Design and Evaluation of English Oral Communication Course at Kansai University

Educators, linguists, and anthropologists recognize that language reflects societalvalues, culture, and attitudes of the country where the language is spoken. The use of　technology provides numerous　activities where students can learn about the values, culture, and lifestyles of people living in other countries while practicing their English communication skills. This paper examines the use of videoconferencing between students at Kansai University and the University of Hawaii to develop language skills and increaseintercultural understanding. The authors describe learning activities to prepare students for the videoconferences, examine learning styles related to the use of technology, provide observations about technology use, and discuss changes in students’ intercultural sensitivity over one semester

Bathymetric Changes along Tottori Sand Dune Coast

The present study deals with a short-term change of an offshore bar topology along Tottori coast during 5 years (2004-2009). This coast has a multiple offshore bar system. An inner bar lies around 100m offshore and an outer bar lies between 250m and 500m offshore. The outer bars have crescentic feature with an offshore convexity. Wave lengths of the outer bar are 500m ~ 1000m and shows small yearly change. The shore line has a cusping feature. Their wave lengths are 300m ~ 450m. Inner bars also show crescentic feature in winter. The wave length ratio of cusp and inner bar to outer bar is roughly 1: 1:2. In early winter, amplitude of the outer bar reduces and in the late winter, it grows again. The difference reaches to 100m. This change seems corresponding to the integrated incident wave energy

ICT & Collaborative Learning ～Collaborative Learning between Kansai University & University of Hawaii～

Kansai University students majoring in educational technology are provided opportunities to increase their teamwork skills and intercultural competencies through authentic learning, group work and collaborative projects, including a collaborative video project with University of Hawaii graduate students. These experiences are integrated into the ICT For Learning class taught each fall semester in the Faculty of Informatics

Eine Betrachtung über Kettenspannungsänderung durch Fachaushebung

Bei der Erzeugung eines aus chemischen Fasern bestandenen Gewebes erscheint es besonderes von grösster Wichtigkeit, zunächst den Einfluss der Fachaushebung auf die Kettfäden schärfer zu präzisieren und die Gewebequalität und ihre Einstellung vervollzukommen. Nämlich sollen sich alle Kettfäden während des Webens in einem Zustand gleichmässiger Spannung befinden, damit ein reines Webfach entsteht, in das der Schussfaden eingetragen und an den Warenrand angeschlagen warden kann. Im allgemeinen kann dies durch das Zusammenwirken von Kettenablass- und Warenabziehvorrichtungen eingestell t werden. Aus statischem Gesichtpunkt haben wir zunächst versuchsweise die Kettenspannungsänderung durch Fachaushebung untersucht. Hierbei haben wir zum Zweck gehabt, die geeignetesten Fachbildegetriebe fiir das Weben mit chemischen Fasern entwerfen zu können

Effects of a Processed Groove in the Surface of Lumber for Sawing by Handsaw: Effect of a Groove, Visibility and Cutting Area in Cross Cutting

The purpose of this research was to investigate the inclusion of a groove on the surface of lumber and how this effects processing accuracy and sensory acquisition skills when sawing with a handsaw. Samples with different grooves, visibility, and cutting area were used in the experiment. After cutting the specimen by cross cutting, the examinee evaluated whether the wood was “easy to cut”, “whether it was able to be cut straight”, and the force required for cutting as a skill acquisition. For the purpose of evaluating processing accuracy, the linearity and slope of the cut surface were measured using the cut sample. As a result, the following are suggested: (1) the groove increases the linearity of the cut surface; (2) the groove improves the sense of the wood being “easy to cut” and “can be cut straight”; and (3) the groove means that the cut can be made using less force.本研究の一部は，平成25年度長崎大学教育学部学部長裁量経費による支援プロジェクトにより実施した

Pathologic significance of immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cells in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis is histologically characterized by the infiltration of immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cells and sclerosing change. Moreover, several cases of carcinoma accompanied by immunoglobulin G4-positive cells in tissue and increased serum immunoglobulin G4 levels have been reported, but the association between cancer-associated immunity and an immunoglobulin G4 reaction is still unclear. In this study, we examined the infiltration of immunoglobulin G4-positive cells in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and the pathologic significance of the immunoglobulin G4 reaction found in cancer tissues in terms of the evasion of immune surveillance by regulatory T cells. Immunohistochemistry for immunoglobulin G4, forkhead box P3, CD4, and CD8 was performed using 68 surgical specimens from patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and positive cells were investigated, particularly within and around cancerous tissues. Consequently, although immunoglobulin G4+ cells were few (average, <10 cells/high-power field) in most cases, 10 or more and 50 or more cells were found in 37% and 6% of cases, respectively. Immunoglobulin G4+ cells were predominantly found in the invasive front of carcinoma tissue. In the cases with 10 or more immunoglobulin G4+ cells, forkhead box P3+ regulatory T cells were also distinguishable, and a positive correlation was found between the forkhead box P3+/CD4+ ratio and immunoglobulin G4+ cell count, but few CD8+ cells invaded cancer cells (<10 cells). In conclusion, extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are often accompanied by the significant infiltration of immunoglobulin G4+ cells, and the immunoglobulin G4 reaction showed a positive and negative correlation with forkhead box P3+ and CD8+ cells, respectively, suggesting the evasion of immune surveillance associated with CD8+ cytotoxic T cells via the regulatory function of forkhead box P3+ regulatory T cells. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The Effect of Electroacupuncture with Different Frequencies on Muscle Oxygenation in Humans

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) with different frequencies on muscle oxygenation in humans. The subjects were 8 healthy male volunteers. Muscle oxygenation was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored simultaneously. After baseline recording, EA was given for 15 min and recovery was measured for 20 minutes. The procedure of EA at 1 Hz, at 20 Hz, and at control followed in the same subjects. Tissue oxygenation index (TOI) decreased during EA at 20 Hz (P<0.05) and increased during the recovery period. Normalized tissue hemoglobin index (nTHI) also decreased during EA at 20 Hz and increased during the recovery period (P<0.05), whereas TOI and nTHI in the EA at 1 Hz did not change significantly throughout the experiment. The peak TOI and nTHI values at 20 Hz during the recovery period were higher than the values at 1 Hz and in the control (P<0.05). BP and HR remained constant. These data suggest that the supply of oxygen to muscle decreased during EA at 20 Hz and increased after EA at 20 Hz, without any changes in HR and BP