Spatial conservation prioritization for the East Asian islands : A balanced representation of multitaxon biogeography in a protected area network

Aim On the basis of multitaxon biogeographical processes related to region-specific geohistory and palaeoclimate, we identified a balanced and area-effective protected area network (PAN) expansion in the East Asian islands, a global biodiversity hotspot. Location Japanese archipelago, Ryukyu archipelago and Izu-Bonin oceanic islands. Methods We modelled the distributions of 6,325 species (amphibians, birds, freshwater fish, mammals, plants and reptiles) using 4,389,489 occurrence data points. We then applied the Zonation software for spatial conservation prioritization. First, we identified environmental drivers underpinning taxon-specific biodiversity patterns. Second, we analysed each taxon individually to understand baseline priority patterns. Third, we combined all taxa into an inclusive analysis to identify the most important PAN expansions. Results Biodiversity patterns were well explained by geographical factors (climate, habitat stability, isolation and area), but their explanatory power differed between the taxa. There was remarkably little overlap between priority areas for the individual higher taxa. The inclusive prioritization analysis across all taxa identified priority regions, in particular in southern subtropical and mountainous areas. Expanding the PAN up to 17% would cover most of the ranges for rare and/or restricted-range species. On average, approximately 30% of the ranges of all species could be covered by the 17% expansion identified here. Main conclusions Our analyses identified top candidates for the expansion of Japan's protected area network. Taxon-specific prioritization was informative for understanding the conservation priority patterns of different taxa associated with unique biogeographical processes. For the basis of PAN expansion, we recommend multi-taxon prioritization as an area-efficient compromise that reflects taxon-specific priority patterns. Spatial prioritization across multiple taxa provides a promising start for the development of conservation plans with the aim of long-term persistence of biodiversity on the East Asian islands.Peer reviewe

シカク ショウガイシャ ノ タメノ ブンコボン ショウセツ ノ ジドウ テンジ ホンヤク システム ノ コウチク

In this paper, a recognition system of novel books written in Japanese language for blind persons using a personal computer is proposed. This system consists of two units, a docu-ment image processing unit and a character recognition unit. In the former unit, normalization of the document image and extraction of the character patterns are carried out. In the latter unit, pre-classification and recognition of character patterns are carried out. As the result of the experiment with 56,054 characters of 93 pages in the novel books, average recognition rate of 98.15% was obtained. Average processing time was 3.1 sec/character

ニューラル ネットワーク ト KL テンカイ ニヨル ガゾウ アッシュク

In this paper, K-L expansion and the artificial neural network are applied the data compression of facial image data. This method is composed of feature extraction process and data compression process. The input data to the neural network is the linear feature vector extracted from an original image using K-L expansion. Using this method, an image data can be compressed to 18%. Some experimental results are shown with the compression ratio and S/N ratio

ドウロ ジョウケイ ガゾウ カラノ ロメン ヒョウジ ノ チュウシュツ トニンシキ

In this report, a method for extraction and recognition of road markings (lines, numerals, characters, symbols, arrows, etc. those are painted on the road surface) from a road scene image is proposed. At first, the input image is segmented to regions using outlines. Considering the conditions of road structure, those regions are partially rejoined, and the road region can be extracted. After the road region is transformed to a plane image by perspective transformation, the road markings can be extracted. Pattern matching between the extracted road marking and the standerd patterns using projection profile is practiced, and the road marking is recognized. As the experimental result, good recognition performance can be obtained

テキスト オンセイ ゴウセイ ノタメノ インリツ セイギョ ノ キソ ジッケン

Following items are necessary to process for text-to-speech in Japanese. 1) Replacing KANJI (ideographic) characters by KANA (phonetic) letters (articulation). 2) Processing the prosodic information (recognition of word, BUNSETSU (word unit), accent-phrase, and so on, and extraction of position of accent kernel). Each word has its own position of accent kernel. However, the position varies by combining some words. The details of the change of position are "movement", "generation" and "disappearance". Two factors decide the position of accent kernel. The first is the accent types of each word which constitutes the accent-phrase and the second is the information such as each part of speech of words being combined. In this paper, the change of position of accent kernel is made a rule by investigating these factors

Surgical treatment for pulmonary metastases from esophageal carcinoma after definitive chemoradiotherapy: Experience from a single institution

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Surgical treatment for pulmonary metastases is known to be a safe and potentially curative procedure for various primary malignancies. However, there are few reports regarding the prognostic role of surgical treatment for pulmonary metastases from esophageal carcinoma, especially after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively reviewed 5 patients who underwent surgical treatment for pulmonary metastases from esophageal carcinoma at our institution. The primary treatment for esophageal carcinoma was definitive CRT, and a complete response (CR) was achieved in all patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The surgical procedure for pulmonary metastases was wedge resection, and pathological complete resection was achieved in all 5 patients. The disease free interval after definitive CRT varied from 7 to 36 months, with a median of 19 months. There were no perioperative complications, but postoperative respiratory failure occurred in 1 patient. The postoperative hospital stay varied from 4 to 7 days, with a median of 6 days. Three patients are now alive with a good performance status (PS) and are disease free. The other 2 patients died of primary disease. The overall survival after surgical treatment varied from 20 to 90 months, with a median of 29 months.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Surgical treatment should be considered for patients with pulmonary metastases from esophageal carcinoma who previously received CRT and achieved a CR, because it provides not only a longer survival, but also a good postoperative PS for some patients.</p

チョウオンパ ビーム オ モチイタ サンジゲン ブッタイ ノ ニュウリョク

The measurement technology of a three-dimensional shape has become important as the research of computer vision advances. In general, distance is used for the measurement of the shape of a three-dimensional object. The laser beam is used for such devices for the measurement of an accurate distance. However, the laser is dangerous for eyes. In this paper, we report concerning the measurement of the shape of a three-dimensional object using the ultrasonic distance sensor. The measurement device of the distance using the ultrasonic is low cost. Moreover, these devices are safe. However, the resolution of the ultrasonic is lower compared with the laser beam. To supplement a low resolution, we proposed the method of correcting the distance data. In this method, it was clarified to be able to obtain rough shape of a three-dimensional object

チョウフク リョウイキ オ ユウスル フクスウ ノ ブブン ガゾウ カラノ ゲンガゾウ サイコウセイ

We attempt to input a large image data to the computer using an image scanner for an A4 paper without cutting up the data. We input an original image data as 4 partial images with overlap areas to the computer. The original data is reconstructed by sticking 4 images at the overlap areas together. The data used in an experiment are 6 different color images and 15 data sets (4 partial images/sets) are made from each image. Using these 90 data sets, we made an experiment to detect overlap area of each partial image and obtained the detection rate of 97.8(%). We also examine how to join one partial image to other partial images