On simplified Hurwitz stability conditions for low-degree weighted diamond polynomials

In this paper, the results on the stability of a weighted diamond of polynomials which was studied by Kharitonov and Tempo (Systems Control Lett. 22 (1994)) are simplified for low-order polynomials. Specifically, for n=3 and 4, the number of polynomials required to check the stability is four and six, respectively, instead of eight. Further, diamond of polynomials which were studied by Barmish et al. (IEEE Trans. Automat. Control AC-37 (9) (1992)) are also investigated.     

Stabilization irrespective of bounds of uncertain variations for linear uncertain systems with delays

In this study, the stabilizability irrespective of the bounds of uncertain parameters and time delays is investigated for linear uncertain delay systems. For uncertain systems without delays, a linear time-varying or time-invariant uncertain system has been shown to be stabilizable independent of the bounds of uncertain variations if and only if the system has a particular geometric configuration called an antisymmetric stepwise configuration (ASC) or a generalized antisymmetric stepwise configuration (GASC), respectively. In this study, fundamental approaches to investigating the stabilizability of delay systems with specific uncertainty structures such as ASCs or GASCs are presented. For a class of 3-dimensional systems, it is shown here that if a linear time-varying or time-invariant uncertain delay system has an ASC or a GASC, respectively, then the system can be stabilized, however large the given bounds of delays and uncertain parameters might be.     

Adverse effects of energy restriction on myogenic enzymes in judoists

In this study, we examined the effects of weight reduction by restricting energy intake on muscle function and serum concentrations of myogenic enzymes in judoists. Twenty-seven male judoists aged 19.3±0.6 years (mean±s) were divided into three groups based on the extent of body weight reduction: high weight reduction (height 1.70±0.05?m, body mass 78.5 ±13.6?kg), low weight reduction (height 1.70±0.05?m, body mass 80.7±13.1?kg) and a group that maintained body weight while continuing to perform exercise training (height 1.78± 0.07?m, body mass 78.7±8.8?kg). Body composition, blood biochemistry, energy intake and anaerobic power were assessed on four occasions: 20 days (baseline data), 4 days and 1 day before and 7 days after competition. Compared with baseline, body mass and fat-free mass were significantly lower 1 day before competition in the high and low weight reduction groups (both P?<0.01); these changes persisted for 7 days after competition in the high weight reduction group. Serum creatine kinase was significantly elevated 1 day before competition in all groups (all P?<0.05), and remained higher 7 days after competition in both the high and low weight reduction groups. Compared with baseline, maximal anaerobic power was significantly lower 1 day before competition only in the high weight reduction group (P?<0.01). Our results suggest that energy restriction in addition to intense exercise training before major competition has an adverse effect on anaerobic power and elevates serum creatine kinase concentration, leading to an impairment of muscular function and an increased susceptibility of muscle tissue to injury.     

Networking retinomorphic sensor with memristive crossbar for brain-inspired visual perception

Compared to human vision, conventional machine vision composed of an image sensor and processor suffers from high latency and large power consumption due to physically separated image sensing and processing. A neuromorphic vision system with brain-inspired visual perception provides a promising solution to the problem. Here we propose and demonstrate a prototype neuromorphic vision system by networking a retinomorphic sensor with a memristive crossbar. We fabricate the retinomorphic sensor by using WSe₂/h-BN/Al₂O₃ van der Waals heterostructures with gate-tunable photoresponses, to closely mimic the human retinal capabilities in simultaneously sensing and processing images. We then network the sensor with a large-scale Pt/Ta/HfO₂/Ta one-transistor-one-resistor (1T1R) memristive crossbar, which plays a similar role to the visual cortex in the human brain. The realized neuromorphic vision system allows for fast letter recognition and object tracking, indicating the capabilities of image sensing, processing and recognition in the full analog regime. Our work suggests that such a neuromorphic vision system may open up unprecedented opportunities in future visual perception applications.     

Combined effects of pre-cooling and water ingestion on thermoregulation and physical capacity during exercise in a hot environment

The aim of the present study was to determine the combined effects of pre-cooling and water ingestion on thermoregulatory responses and exercise capacity at 32 degrees C and 80% relative humidity. Nine untrained males exercised for 60 min on a cycle ergometer at 60% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (first exercise bout) under four separate conditions: No Water intake, Pre-cooling, Water ingestion, and a combination of pre-cooling and water ingestion (Combined). To evaluate the efficacy of these conditions on exercise capacity, the participants exercised to exhaustion at 80% VO2max (second exercise bout) following the first exercise bout. Rectal and mean skin temperatures before the first exercise bout in the Pre-cooling and Combined conditions were significantly lower than in the No Water and Water conditions. At the end of the first exercise bout, rectal temperature was lower in the Combined condition (38.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C) than in the other conditions (No Water: 39.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C; Pre-cooling: 38.7 +/- 0.1 degrees C; Water: 38.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C) (P < 0.05). Heat storage was higher following pre-cooling than when there was no pre-cooling (P < 0.05). The final rectal temperature in the second exercise bout was similar between the four conditions (39.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C). However, exercise time to exhaustion was longer (P < 0.05) in the Combined condition than in the other conditions. Total sweat loss was less following pre-cooling than when there was no pre-cooling (P < 0.001). Evaporative sweat loss in the Water and Combined conditions was greater (P < 0.01) than in the No Water and Pre-cooling conditions. Our results suggest that the combination of pre-cooling and water ingestion increases exercise endurance in a hot environment through enhanced heat storage and decreased thermoregulatory and cardiovascular strain.     

First contact: Initial responses to cultural disequilibrium in a short term teaching exchange program

This paper examines early aspects of intercultural learning among pre-service teachers from Japan and the United States during a short-term international exchange program. Using insights from Taylor's (1994) theory of intercultural development, the research uses qualitative methodology to describe experiences of cultural disequilibrium and various responses to disequilibrium by participants in the exchange. Findings suggest a range of related sources of cultural disequilibrium across culture groups. Eight strategic responses to disequilibrium are identified, and implications for early engagements with cultural difference for beginning teachers are discussed. The research seeks to clarify the role that short term immersion experiences can play in the understanding and development of early intercultural competence and to identify connections between such experiences and teacher education.     

Neural correlates for numerical processing in the manual mode

This paper reports a study designed to examine the neuronal correlates for comprehending the signs of American Sign Language representing numerals in deaf signers who acquired Japanese Sign Language as their first language. The participants were scanned by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) twice on the day of the experiment. The results of the measurements revealed that upon learning that the signs actually have numeric meaning, a network of brain areas is activated immediately. Many of these areas have been previously implicated in numerical processing. The similar neural network of brain regions responsible for numerical processing exists on a nonlinguistical basis and works to retrieve arithmetic facts from presented linguistic material regardless of the mode of the language.     

Kinetic function of the lower limbs during baseball tee-batting motion at different hitting-point heights

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic functions of the lower limbs at different hitting-point heights to provide key information for improving batting technique in baseball players. Three-dimensional coordinate data were acquired using a motion capture system (250 Hz) and ground reaction forces were measured using three force platforms (1000 Hz) in 22 male collegiate baseball players during tee-batting set at three different hitting-point heights (high, middle, and low). Kinetic data were used to calculate joint torque and mechanical work in the lower limbs by the inverse dynamics approach. The peak angular velocity of the lower trunk about the vertical axis was smaller under the low condition. The joint torques and mechanical works done by both hip adduction/abduction axes were different among the three conditions. These results indicate that hip adduction/abduction torques mainly contribute to a change in the rotational movement of the lower body about the vertical axis when adjusting for different hitting-point heights. In order to adjust for the low hitting-point height which would be difficult compared with other hitting-point heights, batters should focus on rotating the lower trunk slowly by increasing both hip abduction torques.     

School reform for positive behaviour support through collaborative learning: utilising lesson study for a learning community

Recent research has emphasised educating children about positive behaviours to overcome delinquency issues, but there is little clarification of what factors lead to positive behaviours. This study analyses factors that led to children’s positive behaviours at a junior high school in Japan, which experienced a dramatic turnaround after implementing school reform using Lesson Study for Learning Community (LSLC). In this study, the results of a mixed-methods analysis show that if children receive psychological support they are likely to psychologically support others and, similarly, those who receive concrete help tend to offer concrete help to others. To foster learning cultures in which this happens, it is critical to engage the entire school in appropriate changes: for example, teachers’ positive attitudes towards children and learning are important factors encouraging children to support others.