A new computer-aided speech audiometer () was developed. The system which employs a 5-choice speech discrimination that method, operates on a personal computer (NEC-9801) with auxiliary hardware which included D/A converter for speech signal replay, touch screen for input of patient's choice among the alternative syllables on the CRT, and an electronic attenuator and amplifier. Advantages of this system: 1) touch screen simplifies patients' response for both slow and quick patients; 2) testers' scoring time and error in scoring task are reduced; 3) a data bank were automatically built for future reference.

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This paper presents that sound ontology plays an important role as a common vocabulary for sound representation and as a common terminology for integrating various sound stream segregation systems. Since research on computational auditory scene analysis (

) focuses on recognizing and understanding various kinds of sounds, sound stream segregation which extracts each sound stream from a mixture of sounds is essential for . Even if sound stream segregation systems use a harmonic structure of sound as a cue of segregation, it is not easy integrate such systems because the definition of a harmonic structure differs or the precision of extracted harmonic structures differs. Therefore, sound ontology is needed as a common knowledge representation of sounds. Another problem is to interface sound stream segregation systems with applications such as automatic speech recognition systems. Since the requirement of the quality of segregated sound streams depends on applications, sound stream segregation systems must provide a flexible interface. Therefore, sound ontology is needed to fulfill the requirements imposed by them. In addition, the hierarchical structure of sound ontology provides a means of controlling top-down and bottom-up processing of sound stream segregation.

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The oldest block called Castellacia in the center of the historical district of Peccioli, small medieval city in Tuscany, is analyzed through the "Formazione degli Elenchi (1982)", surveyed drawings (1985), and the historical documents "Catasto (1834)", in order to clarify the typological evolution of component buildings and the formation process of the block since before 1834. The process of formation can be divided into four phases according to the evolution of component building-type, that is, from medieval " a schiera" to post medieval " in linea" and " incorporata", all of which are still remained in present block.

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The north block with medieval city wall in the historical district of Peccioli, small medieval city in Tuscany, is analyzed through the "surveyed drawings (1985)", "Formazione degli Elenchi (1982)", and the cadastral map of the historical documents "Catasto (1834)", in order to clarify the typological evolution of component buildings and the formation process of the block since 18th century. The process of Formation can be divided according to the evolution of component building-type, that is, from medieval " a schiera" to post medieval " in linea" and " incorporate" , all of which are still remained in the present block including medieval military structures.

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It is well known that the exposure in workplace of dibromochloropropane (DBCP), which has ever used as a pesticide and now is one of endocrine disrupters, caused the reproductive toxicities such as azoospermia to the male sprayers and manufactures treating DBCP. We have been analyzing motility of sperm in rat exposed with several chemical compounds such as DBCP, by Computer-assisted sperm analysis (). is mainly suitable for analysis of count and motility of the sperm as is generally known. Furthermore the image in can clearly project the morphology of sperm tailpiece for dark field. Then we tried to analyze the morphology of the sperm tailpiece together with sperm count and sperm motility by as an examination material with DBCP, an endocrine disruptor. DBCP (25-100 mg/kg) dissolved with olive oil was administered subcutaneously to 12 weeks old male F344 rats, eight times during one month. The sperm derived from the epididymal cauda in rat anesthetized were released into the medium 199 containing 0.5 % bovine serum albumin and various parameters were measured by (IVOS: Hamilton Thorne Research) for analyzing sperm count and motility. In addition, we stored enlarged images of into the computer once, displayed the images later, printed digital pictures, manually measured short form sperm, immature sperm, no-head sperm, and tailless sperm, and finally calculated normal sperm rate. Significant decrease of sperm count was confirmed in the 75 and 100 mg/kg treated groups of DBCP. Furthermore, prominent decrease of the sperm motility was observed in the similar groups. On the other hand, the normal sperm rate decreased in the similar groups, too. In addition, the head / tailpiece separated sperm was recognized a lot in the similar groups conspicuously. The decrease of sperm motility seems to be due to the separation of head /tailpiece from the present results.

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The present author considers that the pinakes is not only a painting within mural-painting, but also its decorative motif functions as an architectural one. He has chosen six important wall-decorations, containing pinakes in Pompei such as at the cubiculum of Villa dei Misteri, the oecus of del Criptoportico, the cubiculum of Omerica, caldarium of del Menandro, the cubiculum of Domus Obelii Firmi, and the hall of Aphrodite of Villa from Boscoreale, and two more examples in Rome as the sala di Polifemo of di Livia and the cubiculum B of Villa della Farnesina.
The relationship between pinakes and the wall-decoration system of the high period of the second style is considered in the first part. It is concluded that they were one of the decorative motives and that they reflected traditional elements as replicas of original hellenistic paintings as well.
In the second part, the two Roman examples of the late second style are discussed as showing a tendancy of the next period of wall-decoration in which the original intent of pinakes as a tableau painting was revived.
It can be drawn from the observation of the above-mentioned pinakes that the high period of the second style as the most classical wall-decoration one at the republic and the imperial period is related to the fourth style while the late period of the second style develops into the third style, including the problem of the pinacothecae.

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オリエンタル・ハイブリットのユリの強い香りは，不快に感じられることがある．ユリ‘カサブランカ’を用いて，香気成分生合成阻害剤を用いた花の香りの発散制御効果について検討した．‘カサブランカ’の香気成分の解析結果から，イソオイゲノール，p-クレオソールなどの芳香族化合物が不快臭の原因の一つだと考えられた．芳香族化合物の生合成阻害剤として，フェニルアラニンアンモニアリアーゼ阻害剤であるアミノオキシ酢酸（AOA）と L-2-アミノオキシ-3-フェニルプロピオン酸（AOPP）水溶液を切り花の生け水として用いた．AOA，AOPP ともに香気成分抑制効果が得られたが，実用面からより安価な AOA を選択した．AOA の連続処理により，香気成分量が最も多くなる開花後 2，3 日目，花の老化が始まる 7 日目の花の香気成分量は，10–20％まで減少し，香りの強さも軽減された．同様の効果は，AOA の一時的な処理（24 時間処理）についても観察された．1.0 mM AOA 処理では花被に傷害が見られたが，0.1 mM では見られなかった．開花した花に対する処理の効果は，開花直前のつぼみに対する処理に比べて低かった．以上のことから，‘カサブランカ’の開花直前のつぼみに対する 0.1 mM AOA の連続処理は，観賞期間中の花の外観上の形態を損ねることなく，香気成分の発散量を減少させ香りを弱めることが明らかとなった．

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We are reporting the influence to the sperm of Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) which has strong action as an example, comparing six tetrazolium salt color-producing methods (MTT, MTS, XTT, WST-1, WST-3 and WST-8, all are abbreviations) as an index of mitochondria metabolic capacity in sperm with the other methods including computer assisted sperm analytical method (). Significant decrease of absorbance was found by tetrazolium salt methods except WST-1 method in the 75 and 100mg/kg treated groups of DBCP. Furthermore, significant sperm decrease by was confirmed in the same treated groups, and even sperm quality analyzer (SQA) method recognized a fall of sperm motility index (SMI) value equally. On the other hand, no such significant differences with control group were recognized by all measurement methods except WST-8 method in the 25 and 50mg/kg treated groups of DBCP. .Based upon the foregoing, most tetrazolium salt color development methods make it possible to get the results that are similar to and SQA method. We does not have to deny the utility of which can measure several quantitative parameters about motility of sperm, but tetrazolium salt color-producing method has characteristics superior at a point of the simpleness and easiness, specimen processing capacity and economy, and there is an advantage at the point that is suitable for qualitative analysis to be able to judge sperm normality by the naked eye.

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We evaluated the effects of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) on the products of lipid peroxidation and serum creatinine levels in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion. The animals were submitted to sham operation or renal ischemia-reperfusion, and they were pretreated with α-tocopherol or the vehicle saline. In four groups, we analyzed the lipid peroxidation products by measuring malondialdehyde and chemiluminescence levels. In the other three groups, we studied the serum creatinine levels after the procedures. In our study, the pretreatment with α-tocopherol reduced significantly the lipid peroxidation of renal cells and renal dysfunction induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

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In this thesis, the oldest block called Castellaccia in the center of the historical district of Peccioli, small medieval city in Tuscany, is studied through the typology of the component buildings in the block. These buildings are divided into two types, ' a schiera' and ' in linea', and then classified by the number of 'cellura' to analyze the relationship between function and composition of the space. As another study, component buildings in the Castellaccia are investigated through the 'cadastre (1834)' and present surveyed drawings in order to clarify the transformational process of them since 1834.

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　本研究は，建築空間の色彩と肌理をパラメータとして制御可能な没入型の仮想環境において，二つの住宅モデル（ル・コルビュジエ設計のラ・ロッシュ邸およびルイス・バラガン設計のヒラルディ邸）を再現し，被験者による空間スケールと印象評価実験から，色彩と肌理が空間認識に及ぼす影響を明らかにした．スケール評価テストおよび描画テストでは，被験者がVRヘッドセットを装着して，各住宅の実際のスケールの選択と平面図の描画を行った．その結果，ヒラルディ邸は実際のスケールと同じもしくはわずかに大きく認識されるのに対し，ラ・ロッシュ邸は小さく認識される傾向がみられた．さらに，VRヘッドセットを装着して各住宅の空間印象をSD法により評価した結果，色彩と肌理の違いによる印象の差に特徴がみられた．

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Background: The therapeutic effectiveness of dupilumab for severe asthma in real-world settings is yet to be prospectively investigated across multiple institutions, and uncertainties persist regarding predictive factors for its effectiveness. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of dupilumab and identify predictors of its effectiveness in real-world settings using two type-2 biomarkers: FeNO concentration and blood eosinophil count.

Methods: This prospective multicenter study included 103 patients with severe asthma. Exacerbations and respiratory functions were monitored for 24 weeks. Asthma control was evaluated using the Asthma Control Questionnaire-5. Clinical symptoms and their impact on cough and sputum were assessed using the Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (

-Q). Subgroup analyses of type-2 biomarkers were conducted based on FeNO levels and blood eosinophil counts at baseline.

Results: Treatment with dupilumab led to a reduction in exacerbations and enhancement in asthma control, FEV₁, and

-Q scores. FEV₁ improvement was correlated with enhancement in the sputum domain of the -Q. Patients exhibiting elevated FeNO levels and blood eosinophil counts demonstrated more significant enhancements in FEV₁. -Q sputum domain scores were significantly higher in the group with elevated eosinophil counts. Regression analysis revealed that FeNO levels and blood eosinophil counts are significant predictors of FEV₁ improvement, with blood eosinophil counts also predicting sputum improvement in patients treated with dupilumab.

Conclusions: Type-2 biomarkers may act as indicators of improvement in FEV₁ and sputum outcomes among patients with severe asthma undergoing dupilumab treatment in real-world settings.

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The computer-assisted sperm motion analysis () system has been used as one of the useful means for reproductive toxicity studies in male animals. Since various parameters of sperm motility are measured by the system, we investigated the effects of a herbicide dinoseb, a testicular toxicant, and which parameter was the most appropriate for detecting changes. Crj:CD(SD)IGS mature male rats were administered dinoseb at a dose of 0 (corn oil), 5 or 7.5 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days, and were necropsied for cauda epididymal sperm analysis after a 12-day (Day15) or 19-day (Day 22) withdrawal period (Experiment I). No sperm motility parameters of dinoseb-treated rats were changed on Day 15, but on Day 22, the percentage of motile sperm (MOT) was significantly decreased in rats treated with dinoseb at 7.5 mg/kg. Other parameters, such as path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) were significantly decreased as well. In Experiment II, no parameters of sperm motility showed any change in rats treated with dinoseb at 7.5 mg/kg three times per week when evaluated on Day 21. It was concluded that MOT, VAP, VCL, and ALH were more sensitive to dinoseb effects on sperm in the system.

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The Central Asian countries have abundant but unevenly distributed natural resources including water. The Central Asia Power System (CAPS) project initiated by the Asian Development Bank and the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (

-1000) initiated by the World Bank are planned to catalyze trade of electricity in this region. However, the existing surplus of the hydropower generation capacity of Tajikistan in summer may only meet the anticipated power demand by one project. The CAPS project (to be completed in 2023) may monopolize the surplus in Tajikistan and the -1000 project (to be completed later) may suffer from the shortage of electricity. It stems from the failure of aid coordination between the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. This study reveals (a) how the assumptions made for the CAPS and -1000 projects differ, and (b) possible causes of the failed aid coordination. It turned out that (a) the officer in a development bank who is in charge of project development has little motivation to submit his or her project to aid coordination, (b) only “geographic demarcation” between two projects was discussed and agreed upon in the aid coordination, and (c) no technical detail of these projects was discussed in the aid coordination.

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