Measurement of Tomato Leaf Area Using Depth Camera

We describe a leaf region detection and leaf area calculation algorithm for estimating the growing conditions of small tomatoes. In leaf region detection, a color image taken by a depth camera is analyzed by image processing. The leaf region is divided into more than one hundred quadrangle meshs, and the spatial coordinates of the vertices of the mesh are calculated from the depth information obtained by the depth camera. To reduce the effect of measurement noise, an approximate surface expressed by a two-variable quadratic function is obtained, and the leaf area is calculated as the sum of the area of the meshs on the approximate surface. In the experiment, the algorithm will be evaluated using leaf measurements of small tomatoes in a greenhouse

A feasibility study of the measurement of Higgs pair creation at a Photon Linear Collider

We studied the feasibility of the measurement of Higgs pair creation at a Photon Linear Collider (PLC). From the sensitivity to the anomalous self-coupling of the Higgs boson, the optimum $\gamma \gamma$ collision energy was found to be around 270 GeV for a Higgs mass of 120 GeV/$c^2$. We found that large backgrounds such as $\gamma \gamma \rightarrow W^+W^-, ZZ,$ and $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$, can be suppressed if correct assignment of tracks to parent partons is achieved and Higgs pair events can be observed with a statistical significance of $\sim 5 \sigma$ by operating the PLC for 5 years.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, 5 table

First record of Larsonella pumilus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Japan, with phylogenetic placement of the genus Larsonella

During a survey of deep-sea fauna, using a Remotely Operated Vehicle, a single specimen (21.6 mm in standard length) of Larsonella pumilus (Larson & Hoese, 1980) was collected at a depth of 214 m off the coast of Okinawa Island, Japan. It represents the first record of this species from Japan. The collection site was far deeper than previous reports for this species. This suggests that the main habitat of L. pumilus is deeper than previously recognized and it may explain the paucity of records of this species. As the previously available morphological description of L. pumilus was based on only a single specimen (holotype), this new specimen is described herein. Its morphology corresponds closely to the original description of the holotype, except that faint melanophores are arranged radially around the eyes and scattered on the trunk and the fins. Mitochondrial genome sequences of L. pumilus and 19 related species demonstrate close relationships between L. pumilus and the genus Priolepis. These data also indicate that the genus Priolepis is not monophyletic.journal articl

Laparoscopic Resection of a Primary Retroperitoneal Mucinous Cystadenoma

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma (PRMC) is a rare cystic lesion occurring mostly in women with a histological analogy to ovarian mucinous cystadenoma. The tumor is difficult to detect during early stages because it causes symptoms only when it grows large enough to be palpable or to displace the adjacent internal organs. The primary treatment is resection, but the optimal surgical approach remains poorly known. We report the case of a 41-year-old woman who complained of right-sided intermittent abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed a right retroperitoneal smooth cystic lesion (50 mm) without invasive features. Laparoscopic resection was then performed. During surgery, a right retroperitoneal mass with no connection to neighboring tissues was found. The tumor, wrapped by retroperitoneal fat tissue, was resected and removed from the body without exposure. Furthermore, histopathological findings indicated PRMC. The patient was discharged without any complications and observed to have no recurrence 6 months postoperatively

Laparoscopic Resection of an Abdominal Wall Metastasis 5 Years after Primary Colorectal Cancer Resection

We report the case of a 65-year-old male with a metachronous abdominal wall metastasis secondary to colorectal cancer. The patient had presented 5 years ago to another facility with a perforated sigmoid colon cancer (pT4a[SE], N0, M0, pStage II), rectal cancer (T2[MP], N0, M0, pStage I), and Fournier gangrene. He had then undergone sigmoidectomy and rectal resection along with S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy. No relapse was observed thereafter. However, currently, 5 years after initial surgery, the patient noticed a palpable mass in the left lower abdomen and was referred to our hospital for further assessment and treatment. Percutaneous echo-guided needle biopsy of the tumor revealed an adenocarcinoma tissue. Following 6 courses of FOLFOX plus cetuximab chemotherapy, laparoscopic resection for abdominal wall metastasis was successfully performed. The resected tissue was pathologically characterized as adenocarcinoma, which was compatible with the recurrence of the primary colorectal carcinoma resected 5 years ago. The abdominal wall metastasis was attributed to the cancer cell implantation secondary to the perforated sigmoid colon cancer treated 5 years ago

Late Cutaneous Metastasis Originating from Gastric Cancer with Synchronous Metastasis

An 89-year-old man was diagnosed with late cutaneous metastasis in the right axilla 6 years after undergoing a surgery for gastric cancer with synchronous cutaneous metastasis in the same site. The patient became aware of small reddish nodules in the right axilla, and computed tomography imaging showed an irregular thickening of the right axillary skin. No other sign of recurrence was observed. By en-bloc resection, the nodules were diagnosed as late cutaneous metastasis from gastric cancer. The patient received no additional postoperative chemo- or radiotherapy and was only carefully observed. Cutaneous metastases from gastric cancer have a high recurrence rate even if total resection with no residual cancer is achieved. Therefore, meticulous follow-up, including routine visual inspection, is required for the early detection of late cutaneous metastases

Laparoscopic Resection of Transverse Colon Cancer with an Anomaly of the Middle Colic Artery Originating from the Splenic Artery: A Case Report

Introduction: We encountered a colon cancer case with a very rare anomaly of the middle colic artery (MCA) originating from the splenic artery (SA). Case Presentation: A woman was referred to our hospital for transverse colon cancer. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) angiography showed an anomalous MCA originating from the SA rather than from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) as is typical. Laparoscopic left hemicolectomy with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. The lymph nodes around the SMA were dissected from the caudal view, confirming the absence of a typical MCA. An anomalous SA-originating MCA was identified just below the pancreas, where it was clipped and ligated; subsequently, total mesenteric excision was achieved. Conclusion: As D3 lymph node dissection for transverse colon cancer is technically difficult, 3D-CT angiography is useful for identifying vascular anomalies preoperatively, thereby avoiding intraoperative injury. This is the first case report of laparoscopic colectomy associated with a SA-originating MCA anomaly