsy after PSA screening. The age of the patients, PSA level, prostate volumes, and white blood cell count in urinalysis were used as input data for the MLMs. As MLMs, we evaluated the efficacy of three different techniques: artificial neural networks (ANNs), random forest, and support vector machine. Model performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared with the PSA level and the conventional PSA–based parameters: PSA density and PSA velocity.ResultsWhen using two annual PSA testing, all receiver operating characteristic curves of the three MLMs were above the curve for the PSA level, PSA density, and PSA velocity. The AUCs of ANNs, random forest, and support vector machine were 0.69, 0.64, and 0.63, respectively. Those values were higher than the AUCs of the PSA level, PSA density, and PSA velocity, 0.53, 0.41, and 0.55, respectively. The accuracies of the MLMs (71.6% to 72.1%) were also superior to those of the PSA level (39.1%), PSA density (49.7%), and PSA velocity (54.9%). Among the MLMs, ANNs showed the most favorable AUC. The MLMs showed higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional PSA–based parameters. The model performance did not improve when using three annual PSA testing.ConclusionThe present retrospective study results indicate that machine learning techniques can predict prostate cancer with significantly better AUCs than those of PSA density and PSA velocity

Changes of Blood Flow Volume in the Superior Mesenteric Artery and Brachial Artery with Abdominal Thermal Stimulation

In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is a local thermal therapy that is used for several conditions. Quantifying the effects of moxibustion therapy has been difficult because the treatment temperature depends on the physician's experience, and the temperature distribution in the target area is not uniform. This prospective observational study aims to quantify the effect of local thermal stimulation to the abdomen. We developed a heat transfer control device (HTCD) for local thermal stimulation. Twenty-four healthy subjects were enrolled and they underwent abdominal thermal stimulation to the para-umbilical region with the device for 20 min. Blood flow volume in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and brachial artery (BA), the heart rate and the blood pressure were measured at rest, 15 min after starting thermal stimulation and 10, 20, 30 and 40 min after completing thermal stimulation. Blood flow parameters were measured by high-resolution ultrasound. In the SMA, blood flow volume was significantly increased during thermal stimulation (P < .01), as well as at 10 min (P < .01) and 20 min (P < .05) after stimulation. In the BA, blood flow volume decreased at 40 min after stimulation (P < .01). In conclusion we could quantify the effect of local thermal stimulation with an HTCD and high-resolution ultrasound. Thermal stimulation of the para-umbilical region increased blood flow in the SMA 20 min after stimulation in healthy subjects

Curative two-stage resection for synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus, colon, and liver: Report of a case

AbstractIntroductionCases of synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus and other organs curatively resected are rare.Presentation of caseA 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with bloody feces. He was diagnosed with synchronous triple cancers of the esophagus, colon, and liver. We selected a two-stage operation to safely achieve curative resection for all three cancers. The first stage of the operation comprised a laparoscopy-assisted sigmoidectomy and partial liver resection via open surgery. The patient was discharged without complications. Thirty days later, he was readmitted and thoracoscopic esophagectomy was performed. Although pneumonia-induced pulmonary aspiration occurred as a postoperative complication, it was treated conservatively. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 24.DiscussionEsophagectomy is a highly invasive procedure; thus, simultaneous surgery for plural organs, including the esophagus, may induce life-threatening, severe complications. Two-stage surgery is useful in reducing surgical stress in high-risk patients. For synchronous multiple cancers, the planning of two-stage surgery should be considered for each cancer to maintain organ function and reduce the stress and difficulty of each stage.ConclusionWe successfully treated synchronous triple cancers, including esophageal cancer, by a two-stage operation

Distribution of intraperitoneally administered deuterium-labeled water in aquaporin-4-knockout mouse brain after middle cerebral artery occlusion

IntroductionAs the movement of water in the brain is known to be involved in neural activity and various brain pathologies, the ability to assess water dynamics in the brain will be important for the understanding of brain function and the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a membrane channel protein that is highly expressed in brain astrocytes and is important for the movement of water molecules in the brain.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the contribution of AQP4 to brain water dynamics by administering deuterium-labeled water (D2O) intraperitoneally to wild-type and AQP4 knockout (AQP4-ko) mice that had undergone surgical occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Water dynamics in the infarct region and on either side of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was monitored with proton-density-weighted imaging (PDWI) performed on a 7T animal MRI.ResultsD2O caused a negative signal change quickly after administration. The AQP4-ko mice showed a delay of the time-to-minimum in both the contralateral and ipsilateral ACA regions compared to wild-type mice. Also, only the AQP4- ko mice showed a delay of the time-to-minimum in the ipsilateral ACA region compared to the contralateral side. In only the wild-type mice, the signal minimum in the ipsilateral ACA region was higher than that in the contralateral ACA region. In the infarct region, the signal attenuation was slower for the AQP4-ko mice in comparison to the wild-type mice.DiscussionThese results suggest that AQP4 loss affects water dynamics in the ACA region not only in the infarct region. Dynamic PDWI after D2O administration may be a useful tool for showing the effects of AQP4 in vivo