Isotropization of Quaternion-Neural-Network-Based PolSAR Adaptive Land Classification in Poincare-Sphere Parameter Space

Quaternion neural networks (QNNs) achieve high accuracy in polarimetric synthetic aperture radar classification for various observation data by working in Poincare-sphere-parameter space. The high performance arises from the good generalization characteristics realized by a QNN as 3-D rotation as well as amplification/attenuation, which is in good consistency with the isotropy in the polarization-state representation it deals with. However, there are still two anisotropic factors so far which lead to a classification capability degraded from its ideal performance. In this letter, we propose an isotropic variation vector and an isotropic activation function to improve the classification ability. Experiments demonstrate the enhancement of the QNN ability

Degree of Polarization-Based Data Filter for Fully Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar

This paper proposes a novel data filtering algorithm for fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) based on the degree of polarization (DoP) information. First, we define the homogeneity degree and polarization independence degree using the DoP information, and propose a feature plane to characterize the target feature. Second, employing the feature plane, we categorize the targets into three types and assign specific filtering policy for each type to estimate the optimal filtering window sizes. Finally, the $T$ -matrices of fully PolSAR data are filtered using the windows with estimated optimal sizes. Compared with boxcar filter, refined Lee filter, scattering model-based filter, and improved sigma filter in processing ALOS2-PALSAR2 data, the proposed DoP-based algorithm presents the best filtering performance

Convolutional neural network (CNNs) based image diagnosis for failure analysis of power devices

An image diagnosis by deep learning was applied to failure analysis of power devices. A series of images during a process to failure by power cycling test was used for this method. The images were obtained by a scanning acoustic microscopy of our real-time monitoring system. An image classifier was designed based on a convolutional neural network (CNNs). A developed classifier successfully diagnosed input image into a normal device and an abnormal device. The accuracy of classification was improved by introducing a pre-training and an overlapping pooling into the system. A technique to extract a feature related a failure is essential for the failure analysis based on the real-time monitoring and the deep learning is one likely candidate for it

Biomass Allocation and Chemical Defense in Defoliated Seedling of Quercus serrata with Respect to Carbon-Nitrogen Balance

東北大学金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科Scedule:17-18 March 2003, Vemue: Kanazawa, Japan, Kanazawa Citymonde Hotel, Project Leader : Hayakawa, Kazuichi, Symposium Secretariat: XO kamata, Naoto, Edited by:Kamata, Naoto

松本歯科大学病院における小児全身麻酔下集中歯科治療の検討 : 過去11年間の環境要因の変遷について

We investigated the actual child-rearing environment, considering factors such as hygiene training, among 177 children (102 boys, 75 girls) ranging from 1 year and 9 months to 7 years and 2 months in age who underwent intensive dental treatment under general anesthesia in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Matsumoto Dental University Hospital between January 1990 and December 2000. The following results were obtained. 1) The annual number of patients slightly increased between 1992 and 1994. Thereafter, the annual number of patients decreased slightly each year. 2) The mean age attreatmentwas 3 years and 7 months (44.5±12.9 months). 3) Concerning the regional distribution, more than 50% of the children came from Nagano Prefecture areas other than Shiojiri City, where our university is located. 4) With respect to feeding methods during infancy, most children were breast fed or mixed breast and bottle fed. Furthermore, any feeding irregularity was noted. 5) The mean interval from birth until the start of weaning was 7.5±4.1 months. The mean interval until completion of weaning was 16.0±6.3 months. 6) 95.5% of the children habitually brushed their teeth. The frequency of tooth brushing was "once a day" or "sometimes" in 69.5% of the children. 7) Overall, 46.9% of the children had received fluoride application

The Validity and Reliability of a Smartphone Application for Break-Point Angle Measurement during Nordic Hamstring Exercise

# Background A recently developed smartphone application (Nordic Angle) allows the automatic calculation of the break-point angle (BPA) during Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) without transferring the collected data to a computer. The BPA is the point at which the hamstrings are unable to withstand force. However, the validity of the BPA values obtained by this method has not been examined. # Hypothesis/Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Nordic Angle by comparing the BPA values of the Nordic Angle with those of two-dimensional motion analysis software that can calculate the angles and angular velocities of various joints. # Study Design Cohort assessing Validity and Reliability # Methods The validity of the Nordic Angle BPA data was verified by Spearman's correlation test for consistency with the movement analysis data, and the magnitude of the correlation was indicated by rs. The agreement between these measurements was examined using the Bland-Altman analysis. The reliability of the Nordic Angle and motion analysis was examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (1,k) based on data from repeated trials within a day. # Results Although the spearman correlation between the Nordic angle and the angle determined using motion analysis did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.052), a very large correlation was present (rs = 0.75). The difference between the mean values of the Nordic Angle and motion analysis was 0.4 ± 2.1°, and the limits of agreement ranged from -3.9° to 4.6°. In two BPA measurements, the Nordic Angle showed perfect reliability (ICC = 1.00, p \< 0.001), while motion analysis showed nearly perfect reliability (ICC = 0.97, p \< 0.001). # Conclusion The Nordic Angle, which has both validity and reliability, may be appropriate for field measurement because it allows immediate feedback of BPA and the measurement of many athletes. # Level of evidence 3b ©The Author(s

Development of a novel tympanic temperature monitoring system for GT car racing athletes

Motor racing athletes, especially Grand Touring (GT) car racing drivers in the closed-cockpit category, can face lifethreatening situations caused by heat stroke. In this paper, a novel continuous tympanic temperature monitoring system, that could help to reduce this risk, is presented. The system consists of an earpiece containing an infrared-radiation-type tympanic thermometer and a micro-speaker. We validated the reliability of the system for tympanic temperature monitoring in 10 healthy volunteers (21.8 ± 1.0 S.D. years) using a temperature-controlled water bath. In addition, we evaluated the usefulness of the system with 2 professional drivers under real racing conditions in the 2010 SUPER GT International Series. The results showed strong correlation between the infrared-radiation tympanic temperature obtained by the present system and both the direct tympanic temperature (r = 0.994, n = 1119, P < 0.001) and the sublingual temperature (r = 0.972, n = 1119, P < 0.001) as a reference temperature. The mean difference between these temperatures was +0.09°C, and -0.08°C, and 95 % confidence interval (equal to 1.96 S.D.) was 0.21°C, and 0.44°C, respectively. In the field test, involving real competitive racing under severe conditions on a racing circuit, the system functioned well. These results suggest that our novel system has an acceptable performance in a race setting as a reliable tympanic temperature monitor and could help to improve safety of motor sports. © 2013 Springer-Verlag

Short day length-induced decrease of cesium uptake without altering potassium uptake manner in poplar

Short day length-induced alteration of potassium (K) localization in perennial trees is believed to be a mechanism for surviving and adapting to severe winters. To investigate the relationship between cesium (Cs) and K localizations, a model tree poplar, hybrid aspen T89, was employed. Under short day length conditions, the amount of 137Cs absorbed through the root and translocated to the root was drastically reduced, but 42K was not. Potassium uptake from the rhizosphere is mediated mainly by KUP/HAK/KT and CNGC transporters. In poplar, however, these genes were constantly expressed under short-day conditions except for a slight increase in the expression a KUP/HAK/KT gene six weeks after the onset of the short-day treatment. These results indicated that the suppression of 137Cs uptake was triggered by short day length but not regulated by competitive Cs+ and K+ transport. We hypothesize that there are separately regulated Cs+ and K+ transport systems in poplar

Delphi Method Consensus-Based Identification of Primary Trauma Care Skills Required for General Surgeons in Japan

Purpose General surgeons at regional hospitals should have the primary trauma care skills necessary to treat critically ill trauma patients to withstand transfer. This study was conducted to identify a consensus on primary trauma care skills for general surgeons. Methods An initial list of acute care surgical skills was compiled, and revised by six trauma experts (acute care surgeons); 33 skills were nominated for inclusion in the Delphi consensus survey. Participants (councilors of the Japanese Society for Acute Care Surgery) were presented with the list of 33 trauma care skills and were asked (using web-based software) to rate how strongly they agreed or disagreed (using a 5-point Likert scale) with the necessity of each skill for a general surgeon. The reliability of consensus was predefined as Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.8, and trauma care skills were considered as primarily required when rated 4 (agree) or 5 (strongly agree) by ≥ 80% participants. Results There were 117 trauma care specialists contacted to participate in the Delphi consensus survey panel. In the 1st round, 85 specialists participated (response rate: 72.6%). In the 2nd round, 66 specialists participated (response rate: 77.6%). Consensus was achieved after two rounds, reliability using Cronbach’s α was 0.94, and 34 items were identified as primary trauma care skills needed by general surgeons. Conclusion A consensus-based list of trauma care skills required by general surgeons was developed. This list can facilitate the development of a new trauma training course which has been optimized for general surgeons