A conservative momentum exchange algorithm for interaction problem between fluid and deformable particles

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:Shintaro Takeuchi, Yoshihiko Yuki, Atsushi Ueyama, Takeo Kajishima, "A conservative momentum exchange algorithm for interaction problem between fluid and deformable particles," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, Vol.64, Issue 10-12, pp.1084-1101, John Wiley & Sons, 2010, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fld.2272. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving

Micrometeorological measurements of methane flux at a boreal forest in central Alaska

Methane (CH_4) flux at a black spruce forest in central Alaska was determined by applying the three types of modified gradient method. One type used the eddy diffusivity obtained by CO_2 flux and CO_2 gradient. Others established the flux gradient relationship assuming Monin-Obukhov similarity. The wind speed and temperature profile functions were corrected for the influence of the roughness sublayer, and then applied to the modified gradient methods. More than 70% of the data were rejected by the strict quality control and a continental climate, such as calm wind. Although the diurnal variations of CH_4 flux by the three methods were different, the seasonal variation showed similar tendency; a weak emission on snowpack, an obvious emission around spring thaw, and CH_4 uptake in the late growing season. As calculated CH_4 flux was in the same range as with previous studies conducted by the chamber measurement

Light activates the adrenal gland: Timing of gene expression and glucocorticoid release

SummaryLight is a powerful synchronizer of the circadian rhythms, and bright light therapy is known to improve metabolic and hormonal status of circadian rhythm sleep disorders, although its mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, we revealed that light induces gene expression in the adrenal gland via the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-sympathetic nervous system. Moreover, this gene expression accompanies the surge of plasma and brain corticosterone levels without accompanying activation of the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial axis. The abolishment after SCN lesioning, and the day-night difference of light-induced adrenal gene expression and corticosterone release, clearly indicate that this phenomenon is closely linked to the circadian clock. The magnitude of corticostereone response is dose dependently correlated with the light intensity. The light-induced clock-dependent secretion of glucocorticoids adjusts cellular metabolisms to the new light-on environment

Collaboration between kindergarten teachers and researchers in practice research : Difference in recognition of practice research <Collaboration with the local community>

In practice research on early childhood care and education, collaboration between practitioners and researchers has been actively implemented. However, such partnerships have not always been successful. In such cases, it is necessary to consider the possibility of a difference in the recognition of practice research between the two parties. The purpose of this study was to clarify such recognition differences between kindergarten teachers and researchers. Interviews with kindergarten teachers and researchers who collaborated in performing practice research were qualitatively analyzed. Results showed that recognition of five items of research － research themes, scope, duration, results, and application possibilities － differed between researchers and kindergarten teachers. Teachers, being more practice oriented, prefer more concrete research themes and scope, whereas researchers lean more toward abstract themes and scope. In addition, teachers give little consideration to research duration, whereas researchers focus on the need to gather and analyze the data within the determined period. Moreover, neither of the parties is fully aware of these differences. Consequently, interaction in the collaboration may come to resemble a “tug-of-war” with both partners asserting their own viewpoints

Collaboration between kindergarten teachers and researchers in practice research : The role of graduate students <Collaboration with the local community>

The aim of this study was to examine how the role of graduate students differs when university professors participate in collaborative research. The study method involved the researcher interviewing three kindergarten teachers who had participated in various forms of practice research. The teachers were aware of four roles of graduate students. The following was shown as four roles. (1) Graduate students sympathize with teachers, and give them a boost by acting in an approving manner towards the teachers’ practice. (2) Graduate students supplement and explain the words of the university professors, leading them to act as intermediaries. (3) Graduate students give their opinions to teachers in a positive way. (4) Graduate students also take on a guidance role by supporting teachers. When university professors participated in the research, the graduate students took on an intermediary role between the university professors and the kindergarten teachers. However, the students tended to take on a stronger guidance role when the university professors were not present. In other words, the role of the graduate students changed in the presence of university professors. Therefore, the various roles adopted by the graduate students contributed to the success of collaborative research between teachers and researchers

Multicenter retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the double-flap technique as antireflux esophagogastrostomy after proximal gastrectomy (rD-FLAP Study)

AIM: As a result of the difficulty in effective prevention of gastroesophageal reflux, no standard reconstruction procedure after proximal gastrectomy (PG) has yet been established. The double-flap technique (DFT), or Kamikawa procedure, is an antireflux reconstruction procedure in esophagogastrostomy. The efficacy of DFT has recently been reported in several studies. However, these were all single-center studies with a limited number of cases. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in which patients who underwent DFT, irrespective of disease type and reconstruction approach, at each participating institution between 1996 and 2015 were registered. Primary endpoint was incidence of reflux esophagitis at 1-year after surgery, and secondary endpoint was incidence of anastomosis-related complications. RESULTS: Of 546 patients who were eligible for this study, 464 patients who had endoscopic examination at 1-year follow up were evaluated for reflux esophagitis. Incidence of reflux esophagitis of all grades was 10.6% and that of grade B or higher was 6.0%. Male gender and anastomosis located in the mediastinum/intra-thorax were independent risk factors for grade B or higher reflux esophagitis (odds ratio [OR]: 4.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-10.9, P = 0.0109). Total incidence of anastomosis-related complications was 7.2%, including leakage in 1.5%, strictures in 5.5% and bleeding in 0.6% of cases. Laparoscopic reconstruction was the only independent risk factor for anastomosis-related complications (OR: 3.93, 95% CI: 1.93-7.80, P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Double-flap technique might be a feasible option after PG for effective prevention of reflux, although anastomotic stricture is a complication that must be well-prepared for

Sonodynamic Therapy With Anticancer Micelles and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Treatment of Canine Cancer

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a minimally invasive anticancer therapy involving a chemical sonosensitizer and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). SDT enables the reduction of drug dose and HIFU irradiation power compared to those of conventional monotherapies. In our previous study, mouse models of colon and pancreatic cancer were used to confirm the effectiveness of SDT vs. drug-only or HIFU-only therapy. To validate its usefulness, we performed a clinical trial of SDT using an anticancer micelle (NC-6300) and our HIFU system in four pet dogs with spontaneous tumors, including chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, hepatocellular cancer, and prostate cancer. The fact that no adverse events were observed, suggests the usefulness of SDT

Risk Factors for Bleeding After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Cancer in Elderly Patients Older Than 80 Years in Japan.

Introduction:As the aging of people in a society advances, the number of elderly patients older than 80 years in Japan with gastric cancer continues to increase. Although delayed ulcer bleeding is a major adverse event after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), little is known about characteristic risk factors for bleeding in elderly patients undergoing ESD. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for delayed bleeding after ESD for gastric cancer in elderly patients older than 80 years.Methods:We retrospectively evaluated the incidence of delayed bleeding after ESD in 10,320 patients with early-stage gastric cancer resected by ESD between November 2013 and January 2016 at 33 Japanese institutions and investigated risk factors for delayed bleeding in elderly patients older than 80 years.Results:The incidence of delayed bleeding in elderly patients older than 80 years was 5.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.6%-6.9%, 95/1,675), which was significantly higher than that in nonelderly (older than 20 years and younger than 80 years) patients (4.5%, 4.1%-5.0%, 393/8,645). Predictive factors for ESD-associated bleeding differed between nonelderly and elderly patients. On multivariate analysis of predictive factors at the time of treatment, risk factors in elderly patients were hemodialysis (odds ratio: 4.591, 95% CI: 2.056-10.248, P < 0.001) and warfarin use (odds ratio: 4.783, 95% CI: 1.689-13.540, P = 0.003).Discussion:This multicenter study found that the incidence of delayed bleeding after ESD in Japanese patients older than 80 years was high, especially in patients receiving hemodialysis and taking warfarin. Management of ESD to prevent delayed bleeding requires particular care in patients older than 80 years