In this paper, a crack detection method of plastic POM (Polyoxymethylene) gears using a deep convolutional neural network is proposed. The vibration signal is collected from an automatic data acquisition system for a gear operation test rig, with an accelerometer installed on the housing of bearings. The FFT (Fast-Fourier Transform) spectrums of the measured vibration signal are visualised as grayscale images for training input. Additionally, a high-speed camera observes cracks occurring at the root of the teeth which enable to label the visualised images for training data. A popular convolutional neural network, called VGG16 ConvNet, is employed for the classification of the crack or non-crack situation of gears. This VGG16 is pre-learned from image data of ImageNet and relearned from the created images of vibration data with the transfer learning technique. The weights of the last two layer are re-trained in the transfer learning process. The accuracy rate for learning from training data approached 99% by transfer learning. Additionally, the accuracy rate can reach 100% on classification tasks from testing data. Finally, four endurance tests of plastic gear were carried out. The proposed crack detection was carried out at the rate of 10 times per minute, and the errors of detection results are investigated by training data assessment. The experimental results show that the proposed method is sufficient to specify the crack or non-crack situation of gear during the operation test.

This study is to clarify technique of expert in Kyo Karakami manufacturing by using process analysis and the eye motion analysis. Kyo Karakami manufacturing consists of “Some” process and “Kata-oshi” process. “Some” process and “Kata-oshi” process divided by 4 and 5 phases, respectively. From interview to expert, “Some” process divided by 3 steps. In “Some” process, expert worked almost same time at each steps. In “Kata-oshi” process, expert gave time “phase a” which provide total working time shortening.

This study was conducted to assess the safety and feasibility of intrathecal transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells for the treatment of patients with spinal cord injury. Ten patients were included in the study. Approximately 120 ml of bone marrow aspirate was obtained from bilateral iliac bone of patients with spinal cord injury. Isolation of mononuclear cells was performed using Ficoll density-gradient centrifugation. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were transplanted into cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture. Functional tests were performed prior to the cell transplantation and six months after cell transplantation. The patients were carefully observed for up to six months. In 5 patients with AIS A prior to cell transplantation, 1 patient converted to AIS B six months after cell transplantation. In 5 patients with AIS B, 1 patient converted to AIS D and 2 patients to AIS C. MRI did not show any complication. Two patients showed slight anemia after aspiration of bone-marrow cells, which returned to normal level within a several weeks. The results of this study suggest that this method may be safe and feasible.

PurposeThe breast is composed of two main types of soft tissues: glandular tissue and adipose tissue. Wearing a brassiere makes them deform easily. In order to design comfortable brassieres by which the body shape is adjusted, it is important to clarify the relationship between the breast deformation and the internal structure of the breast. The purpose of this paper is to assess a method to determine the structure inside the breast. Breast shape comparison was performed to assess the relationship between the external deformation caused by wearing a brassiere and the internal structure of the breast.Design/methodology/approachThe subjects were five adult females. The breast MRI imaging in the sitting position was carried out using the vertical MRI systems under bare breasts condition and under wearing a brassiere condition. By creating 3D images from the MRI images obtained, the internal structure of the breast was determined. The 3D images under the wearing brassiere conditions were superimposed on the images under the bare breasts condition, and the breast shape comparison was performed to assess the relationship between the external deformation caused by wearing a brassiere and the internal structure of the breast.FindingsThe internal 3D structure of the breast, which had been unmeasurable in the sitting position, could be obtained using the vertical MRI system. Additionally the effect of wearing a brassiere on the breast was assessed in terms of the relation between the external deformation and the internal structure of the breast.Originality/valueThis paper's results can be utilized for human body model in simulation, and to provide fruitful data for the design of comfortable brassieres.