Comparing video, avatar, and robot mediated communication: Pros and cons of embodiment

Abstract. In recent years, studies have begun on robot conferencing as a new telecommunication medium. In robot conferencing, people talk with a remote conversation partner through teleoperated robots which present the bodily motions of the partner with a physical embodiment. However, the effects of physical embodiment on distant communication had not yet been demonstrated. In this study, to find the effects, we conducted an experiment in which subjects talked with a partner through robots and various existing communication media (e.g. voice, avatar and video chats). As a result, we found that the physical embodiment enhanced social telepresence, i.e., the sense of resembling face-toface interaction. Furthermore, the result implied that physical embodiment built the sense of tension as in the case of a first face-to-face meeting

Facility Planning Optimization Platform, GGOD, for Expandable Cluster-type Micro-grid Installations and Operations

This paper describes the architecture and the utilization for a facility planning optimization platform called GGOD, “Grid of Grids Optimal Designer” and applies it to expandable cluster-type micro-grid installations and operations. The expandable cluster-type micro-grid is defined as a group of micro-grids that are connected by bi-directional power transfer networks. Furthermore, power sources are also networked. Especially, by networking among power sources, powers necessary for social activities in-demand areas are secured. The proposed architecture is based on service-oriented architecture, meaning that optimization functions are executed as services. For flexibility, these services are executed by requests based on extensible mark-up language texts. The available optimizations are written in meta-data, which are accessible to end-users from the meta-data database system called clearinghouse. The meta-data are of two types, one for single optimization and the other for combined optimization. The processes in GGOD are conducted by the management function which interprets descriptions in meta-data. In meta-data, the names of optimization functions and activation orders are written. The basic executions follow sequential, branch, or loop flow processes, which execute combined optimizations, compare more than two kinds of optimization processes, and perform iterative simulations, respectively. As an application of the proposed architecture, the power generation sites and transmission networks are optimized in a geospatial integrated-resource planning scenario. In this application, a structure and a method for the combination of component functions in GGOD are exemplified. Moreover, GGOD suggests promotions of a lot of applications by effective combinations of basic optimization functions

Optimization Design Suite for Expandable Micro-Grid Clusters

In this study, we introduce an optimization design suite, referred to as the “grid of grids optimal designer” (GGOD), as an addition to the expandable micro-grid clusters (EMGCs) for the evolving electricity generation and infrastructure sectors. EMGCs are an autonomous group of micro-grids in which clusters can generate and consume power. The GGOD is a type of simulation software suitable for longterm use at an electrical facility, where operation planners can plan the expansion, construction, and EMGC operation functions. One of the primary uses of the GGOD is for geospatial data, which require the execution of real world optimization planning. Here, we describe two key applications of the GGOD, including geospatial integrated resource planning for wind farm allocation and transmission configurations, as well as congestion–mitigation planning based on the nodal price approach. Moreover, a concept for the interactive use of optimization functions is also explained

Study for self-efficacy of intensive care unit nursing

ICU看護婦の看護ケアの自信（以下ICU看護ケアの自己効力とする）の程度を知り，ICU看護ケアの自己効力に影響する要因を明らかにすると同時に，ICU経験3年以上の15名の看護婦についてはICU看護ケアの自己効力とリーダーとしての自信（以後リーダーシップの自己効力とする）との関係を明らかにすることを目的する。ICU看護ケアの自己効力とリーダーシップの自己効力について尺度を作成し，ICU勤務の看護婦48名を対象として調査を行った。有効回答数は45で，平均年齢は27.8±5.0歳であった。その結果，以下の3点が明らかとなった。1．年齢，看護婦経験年数，ICUでの経験年数が増すごとにICU看護ケアの自己効力も上昇していた（年齢：r(s)＝0.35，pく0.05，看護婦経験年数：r(s)＝0.35，pく0.05，ICUでの経験年数：r(s)＝0.56，P＜0.01）。2．配属の希望の有無，職場に満足しているか否か，看護ケアが患者の回復に影響すると考えているか否かについては，ICU看護ケアの自己効力への影響を認めなかった。3．リーダー役割をとっている看護婦のICU看護ケアの自己効力とリーダーシップの自己効力の間には，有意な相関はみられなかった。The purposes of this study were; (1) to examine the self-efficacy of ICU nursing, and (2) to clear the factors related to the self-efficacy of ICU nursing, (3) to investigate between the self-efficacy of ICU nursing and the self-efficacy of leadership for 15 nurses who had experience more than 3 years in the ICU section. Subjects were 45 ICU working nurses whose average age was 27.8±5.0. Using originally designed scales of self-efficacy of ICU nursing and the self-efficacy of leadership, we found following results; (1) the self-efficacy of ICU nursing was significantly related to age (r(s)=0.35, p<0.05), duration of experience as a nurse (r(s)=0.35, p<0.05) and that of ICU (r(s)=0.56, p<0.01). (2) there were no significant relation between the self-efficacy of ICU nursing and desire to be ICU nurse, job satisfaction and belief in positive effect of her nursing care for patient's recovery. (3) the self-efficacy of ICU nursing didn't have significant relationship to the self-efficacy of leadership

C9orf72由来のプロリン : アルギニンポリペプチドは細胞骨格とメカニカルストレス応答を制御する

Proline:arginine (PR) poly-dipeptides from the GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 have cytotoxicity and bind intermediate filaments (IFs). However, it remains unknown how PR poly-dipeptides affect cytoskeletal organization and focal adhesion (FA) formation. Here, we show that changes to the cytoskeleton and FA by PR poly-dipeptides result in the alteration of cell stiffness and mechanical stress response. PR poly-dipeptides increased the junctions and branches of the IF network and increased cell stiffness. They also changed the distribution of actin filaments and increased the size of FA and intracellular calcium concentration. PR poly-dipeptides or an inhibitor of IF organization prevented cell detachment. Furthermore, PR poly-dipeptides induced upregulation of mechanical stress response factors and led to a maladaptive response to cyclic stretch. These results suggest that the effects of PR poly-dipeptides on mechanical properties and mechanical stress response may serve as a pathogenesis of C9orf72-related neurodegeneration.博士（医学）・甲第846号・令和4年9月28日Copyright © 2022 Shiota, Nagata, Kikuchi, Nanaura, Matsubayashi, Nakanishi,Kobashigawa, Isozumi, Kiriyama, Nagayama, Sugie, Yamashiro and Mori. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms

Genomic characterization of biliary tract cancers identifies driver genes and predisposing mutations

Background & Aims Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are clinically and pathologically heterogeneous and respond poorly to treatment. Genomic profiling can offer a clearer understanding of their carcinogenesis, classification and treatment strategy. We performed large-scale genome sequencing analyses on BTCs to investigate their somatic and germline driver events and characterize their genomic landscape. Methods We analyzed 412 BTC samples from Japanese and Italian populations, 107 by whole-exome sequencing (WES), 39 by whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and a further 266 samples by targeted sequencing. The subtypes were 136 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs), 101 distal cholangiocarcinomas (DCCs), 109 peri-hilar type cholangiocarcinomas (PHCs), and 66 gallbladder or cystic duct cancers (GBCs/CDCs). We identified somatic alterations and searched for driver genes in BTCs, finding pathogenic germline variants of cancer-predisposing genes. We predicted cell-of-origin for BTCs by combining somatic mutation patterns and epigenetic features. Results We identified 32 significantly and commonly mutated genes including TP53 , KRAS , SMAD4 , NF1 , ARID1A , PBRM1 , and ATR , some of which negatively affected patient prognosis. A novel deletion of MUC17 at 7q22.1 affected patient prognosis. Cell-of-origin predictions using WGS and epigenetic features suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs. Deleterious germline mutations of cancer-predisposing genes such as BRCA1 , BRCA2 , RAD51D , MLH1 , or MSH2 were detected in 11% (16/146) of BTC patients. Conclusions BTCs have distinct genetic features including somatic events and germline predisposition. These findings could be useful to establish treatment and diagnostic strategies for BTCs based on genetic information. Lay summary We here analyzed genomic features of 412 BTC samples from Japanese and Italian populations. A total of 32 significantly and commonly mutated genes were identified, some of which negatively affected patient prognosis, including a novel deletion of MUC17 at 7q22.1 . Cell-of-origin predictions using WGS and epigenetic features suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs. Deleterious germline mutations of cancer-predisposing genes were detected in 11% of patients with BTC. BTCs have distinct genetic features including somatic events and germline predisposition

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death in Japan: A multicenter case-control study (MOTIVATE study).

INTRODUCTION: Since the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant became dominant, assessing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe disease using hospitalization as an outcome became more challenging due to incidental infections via admission screening and variable admission criteria, resulting in a wide range of estimates. To address this, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance recommends the use of outcomes that are more specific to severe pneumonia such as oxygen use and mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 24 hospitals in Japan for the Delta-dominant period (August-November 2021; "Delta") and early Omicron (BA.1/BA.2)-dominant period (January-June 2022; "Omicron"). Detailed chart review/interviews were conducted in January-May 2023. VE was measured using various outcomes including disease requiring oxygen therapy, disease requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), death, outcome restricting to "true" severe COVID-19 (where oxygen requirement is due to COVID-19 rather than another condition(s)), and progression from oxygen use to IMV or death among COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: The analysis included 2125 individuals with respiratory failure (1608 cases [75.7%]; 99.2% of vaccinees received mRNA vaccines). During Delta, 2 doses provided high protection for up to 6 months (oxygen requirement: 95.2% [95% CI:88.7-98.0%] [restricted to "true" severe COVID-19: 95.5% {89.3-98.1%}]; IMV: 99.6% [97.3-99.9%]; fatal: 98.6% [92.3-99.7%]). During Omicron, 3 doses provided high protection for up to 6 months (oxygen requirement: 85.5% [68.8-93.3%] ["true" severe COVID-19: 88.1% {73.6-94.7%}]; IMV: 97.9% [85.9-99.7%]; fatal: 99.6% [95.2-99.97]). There was a trend towards higher VE for more severe and specific outcomes. CONCLUSION: Multiple outcomes pointed towards high protection of 2 doses during Delta and 3 doses during Omicron. These results demonstrate the importance of using severe and specific outcomes to accurately measure VE against severe COVID-19, as recommended in WHO guidance in settings of intense transmission as seen during Omicron