Extended Formulations via Decision Diagrams

We propose a general algorithm of constructing an extended formulation for any given set of linear constraints with integer coefficients. Our algorithm consists of two phases: first construct a decision diagram $(V,E)$ that somehow represents a given $m \times n$ constraint matrix, and then build an equivalent set of $|E|$ linear constraints over $n+|V|$ variables. That is, the size of the resultant extended formulation depends not explicitly on the number $m$ of the original constraints, but on its decision diagram representation. Therefore, we may significantly reduce the computation time for optimization problems with integer constraint matrices by solving them under the extended formulations, especially when we obtain concise decision diagram representations for the matrices. We can apply our method to $1$-norm regularized hard margin optimization over the binary instance space $\{0,1\}^n$, which can be formulated as a linear programming problem with $m$ constraints with $\{-1,0,1\}$-valued coefficients over $n$ variables, where $m$ is the size of the given sample. Furthermore, introducing slack variables over the edges of the decision diagram, we establish a variant formulation of soft margin optimization. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our extended formulations for integer programming and the $1$-norm regularized soft margin optimization tasks over synthetic and real datasets

A Report on Overseas Teaching Practicum by Graduate Students in Elementary/Secondary Schools in the United States (Ⅶ)

The present reports is on the 7th overseas teaching practicum in the United States by 15 graduate students of Hiroshima University, Japan, partly organized by Hiroshima University Global Partnership School Center since 2007. The group was comprised of 13 elementary school and 2 secondary school education major graduate students. They planned and conducted lessons in English in three local public schools in North Carolina. The expected outcomes of this project were: 1) to self-develop practical instructional competence by teaching pupils with diverse backgrounds in the U.S.; 2) to enhance the abilities in developing teaching materials through hands-on teaching experiences in English; and 3) to acquire the abilities to design, implement and evaluate programs for promoting global partnership. In addition, the teaching experience was followed by cross-cultural study visits to Raleigh, NC and Washington, D.C. It helped to boost our group motivation that the local media, newspaper and TV, and the city Board of Education covered our visit. It is hoped that this project will enhance the students’ teaching competence in designing quality materials/lessons and classroom communication skills in English

High-Resolution Imaging of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Normal Eyes Using Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy

To conduct high-resolution imaging of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in normal eyes using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO).AO-SLO images were obtained in 20 normal eyes at multiple locations in the posterior polar area and a circular path with a 3-4-mm diameter around the optic disc. For each eye, images focused on the RNFL were recorded and a montage of AO-SLO images was created.AO-SLO images for all eyes showed many hyperreflective bundles in the RNFL. Hyperreflective bundles above or below the fovea were seen in an arch from the temporal periphery on either side of a horizontal dividing line to the optic disc. The dark lines among the hyperreflective bundles were narrower around the optic disc compared with those in the temporal raphe. The hyperreflective bundles corresponded with the direction of the striations on SLO red-free images. The resolution and contrast of the bundles were much higher in AO-SLO images than in red-free fundus photography or SLO red-free images. The mean hyperreflective bundle width around the optic disc had a double-humped shape; the bundles at the temporal and nasal sides of the optic disc were narrower than those above and below the optic disc (P<0.001). RNFL thickness obtained by optical coherence tomography correlated with the hyperreflective bundle widths on AO-SLO (P<0.001)AO-SLO revealed hyperreflective bundles and dark lines in the RNFL, believed to be retinal nerve fiber bundles and Müller cell septa. The widths of the nerve fiber bundles appear to be proportional to the RNFL thickness at equivalent distances from the optic disc

The discovery and follow-up of four transiting short-period sub-Neptunes orbiting M dwarfs

Sub-Neptunes with radii of 2–3 R⊕ are intermediate in size between rocky planets and Neptune-sized planets. The orbital properties and bulk compositions of transiting sub-Neptunes provide clues to the formation and evolution of close-in small planets. In this paper, we present the discovery and follow-up of four sub-Neptunes orbiting M dwarfs (TOI-782, TOI-1448, TOI-2120, and TOI-2406), three of which were newly validated by ground-based follow-up observations and statistical analyses. TOI-782 b, TOI-1448 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b have radii of Rp = 2.740 +0.082-0.079 R⊕, 2.769+0.073-0.068 R⊕, 2.120 ± 0.067 R⊕, and 2.830+0.068-0.066 R⊕ and orbital periods of P = 8.02, 8.11, 5.80, and 3.08 days, respectively. Doppler monitoring with the Subaru/InfraRed Doppler instrument led to 2σ upper limits on the masses of <19.1 M⊕, <19.5 M⊕, <6.8 M⊕, and <15.6 M⊕ for TOI-782 b, TOI-1448 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b, respectively. The mass–radius relationship of these four sub-Neptunes testifies to the existence of volatile material in their interiors. These four sub-Neptunes, which are located above the so-called "radius valley," are likely to retain a significant atmosphere and/or an icy mantle on the core, such as a water world. We find that at least three of the four sub-Neptunes (TOI-782 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b), orbiting M dwarfs older than 1 Gyr, are likely to have eccentricities of e ∼ 0.2–0.3. The fact that tidal circularization of their orbits is not achieved over 1 Gyr suggests inefficient tidal dissipation in their interiors.Peer reviewe

両側水腎症をきたした膀胱平滑筋腫の1例

We report a case of bladder leiomyoma with marked bilateral hydronephrosis caused by chronic urinary retention. Surgical finding was that the mass was smooth, fist-sized and had a thin stalk connected to the bladder wall. The tumor was completely removed. Histopathological diagnosis was leiomyoma of the bladder and the post-operative course was uneventful

犬モデルにおけるバルーンレーザーハイパーサーミア(TUBAL-H)後の近位尿道機能の経時的変化

雑種犬6頭のTUBAL-H後の近位尿道機能の変化を評価する為に, 尿道内圧と尿道断面積(CSA, cm2)を同時測定し, これらからコンプライアンス(Comp, cm3/cmH2O)を算出し経時的に検討した.TUBAL-H前にはComp, 最大尿道断面積(MCSA)の平均は, それぞれ0.013, 0.66であった.8週後には, それぞれ0.038, 1.39と増加した.16週後には, それぞれ0.026, 1.21とやや減少した.αブロッカーに対する反応性では, TUBAL-H前ではフェントラミン投与で, Comp, MCSAの平均はそれぞれ0.46, 1.40と増加した.16週後には, フェントラミン投与でCompのみ, 0.033と増加したWe performed transurethral balloon laser hyperthermia of the prostate (TUBAL-H) in 6 mongrel dogs. To evaluate the changes in proximal urethral function after TUBAL-H, the urethral cross sectional area (CSA, cm2) and urethral pressure (Pu, cmH2O) were measured using a balloon probe that allows their simultaneous measurement, and the urethral compliance (Comp, cm3/cmH2O) was calculated from these parameters and serially evaluated. In addition, the changes in Pu, CSA and Comp after administration of an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist were evaluated before and 16 weeks after TUBAL-H. Before TUBAL-H, the mean Comp was 0.013, and the mean maximum CSA (MCSA) was 0.66. Eight weeks after TUBAL-H, the mean Comp was 0.038, and the mean MCSA was 1.39, showing a significant increase (p < 0.01). Sixteen weeks, after TUBAL-H, the mean Comp was 0.026, and the mean MCSA was 1.21, being lower than those at 8 weeks after TUBAL-H, but significantly higher than those before TUBAL-H (p < 0.05). After administration of the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, phentolamine (1 mg/kg), before TUBAL-H, the mean Comp significantly increased to 0.046 (p < 0.05), and the mean MCSA to 1.40 (p < 0.01). The mean Comp was significantly increased to 0.033 (p < 0.05), by phentolamine administration 16 weeks after TUBAL-H, but no other changes were observed. After TUBAL-H, urethral elasticity increased, and this increase persisted for 4 months. The responses of Comp and MCSA to alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist administration before and 16 weeks after TUBAL-H suggested that part of the effects of TUBAL-H is due to damage to alpha-adrenoceptors

Polyelectrolyte Complexation via Viscoelastic Phase Separation Results in Tough and Self-Recovering Porous Hydrogels

Polyelectrolyte complexation between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes forms coacervates in dilute solutions and thin films in concentrated solutions. It is difficult to obtain macroscopically uniform bulk polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) materials, since the two polymers form insoluble complexes quickly at the contact interface during mixing, resulting in heterogeneous aggregates. Here, we succedded in preparing bulk PEC materials based on desalting-induced polyelectrolyte complexation via viscolestic phase seperation. With a high ionic strength aquetious medium, a homogeneous and concentrated solution containing oppositely charged polyelectrolytes is prepared. Desalting of the counter-ions and co-ions of the solution through semi-permeable membranes induces viscoelastic phase separation of the solution to form a physical hydrogel with open pore structrue. Regulating the charge ratio of the two oppositely charged polymers results in significant changes in the porous morphology and mechanical properties. The charge-balanced PEC hydrogels show unique properties including high toughness and self-recovery due to the reversible ionic associations. The porous yet tough properties of bulk PEC hydrogels makes them potential candidates for applications such as cell scaffolds