start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1108 end-page=1116 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spray-drying of polymer solutions across a broad concentration range and the subsequent formation of a few micro- ?nano-meter sized fibers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Spray drying is a widely utilized technique for the concentration and fine particulation of dried products. This study demonstrated that a versatile spray dryer, equipped with a two-fluid nozzle atomizer, can convert polymer solutions into nanoscale fibers by manipulating the conditions of the polymer solutions. The polymers employed in this research included polyvinylpyrrolidones (Mw 24.5 k to 60?kDa), dextrans (70 k to 450?650?kDa), pullulan, gum Arabic, Eudragit and agar, with methanol and water serving as solvents. Various combinations of polymers and solvents were subjected to spray drying at polymer concentrations ranging from 5 to 1000?g/L. Scanning electron microscopy analyses of the spray-dried samples indicated that the products transitioned from micrometer-sized particles to sub-micrometer fibers in several instances when the polymer concentrations exceeded specific threshold levels. The investigation also explored the relationship between these threshold concentrations and the surface tension and viscosity of the polymer solutions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AragaChika en-aut-sei=Araga en-aut-mei=Chika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKaito en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHaruna en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaNao en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Nao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaTakato en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Takato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakasoKoichi en-aut-sei=Nakaso en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraKoreyoshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Koreyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Sub-micron fiber kn-keyword=Sub-micron fiber en-keyword=spray-drying kn-keyword=spray-drying en-keyword=two fluid nozzle atomizer kn-keyword=two fluid nozzle atomizer en-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone kn-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone en-keyword=polysaccharide kn-keyword=polysaccharide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=71 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=19 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250419 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Quantitative assessment of adhesive effects on partial and full compressive strength of LVL in the edge-wise direction en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Laminated wood-based materials have been widely developed, and the laminating process and adhesive itself have been reported to enhance performance beyond the sum of the individual layers' performance. This phenomenon is particularly notable under loads applied in the "edge-wise direction", where each layer bears stress collectively. These combined effects are referred to as the "adhesive effect". Strength under partial compressive loads is critical in timber engineering, as partial compressive stress generates complex stress distributions influenced by boundary conditions. The adhesive effect may also be impacted by these conditions. The aim of this study was to quantitatively and directly evaluate the adhesive effect under partial and full compressive loads using various parameters. The strength of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) with adhesive was compared to that of simply layered veneers without adhesive to assess the adhesive effect. Three mechanisms contributing to the adhesive effect were proposed: Mechanism I, caused by the deformation of the adhesive layer independently from the veneers; Mechanism II, resulting from the adhesive impregnating the veneers; and Mechanism III, arising from the reinforcement provided by adjacent veneers. The results suggested the following: (i) Mechanism I had minimal impact, as the fiber direction and the presence of additional length showed strong and slight effects on the adhesive effect, respectively; (ii) Mechanism II contributed to preventing crack propagation and altering the relationships among mechanical properties, with its effectiveness increasing as the adhesive weight increased; and (iii) Mechanism III functioned as a crossband effect, reinforcing weaknesses caused by the slope of the grain and the angle of the annual rings. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SudoRyutaro en-aut-sei=Sudo en-aut-mei=Ryutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoKohta en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Kohta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IdoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Ido en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute kn-affil= en-keyword=Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) kn-keyword=Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) en-keyword=Partial compressive load kn-keyword=Partial compressive load en-keyword=Bearing strength kn-keyword=Bearing strength en-keyword=Embedment strength kn-keyword=Embedment strength en-keyword=Partial compression perpendicular to grain (PCPG) kn-keyword=Partial compression perpendicular to grain (PCPG) en-keyword=Adhesive layer kn-keyword=Adhesive layer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=109 end-page=116 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relationship between Personality Traits and Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Women who Became Pregnant via Infertility Treatment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The status of postpartum depression was elucidated herein with the use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in women in Shikoku, Japan who became pregnant and gave birth after undergoing infertility treatment, including assisted reproductive technology (ART). The assessment was performed during their children’s 4-month health examination. The relationships between postpartum depression and the mothers’ background factors and scores on the Big Five personality traits scale were also examined. Of the Big Five personality traits, the scores for neuroticism were significantly higher in the ART group (n=71) than in the general infertility treatment (n=118) and natural pregnancy (n=872) groups. No significant differences in EPDS scores were seen among these three groups. A logistic regression analysis showed that neuroticism was associated with an EPDS score ≧9 points, (which is suggestive of postpartum depression, ) in all groups. Moreover, although a long-standing marriage had an inhibitory effect on postpartum depression in the natural pregnancy group, no such trend was seen in the ART group, which included many women with long-standing marriages. Particularly for women who become pregnant by ART, an individualized response that pays close attention to the woman’s personality traits is needed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AwaiKyoko en-aut-sei=Awai en-aut-mei=Kyoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakatsukaMikiya en-aut-sei=Nakatsuka en-aut-mei=Mikiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=infertility treatment kn-keyword=infertility treatment en-keyword=assisted reproductive technology kn-keyword=assisted reproductive technology en-keyword=postpartum kn-keyword=postpartum en-keyword=postpartum depression kn-keyword=postpartum depression en-keyword=personality trait kn-keyword=personality trait END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=93 end-page=100 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Lower Work Engagement Is Associated with Insomnia, Psychological Distress, and Neck Pain among Junior and Senior High School Teachers in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=School teachers are subject to both physical and mental health problems. We examined cross-sectional relationships between work engagement and major health outcomes among junior and senior high school teachers in Japan via a nationwide survey in 2019-2020. A total of 3,160 respondents were included in the analyses (19.9% response rate). Work engagement was assessed with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 (UWES-9), and we thus divided the teachers into quartiles according to their UWES-9 scores. Based on validated questionnaires, we assessed insomnia, psychological distress, and neck pain as health outcomes. A binomial logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, school type, teacher’s roles, involvement in club activities, division of duties, employment status, and whether they lived with family demonstrated that the teachers with lower UWES-9 scores had higher burdens of insomnia, psychological distress, and neck pain (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] in 4th vs. 1st quartile, 2.92 (2.34-3.65), 3.70 (2.81-4.88), and 2.12 (1.68-2.68), respectively; all trend p<0.001). There were no significant differences in these associations between full-time and part-time teachers. Our findings indicate that low work engagement may contribute to physical and mental health issues among junior and senior high school teachers, thus providing insights for preventing health problems in this profession. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsuchieRina en-aut-sei=Tsuchie en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudaMari en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsumuraHideki en-aut-sei=Tsumura en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinutaMinako en-aut-sei=Kinuta en-aut-mei=Minako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=work engagement kn-keyword=work engagement en-keyword=school teachers kn-keyword=school teachers en-keyword=insomnia kn-keyword=insomnia en-keyword=psychological distress kn-keyword=psychological distress en-keyword=neck pain kn-keyword=neck pain END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=75 end-page=80 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Potential for Radiation Dose Reduction in Temporal Bone CT Imaging Using Photon-Counting Detector CT en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) is frequently performed for pediatric patients with ear diseases. Advances in CT technology have improved diagnostic imaging quality, but reduction of radiation exposure remains a goal. We evaluated the potential for radiation dose reduction in temporal bone CT examinations using porcine ear ossicles and a photon-counting detector CT system. Three scans of the bilateral temporal bone were performed on each of three pig cadaver heads. In each of seven successive imaging sessions, the radiation dose was reduced by an additional one-seventh of the recommended dose (RD). Two board-certified radiologists independently scored the resulting images on a scale of 1 to 5 points, where 5 represented the image quality at the RD. Images scoring ?4.5 points were considered acceptable. Noise was assessed in a 2-cm-diameter region near the ear ossicles, and standard deviation was measured for each of the seven decrements from the RD. As the radiation dose decreased, the noise progressively increased, and visual assessment scores progressively decreased. Acceptable image scores were obtained at six-sevenths (4.9), five-sevenths (4.8), four-sevenths (4.7), and three-sevenths (4.6) of the RD. Thus, acceptable porcine temporal bone CT images were obtained with a radiation dose reduction of approximately 50%. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HigakiFumiyo en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Fumiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimitsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Morimitsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IguchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Iguchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HwangSung Il en-aut-sei=Hwang en-aut-mei=Sung Il kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitayamaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kitayama en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYuka en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UkaMayu en-aut-sei=Uka en-aut-mei=Mayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugayaAkiko en-aut-sei=Sugaya en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=photon-counting detector computed tomography kn-keyword=photon-counting detector computed tomography en-keyword=ear ossicle kn-keyword=ear ossicle en-keyword=energy-integrating detector computed tomography kn-keyword=energy-integrating detector computed tomography END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=2221 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Length Estimation of Pneumatic Artificial Muscle with Optical Fiber Sensor Using Machine Learning en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A McKibben artificial muscle is a soft actuator driven by air pressure, characterized by its flexibility, lightweight design, and high power-to-weight ratio. We have developed a smart artificial muscle that is capable of sensing its motion. To enable this sensing function, an optical fiber was integrated into the sleeve consisting of multiple fibers and serving as a component of the McKibben artificial muscle. By measuring the macrobending loss of the optical fiber, the length of the smart artificial muscle is expected to be estimated. However, experimental results indicated that the sensor's characteristics depend not only on the length but also on the load and the applied air pressure. This dependency arises because the stress applied to the optical fiber increases, causing microbending loss. In this study, we employed a machine learning model, primarily composed of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, to estimate the length of the smart artificial muscle. The experimental results demonstrate that the length estimation obtained through machine learning exhibits a smaller error. This suggests that machine learning is a feasible approach to enhancing the length measurement accuracy of the smart artificial muscle. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NiYilei en-aut-sei=Ni en-aut-mei=Yilei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakimotoShuichi en-aut-sei=Wakimoto en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TianWeihang en-aut-sei=Tian en-aut-mei=Weihang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=McKibben artificial muscle kn-keyword=McKibben artificial muscle en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=optical fiber kn-keyword=optical fiber en-keyword=motion estimation kn-keyword=motion estimation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=135 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241217 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Elliptic virtual structure constants and generalizations of BCOV-Zinger formula to projective Fano hypersurfaces en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this paper, we propose a method for computing genus 1 Gromov-Witten invariants of Calabi-Yau and Fano projective hypersurfaces using the B-model. Our formalism is applicable to both Calabi-Yau and Fano cases. In the Calabi-Yau case, significant cancellation of terms within our formalism occurs, resulting in an alternative representation of the BCOV-Zinger formula for projective Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=JinzenjiMasao en-aut-sei=Jinzenji en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwataKen en-aut-sei=Kuwata en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Mathematics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of General Education, National Institute of Technology, Kagawa College kn-affil= en-keyword=Nonperturbative Effects kn-keyword=Nonperturbative Effects en-keyword=String Duality kn-keyword=String Duality en-keyword=Topological Field Theories kn-keyword=Topological Field Theories en-keyword=Topological Strings kn-keyword=Topological Strings END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=35 end-page=37 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=The 16th International Symposium for Future Technology Creating Better Human Health and Society kn-title=第16回 高度医療都市を創出する未来技術国際シンポジウム en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YANGJiajia en-aut-sei=YANG en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name=楊家家 kn-aut-sei=楊 kn-aut-mei=家家 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil=岡??学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学学域 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=9 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Corporate decision-making process for exploration time kn-title=知の探索時間についての企業の意思決定プロセス en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In order for companies to innovate through business co-creation, it is necessary to explore a wide range of external knowledge and technologies. However, there is no clear answer as to how much time should be spent for exploration. Under these circumstances, companies must take into account constraints such as the amount of management resources that can be invested, and make decisions about the time to spend for exploration. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the process of how companies that have introduced corporate accelerator program recognize the relationship between the program period and the results of business co-creation, and how they make decisions about the program period. We conducted a case study of several companies that have introduced corporate accelerator program in Japan. In addition, this paper established a hypothesis about decision-making about the time for exploration from case studies. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SHIMIZUTakeshi en-aut-sei=SHIMIZU en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name=志水武史 kn-aut-sei=志水 kn-aut-mei=武史 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Okayama University kn-affil=国立大学法人岡山大学学術研究院ヘルスシステム統合科学研究学域 en-keyword=corporate accelerator program kn-keyword=corporate accelerator program en-keyword=co-creation kn-keyword=co-creation en-keyword=exploration kn-keyword=exploration en-keyword=Time Compression Diseconomies kn-keyword=Time Compression Diseconomies END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=67 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=75 end-page=99 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The best constant of the Sobolev inequality corresponding to a bending problem of a string with a rectangular spring constant en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Sobolev inequality shows that the supremum of a function defined on a whole line is estimated from the above by constant multiples of the potential energy. Among such constants, the smallest constant is the best constant. If we replace a constant by the best constant in the Sobolev inequality, then the equality holds for the best function. The aim of this paper is to find the best constant and the best function. In the background, there is a bending problem of a string with a rectangular spring constant. The Green function is an important function because the best constant and the best function consist of the Green function. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamagishiHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Yamagishi en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KametakaYoshinori en-aut-sei=Kametaka en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University kn-affil= en-keyword=Sobolev inequality kn-keyword=Sobolev inequality en-keyword=Green function kn-keyword=Green function en-keyword=reproducing kernel kn-keyword=reproducing kernel END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=67 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=28 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Inseparable Gauss maps and dormant opers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The present paper aims to generalize a result by H. Kaji on Gauss maps in positive characteristic and establish an interaction with the study of dormant opers and Frobenius-projective structures. We prove a correspondence between dormant opers on a smooth projective variety and closed immersions into a projective space with purely inseparable Gauss map. By using this, we determine the subfields of the function field of a smooth curve in positive characteristic induced by Gauss maps. Moreover, this correspondence gives us a Frobenius-projective structure on a Fermat hypersurface. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WakabayashiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Wakabayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University kn-affil= en-keyword=Gauss map kn-keyword=Gauss map en-keyword=Frobenius-projective structure kn-keyword=Frobenius-projective structure en-keyword=dormant kn-keyword=dormant en-keyword=indigenous bundle kn-keyword=indigenous bundle en-keyword=oper kn-keyword=oper END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=50 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=100 end-page=107 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Investigating the Effects of Reconstruction Conditions on Image Quality and Radiomic Analysis in Photon-counting Computed Tomography en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction:Photon-counting computed tomography (CT) is equipped with an adaptive iterative reconstruction method called quantum iterative reconstruction (QIR), which allows the intensity to be changed during image reconstruction. It is known that the reconstruction conditions of CT images affect the analysis results when performing radiomic analysis. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of QIR intensity on image quality and radiomic analysis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Materials and Methods:The QIR intensities were selected as off, 2 and 4. The image quality evaluation items considered were task-based transfer function (TTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and low-contrast object specific contrast-to-noise ratio (CNRLO). The influence on radiomic analysis was assessed using the discrimination accuracy of clear cell RCC.
Results:For image quality evaluation, TTF and NPS values were lower and CNRLO values were higher with increasing QIR intensity; for radiomic analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were higher with increasing QIR intensity. Principal component analysis and receiver operating characteristics analysis also showed higher values with increasing QIR intensity.
Conclusion:It was confirmed that the intensity of the QIR intensity affects both the image quality and the radiomic analysis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhataMiyu en-aut-sei=Ohata en-aut-mei=Miyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiRyohei en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimitsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Morimitsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiDaichi en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamauchiTakatsugu en-aut-sei=Yamauchi en-aut-mei=Takatsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiNoriaki en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaMitsugi en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Mitsugi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiAiko en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Aiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKoshi en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Koshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KidaKatsuhiro en-aut-sei=Kida en-aut-mei=Katsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoSachiko en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Hiroshima University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Image quality kn-keyword=Image quality en-keyword=photon-counting computed tomography kn-keyword=photon-counting computed tomography en-keyword=quantum iterative reconstruction kn-keyword=quantum iterative reconstruction en-keyword=radiomics kn-keyword=radiomics en-keyword=renal cell carcinoma kn-keyword=renal cell carcinoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=143 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250304 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Hair Drawing Evaluation Algorithm for Exactness Assessment Method in Portrait Drawing Learning Assistant System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, portrait drawing has become increasingly popular as a means of developing artistic skills and nurturing emotional expression. However, it is challenging for novices to start learning it, as they usually lack a solid grasp of proportions and structural foundations of the five senses. To address this problem, we have studied Portrait Drawing Learning Assistant System (PDLAS) for guiding novices by providing auxiliary lines of facial features, generated by utilizing OpenPose and OpenCV libraries. For PDLAS, we have also presented the exactness assessment method to evaluate drawing accuracy using the Normalized Cross-Correlation (NCC) algorithm. It calculates the similarity score between the drawing result and the initial portrait photo. Unfortunately, the current method does not assess the hair drawing, although it occupies a large part of a portrait and often determines its quality. In this paper, we present a hair drawing evaluation algorithm for the exactness assessment method to offer comprehensive feedback to users in PDLAS. To emphasize hair lines, this algorithm extracts the texture of the hair region by computing the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the hair image. For evaluations, we applied the proposal to drawing results by seven students from Okayama University, Japan and confirmed the validity. In addition, we observed the NCC score improvement in PDLAS by modifying the face parts with low similarity scores from the exactness assessment method. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangYue en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Yue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FebriantiErita Cicilia en-aut-sei=Febrianti en-aut-mei=Erita Cicilia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SudarsonoAmang en-aut-sei=Sudarsono en-aut-mei=Amang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HsuChenchien en-aut-sei=Hsu en-aut-mei=Chenchien kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University kn-affil= en-keyword=portrait drawing kn-keyword=portrait drawing en-keyword=auxiliary lines kn-keyword=auxiliary lines en-keyword=OpenPose kn-keyword=OpenPose en-keyword=OpenCV kn-keyword=OpenCV en-keyword=normalized cross-correlation (NCC) kn-keyword=normalized cross-correlation (NCC) en-keyword=hair texture kn-keyword=hair texture en-keyword=exactness assessment method kn-keyword=exactness assessment method END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=96 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=033907 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of density measurement at high pressure and high temperature using the x-ray absorption method combined with laser-heated diamond anvil cell en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The densities of liquid materials at high pressures and high temperatures are important information to understand the elastic behavior of liquids at extreme conditions, which is closely related to the formation and evolution processes of the Earth and planetary interiors. The x-ray absorption method is an effective method to measure the density of non-crystalline materials at high pressures. However, the temperature condition of the x-ray absorption method using a diamond anvil cell (DAC) has been limited to 720 K to date. To significantly expand the measurable temperature condition of this method, in this study, we developed a density measurement technique using the x-ray absorption method in combination with a laser-heated DAC. The density of solid Ni was measured up to 26 GPa and 1800 K using the x-ray absorption method and evaluated by comparison with the density obtained from the x-ray diffraction. The density of solid Ni with a thickness >17 μm was determined with an accuracy of 0.01%?2.2% (0.001?0.20 g/cm3) and a precision of 0.8%?1.8% (0.07?0.16 g/cm3) in the x-ray absorption method. The density of liquid Ni was also determined to be 8.70 ± 0.15?8.98 ± 0.38 g/cm3 at 16?23 GPa and 2230?2480 K. Consequently, the temperature limit of the x-ray absorption method can be expanded from 720 to 2480 K by combining it with a laser-heated DAC in this study. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TerasakiHidenori en-aut-sei=Terasaki en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaminaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Kamina en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaguchiSaori I. en-aut-sei=Kawaguchi en-aut-mei=Saori I. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoTadashi en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriokaKo en-aut-sei=Morioka en-aut-mei=Ko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsuruokaRyo en-aut-sei=Tsuruoka en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiMoe en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Moe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonedaAkira en-aut-sei=Yoneda en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamadaSeiji en-aut-sei=Kamada en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraoNaohisa en-aut-sei=Hirao en-aut-mei=Naohisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=AD Science Incorporation kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=2485 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Vesicular Glutamate Transporter 3 Is Involved in Glutamatergic Signalling in Podocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Glomerular podocytes act as a part of the filtration barrier in the kidney. The activity of this filter is regulated by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Adjacent podocytes can potentially release glutamate into the intercellular space; however, little is known about how podocytes release glutamate. Here, we demonstrated vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3)-dependent glutamate release from podocytes. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that rat glomerular podocytes and an immortal mouse podocyte cell line (MPC) express VGLUT1 and VGLUT3. Consistent with this finding, quantitative RT-PCR revealed the expression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT3 mRNA in undifferentiated and differentiated MPCs. In addition, the exocytotic proteins vesicle-associated membrane protein 2, synapsin 1, and synaptophysin 1 were present in punctate patterns and colocalized with VGLUT3 in MPCs. Interestingly, approximately 30% of VGLUT3 colocalized with VGLUT1. By immunoelectron microscopy, VGLUT3 was often observed around clear vesicle-like structures in differentiated MPCs. Differentiated MPCs released glutamate following depolarization with high potassium levels and after stimulation with the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine. The depletion of VGLUT3 in MPCs by RNA interference reduced depolarization-dependent glutamate release. These results strongly suggest that VGLUT3 is involved in glutamatergic signalling in podocytes and may be a new drug target for various kidney diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NishiiNaoko en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiTomoko en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuokaHiroki en-aut-sei=Yasuoka en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeTadashi en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TatsumiNanami en-aut-sei=Tatsumi en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaYuika en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Yuika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyajiTakaaki en-aut-sei=Miyaji en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiShunai en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Shunai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukanoMoemi en-aut-sei=Tsukano en-aut-mei=Moemi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMasami en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Masami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeiKohji en-aut-sei=Takei en-aut-mei=Kohji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cell Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Genomics and Proteomics, Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Genomics and Proteomics, Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Central Research Laboratory, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=VGLUT3 kn-keyword=VGLUT3 en-keyword=glutamate kn-keyword=glutamate en-keyword=podocyte kn-keyword=podocyte en-keyword=glutamatergic transmission kn-keyword=glutamatergic transmission END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=301 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=108334 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Roles of basic amino acid residues in substrate binding and transport of the light-driven anion pump Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Microbial rhodopsins are photoreceptive seventransmembrane a-helical proteins, many of which function as ion transporters, primarily for small monovalent ions such as Na+, K+, Cl-, Br-, and I-. Synechocystis halorhodopsin (SyHR), identified from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 7509, uniquely transports the polyatomic divalent SO42- inward, in addition to monovalent anions (Cl- and Br-). In this study, we conducted alanine-scanning mutagenesis on twelve basic amino acid residues to investigate the anion transport mechanism of SyHR. We quantitatively evaluated the Cl-and SO42- transport activities of the WT SyHR and its mutants. The results showed a strong correlation between the Cl-and SO42- transport activities among them (R = 0.94), suggesting a shared pathway for both anions. Notably, the R71A mutation selectively abolished SO42- transport activity while maintaining Cl- transport, whereas the H167A mutation significantly impaired both Cl-and SO42- transport. Furthermore, spectroscopic analysis revealed that the R71A mutant lost its ability to bind SO42- due to the absence of a positive charge, while the H167A mutant failed to accumulate the O intermediate during the photoreaction cycle (photocycle) due to reduced hydrophilicity. Additionally, computational analysis revealed the SO42- binding modes and clarified the roles of residues involved in its binding around the retinal chromophore. Based on these findings and previous structural information, we propose that the positive charge and hydrophilicity of Arg71 and His167 are crucial for the formation of the characteristic initial and transient anion-binding site of SyHR, enabling its unique ability to bind and transport both Cl-and SO42-. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamaMasaki en-aut-sei=Nakama en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NojiTomoyasu en-aut-sei=Noji en-aut-mei=Tomoyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaKeiichi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshizawaSusumu en-aut-sei=Yoshizawa en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikitaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ishikita en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SudoYuki en-aut-sei=Sudo en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=microbial rhodopsin kn-keyword=microbial rhodopsin en-keyword=anion transport kn-keyword=anion transport en-keyword=retinal kn-keyword=retinal en-keyword=membrane protein kn-keyword=membrane protein en-keyword=photobiology kn-keyword=photobiology END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=124 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Facial Privacy Protection with Dynamic Multi-User Access Control for Online Photo Platforms en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the digital age, sharing moments through photos has become a daily habit. However, every face captured in these photos is vulnerable to unauthorized identification and potential misuse through AI-powered synthetic content generation. Previously, we introduced SnapSafe, a secure system for enabling selective image privacy focusing on facial regions for single-party scenarios. Recognizing that group photos with multiple subjects are a more common scenario, we extend SnapSafe to support multi-user facial privacy protection with dynamic access control designed for online photo platforms. Our approach introduces key splitting for access control, an owner-centric permission system for granting and revoking access to facial regions, and a request-based mechanism allowing subjects to initiate access permissions. These features ensure that facial regions remain protected while maintaining the visibility of non-facial content for general viewing. To ensure reproducibility and isolation, we implemented our solution using Docker containers. Our experimental assessment covered diverse scenarios, categorized as "Single", "Small", "Medium", and "Large", based on the number of faces in the photos. The results demonstrate the system's effectiveness across all test scenarios, consistently performing face encryption operations in under 350 ms and achieving average face decryption times below 286 ms across various group sizes. The key-splitting operations maintained a 100% success rate across all group configurations, while revocation operations were executed efficiently with server processing times remaining under 16 ms. These results validate the system's capability in managing facial privacy while maintaining practical usability in online photo sharing contexts. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SantosoAndri en-aut-sei=Santoso en-aut-mei=Andri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HudaSamsul en-aut-sei=Huda en-aut-mei=Samsul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoderaYuta en-aut-sei=Kodera en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NogamiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Nogami en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Green Innovation Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=facial privacy protection kn-keyword=facial privacy protection en-keyword=selective facial encryption kn-keyword=selective facial encryption en-keyword=multi-user access control kn-keyword=multi-user access control en-keyword=deep-learning applications kn-keyword=deep-learning applications en-keyword=online photo platform kn-keyword=online photo platform END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=670 end-page=679 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250324 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Photochemically assisted synthesis of phenacenes fluorinated at the terminal benzene rings and their electronic spectra en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=[n]Phenacenes ([n] = 5-7), octafluorinated at the terminal benzene rings (F8-phenacenes: F8PIC, F8FUL, and F87PHEN), were photochemically synthesized, and their electronic spectra were investigated to reveal the effects of the fluorination on the electronic features of phenacene molecules. F8-Phenacenes were conveniently synthesized by the Mallory photoreaction of the corresponding fluorinated diarylethenes as the key step. Upon fluorination on the phenacene cores, the absorption and fluorescence bands of the F8-phenacenes in CHCl3 systematically red-shifted by ca. 3-5 nm compared to those of the corresponding parent phenacenes. The vibrational progressions of the absorption and fluorescence bands were little affected by the fluorination in the solution phase. In the solid state, the absorption band of F8-phenacenes appeared in the similar wavelength region for the corresponding parent phenacenes whereas their fluorescence bands markedly red-shifted and broadened. These observations suggest that the intermolecular interactions of excited-state F8-phenacene molecules are significantly different from those of the corresponding parent molecules, most likely due to different crystalline packing motifs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshiiYuuki en-aut-sei=Ishii en-aut-mei=Yuuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamajiMinoru en-aut-sei=Yamaji en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniFumito en-aut-sei=Tani en-aut-mei=Fumito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoKenta en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubozonoYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Kubozono en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoHideki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Molecular Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Gunma University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fluorescence kn-keyword=fluorescence en-keyword=fluorinated aromatics kn-keyword=fluorinated aromatics en-keyword=phenacene kn-keyword=phenacene en-keyword=photoreaction kn-keyword=photoreaction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=668 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250310 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Robustness of Machine Learning Predictions for Determining Whether Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold Is Required in Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) is a commonly used technique to reduce the mean heart dose (MHD), which is critical for minimizing late cardiac side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). Although previous studies have explored the potential of machine learning (ML) to predict which patients might benefit from DIBH, none have rigorously assessed ML model performance across various MHD thresholds and parameter settings. This study aims to evaluate the robustness of ML models in predicting the need for DIBH across different clinical scenarios. Methods: Using data from 207 breast cancer patients treated with RT, we developed and tested ML models at three MHD cut-off values (240, 270, and 300 cGy), considering variations in the number of independent variables (three vs. six) and folds in the cross-validation (three, four, and five). Robustness was defined as achieving high F2 scores and low instability in predictive performance. Results: Our findings indicate that the decision tree (DT) model demonstrated consistently high robustness at 240 and 270 cGy, while the random forest model performed optimally at 300 cGy. At 240 cGy, a threshold critical to minimize late cardiac risks, the DT model exhibited stable predictive power, reducing the risk of overestimating DIBH necessity. Conclusions: These results suggest that the DT model, particularly at lower MHD thresholds, may be the most reliable for clinical applications. By providing a tool for targeted DIBH implementation, this model has the potential to enhance patient-specific treatment planning and improve clinical outcomes in RT. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al JamalJamal, Ghaida en-aut-sei=Al Jamal en-aut-mei=Jamal, Ghaida kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujikuraMamiko en-aut-sei=Fujikura en-aut-mei=Mamiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamizakiRyo en-aut-sei=Kamizaki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaSuzuka en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Suzuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshihide en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeYoshinori en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=breast cancer kn-keyword=breast cancer en-keyword=radiation therapy kn-keyword=radiation therapy en-keyword=heart dose kn-keyword=heart dose en-keyword=cut-off value kn-keyword=cut-off value en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=robustness kn-keyword=robustness en-keyword=instability kn-keyword=instability en-keyword=F2 score kn-keyword=F2 score en-keyword=deep inspiration breath-hold technique kn-keyword=deep inspiration breath-hold technique en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=790 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250320 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Improving Diagnostic Performance for Head and Neck Tumors with Simple Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging and Machine Learning Bi-Parameter Analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Mean kurtosis (MK) values in simple diffusion kurtosis imaging (SDI)-a type of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI)-have been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of head and neck malignancies, for which pre-processing with smoothing filters has been reported to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Multi-parameter analysis using DKI in combination with other image types has recently been reported to improve the diagnostic performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of machine learning (ML)-based multi-parameter analysis using the MK and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values-which can be acquired simultaneously through SDI-for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant head and neck tumors, which is important for determining the treatment strategy, as well as examining the usefulness of filter pre-processing. Methods: A total of 32 pathologically diagnosed head and neck tumors were included in the study, and a Gaussian filter was used for image pre-processing. MK and ADC values were extracted from pixels within the tumor area and used as explanatory variables. Five ML algorithms were used to create models for the prediction of tumor status (benign or malignant), which were evaluated through ROC analysis. Results: Bi-parameter analysis with gradient boosting achieved the best diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.81. Conclusions: The usefulness of bi-parameter analysis with ML methods for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant head and neck tumors using SDI data were demonstrated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshidaSuzuka en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Suzuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshihide en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukumuraYuka en-aut-sei=Fukumura en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamitsuYuki en-aut-sei=Nakamitsu en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuYudai en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeYoshinori en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamaruddinNurul N. en-aut-sei=Kamaruddin en-aut-mei=Nurul N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisatomiMiki en-aut-sei=Hisatomi en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagiYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Yanagi en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=head and neck tumors kn-keyword=head and neck tumors en-keyword=mean kurtosis kn-keyword=mean kurtosis en-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging kn-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging en-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient value kn-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient value en-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=bi-parameter analysis kn-keyword=bi-parameter analysis en-keyword=gradient boosting kn-keyword=gradient boosting en-keyword=differential diagnosis of benign and malignant kn-keyword=differential diagnosis of benign and malignant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=8366 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250311 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Local-structure insight into the improved superconducting properties of Pb-substituted La(O, F)BiS2: a photoelectron holography study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pb-substituted La(O, F)BiS2 (Pb-LaOFBiS2) exhibits improved superconducting properties and a resistivity anomaly around 100 K that is attributed to a structural transition. We have performed temperature(T)-dependent photoelectron holography (PEH) to study dopant incorporation sites and the local structure change across the anomaly. The PEH study of Pb-LaOFBiS2 provided evidence for the dominant incorporation sites of Pb and F: Pb atoms are incorporated into the Bi sites and F atoms are incorporated into the O site. No remarkable difference in the local structures around Pb and Bi atoms was observed. Across the temperature of the resistivity anomaly (T*), photoelectron holograms of Bi 4f changed. Comparisons of holograms with those of non-substituted LaOFBiS2 sample, as well as simulated holograms, suggested that (1), above T*, the tetragonal structure of Pb-LaOFBiS2 is different from the tetragonal structure of LaOFBiS2 and (2), below T*, the tetragonal structure still remains in Pb-LaOFBiS2. We discuss a possible origin of the difference in the structure above T* and the implication of the result below T*, which are necessary ingredients to understand the physical properties of Pb-LaOFBiS2. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiYajun en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Yajun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoYusuke en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunZexu en-aut-sei=Sun en-aut-mei=Zexu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawamuraSota en-aut-sei=Kawamura en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomitaHiroto en-aut-sei=Tomita en-aut-mei=Hiroto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SetoguchiTaro en-aut-sei=Setoguchi en-aut-mei=Taro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaShunjo en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Shunjo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagamiKohei en-aut-sei=Yamagami en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KotaniYoshinori en-aut-sei=Kotani en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=DemuraSatoshi en-aut-sei=Demura en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoguchiKanako en-aut-sei=Noguchi en-aut-mei=Kanako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataHideaki en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakitaTakanori en-aut-sei=Wakita en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuraokaYuji en-aut-sei=Muraoka en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyaTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Yokoya en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Physics, College of Science and Technology(CST), Nihon University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=85 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1082 end-page=1096 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250314 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Myeloid Cells Induce Infiltration and Activation of B Cells and CD4+ T Follicular Helper Cells to Sensitize Brain Metastases to Combination Immunotherapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Brain metastasis is a poor prognostic factor in patients with cancer. Despite showing efficacy in many extracranial tumors, immunotherapy with anti?PD-1 mAb or anti?CTLA4 mAb seems to be less effective against intracranial tumors. Promisingly, recent clinical studies have reported that combination therapy with anti?PD-1 and anti?CTLA4 mAbs has a potent antitumor effect on brain metastasis, highlighting the need to elucidate the detailed mechanisms controlling the intracranial tumor microenvironment (TME) to develop effective immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, we analyzed the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in murine models of brain metastasis that responded to anti?CTLA4 and anti?PD-1 mAbs. Activated CD4+ T follicular helper (TFH) cells with high CTLA4 expression characteristically infiltrated the intracranial TME, which were activated by combination anti?CTLA4 and anti?PD-1 treatment. The loss of TFH cells suppressed the additive effect of CTLA4 blockade on anti?PD-1 mAb. B-cell?activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) produced by abundant myeloid cells, particularly CD80hiCD206lo proinflammatory M1-like macrophages, in the intracranial TME induced B-cell and TFH-cell infiltration and activation. Furthermore, the intracranial TME of patients with non?small cell lung cancer featured TFH- and B-cell infiltration as tertiary lymphoid structures. Together, these findings provide insights into the immune cell cross-talk in the intracranial TME that facilitates an additive antitumor effect of CTLA4 blockade with anti?PD-1 treatment, supporting the potential of a combination immunotherapeutic strategy for brain metastases.
Significance: B-cell and CD4+ T follicular helper cell activation via BAFF/APRIL from abundant myeloid cells in the intracranial tumor microenvironment enables a combinatorial effect of CTLA4 and PD-1 blockade in brain metastases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NinomiyaToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ninomiya en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KemmotsuNaoya en-aut-sei=Kemmotsu en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukoharaFumiaki en-aut-sei=Mukohara en-aut-mei=Fumiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MagariMasaki en-aut-sei=Magari en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoAi en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Ai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaYouki en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Youki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshinoTakamasa en-aut-sei=Ishino en-aut-mei=Takamasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasakiJoji en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoHidetaka en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Hidetaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiHidetoshi en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hidetoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TachibanaKota en-aut-sei=Tachibana en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoIsamu en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Isamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=TogashiYosuke en-aut-sei=Togashi en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Applied Cell Biology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Medical Protein Engineering, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Medical Oncology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=91 end-page=105 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250328 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Reflections of Early Care and Education Practitioners, as Indicated in the Content on the Care and Education of Kindergarten Children Published by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology kn-title=幼稚園の保育全体に関する文部科学省公表資料に示されている保育者の振り返りの仕方の検討 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=　本研究では，まず，我が国の保育施設におけるカリキュラム・マネジメントに関する先行研究を概観し，カリキュラム・マネジメントを実現するために必要な，保育の目標・ねらい・内容の連関性の確保された全体的計画の作成が困難な状況にあることを確認した。続いて，保育の目標・ねらい・内容の連関性を確保する上で，そのことを可能にする保育者の振り返りの仕方が不可欠となることを踏まえて，幼稚園の保育全体に関する文部科学省公表資料に示されている，保育者の振り返りの目的，観点，方法を抽出し整理し，検討した。その結果，保育者の長期の振り返りに関して示されている記述では，具体性が乏しく，保育の目標・ねらい・内容の連関性の確保された長期指導計画及び全体的計画を作成する上で，実用的ではないことを明らかにした。 en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ARITASho en-aut-sei=ARITA en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name=有田翔 kn-aut-sei=有田 kn-aut-mei=翔 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YOKOMATSUTomoyoshi en-aut-sei=YOKOMATSU en-aut-mei=Tomoyoshi kn-aut-name=横松友義 kn-aut-sei=横松 kn-aut-mei=友義 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University (Master’s Course) kn-affil=岡山大学大学院教育学研究科大学院生 affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Education, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院教育学域 en-keyword=保育者の振り返り (reflections of early care and education practitioners) kn-keyword=保育者の振り返り (reflections of early care and education practitioners) en-keyword=幼稚園 (kindergarten) kn-keyword=幼稚園 (kindergarten) en-keyword=カリキュラム・マネジメント (curriculum management) kn-keyword=カリキュラム・マネジメント (curriculum management) en-keyword=文部科学省公表資料 (the content on the care and education of kindergarten children published by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) kn-keyword=文部科学省公表資料 (the content on the care and education of kindergarten children published by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2480231 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Specific enhancement of the translation of thermospermine-responsive uORF-containing mRNAs by ribosomal mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Auxin-induced xylem formation in angiosperms is negatively regulated by thermospermine, whose biosynthesis is also induced by auxin. In Arabidopsis thaliana, loss-of-function mutants of ACL5, which encodes thermospermine synthase, exhibit a dwarf phenotype accompanied by excessive xylem formation. Studies of suppressor mutants that recover from the acl5 dwarf phenotype suggest that thermospermine alleviates the inhibitory effect of an upstream open-reading frame (uORF) on the main ORF translation of SAC51 mRNA. Many suppressor mutations for acl5 have been mapped to the uORF conserved in the SAC51 family or to ribosomal protein genes, such as RPL10A, RPL4A, and RACK1A. In this study, we identified newly isolated acl5 suppressors, sac501, sac504, and sac506, which are additional alleles of RPL10A and the uORFs of SAC51 family members, SACL1 and SACL3, respectively. To investigate whether acl5-suppressor alleles of ribosomal genes broadly affect translation of uORF-containing mRNAs, we examined GUS activity in several 5'-GUS fusion constructs. Our results showed that these alleles enhanced GUS activity in SAC51 and SACL3 5'-fusion constructs but had no effect on other 5'-fusion constructs unrelated to thermospermine response. This suggests that these ribosomal proteins are specifically involved in the thermospermine-mediated regulation of mRNA translation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MutsudaKoki en-aut-sei=Mutsuda en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiiYuichi en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyoshimaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Toyoshima en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaHiroko en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MotoseHiroyasu en-aut-sei=Motose en-aut-mei=Hiroyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiTaku en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=mRNA translation kn-keyword=mRNA translation en-keyword=RPL10 kn-keyword=RPL10 en-keyword=suppressor mutant kn-keyword=suppressor mutant en-keyword=thermospermine kn-keyword=thermospermine en-keyword=uORF kn-keyword=uORF END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Droplet Impact Behavior on Convex Surfaces with a Circumferential Wettability Difference en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Controlling the bouncing behavior of the impacting droplets is an important issue for splay cooling, icing prevention, and other applications. The bouncing behavior of impacting droplets on superhydrophobic curved surfaces and flat substrates with a wettability difference has been widely investigated, and droplets impacting these surfaces show shorter contact times than those on superhydrophobic flat surfaces and droplet transport. However, there have been few studies on the droplet impact behavior on curved surfaces with a wettability difference, where efficient droplet control could be achieved by combining the features. In the present study, droplet impact experiments were conducted using copper cylinders with different circumferential wettabilities from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic, varying the impact velocity, cylinder diameter, and rotation angle. Droplets that impacted the wettability boundary showed asymmetric deformation and moved to the hydrophilic side, owing to the driving force of the wettability difference. Moreover, the droplet behavior was classified into four types: the droplet bounced off the surface, the droplet bounced off the surface and split, the droplet attached to the surface, and the droplet attached to the surface and split. The droplet behavior was estimated by using the maximum spreading width of the droplet impacted on the flat substrate. We evaluated whether the droplets attached to the surface or bounced off the surface after impact using the Weber number and rotation angle, and the estimations were in agreement with the experimental results for cylinder diameters of 4 and 6 mm. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshikawaTaku en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeKazuma en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoribeAkihiko en-aut-sei=Horibe en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1757 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Keratinocyte-driven dermal collagen formation in the axolotl skin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Type I collagen is a major component of the dermis and is formed by dermal fibroblasts. The development of dermal collagen structures has not been fully elucidated despite the major presence and importance of the dermis. This lack of understanding is due in part to the opacity of mammalian skin and it has been an obstacle to cosmetic and medical developments. We reveal the process of dermal collagen formation using the highly transparent skin of the axolotl and fluorescent collagen probes. We clarify that epidermal cells, not dermal fibroblasts, contribute to dermal collagen formation. Mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts) play a role in modifying the collagen fibers already built by keratinocytes. We confirm that collagen production by keratinocytes is a widely conserved mechanism in other model organisms. Our findings warrant a change in the current consensus about dermal collagen formation and could lead to innovations in cosmetology and skin medication. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhashiAyaka en-aut-sei=Ohashi en-aut-mei=Ayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoHirotaka en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Hirotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaJunpei en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Junpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYohei en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KameiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Kamei en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NonakaShigenori en-aut-sei=Nonaka en-aut-mei=Shigenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurukawaSaya en-aut-sei=Furukawa en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoSakiya en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Sakiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAkira en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory for Biothermology, National Institute for Basic Biology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2016 dt-pub=20160908 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=S-nitrosylation of laforin inhibits its phosphatase activity and is implicated in Lafora disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, the relation between S-nitrosylation by nitric oxide (NO), which is over?produced under pathological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, includingAlzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, has become a focus of attention. Although mostcases of Parkinson’s disease are known to be caused by mutations in the Parkin gene, arecent finding has indicated that S-nitrosylation of Parkin affects its enzymatic activityand leads to the Parkinsonian phenotype. Therefore, it is important to understand thefunction of S-nitrosylated proteins in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.Lafora disease (LD, OMIM 254780) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by theaccumulation of insoluble glucans called Lafora bodies (LBs). LD is caused by mutationsin genes that encode the glucan phosphatase, Laforin, or the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Malin.In this study, we hypothesized that LD may be caused by S-nitrosylation of Laforin,which is similar to the finding that Parkinson’s disease is caused by S-nitrosylation ofParkin. To test this hypothesis, we first determined whether Laforin was S-nitrosylatedusing a biotin switch assay, and compared the three main functions of unmodified andS-nitrosylated Laforin, namely glucan- and Malin-binding activity and phosphataseactivity. Furthermore, we examined whether the numbers of LBs were changed byNO in the cells expressing wild-type Laforin. Here, we report for the first time thatS-nitrosylation of Laforin inhibited its phosphatase activity and that LB formation wasincreased by an NO donor. Our results suggest a possible hypothesis for LD pathogenesis; that is, the decrease in phosphatase activity of Laforin by S-nitrosylation leads toincreased LB formation. Therefore, LD may be caused not only by mutations in theLaforin or Malin genes, but also by the S-nitrosylation of Laforin. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ToyotaRikako en-aut-sei=Toyota en-aut-mei=Rikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HonjoYasuko en-aut-sei=Honjo en-aut-mei=Yasuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImajoRisa en-aut-sei=Imajo en-aut-mei=Risa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University; Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University kn-affil= en-keyword=S-Nitrosylation Of Laforin kn-keyword=S-Nitrosylation Of Laforin en-keyword=Post-Translational Modification kn-keyword=Post-Translational Modification en-keyword=Nitrosylation kn-keyword=Nitrosylation en-keyword=Phosphatase kn-keyword=Phosphatase en-keyword=Glucan-Binding kn-keyword=Glucan-Binding END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=195 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=123743 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Utility of Surgical Simulation for Tubular Retractor Surgery Using Three-Dimensional Printed Intraventricular Tumor Models: Case Series en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objective: The utility of the tubular retractor for deep-seated tumors, including intraventricular tumors, has recently been reported. However, the surgical field’s depth and narrowness can lead to blind spots, and it is crucial to prevent damage to the cortex and white matter fibers in eloquent areas. Therefore, preoperative simulation is critical for tubular retractor surgery. In this study, we investigated the benefits of threedimensional (3D)-printed intraventricular tumor models for tubular retractor surgery.
Methods: Nine patients with intraventricular central neurocytoma who underwent tubular retractor surgery at our institution between March 2013 and August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Fusion images and 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models were developed from preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The puncture points of the tubular retractor were simulated using fusion images and 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models by 11 neurosurgeons (3 experts in brain tumors, 2 experts in areas other than brain tumors, and 6 residents). The dispersion of puncture points among 8 neurosurgeons (excluding brain tumor experts) was compared in each simulation model.
Results: These cases were categorized into two groups based on the dispersion of puncture points simulated by fusion images. Puncture point dispersion was markedly smaller in all cases when using 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models compared to simulations solely based on fusion images.
Conclusions: In intraventricular tumor surgery using a tubular retractor, 3D-printed intraventricular tumor models proved more beneficial in preoperative simulation compared to fusion images. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OmaeRyo en-aut-sei=Omae en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraRyu en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Ryu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HarumaJun en-aut-sei=Haruma en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaijoTomoya en-aut-sei=Saijo en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaJuntaro en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Juntaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigakiShohei en-aut-sei=Nishigaki en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkemachiRyosuke en-aut-sei=Ikemachi en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoShuichiro en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Shuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKentaro en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaTakao en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=3D-printed model kn-keyword=3D-printed model en-keyword=Case series kn-keyword=Case series en-keyword=Intraventricular tumors kn-keyword=Intraventricular tumors en-keyword=Preoperative surgical simulation kn-keyword=Preoperative surgical simulation en-keyword=Tubular retractor kn-keyword=Tubular retractor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=210 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=112952 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A microfluidic paper-based analytical device that uses gelatin film to assay protease activity via time readout en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Food processing, detergents, and pharmaceuticals frequently employ proteases, which are enzymes that break the chemical bonds of both proteins and peptides. In this work, we developed a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (?PAD) for protease activity assays via time readout. To accomplish this, we folded the ?PAD to form layers, then inserted a water-insoluble gelatin film between the layers of paper to form the device. Lamination helps to maintain the gelatin film between the introduction zone, which is the upper layer, and the detection channel, which is the lower layer. Proteases decompose the gelatin film when it enters the introduction zone, which then allows it to flow into the detection channel. The protease activity in the sample solution determines the time required to dissolve the gelatin film, which leads to a linear relationship between the logarithm of the protease concentration and the time required to flow the solution a specific distance on the detection channel. The ?PAD was used to measure proteases in concentrations that ranged from 0.25 to 1 mg L?1 for bromelain, 2.5 to 10 mg L?1 for papain, and 1 to 8 mg L?1 for trypsin. The limits of quantification for bromelain, papain, and trypsin were 0.41, 2.7, and 9.2 mg mL?1, respectively. The relative standard deviations for bromelain were smaller than 2 % for concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mg L?1. We compared the ?PAD to a commercially available protease activity assay kit, which relies on quenching fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled casein. Both methods demonstrated the same order of activity: bromelain > papain > trypsin. The proposed device allowed the assay of bromelain in both pineapple pulp and juice, which were stored at room temperature. When first using the proposed device, the bromelain in the pulp gradually lost its activity, while the activity of the bromelain in the juice showed no significant change for five days. The ?PAD requires no analytical instruments for quality control and monitoring of the protease activity in food. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RenJianchao en-aut-sei=Ren en-aut-mei=Jianchao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Protease kn-keyword=Protease en-keyword=Enzyme assay kn-keyword=Enzyme assay en-keyword=Time readout kn-keyword=Time readout END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=25 article-no= start-page=4757 end-page=4773 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Recent development of azahelicenes showing circularly polarized luminescence en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, a variety of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) dyes have been developed as next-generation chiroptical materials. Helicenes, ortho-fused aromatics, have been recognized as some of the most promising CPL dyes. Although typical carbohelicenes show CPL, weak fluorescence is often emitted in the blue region. In contrast, heteroatom-embedded helicenes (heterohelicenes) can show intense fluorescence and CPL in the visible region because heteroatoms alter the electronic states of helicene frameworks. Among various heterohelicenes, nitrogen-embedded helicenes (azahelicenes) have unique features such as facile functionalization and sensitive responses to acid/base or metal ions. Furthermore, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing azaborine units have been recognized as excellent luminescent materials, and the helical derivatives, B,N-embedded helicenes, have been rapidly growing recently. In this feature article, we review and summarize the synthesis and chiroptical properties of azahelicenes, which are classified into imine-type and amine-type azahelicenes and B,N-embedded helicenes. CPL switching systems of azahelicenes are also reviewed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaedaChihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=2421 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Pricing and Ordering Policies in Perishable Inventory Management en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Perishable goods have a limited shelf life, and inventory should be discarded once it exceeds its shelf life. Finding optimal inventory management policies is essential since inefficient policies can lead to increased waste and higher costs. While many previous studies assume the perishable inventory is processed following the First In, First Out rule, it does not reflect customer purchasing behavior. In practice, customers' preferences are influenced by the shelf life and price of products. This study optimizes inventory and pricing policies for a perishable inventory management problem considering age-dependent probabilistic demand. However, introducing dynamic pricing significantly increases the complexity of the problem. To tackle this challenge, we propose eliminating irrational actions in dynamic programming without sacrificing optimality. To solve this problem more efficiently, we also implement a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, proximal policy optimization, to solve this problem. The results show that dynamic programming with action reduction achieved an average of 63.1% reduction in computation time compared to vanilla dynamic programming. In most cases, proximal policy optimization achieved an optimality gap of less than 10%. Sensitivity analysis of the demand model revealed a negative correlation between customer sensitivity to shelf lives or prices and total profits. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NomuraYusuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuZiang en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Ziang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiTatsushi en-aut-sei=Nishi en-aut-mei=Tatsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=reinforcement learning kn-keyword=reinforcement learning en-keyword=supply chain kn-keyword=supply chain en-keyword=inventory management kn-keyword=inventory management en-keyword=perishable inventory kn-keyword=perishable inventory en-keyword=dynamic pricing kn-keyword=dynamic pricing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=5248 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Changes of leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein could be a marker of changes of endoscopic and histologic activity of ulcerative colitis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein (LRG) is one of the serum biomarkers for disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC). We focused on the correlation between the changes of LRG and the changes of endoscopic and histologic activity of UC, in comparison to the changes of fecal calprotectin (Fcal), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Seventy-nine patients with two or more colonoscopies were enrolled, and 123 paired colonoscopies and 121 paired biopsies were examined. With regard to the change of endoscopic/histologic activity between the preceding and subsequent colonoscopy, there was improvement (n = 29/45), unchanging (n = 63/36), and worsening (n = 31/40). The correlations between the changes of marker levels and endoscopic/histologic activity were Fcal; r = 0.50/0.39 and FIT; r = 0.41/0.40, LRG; r = 0.42/0.40 and CRP; r = 0.22/0.17. Furthermore, when the correlation between the changes of LRG levels and the changes of endoscopic/histological activity was compared with those of other markers, the correlation of LRG tended to be superior to those of CRP (CRP vs. LRG; p = 0.08/0.01). LRG is equivalent to fecal markers and superior to CRP, when inferring changes in disease activity of UC based on changes in its level. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AoyamaYuki en-aut-sei=Aoyama en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaSakiko en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Sakiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasutomiEriko en-aut-sei=Yasutomi en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeiKensuke en-aut-sei=Takei en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IgawaShoko en-aut-sei=Igawa en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiKeiko en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaharaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takahara en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyosawaJunki en-aut-sei=Toyosawa en-aut-mei=Junki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiYasushi en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinugasaHideaki en-aut-sei=Kinugasa en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoJun en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaMotoyuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Motoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology, Japanese Red Cross Society Himeji Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ulcerative colitis kn-keyword=Ulcerative colitis en-keyword=Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein kn-keyword=Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein en-keyword=Biomarker kn-keyword=Biomarker END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1543543 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Empowering pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients with cancer utilizing generative AI chatbots to reduce psychological burden and enhance treatment engagement: a pilot study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) cancer patients face profound psychological challenges, exacerbated by limited access to continuous mental health support. While conventional therapeutic interventions often follow structured protocols, the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to provide continuous conversational support remains unexplored. This study evaluates the feasibility and impact of AI chatbots in alleviating psychological distress and enhancing treatment engagement in this vulnerable population.
Methods: Two age-appropriate AI chatbots, leveraging GPT-4, were developed to provide natural, empathetic conversations without structured therapeutic protocols. Five pediatric and AYA cancer patients participated in a two-week intervention, engaging with the chatbots via a messaging platform. Pre- and post-intervention anxiety and stress levels were self-reported, and usage patterns were analyzed to assess the chatbots' effectiveness.
Results: Four out of five participants reported significant reductions in anxiety and stress levels post-intervention. Participants engaged with the chatbot every 2-3 days, with sessions lasting approximately 10 min. All participants noted improved treatment motivation, with 80% disclosing personal concerns to the chatbot they had not shared with healthcare providers. The 24/7 availability particularly benefited patients experiencing nighttime anxiety.
Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the potential of generative AI chatbots to complement traditional mental health services by addressing unmet psychological needs in pediatric and AYA cancer patients. The findings suggest these tools can serve as accessible, continuous support systems. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate these promising results. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaseiJoe en-aut-sei=Hasei en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanzawaMana en-aut-sei=Hanzawa en-aut-mei=Mana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoAkihito en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Akihito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaNaoko en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaShinichirou en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Shinichirou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=EndoMakoto en-aut-sei=Endo en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoyamaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Yokoyama en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiMotoharu en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Motoharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaHisashi en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHideki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, NHO National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=generative AI chatbot kn-keyword=generative AI chatbot en-keyword=large language model kn-keyword=large language model en-keyword=pediatric cancer kn-keyword=pediatric cancer en-keyword=adolescent and young adult (AYA) kn-keyword=adolescent and young adult (AYA) en-keyword=psychological support kn-keyword=psychological support END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=106 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106690 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=EGF-induced P-gp expression in tumor vasculature contributes to therapeutic resistance to doxorubicin-PEG-liposomes in mice bearing doxorubicin-resistant B16-BL6 tumors en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We previously indicated that doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified liposomes (DOX-PEG-liposomes) were therapeutically effective in mice bearing DOX-resistant colon-26 (C26/DOX) tumors, and the efficacy was comparable in mice bearing DOX-sensitive C26 tumors. However, in the current study, DOX-PEG-liposomes exerted no therapeutic activity in DOX-resistant B16-BL6 melanoma (B16/DOX)-bearing mice, although they significantly suppressed DOX-sensitive B16 tumor growth in mice. Although we previously reported that the anti-tumor effects in C26/DOX-bearing mice were derived from the cytotoxic effects of DOX on vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in tumors, the B16/DOX tumor vasculature was not substantially damaged after administration of DOX-PEG-liposomes. In B16/DOX tumors, P-gp expression was significantly induced in the VECs, but not in the C26/DOX tumors, indicating that the high expression of P-gp in the tumor vasculature would be responsible for the lack of therapeutic effect of DOX-PEG-liposomes in B16/DOX-bearing mice. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), a possible induction factor for P-gp expression, was highly expressed in B16/DOX cells and tumor tissues, and significantly induced P-gp expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The EGF receptor (EGFR) was also highly expressed in B16/DOX tumor VECs, suggesting that the activation of EGF/EGFR signaling may induce P-gp expression in VECs in B16/DOX tumors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruyamaMasato en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaTomoki en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Tomoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IenakaYusuke en-aut-sei=Ienaka en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TojoHaruka en-aut-sei=Tojo en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HyodoKenji en-aut-sei=Hyodo en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaraKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Ogawara en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiKazutaka en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Kazutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Eisai Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Drug resistance kn-keyword=Drug resistance en-keyword=P-glycoprotein kn-keyword=P-glycoprotein en-keyword=Liposome kn-keyword=Liposome en-keyword=Tumor vascular endothelial cells kn-keyword=Tumor vascular endothelial cells en-keyword=Melanoma kn-keyword=Melanoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=209 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114663 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Repeated sequential administration of pegylated emulsion of SU5416 and liposomal paclitaxel enhances anti-tumor effect in 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To improve vascular normalization strategy for intractable triple-negative breast cancer 4T1, we examined the anti-tumor effects of repeated sequential administration of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified emulsion of SU5416 (PE-SU5416), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 kinase inhibitor, and PEG-modified liposomal paclitaxel (PL-PTX) in mice bearing 4T1 cells. Three sequential administrations (Seq×3) of PE-SU5416 and PL-PTX exhibited significantly higher anti-tumor activity than a single sequential administration (Seq×1). The tumor vasculatures were structurally normalized until after two PE-SU5416 (PE-SU5416×2) or sequential (Seq×2) administrations, while the improvement in vascular function, such as oxygen supply, blood flow, and PEG-liposomal distribution, was evident until after three administrations of PE-SU5416 (PE-SU5416×3) and Seq×3. Although some discrepancies between the structural and functional improvement in tumor vasculatures were observed after PE-SU5416×3 and Seq×3, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and collagen levels were significantly reduced after PE-SU5416×2, PE-SU5416×3, Seq×2, and Seq×3, suggesting that a possible decrease in interstitial fluid pressure due to the reduction in CAFs and collagen would have compensated for vascular function. Furthermore, PE-SU5416×2, PE-SU5416×3, Seq×2, and Seq×3 significantly decreased tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β), an activator of CAFs, in tumor tissues, suggesting that the reduction in TGF-β levels by PE-SU5416 suppresses CAF activation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruyamaMasato en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToriiReiya en-aut-sei=Torii en-aut-mei=Reiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHazuki en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiHiroki en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaraKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Ogawara en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiKazutaka en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Kazutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Kobe Pharmaceutical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Drug delivery kn-keyword=Drug delivery en-keyword=Vascular normalization kn-keyword=Vascular normalization en-keyword=Breast cancer kn-keyword=Breast cancer en-keyword=Liposome kn-keyword=Liposome en-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblast kn-keyword=Cancer-associated fibroblast END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=6666 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Microfluidic fabrication of rattle shaped biopolymer microcapsules via sequential phase separation in oil droplets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Multilayer microcapsules containing a small particle within a larger capsule have recently attracted considerable attention owing to their potential applications in diverse fields, including drug delivery, active ingredient storage, and chemical reactions. These complex capsules have been fabricated using interfacial polymerization or seeded emulsion polymerization. However, these methods often require complex and lengthy polymerization processes, limiting their utility, particularly in biopolymer systems. This study introduces a simple and efficient approach for preparing rattle-shaped cellulose acetate (CA) microcapsules through sequential phase separation in droplets. We systematically examine the effects of various preparation parameters, including the amount of co-solvent, initial droplet size, and flow rates, and reveal that the incorporation of a co-solvent-ethyl acetate (EA)- in the dispersed phase significantly impacts the microcapsule morphology. Our findings demonstrate a transition from a core-shell to a rattle-shaped structure as the EA concentration increases. Furthermore, the initial droplet diameter and flow rates influence microcapsule formation-larger droplets and reduced continuous-phase flow rates favor the development of multi-layered structures. These results indicate that the formation mechanism of these rattle-shaped microcapsules arises from the establishment of a radial solvent concentration gradient and subsequent phase separation within the droplets, driven by kinetic rather than thermodynamic factors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiYuko en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriKurumi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Kurumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidics kn-keyword=Microfluidics en-keyword=Phase separation kn-keyword=Phase separation en-keyword=Nucleation kn-keyword=Nucleation en-keyword=Multi-core kn-keyword=Multi-core en-keyword=Rattle-shaped kn-keyword=Rattle-shaped END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=217 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interchangeability of Cross-Platform Orthophotographic and LiDAR Data in DeepLabV3+-Based Land Cover Classification Method en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Riverine environmental information includes important data to collect, and the data collection still requires personnel's field surveys. These on-site tasks still face significant limitations (i.e., hard or danger to entry). In recent years, as one of the efficient approaches for data collection, air-vehicle-based Light Detection and Ranging technologies have already been applied in global environmental research, i.e., land cover classification (LCC) or environmental monitoring. For this study, the authors specifically focused on seven types of LCC (i.e., bamboo, tree, grass, bare ground, water, road, and clutter) that can be parameterized for flood simulation. A validated airborne LiDAR bathymetry system (ALB) and a UAV-borne green LiDAR System (GLS) were applied in this study for cross-platform analysis of LCC. Furthermore, LiDAR data were visualized using high-contrast color scales to improve the accuracy of land cover classification methods through image fusion techniques. If high-resolution aerial imagery is available, then it must be downscaled to match the resolution of low-resolution point clouds. Cross-platform data interchangeability was assessed by comparing the interchangeability, which measures the absolute difference in overall accuracy (OA) or macro-F1 by comparing the cross-platform interchangeability. It is noteworthy that relying solely on aerial photographs is inadequate for achieving precise labeling, particularly under limited sunlight conditions that can lead to misclassification. In such cases, LiDAR plays a crucial role in facilitating target recognition. All the approaches (i.e., low-resolution digital imagery, LiDAR-derived imagery and image fusion) present results of over 0.65 OA and of around 0.6 macro-F1. The authors found that the vegetation (bamboo, tree, grass) and road species have comparatively better performance compared with clutter and bare ground species. Given the stated conditions, differences in the species derived from different years (ALB from year 2017 and GLS from year 2020) are the main reason. Because the identification of clutter species includes all the items except for the relative species in this research, RGB-based features of the clutter species cannot be substituted easily because of the 3-year gap compared with other species. Derived from on-site reconstruction, the bare ground species also has a further color change between ALB and GLS that leads to decreased interchangeability. In the case of individual species, without considering seasons and platforms, image fusion can classify bamboo and trees with higher F1 scores compared to low-resolution digital imagery and LiDAR-derived imagery, which has especially proved the cross-platform interchangeability in the high vegetation types. In recent years, high-resolution photography (UAV), high-precision LiDAR measurement (ALB, GLS), and satellite imagery have been used. LiDAR measurement equipment is expensive, and measurement opportunities are limited. Based on this, it would be desirable if ALB and GLS could be continuously classified by Artificial Intelligence, and in this study, the authors investigated such data interchangeability. A unique and crucial aspect of this study is exploring the interchangeability of land cover classification models across different LiDAR platforms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PanShijun en-aut-sei=Pan en-aut-mei=Shijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoYutaro en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=TOKEN C. E. E. Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry kn-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry en-keyword=cross-platform kn-keyword=cross-platform en-keyword=deep learning kn-keyword=deep learning en-keyword=green LiDAR system kn-keyword=green LiDAR system en-keyword=riverine land cover classification kn-keyword=riverine land cover classification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=235 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Distinct Infection Mechanisms of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA and AG-4 HG-I+II in Brachypodium distachyon and Barley en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rhizoctonia solani is a basidiomycete phytopathogenic fungus that causes rapid necrosis in a wide range of crop species, leading to substantial agricultural losses worldwide. The species complex is divided into 13 anastomosis groups (AGs) based on hyphal fusion compatibility and further subdivided by culture morphology. While R. solani classifications were shown to be independent of host specificity, it remains unclear whether different R. solani isolates share similar virulence mechanisms. Here, we investigated the infectivity of Japanese R. solani isolates on Brachypodium distachyon and barley. Two isolates, AG-1 IA (from rice) and AG-4 HG-I+II (from cauliflower), infected leaves of both plants, but only AG-4 HG-I+II infected roots. B. distachyon accessions Bd3-1 and Gaz-4 and barley cultivar 'Morex' exhibited enhanced resistance to both isolates compared to B. distachyon Bd21 and barley cultivars 'Haruna Nijo' and 'Golden Promise'. During AG-1 IA infection, but not AG-4 HG-I+II infection, resistant Bd3-1 and Morex induced genes for salicylic acid (SA) and N-hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) biosynthesis. Pretreatment with SA or NHP conferred resistance to AG-1 IA, but not AG-4 HG-I+II, in susceptible B. distachyon Bd21 and barley Haruna Nijo. On the leaves of susceptible Bd21 and Haruna Nijo, AG-1 IA developed extensive mycelial networks with numerous infection cushions, which are specialized infection structures well-characterized in rice sheath blight. In contrast, AG-4 HG-I+II formed dispersed mycelial masses associated with underlying necrosis. We propose that the R. solani species complex encompasses at least two distinct infection strategies: AG-1 IA exhibits a hemibiotrophic lifestyle, while AG-4 HG-I+II follows a predominantly necrotrophic strategy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MahadevanNiranjan en-aut-sei=Mahadevan en-aut-mei=Niranjan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FernandaRozi en-aut-sei=Fernanda en-aut-mei=Rozi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KouzaiYusuke en-aut-sei=Kouzai en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohnoNatsuka en-aut-sei=Kohno en-aut-mei=Natsuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoReiko en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NyeinKhin Thida en-aut-sei=Nyein en-aut-mei=Khin Thida kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMegumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataNanami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MochidaKeiichi en-aut-sei=Mochida en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisanoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Crop Stress Management Group, Division of Plant Molecular Regulation Research, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani species complex kn-keyword=Rhizoctonia solani species complex en-keyword=virulence mechanism kn-keyword=virulence mechanism en-keyword=infection behavior kn-keyword=infection behavior en-keyword=salicylic acid kn-keyword=salicylic acid en-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid kn-keyword=N-hydroxypipecolic acid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=108 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Implementation of Sensor Input Setup Assistance Service Using Generative AI for SEMAR IoT Application Server Platform en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=For rapid deployments of various IoT application systems, we have developed Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytical in Real-Time (SEMAR) as an integrated server platform. It is equipped with rich functions for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing various data. Unfortunately, the proper configuration of SEMAR with a variety of IoT devices can be complex and challenging for novice users, since it often requires technical expertise. The assistance of Generative AI can be helpful to solve this drawback. In this paper, we present an implementation of a sensor input setup assistance service for SEMAR using prompt engineering techniques and Generative AI. A user needs to define the requirement specifications and environments of the IoT application system for sensor inputs, and give them to the service. Then, the service provides step-by-step guidance on sensor connections, communicating board configurations, network connections, and communication protocols to the user, which can help the user easily set up the configuration to connect the relevant devices to SEMAR. For evaluations, we applied the proposal to the input sensor setup processes of three practical IoT application systems with SEMAR, namely, a smart light, water heater, and room temperature monitoring system. In addition, we applied it to the setup process of an IoT application system for a course for undergraduate students at the Insitut Bisnis dan Teknologi (INSTIKI), Indonesia. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed service for SEMAR. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KotamaI. Nyoman Darma en-aut-sei=Kotama en-aut-mei=I. Nyoman Darma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PradhanaAnak Agung Surya en-aut-sei=Pradhana en-aut-mei=Anak Agung Surya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Noprianto en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DesnanjayaI. Gusti Made Ngurah en-aut-sei=Desnanjaya en-aut-mei=I. Gusti Made Ngurah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Computer System Engineering, Institute of Business and Technology Indonesia kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= generative AI kn-keyword= generative AI en-keyword= review kn-keyword= review en-keyword= application server platform kn-keyword= application server platform en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= sensor input kn-keyword= sensor input END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=91 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Application of SEMAR IoT Application Server Platform to Drone-Based Wall Inspection System Using AI Model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been adopted in a number of Internet of Things (IoT) application systems to enhance intelligence. We have developed a ready-made server with rich built-in functions to collect, process, display, analyze, and store data from various IoT devices, the SEMAR (Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytics in Real-Time) IoT application server platform, in which various AI techniques have been implemented to enhance its capabilities. In this paper, we present an application of SEMAR to a drone-based wall inspection system using an object detection AI model called You Only Look Once (YOLO). This system aims to detect wall cracks at high places using images taken via a camera on a flying drone. An edge computing device is installed to control the drone, sending the taken images through the Kafka system, storing them with the drone flight data, and sending the data to SEMAR. The images are analyzed via YOLO through SEMAR. For evaluations, we implemented the system using Ryze Tello for the drone and Raspberry Pi for the edge, and we evaluated the detection accuracy. The preliminary experiment results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HusnaRadhiatul en-aut-sei=Husna en-aut-mei=Radhiatul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NopriantoNobuo en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamakiShunya en-aut-sei=Sakamaki en-aut-mei=Shunya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SukaridhotoSritrusta en-aut-sei=Sukaridhoto en-aut-mei=Sritrusta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Informatics and Computer, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Information Technology, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= AI kn-keyword= AI en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= crack detection kn-keyword= crack detection en-keyword= drone kn-keyword= drone en-keyword= Kafka kn-keyword= Kafka END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhancing Campus Environment: Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring Through IoT and Web Technologies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, enhancing campus environments through mitigations of air pollutions is an essential endeavor to support academic achievements, health, and safety of students and staffs in higher educational institutes. In laboratories, pollutants from welding, auto repairs, or chemical experiments can drastically degrade the air quality in the campus, endangering the respiratory and cognitive health of students and staffs. Besides, in universities in Indonesia, automobile emissions of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and hydrocarbon (HC) have been a serious problem for a long time. Almost everybody is using a motorbike or a car every day in daily life, while the number of students is continuously increasing. However, people in many campuses including managements do not be aware these problems, since air quality is not monitored. In this paper, we present a real-time air quality monitoring system utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) integrated sensors capable of detecting pollutants and measuring environmental conditions to visualize them. By transmitting data to the SEMAR IoT application server platform via an ESP32 microcontroller, this system provides instant alerts through a web application and Telegram notifications when pollutant levels exceed safe thresholds. For evaluations of the proposed system, we adopted three sensors to measure the levels of CO, NO2, and HC and conducted experiments in three sites, namely, Mechatronics Laboratory, Power and Emission Laboratory, and Parking Lot, at the State Polytechnic of Malang, Indonesia. Then, the results reveal Good, Unhealthy, and Dangerous for them, respectively, among the five categories defined by the Indonesian government. The system highlighted its ability to monitor air quality fluctuations, trigger warnings of hazardous conditions, and inform the campus community. The correlation of the sensor levels can identify the relationship of each pollutant, which provides insight into the characteristics of pollutants in a particular scenario. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SetiawanBudhy en-aut-sei=Setiawan en-aut-mei=Budhy kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information Technology, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= campus air quality kn-keyword= campus air quality en-keyword= pollutant detection kn-keyword= pollutant detection en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= sensor technology kn-keyword= sensor technology en-keyword= web application kn-keyword= web application END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e202403213 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antifouling Activity of Xylemin, Its Structural Analogs, and Related Polyamines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Biofouling, which is the accumulation of organisms on undersea structures, poses significant global, social, and economic issues. Although organotin compounds were effective antifoulants since the 1960s, they were banned in 2008 due to their toxicity to marine life. Although tin-free alternatives have been developed, they also raise environmental concerns. This underscores the need for effective, nontoxic antifouling agents. We previously synthesized N-(4-aminobutyl)propylamine (xylemin) and its structural analogs. In this study, we assayed the antifouling activity and toxicity of xylemin, its structural analogs, and related polyamines toward cypris larvae of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite. Xylemin and its Boc-protected analog exhibited antifouling activities with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) of 4.25 and 6.11 ?g/mL, respectively. Four xylemin analogs did not show a settlement-inhibitory effect at a concentration of 50 ?g/mL. Putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and thermospermine, which are xylemin-related polyamines, did not display antifoulant effects (EC50 > 50 ?g/mL). All evaluated compounds were nontoxic at a concentration of 50 ?g/mL. These findings indicate that the size and structure of the N-alkyl group are essential for the antifouling activity of xylemin. Therefore, xylemin and its analogs hold promise as nontoxic, eco-friendly antifouling agents, offering a sustainable solution to biofouling in marine environments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakamuraHiroyoshi en-aut-sei=Takamura en-aut-mei=Hiroyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorisueTakefumi en-aut-sei=Yorisue en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKenta en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadotaIsao en-aut-sei=Kadota en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Amines kn-keyword=Amines en-keyword=Antifouling activity kn-keyword=Antifouling activity en-keyword=Barnacle kn-keyword=Barnacle en-keyword=Structure?activity relationships kn-keyword=Structure?activity relationships en-keyword=Xylemin kn-keyword=Xylemin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=197 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115301 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Fraglide-1 from traditional Chinese aromatic vinegar: A natural AhR antagonist for atopic dermatitis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Traditional Chinese Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (Kozu) contains Fraglide-1 (FG1), a bioactive lactone with demonstrated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist and antioxidant activities. This study explored FG1's novel ability to antagonize the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway, which regulates artemin expression and contributes to itching and inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Through molecular docking simulations and cell-based assays in human keratinocytes, we demonstrated FG1's potent antagonistic activity against AhR signaling. FG1 effectively suppressed FICZ-induced inflammatory responses, including artemin expression, with potency (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 5.1 μM) comparable to the synthetic antagonist StemRegenin 1 (SR1) while demonstrating a superior safety profile (median lethal concentration, LC50 > 100 μM vs. 27.5 μM for SR1). These findings expand our understanding of bioactive compounds from traditional fermented foods and their regulatory effects on AhR signaling, providing a foundation for future studies on FG1's role in modulating skin inflammation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoKosuke en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkamatsuMiki en-aut-sei=Akamatsu en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimaruSaya en-aut-sei=Kakimaru en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoreishiMayuko en-aut-sei=Koreishi en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagiMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyashitaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Miyashita en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoYoshio en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University kn-affil= en-keyword=AhR kn-keyword=AhR en-keyword=Xenobiotic responsive element kn-keyword=Xenobiotic responsive element en-keyword=StemRegenin 1 kn-keyword=StemRegenin 1 en-keyword=ARNT kn-keyword=ARNT en-keyword=Atopic dermatitis kn-keyword=Atopic dermatitis en-keyword=Artemin kn-keyword=Artemin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=64 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=e202418546 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=B,N‐Embedded Helical Nanographenes Showing an Ion‐Triggered Chiroptical Switching Function en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Intramolecular oxidative aromatic coupling of 3,6-bis(m-terphenyl-2’-yl)carbazole provided a bis(m-terphenyl)-fused carbazole, while that of 3,6-bis(m-terphenyl-2’-yl)-1,8-diphenylcarbazole afforded a bis(quaterphenyl)-fused carbazole. Borylation of the latter furnished a B,N-embedded helical nanographene binding a fluoride anion via a structural change from the three-coordinate boron to the four-coordinate boron. The anionic charge derived from the fluoride anion is stabilized over the expanded π-framework, which leads to the high binding constant (Ka) of 1×105?M?1. The four-coordinate boron species was converted back to the parent three-coordinate boron species with Ag+, and the chiroptical switch between the three-coordinate boron and four-coordinate boron species has been achieved via the ion recognition with the change in the color and glum values. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaedaChihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Chihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MichishitaSayaka en-aut-sei=Michishita en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasutomoIssa en-aut-sei=Yasutomo en-aut-mei=Issa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Boron kn-keyword=Boron en-keyword=Chirality kn-keyword=Chirality en-keyword=Circularly polarized luminescence kn-keyword=Circularly polarized luminescence en-keyword=Helical nanographenes kn-keyword=Helical nanographenes en-keyword=Ion sensing kn-keyword=Ion sensing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=3 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250131 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Investigation of SNPs associated with reproductive and body growth traits in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Water buffaloes are essential to the rural economies of many developing countries, including Vietnam and Nepal, but native buffalo populations in these countries face challenges such as low productivity due to fertility and body growth issues. This study analyzed 34 SNPs in 18 genes associated with reproductive and body growth traits reported in cattle and buffalo in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes. Results showed no polymorphism at bovine SNPs in either buffalo. Further analysis with SNPs previously reported only in popular buffalo breeds, such as Murrah, found that Vietnamese buffalo were monomorphic at all sites, which may reflect reduced genetic diversity due to population decline. In contrast, Nepalese buffalo, consisting of two native breeds, showed polymorphism in 11 SNPs in 7 genes, with 10 of these matching those found in the Murrah buffalo analyzed here. These findings suggest that these SNPs may be applicable for genetic improvement in Nepalese native buffalo. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation and breeding programs aimed at enhancing reproductive and body growth performance of native buffalo in Vietnam and Nepal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Thuy ThanhNguyen en-aut-sei=Thuy Thanh en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuniedaTetsuo en-aut-sei=Kunieda en-aut-mei=Tetsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Manoj KumarShah en-aut-sei=Manoj Kumar en-aut-mei=Shah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Thu Nu AnhLe en-aut-sei=Thu Nu Anh en-aut-mei=Le kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Van HuuNguyen en-aut-sei=Van Huu en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UshijimaKoichiro en-aut-sei=Ushijima en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaeMayuko en-aut-sei=Nagae en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakehito en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Swine Research Program kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo kn-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo en-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo kn-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo en-keyword=SNPs kn-keyword=SNPs en-keyword=Reproduction kn-keyword=Reproduction en-keyword=Body growth kn-keyword=Body growth END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=111 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=064502 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Josephson effect and odd-frequency pairing in superconducting junctions with unconventional magnets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We consider Josephson junctions formed by coupling two conventional superconductors via an unconventional magnet and investigate the formation of Andreev bound states, their impact on the Josephson effect, and the emergent superconducting correlations. In particular, we focus on unconventional magnets known as ?-wave altermagnets and ?-wave magnets. We find that the Andreev bound states in ?-wave altermagnet and ??-wave magnet Josephson junctions strongly depend on the transverse momentum, with a spin splitting and low-energy minima as a function of the superconducting phase difference ?. In contrast, the Andreev bound states for ??-wave magnets are insensitive to the transverse momentum. We then show that the Andreev bound states can be probed by the local density of states in the middle of the junction, which also reveals that ??2??2- and ?-wave magnet junctions are prone to host zero energy peaks. While the zero-energy peak in ??2??2-wave altermagnet junctions tends to oscillate with the magnetic order, it remains robust in ?-wave magnet junctions. We then discover that the Josephson current in ?-wave altermagnet junctions is composed of higher harmonics of ?, which originate a ?-Josephson junction behavior entirely controlled by the magnetic order in ????-wave altermagnets. In contrast, the Josephson current in Josephson junctions with ?-wave magnets exhibits a conventional sinelike profile with a fast sign change at ?=? due to zero-energy Andreev bound states. We also demonstrate that the critical currents in ?-wave altermagnet Josephson junctions exhibit an oscillatory decay with the increase of the magnetic order, while the oscillations are absent in ?-wave magnet junctions albeit the currents exhibit a slow decay. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that the interplay of the Josephson effect and unconventional magnetic order of ?-wave altermagnets and ?-wave magnets originates from odd-frequency spin-triplet ?-wave superconducting correlations that are otherwise absent. Our results can serve as a guide to pursue the new functionality of Josephson junctions based on unconventional magnets. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukayaYuri en-aut-sei=Fukaya en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaKazuki en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YadaKeiji en-aut-sei=Yada en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=CayaoJorge en-aut-sei=Cayao en-aut-mei=Jorge kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYukio en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yukio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=LuBo en-aut-sei=Lu en-aut-mei=Bo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Center for Joint Quantum Studies, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Materials Physics and Preparing Technology, Department of Physics, Tianjin University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=57 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=54 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=White coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo is attributed to the LINE1 insertion in ASIP en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The coat color of the swamp buffalo is commonly dark gray, while the white coat color variant, which may have potential heat stress advantages, is also present in some Asian countries, including Vietnam. This study analyzed the most likely candidate genes, ASIP and TYR, responsible for the white coat color of Vietnamese native buffaloes. We found that LINE1 insertion in ASIP, a mutation previously reported in white swamp buffalo from other Asian countries, was exclusively found in white Vietnamese buffalo. Moreover, significantly higher expression of ASIP was confirmed in the hair follicles of white buffalo. On the other hand, no variants associated with the white phenotype were found in TYR. These findings indicate that the LINE1 insertion in ASIP is responsible for the white coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo, and that provides a crucial step towards their utilization and improved productivity in Vietnam. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NguyenThuy Thanh en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Thuy Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeQuan Viet en-aut-sei=Le en-aut-mei=Quan Viet kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NguyenVan Huu en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Van Huu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuongHai Thanh en-aut-sei=Duong en-aut-mei=Hai Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakehito en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vietnamese buffalo kn-keyword=Vietnamese buffalo en-keyword=White coat color kn-keyword=White coat color en-keyword=LINE1 insertion kn-keyword=LINE1 insertion en-keyword=ASIP kn-keyword=ASIP END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=49 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=563 end-page=567 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Backside Irradiation of Ultraviolet-A for Correcting Nonuniformity Error of Gafchromic XR-QA2 Films en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose: Radiochromic film is used for quality assurance and quality control of X-ray equipment in the diagnostic radiology. In addition, three-dimensional dose distribution of computed tomography (CT) is measured. To correct the nonuniformity and uncertainty of radiochromic films for dose measurement of CT, the films are preirradiated ultraviolet (UV)-A rays. There is a difference in the UV protection strength of radiochromic films. A concern exists about the effects of the UV-A irradiation intensity. We thus irradiated with UV-A rays from the backsides of the films to assess if backside irradiation was possible. Materials and Methods: Gafchromic XR-QA2 and RTQA2 were used in this study. The UV-A rays were simultaneously irradiated on the front and backsides of each film for 12 h. The yellow layer of each film was scanned and imaged. The average pixel values ± standard deviations (SDs) were compared. In the statistical analysis, a paired t-test was performed. To compare, the active-layer densities engendered by the UV-A rays. Calibration curve was created with 48 h of preirradiation of UV-A. Results: The mean pixel values ± SD for Gafchromic XR-QA2 on the front and backsides were 130.776 ± 0.812 and 81.015 ± 1.128, respectively. On the other hand, the mean pixel values ± SD for Gafchromic RTQA2 on the front and backsides were 62.299 ± 1.077 and 133.761 ± 1.365, respectively. The statistical results of the paired t-test were significantly different (P < 0.01) between both films. Fitting equation of the calibration curve is shown below. y = -390.47 ± 200 + (443.45 ± 10x80).5068 ± 0.0434. Conclusion: Based on the relationship between the sensitivity of the active layer to UV-A rays and the strength of UV protection on the surface, we concluded that backside irradiation is recommended for Gafchromic XR-QA2, and frontside irradiation is recommended for Gafchromic RTQA2. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TankiNobuyoshi en-aut-sei=Tanki en-aut-mei=Nobuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoSachiko en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Sachiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsudaToshizo en-aut-sei=Katsuda en-aut-mei=Toshizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotandaRumi en-aut-sei=Gotanda en-aut-mei=Rumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotandaTatsuhiro en-aut-sei=Gotanda en-aut-mei=Tatsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwanoTadao en-aut-sei=Kuwano en-aut-mei=Tadao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Radiation Technology, Shizuoka College of Medicalcare Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention kn-affil= en-keyword=Backside irradiation kn-keyword=Backside irradiation en-keyword=computed tomography kn-keyword=computed tomography en-keyword=reflective type radiochromic film kn-keyword=reflective type radiochromic film en-keyword=ultraviolet radiation kn-keyword=ultraviolet radiation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spatiotemporal expression pattern of dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1) during rat cerebral cortex development en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a common learning disorder with significant consequences for affected individuals. Although several candidate genes, including dyslexia susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (DYX1C1), have been implicated in dyslexia, their role in brain development remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the spatiotemporal expression patterns of DYX1C1 during cerebral cortex development in rats.
Methods We investigated DYX1C1 expression during cerebral cortex development using rat embryos at various gestational stages (E13.5, 15.5, 17.5 and 20.5) by immunohistochemistry (n?=?7 embryos/stage), quantitative real-time PCR (n?=?6), and in situ hybridization (n?=?11?15).
Results The DYX1C1-positive cells were predominantly located in the outermost layers of the cortical plate, particularly at E15.5. DYX1C1 mRNA expression peaked at E15.5 and subsequently declined. DYX1C1-positive cells did not co-localize with reelin-positive Cajal-Retzius cells, but co-localized with neuronal markers expressed during development, and had shorter primary cilia than DYX1C1-negative cells.
Conclusions Our findings highlight the dynamic expression of DYX1C1 in the developing cerebral cortex of rats, implicating its involvement in neurodevelopmental processes. Further investigation of the functional interactions of DYX1C1, particularly its relationship with reelin and its role in cerebrocortical and hippocampal development, may provide insights into the pathophysiology of dyslexia and neurodevelopmental disorders. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZenshoKazumasa en-aut-sei=Zensho en-aut-mei=Kazumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiIkuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsseAika en-aut-sei=Isse en-aut-mei=Aika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MisawaIchika en-aut-sei=Misawa en-aut-mei=Ichika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasaiKaori en-aut-sei=Masai en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkaMakio en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Makio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukaharaHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsukahara en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsanumaMasato en-aut-sei=Asanuma en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Psychosocial Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Neurobiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=99 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e02166-24 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250213 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A capsidless (+)RNA yadokarivirus hosted by a dsRNA virus is infectious as particles, cDNA, and dsRNA en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Capsidless yadokariviruses (members of the order Yadokarivirales) with (+)RNA genomes divert the capsid of their partner icosahedral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses in different families of the order Ghabrivirales into the replication site. A yadokarivirus, AfSV2, has been reported from a German strain of the ascomycete fungus Aspergillus foetidus coinfected by two dsRNA viruses, a victorivirus (AfSV1, family Pseudototiviridae) and an alternavirus (AfFV, family Alternaviridae). Here, we identified AfSV1 as the partner of AfSV2 in a Japanese A. foetidus strain after showing the infectiousness of AfSV2 in three forms: virus particles (heterocapsid), transforming full-length complementary DNA (cDNA), and purified replicated form (RF) dsRNA that is believed to be inactive as a translational template. Virion transfection of virus-free A. foetidus protoplasts resulted in the generation of two strains infected either by AfSV1 alone or by both AfSV1 and AfSV2. Transformants with AfSV2 full-length cDNA launched AfSV2 infection only in the presence of AfSV1, but not those with AfSV2 RNA-directed RNA polymerase mutant cDNA. The purified fractions containing AfSV2 RF dsRNA also launched infection when transfected into protoplasts infected by AfSV1. Treatment with dsRNA-specific RNase III, but not with proteinase K, S1 nuclease, or DNase I, abolished the infectivity of AfSV2 RF dsRNA. Furthermore, we confirmed the infectiousness of gel-purified AfSV2 RF dsRNA in the presence of AfSV1. Taken together, our results show the unique infectious entity of AfSV2 and the expansion of yadokarivirus partners in the family Pseudototiviridae and provide interesting evolutionary insights. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FadliMuhammad en-aut-sei=Fadli en-aut-mei=Muhammad kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisanoSakae en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NovoaGuy en-aut-sei=Novoa en-aut-mei=Guy kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Cast?nJos? R. en-aut-sei=Cast?n en-aut-mei=Jos? R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoHideki en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiNobuhiro en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Nobuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional Biotecnolog?a (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Structure of Macromolecules, Centro Nacional Biotecnolog?a (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Agrivirology Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=yadokarivirus kn-keyword=yadokarivirus en-keyword=hetero-encapsidation kn-keyword=hetero-encapsidation en-keyword=partner dsRNA virus kn-keyword=partner dsRNA virus en-keyword=fungal virus kn-keyword=fungal virus en-keyword=Aspergillus foetidus kn-keyword=Aspergillus foetidus en-keyword=neo-lifestyle kn-keyword=neo-lifestyle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=1007 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250124 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=LRP4 and Agrin Are Modulated by Cartilage Degeneration and Involved in β-Catenin Signaling in Human Articular Chondrocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigated the roles of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 4 and its ligand Agrin in the pathophysiology of cartilage degeneration. Immunohistochemical analysis of human normal articular cartilage and cartilage tissues from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) obtained during surgery of the knee joint showed marked LRP4 expression in the early stages of OA, which then decreased with cartilage degeneration, whereas Agrin was consistently increased with cartilage degeneration. In normal human articular chondrocytes (NHACs), mild cyclic tensile strain (CTS) (0.5 Hz, 5% elongation, 2 h) increased the expression of LRP4 and aggrecan (ACAN), while intense CTS (0.5 Hz, 10% elongation, 6 h) increased the expression of Agrin without affecting LRP4 expression. Treatment with recombinant human (rh) Agrin downregulated the mRNA expression of LRP4 and ACAN, but upregulated the expression of LRP5/6, SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4). Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that rhAgrin treatment upregulated the expression of β-catenin and SOX9. Agrin knockdown by siAGRN transfection partially reduced the nuclear protein expression of β-catenin, which was increased with intense CTS. LRP4 knockdown by siLRP4 transfection increased the expression of LRP5/6, SOX9, RUNX2, ADAMTS-4, and Agrin. These results suggested that intense CTS increases the expression of Agrin, which might interfere with the role of LRP4 in the inhibition of LRP5/6 and their downstream β-catenin signaling, leading to cartilage degeneration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaniwaShuichi en-aut-sei=Naniwa en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaAki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NasuYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Nasu en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HottaYoshifumi en-aut-sei=Hotta en-aut-mei=Yoshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaChinatsu en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Chinatsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=LinDeting en-aut-sei=Lin en-aut-mei=Deting kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaNoriaki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Locomotive Pain Center, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sayo Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Section of Medicine, Division of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=osteoarthritis kn-keyword=osteoarthritis en-keyword=chondrocyte kn-keyword=chondrocyte en-keyword=mechanical stress kn-keyword=mechanical stress en-keyword=LRP4 kn-keyword=LRP4 en-keyword=Agrin kn-keyword=Agrin en-keyword=β-catenin kn-keyword=β-catenin en-keyword=SOX9 kn-keyword=SOX9 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=60 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=vvae044 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The effects of soybeans and its derivatives on oral diseases: a narrative review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Soybean is a widely utilized protein source that originated in China and has been associated with preventing and treating various diseases. Soy protein has been found to inhibit fat accumulation effectively, and soybeans contain isoflavones, saponins, phytic acid, and other substances with preventive and therapeutic effects on heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Furthermore, processed soybean products, such as Avocado-Soybean unsaponifiable, Tempeh, and Bowman-Birk inhibitor, have demonstrated health benefits. These products have been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects in oral diseases. Numerous experiments have provided evidence of the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids, isoflavones, and soybean polypeptides. This comprehensive review assesses the relationship and mechanism of soybeans and their derivatives on oral diseases, providing valuable insights into their prevention and treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CanyanKuang en-aut-sei=Canyan en-aut-mei=Kuang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AriasZulema Rosalia en-aut-sei=Arias en-aut-mei=Zulema Rosalia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology?Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology?Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology?Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology?Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology?Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=soybean kn-keyword=soybean en-keyword=soy products kn-keyword=soy products en-keyword=oral diseases kn-keyword=oral diseases en-keyword=dental application kn-keyword=dental application en-keyword=antibacterial effect kn-keyword=antibacterial effect en-keyword=antioxidant kn-keyword=antioxidant en-keyword=anticancer kn-keyword=anticancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of caffeine on the longevity and locomotion activity of the common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The common green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is a promising and useful managed pollinator for greenhouse agricultural crops. The fly can pollinate at lower and higher temperatures than European honeybee. However, management of the longevity of pollinators is important for growers using greenhouses. Previous studies using other insects showed that caffeine affects insect longevity and behaviors. For instance, European honeybee live longer and have increased memory after caffeine consumption. How caffeine affects the longevity and behavior of pollinators is worth investigating because it can affect pollinator’s behavior, extend longevity, or be an insecticide against pollinators. In the present study, therefore, the longevity and locomotion of L. sericata were investigated when they were given different caffeine concentrations. First, the longevity of L. sericata with five different caffeine concentrations was compared to the control. The results showed that higher concentrations of caffeine (2%, 1%, and 0.5%) significantly decreased the life span compared to lower concentrations (0.05% and 0.01%). Second, the locomotion activities of L. sericata were examined at those two caffeine concentrations with treated and control male and female flies utilizing a Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM). Treatment with 0.05% caffeine dramatically reduced locomotion, but treatment of 0.01% caffeine did not. We also compared lipid concentrations of flies: flies treated with 0.05% caffeine had a lower lipid concentration compared to flies treated with 0% and 0.01% caffeine. These results indicate that caffeine had negative effects on the longevity and locomotion activities of the pollinator L. sericata in laboratory conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaingShine Shane en-aut-sei=Naing en-aut-mei=Shine Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiokaHaruna en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTeruhisa en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Teruhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Caffeine kn-keyword=Caffeine en-keyword=Life span kn-keyword=Life span en-keyword=Locomotor activity kn-keyword=Locomotor activity en-keyword=Pollinator kn-keyword=Pollinator END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=106 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=103026 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The antimalarial activity of transdermal N-89 mediated by inhibiting ERC gene expression in P. Berghei-infected mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Through studies of new antimalarial drugs, we identified 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) as a potential drug candidate. Here, we analyzed the antimalarial action of a transdermal formulation (td) of N-89, designed for easy use by children, using Plasmodium berghei-infected mice as a model for malaria patients. The td N-89 or artemisinin (ART) formulation was transdermally administered to P. berghei-infected mice with 0.2?0.4 % parasitemia, twice daily for four days, at an effective dose of 90 % for malaria. Parasitemia was decreased in td N-89 and td ART groups during the drug treatment; then, three of the eight mice in td N-89 group were completely cured without relapse. Additionally, abnormal trophozoites in td N-89 group were observed 8 h after administration and increased up to 24 h. To study the change in endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) gene expression with td N-89, we investigated the gene expression of P. berghei ERC (PbERC) after td N-89 treatment. PbERC gene expression was increased time-dependently in control group, and was statistically decreased at 4 and 8 h and then increased similar to that of control group at 12 h in td ART group. In contrast, the expression in td N-89 group was almost steady starting from 0 h. We also studied parasite egress-related genes expression after td N-89 treatment, plasmepsin X, subtilisin-like protease 1 and merozoite surface protein 1, were suppressed at 12 h compared to control group. These results suggest that N-89 affects function of endoplasmic reticulum via regulating gene suppression and subsequently parasite growth is inhibited. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumoriHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumori en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DinhThi Quyen en-aut-sei=Dinh en-aut-mei=Thi Quyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimHye-Sook en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Hye-Sook kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Center for Intestinal Health Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Synthetic antimalarial endoperoxide kn-keyword=Synthetic antimalarial endoperoxide en-keyword=Transdermal N-89 kn-keyword=Transdermal N-89 en-keyword=Artemisinin kn-keyword=Artemisinin en-keyword=In vivo kn-keyword=In vivo en-keyword=Abnormal trophozoite kn-keyword=Abnormal trophozoite en-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) kn-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium-binding protein (ERC) en-keyword=Parasite egress-related gene kn-keyword=Parasite egress-related gene END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=4606 end-page=4620 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nano/microparticle-based tough and recyclable polymers toward a sustainable society en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=By virtue of their unique properties, polymer nano/microparticles constitute important building blocks for the construction of functional nanomaterials. Although intense research efforts in this field have laid the foundation for the applications of polymer nano/microparticle-based latex films, cutting-edge innovations in the recycling of polymer materials are still required for the realization of a sustainable society. This feature article reviews our recent attempts to develop the applications of polymer nano/microparticles in the context of a circular society on the basis of the precise synthesis of single nano/microparticles and multiscale structural analysis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SasakiYuma en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishizawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Nishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurehaTakuma en-aut-sei=Kureha en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=21 end-page=30 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Prediction of Prostate Cancer Grades Using Radiomic Features en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We developed a machine learning model for predicting prostate cancer (PCa) grades using radiomic features of magnetic resonance imaging. 112 patients diagnosed with PCa based on prostate biopsy between January 2014 and December 2021 were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to construct two prediction models, one using radiomic features and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values (Radiomics model) and the other Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores and PSA values (PI-RADS model), to differentiate high-grade (Gleason score [GS] ? 8) from intermediate or low-grade (GS < 8) PCa. Five imaging features were selected for the Radiomics model using the Gini coefficient. Model performance was evaluated using AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. The models were compared by leave-one-out cross-validation with Ridge regularization. Furthermore, the Radiomics model was evaluated using the holdout method and represented by a nomogram. The AUC of the Radiomics and PI-RADS models differed significantly (0.799, 95% CI: 0.712-0.869; and 0.710, 95% CI: 0.617-0.792, respectively). Using holdout method, the Radiomics model yielded AUC of 0.778 (95% CI: 0.552-0.925), sensitivity of 0.769, and specificity of 0.778. It outperformed the PI-RADS model and could be useful in predicting PCa grades, potentially aiding in determining appropriate treatment approaches in PCa patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamamotoYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaraguchiTakafumi en-aut-sei=Haraguchi en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaKaori en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiYoshio en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimotoShin en-aut-sei=Kimoto en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanjiNozomu en-aut-sei=Tanji en-aut-mei=Nozomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoAtsushi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiYasuyuki en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MimuraHidefumi en-aut-sei=Mimura en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirakiTakao en-aut-sei=Hiraki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Informatics, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Urology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Urology, Houshasen Daiichi Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Communication Technology Research, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=prostate cancer kn-keyword=prostate cancer en-keyword=machine learning kn-keyword=machine learning en-keyword=prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System kn-keyword=prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System en-keyword=radiomics kn-keyword=radiomics en-keyword=Gleason score kn-keyword=Gleason score END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=121 cd-vols= no-issue=35 article-no= start-page=e2320189121 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240821 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Somatic mutations in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes impact on antitumor immunity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exert clinical efficacy against various types of cancers by reinvigorating exhausted CD8+ T cells that can expand and directly attack cancer cells (cancer-specific T cells) among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Although some reports have identified somatic mutations in TILs, their effect on antitumor immunity remains unclear. In this study, we successfully established 18 cancer-specific T cell clones, which have an exhaustion phenotype, from the TILs of four patients with melanoma. We conducted whole-genome sequencing for these T cell clones and identified various somatic mutations in them with high clonality. Among the somatic mutations, an SH2D2A loss-of-function frameshift mutation and TNFAIP3 deletion could activate T cell effector functions in vitro. Furthermore, we generated CD8+ T cell?specific Tnfaip3 knockout mice and showed that Tnfaip3 function loss in CD8+ T cell increased antitumor immunity, leading to remarkable response to PD-1 blockade in vivo. In addition, we analyzed bulk CD3+ T cells from TILs in additional 12 patients and identified an SH2D2A mutation in one patient through amplicon sequencing. These findings suggest that somatic mutations in TILs can affect antitumor immunity and suggest unique biomarkers and therapeutic targets. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MukoharaFumiaki en-aut-sei=Mukohara en-aut-mei=Fumiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataKazuma en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshinoTakamasa en-aut-sei=Ishino en-aut-mei=Takamasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=InozumeTakashi en-aut-sei=Inozume en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasakiJoji en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaYouki en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Youki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzawaKen en-aut-sei=Suzawa en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UenoToshihide en-aut-sei=Ueno en-aut-mei=Toshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaHideki en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaseKatsushige en-aut-sei=Kawase en-aut-mei=Katsushige kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaekiYuka en-aut-sei=Saeki en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawashimaShusuke en-aut-sei=Kawashima en-aut-mei=Shusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaKazuo en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Kazuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaharaYu en-aut-sei=Kawahara en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=Honobe-TabuchiAkiko en-aut-sei=Honobe-Tabuchi en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeHiroko en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=DansakoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Dansako en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawamuraTatsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Kawamura en-aut-mei=Tatsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiYutaka en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaHiroaki en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=ManoHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Mano en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyookaShinichi en-aut-sei=Toyooka en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawazuMasahito en-aut-sei=Kawazu en-aut-mei=Masahito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=TogashiYosuke en-aut-sei=Togashi en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=KOTAI Biotechnologies, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Skin Oncology/Dermatology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, University of Yamanashi kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Dermatology, University of Yamanashi kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Department of General Thoracic Surgery and Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Division of Cell Therapy, Chiba Cancer Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Department of Tumor Microenvironment, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cancer immunology kn-keyword=cancer immunology en-keyword=somatic mutation kn-keyword=somatic mutation en-keyword=T cell kn-keyword=T cell en-keyword=tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes kn-keyword=tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=170 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109242 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250315 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of small fatigue crack deflection behavior on copper using electron backscatter diffraction and crystal plasticity finite element analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, it was conducted to observe the propagation behavior of small fatigue cracks generated on the surface of α-brass and pure copper, using an electrodynamic plane bending fatigue testing machine. The EBSD method was also used to analyze the crystal orientation near the bottom of the notch on the surface of the test piece. For each slip system of the grain, we calculated the slip factor, defined as the ratio of resolved shear stresses that considers the singular stress field at the crack tip, and investigated the relationship between the propagation behavior of small cracks and the slip factor. Furthermore, we performed a crystal plasticity finite element analysis (CP-FEM) using a crystal plasticity FEM model created from the grains obtained by the EBSD method to predict the deflection behavior of small fatigue cracks when propagating through the grain boundaries. The results indicated that when a crack propagates across a grain boundary, it is difficult to predict the deflection behavior using slip factors, however, the deflection behavior of a crack can be predicted from the resolved shear stress calculated using CP-FEM, which considers the mechanical interactions between crystal grains. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ArakawaJinta en-aut-sei=Arakawa en-aut-mei=Jinta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YabukiRyo en-aut-sei=Yabuki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UemoriTakeshi en-aut-sei=Uemori en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoMasato en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YaguchiKenichi en-aut-sei=Yaguchi en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Innovation Center, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Innovation Center, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation kn-affil= en-keyword=Small fatigue crack kn-keyword=Small fatigue crack en-keyword=Crystal orientation kn-keyword=Crystal orientation en-keyword=CP-FEM kn-keyword=CP-FEM en-keyword=EBSD kn-keyword=EBSD END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=RP99858 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241031 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural basis for molecular assembly of fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins in a diatom photosystem I supercomplex en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosynthetic organisms exhibit remarkable diversity in their light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). LHCs are associated with photosystem I (PSI), forming a PSI-LHCI supercomplex. The number of LHCI subunits, along with their protein sequences and pigment compositions, has been found to differ greatly among the PSI-LHCI structures. However, the mechanisms by which LHCIs recognize their specific binding sites within the PSI core remain unclear. In this study, we determined the cryo-electron microscopy structure of a PSI supercomplex incorporating fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCPs), designated as PSI-FCPI, isolated from the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana CCMP1335. Structural analysis of PSI-FCPI revealed five FCPI subunits associated with a PSI monomer; these subunits were identified as RedCAP, Lhcr3, Lhcq10, Lhcf10, and Lhcq8. Through structural and sequence analyses, we identified specific protein-protein interactions at the interfaces between FCPI and PSI subunits, as well as among FCPI subunits themselves. Comparative structural analyses of PSI-FCPI supercomplexes, combined with phylogenetic analysis of FCPs from T. pseudonana and the diatom Chaetoceros gracilis, underscore the evolutionary conservation of protein motifs crucial for the selective binding of individual FCPI subunits. These findings provide significant insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly and selective binding of FCPIs in diatoms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoKoji en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=XingJian en-aut-sei=Xing en-aut-mei=Jian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumazawaMinoru en-aut-sei=Kumazawa en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaHaruya en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Haruya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IfukuKentaro en-aut-sei=Ifuku en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoRyo en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=114 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=11 end-page=20 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Uncovering the role of arcuate kisspeptin neurons as a source of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator using gene-modified rats kn-title=遺伝子改変ラットを用いた弓状核キスペプチンニューロンの性腺刺激ホルモン放出ホルモンパルスジェネレーターとしての役割解明 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=　世界において，乳牛の受胎率（妊娠率）が低下しており，家畜の繁殖成績向上のための効果的な治療法が必要とされている．家畜を含む哺乳類において，生殖機能は視床下部−下垂体−性腺軸から分泌されるホルモンによって制御されている．これらのホルモンのうち，性腺刺激ホルモン放出ホルモン（GnRH）のパルス状分泌（GnRH パルス）は，性腺刺激ホルモン分泌と性腺機能に本質的に重要である．したがって，GnRH パルスを制御するメカニズム（GnRH パルスジェネレーター）を解明することは，家畜の生殖技術を向上させるために不可欠である．本総説では，著者らの遺伝子改変ラットモデルを用いた弓状核キスペプチンニューロン（ΚNDy ニューロンとしても知られる）がGnRH パルスジェネレーターの本体であることの直接的な証拠を示した研究を中心として，過去20年間の研究を概説した．また，ΚNDy ニューロンが分泌するニューロキニンB，グルタミン酸，ダイノルフィンA がΚNDy ニューロンの神経活動を同期させ，GnRH パルスを発生させるメカニズムについて論じた．遺伝子改変ラットモデルから得られた知識は，GnRH/ 性腺刺激ホルモンパルスを刺激して，家畜の繁殖能力を向上させる新規繁殖促進剤開発に寄与すると期待できる． kn-abstract=　Strategies for increasing reproductive performance are needed for domestic animals because for example the conception (pregnancy) rate has decreased in dairy cows around the world. Reproductive function is controlled by hormones released by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in mammals, including domestic animals. Of those hormones, tonic (pulsatile) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release is fundamentally important for gonadotropin release and gonadal activity. Therefore, uncovering the mechanism controlling GnRH pulses, that is GnRH pulse generator, is essential to improve reproductive technologies for domestic animals. The present review is focused on the indispensable role of arcuate nucleus (ARC) kisspeptin neurons (also known as KNDy neurons) as the GnRH pulse generator in mammals. First, we give a brief overview of studies on hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons throughout the past two decades. Second, we review studies that have provided direct evidence that ARC kisspeptin neurons serve as the GnRH pulse generator, with a special focus on our gene-modified rat models. Finally, we discuss the mechanism underlying GnRH pulse generation. The knowledge obtained from gene-modified rat models should be clinically important and could be adapted to new tools to improve reproductive performance in livestock by stimulating GnRH/gonadotropin pulses. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagaeMayuko en-aut-sei=Nagae en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name=長江麻佑子 kn-aut-sei=長江 kn-aut-mei=麻佑子 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UenoyamaYoshihisa en-aut-sei=Uenoyama en-aut-mei=Yoshihisa kn-aut-name=上野山賀久 kn-aut-sei=上野山 kn-aut-mei=賀久 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命自然科学研究科 affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University kn-affil=名古屋大学大学院生命農学研究科 en-keyword=gene-modified rats kn-keyword=gene-modified rats en-keyword=GnRH kn-keyword=GnRH en-keyword=kisspeptin kn-keyword=kisspeptin en-keyword=LH kn-keyword=LH en-keyword=pulse generator kn-keyword=pulse generator END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=114 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of dark respiration on dry matter production of various crop species en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=　Eleven crops were cultivated: maize, sunflower, soybean, groundnuts, sesame, kenaf, barley, wheat, rice, potato, and sweet potato. The crop growth rate (CGR) and specific dark-respiration rate (Rs) were measured, and growth efficiency GE =CGR/(CGR+R) (R, respiratory loss) was calculated. In each crop, whole-plant Rs reached a maximum in the earlier stages of growth, declined rapidly until the early reproductive growth, and remained almost constant during the ripening period. The Rs of leaves was higher than that of stems during the reproductive growth period, except for maize and potato. The Rs of storage organs was highest in the earlier stages, followed by a rapid decline to similar or lower values than those of leaves and stems during the ripening period. The GE in whole plant was higher than 60% in wheat, maize, barley, sunflower, rice, kenaf, sesame, but lower in soybean, sweet potato and groundnuts, and lowest in potato, which was affected by the higher respiratory loss. The GE in whole plant during the reproductive growth period was significantly lower, which we attributed to increased maintenance costs due to the increase of non-assimilative organs, and decrease in the dry weight of vegetative organs. A positive correlation was observed between the carbohydrate content of storage organs and GE, indicating that a crop with higher carbohydrate content in storage organs tended to have a higher GE. Crops with higher protein and crude fat content in storage organs tended to have lower GE. The GE over the growing season was low for kenaf, a fiber crop which contains high molecular weight compounds such as lignin and cellulose, and lower for sesame, groundnuts, and soybean, which contain high oil and protein and have high respiration costs for the synthesis of storage materials, suggesting that these higher respiration costs are related to lower dry matter production and hence lower yields. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SaitohKuniyuki en-aut-sei=Saitoh en-aut-mei=Kuniyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiTomohiro en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiboriMisa en-aut-sei=Nishibori en-aut-mei=Misa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakagoshiYuki en-aut-sei=Takagoshi en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiYoshihiko en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Yoshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=School of Agriculture, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Cereal crops kn-keyword=Cereal crops en-keyword=Oil crops kn-keyword=Oil crops en-keyword=Crop growth rate kn-keyword=Crop growth rate en-keyword=Dark-respiration kn-keyword=Dark-respiration en-keyword=Growth efficiency kn-keyword=Growth efficiency en-keyword=Leguminous crops kn-keyword=Leguminous crops en-keyword=Nutrients composition kn-keyword=Nutrients composition en-keyword=Respiratory loss kn-keyword=Respiratory loss en-keyword=Root and tuber crops kn-keyword=Root and tuber crops END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=63 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250113 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impact of Task Context on Pleasantness and Softness Estimations: A Study Based on Three Touch Strategies en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigated the two distinct perceptions (pleasantness and softness) of deformable stimuli with different degrees of compliance under conditions with and without a contextual task. Three tactile strategies-grasping, pinching, and pressing-were used to perceive the stimuli. In Experiment 1 (without a contextual task), participants estimated the perceived intensity of softness or pleasantness for each stimulus. In Experiment 2 (with a contextual task), the participants sequentially perceived two stimuli with different compliance levels and indicated which stimulus they perceived as softer and pleasant. The results showed that the psychophysical relationship between compliance and perceived softness was consistent across all tactile strategies in both experiments, with softness estimates increasing as compliance increased. However, the relationship between compliance and pleasantness differed between the two experiments. In Experiment 1, pleasantness estimates increased monotonically with increased compliance. However, in Experiment 2, across all tactile strategies, pleasantness began to decrease within the compliance range of 0.25-2.0 cm2/N, exhibiting an inverted U-shaped trend. These findings indicate that the relationship between compliance and pleasantness is task-dependent, particularly demonstrating significantly different trends when a contextual task is introduced. In contrast, the relationship between compliance and softness remained consistently monotonic. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GaoBinyue en-aut-sei=Gao en-aut-mei=Binyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjimaYoshimichi en-aut-sei=Ejima en-aut-mei=Yoshimichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuJinglong en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Jinglong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=pleasantness kn-keyword=pleasantness en-keyword=softness kn-keyword=softness en-keyword=touch strategy kn-keyword=touch strategy en-keyword=task context kn-keyword=task context en-keyword=psychophysics kn-keyword=psychophysics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2025 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=013C01 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241226 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Modification on Thermal Motion in Geant4 for Neutron Capture Simulation in Gadolinium Loaded Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Neutron tagging is a fundamental technique for electron anti-neutrino detection via the inverse beta decay channel. A reported discrepancy in neutron detection efficiency between observational data and simulation predictions prompted an investigation into neutron capture modeling in Geant4. The study revealed that an overestimation of the thermal motion of hydrogen atoms in Geant4 impacts the fraction of captured nuclei. By manually modifying the Geant4 implementation, the simulation results align with calculations based on evaluated nuclear data and show good agreement with observables derived from the SK-Gd data. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HinoY. en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeK. en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsakaR. en-aut-sei=Asaka en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanS. en-aut-sei=Han en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaM. en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshitsukaM. en-aut-sei=Ishitsuka en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoH. en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzumiyamaS. en-aut-sei=Izumiyama en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanemuraY. en-aut-sei=Kanemura en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoshioY. en-aut-sei=Koshio en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanishiF. en-aut-sei=Nakanishi en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekiyaH. en-aut-sei=Sekiya en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoT. en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Center for Cosmic Neutrinos, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=25 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250115 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Investigation of Hand Gestures for Controlling Video Games in a Rehabilitation Exergame System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can significantly impact individuals' quality of life (QoL), often requiring effective rehabilitation strategies to promote recovery. However, traditional rehabilitation methods can be expensive and may lack engagement, leading to poor adherence to therapy exercise routines. An exergame system can be a solution to this problem. In this paper, we investigate appropriate hand gestures for controlling video games in a rehabilitation exergame system. The Mediapipe Python library is adopted for the real-time recognition of gestures. We choose 10 easy gestures among 32 possible simple gestures. Then, we specify and compare the best and the second-best groups used to control the game. Comprehensive experiments are conducted with 16 students at Andalas University, Indonesia, to find appropriate gestures and evaluate user experiences of the system using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). The results show that the hand gestures in the best group are more accessible than in the second-best group. The results suggest appropriate hand gestures for game controls and confirm the proposal's validity. In future work, we plan to enhance the exergame system by integrating a diverse set of video games, while expanding its application to a broader and more diverse sample. We will also study other practical applications of the hand gesture control function. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HusnaRadhiatul en-aut-sei=Husna en-aut-mei=Radhiatul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnggrainiIrin Tri en-aut-sei=Anggraini en-aut-mei=Irin Tri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanChih-Peng en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Chih-Peng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= en-keyword=hand gesture kn-keyword=hand gesture en-keyword=application control kn-keyword=application control en-keyword=exergame kn-keyword=exergame en-keyword=SUS kn-keyword=SUS en-keyword=UEQ kn-keyword=UEQ en-keyword=python kn-keyword=python en-keyword=mediapipe kn-keyword=mediapipe END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=172 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=471 end-page=479 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Identification of factors related to functional prognoses in craniopharyngiomas en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose Craniopharyngiomas are histologically benign tumors, but their proximity to vital neurovascular structures can significantly deteriorate functional prognoses and severely restrict patients’ social interaction and activity. We retrospectively identified risk factors related to the functional prognoses in patients with craniopharyngioma treated at our center.
Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients who underwent surgery for craniopharyngioma and follow-up at our institution between 2003 and 2022. Functional prognoses were evaluated in terms of obesity (body mass index [BMI]???25 for adults, BMI-Z???1.65 for children), visual function, endocrine function, and social participation. We investigated whether patient characteristics, tumor size, tumor location, hypothalamic involvement, surgical hypothalamic damage, extent of resection, and recurrence rate correlated with these functional prognostic factors.
Results The median age at diagnosis was 28.0 years, with a median follow-up of 80.5 months. Postoperative obesity was present in 22 patients, and those with postoperative obesity had a significantly higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z (preoperative BMI for adults: p?=?0.074; preoperative BMI-Z for children: p?=?0.020) and were significantly correlated with preoperative hypothalamic involvement grade 2 (p?=?0.012) and surgical hypothalamic damage grade II (p?=?0.0001). Deterioration in social participation was significantly associated with a larger tumor size (p?=?0.023) and tumor recurrence (p?=?0.0047).
Conclusions Patients with higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z and hypothalamic involvement have a greater risk of postoperative obesity, and larger tumor size and recurrence can significantly deteriorate the rate of patients’ social participation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UmedaTsuyoshi en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Tsuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaniYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Otani en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiKentaro en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaJoji en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Joji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoShuichiro en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Shuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SurugaYasuki en-aut-sei=Suruga en-aut-mei=Yasuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KemmotsuNaoya en-aut-sei=Kemmotsu en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImotoRyoji en-aut-sei=Imoto en-aut-mei=Ryoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KegoyaYasuhito en-aut-sei=Kegoya en-aut-mei=Yasuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizutaRyo en-aut-sei=Mizuta en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueYohei en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HokamaMadoka en-aut-sei=Hokama en-aut-mei=Madoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiharaSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Makihara en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaKosei en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=InagakiKenichi en-aut-sei=Inagaki en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaTakao en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Craniopharyngioma kn-keyword=Craniopharyngioma en-keyword=Functional prognosis kn-keyword=Functional prognosis en-keyword=Obesity kn-keyword=Obesity en-keyword=Tumor size kn-keyword=Tumor size en-keyword=Social participation kn-keyword=Social participation en-keyword=Hypothalamic involvement kn-keyword=Hypothalamic involvement END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=342 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250117 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Proposal of In Situ Authoring Tool with Visual-Inertial Sensor Fusion for Outdoor Location-Based Augmented Reality en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In location-based augmented reality (LAR) applications, a simple and effective authoring tool is essential to create immersive AR experiences in real-world contexts. Unfortunately, most of the current tools are primarily desktop-based, requiring manual location acquisitions, the use of software development kits (SDKs), and high programming skills, which poses significant challenges for novice developers and a lack of precise LAR content alignment. In this paper, we propose an intuitive in situ authoring tool with visual-inertial sensor fusions to simplify the LAR content creation and storing process directly using a smartphone at the point of interest (POI) location. The tool localizes the user’s position using smartphone sensors and maps it with the captured smartphone movement and the surrounding environment data in real-time. Thus, the AR developer can place a virtual object on-site intuitively without complex programming. By leveraging the combined capabilities of Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping(VSLAM) and Google Street View (GSV), it enhances localization and mapping accuracy during AR object creation. For evaluations, we conducted extensive user testing with 15 participants, assessing the task success rate and completion time of the tool in practical pedestrian navigation scenarios. The Handheld Augmented Reality Usability Scale (HARUS) was used to evaluate overall user satisfaction. The results showed that all the participants successfully completed the tasks, taking 16.76 s on average to create one AR object in a 50 m radius area, while common desktop-based methods in the literature need 1?8 min on average, depending on the user’s expertise. Usability scores reached 89.44 for manipulability and 85.14 for comprehensibility, demonstrating the high effectiveness in simplifying the outdoor LAR content creation process. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MentariMustika en-aut-sei=Mentari en-aut-mei=Mustika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SyaifudinYan Watequlis en-aut-sei=Syaifudin en-aut-mei=Yan Watequlis kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=RahmadaniAlfiandi Aulia en-aut-sei=Rahmadani en-aut-mei=Alfiandi Aulia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil= Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil= Department of Information Technology, Politeknik Negeri Malang kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil= Department of Information Technology, Politeknik Negeri Malang kn-affil= en-keyword=location-based augmented reality (LAR) kn-keyword=location-based augmented reality (LAR) en-keyword=authoring tool kn-keyword=authoring tool en-keyword=outdoor kn-keyword=outdoor en-keyword=VSLAM kn-keyword=VSLAM en-keyword=Google Street View (GSV) kn-keyword=Google Street View (GSV) en-keyword=handheld augmented reality usability scale (HARUS) kn-keyword=handheld augmented reality usability scale (HARUS) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=69 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effectiveness of sensing gloves?applied virtual reality education system on hand hygiene practice: A randomized controlled trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: We developed a virtual reality (VR) education system and evaluated its clinical utility for promoting hand hygiene practices.
Methods: This prospective, 2-week, randomized controlled study conducted at Okayama University Hospital, Japan, from November 2023 to January 2024, involved 22 participants (18 medical students and 4 residents). A fully immersive 360° VR system (VIVE Pro Eye) using a head-mounted display and sensing gloves was used to develop 3 health care tasks in a virtual patient room?Environmental Cleaning, Gauze Exchange, and Urine Collection. After monitoring all participants' baseline usage data of portable hand-rubbing alcohol in the first week, we randomly assigned them into 1:1 groups (VR training and video lecture groups). The primary outcome was differences in hand-rubbed alcohol use before and after intervention.
Results: Before the intervention, alcohol use did not significantly differ between both groups. After the intervention, a significant increase in alcohol use was observed in the VR training group (median: 8.2 g vs 16.2 g; P = .019) but not in the video lecture group.
Conclusions: Our immersive 360° VR education system enhanced hand hygiene practices. Infection prevention and control practitioners and digital technology experts must collaborate to advance the development of superior educational devices and content. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IzumiMahiro en-aut-sei=Izumi en-aut-mei=Mahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYuki en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SoejimaYoshiaki en-aut-sei=Soejima en-aut-mei=Yoshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaShinnosuke en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Shinnosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataMitsunobu en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Mitsunobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoyamaToshihiro en-aut-sei=Koyama en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=GofukuAkio en-aut-sei=Gofuku en-aut-mei=Akio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Health Data Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Quality Assurance Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Infection prevention and control kn-keyword=Infection prevention and control en-keyword=Medical-engineering collaboration kn-keyword=Medical-engineering collaboration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=234 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=120015 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250305 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Reversible chemical modifications of graphene oxide for enhanced viral capture and release in water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Detecting low concentrations of viruses in sewage water is crucial for monitoring the spread of emerging viral diseases. However, current detection methods, which involve concentrating viruses using traditional materials such as gauze or cotton, have limitations in effectively accomplishing this task. This study demonstrates that graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional carbon material, possesses strong viral adsorption capabilities. However, it lacks efficiency for effective viral release. Therefore, we designed a series of new GO-based materials, which exhibited a viral adsorption similar to pristine GO, while significantly enhancing their release performance by attaching alkyl chains and hydrophilic functional groups. Among the synthesized materials, 1,8-aminooctanol grafted to GO (GO-NH2C8OH) has emerged as the most promising candidate, achieving a viral release rate higher than 50 %. This superior performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the alkyl chain and the terminal OH group, which enhances both its affinity for viruses and water dispersibility. Furthermore, we have successfully applied GO-NH2C8OH in a new protocol for concentrating viruses from sewage wastewater. This approach has demonstrated a 200-fold increase in virus concentration, allowing PCR detection of this type of pathogens present in wastewater below the detection limit by direct analysis, underscoring its significant potential for virus surveillance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Ferr?-PujolPilar en-aut-sei=Ferr?-Pujol en-aut-mei=Pilar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataSeiji en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RayaJ?sus en-aut-sei=Raya en-aut-mei=J?sus kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BiancoAlberto en-aut-sei=Bianco en-aut-mei=Alberto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoTakashi en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institut de Chimie, UMR 7177 CNRS, Universit? de Strasbourg kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Center for Water Environment Technology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials kn-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials en-keyword=Functionalization kn-keyword=Functionalization en-keyword=Adsorption kn-keyword=Adsorption en-keyword=Desorption kn-keyword=Desorption en-keyword=Pathogens kn-keyword=Pathogens END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The perception of plastic waste and composition of boathouse waste in floating villages on Tonl? Sap Lake, Cambodia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Villagers living on Tonl? Sap (TS) Lake have low incomes and no access to basic public services, such as waste management, domestic water, electricity, and health care. Knowledge of the villagers’ perceptions and the composition of the waste from their boathouses will contribute to constructing a waste collection system with community participation within the framework of waste prevention and reduction. This study surveyed residents living in boathouses in four floating villages on TS Lake, Cambodia, regarding their perceptions and boathouse waste composition to assess the status of plastic waste and the villagers’ environmental awareness and their willingness to participate in waste collection. The household waste survey sought to clarify the amount of plastic waste and other recyclable waste discharged from floating houses. The perception survey revealed that in the wet season, 36% of respondents disposed of plastic waste by open burning/dumping and 40% by discharge into TS Lake; in the dry season, 76% disposed of waste by open burning/dumping, and only 4% discharged waste into TS Lake. An analysis of the boathouse plastic waste composition showed that residents of the floating villages generated 40.21 g plastic waste/day/capita, which was much lower than 340 g/day/capita in the USA, 120 g/day/capita in China, and even 70 g/day/capita in Cambodian on average, but higher than the 10 g/day/capita in India. This study proposes a novel and valuable framework to estimate and determine the level of awareness of people in floating villages related to plastic pollution effects and waste components from boathouses. At the same time, the research results provide an essential scientific basis to be able to develop an effective waste collection system in the area of TS Lake. The proposed framework of this study will help the policy decision-makers in the TS Lake area and those in similar geographical regions facing similar problems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=VinSpoann en-aut-sei=Vin en-aut-mei=Spoann kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChandaraPhat en-aut-sei=Chandara en-aut-mei=Phat kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukijiMakoto en-aut-sei=Tsukiji en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Economic Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Natural Resource Management and Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Boathouse waste composition kn-keyword=Boathouse waste composition en-keyword=Cambodia kn-keyword=Cambodia en-keyword=Floating villages kn-keyword=Floating villages en-keyword=Perception survey kn-keyword=Perception survey en-keyword=Plastic waste kn-keyword=Plastic waste END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=41 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=2679 end-page=2687 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250118 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Formation of Nanowindow between Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanohorn Assisted by Metal Ions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study presents a novel nanostructured material formed by inserting oxidized carbon nanohorns (CNHox) between layered graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets using metal ions (M) from nitrate as intermediates. The resulting GO?CNHox-M structure effectively mitigated interlayer aggregation of the GO nanosheets. This insertion strategy promoted the formation of nanowindows on the surface of the GO sheets and larger mesopores between the GO nanosheets, improving material porosity. Characterization revealed successful CNHox insertion, which increased interlayer spacing and reduced GO stacking. The GO?CNHox-Ca exhibited a significantly higher specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume than pure GO, with values of 374 m2 g?1 and 0.36 mL g?1, respectively. The GO?CNHox-K composite also exhibited a well-developed pore structure with an SSA of 271 m2 g?1 and pore volume of 0.26 mL g?1. These findings demonstrate that Ca2+ or K+ ions effectively link GO and CNHox, validating the success of this insertion approach in reducing GO aggregation. Metal ions played a crucial role in the insertion process by facilitating electrostatic interactions and coordination bonds between GO and CNHox. This study provides new insights into reducing GO agglomeration and expanding the application of GO-based materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiZhao en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Zhao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyotaMoeto en-aut-sei=Toyota en-aut-mei=Moeto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhkuboTakahiro en-aut-sei=Ohkubo en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=361 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114657 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Crosstalk between prolactin, insulin-like growth factors, and thyroid hormones in feather growth regulation in neonatal chick wings en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The elongation of primary feathers in neonatal chicks is delayed by the late-feathering K gene located on the Z chromosome. We recently found that the K gene slows feather growth by reducing the number of functional prolactin (PRL) receptor (PRLR) dimers. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which PRL promotes feather elongation. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that PRLRs are predominantly localized in the pulp rather than in the epidermal layer of the feather follicle. Treatment of primary cultured feather pulp cells with PRL increased the expression of mRNAs for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs; IGF-1 and IGF-2) and type 2 deiodinase (DIO2). Furthermore, treatments with IGF-1 and triiodothyronine (T3) reciprocally enhanced the expression of mRNAs for DIO2 and IGFs. Additionally, BrdU staining in neonatal chicks showed that T3 promoted cell proliferation in both the epidermal layer and pulp cells, while this effect was suppressed by an IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R) inhibitor. These findings suggest a novel model in which PRL upregulates IGFs and DIO2 in feather pulp cells, creating a positive feedback loop between IGFs and T3, ultimately leading to the promotion of cell proliferation in both the epidermal layer and the pulp cells by IGFs. This is the first report proposing crosstalk between PRL, thyroid hormone (TH), and IGFs in feather follicles. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NozawaYuri en-aut-sei=Nozawa en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraAyako en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Ayako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuchiHibiki en-aut-sei=Fukuchi en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinoharaMasamichi en-aut-sei=Shinohara en-aut-mei=Masamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaSayaka en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSakae en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Prolactin kn-keyword=Prolactin en-keyword=Thyroid hormone kn-keyword=Thyroid hormone en-keyword=IGF kn-keyword=IGF en-keyword=Iodothyronine deiodinase kn-keyword=Iodothyronine deiodinase en-keyword=Feather growth kn-keyword=Feather growth END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=941 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=149244 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250315 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Identification of pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), a novel gene with spatiotemporal expression in barbule cells during feather development en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Bird contour feathers exhibit a complex hierarchical structure composed of a rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbules playing a crucial role in maintaining feather structure and function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying barbule formation is essential for advancing our knowledge of avian biology and evolution. In this study, we identified a novel gene, pennaceous barbule cell factor (PBCF), using microarray analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. PBCF is expressed in barbule cells adjacent to the ramus during pennaceous barbule formation, where these cells fuse with the ramus to establish the feather’s branching structure. PBCF expression occurs transiently after melanin pigmentation of the barbule plates but before the expression of barbule-specific keratin 1 (BlSK1). Orthologues of PBCF, predicted to be secreted proteins, are conserved across avian species, with potential homologues detected in reptiles, suggesting an evolutionary lineage-specific adaptation. Additionally, PBCF is expressed in non-vacuolated notochord cells and the extra-embryonic ectoderm of the yolk sac, hinting at its broader developmental significance. The PBCF gene produces two mRNA isoforms via alternative splicing, encoding a secreted protein and a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane-bound protein, indicating functional versatility. These findings suggest that PBCF may be involved as an avian-specific extracellular matrix component in cell adhesion and/or communication, potentially contributing to both feather development and embryogenesis. Further investigation of PBCF’s role in feather evolution and its potential functions in other vertebrates could provide new insights into the interplay between development and evolution. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakaokaMinori en-aut-sei=Nakaoka en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuchiHibiki en-aut-sei=Fukuchi en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgoshiMaho en-aut-sei=Ogoshi en-aut-mei=Maho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaSayaka en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSakae en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Feather kn-keyword=Feather en-keyword=Barbule kn-keyword=Barbule en-keyword=Branching kn-keyword=Branching en-keyword=Chicken kn-keyword=Chicken en-keyword=Yolk sac membrane kn-keyword=Yolk sac membrane en-keyword=Notochord kn-keyword=Notochord END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=741 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=151006 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241231 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine metabolism is involved in the sperm motility and in vitro fertility rate in mouse en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Increased fragmentation of sperm DNA has been implicated in male infertility. Folate deficiency results in impaired methionine synthesis, depletion of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) levels, an increase in S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) levels, and increased DNA fragmentation. Disruption of the dynamic balance between SAM and SAH may also contribute, although the details of this process are not yet fully understood. We investigated the localization of SAM, SAH, and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), and whether SAM/SAH metabolism contributes to sperm motility and fertilization rate. SAM, SAH, and SAHH levels were assessed in the acrosome, midpiece, and tail of spermatozoa. Chemical inhibition of SAM/SAH metabolism and extracellular SAH significantly decreased the straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and amplitude lateral head displacement (ALH) of sperm cells, which were thus unable to swim forward and perform oscillatory movements in place. This significantly reduced the fertilization rate. Therefore, the disruption of the SAM/SAH balance may contribute to male infertility. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawaiTomoko en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraAtsushi en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cellular Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=SAM/SAH metabolism kn-keyword=SAM/SAH metabolism en-keyword=Sperm motility kn-keyword=Sperm motility en-keyword=Fertilization rate kn-keyword=Fertilization rate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106672 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202502 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Resveratrol, a food-derived polyphenol, promotes Melanosomal degradation in skin fibroblasts through coordinated activation of autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and peanuts, is known for diverse biological activities, yet its effects on dermal hyperpigmentation (so-called dark spots) remain unexplored. We investigated resveratrol's ability to enhance melanosomal degradation in human dermal fibroblasts. At concentrations of 25-50 mu M, resveratrol increased autophagy as measured by microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I ratio and enhanced lysosomal activity as assessed by a lysosomal activity reporter system. RNA sequencing revealed upregulation of lysosomal and autophagy-related genes, including cathepsins. Furthermore, reporter assays showed resveratrol's activation of antioxidant response via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)mediated, leading to upregulation of transcription factor EB/transcription factor E3 (TFEB/TFE3), master regulators of lysosomal function. In fibroblasts pre-loaded with melanosomes, resveratrol reduced melanosome content compared to control by day 3. The findings reveal the activation of interconnected autophagy, lysosomal, and antioxidant pathways by resveratrol, suggesting potential applications in functional foods targeting dermal hyperpigmentation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkamotoSaki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Saki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimaruSaya en-aut-sei=Kakimaru en-aut-mei=Saya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoreishiMayuko en-aut-sei=Koreishi en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoMika en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoHideya en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Hideya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujinoYoshio en-aut-sei=Tsujino en-aut-mei=Yoshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatohAyano en-aut-sei=Satoh en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Genetics, ROIS kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Antioxidant kn-keyword=Antioxidant en-keyword=Lysosomes kn-keyword=Lysosomes en-keyword=Autophagy kn-keyword=Autophagy en-keyword=Resveratrol kn-keyword=Resveratrol en-keyword=Skin fibroblasts kn-keyword=Skin fibroblasts en-keyword=Bioactive compounds kn-keyword=Bioactive compounds END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=129 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=726 end-page=735 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241231 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hydronium Ions Are Less Excluded from Hydrophobic Polymer?Water Interfaces than Hydroxide Ions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The cloud point temperatures of aqueous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) solutions were measured from pH 1.0 to pH 13.0 at a constant ionic strength of 100 mM. This ionic strength was reached by mixing the appropriate concentration of NaCl with either HCl or NaOH. The phase transition temperature of both polymers was nearly constant between pH 2.0 and 12.0. However, the introduction of 100 mM HCl (pH 1.0) led to an increase in the cloud point temperature, although this value was still lower than the cloud point temperature in the absence of salt. By contrast, the introduction of 100 mM NaOH (pH 13.0) caused a decrease in the cloud point temperature, both relative to adding 100 mM NaCl and adding no salt. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of these systems were performed below the cloud point temperature, and the chemical shifts closely tracked the corresponding changes in the phase transition temperature. Specifically, the introduction of 100 mM HCl caused the 1H chemical shift to move downfield for the CH resonances from both PNIPAM and PEO, while 100 mM NaOH caused the same resonances to move upfield. Virtually no change in the chemical shift was seen between pH 2.0 and 12.0. These results are consistent with the idea that a sufficient concentration of H3O+ led to polymer swelling compared to Na+, while substituting Cl? with OH? reduced swelling. Finally, classical all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed with a monomer and 5-mer corresponding to PNIPAM. The results correlated closely with the thermodynamic and spectroscopic data. The simulation showed that H3O+ ions more readily accumulated around the amide oxygen moiety on PNIPAM compared with Na+. On the other hand, OH? was more excluded from the polymer surface than Cl?. Taken together, the thermodynamic, spectroscopic, and MD simulation data revealed that H3O+ was less depleted from hydrophobic polymer/water interfaces than any of the monovalent Hofmeister metal cations or even Ca2+ and Mg2+. As such, it should be placed on the far-right side of the cationic Hofmeister series. On the other hand, OH? was excluded from the interface and could be positioned in the anionic Hofmeister series between H2PO4? and SO42?. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MyersRyan L. en-aut-sei=Myers en-aut-mei=Ryan L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TairaAoi en-aut-sei=Taira en-aut-mei=Aoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanChuanyu en-aut-sei=Yan en-aut-mei=Chuanyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeSeung-Yi en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Seung-Yi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WelshLauren K. en-aut-sei=Welsh en-aut-mei=Lauren K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IaniroPatrick R. en-aut-sei=Ianiro en-aut-mei=Patrick R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangTinglu en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Tinglu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=CremerPaul S. en-aut-sei=Cremer en-aut-mei=Paul S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=60 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250106 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel Drug Delivery Particles Can Provide Dual Effects on Cancer "Theranostics" in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Boron (B) neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a novel non-invasive targeted cancer therapy based on the nuclear capture reaction 10B (n, alpha) 7Li that enables the death of cancer cells without damaging neighboring normal cells. However, the development of clinically approved boron drugs remains challenging. We have previously reported on self-forming nanoparticles for drug delivery consisting of a biodegradable polymer, namely, “AB-type” Lactosome? nanoparticles (AB-Lac particles)- highly loaded with hydrophobic B compounds, namely o-Carborane (Carb) or 1,2-dihexyl-o-Carborane (diC6-Carb), and the latter (diC6-Carb) especially showed the “molecular glue” effect. Here we present in vivo and ex vivo studies with human pancreatic cancer (AsPC-1) cells to find therapeutically optimal formulas and the appropriate treatment conditions for these particles. The biodistribution of the particles was assessed by the tumor/normal tissue ratio (T/N) in terms of tumor/muscle (T/M) and tumor/blood (T/B) ratios using near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG). The in vivo and ex vivo accumulation of B delivered by the injected AB-Lac particles in tumor lesions reached a maximum by 12 h post-injection. Irradiation studies conducted both in vitro and in vivo showed that AB-Lac particles-loaded with either 10B-Carb or 10B-diC6-Carb significantly inhibited the growth of AsPC-1 cancer cells or strongly inhibited their growth, with the latter method being significantly more effective. Surprisingly, a similar in vitro and in vivo irradiation study showed that ICG-labeled AB-Lac particles alone, i.e., without any 10B compounds, also revealed a significant inhibition. Therefore, we expect that our ICG-labeled AB-Lac particles-loaded with 10B compound(s) may be a novel and promising candidate for providing not only NIRF imaging for a practical diagnosis but also the dual therapeutic effects of induced cancer cell death, i.e., “theranostics”. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FithroniAbdul Basith en-aut-sei=Fithroni en-aut-mei=Abdul Basith kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueHaruki en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhouShengli en-aut-sei=Zhou en-aut-mei=Shengli kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HakimTaufik Fatwa Nur en-aut-sei=Hakim en-aut-mei=Taufik Fatwa Nur kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaTakashi en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiMinoru en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiYoshinori en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshimotoManabu en-aut-sei=Ishimoto en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SauriasariRani en-aut-sei=Sauriasari en-aut-mei=Rani kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SauerweinWolfgang A. G. en-aut-sei=Sauerwein en-aut-mei=Wolfgang A. G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeKazunori en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Kazunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraEiji en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=J-BEAM, Inc. kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Nihon Fukushi Fuiin Holding, Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Deutsche Gesellschaft f?r Bor-Neutroneneinfangtherapie DGBNCT e.V., University Hospital Essen, Klinik f?r Strahlentherapie kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) kn-keyword=boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) en-keyword=dual therapeutic effects kn-keyword=dual therapeutic effects en-keyword=Lactosome ? kn-keyword=Lactosome ? en-keyword=hydrophobic boron compound kn-keyword=hydrophobic boron compound en-keyword=neutron irradiation kn-keyword=neutron irradiation en-keyword=theranostics kn-keyword=theranostics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=80 end-page=90 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230627 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antioxidant action of xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat protects the liver and blood vasculature in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Xanthine oxidase (XO) generates reactive oxygen species during uric acid production. Therefore, XO inhibitors, which suppress oxidative stress, may effectively treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and atherosclerosis via uric acid reduction. In this study, we examined the antioxidant effect of the XO inhibitor febuxostat on NASH and atherosclerosis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive 5 (SHRSP5/Dmcr) rats.
Methods: SHRSP5/Dmcr rats were divided into three groups: SHRSP5/Dmcr + high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFC) diet [control group, n = 5], SHRSP5/Dmcr + HFC diet + 10% fructose (40 ml/day) [fructose group, n = 5], and SHRSP5/Dmcr + HFC diet + 10% fructose (40 ml/day) + febuxostat (1.0 mg/kg/day) [febuxostat group, n = 5]. Glucose and insulin resistance, blood biochemistry, histopathological staining, endothelial function, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.
Results: Febuxostat reduced the plasma uric acid levels. Oxidative stress-related genes were downregulated, whereas antioxidant factor-related genes were upregulated in the febuxostat group compared with those in the fructose group. Febuxostat also ameliorated inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid accumulation in the liver. Mesenteric lipid deposition decreased in the arteries, and aortic endothelial function improved in the febuxostat group.
Conclusions: Overall, the XO inhibitor febuxostat exerted protective effects against NASH and atherosclerosis in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KakimotoMai en-aut-sei=Kakimoto en-aut-mei=Mai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiMoe en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Moe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoIkumi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ikumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HonmaKoki en-aut-sei=Honma en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaHinako en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Hinako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiriharaSora en-aut-sei=Kirihara en-aut-mei=Sora kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuokaTaketo en-aut-sei=Fukuoka en-aut-mei=Taketo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=RanShang en-aut-sei=Ran en-aut-mei=Shang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamoriKazuya en-aut-sei=Kitamori en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoShusei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Shusei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeShogo en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University, Academic Field of Health Science kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Kinjo Gakuin University, College of Human Life and Environment kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Technology kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Okayama University, Academic Field of Health Science kn-affil= en-keyword=Anti-inflammatory kn-keyword=Anti-inflammatory en-keyword=Atherosclerosis kn-keyword=Atherosclerosis en-keyword=Febuxostat kn-keyword=Febuxostat en-keyword=Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) kn-keyword=Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) en-keyword=Oxidative stress kn-keyword=Oxidative stress en-keyword=Uric acid kn-keyword=Uric acid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=29 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241225 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Three-Class Annotation Method Improves the AI Detection of Early-Stage Osteosarcoma on Plain Radiographs: A Novel Approach for Rare Cancer Diagnosis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Developing high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) models for rare diseases is challenging owing to limited data availability. This study aimed to evaluate whether a novel three-class annotation method for preparing training data could enhance AI model performance in detecting osteosarcoma on plain radiographs compared to conventional single-class annotation. Methods: We developed two annotation methods for the same dataset of 468 osteosarcoma X-rays and 378 normal radiographs: a conventional single-class annotation (1C model) and a novel three-class annotation method (3C model) that separately labeled intramedullary, cortical, and extramedullary tumor components. Both models used identical U-Net-based architectures, differing only in their annotation approaches. Performance was evaluated using an independent validation dataset. Results: Although both models achieved high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.99 vs. 0.98), the 3C model demonstrated superior operational characteristics. At a standardized cutoff value of 0.2, the 3C model maintained balanced performance (sensitivity: 93.28%, specificity: 92.21%), whereas the 1C model showed compromised specificity (83.58%) despite high sensitivity (98.88%). Notably, at the 25th percentile threshold, both models showed identical false-negative rates despite significantly different cutoff values (3C: 0.661 vs. 1C: 0.985), indicating the ability of the 3C model to maintain diagnostic accuracy at substantially lower thresholds. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that anatomically informed three-class annotation can enhance AI model performance for rare disease detection without requiring additional training data. The improved stability at lower thresholds suggests that thoughtful annotation strategies can optimize the AI model training, particularly in contexts where training data are limited. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaseiJoe en-aut-sei=Hasei en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYujiro en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yujiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYusuke en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkutaKunihiro en-aut-sei=Ikuta en-aut-mei=Kunihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakiShuhei en-aut-sei=Osaki en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HironariTamiya en-aut-sei=Hironari en-aut-mei=Tamiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiwaShinji en-aut-sei=Miwa en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhshikaShusa en-aut-sei=Ohshika en-aut-mei=Shusa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraShunji en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Shunji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaharaNaoaki en-aut-sei=Kahara en-aut-mei=Naoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaAki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Plusman LCC kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology and Rehabilitation, National Cancer Center Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Service, Osaka International Cancer Institute kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kindai University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mizushima Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Science of Functional Recovery and Reconstruction, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=osteosarcoma kn-keyword=osteosarcoma en-keyword=medical image annotation kn-keyword=medical image annotation en-keyword=anatomical annotation method kn-keyword=anatomical annotation method en-keyword=rare cancer kn-keyword=rare cancer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=126 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=012901 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250102 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dynamic domain motion enhancing electro-optic performance in ferroelectric films en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=With the rapid advancement of information technology, there is a pressing need to develop ultracompact and energy-efficient thin-film-based electro-optic (EO) devices. A high EO coefficient in ferroelectric materials is crucial. However, substrate clamping can positively or negatively influence various physical properties, including the EO response of these films, thus complicating the development of next-generation thin-film-based devices. This study demonstrates that reversible dynamic domain motion, achieved through substrate clamping, significantly enhances the EO coefficient in epitaxial ferroelectric rhombohedral Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 thin films, where the (111) and (? 111?) domains coexist with distinct optical axes. In principle, this approach can be applied to different film-substrate systems, thereby contributing to the advancement of sophisticated EO devices based on ferroelectrics. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KondoShinya en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKazuki en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataOsami en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Osami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeranishiTakashi en-aut-sei=Teranishi en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoAkira en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagasakiTakanori en-aut-sei=Nagasaki en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaTomoaki en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Energy Engineering, Nagoya University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=E108-B cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=13 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240801 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Overloaded MIMO Spatial Multiplexing Independent of Antenna Setups en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper proposes overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing that can increase the number of spatially multiplexed signal streams despite of the number of antennas on a terminal and that on a receiver. We propose extension of the channel matrix for the spatial multiplexing to achieve the superb multiplexing performance. Precoding based on the extended channel matrix plays a crucial role in carrying out such spatial multiplexing. We consider three types of QR-decomposition techniques for the proposed spatial multiplexing to improve the transmission performance. The transmission performance of the proposed spatial multiplexing is evaluated by computer simulation. The simulation reveals that the proposed overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing can implement 6 stream-spatial multiplexing in a 2×2 MIMO system, i.e., the overloading ratio of 3.0. The superior transmission performance is achieved by the proposed overloaded MIMO spatial multiplexing with one of the QR-decomposition techniques. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DennoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Denno en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoTakumi en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatobaKoki en-aut-sei=Matoba en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HouYafei en-aut-sei=Hou en-aut-mei=Yafei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=overloaded MIMO kn-keyword=overloaded MIMO en-keyword=spatial multiplexing kn-keyword=spatial multiplexing en-keyword=QR-decomposition kn-keyword=QR-decomposition en-keyword=precoding kn-keyword=precoding en-keyword=overloading ratio kn-keyword=overloading ratio END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=24 article-no= start-page=4878 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Implementation of Web-Based Answer Platform in the Flutter Programming Learning Assistant System Using Docker Compose en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Programming has gained significant importance worldwide as societies increasingly rely on computer application systems. To support novices in learning various programming languages, we have developed the Programming Learning Assistant System (PLAS). It offers several types of exercise problems with different learning goals and levels for step-by-step self-study. As a personal answer platform in PLAS, we have implemented a web application using Node.js and EJS for Java and Python programming. Recently, the Flutter framework with Dart programming has become popular, enabling developers to build applications for mobile, web, and desktop environments from a single codebase. Thus, we have extended PLAS by implementing the Flutter environment with Visual Studio Code to support it. Additionally, we have developed an image-based user interface (UI) testing tool to verify student source code by comparing its generated UI image with the standard one using the ORB and SIFT algorithms in OpenCV. For efficient distribution to students, we have generated Docker images of the answer platform, Flutter environment, and image-based UI testing tool. In this paper, we present the implementation of a web-based answer platform for the Flutter Programming Learning Assistant System (FPLAS) by integrating three Docker images using Docker Compose. Additionally, to capture UI images automatically, an Nginx web application server is adopted with its Docker image. For evaluations, we asked 10 graduate students at Okayama University, Japan, to install the answer platform on their PCs and solve five exercise problems. All the students successfully completed the problems, which confirms the validity and effectiveness of the proposed system. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AungLynn Htet en-aut-sei=Aung en-aut-mei=Lynn Htet kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AungSoe Thandar en-aut-sei=Aung en-aut-mei=Soe Thandar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KyawHtoo Htoo Sandi en-aut-sei=Kyaw en-aut-mei=Htoo Htoo Sandi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaoWen-Chung en-aut-sei=Kao en-aut-mei=Wen-Chung kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Computer and Information Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flutter kn-keyword=Flutter en-keyword=Dart kn-keyword=Dart en-keyword=answer platform kn-keyword=answer platform en-keyword=Flutter environment kn-keyword=Flutter environment en-keyword=Nginx kn-keyword=Nginx en-keyword=UI testing tool kn-keyword=UI testing tool en-keyword=Docker Compose kn-keyword=Docker Compose END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=52 article-no= start-page=35202 end-page=35213 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241216 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Bright Quantum-Grade Fluorescent Nanodiamonds en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Optically accessible spin-active nanomaterials are promising as quantum nanosensors for probing biological samples. However, achieving bioimaging-level brightness and high-quality spin properties for these materials is challenging and hinders their application in quantum biosensing. Here, we demonstrate bright fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs) containing 0.6?1.3-ppm negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers by spin-environment engineering via enriching spin-less 12C-carbon isotopes and reducing substitutional nitrogen spin impurities. The NDs, readily introduced into cultured cells, exhibited improved optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectra; peak splitting (E) was reduced by 2?3 MHz, and microwave excitation power required was 20 times lower to achieve a 3% ODMR contrast, comparable to that of conventional type-Ib NDs. They show average spin-relaxation times of T1 = 0.68 ms and T2 = 3.2 μs (1.6 ms and 5.4 μs maximum) that were 5- and 11-fold longer than those of type-Ib, respectively. Additionally, the extended T2 relaxation times of these NDs enable shot-noise-limited temperature measurements with a sensitivity of approximately 0.28K/√Hz. The combination of bulk-like NV spin properties and enhanced fluorescence significantly improves the sensitivity of ND-based quantum sensors for biological applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OshimiKeisuke en-aut-sei=Oshimi en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiwataHitoshi en-aut-sei=Ishiwata en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaHiromu en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Hiromu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Mandi?Sara en-aut-sei=Mandi? en-aut-mei=Sara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiHina en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Hina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeramotoMinori en-aut-sei=Teramoto en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiHirokazu en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishibayashiYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nishibayashi en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShikanoYutaka en-aut-sei=Shikano en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnToshu en-aut-sei=An en-aut-mei=Toshu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMasazumi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Masazumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Institute for Quantum Life Science (iQLS) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Institute of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Life, Environmental, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=nanodiamonds kn-keyword=nanodiamonds en-keyword=nitrogen-vacancy centers kn-keyword=nitrogen-vacancy centers en-keyword=spins kn-keyword=spins en-keyword=spin-relaxation times kn-keyword=spin-relaxation times en-keyword=quantum biosensor kn-keyword=quantum biosensor en-keyword=cellular probes kn-keyword=cellular probes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1258 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impact of Selective Spatial Attention on Auditory-Tactile Integration: An Event-Related Potential Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Auditory-tactile integration is an important research area in multisensory integration. Especially in special environments (e.g., traffic noise and complex work environments), auditory-tactile integration is crucial for human response and decision making. We investigated the influence of attention on the temporal course and spatial distribution of auditory-tactile integration. Methods: Participants received auditory stimuli alone, tactile stimuli alone, and simultaneous auditory and tactile stimuli, which were randomly presented on the left or right side. For each block, participants attended to all stimuli on the designated side and detected uncommon target stimuli while ignoring all stimuli on the other side. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded via 64 scalp electrodes. Integration was quantified by comparing the response to the combined stimulus to the sum of the responses to the auditory and tactile stimuli presented separately. Results: The results demonstrated that compared to the unattended condition, integration occurred earlier and involved more brain regions in the attended condition when the stimulus was presented in the left hemispace. The unattended condition involved a more extensive range of brain regions and occurred earlier than the attended condition when the stimulus was presented in the right hemispace. Conclusions: Attention can modulate auditory-tactile integration and show systematic differences between the left and right hemispaces. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of auditory-tactile information processing in the human brain. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AnWeichao en-aut-sei=An en-aut-mei=Weichao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangNan en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Nan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiShengnan en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Shengnan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuJinglong en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Jinglong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=auditory-tactile integration kn-keyword=auditory-tactile integration en-keyword=selective spatial attention kn-keyword=selective spatial attention en-keyword=event-related potential kn-keyword=event-related potential en-keyword=left-right hemispace differences kn-keyword=left-right hemispace differences en-keyword=spatiotemporal distribution kn-keyword=spatiotemporal distribution END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=1184 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Contributions of the Primary Sensorimotor Cortex and Posterior Parietal Cortex to Motor Learning and Transfer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Transferring learned manipulations to new manipulation tasks has enabled humans to realize thousands of dexterous object manipulations in daily life. Two-digit grasp and three-digit grasp manipulations require different fingertip forces, and our brain can switch grasp types to ensure good performance according to motor memory. We hypothesized that several brain areas contribute to the execution of the new type of motor according to the motor memory. However, the motor memory mechanisms during this transfer period are still unclear. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we aimed to investigate the cortical mechanisms involved in motor memory during the transfer phase of learned manipulation tasks. Methods: Using a custom-built T-shaped object with an adjustable weight distribution, the participants performed grasp and lift manipulation tasks under different conditions to simulate the learning and transfer phases. The learning phase consisted of four grasp-and-lift repetitions with one motor type, followed by a transfer phase with four repetitions involving different motors (adding or removing a digit). Results: By comparing brain activity in the learning and transfer phases, we identified three regions (the superior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and postcentral gyrus) associated with motor memory during the transfer of learned manipulations. Conclusions: Our findings improve the understanding of the role of the posterior parietal cortex in motor memory, highlighting how sensory information from memory and real-time input is integrated to generate novel motor control signals that guide the precise reapplication of control strategies. Furthermore, we believe that these areas contribute to motor learning from motor memory and may serve as key regions of interest for investigating neurodegenerative diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangChenyu en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Chenyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuYinghua en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Yinghua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangJiajia en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Jiajia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fMRI kn-keyword=fMRI en-keyword=motor learning and transfer kn-keyword=motor learning and transfer en-keyword=primary sensorimotor cortex kn-keyword=primary sensorimotor cortex en-keyword=posterior parietal cortex kn-keyword=posterior parietal cortex END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=789 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Yoga Pose Difficulty Level Estimation Method Using OpenPose for Self-Practice System to Yoga Beginners en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Yoga is an exercise preferable for various users at different ages to enhance physical and mental health. To help beginner yoga self-practitioners avoid getting injured by selecting difficult yoga poses, the information of the difficulty level of yoga poses is very important to provide an objective metric to assist yoga self-practitioners in selecting appropriate exercises on the basis of their skill level by using the yoga self-practice system. To enhance the developed yoga self-practice system, the yoga difficulty level estimation function will enable users to clearly understand whether the selected yoga poses are suitable for them. In this paper, the newest difficulty level estimation method of yoga poses is proposed by using and analyzing OpenPose two-dimensional (2D) human body keypoints. The proposed method effectively uses the selected six keypoints areas of the upper and lower body, body support types, center of gravity calculations, and body tilt angles and slopes to produce estimations. Firstly, the method calculates the weighted centers of the upper and lower human body for each pose by using keypoints. Secondly, it refers the slope of the centroid line between the two centers and infers the body's balance state. Lastly, the system estimates the difficulty level by additionally considering the keypoints of the body to contact the ground. For evaluations of the proposal, more than one hundred yoga poses are collected from the Internet and applied to classify them into five difficulty levels. Through comparisons with subjective levels from one instructor and 10 users, the validity of the estimation results is confirmed, a comparison is performed with existing designs, and it is implemented in embedded systems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShihCheng-Liang en-aut-sei=Shih en-aut-mei=Cheng-Liang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuJun-You en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Jun-You kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnggrainiIrin Tri en-aut-sei=Anggraini en-aut-mei=Irin Tri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=XiaoYanqi en-aut-sei=Xiao en-aut-mei=Yanqi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanChih-Peng en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Chih-Peng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University kn-affil= en-keyword=yoga kn-keyword=yoga en-keyword=self-practice kn-keyword=self-practice en-keyword=OpenPose kn-keyword=OpenPose en-keyword=pose difficulty level kn-keyword=pose difficulty level en-keyword=body keypoint kn-keyword=body keypoint END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Multi-dimensional optimisation of the scanning strategy for the LiteBIRD space mission en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Large angular scale surveys in the absence of atmosphere are essential for measuring the primordial B-mode power spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Since this proposed measurement is about three to four orders of magnitude fainter than the temperature anisotropies of the CMB, in-flight calibration of the instruments and active suppression of systematic effects are crucial. We investigate the effect of changing the parameters of the scanning strategy on the in-flight calibration effectiveness, the suppression of the systematic effects themselves, and the ability to distinguish systematic effects by null-tests. Next-generation missions such as LiteBIRD, modulated by a Half-Wave Plate (HWP), will be able to observe polarisation using a single detector, eliminating the need to combine several detectors to measure polarisation, as done in many previous experiments and hence avoiding the consequent systematic effects. While the HWP is expected to suppress many systematic effects, some of them will remain. We use an analytical approach to comprehensively address the mitigation of these systematic effects and identify the characteristics of scanning strategies that are the most effective for implementing a variety of calibration strategies in the multi-dimensional space of common spacecraft scan parameters. We verify that LiteBIRD's standard configuration yields good performance on the metrics we studied. We also present Falcons.jl, a fast spacecraft scanning simulator that we developed to investigate this scanning parameter space. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakaseY. en-aut-sei=Takase en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=VacherL. en-aut-sei=Vacher en-aut-mei=L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshinoH. en-aut-sei=Ishino en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=PatanchonG. en-aut-sei=Patanchon en-aut-mei=G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MontierL. en-aut-sei=Montier en-aut-mei=L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SteverS.L. en-aut-sei=Stever en-aut-mei=S.L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshizakaK. en-aut-sei=Ishizaka en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaganoY. en-aut-sei=Nagano en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangW. en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=W. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AumontJ. en-aut-sei=Aumont en-aut-mei=J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaK. en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnandA. en-aut-sei=Anand en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=BaccigalupiC. en-aut-sei=Baccigalupi en-aut-mei=C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=BallardiniM. en-aut-sei=Ballardini en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=BandayA.J. en-aut-sei=Banday en-aut-mei=A.J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarreiroR.B. en-aut-sei=Barreiro en-aut-mei=R.B. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=BartoloN. en-aut-sei=Bartolo en-aut-mei=N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=BasakS. en-aut-sei=Basak en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=BersanelliM. en-aut-sei=Bersanelli en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=BortolamiM. en-aut-sei=Bortolami en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrinckmannT. en-aut-sei=Brinckmann en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=CalabreseE. en-aut-sei=Calabrese en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=CampetiP. en-aut-sei=Campeti en-aut-mei=P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=CarinosE. en-aut-sei=Carinos en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=CaronesA. en-aut-sei=Carones en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=CasasF.J. en-aut-sei=Casas en-aut-mei=F.J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=CheungK. en-aut-sei=Cheung en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=ClermontL. en-aut-sei=Clermont en-aut-mei=L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=ColumbroF. en-aut-sei=Columbro en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=CoppolecchiaA. en-aut-sei=Coppolecchia en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= en-aut-name=CuttaiaF. en-aut-sei=Cuttaia en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=31 ORCID= en-aut-name=D'AlessandroG. en-aut-sei=D'Alessandro en-aut-mei=G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=32 ORCID= en-aut-name=de BernardisP. en-aut-sei=de Bernardis en-aut-mei=P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=33 ORCID= en-aut-name=de HaanT. en-aut-sei=de Haan en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=34 ORCID= en-aut-name=de la HozE. en-aut-sei=de la Hoz en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=35 ORCID= en-aut-name=Della TorreS. en-aut-sei=Della Torre en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=36 ORCID= en-aut-name=Diego-PalazuelosP. en-aut-sei=Diego-Palazuelos en-aut-mei=P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=37 ORCID= en-aut-name=EriksenH.K. en-aut-sei=Eriksen en-aut-mei=H.K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=38 ORCID= en-aut-name=ErrardJ. en-aut-sei=Errard en-aut-mei=J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=39 ORCID= en-aut-name=FinelliF. en-aut-sei=Finelli en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=40 ORCID= en-aut-name=FuskelandU. en-aut-sei=Fuskeland en-aut-mei=U. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=41 ORCID= en-aut-name=GalloniG. en-aut-sei=Galloni en-aut-mei=G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=42 ORCID= en-aut-name=GallowayM. en-aut-sei=Galloway en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=43 ORCID= en-aut-name=GervasiM. en-aut-sei=Gervasi en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=44 ORCID= en-aut-name=GhignaT. en-aut-sei=Ghigna en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=45 ORCID= en-aut-name=GiardielloS. en-aut-sei=Giardiello en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=46 ORCID= en-aut-name=Gimeno-AmoC. en-aut-sei=Gimeno-Amo en-aut-mei=C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=47 ORCID= en-aut-name=Gjerl?wE. en-aut-sei=Gjerl?w en-aut-mei=E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=48 ORCID= en-aut-name=Gonz?lez Gonz?lezR. en-aut-sei=Gonz?lez Gonz?lez en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=49 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ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=ILANCE, CNRS, University of Tokyo International Research Laboratory kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=IRAP, Universit? de Toulouse, CNRS, CNES, UPS kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Universit? 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La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=31 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=32 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=33 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=34 en-affil=Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=35 en-affil=CNRS-UCB International Research Laboratory, Centre Pierre Bin?truy, UMI2007 kn-affil= affil-num=36 en-affil=INFN Sezione Milano Bicocca kn-affil= affil-num=37 en-affil=Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics kn-affil= affil-num=38 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=39 en-affil=Universit? Paris Cit?, CNRS, Astroparticule et Cosmologie kn-affil= affil-num=40 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=41 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=42 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Universit? di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=43 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=44 en-affil=University of Milano Bicocca, Physics Department kn-affil= affil-num=45 en-affil=International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=46 en-affil=School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University kn-affil= affil-num=47 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=48 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=49 en-affil=Instituto de Astrof?sica de Canarias kn-affil= affil-num=50 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=51 en-affil=International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=52 en-affil=Universit? Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=53 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=54 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=55 en-affil=Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= affil-num=56 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=57 en-affil=INFN Sezione di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=58 en-affil=Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=59 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Universit? di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=60 en-affil=Laboratoire de Physique de l'?cole Normale Sup?rieure, ENS, Universit? PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Universit?, Universit? de Paris kn-affil= affil-num=61 en-affil=University of California, San Diego, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=62 en-affil=Aurora Technology for the European Space Agency kn-affil= affil-num=63 en-affil=Space Science Data Center, Italian Space Agency kn-affil= affil-num=64 en-affil=Universit? Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale kn-affil= affil-num=65 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=66 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=67 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "G. 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La Sapienza kn-affil= affil-num=84 en-affil=INFN Sezione di Pisa kn-affil= affil-num=85 en-affil=Space Science Data Center, Italian Space Agency kn-affil= affil-num=86 en-affil=Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-aboratori Nazionali di Frascati (INFN-LNF) kn-affil= affil-num=87 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Universit? di Ferrara kn-affil= affil-num=88 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=89 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? di Roma Tor Vergata kn-affil= affil-num=90 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=91 en-affil=Suwa University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=92 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=93 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=94 en-affil=Suwa University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=95 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? di Pisa kn-affil= affil-num=96 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=97 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) kn-affil= affil-num=98 en-affil=INAF, OAS Bologna kn-affil= affil-num=99 en-affil=Dipartimento di Fisica, Universit? degli Studi di Milano kn-affil= affil-num=100 en-affil=Universit? Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=101 en-affil=Universit? Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=102 en-affil=Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria (IFCA, CSIC-UC) kn-affil= affil-num=103 en-affil=Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo kn-affil= affil-num=104 en-affil=University of California, Berkeley, Department of Physics, Berkeley kn-affil= affil-num=105 en-affil=Universit? Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab kn-affil= affil-num=106 en-affil=NASA Goddard Space Flight Center kn-affil= affil-num=107 en-affil=University of Milano Bicocca, Physics Department kn-affil= affil-num=108 en-affil=International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) kn-affil= en-keyword=CMBR experiments kn-keyword=CMBR experiments en-keyword=CMBR polarisation kn-keyword=CMBR polarisation en-keyword=gravitational waves and CMBR polarization kn-keyword=gravitational waves and CMBR polarization END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=JAMDSM0001 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of tool life prediction system for square end-mills based on database of servo motor current value en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Accurate prediction of tool life is crucial for reducing production costs and enhancing quality in the machining process. However, such predictions often rely on empirical knowledge, which may limit inexperienced engineers to reliably obtain accurate predictions. This study explores a method to predict the tool life of a cutting machine using servo motor current data collected during the initial stages of tool wear, which is a cost-effective approach. The LightGBM model was identified as suitable for predicting tool life from current data, given the challenges associated with predicting from the average variation of current values. By identifying and utilizing the top 50 features from the current data for prediction, the accuracy of tool life prediction in the early wear stage improved. As this prediction method was developed based on current data obtained during the very early wear stage in experiments with square end-mills, it was tested on extrapolated data using different end-mill diameters. The findings revealed average accuracy rates of 71.2% and 69.4% when using maximum machining time and maximum removal volume as thresholds, respectively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KODAMAHiroyuki en-aut-sei=KODAMA en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SUZUKIMakoto en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OHASHIKazuhito en-aut-sei=OHASHI en-aut-mei=Kazuhito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate school of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Milling kn-keyword=Milling en-keyword=LightGBM kn-keyword=LightGBM en-keyword=Tool life prediction kn-keyword=Tool life prediction en-keyword=Square end-mill kn-keyword=Square end-mill en-keyword=Servo motor current kn-keyword=Servo motor current END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e202404400 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250107 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Graphene Oxide as a Self‐Carbocatalyst to Facilitate the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Glycidol for Efficient Polyglycerol Grafting en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Grafting carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) with polyglycerol (PG) improves their application potentials in biomedicine and electronics. Although “grafting from” method offers advantages over “grafting to” one in terms of operability and versatility, little is known about the reaction process of glycidol with the surface groups onto CNMs. By using graphene oxide (GO) as a multi-functional model material, we examined the reactivity of the surface groups on GO toward glycidol molecules via a set of model reactions. We reveal that carboxyl groups spontaneously react with the epoxide ring with no need of catalyst, while GO catalyzes the reactions of hydroxyl groups with the epoxide of glycidol. In addition, the hydroxyl group of glycidol can open the epoxide in the basal plane of GO. The subsequent polymerization of PG is supposed to propagate at the primary and/or the secondary hydroxyl groups, generating a ramified PG macromolecule with random branch-on-branch topology. In addition, ketones, benzyl esters and aromatic ethers are found not to react with glycidol even in the presence of GO, while the aldehydes are easily oxidized into carboxyl groups under ambient condition, behaving then as the carboxyl groups. Our findings pose the foundation for understanding the polymerization mechanism of PG on CNMs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZouYajuan en-aut-sei=Zou en-aut-mei=Yajuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhkuraKentaro en-aut-sei=Ohkura en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Ortiz‐AnayaIsrael en-aut-sei=Ortiz‐Anaya en-aut-mei=Israel kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraRyota en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Ryota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=BiancoAlberto en-aut-sei=Bianco en-aut-mei=Alberto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials kn-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials en-keyword=Epoxide ring-opening kn-keyword=Epoxide ring-opening en-keyword=Catalysis kn-keyword=Catalysis en-keyword=Polyglycerol functionalization kn-keyword=Polyglycerol functionalization END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=620 end-page=626 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=All-in-one terahertz taste sensor: integrated electronic and bioelectronic tongues en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Taste sensors, also known as electronic tongues or bioelectronic tongues, are designed to evaluate food and beverages, as well as for medical diagnostics. These devices mimic the ability of the human tongue to detect and identify different tastes in liquid samples, such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. In this study, a novel all-in-one terahertz taste sensor was proposed, which differs from traditional electrochemical approaches. This sensor utilizes terahertz technology for imaging and sensing chemical reactions on the terahertz semiconductor emitter surface. The surface can be functionalized with ion-sensitive membranes, proteins, DNA aptamers, and organic receptors, enabling the detection of various substances, such as solution pH, physiological ions, sugars, toxic chemicals, drugs, and explosives. Terahertz taste sensors offer several advantages, including being label-free, high sensitivity and selectivity, rapid response, minimal sample consumption, and the ability to detect non-charged chemical substances. By integrating multiple receptors or sensing materials on a single chip, the all-in-one terahertz taste sensor has significant potential for future taste substance detection, nutrition evaluation, metabolite and drug monitoring, and biomarker sensing. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiKenji en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=73 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230220 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of Automatic Inspection Systems for WRS2020 Plant Disaster Prevention Challenge Using Image Processing en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this article, an approach used for the inspection tasks in the WRS2020 Plant Disaster Prevention Challenge is explained. The tasks were categorized into three categories: reading pressure gauges, inspecting rust on a tank, and inspecting cracks in a tank. For reading pressure gauges, the “you only look once” algorithm was used to focus on a specific pressure gauge and check the pressure gauge range strings on the gauge using optical character recognition algorithm. Finally, a previously learned classifier was used to read the values shown in the gauge. For rust inspection, image processes were used to focus on a target plate that may be rusted for rust detection. In particular, it was necessary to report the rust area and distribution type. Thus, the pixel ratio and grouping of rust were used to count the rust. The approach for crack inspection was similar to that for rust. The target plate was focused on first, and then the length of the crack was measured using image processing. Its width was not measured but was calculated using the crack area and length. For each system developed to approach each task, the results of the preliminary experiment and those of WRS2020 are shown. Finally, the approaches are summarized, and planned future work is discussed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimizuYuya en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamegawaTetsushi en-aut-sei=Kamegawa en-aut-mei=Tetsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangYongdong en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Yongdong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraHajime en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeshimaTaiga en-aut-sei=Teshima en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoSota en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Sota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaYuki en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoDaiki en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiYuichi en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekitoTaiga en-aut-sei=Sekito en-aut-mei=Taiga kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=UtsumiKeisuke en-aut-sei=Utsumi en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoRai en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Rai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SembaMizuki en-aut-sei=Semba en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=WRS2020 kn-keyword=WRS2020 en-keyword=image processing kn-keyword=image processing en-keyword=auto inspection kn-keyword=auto inspection en-keyword=YOLO kn-keyword=YOLO en-keyword=OCR kn-keyword=OCR END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=222 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115374 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Environmental water in Kolkata is suitable for the survival of Vibrio cholerae O1 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many patients with cholera emerge in Kolkata, India throughout the year. Such emergency indicates that cholera toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae O1 (toxigenic V. cholerae O1) are widespread in Kolkata. This suggests that the suitable conditions for replication of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is provided in Kolkata. In previous studies, we found that the replication rate of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is low in the low ionic aqueous solution. Then we measured the ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata. As a control, we measured them in Japanese environmental water. The ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata was significantly high. Then, we examined the survival of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in groundwater from Kolkata and found that V. cholerae O1 survive for long time in the solution but not in the solution diluted with Milli Q water. In addition, we found that V. cholerae O1 proliferated in environmental water of Kolkata to which a small amount of nutrient was added, but did not grow in the environmental water diluted with water to which the same amount of nutrient was added. These results indicate that the environmental water from Kolkata is suitable for survival of V. cholerae O1. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiEizo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChowdhuryGoutam en-aut-sei=Chowdhury en-aut-mei=Goutam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaShanta en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Shanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiSadayuki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Sadayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Health Pharmacy, Yokohama University of Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Environmental water kn-keyword=Environmental water en-keyword=Ion kn-keyword=Ion en-keyword=Prevalence kn-keyword=Prevalence en-keyword=Survival kn-keyword=Survival en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=391 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=158 end-page=176 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250215 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Magnesium isotope composition of volcanic rocks from cold and warm subduction zones: Implications for the recycling of subducted serpentinites and carbonates en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Magnesium (Mg) isotopes are regarded as a sensitive tracer to the contribution from subducted serpentinites and carbonates. However, the source, distribution, and controlling factors of the Mg isotope composition of arc magmas remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the intra-arc and inter-arc variations in Mg isotope compositions of volcanic rocks from two typical cold subduction zones [NE Japan (NEJ) and Izu arcs] and a typical hot subduction zone [SW Japan (SWJ) arc] to address the question. The volcanic rocks from the frontal-arc regions of NEJ and Izu have isotopically heavy Mg (δ26Mg = ?0.20 to ?0.08 ‰) compared to the mantle-like δ26Mg values of most of volcanic rocks from SWJ and the rear regions of NEJ and Izu arcs (?0.28 to ?0.17 ‰). It is also worth noting that NEJ arc includes samples with δ26Mg values (?0.61 to ?0.39 ‰) significantly lower than the mantle, but similar to the < 110 Ma intra-continental basalts from eastern China, which is the first observation in modern arc rocks. No obvious effects of post-eruptive alteration, fractional crystallization, partial melting, or the addition of silicate-rich sediment and oceanic crust components could be identified in the Mg isotope compositions of these volcanic rocks. By contrast, the correlations between the δ26Mg values and the proxy for serpentinite component (i.e., 11B/10B and Nb/B ratios) indicate that the component exerts a strong control on the Mg-isotopic signature of these arc rocks. Considering metamorphic reactions in subduction lithologies under P-T conditions postulated for these arcs, the variations in δ26Mg values of these arc magmas are unlikely to have been controlled by dehydration of serpentinites in subducted oceanic lithosphere (slab serpentinite). Instead, the high-δ26Mg values of frontal-arc rocks are delivered by the fluids from serpentinite formed in the lowermost part of the sub-arc mantle (mantle wedge serpentinite) in channelized flow. Comparatively, such a high-δ26Mg signature is invisible in volcanic rocks from rear-arc regions of NEJ and Izu, and the entire SWJ, suggesting that the major Mg carriers in subducted serpentinites (e.g., talc, chlorite, and serpentine) were broken down completely before subducted slabs reached the depth beneath these volcanoes. Moreover, the volcanic rocks with low δ26Mg values from the rear arc of NEJ are characterized by high La/Yb and U/Nb ratios as well as low Ti/Eu, Ti/Ti*, and Hf/Hf* ratios, suggesting the involvements of carbonates in their magma sources. The quantitative modeling suggests that < 20 % of sedimentary carbonate (dolomite) was recycled into their mantle source, revealing that Mg-rich carbonate could be incorporated into a deep mantle wedge at rear-arc depths of 150?400 km in subduction zones. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangWei en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Wei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitagawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuangFang en-aut-sei=Huang en-aut-mei=Fang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China kn-affil= en-keyword=Magnesium isotopes kn-keyword=Magnesium isotopes en-keyword=Arc magmas kn-keyword=Arc magmas en-keyword=Mantle wedge serpentinite kn-keyword=Mantle wedge serpentinite en-keyword=Slab serpentinite kn-keyword=Slab serpentinite en-keyword=Carbonate recycle kn-keyword=Carbonate recycle END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=24 end-page=28 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202407 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Initial trial of three?lead wearable electrocardiogram monitoring in a full marathon en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Sudden cardiac arrest during exercise can occur without prior warning signs at rest, highlighting the importance of monitoring for its prevention. To detect the signs of ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery anomalies, ST changes must be detected using three?lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) corresponding to each region of the three coronary artery branches. We conducted ECG monitoring of five runners during a marathon using a wearable three?lead ECG device (e-skin ECG; Xenoma Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Data without noise or artifacts were successfully collected for one of five runners during the entire marathon. Within the initial hour of the marathon, poor electrode adhesion to the skin hindered the data collection for the remaining four runners, which resulted in significantly decreased acquisition rate compared with the first hour (86.7?±?13.4?% to 37.3?±?36.9?%, p?=?0.028). Couplets of premature ventricular contractions with clear ECG waveforms in the three leads were detected in one runner during the marathon. Further device improvements are necessary to enable marathon runners to obtain ECGs efficiently without affecting their performance. This study also demonstrated the potential applications of three?lead wearable ECG monitoring for other short-duration sports and remote home-based cardiac rehabilitation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HiraiKenta en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakanoNoriko en-aut-sei=Sakano en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OozawaSusumu en-aut-sei=Oozawa en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OusakaDaiki en-aut-sei=Ousaka en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurokoYosuke en-aut-sei=Kuroko en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaharaShingo en-aut-sei=Kasahara en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Clinical Safety, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=Sudden cardiac arrest kn-keyword=Sudden cardiac arrest en-keyword=Sports cardiology kn-keyword=Sports cardiology en-keyword=Electrocardiogram kn-keyword=Electrocardiogram en-keyword=Wearable device kn-keyword=Wearable device en-keyword=Cardiac rehabilitation kn-keyword=Cardiac rehabilitation en-keyword=Coronary artery anomalies kn-keyword=Coronary artery anomalies END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=3-4 article-no= start-page=116 end-page=125 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241230 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep Reinforcement Learning Enabled Adaptive Virtual Machine Migration Control in Multi-Stage Information Processing Systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper tackles a Virtual Machine (VM) migration control problem to maximize the progress (accuracy) of information processing tasks in multi-stage information processing systems. The conventional methods for this problem are effective only for specific situations, such as when the system load is high. In this paper, in order to adaptively achieve high accuracy in various situations, we propose a VM migration method using a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) algorithm. It is difficult to directly apply a DRL algorithm to the VM migration control problem because the size of the solution space of the problem dynamically changes according to the number of VMs staying in the system while the size of the agent’s action space is fixed in DRL algorithms. To cope with this difficulty, the proposed method divides the VM migration control problem into two problems: the problem of determining only the VM distribution (i.e., the proportion of the number of VMs deployed on each edge server) and the problem of determining the locations of all the VMs so that it follows the determined VM distribution. The former problem is solved by a DRL algorithm, and the latter by a heuristic method. This approach makes it possible to apply a DRL algorithm to the VM migration control problem because the VM distribution is expressed by a vector with a fixed number of dimensions and can be directly outputted by the agent. The simulation results confirm that our proposed method can adaptively achieve quasi-optimal accuracy in various situations with different link delays, types of the information processing tasks and the number of VMs. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FukushimaYukinobu en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Yukinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoujitaniYuki en-aut-sei=Koujitani en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaneKazutoshi en-aut-sei=Nakane en-aut-mei=Kazutoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TarutaniYuya en-aut-sei=Tarutani en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WuCelimuge en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Celimuge kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JiYusheng en-aut-sei=Ji en-aut-mei=Yusheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokohiraTokumi en-aut-sei=Yokohira en-aut-mei=Tokumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuraseTutomu en-aut-sei=Murase en-aut-mei=Tutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering The Univ. of Electro-Commun. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Information Systems Architecture Research Division National Institute of Informatics kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science Nagoya University kn-affil= en-keyword=Multi-stage information processing system kn-keyword=Multi-stage information processing system en-keyword=VM migration control kn-keyword=VM migration control en-keyword=Deep reinforcement learning kn-keyword=Deep reinforcement learning en-keyword=Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) kn-keyword=Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=19 end-page=52 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Mineralogy and geochemistry of magnetite-garnet bearing skarn deposits surrounding iron-smelting sites in the Kibi region of Japan kn-title=吉備製鉄遺跡周辺地域の磁鉄鉱ざくろ石スカルン鉄鉱石の鉱物学的・地球化学的特徴 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We conducted mineralogical and geochemical analysis of ore samples taken from locations surrounding the Jinmu, Sanp?, and K?moto mines in order to determine the source of iron ore uncovered from archaeological sites. The mineral composition of the magnetite-garnet bearing skarn deposits varies from mine to mine: while clinopyroxene and amphibole are present in the Jinmu and Sanp? samples, only a small amount of clinopyroxene occurs in the K?moto samples. The chemical compositions of magnetite and garnet are distinctive for each mine. Among the trace elements contained in the magnetite, Mg and Mn tend to be higher in the K?moto samples, Ti in the Jinmu samples, and Ca and Si in the Sanp? samples. The garnet from all the mines is andradite, but while the K?moto samples contain almost no Al, it is present in the Jinmu and Sanp? samples. Although samples were taken from a limited number of mine areas (three), our analysis provides an index for comparison with iron ore uncovered from archaeological sites, which will aid in provenance determination. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TAKECHIYasushi en-aut-sei=TAKECHI en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name=武智泰史 kn-aut-sei=武智 kn-aut-mei=泰史 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NAKAMURADaisuke en-aut-sei=NAKAMURA en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name=中村大輔 kn-aut-sei=中村 kn-aut-mei=大輔 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SUZUKIShigeyuki en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Shigeyuki kn-aut-name=鈴木茂之 kn-aut-sei=鈴木 kn-aut-mei=茂之 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=RYANJoseph en-aut-sei=RYAN en-aut-mei=Joseph kn-aut-name=ライアンジョセフ kn-aut-sei=ライアン kn-aut-mei=ジョセフ aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UWAGAKITakeshi en-aut-sei=UWAGAKI en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name=上栫武 kn-aut-sei=上栫 kn-aut-mei=武 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NAGAHARAMasato en-aut-sei=NAGAHARA en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name=長原正人 kn-aut-sei=長原 kn-aut-mei=正人 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YOSHIEYuta en-aut-sei=YOSHIE en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name=吉江雄太 kn-aut-sei=吉江 kn-aut-mei=雄太 aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IKEHATAKei en-aut-sei=IKEHATA en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name=池端慶 kn-aut-sei=池端 kn-aut-mei=慶 aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KIMURAOsamu en-aut-sei=KIMURA en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name=木村理 kn-aut-sei=木村 kn-aut-mei=理 aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HATTORIRyoichi en-aut-sei=HATTORI en-aut-mei=Ryoichi kn-aut-name=服部亮一 kn-aut-sei=服部 kn-aut-mei=亮一 aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Kurashiki Museum of Natural History kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Earth Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University, Department of Earth Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University, Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Okayama Prefectural Board of Education kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Historical Study Group of Mining and Metallurgy of Japan kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Okayama University, Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Osaka University, Graduate School of Humanities kn-affil= en-keyword=Iron-smithing sites kn-keyword=Iron-smithing sites en-keyword=skarn deposits kn-keyword=skarn deposits en-keyword=mineral composition of ore kn-keyword=mineral composition of ore en-keyword=geochemical analysis kn-keyword=geochemical analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=18 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=An army post of the 17th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army as deciphered from an analysis of an old photograph kn-title=旧日本陸軍第十七師団駐屯地造営時古写真の解読 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In 2022, an old photograph was discovered that was thought to be of an army post of the 17th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, but unfortunately it had no textual record. The first purpose of this paper is to verify the authenticity of the photograph. I therefore examined whether the contents of the photograph were consistent with the landscape of the Meiji period and whether it was possible to take it with the photographic equipment and technology of the time. As a result, I confirmed that there was no contradiction in its contents, and it also became clear that it could have been taken with the equipment and technology of the time. Next, I examined when the photograph was taken based on its contents and known records. Finally, I estimated that it had been taken in the spring of 1908. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NOZAKITakahiro en-aut-sei=NOZAKI en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name=野ｱ貴博 kn-aut-sei=野ｱ kn-aut-mei=貴博 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Old photograph kn-keyword=Old photograph en-keyword=army post of the 17th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army kn-keyword=army post of the 17th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army en-keyword=construction work kn-keyword=construction work en-keyword=landscape kn-keyword=landscape en-keyword=distortion kn-keyword=distortion en-keyword=vanishing point kn-keyword=vanishing point END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=769 end-page=774 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230519 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Review: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to regulate important brain activity?what occurs at the molecular level? en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Herein, we briefly review the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in regulating important brain activity by controlled release of acetylcholine from subcortical neuron groups, focusing on a microscopic viewpoint and considering the nonlinear dynamics of biological macromolecules associated with neuron activity and how they give rise to advanced brain functions of brain. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaraShigetoshi en-aut-sei=Nara en-aut-mei=Shigetoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagutiYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamaguti en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsudaIchiro en-aut-sei=Tsuda en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Information Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences/Center for Mathematical Science and Artificial Intelligence, Chubu University kn-affil= en-keyword=Neuromodulator kn-keyword=Neuromodulator en-keyword=Nichotinic kn-keyword=Nichotinic en-keyword=Acetylcholine kn-keyword=Acetylcholine en-keyword=Receptors kn-keyword=Receptors en-keyword=Brain activity kn-keyword=Brain activity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=8 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Transepidermal Water Loss Estimation Model for Evaluating Skin Barrier Function en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Deterioration of skin barrier function causes symptoms such as allergies because it allows various chemical substances to enter the human body. Quantitative evaluation of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum is useful as a measure of skin barrier function in fields such as dermatology, nursing science, and cosmetics development. The stratum corneum is responsible for most of the skin barrier function, and this function has conventionally been evaluated using transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In this paper, we propose a new model for estimation of TEWL from measurements of the thickness of the stratum corneum and water content of the surface of the stratum corneum, and discuss the results of the measurements. By measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum using confocal laser microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy, respectively, and examining the relationship of these variables with TEWL, we established a new potential model for estimating TEWL from these two variables. The correlation coefficient of the validation data was 0.886 and the root mean squared error was 8.18 points. These findings indicate the feasibility of qualitative evaluation of TEWL by measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UeharaOsamu en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusuharaToshimasa en-aut-sei=Kusuhara en-aut-mei=Toshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTakao en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Medical Engineering Laboratory, ALCARE Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=TEWL kn-keyword=TEWL en-keyword=stratum corneum thickness kn-keyword=stratum corneum thickness en-keyword=water content of stratum corneum kn-keyword=water content of stratum corneum END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=213 end-page=218 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=β-catenin Binds to Gsk-3β in Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Compartment in HEK293 Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged as a significant mechanism for cellular organization, impacting various biological processes, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This study investigates the role of LLPS in the regulation of β-catenin in HEK293 cells, particularly in response to Wnt3a signaling. Our findings demonstrate that β-catenin is regulated by LLPS, forming spherical droplets indicative of this phenomenon. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays revealed that these droplets exhibit reversible dynamics, further confirming their phase-separated nature. Importantly, treatment with Wnt3a led to an increase in β-catenin levels, while simultaneously reducing the recovery of fluorescence intensity in FRAP experiments, suggesting that enhanced Wnt signaling may stimulate the release of β-catenin from LLPS. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that β-catenin binds to glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk-3β) within the LLPS state, highlighting a potential regulatory mechanism whereby LLPS facilitates the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of β-catenin. The addition of 1,6-hexanediol disrupted the β-catenin/Gsk-3β interaction, reinforcing the idea that LLPS plays a critical role in modulating these biochemical interactions. The findings presented in this study suggest that LLPS is not only crucial for the spatial organization of β-catenin but also serves as a regulatory mechanism for its signaling functions in the Wnt pathway. Given the association of aberrant Wnt signaling with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, understanding the role of LLPS in this context may provide new insights into therapeutic strategies targeting these pathological conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoMari en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanaiAiri en-aut-sei=Tanai en-aut-mei=Airi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuharaYoko en-aut-sei=Fukuhara en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhengXinyu en-aut-sei=Zheng en-aut-mei=Xinyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SitosariHeriati en-aut-sei=Sitosari en-aut-mei=Heriati kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkegameMika en-aut-sei=Ikegame en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamuraHirohiko en-aut-sei=Okamura en-aut-mei=Hirohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=The Center for Graduate Medical Education (Dental Division), Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral Morphology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=β-catenin kn-keyword=β-catenin en-keyword=Gsk-3β kn-keyword=Gsk-3β en-keyword=LLPS kn-keyword=LLPS en-keyword=Wnt kn-keyword=Wnt END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241214 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of aged microplastics on paddy soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions under laboratory aerobic conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Microplastics (MPs) formed after changes in chemical or physical properties may alter soil properties, which in turn may affect microbial activities and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, few studies have focused on the effects of aged MPs changes on soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of MPs with different aging times on soil GHG emissions and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Low-density polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) were treated with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 0?2?weeks. Soil was incubated with PE or PLA 1% (w/w) concentration at 60% water holding capacity (WHC) for 35?days. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Results showed that CO2 and N2O emissions were higher (p? Conclusion: In this Japanese cohort, IVF conception was not associated with adverse long-term health or developmental outcomes. These findings provide reassurance about the safety of IVF, particularly in the context of single embryo transfer policies. Further research is needed to explore specific IVF protocols and subgroups. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoNaomi en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Naomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuiTakashi en-aut-sei=Mitsui en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadowakiTomoka en-aut-sei=Kadowaki en-aut-mei=Tomoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsuhashiToshiharu en-aut-sei=Mitsuhashi en-aut-mei=Toshiharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaTomoya en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=In vitro fertilization (IVF) kn-keyword=In vitro fertilization (IVF) en-keyword=Assisted reproductive technology (ART) kn-keyword=Assisted reproductive technology (ART) en-keyword=Long-term outcome kn-keyword=Long-term outcome en-keyword=Development kn-keyword=Development END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=46 end-page=60 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Terpolymerization reactions of epoxides, CO2, and the third monomers toward sustainable CO2-based polymers with controllable chemical and physical properties en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Carbon dioxide (CO2) serves as a cheap, abundant, and renewable C1 building block for the synthesis of organic compounds and polymers. Selective and efficient CO2 fixation processes are still challenging because of the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of CO2. Among various CO2 fixation processes, the ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides and CO2 gives aliphatic polycarbonates with high atom economy, although the chemical and physical properties of the resulting polycarbonates are not necessarily satisfactory. Introducing the third monomers into this ROCOP system provides new terpolymers, and the thermal, optical, mechanical or degradation properties can be added or tuned by incorporating new polymer backbones derived from the third monomers at the expense of the CO2 content. Here we review the terpolymerization reactions of epoxides, CO2, and the third monomers such as cyclic anhydrides, lactones, lactides, heteroallenes, and olefins. The development of catalysts and the control of the polymer structures are described together with the chemical and physical properties of the resulting polymers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakaokaKoichi en-aut-sei=Nakaoka en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=EmaTadashi en-aut-sei=Ema en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=金属支持型固体酸化物形燃料電池の性能評価に関する研究 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YODAMasakazu en-aut-sei=YODA en-aut-mei=Masakazu kn-aut-name=依田将和 kn-aut-sei=依田 kn-aut-mei=将和 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=イットリア安定化ジルコニア電解質膜の低温成膜技術に関する研究 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MANABEKyohei en-aut-sei=MANABE en-aut-mei=Kyohei kn-aut-name=眞鍋享平 kn-aut-sei=眞鍋 kn-aut-mei=享平 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=ロボット操作のための視覚情報処理を用いた不定形ひもの状態認識手法 kn-title=Recognition Methodology of Deformable String State Using Visual Information Processing for Robotic Manipulation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WANGJUNXIANG en-aut-sei=WANG en-aut-mei=JUNXIANG kn-aut-name=王俊祥 kn-aut-sei=王 kn-aut-mei=俊祥 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=ELiPSベースの暗号文ポリシー属性ベース暗号 kn-title=ELiPS-based Ciphertext-Policy Attribute-Based Encryption en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LE HOANG ANH en-aut-sei=LE HOANG ANH en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=IoTアプリケーション・システムのための統合サーバ・プラットフォームに関する研究 kn-title=A Study of Integrated Server Platform for IoT Application Systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YOHANES YOHANIE FRIDELIN PANDUMAN en-aut-sei=YOHANES YOHANIE FRIDELIN PANDUMAN en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=ユーザPCコンピューティングシステムにおける均一ジョブのワーカ割当アルゴリズムに関する研究 kn-title=A Study of Uniform Job Assignment Algorithms to Workers in User-PC Computing System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZHOUXUDONG en-aut-sei=ZHOU en-aut-mei=XUDONG kn-aut-name=周旭東 kn-aut-sei=周 kn-aut-mei=旭東 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=プログラミング学習支援システムにおけるPythonコード記述問題とC++値トレース問題に関する研究 kn-title=A Study of Python Code Writing Problem and C++ Value Trace Problem for Programming Learning Assistant Systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SHUNE LAE AUNG en-aut-sei=SHUNE LAE AUNG en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Java の解答コード検証プログラムと JavaScriptのコード変更問題の研究 kn-title=A Study of Java Answer Code Validation Program and JavaScript Code Modification Problems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KHAING HSU WAI en-aut-sei=KHAING HSU WAI en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=リボソーム・トランスロコン複合体の再局在化が、真核生物発生における小胞体出現の重要なイベントである証拠 kn-title=Evidence for the relocalization of the ribosome-translocon complex as a key event for the emergence of endoplasmic reticulum during eukaryogenesis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CARILOIsaac en-aut-sei=CARILO en-aut-mei=Isaac kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=新しい種類のBi由来化合物ならびに空間反転対称性の欠如したLaPtGe結晶の超伝導特性に関する研究 kn-title=Study on superconducting properties of new Bi-based compounds and noncentrosymmetric LaPtGe crystal en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangZhiyan en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Zhiyan kn-aut-name=張智炎 kn-aut-sei=張 kn-aut-mei=智炎 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=チェコ共和国・ボヘミア地塊に産する珪長質グラニュライトの変成温度圧力条件 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NAITOMio en-aut-sei=NAITO en-aut-mei=Mio kn-aut-name=内藤美桜 kn-aut-sei=内藤 kn-aut-mei=美桜 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=キイロショウジョウバエ概日時計を制御する時計神経回路の網羅的機能解析 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SEKIGUCHIManabu en-aut-sei=SEKIGUCHI en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name=関口学 kn-aut-sei=関口 kn-aut-mei=学 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=オゾンとアルケンおよびその他の有機分子との反応に関する研究 kn-title=Study on the Reaction of Ozone with Alkenes and Other Organic Molecules en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MOHAMED REDA ELSAYED ELKHOLANY en-aut-sei=MOHAMED REDA ELSAYED ELKHOLANY en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1445364 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241031 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Degree of twist in the Achilles tendon interacts with its length and thickness in affecting local strain magnitude: a finite element analysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: The relationship between the twisting of the three subtendons of the Achilles tendon (AT) and local strain has received attention in recent years. The present study aimed to elucidate how the degree of twist in the AT affects strain using finite element (FE) analysis, while also considering other geometries (e.g., length, thickness, and width) and their combinations.
Methods: A total of 59 FE models with different degrees of twist and geometries were created. A lengthening force (z-axis) of 1,000 N was applied to each subtendon (total: 3,000 N). The average value of the first principal Lagrange strain was calculated for the middle third of the total length of the model.
Results: Statistical (stepwise) analysis revealed the effects of the degree of twist, other geometries, and their combinations on AT strain. The main findings were as follows: (1) a greater degree of twist resulted in higher average strains (t = 9.28, p < 0.0001) and (2) the effect of the degree of twist on the strain depended on dimensions of thickness of the most distal part of the AT (t = -4.49, p < 0.0001) and the length of the AT (t = -3.82, p = 0.0005). Specifically, when the thickness of the most distal part and length were large, the degree of twist had a small effect on the first principal Lagrange strain; however, when the thickness of the most distal part and length were small, a greater degree of twist results in higher first principal Lagrange strain.
Conclusion: These results indicate that the relationship between the degree of twist and local strain is complex and may not be accurately assessed by FE simulation using a single geometry. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=EnomotoShota en-aut-sei=Enomoto en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FuruuchiShunya en-aut-sei=Furuuchi en-aut-mei=Shunya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshibashiTatsuki en-aut-sei=Ishibashi en-aut-mei=Tatsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaShu en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Shu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OdaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Oda en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute for Promotion of Education and Campus Life, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Hyogo University of Teacher Education kn-affil= en-keyword=achilles tendon kn-keyword=achilles tendon en-keyword=computational model kn-keyword=computational model en-keyword=small composite design kn-keyword=small composite design en-keyword=subtendon kn-keyword=subtendon en-keyword=tendinopathy kn-keyword=tendinopathy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=22 article-no= start-page=11942 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241106 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Distribution and Incorporation of Extracellular Vesicles into Chondrocytes and Synoviocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease affecting over 500 million people worldwide. As the population ages and obesity rates rise, the societal burden of OA is increasing. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-1β, are implicated in the pathogenesis of OA. Recent studies suggest that crosstalk between cartilage and synovium contributes to OA development, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were purified from cell culture-conditioned medium via ultracentrifugation and confirmed using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blotting. We demonstrated that EVs were taken up by human synoviocytes and chondrocytes in vitro, while in vivo experiments revealed that fluorescent-labelled EVs injected into mouse joints were incorporated into chondrocytes and synoviocytes. EV uptake was significantly inhibited by dynamin-mediated endocytosis inhibitors, indicating that endocytosis plays a major role in this process. Additionally, co-culture experiments with HEK-293 cells expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP)-tagged CD9 and the chondrocytic cell line OUMS-27 confirmed the transfer of RFP-positive EVs across a 600-nm but not a 30-nm filter. These findings suggest that EVs from chondrocytes are released into joint fluid and taken up by cells within the cartilage, potentially facilitating communication between cartilage and synovium. The results underscore the importance of EVs in OA pathophysiology. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoIkumi en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Ikumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashitaRen en-aut-sei=Takashita en-aut-mei=Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KodamaShintaro en-aut-sei=Kodama en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkemuraKentaro en-aut-sei=Ikemura en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OpokuGabriel en-aut-sei=Opoku en-aut-mei=Gabriel kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeShogo en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurumatsuTakayuki en-aut-sei=Furumatsu en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoMitsuru en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkiyoshiKazunari en-aut-sei=Akiyoshi en-aut-mei=Kazunari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirohataSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hirohata en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Laboratory of Biomaterials, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=extracellular vesicles (EVs) kn-keyword=extracellular vesicles (EVs) en-keyword=chondrocytes kn-keyword=chondrocytes en-keyword=synoviocytes kn-keyword=synoviocytes en-keyword=osteoarthritis (OA) kn-keyword=osteoarthritis (OA) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=22 article-no= start-page=12063 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241110 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficient Production of Chondrocyte Particles from Human iPSC-Derived Chondroprogenitors Using a Plate-Based Cell Self-Aggregation Technique en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The limited capacity of articular cartilage for self-repair is a critical challenge in orthopedic medicine. Here, we aimed to develop a simplified method of generating chondrocyte particles from human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived expandable limb-bud mesenchymal cells (ExpLBM) using a cell self-aggregation technique (CAT). ExpLBM cells were induced to form chondrocyte particles through a stepwise differentiation protocol performed on a CAT plate (prevelex-CAT (R)), which enables efficient and consistent production of an arbitrary number of uniformly sized particles. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that the generated chondrocyte particles expressed key cartilage markers, such as type II collagen and aggrecan, but not hypertrophic markers, such as type X collagen. Additionally, when these particles were transplanted into osteochondral defects in rats with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency, they demonstrated successful engraftment and extracellular matrix production, as evidenced by Safranin O and Toluidine Blue staining. These data suggest that the plate-based CAT system offers a robust and scalable approach to produce a large number of chondrocyte particles in a simplified and efficient manner, with potential application to cartilage regeneration. Future studies will focus on refining the system and exploring its clinical applications to the treatment of cartilage defects. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HanakiShojiro en-aut-sei=Hanaki en-aut-mei=Shojiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaoTomoka en-aut-sei=Takao en-aut-mei=Tomoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwaiRyosuke en-aut-sei=Iwai en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaradaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Takarada en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Regenerative Science, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Regenerative Science, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Regenerative Science, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Frontier Science and Technology, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Regenerative Science, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=tissue engineering kn-keyword=tissue engineering en-keyword=chondrocyte particles kn-keyword=chondrocyte particles en-keyword=cartilaginous particles kn-keyword=cartilaginous particles en-keyword=ExpLBM kn-keyword=ExpLBM en-keyword=hiPSC kn-keyword=hiPSC en-keyword=chondrocyte kn-keyword=chondrocyte END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=67 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=189 end-page=195 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Prosthodontic treatment can improve the ingestible food profile in Japanese adult outpatients en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose: To investigate the effect of prosthodontic treatment on the ingestible food profile in adult Japanese outpatients, and to identify the related risk factors that can deteriorate the profile.
Methods: The participants were 277 outpatients who visited university-based specialty clinics in Japan for prosthodontic treatment. The demographic data, number of present teeth assessed via intraoral examination, and oral health-related quality of life assessed by the total Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-J54) scores of all participants were recorded before treatment. Ingestible food profile score (IFS) was recorded using a validated food intake questionnaire. Eligible participants who answered the questionnaire before and after treatment were categorized into five groups based on the prosthodontic treatments they received (i.e., crowns, bridges, removable partial dentures, removable complete dentures, and removable complete and partial dentures).
Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a statistically significant main effect of prosthodontic intervention (time course: before and after treatment) on mean IFS (P=0.035, F=4.526), even after adjusting for covariates (age, number of present teeth, and treatment modality). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the low number of present teeth (r=0.427, P<0.001) and a high OHIP-J54 total score (r=-0.519, P<0.001) of the patients at the baseline were significantly associated with their baseline IFSs, even after adjusting for confounding variables.
Conclusions: The findings of this multicenter follow-up study indicate the importance of prosthodontic rehabilitation in improving patients’ ingestible food profiles. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Kimura-OnoAya en-aut-sei=Kimura-Ono en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaekawaKenji en-aut-sei=Maekawa en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubokiTakuo en-aut-sei=Kuboki en-aut-mei=Takuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NawachiKumiko en-aut-sei=Nawachi en-aut-mei=Kumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujisawaMasanori en-aut-sei=Fujisawa en-aut-mei=Masanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHironobu en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Hironobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AitaHideki en-aut-sei=Aita en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoyamaShigeto en-aut-sei=Koyama en-aut-mei=Shigeto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=HideshimaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Hideshima en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYuji en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakeHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Wake en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaoKan en-aut-sei=Nagao en-aut-mei=Kan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=Kodaira-UedaYorika en-aut-sei=Kodaira-Ueda en-aut-mei=Yorika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamakiKatsushi en-aut-sei=Tamaki en-aut-mei=Katsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=SadamoriShinsuke en-aut-sei=Sadamori en-aut-mei=Shinsuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsugaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Tsuga en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Nishi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=SawaseTakashi en-aut-sei=Sawase en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoshinoHisashi en-aut-sei=Koshino en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasumiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Masumi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraiKaoru en-aut-sei=Sakurai en-aut-mei=Kaoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshibashiKanji en-aut-sei=Ishibashi en-aut-mei=Kanji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhyamaTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohyama en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagawaYasumasa en-aut-sei=Akagawa en-aut-mei=Yasumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiKeiichi en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoyanoKiyoshi en-aut-sei=Koyano en-aut-mei=Kiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=YataniHirofumi en-aut-sei=Yatani en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumuraHideo en-aut-sei=Matsumura en-aut-mei=Hideo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchikawaTetsuo en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Tetsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhkawaShuji en-aut-sei=Ohkawa en-aut-mei=Shuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=31 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabaKazuyoshi en-aut-sei=Baba en-aut-mei=Kazuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=32 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Meikai University School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Fukuoka Dental College Graduate School of Dental Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Japan kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Showa University School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Tokyo Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Kanagawa Dental University Graduate School kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Health Sciences University of Hokkaido School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Kyushu Dental University kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Tokyo Dental College kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Iwate Medical University School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Health Sciences University of Hokkaido School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Kyushu University Faculty of Dental Science kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=Nihon University School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=31 en-affil=Meikai University School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=32 en-affil=Showa University School of Dentistry kn-affil= en-keyword=Dietary diversity kn-keyword=Dietary diversity en-keyword=Ingestible foods kn-keyword=Ingestible foods en-keyword=Oral-health quality of life kn-keyword=Oral-health quality of life en-keyword=Prosthodontic rehabilitation kn-keyword=Prosthodontic rehabilitation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=33 end-page=41 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230222 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Antimalarial effect of synthetic endoperoxide on synchronized Plasmodium chabaudi infected mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The discovery of new antimalarial drugs can be developed using asynchronized Plasmodium berghei malaria parasites in vivo in mice. Studies on a particular stage are also required to assess the effectiveness and mode of action of drugs. In this report, we used endoperoxide 6-(1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro [7.11] nonadec-4-yl) hexan-1-ol (N-251) as a model antimalarial compound on P. chabaudi parasites. We examined the antimalarial effect of N-251 against ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich P. chabaudi parasites and asynchronized P. berghei parasites using the 4-day suppressive test. The ED50 values were 27, 22, and 22 mg/kg, respectively, and the antimalarial activity of N-251 was verified in both rodent malaria parasites. To assess the stage-specific effect of N-251 in vivo, we evaluated the change of parasitemia and distribution of parasite stages using ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich P. chabaudi parasites with one-day drug administration for one life cycle. We discovered that the parasitemias decreased after 13 and 9 hours post-treatment in the ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich groups, respectively. Additionally, in the ring-stage-rich N-251 treated group, the ring-stage parasites hindered trophozoite parasite development. For the trophozoite-stage-rich N-251 treated group, the distribution of the trophozoite stage was maintained without a change in parasitemia until 9 hours. Because of these findings, it can be concluded that N-251 suppressed the trophozoite stage but not the ring stage. We report for the first time that N-251 specifically suppresses the trophozoite stage using P. chabaudi in mice. The results show that P. chabaudi is a reliable model for the characterization of stage-specific antimalarial effects. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AlyNagwa S. M. en-aut-sei=Aly en-aut-mei=Nagwa S. M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumoriHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumori en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DinhThi Quyen en-aut-sei=Dinh en-aut-mei=Thi Quyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoAkira en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-Ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChangKyung-Soo en-aut-sei=Chang en-aut-mei=Kyung-Soo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuHak Sun en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Hak Sun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiFumie en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Fumie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimHye-Sook en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Hye-Sook kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Sanitary Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Environmental Science, School of Life Environmental Science, Azabu University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Plasmodium chabaudi kn-keyword=Plasmodium chabaudi en-keyword=synchronization kn-keyword=synchronization en-keyword=stage-specific activity kn-keyword=stage-specific activity en-keyword=antimalarial N-251 kn-keyword=antimalarial N-251 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=300 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=107360 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202406 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nonspecific N-terminal tetrapeptide insertions disrupt the translation arrest induced by ribosome-arresting peptide sequences en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The nascent polypeptide chains passing through the ribosome tunnel not only serve as an intermediate of protein synthesis but also, in some cases, act as dynamic genetic information, controlling translation through interaction with the ribosome. One notable example is Escherichia coli SecM, in which translation of the ribosome arresting peptide (RAP) sequence in SecM leads to robust elongation arrest. Translation regulations, including the SecM-induced translation arrest, play regulatory roles such as gene expression control. Recent investigations have indicated that the insertion of a peptide sequence, SKIK (or MSKIK), into the adjacent N-terminus of the RAP sequence of SecM behaves as an "arrest canceler". As the study did not provide a direct assessment of the strength of translation arrest, we conducted detailed biochemical analyses. The results revealed that the effect of SKIK insertion on weakening SecM-induced translation arrest was not specific to the SKIK sequence, that is, other tetrapeptide sequences inserted just before the RAP sequence also attenuated the arrest. Our data suggest that SKIK or other tetrapeptide insertions disrupt the context of the RAP sequence rather than canceling or preventing the translation arrest. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KoboAkinao en-aut-sei=Kobo en-aut-mei=Akinao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaguchiHideki en-aut-sei=Taguchi en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChadaniYuhei en-aut-sei=Chadani en-aut-mei=Yuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=61 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=282 end-page=291 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230821 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluating the activity of N-89 as an oral antimalarial drug en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Despite the recent progress in public health measures, malaria remains a troublesome disease that needs to be eradicated. It is essential to develop new antimalarial medications that are reliable and secure. This report evaluated the pharmacokinetics and antimalarial activity of 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei in vivo. After a single oral dose (75 mg/kg) of N-89, its pharmacokinetic parameters were measured, and t1/2 was 0.97 h, Tmax was 0.75 h, and bioavailability was 7.01%. A plasma concentration of 8.1 ng/ml of N-89 was maintained for 8 h but could not be detected at 10 h. The dose inhibiting 50% of parasite growth (ED50) and ED90 values of oral N-89 obtained following a 4-day suppressive test were 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. Based on the plasma concentration of N-89, we evaluated the antimalarial activity and cure effects of oral N-89 at a dose of 75 mg/kg 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days in mice harboring more than 0.5% parasitemia. In all the N-89- treated groups, the parasites were eliminated on day 5 post-treatment, and all mice recovered without a parasite recurrence for 30 days. Additionally, administering oral N-89 at a low dose of 50 mg/kg was sufficient to cure mice from day 6 without parasite recurrence. This work was the first to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and antimalarial activity of N-89 as an oral drug. In the future, the following steps should be focused on developing N-89 for malaria treatments; its administration schedule and metabolic pathways should be investigated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AlyNagwa S. M. en-aut-sei=Aly en-aut-mei=Nagwa S. M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumoriHiroaki en-aut-sei=Matsumori en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DinhThi Quyen en-aut-sei=Dinh en-aut-mei=Thi Quyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoAkira en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChangKyung-Soo en-aut-sei=Chang en-aut-mei=Kyung-Soo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuHak Sun en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Hak Sun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaTakaaki en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurosakiYuji en-aut-sei=Kurosaki en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=CaoDuc Tuan en-aut-sei=Cao en-aut-mei=Duc Tuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=RashedGehan A. en-aut-sei=Rashed en-aut-mei=Gehan A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimHye-Sook en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Hye-Sook kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Sanitary Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Natural Products Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Formulation Design, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Control, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Parasitology, Benha Faculty of Medicine, Benha University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of International Infectious Diseases Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=New antimalarial candidate kn-keyword=New antimalarial candidate en-keyword=oral N-89 kn-keyword=oral N-89 en-keyword=pharmacokinetics kn-keyword=pharmacokinetics en-keyword=in vivo kn-keyword=in vivo END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=171824 end-page=171835 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Passability-Based Local Planner Using Growing Neural Gas for an Autonomous Mobile Robot en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=3D spatial perception is one of the most important abilities for autonomous mobile robots. In environments with unknown objects, the ability to perform a local planner, which modifies the global path based on the perception results, is also required as an indispensable capability. In this paper, we propose a method based on Growing Neural Gas with Different Topologies (GNG-DT), which can be applied to unknown data, as a method for 3D spatial perception and local planner in unknown environments. First, we propose a method for extracting travelability perceptions from the features estimated by the topological structure of the GNG-DT. Next, we learn the topological structure of passability information based on the size of the robot from the extracted traversability percepts. Furthermore, we propose a local planner that uses the topological structure of traversability and passability learned from the point cloud currently perceived by the robot. In the experiments, we compared the cases where only traversability was used and where passability information was used in actual environments, and showed that the proposed method can plan a route that determines the area that the robot can actually pass through. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OzasaKoki en-aut-sei=Ozasa en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaToshiki en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Toshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonishiHirohide en-aut-sei=Konishi en-aut-mei=Hirohide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsunoTakayuki en-aut-sei=Matsuno en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=NSK Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Autonomous mobile robot kn-keyword=Autonomous mobile robot en-keyword=growing neural gas kn-keyword=growing neural gas en-keyword=local planner kn-keyword=local planner END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Abacus Manipulation Understanding by Behavior Sensing Utilizing Document Camera as a Sensor en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=　The abacus (also known as Soroban) is a numerical calculation tool that is traditionally used in East Asian countries. With the advancement of information technologies, the abacus is no longer used as a standard calculation tool. However, abacus learning is garnering global attention due to the secondary skills it can foster, e.g., mental arithmetic ability. Numerical calculation using an abacus requires learning numerical expressions using the beads of the abacus and manipulating beads in multiple ways and in different orders. Due to this complexity, a long period of repeated learning is usually required to acquire the skill of using the abacus. However, the teaching method of the abacus mainly relied on lecturers' observation through finding errors and poor bead manipulations and pointing them out, and there is no other way but to rely on human labor at this moment. In this study, we aim to realize an ICT-based learning support system for arithmetic with a common abacus. This paper proposes a method of estimating input values on an abacus based on image recognition captured by a document camera. Through the evaluation experiments, we have confirmed that the proposed method showed an accuracy of 95.0% in the estimation of 7-digit number input on an abacus. Additionally, this paper will provide discussions to realize the proposed method with other cameras such as wearable camera devices, and to design the coaching system of abacus learning. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MATSUDAYuki en-aut-sei=MATSUDA en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=65 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=1488 end-page=1500 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241015 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=A Method for Inter-Broadcaster Data Integration of Non-Identifiable Television Viewing Log kn-title=非特定テレビ視聴履歴データの放送局間統合手法 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract=Recently, TV broadcasters have been collecting and utilizing non-personal TV viewing log data, including start and end times of viewing, from TVs connected to the Internet in a format that does not identify individual viewers. However, since each broadcaster can only use its own non-personal TV viewing log data, it has not yet been able to obtain useful knowledge despite the vast amount of data it has accumulated. In addition, the collection methods and data granularity of non-personal TV viewing log data vary from station to station, and the data accumulated by each station cannot be integrated and used. In this paper, we propose a method for matching non-specific viewing history data collected by each broadcaster using its own method, and design and implement a simulator to evaluate the proposed method. The proposed method estimates that TVs whose channel transition timing matches five items collected at the time of viewing history data collection (IP address, zip code, manufacturer ID, browser major version, and browser minor version) are the same TVs. In addition, we designed a simulator that reproduces viewer behavior and applied this method to the viewing history data synthesized from the simulator. As a result, we succeeded in matching approximately 2.41 million TVs out of the 2.5 million units of data generated, showing an identification rate of 96.5%. kn-abstract=近年，各テレビ放送局において，個人を特定しない形式で，インターネット接続されたテレビから視聴開始時刻や視聴終了時刻等を含む非特定視聴履歴データを収集し，利活用する取り組みが進められている．しかし，各放送局は自局の非特定視聴履歴データしか利用できないため，膨大なデータを蓄積しているにもかかわらず，有用な知見を得るまでに至っていないのが現状である．さらに，非特定視聴履歴データの収集方式やデータ粒度は，各局各様となっており，各局が蓄積したデータを統合し，利用することもできていない．そこで本論文では，各局が独自の方式で取得している非特定視聴履歴データを放送局間で統合する手法を提案し，評価するためのシミュレータ設計と実装を行い，提案手法の評価を行う．
提案手法では，各局の視聴履歴データのうち，共通しているIPアドレス・郵便番号・メーカID・ブラウザメジャーバージョン・ブラウザマイナーバージョンの5項目でテレビ受像機を分離処理する．そして，分離された中でこれらの5項目が一致するテレビのうち，さらにチャンネル遷移時刻が一致するテレビを同一テレビと推定する．また，視聴者行動を再現するシミュレータを設計し，そのシミュレータから合成された視聴履歴データに対して，本手法を適用した結果，生成された250万台分のデータのうち約241万台のテレビIDのマッチングに成功し，再現率96.5%であることを示した． en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsudaHiroki en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name=松田裕貴 kn-aut-sei=松田 kn-aut-mei=裕貴 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakakibaraTaichi en-aut-sei=Sakakibara en-aut-mei=Taichi kn-aut-name=榊原太一 kn-aut-sei=榊原 kn-aut-mei=太一 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MayumiDaiki en-aut-sei=Mayumi en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name=真弓大輝 kn-aut-sei=真弓 kn-aut-mei=大輝 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYuki en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name=松田裕貴 kn-aut-sei=松田 kn-aut-mei=裕貴 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizumotoTeruhiro en-aut-sei=Mizumoto en-aut-mei=Teruhiro kn-aut-name=水本旭洋 kn-aut-sei=水本 kn-aut-mei=旭洋 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasumotoKeiichi en-aut-sei=Yasumoto en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name=安本慶一 kn-aut-sei=安本 kn-aut-mei=慶一 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil=奈良先端科学技術大学院大学 affil-num=2 en-affil=Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation kn-affil=讀賣テレビ放送株式会社 affil-num=3 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil=奈良先端科学技術大学院大学 affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学 affil-num=5 en-affil=Chiba Institute of Technology kn-affil=千葉工業大学 affil-num=6 en-affil=Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil=奈良先端科学技術大学院大学 en-keyword=テレビ (TV) kn-keyword=テレビ (TV) en-keyword=視聴履歴データ (TV viewing log data) kn-keyword=視聴履歴データ (TV viewing log data) en-keyword=ビッグデータ (Big data) kn-keyword=ビッグデータ (Big data) en-keyword=IoT kn-keyword=IoT en-keyword=クロスデバイスマッチング (Cross-device matching) kn-keyword=クロスデバイスマッチング (Cross-device matching) en-keyword=クロスデバイストラッキング (Cross-device tracking) kn-keyword=クロスデバイストラッキング (Cross-device tracking) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue=70 article-no= start-page=e202402690 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241105 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=MoSe2-Sensitized Water Splitting Assisted by C60-Dendrons on the Basal Surface en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To facilitate water splitting using MoSe2 as a light absorber, we fabricated water-dispersible MoSe2/C60-dendron nanohybrids via physical modification of the basal plane of MoSe2. Upon photoirradiation, the mixed-dimension MoSe2/C60 (2D/0D) heterojunction generates a charge-separated state (MoSe2?+/C60??) through electron extraction from the exciton in MoSe2 to C60. This process is followed by the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water in the presence of a sacrificial donor (1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide) and co-catalyst (Pt-PVP). The apparent quantum yields of the HER were estimated to be 0.06?% and 0.27?% upon photoexcitation at the A- and B-exciton absorption peaks (λmax=800 and 700?nm), respectively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TajimaTomoyuki en-aut-sei=Tajima en-aut-mei=Tomoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTomoki en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Tomoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EfendiArif en-aut-sei=Efendi en-aut-mei=Arif kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YukimotoMariko en-aut-sei=Yukimoto en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaguchiYutaka en-aut-sei=Takaguchi en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Materials Design and Engineering, University of Toyama kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Materials Design and Engineering, University of Toyama kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Materials Design and Engineering, University of Toyama kn-affil= en-keyword=Water splitting kn-keyword=Water splitting en-keyword=Transition metal dichalcogenide kn-keyword=Transition metal dichalcogenide en-keyword=Hydrogen evolution kn-keyword=Hydrogen evolution en-keyword=Photocatalyst kn-keyword=Photocatalyst en-keyword=Fullerene kn-keyword=Fullerene END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=78366 end-page=78378 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Aromug: A Mug-Type Olfactory Interface to Enhance the Sweetness Perception of Beverages en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Sugary beverages are a significant contributor to sugar consumption, and their excessive consumption is associated with increased risks of elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes. Many individuals have a strong preference for sugary beverages and often find beverages with lower sugar content to be less satisfying. Attempts to switch to less sugary options are frequently short-lived, leading to a return to higher-sugar beverages. Recognizing that 75 ? 95% of taste perception is influenced by scent, we investigated a scent-based approach to reduce sugar intake while preserving the perception of sweetness. This study introduces an olfactory interface in the form of a mug named “Aromug,” designed to emit a sweet scent in sync with the drinking action. Aromug incorporates motion sensing and scent presentation functions to enhance the perceived sweetness of a beverage, thereby encouraging a gradual reduction in sugar intake. Our experiments, involving 33 participants, demonstrated that the combined scents of sugar-free coffee and chocolate increased the perception of sweetness (p =1.641×10?2 ). The study also found that the simultaneous presentation of scent and visual cues improved taste satisfaction and sweetness perception. Additionally, we observed variations in sweetness preference related to age and frequency of coffee consumption. It was particularly observed that people in their 20s and those who frequently drink coffee tend to perceive the taste of beverages as sweeter. This suggests a potential for Aromug to customize the scent experience based on individual preferences, offering a novel way to encourage healthier beverage choices. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MayumiDaiki en-aut-sei=Mayumi en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYugo en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yugo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYuki en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MisakiShinya en-aut-sei=Misaki en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasumotoKeiichi en-aut-sei=Yasumoto en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Olfaction kn-keyword=Olfaction en-keyword=olfactory interfaces kn-keyword=olfactory interfaces en-keyword=olfactory display kn-keyword=olfactory display en-keyword=scents kn-keyword=scents en-keyword=taste evaluation kn-keyword=taste evaluation en-keyword=smell kn-keyword=smell en-keyword=olfactory perception kn-keyword=olfactory perception en-keyword=behavior change support kn-keyword=behavior change support END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=36 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=4585 end-page=4606 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241029 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mobile Augmented Reality Interface for Instruction-based Disaster Preparedness Guidelines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Disaster preparedness guidelines help citizens protect themselves against disasters. Nonetheless, the general public has been found not to read them. Augmented reality (AR) interfaces are known to improve knowledge transfer in studies of education, industry, and elderly assistance. However, this is achieved this by creating specific interfaces for users, not the general public. To test the performance of these interfaces for general public guidance, we designed and implemented a novel AR-assisted disaster prevention guideline that leverages object detection models to identify targets of disaster preparedness advice. We then had a diverse-age audience compare our design against a real traditional paper-based preparedness guide in a room arranged as a common remote work bedroom. By testing their usability, task load, and capacity to make users aware of their environmental hazards, we gained important insights into the performance of different age groups following media developed for the general public. Regardless of different age groups achieving similar usability scores, we found minors improving their performance scores with our novel interface and adults from 20 to 49 years old seemingly performing better than other age groups. In this study, we highlight the importance of guidance alternatives for the young and the less-technology-aware population, contributing to the under-explored area of AR interfaces for the general public. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AguilarSergio De Le?n en-aut-sei=Aguilar en-aut-mei=Sergio De Le?n kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaYuki en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasumotoKeiichi en-aut-sei=Yasumoto en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=guidelines kn-keyword=guidelines en-keyword=augmented reality kn-keyword=augmented reality en-keyword=disaster preparedness kn-keyword=disaster preparedness en-keyword=object recognition kn-keyword=object recognition en-keyword=user interface kn-keyword=user interface en-keyword=knowledge transfer kn-keyword=knowledge transfer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=upae196 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241022 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=SNAr hexafluoroisopropoxylation of electron-rich aryl fluoride with a catalytic electrical input en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Anodic oxidation?promoted SNAr reactions of electron-rich aryl fluoride were developed. The anodic oxidation of 4-fluoroanisole in hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol (HFIP) with K2CO3 led to SNAr-type hexafluoroisopropoxylation, and the reaction was completed with a catalytic electrical input. The results of cyclic voltammetry suggest that the radical cation of 4-fluoroanisole, which would react with the alkoxide of HFIP, is generated. Electron transfer between the intermediate and the starting material constructs the catalytic cycle, and the elimination of fluoride from the Meisenheimer complex produces the desired compound. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoEisuke en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Eisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakahamaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Nakahama en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsudoKoichi en-aut-sei=Mitsudo en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaSeiji en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=anodic oxidation kn-keyword=anodic oxidation en-keyword=organic electrochemistry kn-keyword=organic electrochemistry en-keyword=SNAr reaction kn-keyword=SNAr reaction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=e0310962 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Examination of yield, bacteriolytic activity and cold storage of linker deletion mutants based on endolysin S6_ORF93 derived from Staphylococcus giant bacteriophage S6 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. present challenges in clinical and veterinary settings because effective antimicrobial agents are limited. Phage-encoded peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme, endolysin, is expected to be a novel antimicrobial agent. The enzymatic activity has recently been shown to be influenced by the linker between functional domains in the enzyme. S6_ORF93 (ORF93) is one of the endolysins derived from previously isolated Staphylococcus giant phage S6. The ORF93 was speculated to have a catalytic and peptidoglycan-binding domain with a long linker. In this study, we examined the influence of linker shortening on the characteristics of ORF93. We produce wild-type ORF93 and the linker deletion mutants using an Escherichia coli expression system. These mutants were designated as ORF93-Delta 05, ORF93-Delta 10, ORF93-Delta 15, and ORF93-Delta 20, from which 5, 10, 15, and 20 amino acids were removed from the linker, respectively. Except for the ORF93-Delta 20, ORF93 and its mutants were expressed as soluble proteins. Moreover, ORF93-Delta 15 showed the highest yield and bacteriolytic activity, while the antimicrobial spectrum was homologous. The cold storage experiment showed a slight effect by the linker deletion. According to our results and other studies, linker investigations are crucial in endolysin development. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MunetomoSosuke en-aut-sei=Munetomo en-aut-mei=Sosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchiyamaJumpei en-aut-sei=Uchiyama en-aut-mei=Jumpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Takemura-UchiyamaIyo en-aut-sei=Takemura-Uchiyama en-aut-mei=Iyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WanganuttaraThamonwan en-aut-sei=Wanganuttara en-aut-mei=Thamonwan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoYumiko en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Yumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukuiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Tsukui en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu en-aut-sei=Hagiya en-aut-mei=Hideharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanamaruShuji en-aut-sei=Kanamaru en-aut-mei=Shuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaOsamu en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Nippon Zenyaku Kogyo Co. Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=169 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=106712 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20249 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The parallel stack loading problem of minimizing the exact number of relocations en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study addresses the parallel stack loading problem, a general optimization problem arising in storage facilities such as container yards, slab yards, and warehouses. In this problem, we load incoming items into parallel stacks in the loading phase to minimize the number of relocations in the subsequent retrieval phase. Because of difficulties in treating the nested problem structure originating from the mutual dependence of the two phases, the existing studies approximately minimized the number of relocations using surrogate objective functions. In contrast, this study considers the parallel stack loading problem aiming to minimize the exact number of relocations. We first provide an integer programming formulation and next develop a nested branch-and-bound algorithm. In a computational study, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed branch-and-bound algorithm and evaluate the known surrogate objective functions based on the exact minimization. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaShunji en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shunji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ElWakilMohamed en-aut-sei=ElWakil en-aut-mei=Mohamed kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EltawilAmr en-aut-sei=Eltawil en-aut-mei=Amr kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life and Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Production Engineering and Mechanical Design, Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Egypt Japan University of Science and Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=Logistics kn-keyword=Logistics en-keyword=Parallel stack loading problem kn-keyword=Parallel stack loading problem en-keyword=Relocation kn-keyword=Relocation en-keyword=Integer programming kn-keyword=Integer programming en-keyword=Branch-and-bound algorithm kn-keyword=Branch-and-bound algorithm END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=21 article-no= start-page=11592 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241029 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Epigenetic Regulation of CXC Chemokine Expression by Environmental Electrophiles Through DNA Methyltransferase Inhibition en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Ubiquitously distributed environmental electrophiles covalently modify DNA and proteins, potentially leading to adverse health effects. However, the impacts of specific electrophiles on target proteins and their physiological roles remain largely unknown. In the present study, we focused on DNA methylation, which regulates gene expression and physiological responses. A total of 45 environmental electrophiles were screened for inhibitory effects on the activity of DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B), a key enzyme in DNA methylation, and four compounds were identified. We focused on 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), an air pollutant whose toxicity has been reported previously. Interestingly, we found that 1,2-NQ modified multiple lysine and histidine residues in DNMT3B, one of which was near the active site in DNMT3B. It was found that 1,2-NQ altered gene expression and evoked inflammatory responses in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, we found that 1,2-NQ upregulated CXCL8 expression through DNA demethylation of the distal enhancer and promoted cancer cell growth. Our study reveals novel mechanisms of epigenetic regulation by environmental electrophiles through the inhibition of DNMT3B activity and suggests their physiological impact. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsuchidaTomoki en-aut-sei=Tsuchida en-aut-mei=Tomoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaSho en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamiuezonoShizuki en-aut-sei=Kamiuezono en-aut-mei=Shizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasugiNobumasa en-aut-sei=Takasugi en-aut-mei=Nobumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoAkihiro en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumagaiYoshito en-aut-sei=Kumagai en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=DNA methylation kn-keyword=DNA methylation en-keyword=DNA methyltransferase kn-keyword=DNA methyltransferase en-keyword=chemical modification kn-keyword=chemical modification en-keyword=chemokine kn-keyword=chemokine en-keyword=cell proliferation kn-keyword=cell proliferation en-keyword=toxicology kn-keyword=toxicology en-keyword=exposome kn-keyword=exposome en-keyword=environmental electrophiles kn-keyword=environmental electrophiles END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=113D01 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Measurement of γ-Rays Generated by Neutron Interaction with 16O at 30 MeV and 250 MeV en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Deep understanding of γ-ray production from the fast neutron reaction in water is crucial for various physics studies at large-scale water Cherenkov detectors. We performed test experiments using quasi-mono energetic neutron beams (?En = 30 and 250 MeV) at Osaka University’s Research Center for Nuclear Physics to measure γ-rays originating from the neutron?oxygen reaction with a high-purity germanium detector. Multiple γ-ray peaks which are expected to be from excited nuclei after the neutron?oxygen reaction were successfully observed. We measured the neutron beam flux using an organic liquid scintillator for the cross section measurement. With a spectral fitting analysis based on the tailored γ-ray signal and background templates, we measured cross sections for each observed γ-ray component. The results will be useful to validate neutron models employed in ongoing and future water Cherenkov experiments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanoT. en-aut-sei=Tano en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoraiT. en-aut-sei=Horai en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AshidaY. en-aut-sei=Ashida en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HinoY. en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IacobF. en-aut-sei=Iacob en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaurelA. en-aut-sei=Maurel en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriM. en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=CollazuolG. en-aut-sei=Collazuol en-aut-mei=G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonakaA. en-aut-sei=Konaka en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoshioY. en-aut-sei=Koshio en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayaT. en-aut-sei=Nakaya en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimaT. en-aut-sei=Shima en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=WendellR. en-aut-sei=Wendell en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Ecole Polytechnique, IN2P3-CNRS, Laboratoire Leprince-Ringuet kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=National Astronomical Observatory of Japan kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=TRIUMF kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Physics, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Physics, Kyoto University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=24 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=foae032 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241018 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Improving the Z3EV promoter system to create the strongest yeast promoter en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Promoters for artificial control of gene expression are central tools in genetic engineering. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a variety of constitutive and controllable promoters with different strengths have been constructed using endogenous gene promoters, synthetic transcription factors and their binding sequences, and artificial sequences. However, there have been no attempts to construct the highest strength promoter in yeast cells. In this study, by incrementally increasing the binding sequences of the synthetic transcription factor Z3EV, we were able to construct a promoter (P36) with ~1.4 times the strength of the TDH3 promoter. This is stronger than any previously reported promoter. Although the P36 promoter exhibits some leakage in the absence of induction, the expression induction by estradiol is maintained. When combined with a multicopy plasmid, it can express up to ~50% of total protein as a heterologous protein. This promoter system can be used to gain knowledge about the cell physiology resulting from the ultimate overexpression of excess proteins and is expected to be a useful tool for heterologous protein expression in yeast. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HiguchiRina en-aut-sei=Higuchi en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaYuri en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NambaShotaro en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Shotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriyaHisao en-aut-sei=Moriya en-aut-mei=Hisao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=yeast kn-keyword=yeast en-keyword=overexpression kn-keyword=overexpression en-keyword=promoter kn-keyword=promoter END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=300 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=105679 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Methyl vinyl ketone and its analogs covalently modify PI3K and alter physiological functions by inhibiting PI3K signaling en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Reactive carbonyl species (RCS), which are abundant in the environment and are produced in vivo under stress, covalently bind to nucleophilic residues such as Cys in proteins. Disruption of protein function by RCS exposure is predicted to play a role in the development of various diseases such as cancer and metabolic disorders, but most studies on RCS have been limited to simple cytotoxicity validation, leaving their target proteins and resulting physiological changes unknown. In this study, we focused on methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), which is one of the main RCS found in cigarette smoke and exhaust gas. We found that MVK suppressed PI3K-Akt signaling, which regulates processes involved in cellular homeostasis, including cell proliferation, autophagy, and glucose metabolism. Interestingly, MVK inhibits the interaction between the epidermal growth factor receptor and PI3K. Cys656 in the SH2 domain of the PI3K p85 subunit, which is the covalently binding site of MVK, is important for this interaction. Suppression of PI3K- Akt signaling by MVK reversed epidermal growth factor- induced negative regulation of autophagy and attenuated glucose uptake. Furthermore, we analyzed the effects of the 23 RCS compounds with structures similar to MVK and showed that their analogs also suppressed PI3K-Akt signaling in a manner that correlated with their similarities to MVK. Our study demonstrates the mechanism of MVK and its analogs in suppressing PI3K-Akt signaling and modulating physiological functions, providing a model for future studies analyzing environmental reactive species. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MorimotoAtsushi en-aut-sei=Morimoto en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasugiNobumasa en-aut-sei=Takasugi en-aut-mei=Nobumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PanYuexuan en-aut-sei=Pan en-aut-mei=Yuexuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaSho en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DohmaeNaoshi en-aut-sei=Dohmae en-aut-mei=Naoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbikoYumi en-aut-sei=Abiko en-aut-mei=Yumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaKoji en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumagaiYoshito en-aut-sei=Kumagai en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Biomolecular Characterization Unit, Technology Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Nagasaki University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) kn-keyword=phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) en-keyword=cell signaling kn-keyword=cell signaling en-keyword=chemical modification kn-keyword=chemical modification en-keyword=autophagy kn-keyword=autophagy en-keyword=glucose uptake kn-keyword=glucose uptake END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2400024 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural Evolution of Microgels During Precipitation Polymerization Revealed by Light Scattering and Electrophoresis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=While precipitation polymerization allows the synthesis of microgels with controlled functional-group distributions, the structural development of these microgels during the polymerization process still remains unclear. In this study, microgels with different reactivity ratios between the monomer and charged co-monomer are prepared by precipitation polymerization, and the evolution of their size, thermoresponsive behavior, and surface properties during polymerization are evaluated. In particular, the surface properties of the microgels are analyzed quantitatively using the softness parameter and the surface charge density is calculated using Ohshima's equation. The results allowed describing the structural changes of microgels during precipitation polymerization well and provided design guidelines for functional microgels with controlled functional group distributions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SatoYuji en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NamiokaRyuji en-aut-sei=Namioka en-aut-mei=Ryuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishizawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Nishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu Universit kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=electrokinetic phenomena kn-keyword=electrokinetic phenomena en-keyword=microgel kn-keyword=microgel en-keyword=nanogels kn-keyword=nanogels en-keyword=precipitation polymerization kn-keyword=precipitation polymerization en-keyword=radical polymerization kn-keyword=radical polymerization en-keyword=thermoresponsive kn-keyword=thermoresponsive END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=40 cd-vols= no-issue=43 article-no= start-page=22614 end-page=22626 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241017 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nanoscale Structures of Tough Microparticle-Based Films Investigated by Synchrotron X-Ray Scattering and All-Atom Molecular-Dynamics Simulation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, the nanoscale structures of microparticle-based films are revealed by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and all-atom molecular-dynamics (AA-MD) simulations. The microparticle-based films consisting of the simplest acrylate polymer microparticles are applied as a model because the films are formed without additives and organic solvents and exhibit high toughness properties. The characteristic interfacial thickness (tinter) obtained from the SAXS analysis reflects the mixing degree of polymer chains on the microparticle surface in the film. The cross-linking density of inner microparticles is found to be strongly correlated to not only several properties of individual microparticles, such as swelling ratio and radius of gyration, but also the tinter and toughness of the corresponding films. Therefore, the tinter and toughness values follow a linear relationship because the cross-linking restricts the mixing of polymer chains between their surfaces in the film, which is a unique feature of microparticle-based films. This characteristic also affects their deformation behavior observed by in situ SAXS during tensile testing and their density profiles calculated by AA-MD simulations. This work provides a general strategy for material design to control the physical properties and structures of their films for advanced applications, including volatile organic compound-free sustainable coatings and adhesives. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NambaKeita en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Keita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiYuma en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawamuraYuto en-aut-sei=Kawamura en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaShotaro en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Shotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiedaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Hieda en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoKazushi en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Kazushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeNatsuki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Natsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishizawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Nishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchihashiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Uchihashi en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurehaTakuma en-aut-sei=Kureha en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Textile Science &Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Frontier Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=99 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=563 end-page=574 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241027 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Therapeutic potential of 4-phenylbutyric acid against methylmercury-induced neuronal cell death in mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental neurotoxin that induces damage to the central nervous system and is the causative agent in Minamata disease. The mechanisms underlying MeHg neurotoxicity remain largely unknown, and there is a need for effective therapeutic agents, such as those that target MeHg-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is activated as a defense mechanism. We investigated whether intraperitoneal administration of the chemical chaperone, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), at 120 mg/kg/day can alleviate neurotoxicity in the brains of mice administered 50 ppm MeHg in drinking water for 5 weeks. 4-PBA significantly reduced MeHg-induced ER stress, neuronal apoptosis, and neurological symptoms. Furthermore, 4-PBA was effective even when administered 2 weeks after the initiation of exposure to 30 ppm MeHg in drinking water. Our results strongly indicate that ER stress and the UPR are key processes involved in MeHg toxicity, and that 4-PBA is a novel therapeutic candidate for MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MikiRyohei en-aut-sei=Miki en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomuraRyosuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IijimaYuta en-aut-sei=Iijima en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaSho en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasugiNobumasa en-aut-sei=Takasugi en-aut-mei=Nobumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwawakiTakao en-aut-sei=Iwawaki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraMasatake en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Masatake kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Cell Medicine, Department of Life Science, Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Methylmercury kn-keyword=Methylmercury en-keyword=Neuronal cell death kn-keyword=Neuronal cell death en-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum stress kn-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum stress en-keyword=Unfolded protein response kn-keyword=Unfolded protein response END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=801 end-page=804 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202411 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preventable Fraction in the Context of Disease Progression en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The relevance of the epidemiologic concept of preventable fraction to the study of the population-level impact of preventive exposures is unequivocal. Here, we discuss how the preventable fraction can be usefully understood for the class of outcomes that relate to disease progression (e.g., clinical severity given diagnosis), and, under the principal stratification framework, derive an expression for this quantity for this type of outcome. In particular, we show that, in the context of disease progression, the preventable fraction is a function of the effect on the postdiagnosis outcome in the principal stratum in the unexposed group who would have disease regardless of exposure status. This work will facilitate an understanding of the contribution of principal effects to the impact of preventive exposures at the population level. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Gon?alvesBronner P. en-aut-sei=Gon?alves en-aut-mei=Bronner P. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiEtsuji en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Etsuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Counterfactual framework kn-keyword=Counterfactual framework en-keyword=Disease progression kn-keyword=Disease progression en-keyword=Disease severity kn-keyword=Disease severity en-keyword=Preventable fraction kn-keyword=Preventable fraction en-keyword=Principal stratification kn-keyword=Principal stratification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=20 article-no= start-page=1677 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241018 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Colossal Dielectric Constant of Nanocrystalline/Amorphous Homo-Composite BaTiO3 Films Deposited via Pulsed Laser Deposition Technique en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of nanocrystalline/amorphous homo-composite BaTiO3 (BTO) films exhibiting an unprecedented combination of a colossal dielectric constant (epsilon(r)) and extremely low dielectric loss (tan delta). By varying the substrate deposition temperature (T-d) over a wide range (300-800 degrees C), we identified T-d = 550 degrees C as the optimal temperature for growing BTO films with an epsilon(r) as high as similar to 3060 and a tan delta as low as 0.04 (at 20 kHz). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that the PLD-BTO films consist of BTO nanocrystals (similar to 20-30 nm size) embedded within an otherwise amorphous BTO matrix. The impressive dielectric behavior is attributed to the combination of highly crystallized small BTO nanograins, which amplify interfacial polarization, and the surrounding amorphous matrix, which effectively isolates the nanograins from charge carrier transport. Our findings could facilitate the development of next-generation integrated dielectric devices. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KondoShinya en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiTaichi en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Taichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PichonLoick en-aut-sei=Pichon en-aut-mei=Loick kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Leblanc-LavoieJoel en-aut-sei=Leblanc-Lavoie en-aut-mei=Joel kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeranishiTakashi en-aut-sei=Teranishi en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishimotoAkira en-aut-sei=Kishimoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=El KhakaniKhakani, My Ali en-aut-sei=El Khakani en-aut-mei=Khakani, My Ali kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre ?nergie, Mat?riaux et T?l?communications kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre ?nergie, Mat?riaux et T?l?communications kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre ?nergie, Mat?riaux et T?l?communications kn-affil= en-keyword=BaTiO3 kn-keyword=BaTiO3 en-keyword=thin film kn-keyword=thin film en-keyword=colossal dielectric constant kn-keyword=colossal dielectric constant en-keyword=nanocrystalline/amorphous homo-composite kn-keyword=nanocrystalline/amorphous homo-composite en-keyword=pulsed laser deposition kn-keyword=pulsed laser deposition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=251 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241014 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Searching Method for Three-Dimensional Puncture Route to Support Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Puncture en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In CT-guided percutaneous punctures-an image-guided puncture method using CT images-physicians treat targets such as lung tumors, liver tumors, renal tumors, and intervertebral abscesses by inserting a puncture needle into the body from the exterior while viewing images. By recognizing two-dimensional CT images prior to a procedure, a physician determines the least invasive puncture route for the patient. Therefore, the candidate puncture route is limited to a two-dimensional region along the cross section of the human body. In this paper, we aim to construct a three-dimensional puncture space based on multiple two-dimensional CT images to search for a safer and shorter puncture route for a given patient. If all puncture routes starting from a target in the three-dimensional space were examined from all directions (the brute-force method), the processing time to derive the puncture route would be very long. We propose a more efficient method for three-dimensional puncture route selection in CT-guided percutaneous punctures. The proposed method extends the ray-tracing method, which quickly derives a line segment from a given start point to an end point on a two-dimensional plane, and applies it to three-dimensional space. During actual puncture route selection, a physician can use CT images to derive a three-dimensional puncture route that is safe for the patient and minimizes the puncture time. The main novelty is that we propose a method for deriving a three-dimensional puncture route within the allowed time in an actual puncture. The main goal is for physicians to select the puncture route they will use in the actual surgery from among the multiple three-dimensional puncture route candidates derived using the proposed method. The proposed method derives a three-dimensional puncture route within the allowed time in an actual puncture. Physicians can use the proposed method to derive a new puncture route, reducing the burden on patients and improving physician skills. In the evaluation results of a computer simulation, for a 3D CT image created by combining 170 two-dimensional CT images, the processing time for deriving the puncture route using the proposed method was approximately 59.4 s. The shortest length of the puncture route from the starting point to the target was between 20 mm and 22 mm. The search time for a three-dimensional human body consisting of 15 CT images was 4.77 s for the proposed method and 2599.0 s for a brute-force method. In a questionnaire, physicians who actually perform puncture treatments evaluated the candidate puncture routes derived by the proposed method. We confirmed that physicians could actually use these candidates as a puncture route. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GotohYusuke en-aut-sei=Gotoh en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaAoi en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Aoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuiKoji en-aut-sei=Masui en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiKoji en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoManato en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Manato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics, Osaka Metropolitan University kn-affil= en-keyword=CT-guided percutaneous puncture kn-keyword=CT-guided percutaneous puncture en-keyword=searching method kn-keyword=searching method en-keyword=three-dimensional puncture route kn-keyword=three-dimensional puncture route END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=622 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241010 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Study of Exergame System Using Hand Gestures for Wrist Flexibility Improvement for Tenosynovitis Prevention en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Currently, as an increasing number of people have been addicted to using cellular phones, smartphone tenosynovitis has become common from long-term use of fingers for their operations. Hand exercise while playing video games, which is called exergame, can be a good solution to provide enjoyable daily exercise opportunities for its prevention, particularly, for young people. In this paper, we implemented a simple exergame system with a hand gesture recognition program made in Python using the Mediapipe library. We designed three sets of hand gestures to control the key operations to play the games as different exercises useful for tenosynovitis prevention. For evaluations, we prepared five video games running on a web browser and asked 10 students from Okayama and Hiroshima Universities, Japan, to play them and answer 10 questions in the questionnaire. Their playing results and System Usability Scale (SUS) scores confirmed the usability of the proposal, although we improved one gesture set to reduce its complexity. Moreover, by measuring the angles for maximum wrist movements, we found that the wrist flexibility was improved by playing the games, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=XiaoYanqi en-aut-sei=Xiao en-aut-mei=Yanqi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AnggrainiIrin Tri en-aut-sei=Anggraini en-aut-mei=Irin Tri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShihCheng-Liang en-aut-sei=Shih en-aut-mei=Cheng-Liang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanChih-Peng en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Chih-Peng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=exergame kn-keyword=exergame en-keyword=tenosynovitis kn-keyword=tenosynovitis en-keyword=hand gesture kn-keyword=hand gesture en-keyword=Python kn-keyword=Python en-keyword=Mediapipe kn-keyword=Mediapipe END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=153285 end-page=153294 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Detecting Unintended Redirects to Malicious Websites on Android Devices Based on URL-Switching Interval en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Website clicks that redirect Android-phone users to malicious websites with fake virus alerts or phishing attacks are increasing exponentially. Although a uniform resource locator (URL) blocklist is considered a suitable countermeasure to such attacks, it is difficult to efficiently identify malicious websites. To the best of our knowledge, no research has focused on detecting attacks that redirect Android-phone users to malicious websites. Therefore, we propose a redirect-detection method that focuses on the URL bar-switching interval of Android-based Google Chrome browser. The proposed method, which can be easily installed as an Android application, uses the Android accessibility service to detect unintended redirects to malicious websites without collecting information about these websites in advance. This paper details the design, implementation, and evaluation results of the proposed application on an actual Android device. We determined the threshold values for the number of times the URL bar switches and the elapsed time to determine redirects to malicious websites for the proposed method. Based on the results, we investigated the causes of false-positive detection of redirects to benign websites and offer solutions on handling them. We also present the threshold values that can minimize the false positive and negative rates, as well as the detection accuracy of the proposed method based on these threshold values. Additionally, we present the evaluations results based on the access logs of actual users participating in the WarpDrive project experiment, which indicate that the proposed method minimizes false positives and successfully detects most redirects to malicious websites. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamauchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Yamauchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OritoRintaro en-aut-sei=Orito en-aut-mei=Rintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EbisuKoji en-aut-sei=Ebisu en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoMasaya en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Okayama Prefectural University kn-affil= en-keyword=Android kn-keyword=Android en-keyword=accessibility services kn-keyword=accessibility services en-keyword=malicious websites kn-keyword=malicious websites en-keyword=web-based attacks kn-keyword=web-based attacks en-keyword=web security kn-keyword=web security END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=614 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241007 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Independent Learning System for Flutter Cross-Platform Mobile Programming with Code Modification Problems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, with the common use of smartphones in daily lives, mobile applications have become popular around the world, which will lead to a rise in Flutter framework. Developed by Google, Flutter with Dart programming provides a cross-platform development environment to create visually appealing and responsive user interfaces across mobile, web, and desktop platforms using a single codebase. However, due to time and staff limitations, the Flutter/Dart programming course is not included in curricula, even in IT departments in universities. Therefore, independent learning environments for students are essential to meet this growing popularity. Previously, we have developed programming learning assistant system (PLAS) as a web-browser-based self-learning platform for novice students. PLAS offers various types of exercise problems designed to cultivate programming skills step-by-step through a lot of code reading and code writing practices. Among them, one particular type is the code modification problem (CMP), which asks to modify the given source code to satisfy the new specifications. CMP is expected to be solved by novices with little effort if they have knowledge of other programming languages. Thus, PLAS with CMP will be an excellent platform for independent learning. In this paper, we present PLAS with CMP for the independent learning of Flutter/Dart programming. To improve the readability of the source code by students, we provided rich comments on grammar or behaviors. Besides, the code can be downloaded so that students can check and run it on an IDE. For evaluations, we generated 38 CMP instances for basic and multimedia/storage topics in Flutter/Dart programming and assigned them to 21 master students at Okayama University, Japan, who have never studied it. The results confirm the validity of the proposal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KinariSafira Adine en-aut-sei=Kinari en-aut-mei=Safira Adine kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AungSoe Thandar en-aut-sei=Aung en-aut-mei=Soe Thandar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WaiKhaing Hsu en-aut-sei=Wai en-aut-mei=Khaing Hsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MentariMustika en-aut-sei=Mentari en-aut-mei=Mustika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=PuspitaningayuPradini en-aut-sei=Puspitaningayu en-aut-mei=Pradini kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= en-keyword=Flutter kn-keyword=Flutter en-keyword=Dart kn-keyword=Dart en-keyword=cross-platform kn-keyword=cross-platform en-keyword=programming kn-keyword=programming en-keyword=code modification problem kn-keyword=code modification problem en-keyword=PLAS kn-keyword=PLAS en-keyword=independent learning kn-keyword=independent learning END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=22 article-no= start-page=8953 end-page=8960 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241007 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhanced piezo-response of mixed-cation copper perovskites with Cl/Br halide engineering en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Halide and cation engineering of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites has shown a great potential for structural modulation of perovskites and enhancing their optoelectronic properties. Here, we studied the impact of Cl/Br halide engineering on the structural and piezoelectric properties of MA/Cs mixed-cation Cu-perovskite crystals. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and 133Cs solid-state NMR were utilized to find out the nature of the perovskite crystal structure formation. Three distinct crystal structures were obtained depending on the Cl/Br content. High Cl content resulted in the formation of Br-doped (Cs/MA)CuCl3 perovskite with the presence of paramagnetic Cu2+ ions. High Br content led to the formation of Cl-doped (MA/Cs)2CuBr4 perovskite with the presence of diamagnetic Cu+ ions. Equimolar Cl/Br perovskite content gave a novel crystal structure with the formation of well-dispersed diamagnetic domains. Compared to the high Cl/Br containing perovskites, the equimolar Cl/Br perovskite revealed the highest potential for piezoelectric applications with a maximum recordable piezoelectric output voltage of 5.0 V. The results provide an insight into the importance of mixed-halide and mixed-cation engineering for tailoring the perovskite structural properties towards a wide range of efficient optoelectronics. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ElattarAmr en-aut-sei=Elattar en-aut-mei=Amr kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MunozChristopher en-aut-sei=Munoz en-aut-mei=Christopher kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoberaLibor en-aut-sei=Kobera en-aut-mei=Libor kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MahunAndrii en-aut-sei=Mahun en-aut-mei=Andrii kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrusJiri en-aut-sei=Brus en-aut-mei=Jiri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UddinMohammed Jasim en-aut-sei=Uddin en-aut-mei=Mohammed Jasim kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiYasuhiko en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkoliOkenwa en-aut-sei=Okoli en-aut-mei=Okenwa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=DickensTarik en-aut-sei=Dickens en-aut-mei=Tarik kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Photonics and Energy Research Laboratory (PERL), Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Machine-learning-assisted prediction of the size of microgels prepared by aqueous precipitation polymerization en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The size of soft colloids (microgels) is essential; however, control over their size has typically been established empirically. Herein, we report a linear-regression model that can predict microgel size using a machine learning method, sparse modeling for small data, which enables the determination of the synthesis conditions for target-sized microgels. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MinatoHaruka en-aut-sei=Minato en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoYuji en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NamiokaRyuji en-aut-sei=Namioka en-aut-mei=Ryuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IgarashiYasuhiko en-aut-sei=Igarashi en-aut-mei=Yasuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShibataRisako en-aut-sei=Shibata en-aut-mei=Risako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OakiYuya en-aut-sei=Oaki en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Engineering, Information and Systems, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=44 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=1992 end-page=2000 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202411 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=INVESTIGATION OF THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE FOVEOSCHISIS: Analysis of Longitudinal Changes in Visual Functions, Retinal Structures, and Retinal Traction Force en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose: To analyze the pathophysiology of epiretinal membrane foveoschisis (FS) by evaluating the longitudinal changes in visual function and several optical coherence tomography parameters.
Methods: The medical records of 33 consecutive patients (35 eyes) with untreated epiretinal membrane foveoschisis were retrospectively reviewed. Best-corrected visual acuity, M-CHARTS score, and optical coherence tomography parameters including epiretinal membrane area, maximum depth of retinal folds, FS area, and FS circularity were evaluated.
Results: A wide range of FS area changes was observed at the final follow-up visit (59.68%?240.45% of the baseline FS area). In the FS enlargement group, best-corrected visual acuity and mean M-CHARTS scores significantly worsened and maximum depth of retinal folds significantly increased over time, whereas in the FS non-enlargement group, no significant change was observed in the best-corrected visual acuity, mean M-CHARTS scores, or maximum depth of retinal folds during the follow-up period. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that maximum depth of retinal folds (odds ratio: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.00?1.10, P = 0.048) and FS circularity (odds ratio: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.83?1.00, P = 0.043) were significantly associated with FS enlargement.
Conclusion: Epiretinal membrane foveoschisis encompasses diverse pathophysiologies. Since visual functions do not worsen in some cases, monitoring the changes in visual functions and retinal morphology over time is recommended to determine surgical indications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatobaRyo en-aut-sei=Matoba en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanzakiYuki en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaTetsuro en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Tetsuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaYuki en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraShuhei en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HosokawaMio M. en-aut-sei=Hosokawa en-aut-mei=Mio M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiodeYusuke en-aut-sei=Shiode en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneYuki en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=en-face imaging kn-keyword=en-face imaging en-keyword=epiretinal membrane kn-keyword=epiretinal membrane en-keyword=epiretinal membrane foveoschisis kn-keyword=epiretinal membrane foveoschisis en-keyword=foveoschisis kn-keyword=foveoschisis en-keyword=lamellar macular hole kn-keyword=lamellar macular hole en-keyword=metamorphopsia kn-keyword=metamorphopsia en-keyword=optical coherence tomography kn-keyword=optical coherence tomography en-keyword=retinal fold kn-keyword=retinal fold en-keyword=retinal traction kn-keyword=retinal traction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=44 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=1785 end-page=1792 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=MIXED PATHOPHYSIOLOGIES OF LAMELLAR MACULAR HOLES AND RELATED DISEASES: A Multimodal Optical Coherence Tomography?Based Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of mixed pathophysiologies in lamellar macular holes (LMHs) and related diseases using multimodal optical coherence tomography.
Methods: Overall, 126 eyes diagnosed with LMH, epiretinal membrane foveoschisis, or macular pseudohole using the horizontal B-scan image according to the definition proposed by Hubschman et al in 2020 were analyzed using multimodal optical coherence tomography imaging including horizontal and vertical 5-line B-scan, radial scan, and macular three-dimensional volume scan images. If at least two diagnostic criteria for LMH, epiretinal membrane foveoschisis, or macular pseudohole were satisfied in these scans, the patient was diagnosed as having a “mixed type.” Retinal traction force was quantitatively evaluated by measuring the maximum depth of the retinal folds using en-face images.
Results: Mixed types constituted 34.1% of the cases. The LMH-related mixed group demonstrated intermediate characteristics between the epiretinal membrane foveoschisis/macular pseudohole and true LMH groups in terms of retinal traction and LMH-specific features and had a significant positive correlation between the maximum depth of the retinal folds and mean M-CHARTS scores (P = 0.034).
Conclusion: A thorough optical coherence tomography analysis is necessary to accurately diagnose LMH and related diseases. A significant positive correlation was observed between the maximum depth of the retinal folds and the degree of metamorphopsia in the LMH-related mixed group. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatobaRyo en-aut-sei=Matoba en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanzakiYuki en-aut-sei=Kanzaki en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaTetsuro en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Tetsuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaYuki en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraShuhei en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HosokawaMio M. en-aut-sei=Hosokawa en-aut-mei=Mio M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiodeYusuke en-aut-sei=Shiode en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorizaneYuki en-aut-sei=Morizane en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=en-face imaging kn-keyword=en-face imaging en-keyword=epiretinal membrane kn-keyword=epiretinal membrane en-keyword=epiretinal membrane foveoschisis kn-keyword=epiretinal membrane foveoschisis en-keyword=lamellar macular hole kn-keyword=lamellar macular hole en-keyword=metamorphopsia kn-keyword=metamorphopsia en-keyword=mixed type kn-keyword=mixed type en-keyword=optical coherence tomography kn-keyword=optical coherence tomography en-keyword=retinal fold kn-keyword=retinal fold en-keyword=retinal traction kn-keyword=retinal traction END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=146551 end-page=146559 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Protection Scheme With Speech Processing Against Audio Adversarial Examples en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Machine learning technologies have improved the accuracy of speech recognition systems, and devices using those systems, such as smart speakers and AI assistants, are now in wide use. However, speech recognition systems have security vulnerabilities. In particular, a known machine learning vulnerability called audio adversarial examples (AAEs), which causes misrecognition in speech recognition systems, has become a problem. We propose a scheme for using speech processing to protect speech recognition systems from AAEs, preventing misrecognitions by slight processing of input speech that does not affect the recognition of normal speech. We use two kinds of processing: speed and frequency. Evaluation results show that the proposed scheme can reduce the success rate of attack speech to about 1% while maintaining about 85% recognition rates for normal speech. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TarutaniYuya en-aut-sei=Tarutani en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTaisei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Taisei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaYukinobu en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Yukinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokohiraTokumi en-aut-sei=Yokohira en-aut-mei=Tokumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Speech recognition system kn-keyword=Speech recognition system en-keyword=security kn-keyword=security en-keyword=audio adversarial example kn-keyword=audio adversarial example END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=142592 end-page=142605 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241001 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=MUSIC Spectrum Based Interference Detection, Localization, and Interference Arrival Prediction for mmWave IRS-MIMO System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=For a millimeter wave (mmWave) intelligent re-configurable surface (IRS)-MIMO system, if it can correctly detect the interference occurrence and their locations, the patterns of interference signal can be collected and learned using machine learning for the prediction of interference arrival. With the information of interference location and activity pattern, the capacity of the system can be largely improved using many techniques such as beamforming, interference cancellation, and transmission scheduling. This paper aims to detect interference occurrence using a low-complexity MUSIC (MUSIC: multiple signal classification) spectrum-based method, and then localize their sources for mmWave IRS-MIMO system. The MUSIC spectrum of wireless system can be regarded as somehow the 'signature' related to the signals transmitted from different users or interference. We utilize such property to detect the occurrence of interference, and then localize their sources in a low-complexity way. Finally, the pattern of interference occurrence can be learned to predict the interference arrival from the collected data. This paper also proposed an efficient probabilistic neural network (PNN)-based predictor for the interference arrival prediction and showed its prediction accuracy. From simulated results, our proposed method can achieve the correct results with the accuracy near to 100% when the fingerprint samples is over 10. In addition, the localization error can be within 1 m with more than 65% and 43% for Y-axis and X-axis, respectively. Finally, based on the results of the interference occurrence, the proposed PNN-based predictor for the interference arrival prediction can capture correctly the similar distribution function of the coming continuous idle status. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HouYafei en-aut-sei=Hou en-aut-mei=Yafei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoKazuto en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=Kazuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaNorisato en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Norisato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WebberJulian en-aut-sei=Webber en-aut-mei=Julian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DennoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Denno en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakanoToshikazu en-aut-sei=Sakano en-aut-mei=Toshikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Wave Engineering Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Wave Engineering Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Wave Engineering Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Wave Engineering Laboratories, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International kn-affil= en-keyword=Interference detection kn-keyword=Interference detection en-keyword=MUSIC spectrum kn-keyword=MUSIC spectrum en-keyword=interference localization kn-keyword=interference localization en-keyword=prediction of interference arrival kn-keyword=prediction of interference arrival en-keyword=probabilistic neural network kn-keyword=probabilistic neural network END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=e58753 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240923 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhancing Medical Interview Skills Through AI-Simulated PatientInteractions:Nonrandomized Controlled Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Medical interviewing is a critical skill in clinical practice, yet opportunities for practical training are limited in Japanese medical schools, necessitating urgent measures. Given advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, its application in the medical field is expanding. However, reports on its application in medical interviews in medical education are scarce.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether medical students' interview skills could be improved by engaging with Al-simulated patients using large language models, including the provision of feedback.
Methods: This nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted with fourth-year medical students in Japan. A simulation program using large language models was provided to 35 students in the intervention group in 2023, while 110 students from 2022 who did not participate in the intervention were selected as the control group. The primary outcome was the score on the Pre-Clinical Clerkship Objective Structured Clinical Examination (pre-CC OSCE), a national standardized clinical skills examination, in medical interviewing. Secondary outcomes included surveys such as the Simulation-Based Training Quality Assurance Tool (SBT-QA10), administered at the start and end of the study.
Results: The Al intervention group showed significantly higher scores on medical interviews than the control group (Al group vs control group: mean 28.1, SD 1.6 vs 27.1, SD 2.2; P=.01). There was a trend of inverse correlation between the SBT-QA10 and pre-CC OSCE scores (regression coefficient-2.0 to-2.1). No significant safety concerns were observed.
Conclusions: Education through medical interviews using Al-simulated patients has demonstrated safety and a certain level of educational effectiveness. However, at present, the educational effects of this platform on nonverbal communication skills are limited, suggesting that it should be used as a supplementary tool to traditional simulation education. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamamotoAkira en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KodaMasahide en-aut-sei=Koda en-aut-mei=Masahide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaHiroko en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiTomoko en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaFumio en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Fumio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoHideo en-aut-sei=Ino en-aut-mei=Hideo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Co-learning Community Healthcare Re-innovation Office, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Primary Care and Medical Education, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Oncology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Center for Education in Medicine and Health Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=medical interview kn-keyword=medical interview en-keyword=generative pretrained transformer kn-keyword=generative pretrained transformer en-keyword=large language model kn-keyword=large language model en-keyword=simulation-based learning kn-keyword=simulation-based learning en-keyword=OSCE kn-keyword=OSCE en-keyword=artificial intelligence kn-keyword=artificial intelligence en-keyword=medical education kn-keyword=medical education en-keyword=simulated patients kn-keyword=simulated patients en-keyword=nonrandomized controlled trial kn-keyword=nonrandomized controlled trial END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Deep learning-based approach for acquisition time reduction in ventilation SPECT in patients after lung transplantation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We aimed to evaluate the image quality and diagnostic performance of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) with lung ventilation single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images acquired briefly using a convolutional neural network (CNN) in patients after lung transplantation and to explore the feasibility of short acquisition times. We retrospectively identified 93 consecutive lung-transplant recipients who underwent ventilation SPECT/computed tomography (CT). We employed a CNN to distinguish the images acquired in full time from those acquired in a short time. The image quality was evaluated using the structural similarity index (SSIM) loss and normalized mean square error (NMSE). The correlation between functional volume/morphological volume (F/M) ratios of full-time SPECT images and predicted SPECT images was evaluated. Differences in the F/M ratio were evaluated using Bland?Altman plots, and the diagnostic performance was compared using the area under the curve (AUC). The learning curve, obtained using MSE, converged within 100 epochs. The NMSE was significantly lower (P? Lymph node dissection (LND) during radical nephrectomy (RN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not considered as a standard. The emergence of robot-assisted surgery and effective immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in recent years may change this and lymph node (LN) staging has become easier and has a clinical impact. In this review, we aimed to reconsider the role of LND today.

Recent findings
Although the extent of LND has still not been well established, removal of more LN seems to provide better oncologic outcomes for a select group of patients with high-risk factors such as clinical T3-4. Adjuvant therapy using pembrolizumab has been shown to improve disease free survival if complete resection of metastatic lesions as well as the primary site is obtained in combination. Robot assisted RN for localized RCC has been widespread and the studies regarding LND for RCC has been recently appeared.

Summary
The staging and surgical benefits and its extent of LND during RN for RCC remains unclear, but it is becoming increasingly important. Technologies that allow an easier LND and adjuvant ICI that improve survival in LN-positive patients are engaging the role of LND, a procedure that was needed, but almost never done, is now indicated sometimes. Now, the goal is to identify the clinical and molecular imaging tools that can help identify with sufficient accuracy who needs a LND and which LNs to remove in a targeted personalized approach. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BekkuKensuke en-aut-sei=Bekku en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawadaTatsushi en-aut-sei=Kawada en-aut-mei=Tatsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagisawaTakafumi en-aut-sei=Yanagisawa en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KarakiewiczPierre I. en-aut-sei=Karakiewicz en-aut-mei=Pierre I. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShariatShahrokh F. en-aut-sei=Shariat en-aut-mei=Shahrokh F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Cancer Prognostic and Health Outcomes Unit, Division of Urology, University of Montreal Health Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna kn-affil= en-keyword=lymph node dissection kn-keyword=lymph node dissection en-keyword=lymph node metastasis kn-keyword=lymph node metastasis en-keyword=lymphadenectomy kn-keyword=lymphadenectomy en-keyword=lymphadenopathy kn-keyword=lymphadenopathy en-keyword=Renal cell carcinoma kn-keyword=Renal cell carcinoma END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=416 cd-vols= no-issue=28 article-no= start-page=6679 end-page=6686 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024107 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Comparison of protein immobilization methods with covalent bonding on paper for paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, two methods were examined to optimize the immobilization of antibodies on paper when conducting a paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (P-ELISA). Human IgG, as a test-capture protein, was immobilized on paper via the formation of Schiff bases. Aldehyde groups were introduced onto the surface of the paper via two methods: NaIO4 and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) with glutaraldehyde (APTS-glutaraldehyde). In the assay, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-human IgG (HRP-anti-IgG) binds to the immobilized human IgG, and the colorimetric reaction of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzyzine (TMB) produces a blue color in the presence of H2O2 and HRP-anti-IgG as a model analyte. The immobilization of human IgG, the enzymatic reaction conditions, and the reduction of the chemical bond between the paper surface and immobilized human IgG all were optimized in order to improve both the analytical performance and the stability. In addition, the thickness of the paper was examined to stabilize the analytical signal. Consequently, the APTS-glutaraldehyde method was superior to the NaIO4 method in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility. Conversely, the reduction of imine to amine with NaBH4 proved to exert only minimal influence on sensitivity and stability, although it tended to degrade reproducibility. We also found that thick paper was preferential when using P-ELISA because a rigid paper substrate prevents distortion of the paper surface that is often caused by repeated washing processes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ChenYang en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Yang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kn-keyword=Paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay en-keyword=ELISA kn-keyword=ELISA en-keyword=Immobilization kn-keyword=Immobilization en-keyword=Covalent bonding kn-keyword=Covalent bonding en-keyword=Protein kn-keyword=Protein END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=018003 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240127 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Design and performance of a gain calibration system for the POLARBEAR-2a receiver system at the Simons Array cosmic microwave background experiment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We present an advanced system for calibrating the detector gain responsivity with a chopped thermal source for POLARBEAR-2a, which is the first receiver system of a cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarimetry experiment: the Simons Array. Intensity-to-polarization leakage due to calibration errors between detectors can be a significant source of systematic error for a polarization-sensitive experiment. To suppress this systematic uncertainty, POLARBEAR-2a calibrates the detector gain responsivities by observing a chopped thermal source before and after each period of science observations. The system includes a high-temperature ceramic heater that emits blackbody radiation covering a wide frequency range and an optical chopper to modulate the radiation signal. We discuss the experimental requirements of gain calibration and system design to calibrate POLARBEAR-2a. We evaluate the performance of our system during the early commissioning of the receiver system. This calibration system is promising for the future generation of CMB ground-based polarization observations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanekoDaisuke en-aut-sei=Kaneko en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakatoriSayuri en-aut-sei=Takatori en-aut-mei=Sayuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaMasaya en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HazumiMasashi en-aut-sei=Hazumi en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueYuki en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JeongOliver en-aut-sei=Jeong en-aut-mei=Oliver kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeAdrian T. en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Adrian T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsudaFrederick en-aut-sei=Matsuda en-aut-mei=Frederick kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinoHaruki en-aut-sei=Nishino en-aut-mei=Haruki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SiritanasakPraween en-aut-sei=Siritanasak en-aut-mei=Praween kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiAritoki en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Aritoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakuraSatoru en-aut-sei=Takakura en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomaruTakayuki en-aut-sei=Tomaru en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Central University, Center for High Energy and High Field Physics, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=University of California, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=University of Tokyo, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=University of California, Department of Physics kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Science, Research Center for the Early Universe kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Physics Division kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Kyoto University, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Gravitational Wave Project Office kn-affil= en-keyword=cosmic microwave background kn-keyword=cosmic microwave background en-keyword=gain calibrator kn-keyword=gain calibrator en-keyword=detector calibration kn-keyword=detector calibration en-keyword=transition edge sensor kn-keyword=transition edge sensor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=215 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240823 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Study of a Drawing Exactness Assessment Method Using Localized Normalized Cross-Correlations in a Portrait Drawing Learning Assistant System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, portrait drawing has gained significance in cultivating painting skills and human sentiments. In practice, novices often struggle with this art form without proper guidance from professionals, since they lack understanding of the proportions and structures of facial features. To solve this limitation, we have developed a Portrait Drawing Learning Assistant System (PDLAS) to assist novices in learning portrait drawing. The PDLAS provides auxiliary lines as references for facial features that are extracted by applying OpenPose and OpenCV libraries to a face photo image of the target. A learner can draw a portrait on an iPad using drawing software where the auxiliary lines appear on a different layer to the portrait. However, in the current implementation, the PDLAS does not offer a function to assess the exactness of the drawing result for feedback to the learner. In this paper, we present a drawing exactness assessment method using a Localized Normalized Cross-Correlation (NCC) algorithm in the PDLAS. NCC gives a similarity score between the original face photo and drawing result images by calculating the correlation of the brightness distributions. For precise feedback, the method calculates the NCC for each face component by extracting the bounding box. In addition, in this paper, we improve the auxiliary lines for the nose. For evaluations, we asked students at Okayama University, Japan, to draw portraits using the PDLAS, and applied the proposed method to their drawing results, where the application results validated the effectiveness by suggesting improvements in drawing components. The system usability was also confirmed through a questionnaire with a SUS score. The main finding of this research is that the implementation of the NCC algorithm within the PDLAS significantly enhances the accuracy of novice portrait drawings by providing detailed feedback on specific facial features, proving the system's efficacy in art education and training. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangYue en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Yue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KongZitong en-aut-sei=Kong en-aut-mei=Zitong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HsuChen-Chien en-aut-sei=Hsu en-aut-mei=Chen-Chien kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University kn-affil= en-keyword=portrait drawing kn-keyword=portrait drawing en-keyword=auxiliary lines kn-keyword=auxiliary lines en-keyword=OpenPose kn-keyword=OpenPose en-keyword=OpenCV kn-keyword=OpenCV en-keyword=normalized cross-correlation (NCC) kn-keyword=normalized cross-correlation (NCC) en-keyword=exactness assessment kn-keyword=exactness assessment END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=471 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240909 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Generating 3D Models for UAV-Based Detection of Riparian PET Plastic Bottle Waste: Integrating Local Social Media and InstantMesh en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In recent years, waste pollution has become a severe threat to riparian environments worldwide. Along with the advancement of deep learning (DL) algorithms (i.e., object detection models), related techniques have become useful for practical applications. This work attempts to develop a data generation approach to generate datasets for small target recognition, especially for recognition in remote sensing images. A relevant point is that similarity between data used for model training and data used for testing is crucially important for object detection model performance. Therefore, obtaining training data with high similarity to the monitored objects is a key objective of this study. Currently, Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC), such as single target objects generated by Luma AI, is a promising data source for DL-based object detection models. However, most of the training data supporting the generated results are not from Japan. Consequently, the generated data are less similar to monitored objects in Japan, having, for example, different label colors, shapes, and designs. For this study, the authors developed a data generation approach by combining social media (Clean-Up Okayama) and single-image-based 3D model generation algorithms (e.g., InstantMesh) to provide a reliable reference for future generations of localized data. The trained YOLOv8 model in this research, obtained from the S2PS (Similar to Practical Situation) AIGC dataset, produced encouraging results (high F1 scores, approximately 0.9) in scenario-controlled UAV-based riparian PET bottle waste identification tasks. The results of this study show the potential of AIGC to supplement or replace real-world data collection and reduce the on-site work load. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PanShijun en-aut-sei=Pan en-aut-mei=Shijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimoeDaichi en-aut-sei=Shimoe en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=TOKEN C.E.E. Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=generative artificial intelligence kn-keyword=generative artificial intelligence en-keyword=InstantMesh kn-keyword=InstantMesh en-keyword=riparian waste kn-keyword=riparian waste en-keyword=SNS kn-keyword=SNS en-keyword=3D model kn-keyword=3D model END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=88 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=239 end-page=244 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024101 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Reverse Shape Memory Effect and Toughness Recovery of Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al Alloy kn-title=Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al合金の逆形状記憶効果と靭性回復 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al alloys exhibit shape memory (SM) and reverse shape memory (RSM) effects. When an alloy sample that has been strained by external force at room temperature is heated, the strain recovers and SM effect develops at around 300℃, but as the temperature increases further, the shape changes in the opposite direction due to RSM effect at around 450℃. This RSM effect has potential applications in forming processes such as thin-walled pipes, but has the disadvantage that the RSM treatment makes the material very brittle. Therefore, in this study, a heat treatment to restore toughness while maintaining the shape after forming was investigated. The alloy quenched from 1050℃ had a microstructure consisting of a β matrix phase and α′′-martensite (α′′Mq). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the continuous heating process occurred in the following order: α′′Mq → β reverse transformation, ω formation, ω disappearance, thermally induced α′′iso phase formation, α precipitation and α → β transformation. Ageing at 300℃, where the SM effect appears, caused significant embrittlement due to the formation of the ageing ω phase. Ageing treatment at 450℃, where the RSM effect is obtained, resulted in the formation of a fine α phase, which also caused significant embrittlement. On the other hand, additional aging at 600℃ for 1.8 ks after RSM treatment significantly improved the toughness and produced material properties comparable to aerospace material specifications. It was found that the embrittlement in the RSM treatment was due to the precipitation of fine α phase, and that the growth of α phase with a width of about 0.2 ?m or more was required for toughness recovery. It was also found that the specimen shape formed by the RSM treatment hardly changed after the additional heat treatment of 1.8 ks at 600℃. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakemotoYoshito en-aut-sei=Takemoto en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name=竹元嘉利 kn-aut-sei=竹元 kn-aut-mei=嘉利 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinomiyaDaiki en-aut-sei=Shinomiya en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name=四宮大輝 kn-aut-sei=四宮 kn-aut-mei=大輝 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshiharaTaiki en-aut-sei=Ishihara en-aut-mei=Taiki kn-aut-name=石原大暉 kn-aut-sei=石原 kn-aut-mei=大暉 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokotaHiroto en-aut-sei=Yokota en-aut-mei=Hiroto kn-aut-name=横田啓人 kn-aut-sei=横田 kn-aut-mei=啓人 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakawaJinta en-aut-sei=Arakawa en-aut-mei=Jinta kn-aut-name=荒川仁太 kn-aut-sei=荒川 kn-aut-mei=仁太 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学環境生命自然科学学域 affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命自然科学研究科 affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命自然科学研究科 affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学環境生命自然科学学域 en-keyword=reverse shape memory kn-keyword=reverse shape memory en-keyword=α′′-phase kn-keyword=α′′-phase en-keyword=deformation induced martensite kn-keyword=deformation induced martensite en-keyword=β-type titanium alloy kn-keyword=β-type titanium alloy en-keyword=brittle fracture kn-keyword=brittle fracture en-keyword=toughness kn-keyword=toughness en-keyword=shape recovery kn-keyword=shape recovery en-keyword=ω-phase kn-keyword=ω-phase en-keyword=variant kn-keyword=variant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=46 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2400604 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Elastomer Particle Monolayers Formed by the Compression of Poly(methyl acrylate) Microparticles at an Air/Water Interface en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the previous study (Green Chem., 2023, 25, 3418), highly stretchable and mechanically tough poly(methyl acrylate) (pMA) microparticle-based elastomers can be formed by drying a microparticle-containing aqueous dispersion. This discovery has the potential to overcome the mechanical weakness of industrially produced aqueous latex films. However, in 3D-arranged particle films, structural complexity, such as the existence of defects, makes it difficult to clearly understand the relationship between the particle film structure and its mechanical properties. In this study, 2D-ordered pMA particle monolayers at the air/water interface of a Langmuir trough are prepared. Under high compression at the air/water interface, the microparticles contact their neighboring particles, and the resulting monolayers can be successfully transferred onto a solid substrate. The compression of the monolayer films is linked to an increase in the elastic modulus of the monolayer film on the solid substrate as evident from the local Young's modulus mapping using atomic force microscopy. Thus, pMA particle films with different mechanical properties can be created using a Langmuir trough. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SasakiYuma en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishizawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Nishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeNatsuki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Natsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchihashiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Uchihashi en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Langmuir?Blodgett techniques kn-keyword=Langmuir?Blodgett techniques en-keyword=polymer colloids kn-keyword=polymer colloids en-keyword=polymer structures kn-keyword=polymer structures en-keyword=thin films kn-keyword=thin films en-keyword=tough materials kn-keyword=tough materials END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=36 article-no= start-page=7343 end-page=7348 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Indoline hemiaminals: a platform for accessing anthranilic acid derivatives through oxidative deformylation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=2-Aminobenzoyl chlorides possess both a nucleophilic nitrogen atom and an electrophilic carbonyl group, and thus selective acylation of nucleophiles is challenging; self-dimerization and sluggish reactions occur. Herein, we introduce a new synthetic protocol using 2-aminobenzoyl surrogates, allowing concise entry to decorated 2-aminobenzoyl derivatives in the absence of transition metals, acid chlorides, and specific reagents. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TokushigeKeisuke en-aut-sei=Tokushige en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoboriYuito en-aut-sei=Kobori en-aut-mei=Yuito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaiShota en-aut-sei=Asai en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeTakumi en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=65 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=1769 end-page=1786 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240824 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nutrient Requirements Shape the Preferential Habitat of Allorhizobium vitis VAR03-1, a Commensal Bacterium, in the Rhizosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A diverse range of commensal bacteria inhabit the rhizosphere, influencing host plant growth and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. While root-released nutrients can define soil microbial habitats, the bacterial factors involved in plant?microbe interactions are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the colonization patterns of two plant disease biocontrol agents, Allorhizobium vitis VAR03-1 and Pseudomonas protegens Cab57, in the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana using Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium. VAR03-1 formed colonies even at a distance from the roots, preferentially in the upper part, while Cab57 colonized only the root surface. The addition of sucrose to the agar medium resulted in excessive proliferation of VAR03-1, similar to its pattern without sucrose, whereas Cab57 formed colonies only near the root surface. Overgrowth of both bacterial strains upon nutrient supplementation inhibited host growth, independent of plant immune responses. This inhibition was reduced in the VAR03-1 ΔrecA mutant, which exhibited increased biofilm formation, suggesting that some activities associated with the free-living lifestyle rather than the sessile lifestyle may be detrimental to host growth. VAR03-1 grew in liquid MS medium with sucrose alone, while Cab57 required both sucrose and organic acids. Supplementation of sugars and organic acids allowed both bacterial strains to grow near and away from Arabidopsis roots in MS agar. These results suggest that nutrient requirements for bacterial growth may determine their growth habitats in the rhizosphere, with nutrients released in root exudates potentially acting as a limiting factor in harnessing microbiota. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HemeldaNiarsi Merry en-aut-sei=Hemelda en-aut-mei=Niarsi Merry kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=BaoJiyuan en-aut-sei=Bao en-aut-mei=Jiyuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeMegumi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuiHidenori en-aut-sei=Matsui en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Toyoda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IchinoseYuki en-aut-sei=Ichinose en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NoutoshiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Noutoshi en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Commensal bacteria kn-keyword=Commensal bacteria en-keyword=Nutrient requirements kn-keyword=Nutrient requirements en-keyword=Organic acids kn-keyword=Organic acids en-keyword=Plant-microbe interactions kn-keyword=Plant-microbe interactions en-keyword=Rhizosphere kn-keyword=Rhizosphere en-keyword=Sugars kn-keyword=Sugars END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1339958 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240829 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Illumina-based transcriptomic analysis of the fast-growing leguminous tree Acacia crassicarpa: functional gene annotation and identification of novel SSR-markers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Acacia crassicarpa is a fast-growing leguminous tree that is widely cultivated in tropical areas such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and southern China. This tree has versatile utility in timber, furniture, and pulp production. Illumina sequencing of A. crassicarpa was conducted, and the raw data of 124,410,892 reads were filtered and assembled de novo into 93,317 unigenes, with a total of 84,411,793 bases. Blast2GO annotation, Benchmark Universal Single-Copy Ortholog evaluation, and GO-term classification produced a catalogue of unigenes for studying primary metabolism, phytohormone signaling, and transcription factors. Massive transcriptomic analysis has identified microsatellites composed of simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci representing di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide repeat units in the predicted open reading frames. Polymorphism was induced by PCR amplification of microsatellite loci located in several genes encoding auxin response factors and other transcription factors, which successfully distinguished 16 local trees of A. crassicarpa tested, representing potentially exploitable molecular markers for efficient tree breeding for plantation and biomass exploitation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshioShougo en-aut-sei=Ishio en-aut-mei=Shougo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusunokiKazutaka en-aut-sei=Kusunoki en-aut-mei=Kazutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NemotoMichiko en-aut-sei=Nemoto en-aut-mei=Michiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanaoTadayoshi en-aut-sei=Kanao en-aut-mei=Tadayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraTakashi en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Tsukuba Research Institute, Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Tsukuba Research Institute, Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute of Global Human Resource Development, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Acacia crassicarpa kn-keyword=Acacia crassicarpa en-keyword= illumina sequencing kn-keyword= illumina sequencing en-keyword= polymorphism kn-keyword= polymorphism en-keyword= auxin response factor kn-keyword= auxin response factor en-keyword= lignin kn-keyword= lignin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=464 end-page=473 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240827 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Terrein Exhibits Anti-tumor Activity by Suppressing Angiogenin Expression in Malignant Melanoma Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Aim: Malignant melanoma is a tumor with a poor prognosis that can metastasize distally at an early stage. Terrein, a metabolite produced by Aspergillus terreus, suppresses the expression of angiogenin, an angiogenic factor. However, the pharmacological effects of natural terrein have not been elucidated, because only a small amount of terrein can be extracted from large fungal cultures. In this study, we investigated the antineoplastic effects of terrein on human malignant melanoma cells and its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods: Human malignant melanoma cell lines were cultured in the presence of terrein and analyzed. Angiogenin production was evaluated using ELISA. Ribosome biosynthesis was evaluated using silver staining of the nucleolar organizer region. Intracellular signaling pathways were analyzed using western blotting. Malignant melanoma cells were transplanted subcutaneously into the backs of nude mice. The tumors were removed at 5 weeks and analyzed histopathologically. Results: Terrein inhibited angiogenin expression, proliferation, migration, invasion, and ribosome biosynthesis in malignant melanoma cells. Terrein was shown to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis in animal models. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that terrein has anti-tumor effects against malignant melanoma. Furthermore, chemically synthesized non-natural terrein can be mass-produced and serve as a novel potential anti-tumor drug candidate. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HIROSETAIRA en-aut-sei=HIROSE en-aut-mei=TAIRA kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KUNISADAYUKI en-aut-sei=KUNISADA en-aut-mei=YUKI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KADOYAKOICHI en-aut-sei=KADOYA en-aut-mei=KOICHI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MANDAIHIROKI en-aut-sei=MANDAI en-aut-mei=HIROKI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SAKAMOTOYUMI en-aut-sei=SAKAMOTO en-aut-mei=YUMI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OBATAKYOICHI en-aut-sei=OBATA en-aut-mei=KYOICHI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ONOKISHO en-aut-sei=ONO en-aut-mei=KISHO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKAKURAHIROAKI en-aut-sei=TAKAKURA en-aut-mei=HIROAKI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OMORIKAZUHIRO en-aut-sei=OMORI en-aut-mei=KAZUHIRO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TAKASHIBASHOGO en-aut-sei=TAKASHIBA en-aut-mei=SHOGO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=SUGASEIJI en-aut-sei=SUGA en-aut-mei=SEIJI kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=IBARAGISOICHIRO en-aut-sei=IBARAGI en-aut-mei=SOICHIRO kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gifu University of Medical Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Head and neck cancer kn-keyword=Head and neck cancer en-keyword=oral cancer kn-keyword=oral cancer en-keyword=malignant melanoma kn-keyword=malignant melanoma en-keyword=angiogenin kn-keyword=angiogenin en-keyword=terrein kn-keyword=terrein END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=112 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=419 end-page=424 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240909 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Electrochemically assisted sol-gel deposition of bioactive gels for biomedical applications en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=So far, the sol-gel process has been available to prepare precursor gels of bioactive glasses with various compositions. In this report, we described a novel coating method of bioactive gels on a titanium substrate where the sol-gel transition is controlled by applying external electric fields. The application of a constant current of 10?mA/cm2 in an acidic sol containing pre-hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, calcium nitrate, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate led to the deposition of gels on the titanium cathodes due to the generation of OH? by water electrolysis as a catalyst of the sol-gel transition. The obtained gels, which were characterized to be amorphous and consisted of Si, Ca, and P, covered the titanium substrates as a coating. The bioactivity of the gels deposited was confirmed by soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF) up to 7 days, suggesting that the electrochemically assisted sol-gel process is promising for providing bioactive coatings on metallic implants. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshiokaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoNaoki en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayakawaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Biomaterials Laboratory, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Biomaterials Laboratory, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Sol-gel-derived gels kn-keyword=Sol-gel-derived gels en-keyword=Coating kn-keyword=Coating en-keyword=Water electrolysis kn-keyword=Water electrolysis en-keyword=Bioactivity kn-keyword=Bioactivity en-keyword=SBF kn-keyword=SBF END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=38 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2398895 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Surrogate-Assisted Multi-Objective Optimization for Simultaneous Three-Dimensional Packing and Motion Planning Problems Using the Sequence-Triple Representation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Packing problems are classical optimization problems with wide-ranging applications. With the advancement of robotic manipulation, there are growing demands for the automation of packing tasks. However, the simultaneous optimization of packing and the robot's motion planning is challenging because these two decisions are interconnected, and no previous study has addressed this optimization problem. This paper presents a framework to simultaneously determine the robot's motion planning and packing decision to minimize the robot's processing time and the container's volume. This framework comprises three key components: solution encoding, surrogate modeling, and evolutionary computation. The sequence-triple representation encodes complex packing solutions by a sequence of integers. A surrogate model is trained to predict the processing time for a given packing solution to reduce the computational burden. Training data is generated by solving the motion planning problem for a set of packing solutions using the rapidly exploring random tree algorithm. The Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II searches for the Pareto solutions. Experimental evaluations are conducted using a 6-DOF robot manipulator. The experimental results suggest that implementing the surrogate model can reduce the computational time by 91.1%. The proposed surrogate-assisted optimization method can obtain significantly better solutions than the joint angular velocity-based estimation method. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiuZiang en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Ziang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawabeTomoya en-aut-sei=Kawabe en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiTatsushi en-aut-sei=Nishi en-aut-mei=Tatsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoShun en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Shun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomofumi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Packing problem kn-keyword=Packing problem en-keyword=sequence-triple kn-keyword=sequence-triple en-keyword=motion planning kn-keyword=motion planning en-keyword=surrogate model kn-keyword=surrogate model en-keyword=multi-objective optimization kn-keyword=multi-objective optimization END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=1005 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240807 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Enhanced Active Access-Point Configuration Algorithm Using the Throughput Request Satisfaction Method for an Energy-Efficient Wireless Local-Area Network en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Wireless Local-Area Networks (WLANs), as a popular internet access solution, are widely used in numerous places, including enterprises, campuses, and public venues. As the number of devices increases, large-scale deployments will cause the problem of dense wireless networks, including a lot of energy consumption. Thus, the optimization of energy-efficient wireless AP devices has become a focal point of attention. To reduce energy consumption, we have proposed the active access-point (AP) configuration algorithm for WLANs using APs with a dual interface. This uses the greedy algorithm combined with the local search optimization method to find the minimum number of activated APs while satisfying the minimum throughput constraint. However, the previous algorithm basically satisfies only the average throughput among the multiple hosts associated with one AP, wherein some hosts may not reach the required one. In this paper, to overcome this limitation, we propose an enhanced active AP configuration algorithm by incorporating the throughput request satisfaction method that controls the actual throughput at the target value (target throughput) for every host by applying traffic shaping. The target throughput is calculated from the single and concurrent communicating throughput of each host based on channel occupancy time. The minimum throughput constraint will be iteratively adjusted to obtain the required target throughput and achieve the fair throughput allocation. For evaluations, we conducted simulations using the WIMNET simulator and experiments using the testbed system with a Raspberry Pi 4B for APs in four topology cases with five APs and ten hosts. The results show that the proposed method always achieved the required minimum throughput in simulations as well as in experiments, while minimizing the number of active APs. Thus, the validity and effectiveness of our proposal were confirmed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WuBin en-aut-sei=Wu en-aut-mei=Bin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KongDezheng en-aut-sei=Kong en-aut-mei=Dezheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangXuan en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Xuan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SetoTaishiro en-aut-sei=Seto en-aut-mei=Taishiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FanYu-Cheng en-aut-sei=Fan en-aut-mei=Yu-Cheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electronic Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=energy-efficient WLAN kn-keyword=energy-efficient WLAN en-keyword=IoT kn-keyword=IoT en-keyword=active AP configuration algorithm kn-keyword=active AP configuration algorithm en-keyword=throughput request satisfaction method kn-keyword=throughput request satisfaction method en-keyword=throughput control kn-keyword=throughput control en-keyword=traffic shaping kn-keyword=traffic shaping END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=16 article-no= start-page=8593 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240806 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development of Antimicrobial Surfaces Using Diamond-like Carbon or Diamond-like Carbon-Based Coatings en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The medical device market is a high-growth sector expected to sustain an annual growth rate of over 5%, even in developed countries. Daily, numerous patients have medical devices implanted or inserted within their bodies. While medical devices have significantly improved patient outcomes, as foreign objects, their wider use can lead to an increase in device-related infections, thereby imposing a burden on healthcare systems. Multiple materials with significant societal impact have evolved over time: the 19th century was the age of iron, the 20th century was dominated by silicon, and the 21st century is often referred to as the era of carbon. In particular, the development of nanocarbon materials and their potential applications in medicine are being explored, although the scope of these applications remains limited. Technological innovations in carbon materials are remarkable, and their application in medicine is expected to advance greatly. For example, diamond-like carbon (DLC) has garnered considerable attention for the development of antimicrobial surfaces. Both DLC itself and its derivatives have been reported to exhibit anti-microbial properties. This review discusses the current state of DLC-based antimicrobial surface development. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujiiYasuhiro en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Yasuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataniTatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Nakatani en-aut-mei=Tatsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OusakaDaiki en-aut-sei=Ousaka en-aut-mei=Daiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OozawaSusumu en-aut-sei=Oozawa en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasaiYasushi en-aut-sei=Sasai en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaharaShingo en-aut-sei=Kasahara en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Frontier Science and Technology, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Medical Safety Management, Safety Management Facility, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Gifu University of Medical Science kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=diamond-like carbon kn-keyword=diamond-like carbon en-keyword=antibacterial surface kn-keyword=antibacterial surface en-keyword=hydrophilicity kn-keyword=hydrophilicity en-keyword=ζ-potential kn-keyword=ζ-potential en-keyword=surface smoothness kn-keyword=surface smoothness en-keyword=biofilm kn-keyword=biofilm en-keyword=bacterial adhesion kn-keyword=bacterial adhesion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=464 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240803 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=An Image-Based User Interface Testing Method for Flutter Programming Learning Assistant System en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Flutter has become popular for providing a uniform development environment for user interfaces (UIs) on smart phones, web browsers, and desktop applications. We have developed the Flutter programming learning assistant system (FPLAS) to assist its novice students' self-study. We implemented the Docker-based Flutter environment with Visual Studio Code and three introductory exercise projects. However, the correctness of students' answers is manually checked, although automatic checking is necessary to reduce teachers' workload and provide quick responses to students. This paper presents an image-based user interface (UI) testing method to automate UI testing by the answer code using the Flask framework. This method produces the UI image by running the answer code and compares it with the image made by the model code for the assignment using ORB and SIFT algorithms in the OpenCV library. One notable aspect is the necessity to capture multiple UI screenshots through page transitions by user input actions for the accurate detection of changes in UI elements. For evaluations, we assigned five Flutter exercise projects to fourth-year bachelor and first-year master engineering students at Okayama University, Japan, and applied the proposed method to their answers. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AungSoe Thandar en-aut-sei=Aung en-aut-mei=Soe Thandar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AungLynn Htet en-aut-sei=Aung en-aut-mei=Lynn Htet kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinariSafira Adine en-aut-sei=Kinari en-aut-mei=Safira Adine kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WaiKhaing Hsu en-aut-sei=Wai en-aut-mei=Khaing Hsu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MentariMustika en-aut-sei=Mentari en-aut-mei=Mustika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Information and Communication Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flutter kn-keyword=Flutter en-keyword=FPLAS kn-keyword=FPLAS en-keyword=testing kn-keyword=testing en-keyword=image kn-keyword=image en-keyword=Flask kn-keyword=Flask en-keyword=OpenCV kn-keyword=OpenCV en-keyword=user interface kn-keyword=user interface END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=357 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=114601 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241001 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Revisiting the hormonal control of sexual dimorphism in chicken feathers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Sexual dimorphism in plumage is widespread among avian species. In chickens, adult females exhibit countershading, characterized by dull-colored round feathers lacking fringe on the saddle, while adult males display vibrant plumage with deeply fringed bright feathers. This dimorphism is estrogen-dependent, and administering estrogen to males transforms their showy plumage into cryptic female-like plumage. Extensive studies have shown that estrogen’s role in female plumage formation requires thyroid hormone; however, the precise mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of estrogen and thyroid hormone in creating sexual dimorphism in the structure and coloration of saddle feathers by administering each hormone to adult males and observing the resulting changes in regenerated feathers induced by plucking. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3), responsible for thyroid hormone inactivation, correlates with fringing. Estrogen suppressed DIO3 and agouti signaling protein (ASIP) expression while stimulating BlSK1, a marker of barbule cells, resulting in female-like feathers with mottled patterns and lacking fringes. Administration of thyroxine (T4) stimulated BlSK1 and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression, with no effect on ASIP, leading to the formation of solid black feathers lacking fringes. Triiodothyronine (T3) significantly increased POMC expression in pulp cells in culture. Taken together, these findings suggest that estrogen promotes the formation of solid vanes by suppressing DIO3 expression, while also inducing the formation of mottled patterns through inhibition of ASIP expression and indirect stimulation of melanocortin expression via changes in local T3 concentration. This is the first report describing molecular mechanism underlying hormonal crosstalk in creating sexual dimorphism in feathers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YouLi en-aut-sei=You en-aut-mei=Li kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishioKaori en-aut-sei=Nishio en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KowataKinue en-aut-sei=Kowata en-aut-mei=Kinue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorikawaMinaru en-aut-sei=Horikawa en-aut-mei=Minaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuchiHibiki en-aut-sei=Fukuchi en-aut-mei=Hibiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgoshiMaho en-aut-sei=Ogoshi en-aut-mei=Maho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AizawaSayaka en-aut-sei=Aizawa en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiSakae en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Melanocortin kn-keyword=Melanocortin en-keyword=Thyroid hormone kn-keyword=Thyroid hormone en-keyword=ASIP kn-keyword=ASIP en-keyword=Estrogen kn-keyword=Estrogen en-keyword=Deiodinase kn-keyword=Deiodinase END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=16 article-no= start-page=1373 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240817 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Direct Binding of Synaptopodin 2-Like Protein to Alpha-Actinin Contributes to Actin Bundle Formation in Cardiomyocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Synaptopodin 2-like protein (SYNPO2L) is localized in the sarcomere of cardiomyocytes and is involved in heart morphogenesis. However, the molecular function of SYNPO2L in the heart is not fully understood. We investigated the interaction of SYNPO2L with sarcomeric alpha-actinin and actin filaments in cultured mouse cardiomyocytes. Immunofluorescence studies showed that SYNPO2L colocalized with alpha-actinin and actin filaments at the Z-discs of the sarcomere. Recombinant SYNPO2La or SYNPO2Lb caused a bundling of the actin filaments in the absence of alpha-actinin and enhanced the alpha-actinin-dependent formation of actin bundles. In addition, high-speed atomic force microscopy revealed that SYNPO2La directly bound to alpha-actinin via its globular ends. The interaction between alpha-actinin and SYNPO2La fixed the movements of the two proteins on the actin filaments. These results strongly suggest that SYNPO2L cooperates with alpha-actinin during actin bundle formation to facilitate sarcomere formation and maintenance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamadaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakaHirona en-aut-sei=Osaka en-aut-mei=Hirona kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TatsumiNanami en-aut-sei=Tatsumi en-aut-mei=Nanami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArakiMiu en-aut-sei=Araki en-aut-mei=Miu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeTadashi en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaiharaKeiko en-aut-sei=Kaihara en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiKen en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashimaEizo en-aut-sei=Takashima en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchihashiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Uchihashi en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaruseKeiji en-aut-sei=Naruse en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeiKohji en-aut-sei=Takei en-aut-mei=Kohji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=SYNPO2L kn-keyword=SYNPO2L en-keyword=actinin kn-keyword=actinin en-keyword=actin kn-keyword=actin en-keyword=sarcomere kn-keyword=sarcomere en-keyword=cardiomyocyte kn-keyword=cardiomyocyte END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=16 article-no= start-page=9038 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240820 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Quercetin Attenuates Acetaldehyde-Induced Cytotoxicity via the Heme Oxygenase-1-Dependent Antioxidant Mechanism in Hepatocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=It is still unclear whether or how quercetin influences the toxic events induced by acetaldehyde in hepatocytes, though quercetin has been reported to mitigate alcohol-induced mouse liver injury. In this study, we evaluated the modulating effect of quercetin on the cytotoxicity induced by acetaldehyde in mouse hepatoma Hepa1c1c7 cells, the frequently used cellular hepatocyte model. The pretreatment with quercetin significantly inhibited the cytotoxicity induced by acetaldehyde. The treatment with quercetin itself had an ability to enhance the total ALDH activity, as well as the ALDH1A1 and ALDH3A1 gene expressions. The acetaldehyde treatment significantly enhanced the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, whereas the quercetin pretreatment dose-dependently inhibited it. Accordingly, the treatment with quercetin itself significantly up-regulated the representative intracellular antioxidant-related gene expressions, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit (GCLC), and cystine/glutamate exchanger (xCT), that coincided with the enhancement of the total intracellular glutathione (GSH) level. Tin protoporphyrin IX (SNPP), a typical HO-1 inhibitor, restored the quercetin-induced reduction in the intracellular ROS level, whereas buthionine sulphoximine, a representative GSH biosynthesis inhibitor, did not. SNPP also cancelled the quercetin-induced cytoprotection against acetaldehyde. These results suggest that the low-molecular-weight antioxidants produced by the HO-1 enzymatic reaction are mainly attributable to quercetin-induced cytoprotection. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiKexin en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Kexin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KidawaraMinori en-aut-sei=Kidawara en-aut-mei=Minori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChenQiguang en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Qiguang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MunemasaShintaro en-aut-sei=Munemasa en-aut-mei=Shintaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=quercetin kn-keyword=quercetin en-keyword=acetaldehyde kn-keyword=acetaldehyde en-keyword=glutathione kn-keyword=glutathione en-keyword=aldehyde dehydrogenase kn-keyword=aldehyde dehydrogenase en-keyword=heme oxygenase-1 kn-keyword=heme oxygenase-1 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=137 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=212 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240831 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mutations in starch BRANCHING ENZYME 2a suppress the traits caused by the loss of ISOAMYLASE1 in barley en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The genetic interactions among starch biosynthesis genes can be exploited to alter starch properties, but they remain poorly understood due to the various combinations of mutations to be tested. Here, we isolated two novel barley mutants defective in starch BRANCHING ENZYME 2a (hvbe2a-1 and hvbe2a-2) based on the starch granule (SG) morphology. Both hvbe2a mutants showed elongated SGs in the endosperm and increased resistant starch content. hvbe2a-1 had a base change in HvBE2a gene, substituting the amino acid essential for its enzyme activity, while hvbe2a-2 is completely missing HvBE2a due to a chromosomal deletion. Further genetic crosses with barley isoamylase1 mutants (hvisa1) revealed that both hvbe2a mutations could suppress defects in endosperm caused by hvisa1, such as reduction in starch, increase in phytoglycogen, and changes in the glucan chain length distribution. Remarkably, hvbe2a mutations also transformed the endosperm SG morphology from the compound SG caused by hvisa1 to bimodal simple SGs, resembling that of wild-type barley. The suppressive impact was in competition with floury endosperm 6 mutation (hvflo6), which could enhance the phenotype of hvisa1 in the endosperm. In contrast, the compound SG formation induced by the hvflo6 hvisa1 mutation in pollen was not suppressed by hvbe2a mutations. Our findings provide new insights into genetic interactions in the starch biosynthetic pathway, demonstrating how specific genetic alterations can influence starch properties and SG morphology, with potential applications in cereal breeding for desired starch properties. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsushimaRyo en-aut-sei=Matsushima en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HisanoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Hisano en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimJune-Sik en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=June-Sik kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=McNellyRose en-aut-sei=McNelly en-aut-mei=Rose kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitomeNaoko F. en-aut-sei=Oitome en-aut-mei=Naoko F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SeungDavid en-aut-sei=Seung en-aut-mei=David kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujitaNaoko en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biological Production, Akita Prefectural University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Biological Production, Akita Prefectural University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1403922 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240820 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Lentil adaptation to drought stress: response, tolerance, and breeding approaches en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a cool season legume crop that plays vital roles in food and nutritional security, mostly in the least developed countries. Lentil is often cultivated in dry and semi-dry regions, where the primary abiotic factor is drought, which negatively impacts lentil growth and development, resulting in a reduction of yield. To withstand drought-induced multiple negative effects, lentil plants evolved a variety of adaptation strategies that can be classified within three broad categories of drought tolerance mechanisms (i.e., escape, avoidance, and tolerance). Lentil adapts to drought by the modulation of various traits in the root system, leaf architecture, canopy structure, branching, anatomical features, and flowering process. Furthermore, the activation of certain defensive biochemical pathways as well as the regulation of gene functions contributes to lentil drought tolerance. Plant breeders typically employ conventional and mutational breeding approaches to develop lentil varieties that can withstand drought effects; however, little progress has been made in developing drought-tolerant lentil varieties using genomics-assisted technologies. This review highlights the current understanding of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of lentil adaptation to drought stress. We also discuss the potential application of omics-assisted breeding approaches to develop lentil varieties with superior drought tolerance traits. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NoorMd. Mahmud Al en-aut-sei=Noor en-aut-mei=Md. Mahmud Al kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Tahjib-Ul-ArifMd. en-aut-sei=Tahjib-Ul-Arif en-aut-mei=Md. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AlimS. M. Abdul en-aut-sei=Alim en-aut-mei=S. M. Abdul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IslamMd. Mohimenul en-aut-sei=Islam en-aut-mei=Md. Mohimenul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasanMd. Toufiq en-aut-sei=Hasan en-aut-mei=Md. Toufiq kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabarMd. Ali en-aut-sei=Babar en-aut-mei=Md. Ali kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HossainMohammad Anwar en-aut-sei=Hossain en-aut-mei=Mohammad Anwar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=JewelZilhas Ahmed en-aut-sei=Jewel en-aut-mei=Zilhas Ahmed kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MostofaMohammad Golam en-aut-sei=Mostofa en-aut-mei=Mohammad Golam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Horticulture Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Agronomy Departments, University of Florida kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University kn-affil= en-keyword=abiotic stress kn-keyword=abiotic stress en-keyword=morphology kn-keyword=morphology en-keyword=pulse crop kn-keyword=pulse crop en-keyword=plant growth kn-keyword=plant growth en-keyword=omics kn-keyword=omics en-keyword=water-deficit kn-keyword=water-deficit END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=14543 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240624 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cervical spinal cord stimulation exerts anti-epileptic effects in a rat model of epileptic seizure through the suppression of CCL2-mediated cascades en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is indicated for the treatment of intractable pain and is widely used in clinical practice. In previous basic research, the therapeutic effects of SCS have been demonstrated for epileptic seizure. However, the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of SCS and the influence of epileptic seizure. First, SCS in the cervical spine was performed. The rats were divided into four groups: control group and treatment groups with SCS conducted at 2, 50, and 300 Hz frequency. Two days later, convulsions were induced by the intraperitoneal administration of kainic acid, followed by video monitoring to assess seizures. We also evaluated glial cells in the hippocampus by fluorescent immunostaining, electroencephalogram measurements, and inflammatory cytokines such as C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Seizure frequency and the number of glial cells were significantly lower in the 300 Hz group than in the control group. SCS at 300 Hz decreased gene expression level of CCL2, which induces monocyte migration. SCS has anti-seizure effects by inhibiting CCL2-mediated cascades. The suppression of CCL2 and glial cells may be associated with the suppression of epileptic seizure. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkazakiYosuke en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HosomotoKakeru en-aut-sei=Hosomoto en-aut-mei=Kakeru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanimotoShun en-aut-sei=Tanimoto en-aut-mei=Shun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawaiKoji en-aut-sei=Kawai en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaseTakayuki en-aut-sei=Nagase en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaharaChiaki en-aut-sei=Sugahara en-aut-mei=Chiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YabunoSatoru en-aut-sei=Yabuno en-aut-mei=Satoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinKyohei en-aut-sei=Kin en-aut-mei=Kyohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasadaSusumu en-aut-sei=Sasada en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaTakao en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaShota en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=DateIsao en-aut-sei=Date en-aut-mei=Isao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Kure Kyosai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Okayama Rosai Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=Epileptic seizure kn-keyword=Epileptic seizure en-keyword=Glial cells kn-keyword=Glial cells en-keyword=Spinal cord stimulation kn-keyword=Spinal cord stimulation en-keyword=C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 kn-keyword=C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=115 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=3695 end-page=3704 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240902 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=High-quality expert annotations enhance artificial intelligence model accuracy for osteosarcoma X-ray diagnosis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Primary malignant bone tumors, such as osteosarcoma, significantly affect the pediatric and young adult populations, necessitating early diagnosis for effective treatment. This study developed a high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) model to detect osteosarcoma from X-ray images using highly accurate annotated data to improve diagnostic accuracy at initial consultations. Traditional models trained on unannotated data have shown limited success, with sensitivities of approximately 60%?70%. In contrast, our model used a data-centric approach with annotations from an experienced oncologist, achieving a sensitivity of 95.52%, specificity of 96.21%, and an area under the curve of 0.989. The model was trained using 468 X-ray images from 31 osteosarcoma cases and 378 normal knee images with a strategy to maximize diversity in the training and validation sets. It was evaluated using an independent dataset of 268 osteosarcoma and 554 normal knee images to ensure generalizability. By applying the U-net architecture and advanced image processing techniques such as renormalization and affine transformations, our AI model outperforms existing models, reducing missed diagnoses and enhancing patient outcomes by facilitating earlier treatment. This study highlights the importance of high-quality training data and advocates a shift towards data-centric AI development in medical imaging. These insights can be extended to other rare cancers and diseases, underscoring the potential of AI in transforming diagnostic processes in oncology. The integration of this AI model into clinical workflows could support physicians in early osteosarcoma detection, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and patient care. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaseiJoe en-aut-sei=Hasei en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaRyuichi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaYujiro en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Yujiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYusuke en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HironariTamiya en-aut-sei=Hironari en-aut-mei=Tamiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaharaNaoaki en-aut-sei=Kahara en-aut-mei=Naoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiwaShinji en-aut-sei=Miwa en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhshikaShusa en-aut-sei=Ohshika en-aut-mei=Shusa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishimuraShunji en-aut-sei=Nishimura en-aut-mei=Shunji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkutaKunihiro en-aut-sei=Ikuta en-aut-mei=Kunihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakiShuhei en-aut-sei=Osaki en-aut-mei=Shuhei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaAki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTomohiro en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakataEiji en-aut-sei=Nakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzakiToshifumi en-aut-sei=Ozaki en-aut-mei=Toshifumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medical Information and Assistive Technology Development, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Service, Osaka International Cancer Institute kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mizushima Central Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil= Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kindai University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=artificial intelligence kn-keyword=artificial intelligence en-keyword=clinical decision support kn-keyword=clinical decision support en-keyword=diagnostic imaging kn-keyword=diagnostic imaging en-keyword=image annotation kn-keyword=image annotation en-keyword=osteosarcoma detection kn-keyword=osteosarcoma detection END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=206 cd-vols= no-issue=1-2 article-no= start-page=37 end-page=45 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240822 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Does a coexisting congener of a mixed mating species affect the genetic structure and selfing rate via reproductive interference? en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Reproductive interference is defined as an interspecific interaction that reduces fitness via mating processes. Although its ecological and evolutionary consequences have attracted much attention, how reproductive interference affects the population genetic structures of interacting species is still unclear. In flowering plants, recent studies found that self-pollination can mitigate the negative effects of reproductive interference. Selfing-biased seed production is expected to increase population-level inbreeding and the selfing rate, and limits gene flow via pollinator outcrossing among populations. We examined the population genetics of the mixed-mating annual herb Commelina communis f. ciliata, focusing on reproductive interference by the sympatric competing congener C. communis using microsatellite markers. First, we found that almost all C. c. f. ciliata populations had relatively high inbreeding coefficients. Then, comparing sympatric and allopatric populations, we found evidence that reproductive interference from a competing congener increased the inbreeding coefficient and selfing rate. Allopatric populations exhibit varied selfing rates while almost all sympatric populations exhibit extremely high selfing rates, suggesting that population selfing rates were also influenced by unexamined factors, such as pollinator limitation. Besides, our findings revealed that reproductive interference from a competing congener did not limit gene flow among populations. We present the first report on how reproductive interference affects the genetic aspects of populations. Our results suggested that the high selfing rate of C. c. f. ciliata promotes its sympatric distribution with C. communis, even in the presence of reproductive interference, although it is not clear whether reproductive interference directly causes the high selfing rate. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatsuharaKoki R. en-aut-sei=Katsuhara en-aut-mei=Koki R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UshimaruAtushi en-aut-sei=Ushimaru en-aut-mei=Atushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiYuko en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Commelina kn-keyword=Commelina en-keyword=Genetic diversity kn-keyword=Genetic diversity en-keyword=Inbreeding coefficient kn-keyword=Inbreeding coefficient en-keyword=Mixed mating kn-keyword=Mixed mating en-keyword=Population genetics kn-keyword=Population genetics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=111371 end-page=111385 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240812 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Adaptive Resonance Theory-Based Global Topological Map Building for an Autonomous Mobile Robot en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=3D space perception is one of the key technologies for autonomous mobile robots that perform tasks in unknown environments. Among these, building global topological maps for autonomous mobile robots is a challenging task. In this study, we propose a method for learning topological structures from unknown data distributions based on competitive learning, a type of unsupervised learning. For this purpose, adaptive resonance theory-based Topological Clustering (ATC), which can avoid catastrophic forgetting of previously measured point clouds, is applied as a learning method. Furthermore, by extending ATC with Different Topologies (ATC-DT) with multiple topological structures for extracting the traversable information of terrain environments, a path planning method is realized that can reach target points set in an unknown environment. Path planning experiments in unknown environments show that, compared to other methods, ATC-DT can build a global topology map with high accuracy and stability using only measured 3D point cloud and robot position information. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TodaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaNaoki en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics, Osaka Metropolitan University kn-affil= en-keyword=Adaptive resonance theory kn-keyword=Adaptive resonance theory en-keyword=autonomous mobile robot kn-keyword=autonomous mobile robot en-keyword=topological map kn-keyword=topological map END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=18063 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240808 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Human heart-on-a-chip microphysiological system comprising endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In recent years, research on organ-on-a-chip technology has been flourishing, particularly for drug screening and disease model development. Fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells engage in crosstalk through paracrine signaling and direct cell-cell contact, which is essential for the normal development and function of the heart. Therefore, to faithfully recapitulate cardiac function, it is imperative to incorporate fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells into a heart-on-a-chip model. Here, we report the development of a human heart-on-a-chip composed of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial cells cultured on microfluidic channels responded to the flow of culture medium mimicking blood flow by orienting themselves parallel to the flow direction, akin to in vivo vascular alignment in response to blood flow. Furthermore, the flow of culture medium promoted integrity among vascular endothelial cells, as evidenced by CD31 staining and lower apparent permeability. The tri-culture condition of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells resulted in higher expression of the ventricular cardiomyocyte marker IRX4 and increased contractility compared to the bi-culture condition with iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts alone. Such tri-culture-derived cardiac tissues exhibited cardiac responses similar to in vivo hearts, including an increase in heart rate upon noradrenaline administration. In summary, we have achieved the development of a heart-on-a-chip composed of cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells that mimics in vivo cardiac behavior. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiuYun en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Yun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamranRumaisa en-aut-sei=Kamran en-aut-mei=Rumaisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanXiaoxia en-aut-sei=Han en-aut-mei=Xiaoxia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangMengxue en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Mengxue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiQiang en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Qiang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=LaiDaoyue en-aut-sei=Lai en-aut-mei=Daoyue kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaruseKeiji en-aut-sei=Naruse en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiKen en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Ken kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Induced pluripotent stem cells kn-keyword=Induced pluripotent stem cells en-keyword=Fibroblasts kn-keyword=Fibroblasts en-keyword=Endothelial cells kn-keyword=Endothelial cells en-keyword=Heart kn-keyword=Heart en-keyword=Heart-on-a-chip kn-keyword=Heart-on-a-chip en-keyword=Organ-on-a-chip kn-keyword=Organ-on-a-chip END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100347 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Reduction with zinc - Impact on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We used a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (mu PAD) to investigate the influence that zinc reduction exerts on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. The mu PAD consists of layered channels for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite with zinc powder and the subsequent detection of nitrite with Griess reagent. The amount of zinc, number of layers, and reaction time for the reduction were optimized to obtain an intense signal for nitrate. Initially, the sensitivity to nitrate corresponded to 55% that of nitrite, which implied an incomplete reduction. We found, however, that zinc decreased the sensitivity to nitrite in both the mu PAD and spectrophotometry. The sensitivity to nitrite was decreased by 48% in spectrophotometry and 68% in the mu PAD following the reaction with zinc. One of the reasons for the decreased sensitivity is attributed to the production of ammonia, as we elucidated that both nitrite and nitrate produced ammonia via the reaction with zinc. The results suggest that the total concentration of nitrite and nitrate must be corrected by constructing a calibration curve for nitrite with zinc, in addition to developing curves for nitrate with zinc and for nitrite without zinc. Using these calibration curves, the absorbance at different concentration ratios of nitrite and nitrate ions could be reproduced via calculation using the calibration curves with zinc for nitrite and nitrate. Eventually, the developed mu PAD was applied to the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples, and the results were compared with those using a conventional spectrophotometric method. The results of the mu PAD are in good agreement with those of conventional spectrophotometry, which suggests that the mu PAD is reliable for the measurement of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UmedaMika I. en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Mika I. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiTakatoshi en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Takatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HinoEiichi en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Eiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DateYusuke en-aut-sei=Date en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AokiKaoru en-aut-sei=Aoki en-aut-mei=Kaoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Nitrite ion kn-keyword=Nitrite ion en-keyword=Nitrate ion kn-keyword=Nitrate ion en-keyword=On-site analysis kn-keyword=On-site analysis en-keyword=Environmental analysis kn-keyword=Environmental analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=136 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=57 end-page=62 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240801 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Five-year findings from the home blood pressure management study using IoT technology and future perspectives based on a time-series big data and AI analysis : the Masuda Study kn-title=IoT 技術を用いた家庭血圧管理研究の５年間の成果と時系列ビックデータ・AI を活用した今後の展望：益田研究 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HisamatsuTakashi en-aut-sei=Hisamatsu en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name=久松隆史 kn-aut-sei=久松 kn-aut-mei=隆史 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinutaMinako en-aut-sei=Kinuta en-aut-mei=Minako kn-aut-name=絹田皆子 kn-aut-sei=絹田 kn-aut-mei=皆子 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukudaMari en-aut-sei=Fukuda en-aut-mei=Mari kn-aut-name=福田茉莉 kn-aut-sei=福田 kn-aut-mei=茉莉 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiKaori en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Kaori kn-aut-name=谷口かおり kn-aut-sei=谷口 kn-aut-mei=かおり aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakahataNoriko en-aut-sei=Nakahata en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name=中畑典子 kn-aut-sei=中畑 kn-aut-mei=典子 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name=神田秀幸 kn-aut-sei=神田 kn-aut-mei=秀幸 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院医歯薬学域　公衆衛生学 affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院医歯薬学域　公衆衛生学 affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院医歯薬学域　公衆衛生学 affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University kn-affil=島根大学医学部　環境保健医学 affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Nursing and Nutrition, The University of Shimane kn-affil=島根県立大学看護栄養学部　健康栄養学科 affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学学術研究院医歯薬学域　公衆衛生学 en-keyword=家庭血圧（home blood pressure） kn-keyword=家庭血圧（home blood pressure） en-keyword=IoT kn-keyword=IoT en-keyword=AI kn-keyword=AI en-keyword=ビックデータ（big data） kn-keyword=ビックデータ（big data） END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=149 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=13 end-page=16 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2018 dt-pub=201809 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Functional analysis of N-terminal propeptide in the precursor of Vibrio vulnificus metalloprotease by using cell-free translational system en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vibrio vulnificus is a human pathogen causing fatal septicemia with edematous and hemorrhagic skin damage. Among multiple virulence factors, an extracellular metalloprotease termed as V. vulnificus protease (VVP) is known to play a crucial role in eliciting the skin damage. The mature VVP (413 aa) is composed of two domains, the N-terminal core domain with proteolytic activity and the C-terminal domain mediates efficient attachment to protein substrates. However, VVP is produced as an inactive precursor (609 aa) with a signal peptide (24 aa) and propeptide (172 aa). In order to clarify the function of propeptide, a series of DNA fragments encoding the VVP precursor and its various domains were designed and the proteins were expressed in vitro by using cell-free translational system. The results indicated that the propeptide might function as an intramolecular chaperon to promote the proper folding of both N-terminal and C-terminal domains. The obtained results also suggest that the propeptide, itself was unstable and thus digested easily by the enzymes present in cell lysate used for cell-free system. Additionally, the C-terminal domain in VVP found to inhibit the folding of the N-terminal domain in absence of propeptide. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawaseTomoka en-aut-sei=Kawase en-aut-mei=Tomoka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraFumi en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Fumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DebnathAnusuya en-aut-sei=Debnath en-aut-mei=Anusuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImakuraKinuyo en-aut-sei=Imakura en-aut-mei=Kinuyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vibrio vulnificus kn-keyword=Vibrio vulnificus en-keyword=Protease kn-keyword=Protease en-keyword=Propeptide kn-keyword=Propeptide en-keyword=Domain kn-keyword=Domain en-keyword=Cell-free translational system kn-keyword=Cell-free translational system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1329162 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240809 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Vaccine and antiviral drug promise for preventing post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, and their combination for its treatment en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Introduction: Most healthy individuals recover from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas a remarkable number continues to suffer from unexplained symptoms, known as Long COVID or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). It is therefore imperative that methods for preventing and treating the onset of PASC be investigated with the utmost urgency.
Methods: A mathematical model of the immune response to vaccination and viral infection with SARS-CoV-2, incorporating immune memory cells, was developed.
Results and discussion: Similar to our previous model, persistent infection was observed by the residual virus in the host, implying the possibility of chronic inflammation and delayed recovery from tissue injury. Pre-infectious vaccination and antiviral medication administered during onset can reduce the acute viral load; however, they show no beneficial effects in preventing persistent infection. Therefore, the impact of these treatments on the PASC, which has been clinically observed, is mainly attributed to their role in preventing severe tissue damage caused by acute viral infections. For PASC patients with persistent infection, vaccination was observed to cause an immediate rapid increase in viral load, followed by a temporary decrease over approximately one year. The former was effectively suppressed by the coadministration of antiviral medications, indicating that this combination is a promising treatment for PASC. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaKouji en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Kouji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology kn-affil= en-keyword=post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection kn-keyword=post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection en-keyword=PASC kn-keyword=PASC en-keyword=long Covid kn-keyword=long Covid en-keyword=persistent viruses kn-keyword=persistent viruses en-keyword=vaccine kn-keyword=vaccine en-keyword=antiviral drug kn-keyword=antiviral drug en-keyword=mathematical model kn-keyword=mathematical model en-keyword=immune response kn-keyword=immune response END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=313 end-page=322 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202408 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Multicenter Remote-Access Simulation of Vaginal Delivery for High-Flexibility Medical Education during the Coronavirus Pandemic en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=During the coronavirus pandemic, face-to-face simulation education became impossible. Therefore, we aimed to develop remote-access simulation education with a sense of realism through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) using a perinatal whole-body management and delivery simulator. In September 2021, we administered a multi-center simultaneous remote simulation based on our developed model. Ten universities in the Chugoku?Shikoku region were connected via a web-conferencing system to a live broadcast of a virtual vaginal birth in which a fictional hospitalized pregnant woman experienced accelerated labor and gave birth through vacuum delivery for fetal distress. A Video on Demand (VOD) was made beforehand using a new simulator that allowed for a visual understanding of the process of the inter-vaginal examination. We provided a participatory program that enhanced the sense of realism by combining VOD and real-time lectures on each scenario, with two-way communication between participants and trainee doctors using a chat function. Most participants answered “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the content, level of difficulty, and level of understanding. From November 2021, we have used the videos of all processes in face-to-face classes. Our construction of a high-flexibility education system using remote simulation in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, especially in the vaginal delivery module, is unique, creative, and sustainable. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=EtoEriko en-aut-sei=Eto en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiJota en-aut-sei=Maki en-aut-mei=Jota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaToru en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuemoriAyano en-aut-sei=Suemori en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakatoHikari en-aut-sei=Nakato en-aut-mei=Hikari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObaHikaru en-aut-sei=Oba en-aut-mei=Hikaru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitomaTomohiro en-aut-sei=Mitoma en-aut-mei=Tomohiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MishimaSakurako en-aut-sei=Mishima en-aut-mei=Sakurako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KirinoSatoe en-aut-sei=Kirino en-aut-mei=Satoe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhiraAkiko en-aut-sei=Ohira en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaHisashi en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Education in Medicine and Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=remote simulator education kn-keyword=remote simulator education en-keyword=perinatal simulator kn-keyword=perinatal simulator en-keyword=information and communication technology kn-keyword=information and communication technology en-keyword=high-flexibility education kn-keyword=high-flexibility education END