Extraction of Dynamics-correlated Factors from Image Features in Pushing Motion of a Mobile Robot

Abstract: It is important for autonomous robots to improve capability of extracting information that is relevant to their motions. This paper presents an extraction and estimation of factors that affect behavior of object from image features in object pushing manipulation by a two-wheeled robot. Motions of image features (SIFT keypoints) are approximated with variance. By detecting correlation between the variance and positions of the keypoints, the robot can detect keypoints whose positions affect behaviour of some keypoints. Position information of the keypoints is expected to be useful for the robot to decide its pushing motion. The proposed scheme was verified in experiment with a camera-mounted mobile robot which has no pre-defined knowledge about its environment

10-GHz-clock time-multiplexed non-degenerate optical parametric oscillator network with a variable planar lightwave circuit interferometer

A coherent XY machine (CXYM) is a physical spin simulator that can simulate the XY model by mapping XY spins onto the continuous phases of non-degenerate optical parametric oscillators (NOPOs). Here, we demonstrated a large-scale CXYM with >47,000 spins by generating 10-GHz-clock time-multiplexed NOPO pulses via four-wave mixing in a highly nonlinear fiber inside a fiber ring cavity. By implementing a unidirectional coupling from the i-th pulse to the (i+1)-th pulse with a variable 1-pulse delay planar lightwave circuit interferometer, we successfully controlled the effective temperature of a one-dimensional XY spin network within two orders of magnitude.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Broken Mechanism of Straight Copper Wires near Terminal due to Lightning High Impulse Current

When a lightning current flows through a copper wire, the copper wire would be broken at the terminal affected by electro-magnetic force. A straight thin copper wire such as 0.1mmΦ is melted due to the specific melting Joule integral: (j2t)m in an adiabatic condition. However, in these experiments it has been recognized that the thicker copper wires of 1mmΦ are not completely melted, but sheared mainly at the connecting terminal by a relatively low impulse current. Therefore, electromagnetic mechanical shearing stress, etc. are discussed adding to the ordinary Joule heating. New broken mechanisms were presumed and proved in additional experiments.【査読有

Tracheal intubation by paramedics under limited indication criteria may improve the short-term outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with noncardiac origin.

PURPOSE: It is not clear whether advanced airway management (AAM) with an endotracheal tube (ET) by paramedics may improve the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) compared with the use of a bag-valve-mask device (BVMD) and other AAM devices. METHODS: We analyzed 2,586 adult cases of OHCA without administration of adrenaline, witnessed or recognized by citizens in subjects transported to hospital by paramedics between 1 July 2004 and 31 March 2008 in Ishikawa, Japan, to determine whether AAM with an ET used under limited indication criteria may improve the outcome of OHCA. RESULTS: The airway was managed with an ET in 263 cases, other AAM devices in 660 cases, and a BVMD in 1,539 cases. The AAM failed or was discontinued in 124 cases, which were excluded from the analysis. The incidence of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was significantly higher in cases of AAM with an ET (30%) than in AAM with other devices (20.2%) and in the standard procedure with a BVMD (21.3%). The AAM with an ET did not significantly affect 1-year survival. Multiple regression analysis indicated that tracheal intubation (odds ratio = 1.503, 95% confidence interval 1.081-2078), but not patient management by paramedics qualified for ET use, was an independent factor associated with sustained ROSC. CONCLUSION: When subjects with difficult airway are excluded, tracheal intubation according to the limited indication criteria and well-organized protocol in Japan may improve the short-term outcome of OHCA of noncardiac origin. A large prospective study is needed to determine the general effects of tracheal intubation on the long-term outcome of OHCA with disturbed ventilation

Retrorectal epidermoid cyst with unusually elevated serum SCC level, initially diagnosed as an ovarian tumor

Retrorectal epidermoid cyst is one of the developmental cysts which arise from remnants of embryonic tissues. We report a rare case of retrorectal epidermoid cyst, initially diagnosed as an ovarian tumor. Serum SCC value as tumor marker was elevated to the high level. Laparoscopy revealed ovaries, uterus and other pelvic organs were all normal. This tumor existed in the retroperitoneal cavity and compressed the rectum. Later, complete tumor resection was performed by laparotomy. Histological study revealed the epithelium of this tumor consisted of only squamous cells without atypia, and the diagnosis of this tumor was retrorectal epidermoid cyst. Retrorectal epidermoid cyst is very rare, and difficult to diagnose before surgery. However, if we have-knowledge of developmental cysts, and by careful digital examination and image diagnosis, a differential diagnosis can be made