Virtual segment: Store–carry–forward relay-based support for wide-area non-real-time data exchange

We have proposed the concept of the virtual segment (VS), in which a global communication service is provided by combining a store–carry–forward scheme using vehicles with broadband wireless/wired network infrastructures along roads connected to the Internet. The VS can be a practical framework for non-real-time, asynchronous message transfer (especially for large messages) in a cost-effective manner. In this study, a critical implementation design issue, the message forward scheduling, in the VS approach is discussed and investigated through computer simulation by our developed VS simulator that has reflected the results of the field experiment for realistic performance evaluation.     

Codevelopmental learning between human and humanoid robot using a dynamic neural-network model.

This paper examines characteristics of interactive learning between human tutors and a robot having a dynamic neural-network model, which is inspired by human parietal cortex functions. A humanoid robot, with a recurrent neural network that has a hierarchical structure, learns to manipulate objects. Robots learn tasks in repeated self-trials with the assistance of human interaction, which provides physical guidance until the tasks are mastered and learning is consolidated within the neural networks. Experimental results and the analyses showed the following: 1) codevelopmental shaping of task behaviors stems from interactions between the robot and a tutor; 2) dynamic structures for articulating and sequencing of behavior primitives are self-organized in the hierarchically organized network; and 3) such structures can afford both generalization and context dependency in generating skilled behaviors.     

A programmable editor for developing structured documents based on bidirectional transformations

This paper presents an application of bidirectional transformation to the design and implementation of a novel editor supporting interactive refinement in the development of structured documents. The user performs a sequence of editing operations on a view of the document, and the editor automatically derives an efficient and reliable document source and a transformation that produces the document view. The editor is unique in its programmability, in the sense that transformations can be obtained through editing operations. It uses the view-updating technique developed in the database community and a new bidirectional transformation language that can describe not only the relationship between the document source and its view, but also the data dependency in the view.     

Compact electrostatic levitator for diffraction measurements with a two axis diffractometer and a laboratory x-ray source

A compact electrostatic levitator was developed for the structural analysis of high-temperature liquids by x-ray diffraction methods. The size of the levitator was 200 mm in diameter and 200 mm in height and can be set up on a two axis diffractometer with a laboratory x-ray source, which is very convenient in performing structural measurements of high-temperature liquids. In particular, since the laboratory x-ray source allows a great amount of user time, preliminary or challenging experiments can be performed with trial and error, which prepares and complements synchrotron x-ray experiments. The present small apparatus also provides the advantage of portability and facility of setting. To demonstrate the capability of this electrostatic levitator, the static structure factors of alumina and silicon samples in their liquid phases were successfully measured.     

Selectivity and stability via dendritic nonlinearity

Inspired by recent studies regarding dendritic computation, we constructed a recurrent neural network model incorporating dendritic lateral inhibition. Our model consists of an input layer and a neuron layer that includes excitatory cells and an inhibitory cell; this inhibitory cell is activated by the pooled activities of all the excitatory cells, and it in turn inhibits each dendritic branch of the excitatory cells that receive excitations from the input layer. Dendritic nonlinear operation consisting of branch-specifically rectified inhibition and saturation is described by imposing nonlinear transfer functions before summation over the branches. In this model with sufficiently strong recurrent excitation, on transiently presenting a stimulus that has a high correlation with feed- forward connections of one of the excitatory cells, the corresponding cell becomes highly active, and the activity is sustained after the stimulus is turned off, whereas all the other excitatory cells continue to have low activities. But on transiently presenting a stimulus that does not have high correlations with feedforward connections of any of the excitatory cells, all the excitatory cells continue to have low activities. Interestingly, such stimulus-selective sustained response is preserved for a wide range of stimulus intensity. We derive an analytical formulation of the model in the limit where individual excitatory cells have an infinite number of dendritic branches and prove the existence of an equilibrium point corresponding to such a balanced low-level activity state as observed in the simulations, whose stability depends solely on the signal-to-noise ratio of the stimulus. We propose this model as a model of stimulus selectivity equipped with self-sustainability and intensity-invariance simultaneously, which was difficult in the conventional competitive neural networks with a similar degree of complexity in their network architecture. We discuss the biological relevance of the model in a general framework of computational neuroscience.     

Multicomponent diffusion in phase-separating polymer blends with different frictional interactions: a mean-friction model

We present a compact formula for describing the mean frictional forces acting on a molecule in multicomponent systems. The friction-based diffusion theory of Zielinski and Hanley was extended to newly include the friction-average molar velocity as a reference frame. The results showed that the previous diffusion theories are unified by the friction-average concept by properly choosing the average velocity. The present model based on the diffusivity-related molar average velocity provides better predictions for the diffusive flux in a ternary miscible liquid compared to the other existing theories. The application of the model in phase-separating ternary systems revealed that the introduction of a highly diffusive third component into demixing polymer blends promotes a particular enhancement of the spinodal decomposition due to the difference in the frictional interactions between polymers.     

Business process integration as a solution to the implementation of supply chain management systems

In the domain of supply chain management (SCM), various software packages have been developed for planning business strategies. To solve the problem of system productivity in applying planning packages, we propose a solution concept, business process integration (BPI), which fuses workflow and enterprise application integration (EAI) technology. Two characteristic policies are included in BPI. The first is to design the minimum set of business processes for real-time information sharing with planning packages without changing other processes. The second is to integrate several systems with EAI technology and to manage their execution with a workflow tool. Based on these policies, we propose various design templates and integration adapters. Our evaluation shows that using BPI, a target system can be developed with less manpower, in less time, and with higher quality than previous methods.     

Effect of Hypoxia on Pulmonary Endothelial Cells from Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Model Mice

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and fatal disorder characterized by dysregulated repair after recurrent injury. Destruction of the lung architecture with excess extracellular matrix deposition induces respiratory failure with hypoxia and progressive dyspnea. The impact of hypoxia on pulmonary endothelial cells during pulmonary fibrogenesis is unclear. Using a magnetic-activated cell sorting system, pulmonary endothelial cells were isolated from a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheally administered bleomycin. When endothelial cells were exposed to hypoxic conditions, a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α protein was detected in CD31- and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive cells. Levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, von Willebrand factor, and matrix metalloproteinase 12 were increased in endothelial cells isolated from bleomycin-treated mice exposed to hypoxic conditions. When endothelial cells were cultured under hypoxic conditions, levels of fibrotic mediators, transforming growth factor-β and connective tissue growth factor, were elevated only in endothelial cells from bleomycin-treated and not from saline-treated lungs. The increased expression of α-SMA and mesenchymal markers and collagen production in bleomycin- or hypoxia-stimulated endothelial cells were further elevated in endothelial cells from bleomycin-treated mouse lungs cultured under hypoxic conditions. Exposure to hypoxia damaged endothelial cells and enhanced fibrogenesis-related damage in bleomycin-treated pulmonary endothelial cells.