Search

The Technical Design for the COMET Phase-I experiment is presented in this paper. COMET is an experiment at J-PARC, Japan, which will search for neutrinoless conversion of muons into electrons in the field of an aluminium nucleus ($\mu-e$ conversion, $\mu^- N \to e^- N$); a lepton flavor violating process. The experimental sensitivity goal for this process in the Phase-I experiment is $3.1\times10^{-15}$, or 90 % upper limit of branching ratio of $7\times 10^{-15}$, which is a factor of 100 improvement over the existing limit. The expected number of background events is 0.032. To achieve the target sensitivity and background level, the 3.2 kW 8 GeV proton beam from J-PARC will be used. Two types of detectors, CyDet and StrECAL, will be used for detecting the \mue conversion events, and for measuring the beam-related background events in view of the Phase-II experiment, respectively. Results from simulation on signal and background estimations are also described., Comment: A minor correction applied in Eq. 3

Background Right atrial (RA) deformation by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography has a relatively new technique to evaluate right heart function with pulmonary hypertension and cardiomyopathy. Reproducibility between observers of this technique is important to develop into a robust and reliable tool. Experience may pose significant challenges. Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate reproducibility of RA strain (global and regional) between novice and expert. Methods One hundred thirty-three patients (n = 133) underwent 2D-Speckle tracking derived RA strain analysis by 3 independent blinded readers (expert and 2 novices). The novice observers were medical interns with no prior experience in performing strain analysis. Echocardiographic images were acquired from iE33 (Philips Medical System) but were analysed offline using single vendor dependent software (QLAB version 11.0; Philips Medical System). The result of novice observer was calculated by the average of novice observers. RA strain parameters were assessed: global RA strain and segmental (Basal, Mid, Roof). Intraobserver and interobserver analyses were performed using intra class correlation coefficients (ICC) between expert and novice. Results Expert and novice observer demonstrated good interobserver reproducibility of global RA strain (ICC 0.88) and segmental parameters (Basal: ICC 0.89, Mid: ICC 0.87, Roof: ICC 0.84). Of all parameters, the basal segment of RA strain showed the greatest interobserver agreement. Intraobserver agreement for novice observer was excellent for global RA strain and segmental parameters (ICC > 0.88). Conclusions Global RA strain and segmental parameters were highly reproducible by novice and expert strain observer.

The path optimization has been proposed to weaken the sign problem which appears in some field theories such as finite density QCD. In this method, we optimize the integration path in complex plain to enhance the average phase factor. In this study, we discuss the application of this method to low dimensional QCD as a first step of finite density QCD., Talk given at the 37th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 16-22, 2019, Wuhan, China. 7 pages, 9 figures

There were 211,000 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims going to Mecca through 11 main airports in 2015 who were at risk of contracting the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We aimed to find out whether there was any occurrence of MERS-CoV by performing screening on 28,197 returning pilgrims. Those with a body temperature of > 38 °C and respiratory symptoms were sent to the airport clinic to have an oropharyngeal swab and a bacterial culture. Fifteen pilgrims had fever (> 38 °C) accompanied by respiratory symptoms; of these, 12 patients were diagnosed with upper and lower respiratory tract infections and three patients with pneumonia. However, none of them were found to be infected with MERS-CoV. The bacterial cultures showed evidence of normal flora growth.

Summary Annual intravenous administration of zoledronic acid is used in the treatment of osteoporosis. A mathematical model was developed to predict bone mineral density up to 2 years after two annual doses of zoledronic acid from the early values of a bone resorption marker in osteoporosis patients. Introduction The measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) has been used as a surrogate marker instead of the observation of incident fractures to detect the efficacy of treatment. However, this method requires a long time to obtain significant changes. On the other hand, bone resorption markers respond to bone resorption inhibitors within a few weeks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a mathematical model predicting long-term BMD after two annual doses of zoledronic acid (ZOL) using the early response of a bone resorption marker in osteoporosis patients. Methods The model was constructed using 3410 tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) serum concentrations and 1146 lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD values from 306 patients with primary osteoporosis. A mathematical model was developed to describe the time-dependent profiles of TRACP-5b and BMD. Results The percentage changes from baseline of the BMD (%BMD) at up to 2 years were predicted from patients’ baseline BMD and baseline and 12-week TRACP-5b values by the model obtained. The simulated 90% prediction interval almost covered the observed %BMD distribution at each time point, and the predictions were comparable to the observed %BMD. Conclusions This is the first model to predict BMD for up to 2 years following two annual doses of ZOL using patients’ background characteristics and the early response of TRACP-5b. This model allows us to inform patients at the initial stage of ZOL treatment of their predicted response to treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00198-018-4376-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

For ground-based gravitational wave (GW) detectors, lightning strokes in the atmosphere are sources of environmental noise. Some GW detectors are built or planned in underground facilities, and knowledge of how lightning strokes affect them is of interest. In this paper, the lightning detection system in KAGRA is introduced, and the properties of the magnetic field measured inside and outside the KAGRA tunnel are shown. One lightning-induced event in the GW channel of the KAGRA main interferometer is also showed. Finally, possible applications of lightning events for the GW experiments are discussed.

The propagation behavior of threading dislocations (TDs) and the effects of Burgers vectors in hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) GaN bulk crystals generated on Na-flux-grown GaN and in a commercially available HVPE-grown GaN bulk crystal were investigated. Analyses based on chemical etching and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a close correlation between the etch pit sizes and the Burgers vector of these TDs. The existence of TDs with the unique Burgers vector b = 1m + 1c was observed for the first time ever using a large-angle convergent-beam electron diffraction technique and plan-view bright-field scanning TEM. Multi-photon excitation photoluminescence microscopy observations showed that TDs with b = 1c had a meandering morphology in contrast to the linear morphology of TDs with b = 1a, 1a + 1c, or 1m + 1c in both types of HVPE-grown GaN crystals. The inclinations of TDs with b = 1a and 1a + 1c in HVPE-grown GaN on Na-flux-grown GaN were greatly affected by large symmetrical hexagonal hillocks. The TDs with b = 1a were inclined in the slope directions of the hillock planes, while those with b = 1a + 1c were inclined in the a directions parallel or antiparallel to the a component in their Burgers vector. These inclinations were readily explained by the isotropic elastic theory of an individual TD. The hillocks were produced around pairs of parallel mixed TDs for which the a components were opposite to one another. This phenomenon was attributed to inclusions at the interface between the Na-flux-grown GaN substrate and the HVPE-grown layer. The origins of other TDs including unusual ones having b = 1m + 1c are also discussed herein.

We discuss the sign problem in the Polyakov loop extended Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model with repulsive vector-type interaction by using the path optimization method. In this model, both of the Polyakov loop and the vector-type interaction cause the model sign problem, and several prescriptions have been utilized even in the mean field treatment. In the path optimization method, integration variables are complexified and the integration path (manifold) is optimized to evade the sign problem, or equivalently to enhance the average phase factor. Within the homogeneous field ansatz, the path is optimized by using the feedforward neural network. We find that the assumptions adopted in previous works, $\mathrm{Re}\,A_8 \simeq 0$ and $\mathrm{Re}\,\omega \simeq 0$, can be justified from the Monte-Carlo configurations sampled on the optimized path. We also derive the Euler-Lagrange equation for the optimal path to satisfy. The two optimized paths, the solution of the Euler-Lagrange equation and the variationally optimized path, agree with each other in the region with large statistical weight., Comment: Talk given at the 37th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, June 16-22, 2019, Wuhan, China. 7 pages, 3 figures

We investigate the sign problem in $0+1$D quantum chromodynamics at finite chemical potential by using the path optimization method. The SU(3) link variable is complexified to the SL(3,$\mathbb{C}$) link variable, and the integral path is represented by a feedforward neural network. The integral path is then optimized to weaken the sign problem. The average phase factor is enhanced to be greater than 0.99 on the optimized path. Results with and without diagonalized gauge fixing are compared and proven to be consistent. This is the first step in applying the path optimization method to gauge theories.

The path optimization method is applied to a QCD effective model with the Polyakov loop and the repulsive vector-type interaction at finite temperature and density to circumvent the model sign problem. We show how the path optimization method can increase the average phase factor and control the model sign problem. This is the first study which correctly treats the repulsive vector-type interaction in the QCD effective model with the Polyakov-loop via the Markov-chain Monte-Carlo approach. It is shown that the complexification of the temporal component of the gluon field and also the vector-type auxiliary field are necessary to evade the model sign problem within the standard path-integral formulation., 7 pages, 3 figures

The mobile mapping system (MMS) can acquire dense point-clouds of roads and roadside features. Roads are often separated into roadways and walkways in many urban areas. Since guardrails are installed to separate roadways and sidewalks, it is important to detect guardrails from point-clouds and reconstruct their 3D models for 3D street maps. Since there are a large variety of designs for guardrails in Japan, flexible methods are required for detection and reconstruction of guardrails. In this paper, we propose a new method for extracting guardrails from point-clouds, and reconstructing their 3D models. Since the MMS captures point-clouds and camera images synchronously, guardrails are detected using both point-clouds and images. In our method, point-clouds are segmented into small segments, and corresponding images are cropped from camera images. Then cropped images are classified into two classes of guardrails and others using the convolutional neural network. When guardrail points are obtained, 3D models of guardrails are reconstructed. However, point-clouds of guardrails are too sparse to reconstruct 3D shapes when guardrails consist of thin pipes. Since the same unit shape repeatedly appears in a guardrail, we create dense point-clouds by superimposing points of unit shapes. Then we reconstruct 3D shapes of pipes, beams, and poles of guardrails. In our evaluation using point-clouds in urban areas, our method could achieve good results of extraction and shape reconstruction of guardrails.

We investigate the sign problem in field theories by using the path optimization method with use of the neural network. For theories with the sign problem, integral in the complexified variable space is a promising approach to obtain a finite (non-zero) average phase factor. In the path optimization method, the imaginary part of variables are given as functions of the real part, $y_i=y_i(\{x\})$, and are optimized to enhance the average phase factor. The feedforward neural network can be used to give and to optimize functions with many variables. The combined framework, the path optimization with use of the neural network, is applied to the complex $\phi^4$ theory at finite density, the 0+1 dimensional QCD at finite density, and the Polyakov loop extended Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model, all of which have the sign problem. In these cases, the average phase factor is found to be enhanced significantly. In the complex $\phi^4$ theory, it is demonstrated that the number density is calculated at a high precision. On the optimized path, the imaginary part is found to have strong correlation with the real part on the temporal nearest neighbor site. In the 0+1 dimensional QCD, we compare the results in two different treatments of the link variable: optimization after the diagonal gauge fixing and optimization without the diagonal gauge fixing. These two methods show consistent eigenvalue distribution of the link variables. In the PNJL model with homogeneous field ansatz, finite volume results approach the mean field results as expected, and the phase transition behavior can be described., Comment: Talk given at the 36th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, Jul.22-28, 2018, East Lansing, Michigan, USA. 15 pages, 8 figures

To assess compliance with the Japanese antiemetic guidelines for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), the frequencies of CINV occurrence and use of antiemetic rescue medications were examined in patients with hematological malignancy. A total of 40 patients with hematologic malignancy were eligible in this study. This study was performed in the Department of Hematology, Kyushu University Hospital, as a subgroup analysis from a nationwide, multicenter prospective cohort study conducted by the CINV Study Group of Japan. In the patients with hematological malignancy, the guideline compliance rate was 45 %. Five patients (22.7 %) experienced vomiting during the observation period after receiving non-guideline-consistent antiemetic prophylaxis, whereas no patient experienced vomiting after receiving guideline-consistent antiemetic prophylaxis. The study was not sufficiently powered to reach a statistical significance in its frequency of occurrence between the compliance and non-compliance groups. In the entire study period, 8 out of 40 patients required rescue medication, but there was no association between the status of compliance and the antiemetic guidelines. A total of 22 (55.0 %) patients achieved complete response, which was defined as no vomiting and no use of antiemetic rescue medication, during the study period. The rate of compliance with the prophylactic antiemetic treatment guidelines seemed to be low in patients with hematological malignancy, although the status of the guideline compliance did not always influence the antiemetic effects.

We apply the path optimization method to a QCD effective model with the Polyakov loop at finite density to circumvent the model sign problem. The Polyakov-loop extended Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model is employed as the typical QCD effective model and then the hybrid Monte-Carlo method is used to perform the path integration. To control the sign problem, the path optimization method is used with complexification of temporal gluon fields to modify the integral path in the complex space. We show that the average phase factor is well improved on the modified integral-path compared with that on the original one. This indicates that the complexification of temporal gluon fields may be enough to control the sign problem of QCD in the path optimization method., 7 pages, 6 figures, typo corrected

A possibility of remodeling main ring of 150 MeV FFAG accelerator at Kyoto University, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science (KURNS) to Pion Production Ring (PPR) for muon transmutation study has been discussed. Design was made on the assumption that 400 MeV proton beams circulate and hit a target in the ring to generate pions. Optimizations of lattice parameters and 3D magnet modeling are reported., Proceedings of the 10th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2019, Melbourne, Australia

A new scheme for the energy recovery internal target (ERIT) ring as an intense muon source with a gaseous deuterium target has been proposed. This paper presents the evaluation of the beam emittance growth for this system using the beam tracking simulation G4BL.

We have studied the neutrino-less double beta decay(0νββ) of 48Ca with the CANDLES III system, which consists of CaF2(pure) scintillators. Rejection analyses for background events from radioactive contaminations in the CaF2(pure) scintillators were effective to reduce backgrounds in Qββ -value region. As the results, no events were observed in the region for the data of 131 days × 86 kg. It gave a lower limit 6.2 × 1022 year (90 % C.L.) for the half-life of 0νββ of 48Ca. For higher sensitive measurement of 48Ca 0νββ, we have developed new techniques for 48Ca enrichment and CaF2 scintillating bolometer. In this paper, we will also show current status of these techniques.

SummaryBackground Vonoprazan is a new potassium-competitive acid blocker for treatment of acid-related diseases. Aim To conduct two randomised-controlled trials, to evaluate the non-inferiority of vonoprazan vs. lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, for treatment of gastric ulcer (GU) or duodenal ulcer (DU). Methods Patients aged ≥20 years with ≥1 endoscopically-confirmed GU or DU (≥5 mm white coating) were randomised 1:1 using double-dummy blinding to receive lansoprazole (30 mg) or vonoprazan (20 mg) for 8 (GU study) or 6 (DU study) weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with endoscopically confirmed healed GU or DU. Results For GU, 93.5% (216/231) of vonoprazan-treated patients and 93.8% (211/225) of lansoprazole-treated patients achieved healed GU; non-inferiority of vonoprazan to lansoprazole was confirmed [difference = −0.3% (95% CI −4.750, 4.208); P = 0.0011]. For DU, 95.5% (170/178) of vonoprazan-treated patients and 98.3% (177/180) of lansoprazole-treated patients achieved healed DU; non-inferiority to lansoprazole was not confirmed [difference = −2.8% (95% CI −6.400, 0.745); P = 0.0654]. The incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events were slightly lower for GU and slightly higher for DU with vonoprazan than with lansoprazole. There was one death (subarachnoid haemorrhage) in the vonoprazan group (DU). The possibility of a relationship between this unexpected patient death and the study drug could not be ruled out. In both studies, increases in serum gastrin levels were greater in vonoprazan-treated vs. lansoprazole-treated patients; levels returned to baseline after treatment in both groups. Conclusions Vonoprazan 20 mg has a similar tolerability profile to lansoprazole 30 mg and is non-inferior with respect to GU healing and has similar efficacy for DU healing.

This article describes recent developments in licensing and reimbursement policies in the EU, US, and Japan, examines causes of changes and compares differences and projects trends. With respect to licensing, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) are committed to rigorous evaluation of pharmaceuticals in advance of market access with feedback from postmarket experience. The EMA is exploring integrated adaptive pathways for licensing, with formal pilot tests to provide a practical proof of concept. The FDA is augmenting traditional licensing procedures through reforms including Breakthrough Product Designation. The PMDA is implementing reforms to foster innovation and earlier patient access through its Sakigake strategy and licensing reforms on regenerative medicines. With respect to reimbursement, several generalizations emerge. Relative to US counterparts, EU payers typically set higher standards for evidence of effectiveness as a condition of reimbursement, impose tougher limits on reimbursement by indication, and drive harder deals in negotiations over prices.

This paper presents the development of an embedded real-time system that performs distance measurement and restoration of underwater images, using stereo vision techniques. To achieve a high performance low-cost implementation, the overall system has been developed using a hardware/software codesign approach. Several hardware modules have been designed to implement the several pixel intensive tasks, such as background image storage, background subtraction, center of mass calculation, and image restoration. On the other hand, less intensive tasks, such as the estimation of the disparity and the distance tasks (performed just once for each image), are executed using an embedded soft processor (Altera Nios II). The developed platform employs a pair of identical CMOS cameras for the stereo vision system, a low-cost FPGA, and an small screen for visualization of the images. In this paper, we describe both the overall design of the system and the calibration procedure used to determine the stereo vision system parameters. The Altera Quartus II was used as a synthesis tool, which estimates that the system consumes 115.25 mW and achieves an output of 26.56 frames per second for images of $$800\times 480$$ pixels. The synthesis results and the measurement precision show that the developed system is suitable for real-time tasks.

Nuclear reactions in accelerator-driven systems (ADS) result in the generation of helium within the ADS materials. The amount of helium produced in this way is approximately one order of magnitude higher than that generated by nuclear fusion. As helium is well-known to induce degradation in the mechanical properties of metals, its effect on ADS materials is an important factor to assess. The results obtained in this study show that low-dose proton irradiation (11 MeV at 573 K to 9.0 × 10−4 dpa and 150 MeV at room temperature to 2.6 × 10−6 dpa) leads to a decrease in yield stress and ultimate tensile strength in a Fe–9Cr alloy. Moreover, interstitial helium and hydrogen atoms, as well as the annihilation of dislocation jogs, were identified as key factors that determine the observed softening of the alloy.

We conducted fast heating of a core plasma produced by counter-illumination of two beam bundles of implosion lasers for two incident directions of the heating laser. For the axial heating configuration, wherein the heating laser was incident along the coaxial direction of the implosion lasers, the size and density of the counter-imploded core plasma were estimated. The incident timing of the heating laser was determined. Although the heating laser was incident during the stagnation of the core plasma, there were no considerable increases in the intensity of X-rays with energies beyond 1 keV and the yield of the thermonuclear fusion neutrons. Effective core heating did not occur due to the interaction of the heating laser with the low-density ablated plasma far from the core. On the other hand, for the transverse heating configuration, wherein the heating laser was incident from the transverse direction of the implosion laser axis, optimization of the incident timing of the heating laser was not achieved. However, two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulation revealed that a heating laser can directly interact with a core plasma and effective heating is expected. In our scheme, transverse heating configuration appears to be significant.

The local piezoelectricity of a Na-flux GaN crystal grown on a multipoint-seed-GaN template is investigated using piezoresponse force microscopy. The piezoresponse is critically dependent on two types of growth regions that are dominantly formed in the Na-flux GaN crystal: the c-growth sector (cGS), which is grown on top of the point-seed GaN surface with a growth front of ( 0001 ) planes, and the facet-growth sector (FGS), which is grown on the side of cGS with { 10 1 ¯ 1 } facets. Quantitative analyses reveal the GaN surface displacements at cGS that result from the piezoresponses increase with the applied AC voltage: the measured values well reflect the piezoelectric constant of d33 in GaN. The piezoresponses at the FGS and the boundary between the cGS and FGS are less sensitive than that at the cGS. A combination of cathodoluminescence and multiphoton excitation photoluminescence techniques clarifies that a local reduction of the piezoresponse observed in cGS is attributed to microscale FGSs that exist randomly in cGS. The dependence of the piezoresponse on the growth regions is quantitatively discussed from three possible viewpoints that potentially affect the polarization properties of GaN: residual strain, local crystallographic tilting, and inherent carrier distribution. As a result, a carrier screening effect is the most probable candidate to induce reduction of the piezoresponse in the FGSs of GaN crystals.

A Monte Carlo (MC) code simulating the kinetics of two-particle collisions has shown to have certain advantages in the spectral analysis of neutrons from fast-ignition inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The MC code quickly displays neutron spectra produced in the expected fusion plasma kinetics (incl. ion energy spectrum, anisotropy, and collision geometry). This allows to explore various potential mechanisms of neutron production without using time-consuming hydrodynamic or particle simulations and makes it possible to give a feedback to ongoing experiments. The validity of this model was demonstrated in the ”cone-free-shell” fast ignition experiment at the GEKKO-XII - LFEX laser facility, where the model provided a clear explanation for the significant spectral modulation of D(d, n)3He neutrons generated through the interaction between a high-power laser and a long-scale plasma.

Quench-induced dynamic breakdown (BD) characteristics of LN2 under transient bubble disturbance at the quench of HTS tapes are crucial to the reliable and rational insulation design of resistive superconducting fault current limiters (RSFCL). We have been investigating the dynamic BD characteristics using a nichrome pancake coil model for RSFCL using bifilar nichrome tapes as a heater. In this paper, we fabricated an HTS pancake coil model for RSFCL using GdBCO tapes and discussed the dynamic BD characteristics as a function of heat flux generated from the actually quenched HTS tapes.

We have proposed the concept of “fault current limitation coordination” of multiple superconducting fault current limiters (SFCL) to be introduced in a future electric power grid. Using a simplified test system, the transients on fault current and internal phase angle of generators were analyzed by PSCAD/EMTDC and the modeling of resistive SFCL with a variable resistance as a function of both current and temperature at the recovery under load. In this paper, we extended the analyses to the fault current limitation coordination of multiple SFCLs in IEEE 14-bus test system. The effective coordination strategy on the introduction and operation of multiple SFCLs, e.g. introduction lines of SFCLs, operation parameters such as operating current, critical current and prospective fault current of each SFCL, was discussed and optimized for an arbitrary fault location in the test system.

CANDLES(CAlcium fluoride for the study of Neutrinos and Dark matters by Low Energy Spectrometer) is the experiment to search for the neutrino-less double beta decay(0vββ) of 48Ca with CaF2 scintillator. 48Ca has the highest Q ββ -value (4.3 MeV) among all isotope candidates for 0vββ. It enables us to measure signals with very low background condition. After rejection analysis with 131 days × 86 kg data for background events from radioactive contaminations in the CaF2 scintillators, no events are observed in the Q ββ -value region. As a result, the half-life of 48Ca is greater than 6.2 × 1022 yr (90% confidence level). For further high sensitive measurement of 48Ca 0vββ search, we have been developing the 48Ca enrichment and CaF2 scintillating bolometer techniques. In this paper, the latest result for CANDLES and the status of scintillating bolometer development are described.

A new DC muon beamline MuSIC was set up at the Research Centre for Nuclear Physics (RCNP), Osaka University. The MuSIC beamline provides an intense low-energy muon beam with distinc- tive devices of superconducting solenoid magnets. A beamline commissioning and a feasibility study for $\mu$SR (Muon spin rotation, relaxation and resonance) are in progress. In the commissioning, ∼10$^5$ count/(sec·1$\mu$A-proton) of negative muons and ∼10$^6$ count/(sec·1$\mu$A-proton) of positive muons were measured with TOF setup in the experimental port using 60 MeV/$c$ muon beam. The non-destructive elemental analyses and nuclear physics experiments with a negative muon beam have been recently started. In a feasibility study for μSR with a positive muon beam, we observed spin asymmetry spectra with a test sample in a magnetic field of 0.004 Tesla using a newly constructed $\mu$SR spectrometer.

The vehicle-based mobile mapping system (MMS) is effective for capturing 3D shapes and images of roadside objects. The laser scanner and cameras on the MMS capture point-clouds and sequential digital images synchronously during driving. In this paper, we propose a method for detecting and classifying pole-like objects using both point-clouds and images captured using the MMS. In our method, pole-like objects are detected from point-clouds, and then target objects, which are objects attached to poles, are extracted for identifying the types of pole-like objects. For associating each target object with images, the points of the target object are projected onto images, and the image of the target object is cropped. Each pole-like object is represented as a feature vector, which are calculated from point-clouds and images. The feature values of a point-cloud are calculated by point processing, and the ones of the cropped image are calculated using a convolutional neural network. The feature values of point-clouds and images are unified, and they are used as the input to machine learning. In experiments, we classified pole-like objects using three methods. The first method used only point-clouds, the second used only images, and the third used both point-clouds and images. The experimental results showed that the third method could most accurately classify pole-like objects.

The antiemetic effects and safety of granisetron and palonosetron against chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) were retrospectively evaluated in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving bendamustine-based chemotherapy. A total of 61 patients were eligible for this study. Before starting the bendamustine-based chemotherapy, granisetron or palonosetron were intravenously administered with or without aprepitant and/or dexamethasone. The proportions of patients with complete control (CC) during the overall (during the 6 days after the start of the chemotherapy), acute (up to 2 days), and delayed (3 to 6 days) phases were assessed. CC was defined as complete response with only grade 0-1 nausea, no vomiting, and no use of antiemetic rescue medication. Granisetron or palonosetron alone were administered to 9 and 19 patients, respectively. Aprepitant and/or dexamethasone were combined with granisetron and palonosetron in 28 and 5 patients, respectively. Acute CINV was completely controlled in all patients. Both granisetron monotherapy and palonosetron combination therapy could provide good control of delayed CINV, although the CC rates during the delayed and overall phases were not significantly different among mono- and combination therapy of the antiemetics. There was no significant difference in the frequencies of adverse drug events between the granisetron and palonosetron treatment groups. The present study showed that the antiemetic efficacy and safety of granisetron-based therapy were non-inferior to those of palonosetron-based therapy. Taken together with treatment costs, granisetron monotherapy would be adequate to prevent CINV in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving bendamustine-based chemotherapy.

We discuss two problems in complexified auxiliary fields in fermionic effective models, the auxiliary sign problem associated with the repulsive vector-field and the choice of the cut for the scalar field appearing from the logarithmic function. In the fermionic effective models with attractive scalar and repulsive vector-type interaction, the auxiliary scalar and vector fields appear in the path integral after the bosonization of fermion ilinears. When we make the path integral well-defined by the Wick rotation of the vector field, the oscillating Boltzmann weight appears in the partition function. This "auxiliary" sign problem can be solved by using the Lefschetz-thimble path-integral method, where the integration path is constructed in the complex plane. Another serious obstacle in the numerical construction of Lefschetz thimbles is caused by singular points and cuts induced by multivalued functions of the complexified scalar field in the momentum integration. We propose a new prescription which fixes gradient flow trajectories on the same Riemann sheet in the flow evolution by performing the momentum integration in the complex domain., 6 pages, 5 figures

We introduce the feedforward neural network to attack the sign problem via the path optimization method. The variables of integration are complexified and the integration path is optimized in the complexified space by minimizing the cost function, which reflects the seriousness of the sign problem. For the preparation and optimization of the integral path in multi-dimensional systems, we utilize the feedforward neural network. We examine the validity and usefulness of the method in the 2D complex $\lambda \phi^4$ theory at finite chemical potential as an example of the quantum field theory with the sign problem. We show that the average phase factor is significantly enhanced after the optimization and then we can safely perform the hybrid Monte Carlo method.

We propose a new approach to circumvent the sign problem in which the integration path is optimized to control the sign problem. We give a trial function specifying the integration path in the complex plane and tune it to optimize the cost function which represents the seriousness of the sign problem. We call it the path optimization method. In this method, we do not need to solve the gradient flow required in the Lefschetz-thimble method and then the construction of the integration-path contour arrives at the optimization problem where several efficient methods can be applied. In a simple model with a serious sign problem, the path optimization method is demonstrated to work well; the residual sign problem is resolved and precise results can be obtained even in the region where the global sign problem is serious., 4 pages, 6 figures

SummaryBackground Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used for the treatment of acid-related diseases. Vonoprazan is a member of a new class of acid suppressants; potassium-competitive acid blockers. Vonoprazan may thus be an alternative to PPIs. Aim To evaluate efficacy, rapidity and duration of acid-inhibitory effects of vonoprazan vs. two control PPIs, esomeprazole and rabeprazole, in 20 healthy Japanese adult male volunteers with CYP2C19 extensive metaboliser genotype. Methods In this randomised, open-label, two-period cross-over study, vonoprazan 20 mg and esomeprazole 20 mg (Study V vs. E) or rabeprazole 10 mg (Study V vs. R) were orally administered daily for 7 days. Primary pharmacodynamic endpoint was gastric pH over 24 h measured as percentage of time pH ≥3, ≥4 and ≥5 (pH holding time ratios; HTRs) and mean gastric pH. Results Acid-inhibitory effect (pH4 HTR) of vonoprazan was significantly greater than that of esomeprazole or rabeprazole on both Days 1 and 7; Day 7 difference in pH4 HTR for vonoprazan vs. esomeprazole was 24.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 16.2–33.1] and for vonoprazan vs. rabeprazole 28.8% [95% CI: 17.2–40.4]. The Day 1 to Day 7 ratio of 24-h pH4 HTRs was >0.8 for vonoprazan, compared with 0.370 for esomeprazole and 0.393 for rabeprazole. Vonoprazan was generally well tolerated. One vonoprazan subject withdrew due to a rash which resolved after discontinuation. Conclusions This study demonstrated a more rapid and sustained acid-inhibitory effect of vonoprazan 20 mg vs. esomeprazole 20 mg or rabeprazole 10 mg. Therefore, vonoprazan may be a potentially new treatment for acid-related diseases.