高齢者とともに歩行する社会的支援ヒューマノイドに関する研究

筑波大学 (University of Tsukuba)201

Feasibility Study of a Socially Assistive Humanoid Robot for Guiding Elderly Individuals during Walking

The impact of the world-wide ageing population has commenced with respect to society in developed countries. Several researchers focused on exploring new methods to improve the quality of life of elderly individuals by allowing them to remain independent and healthy to the maximum possible extent. For example, new walking aids are designed to allow elderly individuals to remain mobile in a safe manner because the importance of walking is well-known. The aim of the present study involves designing a humanoid robot guide as a walking trainer for elderly individuals. It is hypothesized that the same service robot provides an assistive and social contribution with respect to interaction between elderly users by motivating them to walk more and simultaneously provides assistance, such as physical assistance and gait monitoring, while walking. This study includes a detailed statement of the research problem as well as a literature review of existing studies related to walking companion robots. A user-centred design approach is adopted to report the results of the current first feasibility study by using a commercially available humanoid robot known as Pepper developed by Softbank-Aldebaran. A quantitative questionnaire was used to investigate all elements that assess intrinsic motivation in users while performing a given activity. Conversely, basic gait data were acquired through a video analysis to test the capability of the robot to modify the gait of human users. The results in terms of the feedback received from elderly subjects and the literature review improve the design of the walking trainer for elderly individuals

高齢者とともに歩行する社会的支援ヒューマノイドに関する研究

筑波大学 (University of Tsukuba)201

Non-cooperative code design in radar networks: a game-theoretic approach

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Natural history of stage II/III breast cancer, bone metastasis and the impact of adjuvant zoledronate on distribution of recurrences

Aim The prognosis for women with breast cancer has improved markedly over recent decades. However, mortality from breast cancer remains high and, for those developing metastatic disease, curative therapy is not possible. Here, we report the frequency and distribution of disease recurrence(s) in a large population of women with AJCC stage II/III breast cancer and evaluate the impact of adjuvant treatment with the bisphosphonate zoledronate on clinical outcomes. Patients and methods In the context of the AZURE study (ISRCTN7981382), 3359 patients with histologically confirmed stage II/III breast cancer were randomised to receive standard adjuvant treatment ± zoledronate for five years. Patients were followed up for 10 years and all patients with recurrent disease in that time identified. The site of first recurrence, the first distant recurrence site(s) and bone metastasis at any time were recorded and outcomes in the control and zoledronate treatment groups compared. Survival after recurrence was also evaluated. Results In the study population as a whole, disease recurrence at a median follow-up of 117 months occurred in 1010/3359 (30%) women with a relatively constant rate of disease relapse of around 3% per year. 727 (72%) first recurrences were at distant sites, 178 locoregional (18%) and 105 (10%) both locoregional and distant relapses occurred synchronously. Bone was the most frequent first recurrence site occurring in 463 (14%) of all patients and was the only distant metastatic site in 265 (7.9%). 69% of the control group who developed recurrent disease had bone metastases identified. Bone metastases were more frequent in those with oestrogen receptor (ER) positive disease and recurrences overall, especially at visceral sites, were more likely with ER negative disease. Zoledronate reduced bone metastases in both ER subgroups but increased the proportion with extra-skeletal metastases, particularly in women who were not definitely postmenopausal at study entry. Adjuvant zoledronate also reduced bone metastases after recurrence at an extra-skeletal site. Conclusions This analysis provides contemporary information on the frequency and pattern of recurrences after treatment for stage II/III breast cancer that may be of value in planning future adjuvant trials. It confirms the ongoing importance of bone metastases and describes in detail for the first time the effects of adjuvant zoledronate on the pattern of metastasis

Everolimus (EVE) and exemestane (EXE) in patients with advanced breast cancer aged 65 65 years: New lessons for clinical practice from the EVA study

BACKGROUND: The present analysis focuses on real-world data of Everolimus-Exemestane in advanced HR+ve, HER2-ve elderly breast cancer patients (aged 65 years) included in the EVA study, with unique findings in those aged 70 years. METHODS: Data are collected from clinical records and analysed according to age cut-off (< 65 years; 65 - 69 years and {greater than or equal to} 70 years). Relationship of analyzed variables with response were tested by mean of a Mantel-Haenszel chi square test. Time to event analysis was described by Kaplan Meier approach and association with baseline characteristics was analysed by stratified log-rank test and proportional hazard model. RESULTS: From July 2013 to December 2015, the EVA study enrolled overall 404 pts. 154 patients out of 404 (38,1%) were aged {greater than or equal to} 65 years, of whom 87 were {greater than or equal to} 70 years. Median duration of EVE treatment was 28.5 weeks (95% CI 19.0 - 33.8) in patients aged 65-69 years and 24,4 weeks (95% CI 19,2 - 33,2) in those aged {greater than or equal to} 70 years. Fewer patients aged 65 years received the highest EVE Dose-Intensity (>7.5 mg/day) in comparison to younger patients (49,6% vs. 66,8%). Grade 3-4 toxicities occurred to 55 patients (35,7%), mainly stomatitis (10,9%), rash (5,8%) and non-infectious pneumonitis (NIP) (3,6%). Some toxicities, such as weight loss and anaemia were peculiarly observed in patients aged {greater than or equal to} 70 years. Five treatment-related deaths were collected (3,2%). CONCLUSIONS: EVE-EXE combination remains one of the potential treatments in HR+ patients also for elderly ones

Il restauro critico: significati storici e aspetti attuali nella conservazione dell'architettura

La tesi ha approfondito la teoria del restauro critico, alla luce della dimensione ormai storica da essa assunta e dell'evoluzione del nostro contesto culturale, con l'obiettivo di verificare, allo stato attuale, la sua validità, così come 'definita', dal punto di vista sia concettuale che operativo. Pertanto, è stata effettuata una verifica della corrispondenza tra gli assunti teorici consolidati e condivisi e le relative realizzazioni, attraverso un'esegesi del percorso teorico che ha condotto alla codificazione del restauro critico, dai primi embrionali concetti fino ai contributi più recenti, analizzando quindi l'iter segnato dagli autori che hanno dato ad essa apporti e contributi.Ai fini degli obiettivi fissati, è apparso opportuno rivolgere l'attenzione alle realizzazioni relative ad un arco temporale ben definito, coincidente con gli ultimi venti anni, vale a dire a partire dagli anni Novanta del secolo scorso, periodo in cui il 'restauro critico' aveva assunto una dimensione storicamente definita, fino ai nostri giorni.Si è quindi cercato di enucleare dall'ampio e variegato dibattito sul restauro architettonico, svolto a partire dal secondo dopoguerra e poi specificamente nel suddetto periodo di riferimento, quei temi significativi dell'approccio critico alla conservazione, sviluppando quindi questioni volte a cogliere quelli che possono esser considerati i 'significati' storici del restauro critico. Altresì, è apparso opportuno effettuare una sorta di verifica inversa, partendo dagli esiti, ossia dai casi realizzati, al fine di cogliere quali 'aspetti' il restauro critico ha oggi nella conservazione dell'architettura

The crucible of culture, ethnicity and the second generation Italian-Canadian woman in Toronto

grantor: University of TorontoThis essay examines the nature and persistence of ethnicity among a group of university educated, second generation Italian Canadian women. It explores those factors, both external and internal, that contribute to the formation and maintenance of their ethnic identity. While no two women had identical experiences or views, as a whole they feel at odds with the duality of cultures they are forced to balance because they lack a sense of belonging to either their native community or their ethnic community. Those of the second generation have no definable place as they are not immigrants, and they do not feel themselves Canadian beyond their legal citizenship. As Italian Canadian women, they are reduced to mythological constructs of society's imagination. Ultimately, they are labelled "typical Italian women", indicating both a feeble attempt at understanding and contempt for a "foreign" group. The "crucible", both a melting pot for metal, and a trial, is a metaphor for the Italian Canadian woman expected to assimilate into one culture or another. Unable to assimilate she faces judgement and condemnation to a social role she may not otherwise have chosen. Chapter One explores the relationship between art and literature of the ethnic community and their perceived identity. Chapter two examines the creation of an Italian community in Toronto and the impact of social, geographic and economic forces on the ethnicization of the second generation. Chapter three discusses the Italian immigrant mother and her relationship with her Canadian born daughter. Chapter four presents the results of the interviews conducted with second generation women.M.A

Radar Waveform Design via Convex Optimization

The aim of the present work of thesis is to investigate the potentiality o�ffered by waveform design and waveform diversity. In particular, the essence is the possible application of the Optimization Theory so as to the devise high performing transmit signal/receeive fi�lter design techniques. Verily, once a certain �figure of merit has been chosen and properly described by the mathematial language, and once the necessary data have been collected, many problems of practial interest in radar �field can be modeled in terms of an optimization problem, where the main purpose is to optimize the system performance under some constraints imposed by interference, clutter and, more in general, the operating environment