Recognition of lesions with subtle morphological and/or color changes during white light imaging (WLI) endoscopy remains a challenge. Often the endoscopic image suffers from nonuniform illumination across the image due to curvature in the lumen and the direction of the illumination light of the endoscope. We propose an image enhancement technology to resolve the drawbacks above called texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI). TXI is designed to enhance three image factors in WLI (texture, brightness, and color) in order to clearly define subtle tissue differences. In our proposed method, retinex-based enhancement is employed in the chain of endoscopic image processing. Retinex-based enhancement is combined with color enhancement to greatly accentuate color tone differences of mucosal surfaces. We apply TXI to animal endoscopic images and evaluate the performance of TXI compared with conventional endoscopic enhancement technologies, conventionally used techniques for real-world image processing, and newly proposed techniques for surgical endoscopic image augmentation. Our experimental results show that TXI can enhance brightness selectively in dark areas of an endoscopic image and can enhance subtle tissue differences such as slight morphological or color changes while simultaneously preventing over-enhancement. These experimental results demonstrate the potential of the proposed TXI algorithm as a future clinical tool for detecting gastrointestinal lesions having difficult-to-recognize tissue differences.

The width of crystal lattice plane spacing (d-spacing) distribution related to microscopic-strain and crystallite size in a martensite phase in a 2 cm thick quenched-ferritic steel sample was quantitatively mapped in real space by a Bragg-edge broadening analysis of spectral data from a pulsed neutron transmission experiment. This analysis was performed under the condition that the instrumental resolution parameters, determined from the data of ferrite in the same sample without microscopic-strain and crystallite size effects, were unchanged over the sample area, and assuming that the d-spacing was distributed according to a Gaussian function in the martensite area. As a result, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Gaussian d-spacing distribution in the martensite was extracted at each position in a sample. Consequently, it was found that the real-space distribution of the FWHM of the d-spacing distribution is closely correlated with a real-space distribution of the Vickers hardness that corresponds to the quantity of martensite. Furthermore, it was indicated that the Vickers hardness was proportional to the FWHM of the d-spacing distribution. The results suggest that it will be possible to measure the Vickers hardness in the martensite non-destructively by using the Bragg-edge neutron transmission method.

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Abstract. An Electric Dipole Moment (EDM) of the elementary particle is a good prove to observe the phenomena beyond the Standard Model. A non-zero EDM shows the violation of the time reversal symmetry, and under the CPT invariance it means the CP violation. In paramagnetic atoms, an electron EDM results in an atomic EDM enhanced by the factor of the 3rd power of the charge of the nucleus due the relativistic effects. A heaviest alkali element francium (Fr), which is the radioactive atom, has the largest enhancement factor K ~ 895. Then, we are developing a high intensity laser cooled Fr factory at Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC), Tohoku University to perform the search for the EDM of Fr with the accuracy of 10 -29 e・cm. The important points to overcome the current accuracy limit of the EDM are to realize the high intensity Fr source and to reduce the systematic error due to the motional magnetic field and inhomogeneous applied field. To reduce the dominant component of the systematic errors mentioned above, we will confine the Fr atoms in the small region with the Magneto-Optical Trap and optical lattice using the laser cooling and trapping techniques. The construction of the experimental apparatus is making progress, and the new thermal ionizer already produces the Fr of ~10 6 ions/s with the primary beam intensity 200 nA. The developments of the laser system and optical equipments are in progress, and the present status and future plan of the experimental project is reported. IntroductionTo explore the mechanism responsible for the generation of observed matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe, the research on fundamental symmetry violations and various fundamental interactions using the laser cooled and trapped atoms is being promoted. The understanding of how the symmetry between the matter and antimatter was broken during the evolution of the early universe requires laboratory experiments which search for symmetry violations in the elementary particles such as quarks and leptons; one such phenomenon of our interest is the intrinsic electric dipole moment (EDM) of either elementary or composite systems. The non-zero observation of EDM provides the direct and conclusive signatures of the violation of time-reversal symmetry. The study of EDM also paves a way for the continuing quest for the ultimate theory of the Universe and it has a great potential in uncovering many mysteries which have been puzzling the mankind for ages such as the very survival of ourselves amidst many cosmic catastrophes such as a complete annihilation of matter and antimatter in the Universe. Using the extreme quantum states of matter at the low-energy scales we study the high-energy physics related to the phenomena which are thought to have happened in various epochs in the very early Universe.

We prepared a 6-O-desulfated (DS-) heparin (Hep) hydrogel as an excellent carrier for the controlled release of Hep-binding growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2. This material, which is partially derived from photoreactive groups, such as cinnamate, is easily crosslinked upon ultraviolet light (UV)-irradiation, resulting in a water-insoluble, viscous, and injectable hydrogel. In the present study, we examined the capacity of 6-O-DS-Hep hydrogel to immobilize FGF-2, as well as the controlled release of FGF-2 molecules from this hydrogel in vitro and in vivo. Only 10% of FGF-2 was gradually released from the FGF-2-containing 6-O-DS-Hep hydrogel (photocrosslinked 6-O-DS-Hep (4%; w/w) hydrogel containing 50 microg/mL FGF-2) into PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) within first 7 days. The 6-O-DS-Hep hydrogel in vitro maintained the original form through 1 weeks incubation in PBS, but it was gradually fragmented and could not maintain the original form by 2-3 week-washing. When the FGF-2-containing 6-O-DS-Hep hydrogel was subcutaneously injected into the back of rats, significant neovascularization and fibrous tissue formation were induced near the injected site from day 3 after the injection. And, the hydrogel had been biodegraded and completely disappeared from the injected sites in vivo within about 15-20 days after the injection. These findings indicate a controlled release of biologically active FGF-2 molecules together with fragmentation and biodegradation of 6-O-DS-Hep hydrogel and the subsequent induction of neovascularization in vivo.

Objective There are little data regarding the efficacy of texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI) for early gastric cancer (EGC) diagnosis. This study aimed to compare the color difference and visibility of EGC between white light imaging (WLI) and TXI. Methods This study included 20 EGCs of 18 patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection. Still images of EGC in WLI, TXI mode 1 (with color enhancement), and TXI mode 2 (without color enhancement), which were consistent in distance, angle, and air insufflation, were constructed by computer simulation. The center of the lesion, eight equal peripheral points 5 mm outside the lesion, and eight inner points two‐thirds of the distance from peripheral points to the EGC lesion center were annotated. Mean color differences (ΔE) of the area between peripheral and inner points per lesion in WLI, TXI mode 1, and TXI mode 2 were analyzed. In addition, four endoscopists independently scored the visibility of EGC images of TXI mode 1 and 2 compared with WLI. Results Clinicopathological characteristics were as follows: 0‐IIa/0‐IIb/0‐IIc/0‐IIa+IIc = 6/1/11/2, reddish/pale = 10/10, differentiated/undifferentiated = 18/2, median tumor size = 13.5 mm. Mean ΔE ± SD = WLI/TXI mode1/TXI mode2 = 10.3 ± 4.7, 15.5 ± 7.8, and 12.7 ± 6.1, respectively. Mean ΔE was significantly higher in TXI mode 1 than in WLI. Visibility (improved/no change/decreased) was 7/13/0 and 4/16/0 in TXI mode 1 and 2, respectively. The visibility was significantly more commonly improved in the macroscopic type 0‐IIc or 0‐IIb than in 0‐IIa or IIa+IIc in TXI mode 1. Conclusions TXI could improve the visibility of EGC compared with WLI.

Background The Japanese traditional cuisine, Washoku, considered to be responsible for increased longevity among the Japanese, comprises various foods fermented with the non-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus oryzae (koji). We have recently revealed that koji contains an abundant amount of glycosylceramide. Intestinal microbes have significant effect on health. However, the effects of koji glycosylceramide on intestinal microbes have not been studied.Materials and methodsGlycosylceramide was extracted and purified from koji. C57BL/6N mice were fed a diet containing 1 % purified koji glycosylceramide for 1 week. Nutritional parameters and faecal lipid constituents were analyzed. The intestinal microbial flora of mice on this diet was investigated.ResultsIngested koji glycosylceramide was neither digested by intestinal enzymes nor was it detected in the faeces, suggesting that koji glycosylceramide was digested by the intestinal microbial flora. Intestinal microbial flora that digested koji glycosylceramide had an increased ratio of Blautia coccoides. Stimulation of B. coccoides growth by pure koji glycosylceramide was confirmed in vitro.ConclusionsKoji functions as a prebiotic for B. coccoides through glycosylceramide. Since there are many reports of the effects of B. coccoides on health, an increase in intestinal B. coccoides by koji glycosylceramide might be the connection between Japanese cuisine, intestinal microbial flora, and longevity.