Museum Exhibitions of Fossil Specimens Into Commercial Products : Unexpected Outflow of 3D Models due to Unwritten Image Policies

Recent innovations and cost reductions in photogrammetry-based 3D modeling have enabled museum visitors to create 3D models based on photographs exhibited in galleries without breaking museum policies. While several museums make 3D museum data available on sharing platforms, museum visitors publish unofficial 3D data belonging to museum exhibits using a photogrammetry-based approach. This study shows that photogrammetry-based 3D models can be generated without breaking conventional photo policies (i.e., no use of flash and tripods) and that museum visitors can create commercial products based on these models. 3D models certainly enhance scientific value and promote broader and deeper interests in the natural sciences; however, the rights of owners of museum pieces are ambiguous with regard to the dissemination of unofficial data. This also makes information attributable to the original specimen unclear, which can potentially lead to revenue loss. We propose a set of best practices for museum photo policies covering the data use of visitor-generated 3D models of displayed objects

Nutritional Status and Competitive Ability in Wheelechair Basketball Players

本研究では、障害者スポーツの中でも最も人気が高く、競技人口の多い競技のうちの１つである車椅子バスケットボール選手を対象にアンケート調査を実施し、競技力向上の手がかりと食生活に関する調査を行い、障害者スポーツ選手のサポート・食生活のあり方について検討することを目的とした。その結果、1)車椅子バスケットボール実施者、競技水準が上がるにつれて年齢は下がっている傾向がみられた、2)車椅子バスケットボール実施理由を「競技志向」、「健康志向」、「きっかけづくり」と3因子に分類したとき「競技志向」と競技水準には有意な相関がみられた、3)「栄養・食生活に関するサポート」と競技水準とについて有意な相関がみられ、競技水準の高いものが栄養・食生活に関する意識が高い傾向がみられた

aPKC and DOC2b in glucose transport

Aims/introduction: Double C2 domain protein b (DOC2b), one of the synaptotagmins, has been shown to translocate to the plasma membrane, and to initiate membrane-fusion processes of vesicles containing glucose transporter 4 proteins on insulin stimulation. However, the mechanism by which DOC2b is regulated remains unclear. Herein, we identified the upstream regulatory factors of DOC2b in insulin signal transduction. We also examined the role of DOC2b on systemic homeostasis using DOC2b knockout (KO) mice. Materials and Methods: We first identified DOC2b binding proteins by immunoprecipitation and mutagenesis experiments. Then, DOC2b KO mice were generated by disrupting the first exon of the DOC2b gene. In addition to the histological examination, glucose metabolism was assessed by measuring parameters on glucose/insulin tolerance tests. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was also measured using isolated soleus muscle and epididymal adipose tissue. Results: We identified an isoform of atypical protein kinase C (protein kinase C iota) that can bind to DOC2b and phosphorylates one of the serine residues of DOC2b (S34). This phosphorylation is essential for DOC2b translocation. DOC2b KO mice showed insulin resistance and impaired oral glucose tolerance on insulin and glucose tolerance tests, respectively. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was impaired in isolated soleus muscle and epididymal adipose tissues from DOC2b KO mice. Conclusions: We propose a novel insulin signaling mechanism by which protein kinase C iota phosphorylates DOC2b, leading to glucose transporter 4 vesicle translocation, fusion and facilitation of glucose uptake in response to insulin. The present results also showed DOC2b to play important roles in systemic glucose homeostasis

Gender and Japan-Korea Differences in Psychological Characteristics through DIPCA and POMS for All Japan Wheelchair Basketball Atheletes

Although previous studies investigating physical performance and biomechanics in wheelchair-bound athletes were reported, few studies have characterized the psychological state of these athletes. This study investigated differences in psychological characteristics among 37 wheelchair-bound athletes (Japanese males, n=11; Japanese females, n=9; Korean males, n=17). All subjects belonged to their own national teams for disabled wheelchair basketball. All subjects completed both the Diagnostic Inventory of Psychological-Competitive Ability for Athletes (DIPCA) and the Profile Of Mood States (POMS). Statictics analysis of DIPCA showed that the psychological competitive abilities in the Japanese males were significantly better than those in the Korean males in this series. However. the scores on POMS did not show significant differences between the Japanese and Korean males, expect for the score for "anger". Neither DIPCA nor POMS showed any significant differences with regard to gender. Above all, we conclude that the psychological differences between Japanese and Koreans reflected the outcomes of international competitions and these there was no gender difference in psychological characteristics

Oral intake of rice overexpressing ubiquitin ligase inhibitory pentapeptide prevents atrophy in denervated skeletal muscle

We previously reported that intramuscular injections of ubiquitin ligase CBLB inhibitory pentapeptide (Cblin; Asp-Gly-pTyr-Met-Pro) restored lost muscle mass caused by sciatic denervation. Here, we detected Cblin on the basolateral side of Caco-2 cells after being placed on the apical side, and found that cytochalasin D, a tight junction opener, enhanced Cblin transport. Orally administered Cblin was found in rat plasma, indicating that intact Cblin was absorbed in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, transgenic Cblin peptide-enriched rice (CbR) prevented the denervation-induced loss of muscle mass and the upregulation of muscle atrophy-related ubiquitin ligases in mice. These findings indicated that CbR could serve as an alternative treatment for muscle atrophy

A long-forgotten ‘dinosaur’ bone from a museum cabinet, uncovered to be a Japan\u27s iconic extinct mammal, Paleoparadoxia (Desmostylia, Mammalia)

Here, we report a new ‘discovery’ of a desmostylian fossil in the geological collection at a national university in Japan. This fossil was unearthed over 60 years ago and donated to the university. Owing to the original hand-written note kept with the fossil in combination with interview investigation, we were able to reach two equally possible fossil sites in the town of Tsuchiyu Onsen, Fukushima. Through the interviews, we learned that the fossil was discovered during construction of a debris flow barrier and that it was recognized as a ‘dinosaur’ bone among the locals and displayed in the Village Hall before/until the town experienced a fire disaster in 1954. As scientific findings, the fossil was identified to be a right femur of Paleoparadoxia (Desmostylia), which shows well-preserved muscle scars on the surface. The age was estimated to be 15.9 Ma or younger in zircon-dating. This study shows an excellent case that historical and scientific significances could be extracted from long-forgotten uncatalogued specimens as long as the original information is retained with the specimens

大腿四頭筋の超音波画像を用いた等尺性膝関節伸展筋力の推定

Muscle echo intensity (EI) determined by ultrasonography has recently been reported asan index of intramuscular fat. The muscle thickness (MT) and EI of the quadriceps femorismuscle were reported to be influenced by the muscle strength (MS) of the knee extensors.This study was performed to investigate whether the MT and EI of the quadriceps femorisare associated with the MS of knee extensors, and to establish a predictive formula for themaximal isometric MS of knee extensors.Forty healthy volunteers 20-59 years old were included in this study. The maximalisometric MS of knee extensors on the dominant extremity was measured at kneeflexion of 60°, and was defined as the maximal value over three repeated measurements.Transverse ultrasound images of the quadriceps on the dominant extremity were obtainedwith a B-mode ultrasound imaging device and multi-frequency linear transducer. Duringmeasurements, the participants were completely relaxed and sat comfortably withthe knee flexed at 90°. A 10-MHz transducer with gain of 58 dB was used during allmeasurements. The transducer was positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe quadriceps femoris, at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine andthe proximal end of the patella. The same investigator then obtained three consecutiveimages. The subcutaneous fat thickness, MT of each muscle, and EI of each muscle wereanalyzed from three images acquired for the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius(VI), and the mean values of the three measurements were recorded. Pearson’s andSpearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate the relationships betweensubcutaneous fat thickness, MT, EI, physical characteristics, and MS. Stepwise multipleregression analysis was then performed with MS value as the dependent variable, and thecharacteristics of the participants and values from the ultrasound images as independentvariables. In addition, multiple regression analysis was performed in two groups dividedaccording to age, i.e., the young adult group and the middle-aged group.There were no significant differences in height, weight, BMI, or muscle circumferencebetween the young adult group and middle-aged group. MS showed significant negativecorrelations with subcutaneous fat thickness, RFEI, and VIEI, and significant positivecorrelations with height, weight, circumference, RFMT, and VIMT. Stepwise regressionanalysis identified height and VIMT as factors significantly associated with MS (adjustedR2 = 0.65). Height and VIMT contributed to MS in young and middle-aged individuals

Inhibitory Effects of Ecklonia cava Extract on High Glucose-Induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a disease closely associated with obesity and diabetes. A prevalence of type 2 diabetes and a high body mass index in cryptogenic cirrhosis may imply that obesity leads to cirrhosis. Here, we examined the effects of an extract of Ecklonia cava, a brown algae, on the activation of high glucose-induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), key players in hepatic fibrosis. Isolated HSCs were incubated with or without a high glucose concentration. Ecklonia cava extract (ECE) was added to the culture simultaneously with the high glucose. Treatment with high glucose stimulated expression of type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin, which are markers of activation in HSCs, in a dose-dependent manner. The activation of high glucose-treated HSCs was suppressed by the ECE. An increase in the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in intracellular glutathione levels were observed soon after treatment with high glucose, and these changes were suppressed by the simultaneous addition of ECE. High glucose levels stimulated the secretion of bioactive transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) from the cells, and the stimulation was also suppressed by treating the HSCs with ECE. These results suggest that the suppression of high glucose-induced HSC activation by ECE is mediated through the inhibition of ROS and/or GSH and the downregulation of TGF-β secretion. ECE is useful for preventing the development of diabetic liver fibrosis