Semantics of TOKI Constructions : concerning time relationships when two events are expressed in TOKI constructions

This work is concerned with explicating the semantics of constructions which involve the temporal connective TOKI. It attempts to clarify the time relationships between subordinate and main clauses linked by this connective, in the light of an examination of the aspectual properties of propositions. 1. The main concerns of this study are as follows: A consideration of the . various factors which are relevant in determining the aspect of a clause. It will be argued that the aspectual properties of the subordinate clause proposition as a whole, and not of the verb alone, is relevant in determining the time relationships between the subordinate and main clauses in a complex sentence. 2. A consideration of TOKI constructions: the conditions under which TOKI clauses are grammatically realized, and the time relationships which are designated . in TOKI constructions

Leading Cultural Activity through Student Opera (2) : Analysis of the Internal Evaluation of a Teacher and Student

　「学生オペラ」の発信は，教育現場で活躍できる人材育成と，岡山大学を文化活動の拠点とした文化・芸術活動の盛んな地域づくりを目指すことを目的として実施したものである。本稿では，（１）に引き続き，その取り組みの意義と課題について，教員（指導者）と学生の内的評価の分析を中心に考察を行った。学生対象のアンケート結果からは，全体の88％の学生が参加してよかったと感じており，また，教員養成におけるオペラ活動の意義を良い経験であると感じている学生は97％であった。大半の学生が，オペラのような総合的且つ横断的な分野の経験は，教育現場で活用でき，協調性や自主性を伸ばすことにもつながると考えており，活動の意義を共有していることがわかった。教員（指導者）のアンケート結果からは，それぞれの役割を発揮できたという連携の意義と，物理的体制の強化について課題が確認された

Leading Cultural Activity through Student Opera (1) : From a Viewpoint of Cooperation, Feedback and Innovation

　「学生オペラ」の発信は，教育現場で活躍できる人材育成と，岡山大学を文化活動の拠点とした文化・芸術活動の盛んな地域づくりを目指すことを目的として実施したものである。本稿では，約半年間の準備期間の様子とその成果を報告し，筆者らが取り組んださまざまな連携のあり方と課題について考察した。連携に関しては，①教育学部内の教員の連携（教科内容専門の教員と教科教育専門の教員），②附属学校との連携，③他学部との連携，④地域や卒業生との連携に焦点を当てて検討した。また，オペラ終演後に実施したアンケート結果からは，来場された多くの方が非常に満足されており，これからも継続してほしいと要望していることが明らかになった

Electron identification using the TOPAZ detector at TRISTAN

We present an electron-identification method using the time-projection chamber and the lead-glass calorimeter in the TOPAZ detector system. Using this method we have achieved good electron identification against hadron backgrounds over a wide momentum range in the hadronic events produced by both single-photon exchange and two-photon processes. Pion-rejection factors and electron efficiencies were 163 and 68.4\% for high-$P_T$ electrons and 137 and 42.7\% for low-$P_T$ electrons in the single-photon-exchange process, and 8600 and 36.0\% for the two-photon process, respectively.Comment: 32 pages, latex format (article), 24 figures, submitted for publication

A simple flow cytometric scoring system is useful for distinguishing myelodysplastic syndromes from non-clonal anemic disorders

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a myeloid neoplasm characterized by abnormal differentiation, ineffective hematopoiesis, and genetic instability with enhanced risk of transforming to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The diagnosis of MDS is principally made based on the percentage of blasts in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, type and degree of dysplasia and the presence of ring sideroblasts. Recently, for making an accurate diagnosis of MDS, the aberrant antigen expression detection of hematopoietic cells by flow cytometry has been reported to be a useful. However, the diagnostic systems utilized in those studies are rather complicated. We modified an existing flow cytometric scoring system (FCMSS) based on aberrancies in the myeloid lineage and evaluated its usefulness in diagnosing various anemic disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The flow cytometric score was significantly higher in MDS patients than in those with other anemic disorders, the exception being megaloblastic anemia (i.e., Vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency). The data suggest that our FCMSS may provide useful information for making the diagnosis of MDS and other anemic disorders

Bacterial DNA and serum IgG antibody titer assays for assessing infection of human-pathogenic and dog-pathogenic Porphyromonas species in dogs

Periodontal disease is highly prevalent in both humans and dogs. Although there have been reports of cross-infection of periodontopathic bacteria, methods for assessing it have yet to be established. The actual status of cross-infection remains to be seen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of bacterial DNA and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer assays to assess infection of human-pathogenic and dog-pathogenic Porphyromonas species in dogs. Four experimental beagles were used for establishing methods. Sixty-six companion dogs at veterinary clinics visiting for treatment and prophylaxis of periodontal disease were used and divided into healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis groups. Periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas gulae were investigated as target bacteria. DNA levels of both bacteria were measured using species-specific primers designed for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum IgG titers of both bacteria were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PCR primers were confirmed to have high sensitivity and specificity. However, there was no relationship between the amount of bacterial DNA and the severity of the periodontal disease. In addition, dogs with periodontitis had higher IgG titers against both bacteria compared to dogs in the healthy and gingivitis groups; there was cross-reactivity between the two bacteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of IgG titers against both bacteria showed high sensitivity (>90 %) and specificity (>75 %). Since both bacteria were distinguished by DNA assays, the combination of these assays may be useful in the evaluation of cross-infection

Coping mechanisms of Junior high school students who feel unwell

本研究は，子どもに対する健康教育の具体的方策の検討に係る基礎的資料として，中学生の体調不良自覚の実態を調査するとともに，自覚症状に対する対処行動の傾向を明らかにすることを目的とし，以下の方法で分析を行った． ２００３年に中学生８１４名を対象として，睡眠や食事に関する生活習慣及び，体調不良の自覚とその際の対処行動に関する，独自の質問紙調査を実施し，記述統計及び項目間の有意差の検定を行った． ８１４名中，８０８名から有効回答が得られた．回答者の約３～４割が「腹痛」「頭痛」「倦怠感」を日常よく経験しており，対処行動には，学年，性別，体調不良自覚の頻度，生活習慣の違いによる選択率の有意差が生じていた． 体調不良の症状を自覚した際，中学生では学年が進むとともに他者依存から離れ，自己の判断により，よいと思う方法を選択する傾向に変化していた．中学生の時期には，自分の対処行動に伴う結果が適切な対処行動の選択に影響するとともに，学校や家庭での健康教育を含めたその他の要因が対処行動に関する知識の習得に影響していると考えられる．また，対処行動の選択には男女差が顕著な項目があり，男子は自己判断で対処する傾向があり，女子では他者に伝える傾向と，対処行動として合理的で確実な方法を選択する傾向があった． 以上の結果と考察から，発育段階，性差，生活の背景などを視野に入れた包括的，個別的な健康教育や保健指導の必要性が示唆された．The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of feeling unwell and the coping styles of Japanese junior high school students. A questionnaire survey of ８１４ junior high school students was conducted in ２００３． An original questionnaire was developed, consisting of questions relating to １） lifestyle, including sleeping and eating habits, and ２）the characteristics of feeling unwell and coping mechanisms. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and ▯２ or Wilcoxon to investigate the relationship between variables. Eight hundred and eight（８０８）questionnaire were returned. About ３０-４０% of respondents experienced stomach ache, headache and fatigue on a daily basis. Their grade, gender, lifestyle and the frequency of feeling unwell were associated with their coping styles. As students got older, their coping style became more independent. Junior high school may be the time to develop an independent coping style based on their own experiences as well as health education at school and home. There was a strong relationship between the coping style and gender. Girls tend to use a more internal locus of control and self-judgment, whereas girls tell others and choose rational and reliable strategies for coping. The results indicate that comprehensive and individualized health education and guidance incorporating personal development, gender and lifestyle are needed. The study’s results provide basic information for the development of health education strategies for school children

DNA Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Age-Dependent Increase in the Lipid Peroxidation-Derived DNA Adduct, Heptanone-Etheno-2′-Deoxycytidine

Objective. To evaluate what types of DNA damages are detected in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. The DNA adducts such as 8-oxo-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), 1,N6-etheno-2′-deoxyadenosine (εdA), and heptanone-etheno-2′-deoxycytidine (HεdC) in genomic DNAs, derived from whole blood cells from 46 RA patients and 31 healthy controls, were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and their levels in RA patients and controls were compared. In addition, correlation between DNA adducts and clinical parameters of RA was analyzed. Results. Compared with controls, the levels of HεdC in RA were significantly higher (P<0.0001) and age dependent (r = 0.43, P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference in 8-oxo-dG and εdA accumulation between RA patients and controls. HεdC levels correlated well with the number of swollen joints (r = 0.57, P < 0.0001) and weakly with the number of tender joints (r = 0.26, P = 0.08) of RA patients, while they did not show a significant association with serological markers such as C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 3. Conclusion. These findings indicate that HεdC may have some influence on the development of RA and/or its complications