Splitting and Parallelizing of Quantum Convolutional Neural Networks for Learning Translationally Symmetric Data

A quantum convolutional neural network (QCNN) is a promising quantum machine learning (QML) model to achieve quantum advantages in classically intractable problems. However, QCNN requires a large number of measurements for data learning, limiting its practical applications for large-scale problems. To relieve this requirement, we propose a novel architecture called split-parallelizing QCNN (sp-QCNN), which exploits the prior knowledge of quantum data for designing efficient circuits. This architecture draws inspiration from geometric quantum machine learning and targets translationally symmetric quantum data commonly encountered in condensed matter physics. By splitting the quantum circuit based on translational symmetry, sp-QCNN substantially parallelizes conventional QCNN without increasing the number of qubits and further improves the measurement efficiency by an order of the number of qubits. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we apply sp-QCNN to a quantum phase recognition task and show that it can achieve similar performance to conventional QCNN while considerably reducing the measurement resources required. Due to its high measurement efficiency, sp-QCNN can mitigate statistical errors in estimating the gradient of the loss function, thereby accelerating the learning process. These results open up new possibilities for incorporating the prior knowledge of data into the efficient design of QML models, leading to practical quantum advantages.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figure

MMSE Analysis for Generated Robot Motion Language with ALBERT

The 11th International Symposium on Adaptive Motion of Animals and Machines. Kobe University, Japan. 2023-06-06/09. Adaptive Motion of Animals and Machines Organizing Committee.Poster Session P2

Cross-education and detraining effects of eccentric vs. concentric resistance training of the elbow flexors

Background: Unilateral resistance training increases the strength of the contralateral non-trained homologous muscles known as the cross-education effect. We tested the hypothesis that unilateral eccentric resistance training (ET) would induce greater and longer-lasting cross-education effect when compared with concentric resistance training (CT). Methods: Young (20–23 y) participants were allocated to ET (5 males, 4 females) or CT (5 males, 4 females) group that performed unilateral progressive ET or CT of the elbow flexors, twice a week for 5 weeks (10 sessions) followed by a 5-week detraining, and control group (7 males, 6 females) that did not perform any training. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction torque of the elbow flexors (MVIC), one-repetition maximum of concentric dumbbell curl (1-RM), and biceps brachii and brachialis muscle thickness (MT) were measured from the trained and non-trained arms before, several days after the last training session, and 5 weeks later. A ratio between the trained and non-trained arms for the change in MVIC or 1-RM from pre- to post-training (cross-body transfer ratio) was compared between ET and CT groups. Results: The control group did not show significant changes in any variables. Both ET and CT increased (P \u3c 0.05) MVIC (22.5 ± 12.3 % vs. 26.0 ± 11.9 %) and 1-RM (28.8 ± 6.6 % vs. 35.4 ± 12.9 %) of the trained arm without a significant difference between groups. MVIC was maintained after detraining for ET but returned to the baseline for CT, and 1-RM was maintained after detraining for both ET and CT. For the non-trained arm, MVIC (22.7 ± 17.9 % vs. 12.2 ± 10.2 %) and 1-RM (19.9 ± 14.6 % vs. 24.0 ± 10.6 %) increased similarly (P \u3e 0.05) after ET and CT, and MVIC returned to the baseline after detraining, but 1-RM was maintained for both groups. An increase (P \u3c 0.05) in MT was found only after ET for the trained arm (7.1 ± 6.1 %). The cross-body transfer ratio for MVIC was greater (P \u3c 0.05) for ET (90.9 ± 46.7 %) than CT (49.0 ± 30.0 %). Conclusions: These results did not support the hypothesis and showed similar changes in the most of the variables between ET and CT for the trained and non-trained arms, and strong cross-education effects on MVIC and 1-RM, but less detraining effect after ET than CT on MVIC of the trained arm. Trial registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000044477; Jun 09, 2021)

Excellent strength–ductility balance of Sc-Zr-modified Al–Mg alloy by tuning bimodal microstructure via hatch spacing in laser powder bed fusion

The bimodal microstructure, which comprises ultrafine grains (UFGs) forming along the melt pool boundary and relatively coarse grains inside the melt pool, is a characteristic of the Sc-Zr-modified Al–Mg-based alloy (Scalmalloy) microstructure manufactured using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Focusing on this microstructural feature, we investigated the improvement in the mechanical properties of LPBF-fabricated Scalmalloy by tailoring the volume fraction of UFGs. Our approach was to decrease the laser hatch spacing (d) from 0.1 to 0.04 mm, while the volume fraction of UFGs increased from 34.6 ± 0.6 % (d = 0.1 mm) to 59.5 ± 0.5 % (d = 0.06 mm). The tensile yield stress increased from 296 ± 9 (d = 0.1 mm) to 380 ± 6 MPa (d = 0.06 mm), while maintaining a large elongation (14.8 % ± 1.2 %). The yield stress and elongation were superior to those of the cast counterparts by 2.9 and 4.0 times, respectively. In the sample with d = 0.04 mm, pores formed owing to excessive thermal energy input. Additionally, we investigated multiple strengthening mechanisms of the as-fabricated alloy. This is the first study to improve the mechanical properties of LPBF-fabricated Scalmalloy by optimizing the track-to-track interval and tuning the UFG fraction.Ekubaru Y., Gokcekaya O., Ishimoto T., et al. Excellent strength–ductility balance of Sc-Zr-modified Al–Mg alloy by tuning bimodal microstructure via hatch spacing in laser powder bed fusion. Materials and Design, 221, 110976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110976

Joint angles in elbow flexor unilateral resistance exercise training determine its effects on muscle strength and thickness of trained and non-trained arms

The present study compared two unilateral arm curl resistance exercise protocols with a different starting and finishing elbow joint angle in the same ROM for changes in elbow flexors strength and muscle thickness of the trained and non-trained arms. Thirty-two non-resistance trained young adults were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: extended joint training (0°-50°; EXT, = 12); flexed joint training (80°-130°; FLE, = 12); and non-training control ( = 8). The exercise training was performed by the dominant arms twice a week for 5 weeks with gradual increases in the training volume over 10 training sessions, and the non-dominant (non-trained) arms were investigated for the cross-education effect. Maximal voluntary contraction torque of isometric (MVC-ISO), concentric (MVC-CON), and eccentric contractions (MVC-ECC), and thickness (MT) of biceps brachii and brachialis of the trained and non-trained arms were assessed at baseline and 4-8 days after the last training session. The control group did not show significant changes in any variables. Significant ( \u3c 0.05) increases in MVC-ISO torque (16.2 ± 12.6%), MVC-CON torque (21.1 ± 24.4%), and MVC-ECC torque (19.6 ± 17.5%) of the trained arm were observed for the EXT group only. The magnitude of the increase in MT of the trained arm was greater ( \u3c 0.05) for EXT (8.9 ± 3.9%) than FLE (3.4 ± 2.7%). The cross-education effect was evident for MVC-ISO (15.9 ± 14.8%) and MVC-CON (16.7 ± 20.0%) torque of the EXT group only. These results suggest that resistance training at the extended elbow joint induces greater muscle adaptations and cross-education effects than that at flexed elbow joint

Kesadaran Lingkungan Anak Muda di Kota: Pelajaran dari Membaca Kota di Yogyakarta, Indonesia

ABSTRAK Bencana lingkungan telah membahayakan kota Yogyakarta. Penduduk muda kota ini telah dan akan terus terkena dampak dari bencana-bencana ini.  Namun, pendidikan lingkungan hidup (PLH) di kota ini kurang efektif dalam menciptakan kesadaran di kalangan anak-anak dan remaja tentang isu-isu lingkungan hidup di sekitar mereka. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menilai dan meningkatkan peran anak muda di Yogyakarta untuk menghadapi permasalahan tersebut, proyek Membaca Kota dilaksanakan di Kampung Jogonegaran dengan menggunakan metode berikut: 1) survei kuantitatif pra-proyek; 2) kegiatan interaktif; dan 3) diskusi kelompok terarah pasca-kegiatan. Berdasarkan hasil pra-survei, para anak muda kampung menunjukkan kesadaran dan kepedulian mereka terhadap isu-isu lingkungan perkotaan seperti pengelolaan sampah dan ruang terbuka hijau. Selama kegiatan berlangsung, para peserta menunjukkan berbagai tingkat keterlibatan dan respon. Setelah penelitian selesai, para anak muda menunjukkan kesadaran yang lebih besar dan kesiapan untuk menyuarakan dan mengambil tindakan terkait masalah lingkungan di perkotaan. Setelah kegiatan yang dilakukan, beberapa wawasan ditemukan untuk meningkatkan program pendidikan lingkungan berbasis masyarakat: 1) melibatkan peserta dalam semua tahapan program sangat penting; 2) memastikan adanya saling pengertian antara peserta dan penyelenggara sangat penting; dan 3) penerapan pedoman standar untuk kegiatan manajemen proyek diperlukan. Kata Kunci: Lingkungan Urban, Pendidikan Lingkungan Interaktif, Agensi Anak Muda, Pengorganisasian Komunitas Anak Muda.ABSTRACT Environmental disasters have endangered the city of Yogyakarta. The city's young population has been and will continue to be affected by these disasters.  However, environmental education (PLH) in the city is less effective in creating awareness among children and adolescents about environmental issues around them. This research was conducted to assess and improve the role of young people in Yogyakarta to face these problems, the City Reading project was carried out in Jogonegaran Village using the following methods: 1) pre-project quantitative survey; 2) interactive activities; and 3) post-activity focus group discussions. Based on the pre-survey results, the village youths showed their awareness and concern for urban environmental issues such as waste management and green open spaces. During the activity, participants showed varying levels of engagement and response. After the study was completed, the young people showed greater awareness and readiness to voice and take action on environmental issues in urban areas. Following the activities undertaken, several insights were found to improve community-based environmental education programs: 1) involving participants in all stages of the program is essential; 2) ensuring mutual understanding between participants and organizers is essential; and 3) the implementation of standard guidelines for project management activities is necessary Keywords: Urban Environment, Interactive Environmental Education, Youth Agency, Youth Community Organizing.

Direct imaging of atomic clusters in an amorphous matrix: A Co-C granular thin film

The atomic structure of extremely small cobalt (Co) nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous carbon (C) matrix has been studied by spherical aberration (C s) corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and focal-series restoration. The Co nanoparticles, 1-3 nm in diameter, are crystalline with the face centered cubic structure, while the radial distribution function analysis revealed the existence of a Co-C bond. The reconstructed phase images of the exit-wave function clearly show the projected potential distribution within the Co nanoparticles. The C s-correction has hence a benefit to visualize embedded crystalline clusters unambiguously, which are responsible for the magnetotransport properties of the Co-C films. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.Kazuhisa Sato, Masaki Mizuguchi, Ruihe Tang, Jung-Goo Kang, Manabu Ishimaru, Koki Takanashi, and Toyohiko J. Konno, "Direct imaging of atomic clusters in an amorphous matrix: A Co-C granular thin film", Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 191902 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4765362

Comparison of the effects of introducing the CRISPR/Cas9 system by microinjection and electroporation into porcine embryos at different stages

Objective: Cytoplasmic microinjection and electroporation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system into zygotes are used for generating genetically modified pigs. However, these methods create mosaic mutations in embryos. In this study, we evaluated whether the gene editing method and embryonic stage for gene editing affect the gene editing efficiency of porcine embryos. Results: First, we designed five guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting the B4GALNT2 gene and evaluated mutation efficiency by introducing each gRNA with Cas9 protein into zygotes by electroporation. Next, the optimized gRNA with Cas9 protein was introduced into 1-cell and 2-cell stage embryos by either microinjection or electroporation. The sequence of gRNA affected the bi-allelic mutation rate and mutation efficiency of blastocysts derived from electroporated embryos. Microinjection significantly decreased the cleavage rates in each embryonic stage and blastocyst formation rates in 2-cell stage embryos compared with electroporation (p < 0.05). However, the bi-allelic mutation rate and mutation efficiency of blastocysts from the 1-cell stage embryos edited using microinjection were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of blastocysts from the 2-cell stage embryos edited by both methods. These results indicate that the gene editing method and embryonic stage for gene editing may affect the genotype and mutation efficiency of the resulting embryos

Improvement of the in vitro fertilization and embryo development of microminipigs

This study aimed to compare the quality and the penetration ability of frozen–thawed spermatozoa from three microminipigs and Large White boars and to evaluate the effects of caffeine and heparin as well as the sperm–oocyte co-incubation length on the fertilization and embryonic development in vitro. Results showed that the fertilization rates of spermatozoa from three microminipig boars were significantly lower than those of a Large White boar. In the post-thaw spermatozoa from one of three microminipig boars, the sperm quality, penetration ability, and the oocyte development after in vitro fertilization were significantly lower than those of the spermatozoa from other boars. The caffeine supplementation in the fertilization media increased the rates of fertilization and blastocyst formation for the microminipig spermatozoa with low sperm quality. In addition to caffeine supplementation, the rates of fertilization and blastocyst formation after using microminipig spermatozoa were significantly higher with a 10 h sperm–oocyte co-incubation than with 3 h of co-incubation length. Our results indicate that the differences between the males and the breed influence the quality and fertility of frozen–thawed boar spermatozoa. In conclusion, the presence of caffeine in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) medium and adequate length of sperm–oocyte co-incubation may have beneficial effects for improving IVF results when using microminipig spermatozoa with low quality