Bias correction for the orientation distribution of slump fold axes: Application to the Cretaceous Izumi basin

Linear structures perpendicular to an outcrop surface are easily discovered, but those parallel to the surface are not, giving rise to a biased orientation distribution of the structures. Here, we propose a bias correction method: Statistical inversion was conducted to unbias the distribution of the axes of mesoscale slump folds in the Cretaceous Izumi Group, Japan using the orientation distribution of outcrop surfaces. The observed axes showed a cluster in the SE quadrant. Their unbiased distribution had a girdle pattern with a maximum concentration orientation in the same quadrant, but the unbiased one had a lower peak density than the observed one, and was more girdle-like than the observed one. The maximum concentration axis of the unbiased distribution was roughly perpendicular to the paleocurrents observed in the same area. Therefore, the popular view that the axes of slump folds are perpendicular to paleoslope applies to the folds in the area in a statistical sense. The hypothesis about the vergences of slump folds and paleoslope hold only about a half of the observed slump folds

Crystal structure and thermoelectric properties of chimney–ladder compounds in the Ru2Si3–Mn4Si7 pseudobinary system

Phase relationships of manganese-substituted ruthenium sesquisilicide alloys have been investigated by using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A series of chimney–ladder phases Ru1−xMnxSiy (0.14 less-than-or-equals, slant x less-than-or-equals, slant 0.97, 1.584 less-than-or-equals, slant y less-than-or-equals, slant 1.741) are formed over a wide compositional range between Ru2Si3 and Mn4Si7. The compositions of these chimney–ladder compounds deviate slightly from the composition line connecting Ru2Si3 and Mn4Si7, which corresponds to the ideal composition line satisfying VEC (valence electron counting) = 14 rule. The occurrence of this compositional deviation is discussed in terms of the VEC rule and the atomic packing. The thermoelectric properties of the directionally solidified Ru1−xMnxSiy alloys (0.55 less-than-or-equals, slant x less-than-or-equals, slant 0.90) have also been investigated as a function of the Mn content and temperature. The dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) for those alloys with a high Mn content (x greater-or-equal, slanted 0.75) increased with the increase in Mn content. The ZT value for a crystal with x = 0.90 was as high as 0.76 at 874 K

Thermoelectric properties of ternary and Al-containing quaternary Ru1-xRexSiy chimney-ladder compounds

The thermoelectric properties of ternary and Al-containing quaternary Ru1−xRexSiy chimney–ladder phases have been studied as a function of the Re concentration with the use of directionally solidified alloys. The Ru1−xRexSiy chimney–ladder phases exhibit n- and p-type semiconducting behaviors, respectively, at low and high Re concentrations, at which the X(=Si)/M(=Ru + Re) ratios are respectively, larger and smaller than those expected from the VEC (valence electron concentration) = 14 rule. The absolute values of both Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity increase as the extent of the deviation from the VEC = 14 rule increases, i.e. as the alloy composition deviates from that corresponding to the p–n transition (x ≈ 0.5), indicating that the carrier concentration can be controlled by changing the extent of compositional deviation from the ideal VEC = 14 composition. The highest values of the dimensionless figure of merit obtained are 0.47 for ternary (x = 0.60) and 0.56 for Al-containing quaternary alloys. The reasons for the systematic compositional deviation from the ideal VEC = 14 compositions observed for a series of chimney–ladder phases are discussed in terms of atomic packing

Crystal structure and thermoelectric properties of chimney-ladder compounds in the Ru2Si3-Mn4Si7 pseudobinary system

Phase relationships of manganese-substituted ruthenium sesquisilicide alloys have been investigated by using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A series of chimney–ladder phases Ru1−xMnxSiy (0.14 less-than-or-equals, slant x less-than-or-equals, slant 0.97, 1.584 less-than-or-equals, slant y less-than-or-equals, slant 1.741) are formed over a wide compositional range between Ru2Si3 and Mn4Si7. The compositions of these chimney–ladder compounds deviate slightly from the composition line connecting Ru2Si3 and Mn4Si7, which corresponds to the ideal composition line satisfying VEC (valence electron counting) = 14 rule. The occurrence of this compositional deviation is discussed in terms of the VEC rule and the atomic packing. The thermoelectric properties of the directionally solidified Ru1−xMnxSiy alloys (0.55 less-than-or-equals, slant x less-than-or-equals, slant 0.90) have also been investigated as a function of the Mn content and temperature. The dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) for those alloys with a high Mn content (x greater-or-equal, slanted 0.75) increased with the increase in Mn content. The ZT value for a crystal with x = 0.90 was as high as 0.76 at 874 K

Exit Site Infection due to Mycobacterium chelonae in an Elderly Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are rarely isolated from peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated catheter infections. However, NTM infection is usually difficult to treat and leads to catheter loss. Prompt diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment. A 70-year-old Japanese man who had been on PD for 2 years and with a medical history of 2 episodes of exit site infections (ESIs) due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was admitted to the hospital due to suspected ESI recurrence. However, Gram staining of the pus revealed no gram-positive cocci. Instead, weakly stained gram-positive rods were observed after 7 days of incubation, which were also positive for acid-fast staining. Rapidly growing NTM Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated on day 14. Despite administering a combination antibiotic therapy, ESI could not be controlled, and catheter removal surgery was performed on day 21. Although PD was discontinued temporarily, the patient did not require hemodialysis, without any uremic symptoms. The catheter was reinserted on day 48, and PD was reinitiated on day 61. The patient was discharged on day 65. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 3 months after discharge, with no indications of recurrent infections observed. It is important to consider the risk of NTM infections in patients on PD. Acid-fast staining could be a key test for prompt diagnosis and provision of an appropriate treatment

Thermoelectric properties of ternary and Al-containing quaternary Ru1-xRexSiy chimney-ladder compounds

The thermoelectric properties of ternary and Al-containing quaternary Ru1−xRexSiy chimney–ladder phases have been studied as a function of the Re concentration with the use of directionally solidified alloys. The Ru1−xRexSiy chimney–ladder phases exhibit n- and p-type semiconducting behaviors, respectively, at low and high Re concentrations, at which the X(=Si)/M(=Ru + Re) ratios are respectively, larger and smaller than those expected from the VEC (valence electron concentration) = 14 rule. The absolute values of both Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity increase as the extent of the deviation from the VEC = 14 rule increases, i.e. as the alloy composition deviates from that corresponding to the p–n transition (x ≈ 0.5), indicating that the carrier concentration can be controlled by changing the extent of compositional deviation from the ideal VEC = 14 composition. The highest values of the dimensionless figure of merit obtained are 0.47 for ternary (x = 0.60) and 0.56 for Al-containing quaternary alloys. The reasons for the systematic compositional deviation from the ideal VEC = 14 compositions observed for a series of chimney–ladder phases are discussed in terms of atomic packing

The vision for public health dietitians’ skill improvement over the next 10 years in Japan: A qualitative study

Objectives: To obtain the basis for developing a new human resource development program. We examined the association between their position type and their vision for skill improvement in the profession in the next 10 years. Study design: This was a qualitative study. Methods: In 2021, we conducted an exhaustive survey of Japanese public health dietitians working in Japanese local governments. Using qualitative content analysis, we analyzed the participants’ descriptions of how the profession could improve their skills over the next 10 years. Results: Regardless of the participants’ organization of employment or their target position type, seven common categories were extracted; [goals], [health promotion activities], [organizational activities], [evaluation from others], [cooperation], [skills to be acquired], and [means for improving skills]. Depending on the organization type, 35–40 subcategories were extracted from those who wanted to be staff, 35–38 subcategories from those who wanted to be supervisors, and 20–37 subcategories from those who wanted to be managers. Different subcategories were extracted to describe the difference between specialists and generalists in [goals]. Participants described challenges with [evaluation from others] and [collaboration], regardless of the target position type or [goals]. Conclusion: The vision for Japanese public health dietitians’ skill improvement to achieve in the next 10 years describes challenges with business evaluation and collaborative work. However, participants differed across what skills they wanted to improve based on the direction of their careers. To offer public health dietitians learning content that connects with their desired direction, a new human resource development program needs to be considered

Individual Learning Needs of Japanese Public Health Dietitians by Years of Experience in Health Promotion

Lifelong education for dietitians in Japan is based mainly on competencies according to years of experience. Because learning content differs depending on the desired position and specialty, training programs that reflect the individual learning needs of public health dietitians are needed. This study aimed to assess the individual learning needs of public health dietitians via years of experience in health promotion. In 2021, an online survey of public health dietitians involved in health promotion in prefectures, designated cities, and other municipalities throughout Japan was conducted. Years of experience in health promotion were categorized as early (<10 years), mid-career (10–19 years), and leadership (≥20 years) periods. To ascertain individual learning needs, the survey asked about respondents’ desired final position, career path, and skills they felt they needed to improve in the future. Of the 1649 public health dietitians analyzed, all administrative categories preferred to work as public health generalists in mid-career or leadership periods rather than in the early period. In municipalities, more public health dietitians across all experience categories selected “professional competence”, such as knowledge in specialized areas and nutritional guidance techniques. It was suggested that public health dietitians in the mid-career and leadership periods have individual learning needs, in both nutrition specialists and public health generalists

Severe hypoglycemia during pneumocystis pneumonia treatment associated with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole use in a patient on peritoneal dialysis

Abstract Background Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) is an essential antimicrobial agent for treating pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Furthermore, the risk of hypoglycemia is increased with the co-administration of sulfonylurea due to the presence of the same sulfanilamide structural group in SMX and sulfonylurea. However, hypoglycemia caused by a single administration of TMP/SMX is a rare adverse reaction, and not many cases have been reported. Renal failure is a risk factor for hypoglycemia with single TMP/SMX administration. Case presentation A 54-year-old Japanese woman on peritoneal dialysis (PD) for 10 years was admitted to our hospital for the suspicion of PCP. She underwent immunosuppressive treatment with oral prednisolone (3 mg/day) and a subcutaneous injection of adalimumab (40 mg) every 2 weeks for rheumatoid arthritis. We initiated the administration of a low-to-moderate dose of TMP/SMX (TMP equivalent to TMP/SMX, approximately 8 mg/kg/day) in the patient, considering that she was on PD. At 10 days after administration, the patient became unconscious, and blood test results showed that her blood glucose level was low (15 mg/dL). Unlike hypoglycemia, her serum insulin levels were abnormally high (69.4 μU/mL) at that time. Glucose injection was used for correcting the hypoglycemia, but it was refractory. Highly concentrated glucose infusion was needed to maintain her blood glucose level normal. Her serum insulin level was confirmed to have returned to normal (4.0 μU/mL) at 9 days after completing the TMP/SMX treatment. Conclusions We suspected that the refractory hypoglycemia in this case was caused by high levels of insulin secretion due to the accumulation of TMP/SMX. One of the risk factors in this patient was the low excretion rate of TMP/SMX into the PD fluid. Although hypoglycemia is a rare complication of TMP/SMX, we should consider this risk during TMP/SMX use in patients, especially those on PD