Investigation of symmetric relationship between evaluation of smoothness and roughness in fabric surface images

The purpose of this study was to investigate the symmetry relationship between evaluation of smoothness and roughness of fabrics and the physical factors related to the evaluations, using a set of images obtained by photographing the surfaces of eight fabrics. These fabric surface images were created by setting the distance between the fabric and the camera at approximately 1 m and gradually reducing the distance for each of the eight fabrics. Based on these images, we conducted an experiment to evaluate the smoothness and roughness of fabrics on a seven-level unipolar scale. Results showed that the evaluation characteristics of fabric smoothness and roughness with consideration of the shooting distance of the fabric surface images differed for each fabric. Furthermore, analysis of the correlation between evaluation of smoothness and roughness of fabrics indicated that symmetry was not established between evaluation of smoothness and roughness of some fabrics

Low intensity pulsed ultrasound exposure increases prostaglandin E_2 release in human dermal fibroblasts

Though ultrasound is applied to the treatment of pressure ulcers, there was little evidence of benefit associated with the use of it in the treatment of pressure ulcers. Therefore, in order to augment the therapeutic evidence of ultrasound exposure in wound healing, the effect of low intensity pulsed-ultrasound on the release of prostaglandin E_2 (PGE_2) in human dermal fibroblasts was investigated. Human dermal fibroblasts obtained from skin samples were exposed to a low intensity pulsed-ultrasound by specifically designed apparatus. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determined the release of PGE_2 in the medium. A low intensity pulsed-ultrasound increases the PGE_2 release of dermal fibroblasts in a time-de-pendent fashion. PGE_2 release by 30 mW/cm^2 ultrasound exposure reached maximum 1.24-fold at 1 hour. In terms of the intensities of ultrasound, the weaker intensity of ultrasound was exposed, the more effect of PGE_2 release was observed. Finally, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1, resveratrol partly reduced PGE_2 release of dermal fibroblasts by ultrasound exposure. Thus, our results identify the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound to explain the potential mechanism by which it may augment the healing of skin ulcer. Further studies are required to ascertain the functional relevance of the production of PGE_2 in angiogenesis, which is required for the tissue development and regeneration

Body fat mass is correlated with serum transthyretin levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Serum transthyretin (TTR), also known as prealbumin, is a reliable nutritional indicator and an independent prognostic factor for maintenance hemodialysis patients. However, we recently reported that serum TTR levels did not affect protein−energy wasting (PEW). In this study, we investigated factors affecting serum TTR levels in 60 maintenance hemodialysis patients. The patients were divided into High-TTR and Low-TTR groups according to the median serum TTR level. Albumin levels were significantly higher and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly lower in the High-TTR group than in the Low-TTR group. Although body fat mass was significantly higher in the High-TTR group than in the Low-TTR group, no significant difference in body fat ratio were observed. These findings suggest that body fat mass is related to serum TTR levels, apart from factors such as albumin and CRP levels, which showed correlations with serum TTR levels. Because body fat mass is related to better survival in maintenance hemodialysis patients, it may contribute to the prognostic value of serum TTR levels. In addition, in such patients, it may be important to evaluate body fatmass rather than body fat ratio and to maintain the minimum necessary body fat mass

Cryptorchidism after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident:causation or coincidence?

Cryptorchidism (undescended testes) is among the most common congenital diseases in male children. Although many factors have been linked to the incidence of cryptorchidism, and testicular androgen plays a key role in its pathogenesis, the cause remains unknown in most cases. Recently, a Japanese group published a speculative paper entitled, "Nationwide increase in cryptorchidism after the Fukushima nuclear accident." Although the authors implicated radionuclides emitted from the Fukushima accident as contributing to an increased incidence of cryptorchidism, they failed to establish biological plausibility for their hypothesis, and glossed over an abundance of evidence and expert opinion to the contrary. We assessed the adequacy of their study in terms of design setting, data analysis, and its conclusion from various perspectives. Numerous factors must be considered, including genetic, environmental, maternal/fetal, and social factors associated with the reporting of cryptorchidism. Other investigators have established that the doses of external and internal radiation exposure in both Fukushima prefecture and the whole of Japan after the accident are too low to affect testicular descent during fetal periods;thus, a putative association can be theoretically and empirically rejected. Alternative explanations exist for the reported estimates of increased cryptorchidism surgeries in the years following Japan's 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis. Data from independent sources cast doubt on the extent to which cryptorchidism increased, if at all. In any case, evidence that radionuclides from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant could cause cryptorchidism is lacking

ことばの遅れを示す幼児における状況絵の説明能力の検討

This study examined the narrative skills of seven preschoolers with language delay. Their narrative skills were assessed by speech samples obtained through a picture stimulus task. First, they were presented with a single picture showing a squabble over a swing (Task 1). In Task 1, because the picture contained so much information, the children became confused. We then showed three sequential pictures, illustrating the same theme, which included only essential information (Task 2). In Task 2, the children understood the contents of the pictures and could explain the situation with appropriate vocabulary and complex syntax. In other words, if the information is properly arranged in the picture stimulus, preschoolers with language delay can show potential syntactic ability. These findings demonstrate the importance of proper arrangement of the information in the picture stimulus used in language evaluation

ことばの遅れを示す幼児における説明能力の検討 : 逆順方略課題による

We showed picture stimulus to preschoolers with language delay and obtained verbal output samples to study their narrative skilles. ThePicture stimulus were presented in a result-to-cause sequence. The children were unable to achieve the task of backward reasoning.Additional use of thought bubbles enabled them to explain pictures, demonstrationg that guessing how the characters in the pictures felt helped them explain non-describeb scenes. This paper reports that the use of thought bubles are effective in improving narrative skills

Development of Flight Slit-Jaw Optics for Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha SpectroPolarimeter

In sounding rocket experiment CLASP, I have placed a slit a mirror-finished around the focal point of the telescope. The light reflected by the mirror surface surrounding the slit is then imaged in Slit-jaw optical system, to obtain the a-ray Lyman secondary image. This image, not only to use the real-time image in rocket flight rocket oriented direction selection, and also used as a scientific data showing the spatial structure of the Lyman alpha emission line intensity distribution and solar chromosphere around the observation area of the polarimetric spectroscope. Slit-jaw optical system is a two off-axis mirror unit part including a parabolic mirror and folding mirror, Lyman alpha transmission filter, the optical system magnification 1x consisting camera. The camera is supplied from the United States, and the other was carried out fabrication and testing in all the Japanese side. Slit-jaw optical system, it is difficult to access the structure, it is necessary to install the low place clearance. Therefore, influence the optical performance, the fine adjustment is necessary optical elements are collectively in the form of the mirror unit. On the other hand, due to the alignment of the solar sensor in the US launch site, must be removed once the Lyman alpha transmission filter holder including a filter has a different part from the mirror unit. In order to make the structure simple, stray light measures Aru to concentrate around Lyman alpha transmission filter. To overcome the difficulties of performing optical alignment in Lyman alpha wavelength absorbed by the atmosphere, it was planned 'following four steps in order to reduce standing time alignment me. 1. is measured in advance refractive index at Lyman alpha wavelength of Lyman alpha transmission filter (121.567nm), to prepare a visible light Firuwo having the same optical path length in the visible light (630nm).2. The mirror structure CLASP before mounting unit standing, dummy slit and camera standing prescribed position in leading frame is, to complete the internal alignment adjustment. 3. CLASP structure F mirror unit and by attaching the visible light filter, as will plague the focus is carried out in standing position adjustment visible flight products camera. 4. Replace the Lyman alpha transmission filter, it is confirmed by Lyman alpha wavelength (under vacuum) the requested optical performance have come. Currently, up to 3 of the steps completed, it was confirmed in the visible light optical performance that satisfies the required value sufficiently extended. Also, put in Slit-jaw optical system the sunlight through the telescope of CLASP, it is also confirmed that and that stray light rejection no vignetting is in the field of view meets request standing

Development of Flight Slit-Jaw Optics for Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha SpectroPolarimeter

In sounding rocket experiment CLASP, I have placed a slit a mirrorfinished around the focal point of the telescope. The light reflected by the mirror surface surrounding the slit is then imaged in Slitjaw optical system, to obtain the alpharay Lyman secondary image. This image, not only to use the realtime image in rocket flight rocket oriented direction selection, and also used as a scientific data showing the spatial structure of the Lyman alpha emission line intensity distribution and solar chromosphere around the observation area of the polarimetric spectroscope. Slitjaw optical system is a two offaxis mirror unit part including a parabolic mirror and folding mirror, Lyman alpha transmission filter, the optical system magnification 1x consisting camera. The camera is supplied from the United States, and the other was carried out fabrication and testing in all the Japanese side. Slitjaw optical system, it is difficult to access the structure, it is necessary to install the low place clearance. Therefore, influence the optical performance, the fine adjustment is necessary optical elements are collectively in the form of the mirror unit. On the other hand, due to the alignment of the solar sensor in the US launch site, must be removed once the Lyman alpha transmission filter holder including a filter has a different part from the mirror unit. In order to make the structure simple, stray light measures Aru to concentrate around Lyman alpha transmission filter. To overcome the difficulties of performing optical alignment in Lyman alpha wavelength absorbed by the atmosphere, it was planned following four steps in order to reduce standing time alignment me. 1: is measured in advance refractive index at Lyman alpha wavelength of Lyman alpha transmission filter (121.567nm), to prepare a visible light Firuwo having the same optical path length in the visible light (630nm). 2: The mirror structure CLASP before mounting unit standing, dummy slit and camera standing prescribed position in leading frame is, to complete the internal alignment adjustment. 3: CLASP structure F mirror unit and by attaching the visible light filter, as will plague the focus is carried out in standing position adjustment visible flight products camera. 4: Replace the Lyman alpha transmission filter, it is confirmed by Lyman alpha wavelength (under vacuum) the requested optical performance have come. Currently, up to 3 of the steps completed, it was confirmed in the visible light optical performance that satisfies the required value sufficiently extended. Also, put in Slitjaw optical system the sunlight through the telescope of CLASP, it is also confirmed that and that stray light rejection no vignetting is in the field of view meets request standing

Meeting Abstract Enhancing Automatic Classification of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Images through Image Masking, Tissue Changes, and Trabecular Features

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with hepatocellular differentiation and one of the most common cancers in the world. This type of cancer is often diagnosed when the survival time is measured in months causing high death rates Method We enhanced the classification process presented in [3] by including 11 features of tissue changes (i.e., features related to fatty change, cytoplasm colors, cell clearness index, and stroma) and 10 features of trabecular (e.g., nuclei-cytoplasmic ratio, irregularity of sinusoid, and trabecular arrangements). Furthermore, we apply a mask obtained by the stroma segmentation before calculating the 13 types of nuclear and structural features such that those features are derived from hepatocytes only, thus generating in total 177 features. The experiments were performed on a collection of region-ofinterest (ROI) images extracted from HE stained whole slide images (WSI), consisting of 1054 ROIs of HCC biopsy samples (504 negatives and 550 positives) and 1076 ROIs of HCC surgically resected samples (533 negatives and 543 positives). In the process, we made some combinations on the sets of features and sets of training data from both biopsy and surgery samples. As for the classification, we used 5-fold cross validation support vector machine (SVM) with LibSVM as our library. Results The results of classification experiment are summarized in Conclusion The combination of nuclear, trabecular, and other tissue features enables improved classification rate in HCC detection using SVM. Even though the image characteristics are different in biopsy and surgically resected samples, the same classification system gives good performance in both samples. The HCC classification scheme introduced in this paper is implemented in the prototype "feature measurement software for liver biopsy, " and the probability of HCC is visualized for every ROI in the WSI. It will support pathologists in the HCC diagnosis along with the quantitative measurements of tissue morphology