High working memory performers have efficient eye movement control systems under Reading Span Test

Controlled eye movements are critical in performing highly goal oriented behavior such as text reading. Previous studies have examined the relationship between working memory capacity and eye movement control during working memory task. However, the results were inconsistent, due to a methodological issue including the predictability of target location. In the present study, we used Japanese version of reading span test, where the position of to-be-remembered word is not predictable so that more efficient attentional control is required, and investigated how working memory capacity contributes to eye movement control during reading span test. Results based on total fixation time revealed that highworking memory performers efficiently control or shift their attention under high memory load

High working memory performers have efficient eye movement control systems under Reading Span Test

Azuma Miyuki, Ikeda Takashi, Minamoto Takehiro, et al. High working memory performers have efficient eye movement control systems under Reading Span Test. Journal of Eye Movement Research 5, (2012); https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.5.3.1

Detection of Torque Teno Virus DNA in Exhaled Breath by Polymerase Chain Reaction

To determine whether exhaled breath contains Torque teno virus (TTV) or not, we tested exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples by semi-nested PCR assay. We detected TTV DNA in 35% (7/20) of EBC samples collected from the mouth of one of the authors, demonstrating that TTV DNA is excreted in exhaled breath with moderate frequency. TTV DNA was detected also in oral EBC samples from 4 of 6 other authors, indicating that TTV DNA excretion in exhaled breath is not an exception but rather a common phenomenon. Furthermore, the same assay could amplify TTV DNA from room air condensate (RAC) samples collected at distances of 20 and 40cm from a human face with 40 (8/20) and 35% (7/20) positive rates, respectively. TTV transmission has been reported to occur during infancy. These distances seem equivalent to that between an infant and its household members while caring for the infant. Taken together, it seems that exhaled breath is one of the possible transmission routes of TTV. We also detected TTV DNA in 25% (10/40) of RAC samples collected at a distance of more than 180cm from any human face, suggesting the risk of airborne infection with TTV in a room

道徳的価値にかかわる経験を社会的視点に広げる道徳科の授業

本稿は，小学校道徳科の授業効果を高めるために，道徳的価値にかかわる自分の経験を想起し，それをもとに道徳的価値についての理解を深め，道徳的価値に対する関心を高めた上で読み物資料に取り組む授業展開を構成した。読み物資料における学習では，教材に登場する人物の立場に立って考える役割取得の視点から社会的視点に考えを広げる学習活動を展開することにより道徳性の育成を図ることを目指した。　小学校6学年76名の3クラスを対象として，道徳の内容項目B－⑺「親切，思いやり」を取り扱った。授業の成果と課題の検討のため，それぞれの時間ごとの児童授業の様子，授業アンケート結果，ワークシートの記述を検討した。結果，授業構成上の工夫と展開における一定の成果が確認された。In order to improve elementary school moral lessons, this practical study reminds children of their own experiences related to moral values, makes them understand their moral values, raises their interest in moral values, and then uses them as reading materials. I organized the lesson development to work on. In learning using story textbooks, we aimed to foster morality by developing learning activities that broaden our thinking from the perspective of role taking, which considers the positions of the characters in the story, to the acquisition of social perspectives taking. We dealt with moral content item B- (7) “kindness and compassion” for 3 classes with 6th grade elementary school names. In order to examine the results and tasks of the lesson, we examined the state of the childrenʼs lesson, the results of the lesson questionnaire, and the description of the worksheet. As a result, it was confi rmed that there were some achievements in the ingenuity and development of the lesson structure

小麦アレルギーのエピトープペプチドに対するモノクローナル抗体の作製

Monoclonal Antibodies were raised against SQQQ(Q)PPF peptide conjugated to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin, which has been identified as epitope peptide of wheat allergy. Three monoclonal antibodies, mAbs 3D, 4B, and 6F were obtained by screening with the peptide conjugated to bovine serum albumin. However, these mAbs did not react with the free peptide in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. On western analysis, about 14 and 17kDa proteins in the wheat globulin fraction were detected with these mAbs. It is reported that wheat proteins of about 14, 16kDa were reactive with sera of patients allergic to wheat and that a wheat globulin of about 19kDa has SQQQQQG sequence. It seems likely that the mAbs obtained here recognize the 19kDa protein related to wheat allergy

HbA1c and telemedicine during COVID-19

Aims/Introduction: To investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected behavioral changes and glycemic control in patients with diabetes and to conduct a survey of telemedicine during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 2,348 patients were included from 15 medical facilities. Patients were surveyed about their lifestyle changes and attitudes toward telemedicine. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were compared among before (from June 1 to August 31, 2019) and in the first (from June 1 to August 31, 2020) and in the second (from June 1 to August 31, 2021) year of the pandemic. A survey of physician attitudes toward telemedicine was also conducted. Results: The HbA1c levels were comparable between 2019 (7.27 ± 0.97%), 2020 (7.28 ± 0.92%), and 2021 (7.25 ± 0.94%) without statistical difference between each of those 3 years. Prescriptions for diabetes medications increased during the period. The frequency of eating out was drastically reduced (51.7% in 2019; 30.1% in 2020), and physical activity decreased during the pandemic (48.1% in 2019; 41.4% in 2020; 43.3% in 2021). Both patients and physicians cited increased convenience and reduced risk of infection as their expectations for telemedicine, while the lack of physician–patient interaction and the impossibility of consultation and examination were cited as sources of concern. Conclusions: Our data suggest that glycemic control did not deteriorate during the COVID-19 pandemic with appropriate intensification of diabetes treatment in patients with diabetes who continued to attend specialized diabetes care facilities, and that patients and physicians shared the same expectations and concerns about telemedicine