Design of continuous-time recurrent neural networks with piecewise-linear activation function for generation of prescribed sequences of bipolar vectors

A recurrent neural network (RNN) can generate a sequence of patterns as the temporal evolution of the output vector. This paper focuses on a continuous-time RNN model with a piecewise-linear activation function that has neither external inputs nor hidden neurons, and studies the problem of finding the parameters of the model so that it generates a given sequence of bipolar vectors. First, a sufficient condition for the model to generate the desired sequence is derived, which is expressed as a system of linear inequalities in the parameters. Next, three approaches to finding solutions of the system of linear inequalities are proposed: One is formulated as a convex quadratic programming problem and others are linear programming problems. Then, two types of sequences of bipolar vectors that can be generated by the model are presented. Finally, the case where the model generates a periodic sequence of bipolar vectors is considered, and a sufficient condition for the trajectory of the state vector to converge to a limit cycle is provided

Ultra-Shallow DoF Imaging Using Faced Paraboloidal Mirrors

Computer Vision - ACCV 2016: 13th Asian Conference on Computer Vision, Nov 20-24, 2016, Taipei, TaiwanWe propose a new imaging method that achieves an ultra-shallow depth of field (DoF) to clearly visualize a particular depth in a 3-D scene. The key optical device consists of a pair of faced paraboloidal mirrors with holes around their vertexes. In the device, a lens-less image sensor is set at one side of their holes and an object is set at the opposite side. The characteristic of the device is that the shape of the point spread function varies depending on both the positions of the target 3-D point and the image sensor. By leveraging this characteristic, we reconstruct a clear image for a particular depth by solving a linear system involving position-dependent point spread functions. In experiments, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method using both simulation and an actually developed prototype imaging system

Electronic Structures of Aromatic Cluster Ions

The photodissociation spectra are observed for cluster ions of several aromatic molecules including benzene, toluene, and phenol. Benzene cluster ions, (C6H6)n+ with n = 3-6, retain spectroscopic features characteristic of (C6H6)2+, suggesting that the positive charge is carried by a dimer subunit in (C6H6)n+. The spectrum of (benzene-toluene)+ shows charge resonance bands, which are commonly seen in homo-dimer ions. The resonance interaction is also important in the hetero-dimer ion, despite the difference in the ionization potentials between the two components. Phenol dimer ion exhibits no strong charge resonance band, although it is a homo-dimer ion. Owing to the geometrical constraint of an O-H・・・O hydrogen bond, the two aromatic rings cannot be in a parallel configuration suitable for the resonance interaction

Electronic Structures of Aromatic Cluster Ions

Yamada Conference XLIII on Structures and Dynamics of Clusters, 1995年5月10日-13日, 下田(静岡

Are regional variations in activity of dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests outcomes? A nation-wide population-based cohort study

Aim: Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) impacts the rates of bystander CPR (BCPR) and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). This study aimed to elucidate whether regional variations in indexes for BCPR and emergency medical service (EMS) may be associated with OHCA outcomes. Methods: We conducted a population-based observational study involving 157,093 bystander-witnessed, resuscitation-attempted OHCAs without physician involvement between 2007 and 2011. For each index of BCPR and EMS, we classified the 47 prefectures into the following three groups: advanced, intermediate, and developing regions. Nominal logit analysis followed by multivariable logistic regression including OHCA backgrounds was employed to examine the association between neurologically favourable 1-month survival, and regional classifications based on BCPR- and EMS-related indexes. Results: Logit analysis including all regional classifications revealed that the number of BLS training course participants per population or bystander\u27s own performance of BCPR without DA-CPR was not associated with the survival. Multivariable logistic regression including the OHCA backgrounds known to be associated with survival (BCPR provision, arrest aetiology, initial rhythm, patient age, time intervals of witness-to-call and call-to-arrival at patient), the following regional classifications based on DA-CPR but not on EMS were associated with survival: sensitivity of DA-CPR [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) for advanced region; those for intermediate region, with developing region as reference, 1.277 (1.131-1.441); 1.162 (1.058-1.277)]; the proportion of bystanders to follow DA-CPR [1.749 (1.554-1.967); 1.280 (1.188-1.380)]. Conclusions: Good outcomes of bystander-witnessed OHCAs correlate with regions having higher sensitivity of DA-CPR and larger proportion of bystanders to follow DA-CPR. © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.Embargo Period 12 month

Improved lung function and patient-reported outcomes with co-suspension delivery technology glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate metered dose inhaler in COPD:a randomized Phase III study conducted in Asia, Europe, and the USA

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Development and Validation of Cutoff Value for Reduced Muscle Mass for GLIM Criteria in Patients with Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary–Pancreatic Cancers

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria recommends using race- and sex-adjusted cutoff values for reduced muscle mass (RMM), but the only cutoff values available for Asians are the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). This retrospective study aimed to develop and validate cutoff values for the fat-free mass index (FFMI) and arm circumference (AC) of Asians, and to investigate the association between GLIM malnutrition and prognosis. A total of 660 patients with primary gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatobiliary–pancreatic (HBP) cancers who underwent their first resection surgery were recruited and randomly divided into development and validation groups. The FFMI and AC cutoff values were calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the AWGS SMI as the gold standard. The cutoff values for each RMM were used to diagnose malnutrition on the basis of GLIM criteria, and the survival rates were compared. The optimal FFMI cutoff values for RMM were 17 kg/m2 for men and 15 kg/m2 for women, and for AC were 27 cm for men and 25 cm for women. In the validation group, the accuracy of the FFMI and AC cutoff values to discriminate RMM were 85.2% and 68.8%, respectively. Using any of the three measures of RMM, overall survival rates were significantly lower in the GLIM malnutrition group. In conclusion, the cutoff values for the FFMI and AC in this study could discriminate RMM, and GLIM malnutrition using these cutoff values was associated with decreased survival

Impact of phase angle on postoperative prognosis

Objective Phase angle (PhA), by bioelectrical impedance analysis, has been used in patients with several diseases; however, its prognostic value in patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary–pancreatic (HBP) cancer is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of PhA on postoperative short-term outcomes and long-term survival in these patients. Research Methods & Procedures This retrospective study reviewed data of 501 patients with gastrointestinal and HBP cancers who underwent first resection surgery and divided the data into the following groups according to the preoperative PhA quartile values by sex: high-PhA group with the highest quartile (Q4), normal-PhA group with middle quartiles (Q3 and Q2), and low-PhA group with the lowest quartile (Q1). Preoperative nutritional statuses, postoperative short-term outcomes during hospitalization, and 5-year survival between three groups were compared. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the prognostic effect of PhA. Results PhA positively correlated with body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and handgrip strength, and negatively correlated with age and C-reactive protein levels. The low-PhA group showed a high prevalence of malnutrition (48%) than normal-PhA (25%), and high-PhA (9%) (P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative severe complications was 10% in all patients [14% in low-PhA, 12% in normal-PhA, and 4% in high-PhA (P = 0.018)]. The incidence of prolonged postoperative high care unit or/and intensive care unit stays was 8% in all patients [16% in low-PhA, 8% in normal-PhA, and 2% in high-PhA (P < 0.001)]. The 5-year survival rate was 74% in all patients [68% in low-PhA, 74% in normal-PhA, and 79% in high-PhA (P < 0.001)]. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that a low-PhA group was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval 1.05–3.90; P = 0.034). Conclusion PhA is a useful short-term and long-term postoperative prognostic marker for patients with gastrointestinal and HBP cancers

ガンカンジャサン ノ エイヨウ カンリ オ ササエル エイヨウ サポート チーム

Several hospitals have recently established a nutrition support team（NST）for the nutritional management of inpatients. The NST includes medical doctors, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists. The aims of the NST are to improve the nutritional condition and the quality of life（QOL）of patients. In Tokushima University Hospital, a NST was established in２００２. Our team comprises physicians, surgeons, dentists, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, dental hygienists, and physical therapists. Overall, ７０％ of patients undergoing a NST intervention have cancer. Nutritional management in patients with cancer plays an important role in the supportive care during cancer treatment（surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy）. It is focused on the improvement of undernutrition, return to oral feeding, and an improvement in QOL in palliative care. Recently, cancer cachexia has received a lot of attention, with various studies reporting on the nutritional care in patients with cancer. Malnutrition negatively impacts a patient’s response to therapy, leading to an increase in the incidence of treatment-related side effects, and impairment in muscle function, performance status, immune function, and QOL. Recently, it has been reported that NST improves the treatment outcome in patients with cancer because nutritional status is an important part of cancer treatment. Therefore, nutritional management by a NST in patients with cancer has played a crucial role in cancer therapy

Malnutrition by European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism criteria predicts prognosis in patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary–pancreatic cancer

Background & Aims: The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) proposed the ESPEN diagnostic criteria (EDC) for malnutrition in 2015. There is no report on the association between the EDC and prognosis in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatobiliary–pancreatic (HBP) cancer. This study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of EDC malnutrition, (2) investigate the validity of the EDC as a nutritional and prognostic indicator, and (3) examine which components of the EDC are most related to long-term prognosis in patients with GI and HBP cancers. Methods: A total of 634 patients with primary GI and HBP cancers who underwent their first resection surgery between July 2014 and March 2018 were retrospectively recruited. According to the EDC, patients were divided into malnourished and non-malnourished groups. Clinical parameters and survival between these two groups were compared. The prognostic effects of the EDC and the EDC components were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. Results: The prevalence of EDC malnutrition was 22%. Anthropometric data and biochemical data were associated with EDC malnutrition. The 5-year survival rate was lower in the malnourished group (72%) than in the non-malnourished group (73%; P = 0.007). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the malnourished group was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio = 1.70 in the malnourished group; 95% confidence interval 1.08–2.63; P = 0.024). Among EDC components, body mass index (BMI) of <18.5 kg/m2 was an independent poor prognostic factor. Conclusions: EDC malnutrition is associated with poor postoperative long-term prognosis. Among the EDC components, BMI of <18.5 kg/m2 is most associated with prognosis in patients with preoperative GI and HBP cancers