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We present a new rehabilitation system based on novel principles, which consists of an auditory augmented reality (AR) headset we originated. The auditory AR headset, which does not cover both ears, allows users to hear both Real and Virtual environmental sounds at the same time. It can also be used in combination with Hearing Aids. We have studied a system to support hearing-impaired people and conducted a test evaluation. The system was able to provide convenience akin to “reading glasses for sound” to those who had mild hearing disabilities. Furthermore, by combining the system with surrounding speakers, a completely novel virtual auditory illusion was created in which the sound image jumps into the ear and runs away. We name this “proximal auditory AR (PAAR)” system. This system directly affects the unconscious level of reflexes for maintaining a standing position and can generate very subtle body motion disturbance. Using this system, we can modulate the standing posture and observe the autonomic nerve system's ability to subliminally compensate for the disturbance, using a stabilometer that measures body sways by center of pressure (COP). We observed a significant difference in the declination of COP only when using the PAAR, which is combined with array speakers and the auditory AR headphone, compared using a conventional closed-type and a bone-conduction headphone. By analyzing such big data of physical movement through machine learning, we expect to realize new systems for diagnosis, rehabilitation, function maintenance, and fall prevention.

We developed a bedsore-prevention mattress and wheel chair cushion. Throughout development, we made numerous body pressure measurements on different mattresses and cushions. Such measurements required much time and effort. Simulation of body pressure has the potential to estimate the pressure distribution caused by physical parameters of different mattresses. In this study, we show attempts to model the body and estimate the pressure on its transverse plane. The computation was based on a non-linear finite element method with hyperelastic materials, such as muscle, skin and fat. Because the model simulates different tissues, we can estimate the pressure not only on the surface, but also that inside the trunk. The simulated results agreed well with actual pressure measurement results. Differences in physical properties of the mattresses were also modeled.

Abstract This article seeks to characterize the seed husk fiber of Moringa oleifera and understand its influence when added to a cementitious composite, in terms of mechanical performance. Moringa fibers were chemically and physically tested and were added to a cementitious composite. Specimens were molded for Ultrasonic Speed Pulse test and Uniaxial Compression Strength test, and subsequent observation in SEM. The results show a fiber with high lignin content and high absorption of water. Adding fiber to the composite, the water in the mixture is absorbed, which reduces the formation of hydrated cement compounds over time. Consequently, it results in a composite with low mechanical strength. The fiber/matrix interface analyzed in the micrographs is porous, has microcracks and a high concentration of calcium hydroxide. Despite this, the same lignin content that impairs mechanical strength in this composite is what makes the fiber resistant to weathering. More studies regarding the effectiveness of this quality should be carried out.

Recently, coronavirus has spread worldwide and is becoming a major challenge. Under such circumstances, coronavirus inactivation using ozone has been reported. We have also installed a Sigfox antenna at Hiroshima Institute of Technology and have been developing Internet of Things (IoT) devices through the Internet using the Sigfox network. In this study, an ozone generator and an IoT device, which is an ozone concentration measuring device with a Sigfox communication function, were used to show the ozone concentration on a computer. Additionally, using feedback control, we obtained a CT value of 60, which can inactivate coronavirus from 1/10 to 1/100, after operating for 24 h at an acceptable ozone concentration (less than 0.1 ppm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrics woven with paper yarns show the higher cool touch feeling rather than conventional cotton yarn fabrics. We evaluated semi-quantitatively the transverse heat conduction of a single paper yarn to elucidate its high cool touch feeling and discussed the origin of the high heat conduction on the context of the inner structure of the yarn comparing with the cotton yarn. Thermo-sensitive inks show chromatic changes depending on temperature and. we applied the ink on the single yarn as a thermo-indicator. The time depending temperature of the single paper yarn after contact on a heated metal plate showed a faster increase than that of the cotton yarns indicating the higher transverse heat conduction of the paper yarn. The observations of the microstructure of the yarns were investigated by Scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was inferred that the less anisotropy of the fiber orientation and the tight packing of the fibers in the paper yarn should be the structural origin of the higher transverse heat conduction of the paper yarn giving rise to the higher cool touch feeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Molecular epidemiology is a promising tool for understanding tuberculosis transmission dynamics but has not been sufficiently utilised in Asian countries including Japan. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of TB cases attributable to recent transmission and to identify risk factors of genotype clustering and the development of large clusters within 3 years in an urban setting in Japan. Design and setting Long-term cross-sectional observational study combining the characteristics of patients with culture-positive TB notified in Shinjuku City, Tokyo (2002-2013), with genotype data of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Primary outcome measure Genotype clustering rate and association between genotype clustering status and explanatory variables. Results Among 1025 cases, 515 were localised within 113 genotype clusters. The overall clustering rate was 39.2%. Significantly higher rates were found in patients aged <40 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.73, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.44), native Japanese individuals (aOR=3.90, 95% CI 2.27 to 6.72), full-time workers (aOR=1.63, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.27), part-time/daily workers (aOR=2.20, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.58), individuals receiving public assistance (aOR=1.81, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.84) and homeless people (aOR=1.63, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.62). A significant predictor of large genotype clusters within 3 years was a registration interval ≤2 months between the first two cases in a cluster. Conclusion Our results indicated that a large proportion of patients with culture-positive TB were involved in the recent TB transmission chain. Foreign-born persons still have a limited impact on transmission in the Japanese urban setting. Intensified public health interventions, including the active case finding, need to focus on individuals with socioeconomic risk factors that are significantly associated with tuberculosis transmission and clusters with shorter registration intervals between the first two cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong inward rectifier K+ (sKir) channels determine the membrane potentials of many types of excitable and nonexcitable cells, most notably the resting potentials of cardiac myocytes. They show little outward current during membrane depolarization (i.e., strong inward rectification) because of the channel blockade by cytoplasmic polyamines, which depends on the deviation of the membrane potential from the K+ equilibrium potential (V - EK) when the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]out) is changed. Because their open-channel conductance is apparently proportional to the "square root" of [K+]out, increases/decreases in [K+]out enhance/diminish outward currents through sKir channels at membrane potentials near their reversal potential, which also affects, for example, the repolarization and action-potential duration of cardiac myocytes. Despite its importance, however, the mechanism underlying the [K+]out dependence of the open sKir channel conductance has remained elusive. By studying Kir2.1, the canonical member of the sKir channel family, we first show that the outward currents of Kir2.1 are observed under the external K+-free condition when its inward rectification is reduced and that the complete inhibition of the currents at 0 [K+]out results solely from pore blockade caused by the polyamines. Moreover, the noted square-root proportionality of the open sKir channel conductance to [K+]out is mediated by the pore blockade by the external Na+, which is competitive with the external K+. Our results show that external K+ itself does not activate or facilitate K+ permeation through the open sKir channel to mediate the apparent external K+ dependence of its open channel conductance. The paradoxical increase/decrease in outward sKir channel currents during alternations in [K+]out, which is physiologically relevant, is caused by competition from impermeant extracellular Na+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Gift flowers should be chosen to depict a message with the sender''s kansei and are bound by nature of flowers and social manners, to maintain social relationship between the sender and the recipient. Few buyers, but most florists, have expert knowledge of the flowering time, scent, price, and nature of each flower, and are experts in arranging flowers that meet a given purpose. The purpose of this paper is to incorporate handling constraints into the inference process of a kansei engineering system. Design/methodology/approach - The paper collected the expert knowledge concerning nature of flowers, composing flower arrangements and social manners on gifts from specialists of flower arrangements including a florist and special books. At the same time, kansei evaluation experiments on the kinds of flowers and colors were conducted. The expertise and the results of kansei experiments were organized into a flower database and inference rules for choice of a main flower, arrangement shapes and combination flowers. The rules were implemented as server-side programs. Users input information about the recipient, purpose of the arrangement and purchase information using a web browser. The system outputs a solution; a list of main flowers, combination flowers, greens and the shape of arrangement. Findings - Traditional kansei engineering studies revealed the relationships between design elements and kansei with developing new analyzing methods. Different constraints come into the actual product design and manufacturing should be integrated with findings obtained from the kansei evaluation to successfully utilize kansei engineering for product development. Practical implications - The inference rules will be able to tell the reasons for choosing the main- and combination flowers and arrangement shapes to satisfy the customers. Originality/value - The proposed system suggests the original arrangement of flowers unlike most online florists selling ready-made arrangements. The paper shows a solution to incorporate different constraints underlying in a real production process into the inference process based on the result of kansei analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]