Asian Studies in the Era of Open Science

AAS-in-Asia 2020, August 31-September 04, online from Kobe, JapanWith the rapid increase of accessibility to both historical and contemporary resources online, the research methodologies and even the research questions in social science and humanities have been changed drastically over the last decade. Asian Studies is not an exception. Pieces in rare collections in libraries with very limited access such as Buddhism manuscripts are now shared online via new platform for images, IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework), along with the text database. It is now coming to the stage to facilitate open science in Asian Studies. One way of initiating open science is a promotion of open participatory researches by utilizing the open access resources. In addition to these resources, the research outcomes are shifting towards the open access publications. However, only the limited number of open access publication provide open citation in the field of Asian Studies. The promotion of citations is an urgent task in order to assure the traceability of open access resources online and contribute to further development open science in Asian Studies. This panel examines the current practice of open access and open citations in Asian Studies in Japan by presenters consisted of scholars of Buddhism studies, digital humanities, information sciences, and an academic journal editor. Through the examination of cross disciplinary presenters, the panel proposes the possible approaches towards open science in Asian Studies. Asian Studies in the Era of Open Science /Yumi Kitamura(Kyoto University) Promoting Open Science Movement of the East Asian Studies; On "Open" Strategies of the KU-ORCAS /Nobuhiko Kikuchi(Kansai University Open Research Center for Asian Studies) Buddhist Studies with Open Science: An Attempt in Asian Studies /Kiyonori Nagasaki(International Institute for Digital Humanities) Open Citation for the Development of Asian Studies /Chifumi Nishioka(Kyoto University Library) Opening Citation Data: What can/should editors of small-scale journals do? /Narumi Sitara(Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

In vitro evaluation method for screening of candidate prebiotic foods

AbstractThe aim of this work was to develop a simple and rapid in vitro evaluation method for screening and discovery of uncharacterised and untapped prebiotic foods. Using a NMR-based metabolomic approach coupled with multivariate statistical analysis, the metabolic profiles generated by intestinal microbiota after in vitro incubation with feces were examined. The viscous substances of Japanese bunching onion (JBOVS) were identified as one of the candidate prebiotic foods by this in vitro screening method. The JBOVS were primarily composed of sugar components, especially fructose-based carbohydrates. Our results suggested that ingestion of JBOVS contributed to lactate and acetate production by the intestinal microbiota, and were accompanied by an increase in the Lactobacillus murinus and Bacteroidetes sp. populations in the intestine and fluctuation of the host-microbial co-metabolic process. Therefore, our approach should be useful as a rapid and simple screening tool for potential prebiotic foods

Long-term effectiveness of right septal pacing vs. right apical pacing in patients with atrioventricular block

AbstractBackgroundLong-term right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing increases the risk of heart failure (HF) by inducing ventricular dyssynchronization. Although recent studies suggest that right ventricular septal (RVS) pacing results in improved short-term outcomes, its long-term effectiveness remains unclear.Methods and resultsThis study investigated 149 consecutive patients who underwent implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker for atrioventricular block with either RVS-pacing between July 2007 and June 2010 or RVA-pacing between January 2003 and June 2007. The endpoint was defined as death and hospitalization due to heart failure (HF). The rates of mortality and hospitalization due to HF were significantly lower in the RVS-pacing group than that in the RVA-pacing group (event free RVS: 1 year, 98% and 2 years, 98%; RVA: 1 year, 85% and 2 years, 81%; p<0.05). None of the patients died from HF in the RVS-pacing group, while 4 patients died from HF in the RVA-pacing group within 2 years after pacemaker implantation. The paced QRS interval was significantly shorter with RVS pacing than with RVA pacing at different times after pacemaker implantation (RVS: immediately 157.8±24.0ms, after 3 months 157.3±17.5ms, after 6 months 153.6±21.7ms, after 12 months 153.6±19.4ms, after 24 months 149.3±24.0ms vs. RVA: immediately 168.3±23.7ms, after 3 months 168.7±26.0ms, after 6 months 168.0±22.8ms, after 12 months 171.2±22.3ms, after 24 months 176.1±25.5ms; p<0.05).ConclusionsRVS pacing is feasible and safe with more favorable clinical benefits than RVA pacing

A novel superior factor widely controlling the rice grain quality

Synthesis of storage starch and protein accumulation is the main action of endosperm organogenesis in term of the economic importance of rice. This event is strongly disturbed by abiotic stresses such as high temperature; thus, the upcoming global warming will cause a crisis with a great impact on food production^1,2^. The enzymes for the protein storage and starch synthesis pathway should work in concert to carry out the organogenesis of rice endosperm^3-5^, but the regulatory mechanism is largely unknown. Here we show that a novel regulatory factor, named OsCEO1, acts as the conductor of endosperm organogenesis during the rice grain filling stage. The physiological properties of _floury-endosperm-2_ (_flo2_) mutants showed many similarities to symptoms of grains developed under high-temperature conditions, suggesting important roles of the responsible gene in sensitivity to high-temperature stress. Our map-based cloning identified the responsible gene for the _flo2_ mutant, _OsCEO1_, which has no homology to any genes of known function. The _OsCEO1_ belongs to a novel conserved gene family and encodes a protein composed of 1,720 amino acid residues containing a TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) motif, which is considered to mediate a protein-protein interaction. The yeast two-hybrid analysis raised an unknown protein showing homology to a late embryogenesis abundant protein and a putative basic helix-loop-helix protein as candidates for the direct interactor for _OsCEO1_, whereas no enzyme genes for the synthesis of storage substances were detected. The _flo2_ mutant exhibited reduced expression of several genes for putative regulatory proteins as well as many enzymes involved in storage starch and proteins. These results suggest that _OsCEO1_ is a superior conductor of the novel regulatory cascade of endosperm organogenesis and may have important roles in the response to high-temperature stress

The effect of action contingency on social perception is independent of person-like appearance and is related to deactivation of the frontal component of the self-agency network

The detection of object movement that is contingent on one’s own actions (i.e., movements with action contingency) influences social perception of the object; such interactive objects tend to create a good impression. However, it remains unclear whether neural representation of action contingency is associated with subsequent socio-cognitive evaluation of “contacting agents”, or whether the appearance of agents (e.g., face- or non-face-like avatars) is essential for this effect. In this study, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task with two phases: contact (contact with face- or non-face-like avatars moving contingently or non-contingently) and recognition (rating a static image of each avatar). Deactivation of the frontoparietal self-agency network and activation of the reward network were the main effects of action contingency during the contact phase, consistent with previous findings. During the recognition phase, static avatars that had previously moved in a contingent manner deactivated the frontal component of the frontoparietal network (bilateral insula and inferior-middle frontal gyri), regardless of person-like appearance. Our results imply that frontal deactivation may underlie the effect of action contingency on subsequent social perception, independent of person-like appearance

ヤグルマソウRodgersia podophylla A. GRAYの成分研究(第2報)

Four constituents, (-)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, 11-O-galloylbergenin and phloridzin were isolated from the rhizomes of Rodgersia podophylla A. GRAY. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data

Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation within Three Months after Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation : Analysis Using an External Loop Recorder with Auto-trigger Function

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) via catheter ablation has been shown to be a highly effective option for patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial brillation (AF). The recurrence of AF within 3 months after PVI is not considered a failure of the ablation procedure because early recurrence of AF is not always associated with late recurrence. We examined the usefulness of an external loop recorder with auto-trigger function (ELR-AUTO) to detect AF following PVI to characterize early recurrence and determine the implication of AF within 3 months after PVI. The study included 53 consecutive patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF (age, 61.6 ± 12.6 years ; 77％ male) who underwent PVI, and were fitted with an ELR-AUTO for 7 ± 2 days within 3 months after PVI. Of the 33 patients(62.2％) who did not have AF within the 3-month period, only 1 patient had AF recurrence at 12 months. Seven of 20 patients (35％) who experienced AF within 3 months had symptomatic AF recurrence at 12 months. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of early AF recurrence for late recurrence was 87.5％, 71.1％, 35.0％, and 96.9％, respectively. Thus, AF recurrence detected by ELR-AUTO within 3 months after PVI can predict late AF recurrence. Freedom from AF in the firrst 3 months following ablation significantly predicts long-term freedom from AF. An ELR-AUTO is useful for detecting symptomatic and asymptomatic AF

A Trial of Nature Experience Activities in University Circle

本稿は、保育を学ぶ学生が自然体験活動を通して森林環境教育や木育活動への理解を深めることをねらいとする学内サークルを立ち上げ、その学生活動を支援するプロジェクト活動の実践報告である。プロジェクト活動の目標は学生のSDGsの意識を向上させることと、保育者としての実践力を高めることである。 　その支援活動として、学生部員を対象に、近隣のキャンプ場で自然体験活動を実施した。学生同士のコミュニケーションが活発になったことから、学生自ら積極的に活動に取り組もうとする姿勢が見られるなど、今後の企画・実行するための土台につながると考えられる。さらに、自然物を有効に活用する方法などを身につけることで、自分なりに自然とのかかわり方を学ぶ機会になり、森林環境教育の観点での教育効果があったと認識することができる。 　将来的には、学生が保育者になった時のSDGsを意識した自然体験保育の実践も期待している。そのために、自然体験活動の内容や事前事後の学習などを有機的に組み合わせ、活動機会を継続的に設ける必要があるといえる。departmental bulletin pape

WDR55 Is a Nucleolar Modulator of Ribosomal RNA Synthesis, Cell Cycle Progression, and Teleost Organ Development

The thymus is a vertebrate-specific organ where T lymphocytes are generated. Genetic programs that lead to thymus development are incompletely understood. We previously screened ethylnitrosourea-induced medaka mutants for recessive defects in thymus development. Here we report that one of those mutants is caused by a missense mutation in a gene encoding the previously uncharacterized protein WDR55 carrying the tryptophan-aspartate-repeat motif. We find that WDR55 is a novel nucleolar protein involved in the production of ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Defects in WDR55 cause aberrant accumulation of rRNA intermediates and cell cycle arrest. A mutation in WDR55 in zebrafish also leads to analogous defects in thymus development, whereas WDR55-null mice are lethal before implantation. These results indicate that WDR55 is a nuclear modulator of rRNA synthesis, cell cycle progression, and embryonic organogenesis including teleost thymus development