Long-term reliability evaluation of fluororesin gasket for electrode of automotive lithium-ion battery using simulation

In this paper, we proposed a simulation method based on the finite element method using an elasto-plastic model and a creep model to evaluate the changes in fluororesin properties with time. The validity of the proposed simulation method was verified by comparing the simulation results with the experiment results for the compression set of fluororesin PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy Copolymer). Furthermore, with the proposed simulation method, we evaluated the long-term reliability of PFA gaskets for the electrodes of automotive lithium-ion batteries

Relation between the instrumental activities of daily living and physical fitness tests in elderly women.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to quantitatively evaluate the relationship between the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and various physical fitness tests in elderly women living at home. The study focused on the total population of those women aged 65 years and over living in Y Town, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, who visited a nursing home for day services. A total of 128 subjects were divided into two groups: dependent in IADL group (n = 49) and independent in IADL group (n = 79). The magnitude of the relation was evaluated by the odds ratio (OR). The following tests showed a significant decrease in IADL: knee-raising test [age-adjusted OR = 4.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.81-9.87], height (age-adjusted OR = 4.09, 95% CI 1.75-9.56), grip strength (age-adjusted OR = 3.68, 95% CI 1.57-8.60), sit-and-reach test (age-adjusted OR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.20-6.34), and standing on one leg with closed eyes (age-adjusted OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.09-5.97). Multivariate analysis using Hayashi's quantification method I indicated that knee-raising was the test most highly correlated with decreased IADL. These results suggest that measurement of knee-raising ability, muscle strength of the lower extremities and flexibility of hip joint could be the most useful factors to assess the level of instrumental self-support ability.</p

Impact of functional studies on exome sequence variant interpretation in early-onset cardiac conduction system diseases

Aims The genetic cause of cardiac conduction system disease (CCSD) has not been fully elucidated. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) can detect various genetic variants; however, the identification of pathogenic variants remains a challenge. We aimed to identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in CCSD patients by using WES and 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) standards and guidelines as well as evaluating the usefulness of functional studies for determining them. Methods and Results We performed WES of 23 probands diagnosed with early-onset (&amp;lt;65 years) CCSD and analyzed 117 genes linked to arrhythmogenic diseases or cardiomyopathies. We focused on rare variants (minor allele frequency &amp;lt; 0.1%) that were absent from population databases. Five probands had protein truncating variants in EMD and LMNA which were classified as “pathogenic” by 2015 ACMG standards and guidelines. To evaluate the functional changes brought about by these variants, we generated a knock-out zebrafish with CRISPR-mediated insertions or deletions of the EMD or LMNA homologs in zebrafish. The mean heart rate and conduction velocities in the CRISPR/Cas9-injected embryos and F2 generation embryos with homozygous deletions were significantly decreased. Twenty-one variants of uncertain significance were identified in 11 probands. Cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay showed that 2 variants in KCNH2 and SCN5A, 4 variants in SCN10A, and 1 variant in MYH6 damaged each gene, which resulted in the change of the clinical significance of them from “Uncertain significance” to “Likely pathogenic” in 6 probands. Conclusions Of 23 CCSD probands, we successfully identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 11 probands (48%). Functional analyses of a cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay might be useful for determining the pathogenicity of rare variants in patients with CCSD. SCN10A may be one of the major genes responsible for CCSD. Translational Perspective Whole-exome sequencing (WES) may be helpful in determining the causes of cardiac conduction system disease (CCSD), however, the identification of pathogenic variants remains a challenge. We performed WES of 23 probands diagnosed with early-onset CCSD, and identified 12 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 11 of these probands (48%) according to the 2015 ACMG standards and guidelines. In this context, functional analyses of a cellular electrophysiological study and in vivo zebrafish cardiac assay might be useful for determining the pathogenicity of rare variants, and SCN10A may be one of the major development factors in CCSD

Research Activities in the Department of Occupational Therapy

Even though the purpose of the services provided by occupational therapy is to help and to support the daily life of clients, the actual services extend to a wide range of daily activities. Thus, research in occupational therapy covers a wide range of activities which can be modified and changed according to the needs of clients. Research activities conducted by clinical psychologists and English teachers who staff the Department of Occupational Therapy at Aino University are also summarized below. [1. Research in Occupational Therapy for Physically Handicapped.] We are involved in a study of the efficient motion analysis in the activity of daily life (ADL) in part with the staff of the Department of Clinical Engineering. We analyze the muscle tone under various locomotive operations by quantifying muscle tone with surface electro-myography (EMG). We have studied the brain network related to memory and learning in the training tasks that enable effective learning skills and their clinical application

Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 variant

SARS-CoV-2オミクロンBA.2.75株（通称ケンタウロス）のウイルス学的性状の解明. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-10-12.The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 variant emerged in May 2022. BA.2.75 is a BA.2 descendant but is phylogenetically distinct from BA.5, the currently predominant BA.2 descendant. Here, we show that BA.2.75 has a greater effective reproduction number and different immunogenicity profile than BA.5. We determined the sensitivity of BA.2.75 to vaccinee and convalescent sera as well as a panel of clinically available antiviral drugs and antibodies. Antiviral drugs largely retained potency but antibody sensitivity varied depending on several key BA.2.75-specific substitutions. The BA.2.75 spike exhibited a profoundly higher affinity for its human receptor, ACE2. Additionally, the fusogenicity, growth efficiency in human alveolar epithelial cells, and intrinsic pathogenicity in hamsters of BA.2.75 were greater than those of BA.2. Our multilevel investigations suggest that BA.2.75 acquired virological properties independent of BA.5, and the potential risk of BA.2.75 to global health is greater than that of BA.5

A history of mild shocks experienced by the regolith particles on hydrated asteroid Ryugu

Micrometeorites, a possible major source of Earth’s water, are thought to form from explosive dispersal of hydrated chondritic materials during impact events on their parental asteroids. However, this provenance and formation mechanism have yet to be directly confirmed using asteroid returned samples. Here, we report evidence of mild shock metamorphism in the surface particles of asteroid Ryugu based on electron microscopy. All particles are dominated by phyllosilicates but lack dehydration textures, which are indicative of shock-heating temperatures below ~500 °C. Microfault-like textures associated with extensively shock-deformed framboidal magnetites and a high-pressure polymorph of Fe–Cr–sulfide have been identified. These findings indicate that the average peak pressure was -2 GPa. The vast majority of ejecta formed during impact on Ryugu-like asteroids would be hydrated materials, larger than a millimetre, originating far from the impact point. These characteristics are inconsistent with current micrometeorite production models, and consequently, a new formation mechanism is required