Monitoring Acoustic Emissions to Predict Modulus of Rupture of Finger-Joints from Tropical African Hardwoods

The acoustic emission patterns generated from bending tests of finger-joints from three tropical African hardwoods, Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon), Makore (Tieghemella heckelii), and Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) were evaluated to determine the possibility of using them to predict finger-joint modulus of rupture.The patterns of acoustic emissions generated from the bending tests were observed to differ, depending on the type of finger profile and wood species. The regression coefficient of the regression of cumulative acoustic emission count on applied stress squared also varied with the profile and species type. When modulus of rupture was correlated with this regression coefficient, for stresses applied up to 50% of mean ultimate strength, the logarithmic regression model developed could predict modulus of rupture of the finger-joints accurately to ±10%. ±12%, and ±21% for Obeche, Makore, and Moabi, respectively. The models developed also seemed sensitive to the quality of the finger-joints from the three tropical African hardwoods.The results of the study gave an indication that this acoustic emission monitoring procedure could be useful for nondestructively predicting modulus of rupture of finger-joints from the three tropical African hardwoods

Organizing Active Learning Models in Science Classes (2)

The purpose of this study is to organize active learning models in science classes. Through classroom practice from elementary school to upper secondary school, we observed the followings: 1) the "reciprocal of internalization and externalization," which means collaborative and cooperative learning, is the key to active learning in science lessons; 2) by creating a "subject skeleton," teachers can gain clarity regarding the promotion of deep learning and organize active learning models in science classes

Tight junctions in Schwann cells of peripheral myelinated axons: a lesson from claudin-19–deficient mice

Tight junction (TJ)–like structures have been reported in Schwann cells, but their molecular composition and physiological function remain elusive. We found that claudin-19, a novel member of the claudin family (TJ adhesion molecules in epithelia), constituted these structures. Claudin-19–deficient mice were generated, and they exhibited behavioral abnormalities that could be attributed to peripheral nervous system deficits. Electrophysiological analyses showed that the claudin-19 deficiency affected the nerve conduction of peripheral myelinated fibers. Interestingly, the overall morphology of Schwann cells lacking claudin-19 expression appeared to be normal not only in the internodal region but also at the node of Ranvier, except that TJs completely disappeared, at least from the outer/inner mesaxons. These findings have indicated that, similar to epithelial cells, Schwann cells also bear claudin-based TJs, and they have also suggested that these TJs are not involved in the polarized morphogenesis but are involved in the electrophysiological “sealing” function of Schwann cells

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) without Endoscopic Lithotomy for Pancreatolithiasis : A Report of Two Cases

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) without endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for pancreatic duct stones was performed in two patients with chronic pancreatitis. Case 1 was a 37-year-old man. Pancreatic stones were observed in the pancreatic head and tail region with a persistent pancreatic fistula. ESWL without EST for pancreatolithiasis was performed two times. Almost all the stones in the pancreatic head were disintegrated without any complications by ESWL (4700 shock waves at 24.0 KV) under fluoroscopic control using a lithotriptor (Dornier MLF 5000). Consequently, the fistula closed and the pancreatic exocrine function recovered. Case 2 was a 65-year-old woman suffering from chronic relapsing pancreatitis with calcified stones in the pancreatic head region. ESWL (5700 shock waves at 23.0 KV) without EST produced complete disintegration of the stones without any complications. Seven days later, almost all of the stones in the pancreatic head were diminished. Thereafter, we observed not only amelioration of the symptoms of pancreatitis but also improvement in pancreatic exocrine function. Thus, ESWL treatment without EST was a safe and effective method for pancreatolithiasis and should be considered a high-priority non-surgical treatment for pancreatolithiasis

Organizing of Active Learning Models in Science Classes (2)

The purpose of this study is to organize active learning models in science classes. Through classroom practice from elementary school to upper secondary school, we observed the following: 1) the "reciprocal of internalization and externalization," which means collaborative and cooperative learning, is the key to active learning in science lessons; 2) by creating a "subject skeleton," teachers can gain clarity regarding the promotion of deep learning and organize active learning models in science classes

Suppression of Osteosarcoma Cell Invasion by Chemotherapy Is Mediated by Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Activity via Up-Regulation of EGR1

Background: The cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumour response following chemotherapy are largely unknown. We found that low dose anti-tumour agents up-regulate early growth response 1 (EGR1) expression. EGR1 is a member of the immediate-early gene group of transcription factors which modulate transcription of multiple genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. It has been reported that EGR1 act as either tumour promoting factor or suppressor. We therefore examined the expression and function of EGR1 in osteosarcoma. Methods: We investigated the expression of EGR1 in human osteosarcoma cell lines and biopsy specimens. We next examined the expression of EGR1 following anti-tumour agents treatment. To examine the function of EGR1 in osteosarcoma, we assessed the tumour growth and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Results: Real-time PCR revealed that EGR1 was down-regulated both in osteosarcoma cell lines and osteosarcoma patients’ biopsy specimens. In addition, EGR1 was up-regulated both in osteosarcoma patient’ specimens and osteosarcoma cell lines following anti-tumour agent treatment. Although forced expression of EGR1 did not prevent osteosarcoma growth, forced expression of EGR1 prevented osteosarcoma cell invasion in vitro. In addition, forced expression of EGR1 promoted downregulation of urokinase plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor, and urokinase plasminogen activity. Xenograft mice models showed that forced expression of EGR1 prevents osteosarcoma cell migration into blood vessels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that although chemotherapy could not prevent osteosarcoma growth in chemotherapy-resistant patients, it did prevent osteosarcoma cell invasion by down-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activity via up-regulation of EGR1 during chemotherapy periods

Hitomi (ASTRO-H) X-ray Astronomy Satellite

The Hitomi (ASTRO-H) mission is the sixth Japanese x-ray astronomy satellite developed by a large international collaboration, including Japan, USA, Canada, and Europe. The mission aimed to provide the highest energy resolution ever achieved at E  >  2  keV, using a microcalorimeter instrument, and to cover a wide energy range spanning four decades in energy from soft x-rays to gamma rays. After a successful launch on February 17, 2016, the spacecraft lost its function on March 26, 2016, but the commissioning phase for about a month provided valuable information on the onboard instruments and the spacecraft system, including astrophysical results obtained from first light observations. The paper describes the Hitomi (ASTRO-H) mission, its capabilities, the initial operation, and the instruments/spacecraft performances confirmed during the commissioning operations for about a month

Mutations in UVSSA cause UV-sensitive syndrome and impair RNA polymerase IIo processing in transcription-coupled nucleotide-excision repair

UV-sensitive syndrome (UVSS) is a genodermatosis characterized by cutaneous photosensitivity without skin carcinoma1, 2, 3, 4. Despite mild clinical features, cells from individuals with UVSS, like Cockayne syndrome cells, are very UV sensitive and are deficient in transcription-coupled nucleotide-excision repair (TC-NER)2, 4, 5, which removes DNA damage in actively transcribed genes6. Three of the seven known UVSS cases carry mutations in the Cockayne syndrome genes ERCC8 or ERCC6 (also known as CSA and CSB, respectively)7, 8. The remaining four individuals with UVSS, one of whom is described for the first time here, formed a separate UVSS-A complementation group1, 9, 10; however, the responsible gene was unknown. Using exome sequencing11, we determine that mutations in the UVSSA gene (formerly known as KIAA1530) cause UVSS-A. The UVSSA protein interacts with TC-NER machinery and stabilizes the ERCC6 complex; it also facilitates ubiquitination of RNA polymerase IIo stalled at DNA damage sites. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into the processing of stalled RNA polymerase and explain the different clinical features across these TC-NER–deficient disorders