Keio University

Digital twin technology can be used in the internet of energy (IoE) systems to perform physical objects optimization and decision-making by updating relevant models in real-time. Model update is performed using real-time data generated by multiple devices contained in an IoE system. Since volume of the real-time data generated by IoE system is big, it is difficult for digital twin models to map the real-time data into virtual space. The difficulty of data mapping is because of high data volume and high resource consumption. In this paper, an adaptive data mapping mechanism using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) technique is devised. The proposed mechanism can dynamically adjust mapping data selection according to the environmental state and user requirements. By dynamically adjusting mapping data selection, the data and resource consumption used for mapping can be effectively reduced. The experimental results validate that the proposed mechanism can perform dynamic mapping data selection with reduced mapping data and low resource consumption.

Sensor integration and low-power operation are required to collect different molecular information. However, it is challenging to integrate different types of sensors onto a single chip. To obtain multiple molecular information, temperature modulation of metal-oxide gas sensors is highly effective since it allows for the variation of sensor molecular sensitivity based on the operating temperature. This paper covers a proposed novel system using metal-oxide gas sensors. The temperatures of the sensors are controlled by adopting self-heated sensors, which achieve local temperature increase and low-power operation. To simultaneously heat multiple sensors, we implemented a printed circuit board (PCB) for pulsed-heating scheme and streamlined intended input power with a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The performance of the implemented circuit is evaluated, maximum error rate of 1.7 % of heating accuracy and 0.68 % of average readout accuracy is ensured. As a proof-of-concept of the proposed gas sensory system, an array of 16 self-heated sensors was fabricated on a chip and tested with reactive gas molecules. The PID controller set the input power in 8 ms and kept constant power while sensor resistance changed. The proposed pulsed-heating measurement and conventional continuous-heating measurement were experimentally compared. The results of the experimental comparison suggest that while the sensitivity of the proposed pulsed-heating measurement decreases slightly, the power consumption due to heating can be reduced by up to 1/16.

In this letter, an advanced stretchable optical waveguide sensor is implemented into a multidirectional PneuNet soft actuator to enhance dynamic state estimation through a NARX neural network. The stretchable waveguide featuring a semidivided core design from previous work is sensitive to multiple strain modes. It is integrated into a soft finger actuator with two pressure chambers that replicates human finger motions. The soft finger, designed for applications in soft robotic grippers or hands, is viewed in isolation under pneumatic actuation controlled by motorized linear stages. The research first characterizes the soft finger's workspace and sensor response. Subsequently, three dynamic state estimators are developed using NARX architecture, differing in the degree of incorporating the optical waveguide sensor response. Evaluation on a testing path reveals that the full sensor response significantly improves end effector position estimation, reducing mean error by 51% from 5.70 mm to 2.80 mm, compared to only 21% improvement to 4.53 mm using the estimator representing a single core waveguide design. The letter concludes by discussing the application of these estimators for (open-loop) model-predictive control and recommends future focus on advanced, structured soft (optical) sensors for model-free state estimation and control of soft robots.

Noninvasive sensors have been widely used to measure pulse and respiratory waves, which are the primary measurement targets in sleep monitoring. Conventional noninvasive biometric sensing devices, including smartwatches, require the use of multiple sensing elements and face challenges in the direct and simultaneous measurement of pulse and respiratory waves. Recently, pressure sensors with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based sensing elements have attracted attention for their small size, high sensitivity, and broad applicability. These sensors detect minute vibrations on the body surface with changes in pressure for biometric sensing. In this study, we propose a sleep-mask-type sensor for sleep monitoring that measures pulse and respiratory waves. A MEMS differential pressure (DP) sensor chip serves as a sensing element, which is placed between two chambers, one open to the atmosphere and the other with a rubber membrane. The proposed sensor detects minute vibrations of the dorsal surface of the nose, which can be attributed to pulse and respiratory waves based on DP changes in the chambers. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of the sensor with respect to capturing vibrations during sleep. The application of frequency filtering to the measured raw data confirmed that the pulse and respiratory waveforms could be directly and simultaneously measured, thereby rendering the proposed sensor suitable for sleep monitoring.

Disasters, like floods, storms, droughts, wildfires, and landslides, are becoming increasingly common and unexpected as a result of the rapid environmental and socioeconomic changes occurring at several levels, exacerbated by the impacts of anthropogenic climate change. These disasters often result from systemic risk that outperform traditional risk management practices, posing new, unsolved policy and governance issues. While there is a growing acknowledgement of the need to look at risks holistically, current frameworks do not show the pathway to operationalizing systemic risk. Given this background, the chapter introduces a two-stage approach for understanding and operationalizing systemic risk management in the context of disasters. At Stage 1, we introduce the Systemic Risk Framework for Disasters (SRD) framework to underscore the crucial factors for evaluating and handling disaster risks. Furthermore, at the second stage, we introduce the Systemic Risk Capability Assessment (SRCA) model. This holistic methodology aims not only to assess system conditions but also to serve as a planning instrument, evaluate resilient and vulnerable systems within a given context. This can further aid to enhance the resilience specific policy and action measures between India and Japan through bilateral cooperation and it would also have a global impact.

XR (Cross Reality) is a generic term for virtual space technology that merges the real world and virtual world to enable users to perceive things that do not exist in reality. Currently, the field of XR (AR/VR/MR, etc.) is evolving rapidly, with many companies around the world competing to develop both the hardware and software. This chapter explores the utilization of XR (Cross Reality) in education, focusing on the development and implementation of immersive learning content in primary and secondary education. Collaborating with India Japan Lab (IJL) and Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Delhi (IHFC), we conducted a VR (Virtual Reality)-based experiential learning program titled “Let’s create the energy stations of the future,” centered around Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The program was conducted in September 2023 at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar School of Specialized Excellence in Delhi and Amity International School in Noida for students aged 11 to 14. We present the content used, methodology, learner responses, and prospects for future XR applications.

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) significantly contribute to Indian economy, and they provide livelihoods of the largest numbers of people. Climate change, disasters and other socio-economic and well as geo-political risks pose significant threats to the MSMEs, especially to those enterprises in the informal sector. In this study, vulnerabilities of MSMEs are assessed through qualitative meta-analysis to synthesize qualitative findings. The study highlights that gender disparity among the enterprises, regional disparities in terms of their growth as well as formal registration, and their adaptation to digitization, urbanization, disasters and climate change impacts are to be considered in the framework of risks, resilience, and recovery strategies of MSMEs. A policy framework is proposed to enhance entrepreneurial ecosystem in India through: (1) creating self-assessment avenues for MSMEs, (2) imparting educational opportunities for MSMEs against economic distress due to secondary perils, (3) nurturing collective disaster-preparedness for the MSME sector, and (4) exploring new forms of assistance for the MSME sector. Implications for further research are also drawn to support entrepreneurial resilience.

Human stress is naturally influenced by the environment. Changes in the environment in which people live will directly lead to changes in the causes of stress. Stress has a strong link of urbanization. Due to urbanization, and lack of green spaces, the sports or outdoor activities are often restricted. This is same both in Japan and India. During COVID-19, people had to stay in home and this caused significant increase of stress level among different age groups. The youth groups are possibly the worst sufferer. Through two specific surveys (one among university students, and one adult population) in Japan, this chapter argues the importance of yoga in stress management. The Yoga Association of Japan has been promoting yoga in different groups (including sports people, diet members, different levels of schools and universities, maritime force etc.). It is argued that regular practice of yoga can reduce both physical and mental issues. Yoga can also be considered as a communication platform.

India Japan Laboratory of Keio University in Japan was initiated in November 2019. The year 2023, the fourth year for conducting India Class, saw the registered number of the students swelled to 180 from 115 in 2020. Every year since 2020, India Class has offered learning opportunities about India and Japan-India bilateral relationship via online mode during spring semester through 14 weekly lecture-based classes. Some students have had direct interactions with Indians or having lived in India before joining India Class. Majority of the students’ experience with India has been principally coming from the media. After the entire course was over, the students were requested to choose one particular topic of their liking out of 14 classes and write a report of 1000 words. Most of the students have read further on their subject of interest. While political and economic analysis have been mostly based on what they have learnt in the class and additional readings, many interesting interpretations and observations were expressed by those who reflected on what they have learnt through their own experiential immersive learning through yoga, music of both Indian and Japanese instruments, and virtual cooking class of an Indian meal. The reports by the students in 2023 carried varied aromas with elaborate details on food culture and music tradition of India while some constructive suggestions were offered on Indian polity, economy environment, and society. This chapter provides some of the key analysis from these reports.

As India and Japan ink their relationship from a global partnership to an indispensable partnership, the people-to-people exchange gains momentum. Youth, a significant segment, play a vital role as they build and enhance the capacity of a nation and contribute to the future trajectory. Education can act as a catalyst for diplomatic relations by creating newer avenues for cooperation. The higher education demographic profile is that of a mature youth with a distinct focus and purpose, and encouraging student exchange of this group allows for upgrading skill, capacity, and competence. Further, it allows for deepening interest in each other's countries as it fosters cultural understanding. There is a plethora of complementarities between India and Japan in STEM and liberal arts. This chapter will focus on identifying and delineating the complementarities in higher education of these two nations and discuss the scope of this vertical in creating a long-lasting bond between India and Japan.

India and Japan have incentive to deepen their cooperation in the hydrogen field because Indian government is trying to actively in implementing hydrogen in society, Japan has already developed technologies in significant areas for India, India has a high R&D (research and development) capability and has a very structured roadmap for R&D in the hydrogen area. To deepen cooperation between India and Japan in the hydrogen area, the first short-term policy measures needed are a special IP (intellectual property) protection environment in the hydrogen area and the early establishment of a bilateral credit scheme. Once these two measures are realized, it is expected that many R&D projects and actual projects will be structured between the two countries and that many connections will be established between the parties involved.

In the Indo-Pacific region, around two-thirds of the ocean lies in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJs), home to unique species and habitats critical to marine biodiversity. The biodiversity in ABNJ is in peril due to a patchwork of legislative frameworks. The loss of biodiversity in ABNJ impacts the ocean’s ability to withstand climate change and offer resources vital for human life. It is hence essential to negotiate a secure mechanism to protect and further ABNJ governance and safeguard the marine environment and species while analyzing the impacts of human activities, creating capacity, transferring technology, and sharing the benefits of marine genetic resources equitably. This chapter will focus on sustainable and equitable use of mineral resources in QUAD region.

With the growing closeness of the India-Japan political and economic relationship over the past decade, Japanese language and cultural education has become important in India as these foster and bolster this growing relationship. However, Japanese remains an uncommon foreign language, and the Japanese language education and learning environment in India for even the basic level of Japanese language learning at universities is not yet equally or well developed. Thus, this somewhat under-representation of Japanese lends itself to limited opportunities for learners to practice and experience the language in India. This chapter focuses on the large-scale Japanese-language education at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), which has laid the foundation for an ongoing Japan-India academic, research, and employment collaboration. The chapter introduces the initial phase of Japanese language educational collaborations for IITH students and reviews 11 Japanese language courses at IITH for more than 1687 students in the past seven years on how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been effectively utilized to increase learners enthusiasm, knowledge, and skills in Japanese. Using an interactive methodology and ICT techniques, interest in and retention of Japanese culture were sustained among the Indian students, thus enhancing learning effectiveness and enabling a greater desire to engage in a multitude of activities within the Japanese context.

Global climate change poses many threats, significantly impacting crop productivity and food security. Digitalization in agriculture is envisioned to address the multi-faceted problems the agricultural sector faces, such as eliminating information asymmetry amongst diverse stakeholders, lowering operational and transaction costs, improving market access, enabling finance access, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The readiness of digital technologies is a critical factor in the agricultural sector transformation. The landscape and categories of technologies used in agriculture significantly vary across countries. This chapter delves into the case of India and Japan, their unique agritech categories, potential, and policies enabling the sprouting of agritech startups that develop them.

To investigate the influence of slippage reduction and correction of lumbosacral kyphosis by L5–S1 single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) on spinal alignment and clinical outcomes including postoperative complications in patients with dysplastic spondylolisthesis (DS). Twenty consecutive patients with symptomatic and severe DS who underwent L5–S1 single-level PLIF with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up after surgery were included. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for low back and leg pain obtained on preoperative and postoperative examinations. Postoperative instrumentation failure and L5 radiculopathy were also evaluated. The preoperative and postoperative spinopelvic parameters were measured. The JOA score significantly improved from 21.5 ± 4.8 (preoperative) to 27.0 ± 2.5 (postoperative), with a mean recovery rate of 75.0% ± 30.4%. The VAS score for low back pain significantly improved from 44.5 ± 30.1 (preoperative) to 11.5 ± 15.9 (postoperative), and that for leg pain significantly improved from 31.0 ± 33.2 (preoperative) to 5.0 ± 10.2 (postoperative). The slip percentage (% slip) significantly improved from 59.6% ± 13.5% (preoperative) to 25.2% ± 15.0% (postoperative). The lumbosacral angle (LSA) significantly improved from 12.3° ± 9.5° (preoperative) to 1.0° ± 4.9° (postoperative). L5–S1 PLIF led to significant improvement of lumbar lordosis (from 52.0° ± 15.9° to 59.7° ± 8.0°) and pelvic incidence − lumbar lordosis mismatch (from 23.9° ± 20.6° to 13.3° ± 10.0°). Correction of lumbosacral kyphosis had a significant positive correlation with postoperative pelvic tilt (PT) (r = 0.50, P = 0.02), while postoperative % slip did not have a significant correlation with postoperative PT. L5–S1 PLIF for DS provided good clinical outcomes. Correction of lumbosacral kyphosis had a positive impact on regaining ideal spinopelvic balance and may be beneficial in the setting of treating DS. Level of evidence IV.

Electrons carry both spin and orbital angular momentum. The search for phenomena that generate a flow of spin angular momentum—a spin current—has led to the development of spintronics. In contrast, the orbital counterpart of spin current—an orbital current—has largely been overlooked, and the generation of an orbital current remains challenging. Here we report the observation of orbital-current generation from magnetization dynamics: orbital pumping. We show that orbital pumping in nickel/titanium bilayers injects an orbital current into the titanium layer, which we detect through the inverse orbital Hall effect. Orbital pumping is the orbital counterpart of spin pumping, a versatile and powerful mechanism for spin-current generation. Our findings could, thus, provide a promising approach for generating orbital currents and could help in the development of the orbital analogue of spintronics: orbitronics.

Tumor structure is heterogeneous and complex, and it is difficult to obtain complete characteristics by two‐dimensional analysis. The aim of this study was to visualize and characterize volumetric vascular information of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumors using whole tissue phenotyping and three‐dimensional light‐sheet microscopy. Here, we used the diagnosing immunolabeled paraffin‐embedded cleared organs pipeline for tissue clearing, immunolabeling, and three‐dimensional imaging. The spatial distributions of CD34, which targets blood vessels, and LYVE‐1, which targets lymphatic vessels, were examined by calculating three‐dimensional density, vessel length, vessel radius, and density curves, such as skewness, kurtosis, and variance of the expression. We then examined those associations with ccRCC outcomes and genetic alteration state. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumor samples from 46 ccRCC patients were included in the study. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed the associations between blood vessel and lymphatic vessel distributions and pathological factors such as a high nuclear grade, large tumor size, and the presence of venous invasion. Furthermore, three‐dimensional imaging parameters stratified ccRCC patients regarding survival outcomes. An analysis of genomic alterations based on volumetric vascular information parameters revealed that PI3K‐mTOR pathway mutations related to the blood vessel radius were significantly different. Collectively, we have shown that the spatial elucidation of volumetric vasculature information could be prognostic and may serve as a new biomarker for genomic alterations. High‐end tissue clearing techniques and volumetric immunohistochemistry enable three‐dimensional analysis of tumors, leading to a better understanding of the microvascular structure in the tumor space.

This study aimed to elucidate the interactive effects of peer status on the relationship between relational aggression and school adjustment. Questionnaires were distributed to 180 middle school students in grades 1 and 2. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and simple slope analyses. A multiple regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between relational aggression and school adjustment. In contrast, a simple slope analysis indicated that when peer status was low, relational aggression was high, and the sense of school adjustment was significantly low; when peer status was high, there was no significant relationship between school adjustment and relational aggression. Moreover, the importance of considering a collective perspective when discussing relational aggression and school adjustment is discussed.

Introduction/Aims T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mapping has been applied to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) for quantitative assessment of the median nerve. However, quantitative changes in the median nerve before and after surgery using T2 MRI mapping remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether pathological changes could be identified by pre‐ and postoperative T2 MRI mapping of the median nerve in CTS patients after open carpal tunnel release. Methods This was a prospective study that measured median nerve T2 and cross‐sectional area (CSA) values at the distal carpal tunnel, hamate bone, proximal carpal tunnel, and forearm levels pre‐ and postoperatively. Associations between T2, CSA, and nerve conduction latency were also evaluated. Results A total of 36 patients with CTS (mean age, 64.5 ± 11.7 years) who underwent surgery were studied. The mean preoperative T2 values significantly decreased from 56.3 to 46.9 ms at the proximal carpal tunnel levels ( p = .001), and from 52.4 to 48.7 ms at the hamate levels postoperatively ( p = .04). Although there was a moderate association between preoperative T2 values at the distal carpal tunnel levels and distal motor latency values ( r = −.46), other T2 values at all four carpal tunnel levels were not significantly associated with CSA or nerve conduction latency pre‐ or postoperatively. Discussion T2 MRI mapping of the carpal tunnel suggested a decrease in nerve edema after surgery. T2 MRI mapping provides quantitative information on the median nerve before and after surgery.

Background Due to recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), language model applications can generate logical text output that is difficult to distinguish from human writing. ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Bard (subsequently rebranded as “Gemini”; Google AI) were developed using distinct approaches, but little has been studied about the difference in their capability to generate the abstract. The use of AI to write scientific abstracts in the field of spine surgery is the center of much debate and controversy. Objective The objective of this study is to assess the reproducibility of the structured abstracts generated by ChatGPT and Bard compared to human-written abstracts in the field of spine surgery. Methods In total, 60 abstracts dealing with spine sections were randomly selected from 7 reputable journals and used as ChatGPT and Bard input statements to generate abstracts based on supplied paper titles. A total of 174 abstracts, divided into human-written abstracts, ChatGPT-generated abstracts, and Bard-generated abstracts, were evaluated for compliance with the structured format of journal guidelines and consistency of content. The likelihood of plagiarism and AI output was assessed using the iThenticate and ZeroGPT programs, respectively. A total of 8 reviewers in the spinal field evaluated 30 randomly extracted abstracts to determine whether they were produced by AI or human authors. Results The proportion of abstracts that met journal formatting guidelines was greater among ChatGPT abstracts (34/60, 56.6%) compared with those generated by Bard (6/54, 11.1%; P<.001). However, a higher proportion of Bard abstracts (49/54, 90.7%) had word counts that met journal guidelines compared with ChatGPT abstracts (30/60, 50%; P<.001). The similarity index was significantly lower among ChatGPT-generated abstracts (20.7%) compared with Bard-generated abstracts (32.1%; P<.001). The AI-detection program predicted that 21.7% (13/60) of the human group, 63.3% (38/60) of the ChatGPT group, and 87% (47/54) of the Bard group were possibly generated by AI, with an area under the curve value of 0.863 (P<.001). The mean detection rate by human reviewers was 53.8% (SD 11.2%), achieving a sensitivity of 56.3% and a specificity of 48.4%. A total of 56.3% (63/112) of the actual human-written abstracts and 55.9% (62/128) of AI-generated abstracts were recognized as human-written and AI-generated by human reviewers, respectively. Conclusions Both ChatGPT and Bard can be used to help write abstracts, but most AI-generated abstracts are currently considered unethical due to high plagiarism and AI-detection rates. ChatGPT-generated abstracts appear to be superior to Bard-generated abstracts in meeting journal formatting guidelines. Because humans are unable to accurately distinguish abstracts written by humans from those produced by AI programs, it is crucial to exercise special caution and examine the ethical boundaries of using AI programs, including ChatGPT and Bard.