Polarization envelope helicity dependent photovoltage in GaAs/Al03Ga07As modulation-doped quantum well

In this study, we demonstrate the switching of the direction of the photocurrent in an n-type GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As modulation-doped quantum well using a polarization pulse-shaping apparatus containing a 4f setup. The right- and left-polarization-twisting pulses with a polarization rotation frequency in the THz-regime are incident on a modulation-doped quantum well. The results show that the sign of the photovoltage is dependent on the direction of rotation of the polarization-twisting pulses, which can be explained by the circular photogalvanic effect combined with the production of a classical edge photocurrent from the acceleration of free electrons in the vicinity of the sample edge by the incident optical electric field. The wide range over which the polarization-rotation frequency may be tuned makes this method a powerful tool to investigate the response of an extensive variety of materials in the THz-regime

cytokine profile of PFAPA

Objective : An attempt was made to identify characteristic cytokine profiles to distinguish periodic fever with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPAS) from recurrent tonsillitis, of which clinical manifestations are similar to those of PFAPAS in children. Methods : Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-4 and IFN-γ were measured during febrile episodes in pediatric patients. Results : The levels of IL-6 during febrile episodes were markedly increased above the upper limit of normal ranges in patients with both PFAPAS and recurrent tonsillitis, but there were no significant differences between groups. The levels of IL-4 during febrile episodes in PFAPAS patients were significantly lower than those in recurrent tonsillitis patients. The levels of IFN-γ during febrile episodes in PFAPAS patients were significantly higher than those in recurrent tonsillitis patients. Conclusion : In pediatric patients with PFAPAS, despite an increase of IL-6, IL-4 was suppressed with a marked increase of IFN-γ during febrile episodes. On the contrary, in febrile pediatric patients with recurrent tonsillitis, both IL-6 and IL-4, but not IFN-γ were increased. The characteristic cytokine profiles of IL-6, IL-4 and IFN-γ can be used for differential diagnosis of PFAPAS from recurrent tonsillitis in children in clinical ear, nose and throat (ENT) settings

Clinical practice guidelines and real-life practice in hepatocellular carcinoma: A Japanese perspective

Striking advances in systemic therapy for unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have improved the average prognosis of patients with HCC. As a result, the guidelines for the treatment of HCC have changed significantly. However, various issues have emerged in clinical practice. First, there is no established biomarker that can predict response to systemic therapy. Second, there is no established treatment regimen after primary systemic therapy, including combined immunotherapy. Third, there is no established treatment regimen for intermediate-stage HCC. These points make the current guidelines ambiguous. In this review, we present the Japanese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC based on the latest evidence; introduce various efforts mainly in Japanese real-life practice to update these guidelines; and present our perspectives on future guidelines

Field-induced quantum phase in a frustrated zigzag-square lattice

This study presents the experimental realization of a spin-1/2 zigzag-square lattice in a verdazyl-based complex, namely ($m$-Py-V-2,6-F$_2$)$[$Cu(hfac)$_2]$. Molecular orbital calculations suggest the presence of five types of frustrated exchange couplings. Our observations reveal an incremental increase in the magnetization curve beyond a critical field, signifying a phase transition from the antiferromagnetic ordered state to a quantum state characterized by a 1/2 plateau. This intriguing behavior arises from the effective stabilization of a zigzag chain by the external fields. These results provide evidence for field-induced dimensional reduction in a zigzag-square lattice attributed to the effects of frustration.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

北極海最適航路探索システムのADSへの実装

第6回極域科学シンポジウム分野横断セッション：[IA] 急変する北極気候システム及びその全球的な影響の総合的解明―GRENE北極気候変動研究事業研究成果報告2015―11月19日（木）　国立極地研究所１階交流アトリウ

Dietary pattern changes in Fukushima residents after the Great East Japan Earthquake: the Fukushima Health Management Survey 2011-2013

Objective: Dietary patterns more closely resemble actual eating behaviours because multiple food groups, not a single food group or nutrient, are considered. The present study aimed to identify and assess changes of dietary patterns in Fukushima residents. Design: Dietary data were collected using a short-form FFQ in annual Fukushima Health Management Survey between 2011 and 2013 after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Year- and sex-specific dietary patterns were determined by the principal component analysis. Setting: Evacuation and nonevacuation zones in Fukushima, Japan. Participants: Eligible participants aged ≥16 years answered the FFQ (n 67 358 in 2011, n 48 377 in 2012 and n 40 742 in 2013). Results: Three identified dietary patterns were assessed similarly in men and women and among years: typical, juice and meat. In total participants, the Spearman's correlation coefficients between two survey years were 0·70-0·74 for the typical, 0·58-0·66 for the juice and 0·50-0·54 for the meat pattern scores. Adjusted for sociodemographic factors, evacuees had lower typical pattern scores, higher juice pattern scores and the same meat pattern scores compared with non-evacuees. The means of typical pattern scores in evacuees and it of juice pattern scores in non-evacuees continued declining over years. Similar profiles of dietary patterns and trends of pattern scores were observed in participants (n 22 805) who had provided three dietary assessments. Conclusions: Changes of dietary patterns have been observed between 2011 and 2013. Careful investigation of those with low intake of typical pattern foods and promotion of them, particularly in evacuees, are needed

Influence of post-disaster evacuation on childhood obesity and hyperlipidemia

Background: The objectives of this study were to determine the longer-term trends in childhood obesity and hyperlipidemia among residents of Fukushima Prefecture 5 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Methods: We evaluated the changes in height, weight, body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-CHO), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-CHO), and triglyceride (TG) in residents aged 7-15 years who had lived in the evacuation zone between 2011 and 2015. Results: (i) the mean BMI SDS in all residents in 2011 was 0.113, and the mean BMI-SDS in all residents gradually decreased from 2011 to 2015; (ii) serum LDL-CHO levels and TG levels in all residents with a BMI value ≧ 2SD in 2011 were higher than those in residents with a BMI value <2SD; (iii) the frequency of residents with an LDL-CHO level ≥ 140 mg/dl in 2012, 2013, and 2014 did not decrease in comparison with that in 2011, whereas the frequency of residents with an LDL-CHO level of ≥ 140 mg/dl in 2015 was lower than that in 2011. The frequency of residents with a TG level ≥ 120 mg/dl increased over the 5 years. Conclusions: These results suggest that a number of pediatric residents suffered from obesity and hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, the long-term observation indicated an improvement in obesity, although the improvement in lipid abnormalities was delayed compared with that in obesity. Thus, it is necessary to continue with health checks for these residents with obesity and/or hyperlipidemia

Socioeconomic status, damage-related conditions, and PTSD following the Fukushima-daiichi nuclear power plant accident:The Fukushima Health Management Survey

The Great East Japan Earthquake severely damaged the Tohoku and Kanto districts, and Fukushima Prefecture faced a subsequent nuclear disaster. Few studies have reported the effects of socioeconomic stressors on individuals' mental status following disasters. We analyzed the responses of 60,704 adult residents of a designated restricted area to the PTSD Checklist-Stressor-Specific Version (PCL-S). The relationships between the PCL-S scores and demographic, socioeconomic, and damage-related variables were analyzed using regression analysis to predict participants' severity of PTSD symptoms. Approximately 14.1% of evacuees had severe PTSD symptoms (PCL-S ≥50) eighteen months post-earthquake. The PCL-S scores were higher among women, older adults, less educated people, those with a history of mental illness, and those living outside Fukushima Prefecture. The PCL-S scores increased with participants' scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. The number of trauma-exposure stressors and socioeconomic stressors were associated with 1.52 and 3.77 increases in the PCL-S score, respectively. Furthermore, psychological distress, unemployment, decreased income, house damage, tsunami experience, nuclear power plant accident experience, and loss of someone close due to the disaster were associated with the prevalence of severe PTSD symptoms. The complex triple disaster of a major earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident created significant socioeconomic changes that may be important determinants of PTSD among residents of restricted access areas in Fukushima

Changes in drinking behavior among evacuees after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident:the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Introduction Traumatic experiences and disordered sleep are strongly associated with drinking problems. We examined the effects of experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent nuclear power plant accident, and of sleep problems, on behavioral changes observed in non-drinkers.Methods This study examined cross-sectional data from the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey conducted among residents in restricted areas of Fukushima in 2012. Participants were 21,454 evacuees aged 20 years or older at the time of disaster. People who did not drink before the disaster but became drinkers afterwards were compared with the rest of the cohort. We analyzed the association between behavioral changes in non-drinkers and potentially predictive variables, using logistic regression.Results The behavioral change of non-drinkers becoming drinkers (n=2,148) was significantly related to being male (OR=1.93, 95% CI:1.74-2.15), being younger (21-49 yrs, OR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.60-2.13), having less educational attainment (up to high school graduate, OR=1.21, 95% CI:1.09-1.35), smoking (OR=1.22, 95% CI:1.08-1.38), losing family or relatives (OR=1.21, 95% CI:1.07-1.37), change in employment (OR=1.19, 95% CI:1.07-1.32), having severe sleep problems as measured by a Japanese version of the Athens Insomnia Scale (3-8, OR=1.45, 95% CI:1.30-1.62), and severity of traumatic symptoms as measured by the PTSD Checklist Stressor-Specific (PCL-S) score (<44, OR=1.33, 95% CI:1.17-1.51).Conclusion Having sleep problems and having more severe traumatic symptoms are significantly related to non-drinkers becoming drinkers

Obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities by post-disaster evacuation

Background: The objectives of this study were to determine the longer-term trends in childhood obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities among residents of Fukushima Prefecture 5 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Methods: We evaluated the changes in height, weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI SD score, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among elementary and junior high school residents who had lived in the evacuation zone between 2011 and 2015. Results: Of the residents, 11,112 received health checks in 2011, while in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, 5,737, 4522, 4297 and 3405 received health checks, respectively. The mean BMI SD score for all participants in 2011 was 0.149, and this score gradually decreased from 2011 to 2015. FPG levels and HbA1c levels for all participants with a BMI value +2SD or more in 2011 were higher than those in residents with a BMI value of less than +2SD. The frequency of participants with a FPG level of 126 mg/dl or more and the frequency of participants with a HbA1c level of 6.5% or more in 2011 were higher than those in 2012, 2013, and 2015. Conclusions: These results suggest that a number of pediatric residents suffered from obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities. However, the longer-term observations indicated an improvement in obesity and glucose metabolism abnormalities. There was a strong association observed between obesity and glucose metabolism, thus, it is important to continue with health checks for children with obesity and strive to improve their health