3D Node Localization from Node-to-Node Distance Information using Cross-Entropy Method

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a 3D node localization method that uses crossentropy method for the 3D modeling system. The proposed localization method statistically estimates the most probable positions overcoming measurement errors through iterative sample generation and evaluation. The generated samples are evaluated in parallel, and then a significant speedup can be obtained. We also demonstrate that the iterative sample generation and evaluation performed in parallel are highly compatible with interactive node movement

Assessment of Lower-limb Vascular Endothelial Function Based on Enclosed Zone Flow-mediated Dilation

This paper proposes a novel non-invasive method for assessing the vascular endothelial function of lower-limb arteries based on the dilation rate of air-cuff plethysmograms measured using the oscillometric approach. The principle of evaluating vascular endothelial function involves flow-mediated dilation. In the study conducted, blood flow in the dorsal pedis artery was first monitored while lower-limb cuff pressure was applied using the proposed system. The results showed blood flow was interrupted when the level of pressure was at least 50 mmHg higher than the subject’s lower-limb systolic arterial pressure and that blood flow velocity increased after cuff release. Next, values of the proposed index, %ezFMDL, for assessing the vascular endothelial function of lower-limb arteries were determined from 327 adult subjects: 87 healthy subjects, 150 subjects at high risk of arteriosclerosis and 90 patients with cardiovascular disease (CAD). The mean values and standard deviations calculated using %ezFMDL were 30.5 ± 12.0% for the healthy subjects, 23.6 ± 12.7% for subjects at high risk of arteriosclerosis and 14.5 ± 15.4% for patients with CAD. The %ezFMDL values for the subjects at high risk of arteriosclerosis and the patients with CAD were significantly lower than those for the healthy subjects (p < 0.01). The proposed method may have potential for clinical application.This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 16K21076

Correction to: First COVID-19 infections in the Philippines: a case report.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41182-020-00203-0.]

Household income and the risk of incident hypertension in employees at multiple workplaces in Japan : J-HOPE

This cohort study aimed to investigate the association between household income and incident hypertension in a Japanese employed population. During 2012, a total of 4314 normotensive daytime employees (3153 men and 1161 women) were included in this study. Participants had a wide range of occupations and were employed at one of 12 workplaces from various economic sectors in Japan. After a 2-year follow-up, incident hypertension was compared among groups according to household income: = 10.0 million Japanese yen ( yen )/year. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratio for incident hypertension in each household income group, compared with the group earning = 10.0 million yen /year after adjusting for age, baseline systolic blood pressure, worksite, type of occupation, number of family members, and smoking status. This positive relationship was attenuated but remained significant after further adjustment for alcohol consumption and body mass index, both of which were higher among men with higher household income. Conversely, there was no significant difference for women in the risk of incident hypertension among household income groups, although those with higher household income tended to have a lower risk of incident hypertension. Household income is positively associated with the onset of hypertension in Japanese employed men working daytime hours

Inverse correlation between serum high‐molecular‐weight adiponectin and proinsulin level in a Japanese population : the DOSANCO Health Study

Serum high‐molecular‐weight adiponectin (HMWA) has a positive correlation with insulin secretion in a Japanese population. To validate this correlation, we investigated the correlation between serum HMWA and proinsulin, a marker of beta‐cell dysfunction, in this population. 488 participants (53.9% females) aged 35 to 79 years without having oral hypoglycemic agents and/or insulin were enrolled. HMWA was significantly and inversely correlated with proinsulin adjusted for age and sex (partial regression coefficient: β= -0.37; 95% confidence interval: -0.46 to -0.28). When the participants were divided into two groups by median values of body mass index (23.2 kg/m2), serum insulin (4.3 μU/mL), or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (1.0), similar inverse correlations were observed adjusted for age and sex in both groups. Our results demonstrated that the HMWA level was inversely correlated with the proinsulin level in a general Japanese population

Correlation between serum proinsulin levels and fatty liver : The Dynamics of Lifestyle and Neighborhood Community on Health Study Health Study

Aims/Introduction We explored the association between fatty liver and pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction in a general population. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 489 (53.8% women) community-dwelling Japanese adults. The extent of fatty liver was estimated using the fatty liver index (FLI). After all participants were divided into three groups - low (FLI = 60) degree of fatty liver - serum proinsulin levels transformed into natural logarithms were compared among the three groups. To determine whether obesity modified the association of interest, the participants were stratified into two groups according to the median body mass index. Next, to determine whether hyperinsulinemia modified the association of interest, a similar stratified analysis was carried out using the median serum insulin level. Results Logarithm (proinsulin) was significantly higher in the high FLI group than in the moderate and low groups, and it was significantly higher in the moderate group than in the low group after adjustment for age and sex (P < 0.05). Logarithm (proinsulin) was significantly higher in the high FLI group than in the low FLI group, regardless of body mass index, after adjustment for age and sex. A similar pattern was observed regardless of serum insulin levels. Conclusions The degree of fatty liver was positively associated with proinsulin level, regardless of the presence of obesity or hyperinsulinemia, suggesting that fatty liver reflects pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction

Proinsulin is sensitive to reflect glucose intolerance

Aims/Introduction We investigated associations between glucose tolerance and beta-cell function using a series of estimation methods in a population-based study. Materials and Methods Data from the Dynamics of Lifestyle and Neighborhood Community on Health Study were analyzed. A total of 489 participants (263 women) were divided into three groups: normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes (PDM) and diabetes group. We estimated beta-cell function by the homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function, proinsulin level (PI), C-peptide index, proinsulin-to-C-peptide ratio (PI/CPR) and proinsulin-to-insulin ratio. Because data on all five parameters of beta-cell function showed skewed distributions, the values of these parameters were normalized by natural logarithmic (ln) transformation. Next, the association between glucose tolerance and beta-cell function among participants without diabetes was examined. In this analysis, glucose tolerance was assessed based on glycated hemoglobin levels. Results In the crude analysis, ln(PI) and ln(PI/CPR) were significantly higher in the diabetes group than those in the PDM and NGT groups, and these parameters were significantly higher in the PDM group than in the NGT group. Only ln(PI) in the PDM group was significantly higher compared with that in the NGT group after adjustment for age, sex and body mass index (ln[PI]: PDM group 2.38 pmol/L, 95% confidence interval 2.29-2.47 pmol/L; NGT group 2.17 pmol/L, 95% confidence interval 2.12-2.22 pmol/L; P < 0.05). In addition, ln(PI) levels were significantly and positively correlated with glycated hemoglobin quartile in participants without diabetes. Conclusions Our results showed that PI was the most sensitive to reflect glucose intolerance