Narrowband, Visible-Blind UV-A Sensor Based on a Mg

A narrowband, visible-blind ultraviolet photodetector (PD) for UV-A is fabricated using a Mg0.52Zn0.48O film that is formed on a quartz substrate by a radio-frequency sputtering technique using a ZnO-Mg composite target. The content of Mg in the film is controlled by varying the number of Mg chips on the ZnO plate. The fabricated PD has a metal-semiconductor-metal structure with interdigitated electrodes and exhibits a narrow 3 dB bandwidth of 26 nm with a peak response wavelength of 340 nm and a cut-off wavelength of 353 nm. Moreover, the peak responsivity of the PD increases linearly with the bias voltage up to 30 V, indicating that the device operates via a photoconductive gain mechanism

Crystalline maricite NaFePO₄ as a positive electrode material for sodium secondary batteries operating at intermediate temperature

Maricite NaFePO₄ (m-NaFePO₄) was investigated as a positive electrode material for intermediate-temperature operation of sodium secondary batteries using ionic liquid electrolytes. Powdered m-NaFePO₄ was prepared by a conventional solid-state method at 873 K and subsequently fabricated in two different conditions; one is ball-milled in acetone and the other is re-calcined at 873 K after the ball-milling. Electrochemical properties of the electrodes prepared with the as-synthesized m-NaFePO₄, the ball-milled m-NaFePO₄, and the re-calcined m-NaFePO₄ were investigated in Na[FSA]-[C₂C₁im][FSA] (C₂C₁im⁺ = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, FSA⁻ = bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide) ionic liquid electrolytes at 298 K and 363 K to assess the effects of temperature and particle size on their electrochemical properties. A reversible charge-discharge capacity of 107 mAh g⁻¹ was achieved with a coulombic efficiency >98% from the 2nd cycle using the ball-milled m-NaFePO₄ electrode at a C–rate of 0.1 C and 363 K. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using m-NaFePO₄/m-NaFePO₄ symmetric cells indicated that inactive m-NaFePO₄ becomes an active material through ball-milling treatment and elevation of operating temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis of crystalline m-NaFePO₄ confirmed the lattice contraction and expansion upon charging and discharging, respectively. These results indicate that the desodiation-sodiation process in m-NaFePO₄ is reversible in the intermediate-temperature range

Shock-wave propagation in supercritical CO2 induced by nanosecond-pulsed arc plasma

Shock waves generated by arc plasma in supercritical (SC) CO2 have the potential to create novel reaction fields. However, there have been few studies of shock-wave characteristics in SC-CO2. This study provides the results of visualization of shock-wave propagation in SC-CO2 generated by nanosecond-pulsed arc plasma. A propagating cylindrical shock wave originating from a discharge channel was observed using time-resolved shadowgraph imaging. The shock wave separated from the cylindrical dark-region induced by pulsed arc plasma within 64 nanoseconds. The Mach numbers of the shock waves were investigated against the medium density of the CO2 ranging from a high-pressure gas phase to the SC phase. The Mach number reached a local maximum at the critical CO2 density level. The anomaly in the Mach number can be explained by the local maximum of the specific heat capacity ratio of the CO2 at close to the critical condition of SC-CO2

Laparoscopic Synchronous Resection for Descending Colon Cancer and Tailgut Cyst

A 67-year-old woman underwent polypectomy for a tumor at the descending colon. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma with an invasion of 2000 μm. Computed tomography showed a swollen paracolic lymph node and a mass lesion in the presacral space. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a multio-cular cystic lesion. On diagnosis of descending colon cancer and tailgut cyst, she underwent synchronous lapa-roscopic resection. Histopathologically, the colon cancer was diagnosed as pT1bN1M0, pStage IIIa. The pre-sacral cystic lesion was diagnosed as a nonmalignant tailgut cyst with negative surgical margin. The patient is currently doing well without recurrence at 28 months

Comparison of dynamic occlusal contacts during chewing between working and balancing sides

Objectives: Mastication is a crucial function for the elderly, and promotes oral health status, cognitive function and the physical constitution. Most reports about occlusion patterns and occlusal glide of adults have reported the jaw movement at the lower incisal point due to easiness of evaluating masticatory performance. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that dynamic occlusal contact area (OCA) during chewing differ for each tooth on the working vs. the balancing chewing side. Design: In thirteen healthy Japanese females, OCA was estimated with a measurement system combining 3-D tracking of mandibular movements with 3-D digitization of tooth shape. Results: The starting of occlusal contact between teeth at working side and balancing side did not differ significantly. In contrast, ending of occlusal contact of teeth at balancing side were markedly longer than that of teeth at working side at lateral incisor, canine, and first premolar. The dynamic sum of OCAs for all teeth was symmetrical around maximum closed position (MCP) when chewing on the working side. In contrast, the dynamic sum of OCA peaked after MCP when chewing on the balancing side. In working and balancing side, sums of maximum OCA at all posterior teeth accounted for 93%, 86% of sum OCA for all teeth at working and balancing sides, respectively. Conclusion: Our result suggested that the hypothesis that dynamic OCA during chewing differ for each tooth on the working vs. the balancing chewing side was not accepted at molars

Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Myocardial Infarction

[Background] It remains controversial whether long‐term clinical impact of newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) in the acute phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is different from that of prior AF diagnosed before the onset of AMI. [Methods and Results] The current study population from the CREDO‐Kyoto AMI (Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome Study in Kyoto Acute Myocardial Infarction) Registry Wave‐2 consisted of 6228 patients with AMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. The baseline characteristics and long‐term clinical outcomes were compared according to AF status (newly diagnosed AF: N=489 [7.9%], prior AF: N=589 [9.5%], and no AF: N=5150 [82.7%]). Median follow‐up duration was 5.5 years. Patients with newly diagnosed AF and prior AF had similar baseline characteristics with higher risk profile than those with no AF including older age and more comorbidities. The cumulative 5‐year incidence of all‐cause death was higher in newly diagnosed AF and prior AF than no AF (38.8%, 40.7%, and 18.7%, P<0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality of newly diagnosed AF and prior AF relative to no AF remained significant with similar magnitude (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.12–1.54; P<0.001, and HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.14–1.52; P<0.001, respectively). The cumulative 5‐year incidence of stroke decreased in the order of newly diagnosed AF, prior AF and no AF (15.5%, 12.9%, and 6.3%, respectively, P<0.001). The higher adjusted HRs of both newly diagnosed AF and prior AF relative to no AF were significant for stroke, with a greater risk of newly diagnosed AF than that of prior AF (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.56–2.69; P<0.001, and HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.00–1.78; P=0.048, respectively). The higher stroke risk of newly diagnosed AF compared with prior AF was largely driven by the greater risk within 30 days. The higher adjusted HRs of newly diagnosed AF and prior AF relative to no AF were significant for heart failure hospitalization (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.35–2.22; P<0.001, and HR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.82–2.74; P<0.001, respectively) and major bleeding (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.23–1.73; P<0.001, and HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.15–1.60; P<0.001, respectively). [Conclusions] Newly diagnosed AF in AMI had risks for mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and major bleeding higher than no AF, and comparable to prior AF. The risk of newly diagnosed AF for stroke might be higher than that of prior AF

Science Teaching to Develop Pupils' Scientific Viewpoints and Ways of Thinking : The Possibility for Instructing the 'Energy Conversion' in Elementary School Science

小学校中学年B区分の学習内容を相互に関連付けて考えるための視点として「エネルギー変換」を取り上げ、これをキーワードにした教材開発と授業設計を行った。岡山大学教育学部附属小学校の第4学年の児童を対象に研究授業を行い、児童の変容を学習の記録や授業前後のコンセプトマップの記述をもとに分析した。その結果、児童の中には、既習事項である「光」「熱」「電気」「力」とそれらがもたらす現象とを、相互に関連付けて考えようとする反応が見られるようになった。Attempts were made to correlate learning contents with each other in the physical science of elementary school science. The authors approached this subject from the energetic viewpoint. We developed some materials and disigned an instructon, based on the 'energy conversion.' One author conducted a science class to the fourth graders of elementary school attached to Okayama University. Then we made an analysis of the children's records of learning in class, and used a concept mapping. In this survey, it was found that some of the pupils tried to associate 'light', 'heat', 'electricity', and 'force' with some phenomena that were brought about from these concepts

The Lectures on the Development of Teaching Plans and Teaching Materials Tried in the Science Education Class in Master's Course, Okayama University

岡山大学大学院教育学研究科の理科教育専攻の講義として、教材開発・授業案開発をテーマとした新しい講義を試みたのでその報告を行う。本講義は、理科教育講座に所属する大学院生、理科教育講座の大学教員、附属学校の理科関係の教諭が三者協働で進めることが特徴である。課題設定、教材開発を含めた実践準備および実践を院生チームを組み遂行させ、さらに経験や専門性の異なる人材と論議を重ねて活動を進めることを通じ、将来、協働で学校現場の課題提案・解決を行うことのできる能力を養うことを目標とした。This is a report of the new type of lectures on the development of teaching plans and teaching materials attempted in the science class in the Master's Course, Okayama University. The lectures were conducted in collaboration of the graduate students and the academic staffs in the science education course, and the science teachers of the attached school of Okayama University. The graduate students were grouped into two teams of five or six people, assigned to decide on themes, prepare and practice the development of teaching plans and teaching materials. They conducted their activities discussing problems with people of different experience and specialty, thus developing the ability to jointly propose and solve problems at schools in future

Clopidogrel Monotherapy After 1-Month DAPT in Patients With High Bleeding Risk or Complex PCI

BACKGROUND: High bleeding risk (HBR) and complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are major determinants for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HBR and complex PCI on short vs standard DAPT. METHODS: Subgroup analyses were conducted on the basis of Academic Research Consortium-defined HBR and complex PCI in the STOPDAPT-2 (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Verulam's-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2) Total Cohort, which randomly compared clopidogrel monotherapy after 1-month DAPT with 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel after PCI. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or stroke) or bleeding (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] major or minor) endpoints at 1 year. RESULTS: Regardless of HBR (n = 1, 893 [31.6%]) and complex PCI (n = 999 [16.7%]), the risk of 1-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT was not significant for the primary endpoint (HBR, 5.01% vs 5.14%; non-HBR, 1.90% vs 2.02%; P interaction = 0.95) (complex PCI, 3.15% vs 4.07%; noncomplex PCI, 2.78% vs 2.82%; P interaction = 0.48) and for the cardiovascular endpoint (HBR, 4.35% vs 3.52%; and non-HBR, 1.56% vs 1.22%; P interaction = 0.90) (complex PCI, 2.53% vs 2.52%; noncomplex PCI, 2.38% vs 1.86%; P interaction = 0.53), while it was lower for the bleeding endpoint (HBR, 0.66% vs 2.27%; non-HBR, 0.43% vs 0.85%; P interaction = 0.36) (complex PCI, 0.63% vs 1.75%; noncomplex PCI, 0.48% vs 1.22%; P interaction = 0.90). The absolute difference in the bleeding between 1- and 12-month DAPT was numerically greater in patients with HBR than in those without HBR (-1.61% vs -0.42%). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of 1-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT were consistent regardless of HBR and complex PCI. The absolute benefit of 1-month DAPT over 12-month DAPT in reducing major bleeding was numerically greater in patients with HBR than in those without HBR. Complex PCI might not be an appropriate determinant for DAPT durations after PCI. (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Everolimus-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2 [STOPDAPT-2], NCT02619760; Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Everolimus-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2 for the Patients With ACS [STOPDAPT-2 ACS], NCT03462498)

Clopidogrel Monotherapy After 1-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: From the STOPDAPT-2 Total Cohort

[Background:] The benefit of clopidogrel monotherapy after 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) compared with 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel was demonstrated in the STOPDAPT-2 (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Everolimus-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2), but not in the STOPDAPT-2 acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, both trials were underpowered based on the actual event rates. [Methods:] We obtained the prespecified pooled population of 5997 patients as the STOPDAPT-2 total cohort (STOPDAPT-2: N=3009/STOPDAPT-2 ACS: N=2988; ACS: N=4136/chronic coronary syndrome [CCS]: N=1861), comprising 2993 patients assigned to 1-month DAPT followed by clopidogrel monotherapy, and 3004 patients assigned to 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary end point was the composite of cardiovascular (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or any stroke) or bleeding (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major/minor) end points at 1 year. [Results:] One-month DAPT was noninferior to 12-month DAPT for the primary end point (2.84% versus 3.04%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.70–1.27]; Pnoninferiority=0.001; Psuperiority=0.68). There was no significant risk-difference for the cardiovascular end point between the 1- and 12-month DAPT groups (2.40% versus 1.97%; HR, 1.24 [95% CI, 0.88–1.75]; Pnoninferiority=0.14; Psuperiority=0.23). There was a lower risk of the bleeding end point with 1-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT (0.50% versus 1.31%; HR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.21–0.70]; Psuperiority=0.002). One-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT was associated with a lower risk for major bleeding regardless of ACS or CCS (ACS: HR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.23–0.94]; P=0.03, and CCS: HR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.09–0.79]; P=0.02; Pinteraction=0.40), while it was associated with a numerical increase in cardiovascular events in ACS patients, but not in CCS patients, although not statistically significant and without interaction (ACS: HR, 1.50 [95% CI, 0.99–2.27]; P=0.053, and CCS: HR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.38–1.45]; P=0.39; Pinteraction=0.08). [Conclusions:] Clopidogrel monotherapy after 1-month DAPT compared with 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel had a benefit in reducing major bleeding events without being associated with increase in cardiovascular events