Adaptive Ranking Based Constraint Handling for Explicitly Constrained Black-Box Optimization

A novel explicit constraint handling technique for the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) is proposed. The proposed constraint handling exhibits two invariance properties. One is the invariance to arbitrary element-wise increasing transformation of the objective and constraint functions. The other is the invariance to arbitrary affine transformation of the search space. The proposed technique virtually transforms a constrained optimization problem into an unconstrained optimization problem by considering an adaptive weighted sum of the ranking of the objective function values and the ranking of the constraint violations that are measured by the Mahalanobis distance between each candidate solution to its projection onto the boundary of the constraints. Simulation results are presented and show that the CMA-ES with the proposed constraint handling exhibits the affine invariance and performs similarly to the CMA-ES on unconstrained counterparts.Comment: 9 page

Biosorption of Uranium and Rare Earth Elements Using Biomass of Algae

In order to investigate the behavior of rare earth elements (REEs) and uranium (U) in marine organism, the concentrations of REEs and U in some brown algae samples taken on the coast of Niigata Prefecture were determined. In addition, laboratory model experiment to uptake these elements using living and dried algae (Undaria pinnatifida and Sargassum hemiphyllum) was also carried out to survey the uptake and bioaccumulation mechanism of REEs and U in algae. Consequently, the following matters have been mainly clarified. (1) The order of the concentration of REEs for each organ in Sargassum hemiphyllum is “main branch” > “leaf” > “vesicle,” however for U, the order is “leaf” > “vesicle” > “main branch.” (2) The concentration of REEs in Sargassum hemiphyllum may be strongly affected by suspended solid in seawater. (3) The uptake and/or accumulate mechanism of REEs in brown algae may be different from that of U

Development of Customer Affection System Aimed at Increasing Loyalty among Both Customers and Employees

This research aimed to develop an information-sharing system between customers and employees and utilize it for practical purposes. We named it the "Caffe System (Customer Affection System)," a system for sharing customer service notes and feedback to improve their satisfaction and loyalty and facilitate the sharing of customer information among employees. As a non-mainstream service, "message to customers" has been used by some stores. For example, Starbucks coffee provides with a particular message service to impress customers: providing the drink with a message or illustration. However, we have no way to know its specific impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty. In this study, we launched the "cup message card," since we conducted the demonstration experiments in a dine-in coffee shop. One of the focuses was to investigate the satisfaction difference between the "cup message card" and "conversation with clerks," which had already become one of the most mainstream service

Japanese university students' behavior when reading english: a questionnaire survey and factor analysis

This paper reports on a specific cognitive behavior often found when trying to understand a text not written in readers’ native language. Our research group conducted a questionnaire survey to examine Japanese readers’ cognitive behavior and awareness when reading English texts. We also conducted a factor analysis on this questionnaire to identify the behaviors often found when reading English. Participants were 56 Japanese students studying engineering at Chuo University. After reading the texts, a questionnaire consisting of 43 items was applied to the participants. We used exploratory factor analysis to identify the primary factors related to readers’ cognitive behavior and awareness when reading a non-native language. As a result of the analysis, mainly based on the highest contributing factors, it was suggested that readers may have made substitutions into Japanese, their own words, when reading the English texts. In other words, when reading a non-native language, the reader may read the texts by replacing them with their native language rather than comprehending it in that language. Based on the results of our experiment, it is expected that the research on the cognitive supporting systems may help readers to understand non-native languages quickly and smoothly

肩甲切痕のバリエーション-3DCT による検討

BACKGROUND:Although cadaveric studies have revealed suprascapular notch shape variations, few have investigated the association between suprascapular notch variation and age or gender. The purpose of this study was to investigate suprascapular notch shape variations by use of three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) and to determine if there was any association with age or gender.METHODS:Three-dimensional CT images of 762 shoulders of 762 patients were analyzed in this study. Participants comprised 404 men and 358 women, with an average age of 58.2 ± 19.1 years. Suprascapular notch shape variations were classified into six types on the basis of Rengachary's classification.RESULTS:Of the total study population, 11.4% were classified as type I, 23.5% as type II, 30.1% as type III, 14.8% as type IV, 15.9% as type V, and 4.3% as type VI. Average age was 56.5 ± 20.5 years for type I, 57.0 ± 19.5 years for type II, 55.5 ± 20.0 years for type III, 56.4 ± 18.5 years for type IV, 65.5 ± 14.4 years for type V, and 68.0 ± 13.4 years for type VI. Statistically significant age differences were found between types I-IV and V, between types I-IV and VI, and between the non-ossification group (types I-IV) and the ossification group (types V and VI). Male-to-female ratio among each type, and between the non-ossification group and the ossification group, were not statistically significantly different.CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest that transverse scapular ligament ossification is associated with aging whereas individual variation explains differences among types I, II, III, and IV. Three-dimensional CT provides useful information for arthroscopic resection of the transverse scapular ligament, when the wide variety of suprascapular notch shape variations is considered.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Level IV.博士（医学）・乙第1361号・平成27年5月28日© Springer International Publishing AG, Part of Springer Science+Business Media. The definitive version is available at " http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00776-014-0636-x "© The Japanese Orthopaedic Association 201

Efficacy of gelatin gel sheets in sustaining the release of basic fibroblast growth factor for murine skin defects

Background: Gelatin has been used as a material sustaining the release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which promotes fibroblast proliferation and capillary formation and accelerates wound healing. In the application of these materials, bFGF is impregnated immediately before application, and it is difficult to conform the shape to the wound. In this study, we prepared a pliable and plastic gelatin gel sheet (GGS) that sustains bFGF and conforms to the shape of the wound as a result of cross-linking just before application. In addition, we examined the sustained release profile of bFGF from GGS and its effect on wound healing in murine skin defects. Materials and methods: A 13-wt% gelatin solution was mixed with bFGF before cross-linking with 1% glutaraldehyde solution. GGSs impregnated with 7 μg/cm2 of bFGF were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline and collagenase solution, and GGS degradation and bFGF release were evaluated. In the murine experiments, GGSs treated without bFGF and GGSs impregnated with 1, 3.5, 7, or 14 μg/cm2 of bFGF were applied to full-thickness skin defects created on the backs of C57BL/6JJcl mice, and the wound closure, epithelial length, extent of granulation tissue and capillary formation were compared. Results: bFGF was released according to the degradation of GGS in phosphate-buffered saline, and the remaining bFGF was released in collagenase solution. In the animal studies, epithelialization was accelerated in the GGSs treated with 1 and 3.5 μg/cm2 of bFGF, and granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis were promoted based on the amount of bFGF impregnated into the GGS. Conclusions: GGS impregnated with bFGF is capable of sustaining the release of bFGF, with consequent accelerated epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, and angiogenesis in vivo. GGS is a novel and promising wound dressing that sustains bFGF and can be adapted to the shape of various wounds in the treatment of both acute and chronic wounds