Resting-state networks representation of the global phenomena

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has been widely applied to investigate spontaneous neural activity, often based on its macroscopic organization that is termed resting-state networks (RSNs). Although the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the RSN organization remain largely unknown, accumulating evidence points to a substantial contribution from the global signals to their structured synchronization. This study further explored the phenomenon by taking advantage of the inter- and intra-subject variations of the time delay and correlation coefficient of the signal timeseries in each region using the global mean signal as the reference signal. Consistent with the hypothesis based on the empirical and theoretical findings, the time lag and correlation, which have consistently been proven to represent local hemodynamic status, were shown to organize networks equivalent to RSNs. The results not only provide further evidence that the local hemodynamic status could be the direct source of the RSNs’ spatial patterns but also explain how the regional variations in the hemodynamics, combined with the changes in the global events’ power spectrum, lead to the observations. While the findings pose challenges to interpretations of rsfMRI studies, they further support the view that rsfMRI can offer detailed information related to global neurophysiological phenomena as well as local hemodynamics that would have great potential as biomarkers

Distribution of Air Temperature in Tajimi City in Summer

To research the distribution of air temperature in the city of Tajimi, Gifu prefecture, a total of 15 thermometers were placed at the schools and parks in the city of Tajimi, and the city of Kasugai, Aichi prefecture in August 2010. From the distribution of monthly average air temperature, air temperature at the center of Tajimi city was higher than the suburbs. Also, the days of daily minimum air temperature more than or equal to 25°C and daily maximum air temperature more than or equal to 35°C at the elementary school near the center of Tajimi city was more than those at other schools. This tendency appeared more clearly on the days of daily minimum air temperature more than or equal to 25°C. Also, the air temperature near the center of the city was higher than that ofthe suburbs in the early morning. Thus, it was indicated that the air temperature was hard to decrease as the bottom of the basin. From these results, the influence of urbanization to the formation of the daily minimum temperature in Tajimi city was indicated

Observational Study and Numerical Prediction Experiments on Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture: Consideration of Uncertainty with a Physics Parameterization Scheme and Horizontal Resolution of the Weather Research and Forecasting Model

As part of research on the actual conditions of the thermal environment surrounding the city of Tajimi, Gifu prefecture, and the city of Kasugai, Aichi prefecture, the surface air temperature and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) were investigated by observation at these locations on clear-sky days in August 2010. Numerical prediction experiments on the WBGT were performed to confirm the utility of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Sensitivity experiments utilizing physics parameterization schemes and horizontal resolution of the WRF model were conducted to confirm the predicted WBGT. The resultsshowed that the maximum sensitivity with the parameterization scheme was 8.4°C for the daytime average, and especially, the simple thermal diffusion surface (SLAB) scheme caused an over/estimation of 6.8°C. On the other hand, the maximum sensitivity with horizontal resolution was 0.5°C, which is much less than that with the parameterization scheme

Factors causing climatologically high temperatures in a hottest city in Japan: a multi-scale analysis of Tajimi

In this study, multi-scale climatological features of extreme high temperature (EHT) events in Tajimi, the hottest cities in Japan, were investigated using observational data collected by the Japan Meteorological Agency over the past 23 years, and original data observed by the authors over the last 3 years. Results revealed the background factors that lead to climatologically high temperatures in Tajimi: the occurrence of a characteristic pressure pattern called ‘whale’: the synoptic-scale factors, and the urbanization of Tajimi: the meso-γ-scale factors. In addition, the high temperatures measured in Tajimi are affected by the foehn-like westerly airflow coming from the mountains located in the northwest/west towards the Nobi Plain where Tajimi is located at the east end: the meso-β-scale factors, and the location of the Tajimi observation site, which is within an urbanized area where the highest temperatures tend to be observed: the micro-scale factors. In contrast, statistical analysis demonstrated that the small-scale basin effects and soil dryness around Tajimi were of lesser importance than aforementioned factors, in the occurrence of EHT events in Tajimi

Owarinaki michi : ka huaka'i palena'ole

M.F.A. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2013.Includes bibliographical references.The thesis installation entitled "Owarinaki Michi: Ka Huaka'i Palena 'Ole" was presented at the Haigo and Irene Shen Architecture Gallery at the University of Hawaiʻi School of Architecture from April 1-12, 2013. "Owarinaki Michi: Ka Huakaʻi Palena 'Ole" depicts my journey to connect with both my native and adopted cultures. Through this process, I have come to realize how precious the beauty of nature is by cleansing negative emotion from my mind in order to absorb mana, a source of life, into my body. The English equivalent of these Japanese and Hawaiian phrases is "The Never-Ending Journey." In this exhibition, my purpose was to depict a connection between both the Japanese and Hawaiian cultures, each of which respects the bond between nature and humanity. Japanese people express this through the spirit of Shintoism, whereas Hawaiians express it through the spirit of mana. In the exhibition, the salt spiral represents a journey to discover my Japanese roots through the lens of the Hawaiian culture. The path is ritually drawn by hand-sprinkling salt three times into mound-shaped piles. This process metaphorically purifies the body, emotions and spirit while preserving knowledge from experiences. The structure of the roots refers to my own experiences and knowledge acquired through the course of my life, while the luminosity of the glass refers to spiritual power and strength that can be obtained from nature. Tying individual roots together symbolizes the establishment of self-awareness; the experiences and knowledge of the past joining together to create a complex tapestry continuing into the future. The journey of awareness will never end if there is hope that drives a person forward. My intent was to present a path through one such journey

Usefulness of vitrification device having vitrification solution absorber for cryopreservation of mouse embryos at the blastocyst stage

Vitrification is widely used for cryopreservation of embryos and oocytes in applications of assisted reproductive technology globally. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the Kitasato Vitrification System (KVS) as a device for the cryopreservation of mouse embryos and made comparisons with the widely used Cryotop® vitrification device. In Experiment 1, the blastocyst survival rates were significantly higher after vitrification using the KVS than after using Cryotop® devices. In Experiment 2, the cooling and warming rates of Cryotop® increased with decreasing vitrification solution volumes around the embryo and were 336,000 ℃/min and 320,000°C/min at best, respectively. However, the cooling and warming rates of the KVS were 683,000 ℃/min and 612,000 ℃/min, respectively, exceeding those of Cryotop®

Data_Sheet_1_Resting-state networks representation of the global phenomena.docx

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has been widely applied to investigate spontaneous neural activity, often based on its macroscopic organization that is termed resting-state networks (RSNs). Although the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the RSN organization remain largely unknown, accumulating evidence points to a substantial contribution from the global signals to their structured synchronization. This study further explored the phenomenon by taking advantage of the inter- and intra-subject variations of the time delay and correlation coefficient of the signal timeseries in each region using the global mean signal as the reference signal. Consistent with the hypothesis based on the empirical and theoretical findings, the time lag and correlation, which have consistently been proven to represent local hemodynamic status, were shown to organize networks equivalent to RSNs. The results not only provide further evidence that the local hemodynamic status could be the direct source of the RSNs’ spatial patterns but also explain how the regional variations in the hemodynamics, combined with the changes in the global events’ power spectrum, lead to the observations. While the findings pose challenges to interpretations of rsfMRI studies, they further support the view that rsfMRI can offer detailed information related to global neurophysiological phenomena as well as local hemodynamics that would have great potential as biomarkers.</p