Detection of Dishonest Entities

This paper discusses mechanisms to identify dishonest users of services provided by a server in environments where identities of honest users must be kept as their secrets. An anonymous token based mechanism enables the server to identify dishonest users when dishonest events are detected while the users are receiving services, and a homomorhic anonymous token based one enables that even dishonest events can be detected only after the server completed their services and the users had left from the server. A linear equation based encryption algorithm that is used for implementing the above methods is also enhanced

Reducer-integrated motor using simultaneous engagement of gear pairs with small and no differences in teeth number

The motors for industrial robots and transporting robots require high-precision positioning, large torque output, and downsizing. However, conventional motors have difficulties in downsizing or supporting large torque. In this research, we propose a novel reducer-integrated motor to solve the problems of existing motors. The proposed reducer-integrated motor has a differential gear mechanism using the simultaneous engagement of two kinds of external and internal gear pairs: one with a small difference in teeth number and the other with no difference in teeth number. Inside the reducer, linear actuators are installed. Two gear pairs with no difference in teeth number are fixed on the base and the gear pair with a small difference in teeth number is set between them. When the linear actuators revolve the external gear, the two kinds of the gear pairs engage simultaneously and the internal gear of the gear pair with a small difference in teeth number outputs the rotation. It is thought that the structure of the proposed motor can realize downsizing of the entire motor system, high load-supporting capacity, and high stiffness. In this paper, the structure and movement of the proposed motor are explained. The geometrical conditions for simultaneous engagement of the two gear pairs with small and no differences in teeth number are clarified. Through the discussion on the solution satisfying the conditions and the relation with the bending strength, a design method for the reducer of this motor is proposed. An experiment conducted on a prototype verifies that the proposed motor works as expected

Aberrant methylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor type 2B (NMDAR2B) in non-small cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) act as tumor suppressors of digestive malignancies. The expression and genetic methylation patterns of <it>NMDAR2B </it>in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The relationship between gene methylation and expression of <it>NMDAR2B </it>was analyzed in NSCLC cell lines (N = 9) and clinical tissues (N = 216). The cell lines were studied using RT-PCR and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment, while the clinical tissues were examined by methylation specific real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Retrospective investigation of patient records was used to determine the clinical significance of <it>NMDAR2B </it>methylation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>NMDAR2B </it>was silenced in five of the nine cell lines; 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment restored expression, and was inversely correlated with methylation. Aberrant methylation of <it>NMDAR2B</it>, detected in 61% (131/216) of clinical NSCLC tissues, was inversely correlated with the status of protein expression in 20 randomly examined tumors. Aberrant methylation was not associated with clinical factors such as gender, age, histological type, or TNM stage. However, aberrant methylation was an independent prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma cases.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Aberrant methylation of the <it>NMDAR2B </it>gene is a common event in NSCLC. The prognosis was significantly better for cases of squamous cell carcinoma in which <it>NMDAR2B </it>was methylated. It may have different roles in different histological types.</p

Plasma pharmacokinetics after combined therapy of gemcitabine and oral S-1 for unresectable pancreatic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The combination of gemcitabine (GEM) and S-1, an oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) derivative, has been shown to be a promising regimen for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this pharmacokinetics (PK) study. These patients were treated by oral administration of S-1 30 mg/m²twice daily for 28 consecutive days, followed by a 14-day rest period and intravenous administration of GEM 800 mg/m²on days 1, 15 and 29 of each course. The PK parameters of GEM and/or 5-FU after GEM single-administration, S-1 single-administration, and co-administration of GEM with pre-administration of S-1 at 2-h intervals were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The maximum concentration (Cmax), the area under the curve from the drug administration to the infinite time (AUCinf), and the elimination half-life (T1/2) of GEM were not significantly different between GEM administration with and without S-1. The Cmax, AUCinf, T1/2, and the time required to reach Cmax (Tmax) were not significantly different between S-1 administration with and without GEM.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There were no interactions between GEM and S-1 regarding plasma PK of GEM and 5-FU.</p

The ASTRO-H X-ray Observatory

The joint JAXA/NASA ASTRO-H mission is the sixth in a series of highly successful X-ray missions initiated by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). ASTRO-H will investigate the physics of the high-energy universe via a suite of four instruments, covering a very wide energy range, from 0.3 keV to 600 keV. These instruments include a high-resolution, high-throughput spectrometer sensitive over 0.3-2 keV with high spectral resolution of Delta E < 7 eV, enabled by a micro-calorimeter array located in the focal plane of thin-foil X-ray optics; hard X-ray imaging spectrometers covering 5-80 keV, located in the focal plane of multilayer-coated, focusing hard X-ray mirrors; a wide-field imaging spectrometer sensitive over 0.4-12 keV, with an X-ray CCD camera in the focal plane of a soft X-ray telescope; and a non-focusing Compton-camera type soft gamma-ray detector, sensitive in the 40-600 keV band. The simultaneous broad bandpass, coupled with high spectral resolution, will enable the pursuit of a wide variety of important science themes.Comment: 22 pages, 17 figures, Proceedings of the SPIE Astronomical Instrumentation "Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray

Hitomi (ASTRO-H) X-ray Astronomy Satellite

The Hitomi (ASTRO-H) mission is the sixth Japanese x-ray astronomy satellite developed by a large international collaboration, including Japan, USA, Canada, and Europe. The mission aimed to provide the highest energy resolution ever achieved at E  >  2  keV, using a microcalorimeter instrument, and to cover a wide energy range spanning four decades in energy from soft x-rays to gamma rays. After a successful launch on February 17, 2016, the spacecraft lost its function on March 26, 2016, but the commissioning phase for about a month provided valuable information on the onboard instruments and the spacecraft system, including astrophysical results obtained from first light observations. The paper describes the Hitomi (ASTRO-H) mission, its capabilities, the initial operation, and the instruments/spacecraft performances confirmed during the commissioning operations for about a month