Description and Discussion on DCASE 2022 Challenge Task 2: Unsupervised Anomalous Sound Detection for Machine Condition Monitoring Applying Domain Generalization Techniques

We present the task description and discussion on the results of the DCASE 2022 Challenge Task 2: ``Unsupervised anomalous sound detection (ASD) for machine condition monitoring applying domain generalization techniques''. Domain shifts are a critical problem for the application of ASD systems. Because domain shifts can change the acoustic characteristics of data, a model trained in a source domain performs poorly for a target domain. In DCASE 2021 Challenge Task 2, we organized an ASD task for handling domain shifts. In this task, it was assumed that the occurrences of domain shifts are known. However, in practice, the domain of each sample may not be given, and the domain shifts can occur implicitly. In 2022 Task 2, we focus on domain generalization techniques that detects anomalies regardless of the domain shifts. Specifically, the domain of each sample is not given in the test data and only one threshold is allowed for all domains. Analysis of 81 submissions from 31 teams revealed two remarkable types of domain generalization techniques: 1) domain-mixing-based approach that obtains generalized representations and 2) domain-classification-based approach that explicitly or implicitly classifies different domains to improve detection performance for each domain.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2106.0449

Oxygen and Air Nanobubble Water Solution Promote the Growth of Plants, Fishes, and Mice

Nanobubbles (<200 nm in diameter) have several unique properties such as long lifetime in liquid owing to its negatively charged surface, and its high gas solubility into the liquid owing to its high internal pressure. They are used in variety of fields including diagnostic aids and drug delivery, while there are no reports assessing their effects on the growth of lives. Nanobubbles of air or oxygen gas were generated using a nanobubble aerator (BUVITAS; Ligaric Company Limited, Osaka, Japan). Brassica campestris were cultured hydroponically for 4 weeks within air-nanobubble water or within normal water. Sweetfish (for 3 weeks) and rainbow trout (for 6 weeks) were kept either within air-nanobubble water or within normal water. Finally, 5 week-old male DBA1/J mice were bred with normal free-chaw and free-drinking either of oxygen-nanobubble water or of normal water for 12 weeks. Oxygen-nanobubble significantly increased the dissolved oxygen concentration of water as well as concentration/size of nanobubbles which were relatively stable for 70 days. Air-nanobubble water significantly promoted the height (19.1 vs. 16.7 cm; P<0.05), length of leaves (24.4 vs. 22.4 cm; P<0.01), and aerial fresh weight (27.3 vs. 20.3 g; P<0.01) of Brassica campestris compared to normal water. Total weight of sweetfish increased from 3.0 to 6.4 kg in normal water, whereas it increased from 3.0 to 10.2 kg in air-nanobubble water. In addition, total weight of rainbow trout increased from 50.0 to 129.5 kg in normal water, whereas it increased from 50.0 to 148.0 kg in air-nanobubble water. Free oral intake of oxygen-nanobubble water significantly promoted the weight (23.5 vs. 21.8 g; P<0.01) and the length (17.0 vs. 16.1 cm; P<0.001) of mice compared to that of normal water. We have demonstrated for the first time that oxygen and air-nanobubble water may be potentially effective tools for the growth of lives.Ebina K., Shi K., Hirao M., et al. (2013) Oxygen and Air Nanobubble Water Solution Promote the Growth of Plants, Fishes, and Mice. PLoS ONE 8(6): e65339. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065339

IL-6 negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation through the SHP2/MEK2 and SHP2/Akt2 pathways in vitro

It has been suggested that interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including osteoporosis not only in inflamed joints but also in the whole body. However, previous in vitro studies regarding the effects of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the effects and signal transduction of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary murine calvarial osteoblasts. IL-6 and its soluble receptor significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the expression of osteoblastic genes (Runx2, osterix, and osteocalcin), and mineralization in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates negative effects of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation. Signal transduction studies demonstrated that IL-6 activated not only two major signaling pathways, SHP2/MEK/ERK and JAK/STAT3, but also the SHP2/PI3K/Akt2 signaling pathway. The negative effect of IL-6 on osteoblast differentiation was restored by inhibition of MEK as well as PI3K, while it was enhanced by inhibition of STAT3. Knockdown of MEK2 and Akt2 transfected with siRNA enhanced ALP activity and gene expression of Runx2. These results indicate that IL-6 negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation through SHP2/MEK2/ERK and SHP2/PI3K/Akt2 pathways, while affecting it positively through JAK/STAT3. Inhibition of MEK2 and Akt2 signaling in osteoblasts might be of potential use in the treatment of osteoporosis in RA. © 2013 The Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research and Springer.This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-013-0514-1Kaneshiro S., Ebina K., Shi K., et al. IL-6 negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation through the SHP2/MEK2 and SHP2/Akt2 pathways in vitro. Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism 32, 378 (2014); https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-013-0514-1

AQT-D: Demonstration of the Water Resistojet Propulsion System by the ISS-Deployed CubeSat

AQT-D (AQua Thruster-Demonstrator) is a 3U CubeSat for a demonstration of a water resistojet propulsion system developed by The University of Tokyo. AQT-D installed the 1U propulsion system using water as a propellant, named AQUARIUS-1U (AQUA ResIstojet propUlsion System 1U). We completed the design and assembly of the AQT-D flight model. AQUARIUS-1U was fired on a pendulum-type thrust balance, and its performance was directly characterized in both a stand-alone test and an integrated test using an entire spacecraft system. AQT-D is currently scheduled to be delivered to JAXA in July 2019 and launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in the middle of 2019 by the H-IIB rocket. AQT-D will be deployed from the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), known as Kibo, and demonstrate water propulsion technology

Comparison of the effects of denosumab between a native vitamin D combination and an active vitamin D combination in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis

The aim of this 12-month, retrospective study was to compare the effects of denosumab (DMAb; 60 mg subcutaneously every 6 months) plus native vitamin D (VD) (cholecalciferol) combination therapy with DMAb plus active VD analog (alfacalcidol) combination therapy in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Patients [N = 127; mean age 75.6 years (range 58–93 years); 28 treatment-naïve patients, 59 patients treated with oral bisphosphonate therapy, 40 patients treated with teriparatide daily] were allocated to either (1) the DMAb plus native VD group (n = 60; cholecalciferol, 10 μg, plus calcium, 610 mg/day; 13 treatment-naïve patients, 28 patients treated with oral bisphosphonate therapy, and 19 patients treated with teriparatide daily) or (2) the DMAb plus active VD group [n = 67; alfacalcidol, 0.8 ± 0.0 μg, plus calcium, 99.2 ± 8.5 mg/day; 15 treatment-naïve patients, 31 patients treated with oral bisphosphonate therapy, and 21 patients treated with teriparatide daily) on the basis of each physician’s decision. Changes in bone mineral density (BMD), serum bone turnover marker levels, and fracture incidence were monitored every 6 months. There were no significant differences in baseline age, BMD, bone turnover marker levels, and prior treatments between the two groups. After 12 months, compared with the DMAb plus native VD group, the DMAb plus active VD group showed similar increases in the BMD of the lumbar spine (6.4% vs 6.5%) and total hip (3.3% vs 3.4%), but significantly greater increases in the BMD of the femoral neck (1.0% vs 4.9%, P < 0.001) and the distal part of the forearm (third of radius) (−0.8% vs 3.9%, P < 0.01). These tendencies were similar regardless of the differences in the prior treatments. The rates of decrease of bone turnover marker levels were similar for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (−49.0% vs −49.0%), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (−45.9% vs −49.3%), and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (−56.0 vs −66.5%), whereas serum intact parathyroid hormone levels were significantly lower in the DMAb plus active VD group (47.6 pg/mL vs 30.4 pg/mL, P < 0.001). The rate of hypocalcemia was 1.7% in the DMAb plus native VD group and 1.5% in the DMAb plus active VD group, and the rate of clinical fracture incidence was 8.3% in the DMAb plus native VD group and 4.5% in the DMAb plus active VD group, with no significant difference between the groups. DMAb with active VD combination therapy may be a more effective treatment option than DMAb with native VD combination therapy in terms of increasing BMD of the femoral neck and distal part of the forearm and also maintaining serum intact parathyroid hormone at lower levels.This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-016-0792-5Ebina K., Kashii M., Hirao M., et al. Comparison of the effects of denosumab between a native vitamin D combination and an active vitamin D combination in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism 35, 571 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-016-0792-5

Progranulin plays crucial roles in preserving bone mass by inhibiting TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis and promoting osteoblastic differentiation in mice

A close correlation between atherosclerosis, inflammation, and osteoporosis has been recognized, although the precise mechanism remains unclear. The growth factor progranulin (PGRN) is expressed in various cells such as macrophages, leukocytes, and chondrocytes. PGRN plays critical roles in a variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis and arthritis by inhibiting Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) signaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PGRN on bone metabolism. Forty-eight-week old female homozygous PGRN knockout mice (PGRN-KO) (n = 8) demonstrated severe low bone mass in the distal femur compared to age- and sex-matched wild type C57BL/6J mice (WT) (n = 8) [BV/TV (%): 5.8 vs. 16.6; p < 0.001, trabecular number (1/mm): 1.6 vs. 3.8; p < 0.001]. In vitro, PGRN inhibited TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis from spleen cells of PGRN-KO mice. Moreover, PGRN significantly promoted ALP activity, osteoblast-related mRNA (ALP, osteocalcin) expression in a dose-dependent manner and up-regulated osteoblastic differentiation by down-regulating phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in mouse calvarial cells. In conclusion, PGRN may be a promising treatment target for both atherosclerosis and inflammation-related osteoporosis.Noguchi T., Ebina K., Hirao M., et al. Progranulin plays crucial roles in preserving bone mass by inhibiting TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis and promoting osteoblastic differentiation in mice. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 465, 638 (2015); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.08.077

Estradiol protects hair cells from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity via Nrf2 activation

ABSTRACTCisplatin-induced ototoxicity is caused by reactive oxygen species. It has been recognized that estradiol (E2) regulates redox balance. However, little is known about the protective mechanisms of E2 against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effect of E2 on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated hair cell protection using the organ of Corti isolated from mice. The organ of Corti collected from C57BL/6 mice at 3–5 postnatal days was used in all experiments. The organ of Corti was exposed to 20 μM cisplatin with/without 100 nM E2 to examine the effect of E2 on cisplatin-induced hair cell loss. The mRNA expression of Nrf2 and the phase II detoxification gene after E2 and cisplatin treatment was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. E2 significantly reduces cisplatin-induced cochlear hair cell death. In addition, 100 nM E2 increased the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and phase II detoxification genes in the organ of Corti under cisplatin treatment. Our results suggest that E2 activates Nrf2, phase II detoxification enzymes and exerts a protective effect against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity

Method of Preventing Shrinkage of Aluminum Foam Using Carbonates

Metallic foams are commonly produced using titanium hydride as a foaming agent. Carbonates produce aluminum foam with a fine and homogenous cell structure. However, foams produced using carbonates show marked shrinkage, which is clearly different from those produced using titanium hydride. It is essential for practical applications to clarify foam shrinkage and establish a method of preventing it. In this research, cell structures were observed to study the shrinkage of aluminum foam produced using carbonates. The cells of foam produced using dolomite as a foaming agent connected to each other with maximum expansion. It was estimated that foaming gas was released through connected cells to the outside. It was assumed that cell formation at different sites is effective in preventing shrinkage induced by cell connection. The multiple additions of dolomite and magnesium carbonate, which have different decomposition temperatures, were applied. The foam in the case with multiple additions maintained a density of 0.66 up to 973 K, at which the foam produced using dolomite shrank. It was verified that the multiple additions of carbonates are effective in preventing shrinkage

Signal-transducing adaptor protein-2 has a nonredundant role for IL-33-triggered mast cell activation

Signal-transducing adaptor protein (STAP)-2 is one of the STAP family adaptor proteins and ubiquitously expressed in a variety types of cells. Although STAP-2 is required for modification of Fc epsilon RI signal transduction in mast cells, other involvement of STAP-2 in mast cell functions is unknown, yet. In the present study, we mainly investigated functional roles of STAP-2 in IL-33-induced mast cell activation. In STAP-2-deficient, but not STAP-1-deficient, mast cells, IL-33-induced IL-6 and TNF-alpha production was significantly decreased compared with that of wild-type mast cells. In addition, STAP-2-deficiency greatly reduced TLR4-mediated mast cell activation and cytokine production. For the mechanisms, STAP-2 directly binds to IKK alpha after IL-33 stimulation, leading to elevated NF-kappa B activity. In conclusion, STAP-2, but not STAP-1, participates in IL-33-induced mast cells activation

EQUULEUS: Mission to Earth - Moon Lagrange Point by a 6U Deep Space CubeSat

A 6U Deep Space CubeSat EQUULEUS (EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U Spacecraft) will be the world’s smallest spacecraft to explore the Earth―Moon Lagrange point. T he spacecraft is jointly developed by the University of Tokyo and JAXA and will belaunched by NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) EM-1 (Exploration Mission-1) in 2018. The spacecraft will fly to a libration orbit around the Earth-Moon L2 point and demonstrate trajectory control techniques within the Sun-Earth-Moon region (e.g. low-energy transfers using weak stability regions) for the first time by a nano spacecraft. This mission will contribute to the realization of the future efficient cargo transfers to deep space ports located at the Lagrange points. This mission also carries several scientific observation instruments. The first one, named PHOENIX (Plasmaspheric Helium ion Observation by Enhanced New Imager in eXtreme ultraviolet), will conduct the imaging of the Earth\u27s plasmasphere by extreme UV wavelength. The observation will complement and enhance the geospace in-situ observation conducted by the ERG (JAXA\u27s small space science mission to be launched in 2016) and Van Allen probe (NASA) missions. As a result, we can improve our understanding of the radiation environment around the Earth, which is one of the critical issues for human cis-lunar exploration. The second scientific observation instrument, named CLOTH (Cis-Lunar Object Detector within Thermal Insulation), will detect and evaluate the meteoroid impact flux in the cis-lunar region by using dust detectors implemented in the spacecraft’s MLI (Multi-Layer Insulation). The goal of this mission is to understand the size and spatial distribution of solid objects in the cis-lunar space. The third scientific observation instrument, named DELPHINUS (DEtection camera for Lunar impact PHenomena IN 6U Spacecraft), will observe the impact flash at the far side of the moon from Earth—Moon L2 point (EML2) for the first time. This observation will characterize the flux of impacting meteors, and the results will contribute to the risk evaluation for future human activity and/or infrastructure on the lunar surface. EQUULEUS will use X-band and Ka-band frequencies for the deep space telecommunication. Japanese deep space antenna (64-meter antenna and 34-meter antenna) will be nominally used for the spacecraft operation, and the support from DSN (Deep Space Network) of JPL is also being planned. This paper describes mission outline, spacecraft system design, and some newly developed technologies