Effect of Music on Emotions and Respiration

In the present study we investigated whether the emotional state induced by music can change respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (VT), minute ventilation (VE), and end-tidal CO2concentration (ETCO2). In a pioneering study investigating the effect of music on respiration, the music of Stockhausen and Chopin was used. In the present study, we examined the effects of the same musical stimuli used in that study on respiration. Each stimulus (Stockhausen, Chopin, and silence) was delivered for 30 s and each stimulus was presented five times in random order. Subjects reported feeling uncomfortable listening to Stockhausen\u27s music, but comfortable during Chopin\u27s music and silence. The respiratory response during exposure to Stockhausen\u27s music was rapid and shallow breathing, resulting in an increase in RR. Although the RR was decreased during silence and Chopin\u27s music by Chopin compared with that during Stockhausen\u27s music, there was no significant difference in RR in response to Chopin\u27s music and Stockhausen\u27s music. Although subjects reported feeling comfortable while listening to Chopin\u27s music, the decrease in RR was not significant. The lack of a significant decrease in RR in response to Chopin\u27s music may be due to a mixture of various emotions that may be interconnected to physiological responses, and this higher processing may be peculiar to humans

Prognostic impact of chronic total coronary occlusion on long-term outcomes in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients with ischemic heart disease

Aims The prognostic impact of chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) on implantable cardioverterdefibrillator (ICD) recipients remains unclear. Methods and Results Eighty-four consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease who received ICD therapy for primary or secondary prevention were analyzed. We investigated all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including cardiac death, appropriate device therapy, hospitalization for heart failure, and ventricular assist device implantation. Of the study patients (mean age 70 ± 8 years; 86% men), 34 (40%) had CTO. There were no significant differences in age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), NYHA functional class III or IV status, and proportion who underwent secondary prevention between patients with CTO (CTO group) and without CTO (non-CTO group). During a median follow-up of 3.8 years (interquartile range 2.7 to 5.4 years), the CTO group tended to have a higher MACE rate (log-rank P=0.054) than the non-CTO group. Within the CTO group, there was no difference in the MACE rate between patients with and without viable myocardium. In patients with ICD for secondary prevention (n=47), 16 patients (34%) with CTO had a higher MACE rate than patients without CTO (logrank P<0.01). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the presence of CTO, but 3 not LVEF, was associated with a higher MACE rate. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of CTO was a predictor of MACE (P<0.05). Conclusion In patients with ischemic heart disease receiving ICD implantation, the presence of CTO has an adverse impact on long-term prognosis, especially as secondary prevention

A case of thoracic disc herniation characterized by marked posture-related dynamic changes in neurological symptoms

Thoracic disc herniation is less common than lumbar and cervical disc herniations. It is usually accompanied by severe myelopathy, which often leads to surgery. Because the thoracic spine is less mobile, thoracic disc herniation is considered to be minimally affected by dynamic spine factors in cases with myelopathy. We experienced a case of thoracic disc herniation (T4/5 and T6/7) characterized by posture-related dynamic changes in neurological symptoms; that is, numbness extending from the trunk to the entire lower limbs was deteriorated in the standing and sitting positions, was relieved in the supine position, and disappeared in the prone position. In addition, the patient reported dysuria with a delay when attempting to urinate in the standing position. Computed tomographic myelography revealed diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis extending from T3 to T11, and the kyphosis angles at T1 to T11 levels were 68 degrees in the half-sitting position and 58 degrees in the prone position, showing posture-related changes. The patient underwent the posterior fusion in the prone position, by which symptoms disappeared, without undergoing disc herniotomy or laminectomy, and favorable outcomes were achieved. Thoracic disc herniation with marked posture-related neurological symptoms is extremely rare. Here we report a case presentation and literature review of pathophysiology observed in our patient

創造都市におけるコミュニケーションデザイン/神戸ビエンナーレ2013 の視点から

神戸ビエンナーレ2013 のメイン会場・メリケンパークに、会期限定でオープンした輸送用コンテナを利用した公式デザインショップの企画とデザイン、及びその展開についての研究。このプロジェクトは、これまでのアートの概念を越えた新しい表現や価値、都市の魅力の創生をコンセプトに開催される神戸ビエンナーレにおいて、神戸芸術工科大学が保有するリソースを活かし地元企業との連携で、オリジナルグッズの企画・開発から空間デザイン、運営までをトータルに行った、地場産業と地域活性化のための新しい試みである。開発プロダクトをプレゼンテーションするためのショップとスタンドを併設し、アートを接点に都市に集う多種多様な人々の交流をテーマにデザインした。また、同じくビエンナーレ会場である灘区・ミュージアムロードの公共施設で、研究で制作した３基の展示什器を使用し、市民を対象にしたデザインとアートによる地域交流や体験を深めるコンテンツを展開した。This study is about the planning, design and deployment at Meriken Park, the main venue for KOBE Biennale 2013, featured official design shop housed in shipping container, operating only for the duration of the event. Drawing on the resources of Kobe Design University, this project was a new attempt at revitalizing the region and local industry for which we provided a total service, from the planning of the original goods to the spatial design and actual operation stages. Our design theme was the exchange of the great diversity of people who congregate in cities, with art as their contact point. In addition, at the Museum Road in Nada-ku where is also the venue of KOBE Biennale 2013, we installed three display furniture in public facilities along the road and, in the spaces created by their placement, worked with students and artists to hold exhibits and workshops on design and art aimed at local residents

Visualization of walking speed variation-induced synchronized dynamic changes in lower limb joint angles and activity of trunk and lower limb muscles with a newly developed gait analysis system

Purpose:To evaluate a newly developed system for dynamic analysis of gait kinematics and muscle activity.Methods:We recruited 10 healthy men into this study. Analyses of three-dimensional motion and wireless surface electromyogram (EMG) were integrated to achieve synchronous measurement. The participants walked continuously for 10 min under two conditions: comfortable and quick pace. Outcome measures were joint angles of the lower limbs determined from reflective markers and myoelectric activity of trunk and lower limbs determined from EMG sensors, comparing comfortable and quick gait pace.Results:Lower limb joint angle was significantly greater at the quick pace (maximum flexion of the hip joint: 4.1°, maximum extension of hip joint: 2.3°, and maximum flexion of the knee joint while standing: 7.4°). The period of maximum flexion of the ankle joint during a walking cycle was 2.5% longer at a quick pace. EMG amplitudes of all trunk muscles significantly increased during the period of support by two legs (cervical paraspinal: 55.1%, latissimus dorsi: 31.3%, and erector spinae: 32.6%). EMG amplitudes of quadriceps, femoral biceps, and tibialis anterior increased significantly by 223%, 60.9%, and 67.4%, respectively, between the periods of heel contact and loading response. EMG amplitude of the gastrocnemius significantly increased by 102% during the heel-off period.Conclusion:Our gait analysis synchronizing three-dimensional motion and wireless surface EMG successfully visualized dynamic changes in lower limb joint angles and activity of trunk and lower limb muscles induced by various walking speeds

SAHG, a comprehensive database of predicted structures of all human proteins

Most proteins from higher organisms are known to be multi-domain proteins and contain substantial numbers of intrinsically disordered (ID) regions. To analyse such protein sequences, those from human for instance, we developed a special protein-structure-prediction pipeline and accumulated the products in the Structure Atlas of Human Genome (SAHG) database at http://bird.cbrc.jp/sahg. With the pipeline, human proteins were examined by local alignment methods (BLAST, PSI-BLAST and Smith–Waterman profile–profile alignment), global–local alignment methods (FORTE) and prediction tools for ID regions (POODLE-S) and homology modeling (MODELLER). Conformational changes of protein models upon ligand-binding were predicted by simultaneous modeling using templates of apo and holo forms. When there were no suitable templates for holo forms and the apo models were accurate, we prepared holo models using prediction methods for ligand-binding (eF-seek) and conformational change (the elastic network model and the linear response theory). Models are displayed as animated images. As of July 2010, SAHG contains 42 581 protein-domain models in approximately 24 900 unique human protein sequences from the RefSeq database. Annotation of models with functional information and links to other databases such as EzCatDB, InterPro or HPRD are also provided to facilitate understanding the protein structure-function relationships

「学科間プロジェクト」のカリキュラム開発に関する実践的研究/「有馬温泉ゆけむり大学」を事例として

本研究では、「有馬温泉ゆけむり大学」を実践的なデザイン教育の場として研究を行った。すなわち、「学科間プロジェクト」の教育的効果を再考するために、本イベントの「Tシャツ」、「チラシ」デザイン、及び有志学生による「神戸芸工大雑貨屋さん」、「浴衣DEファッションショー」を開催した。その他イベントとして、「有馬温泉クリスマスツリープロジェクト」のワークショップ、「有馬節分会」の「チラシ」デザインを行った。また、武蔵野美術大学・群馬県立女子大学・立命館アジア太平洋大学に出向き、聞き取り調査を行った。研究の結果、「有馬温泉ゆけむり大学」に参加した学生は、他の学科及び学年を超えた交流の機会ができた。また、特に大阪音楽大学・近畿大学・武庫川女子大学の学生たち及び有馬温泉のスタッフとも交流ができたことは、大変貴重な経験となり、様々な教育効果が期待できる。したがって、「学科間プロジェクト」のカリキュラム開発のための基礎資料を得ることができた。In this studies, we studied that the "Arima Onsen Yukemuri University" was for design practical education. That is, in order to rethink the educational effect of "Interdepartmental Project", of this event "T-shirt", "Flyer" design, and by volunteer students "Kobe Design University Zakkaya san", "Yukata DE Fashion show" were held. As other events, workshop of "Arima Onsen Christmas tree project" , "Flyer" design for "Arima Setsubun E".In addition, visited to Musashino Art University, Gunma Prefectural Women\u27s University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, which were investigated.Results of the studies, students who participated in the "Arima Onsen Yukemuri University" was able opportunity of exchange beyond the school year and other departments. In addition, it becomes a very valuable experience, that the staff of Arima Onsen and students of Osaka College of Music, Kinki University, Mukogawa Women\u27s University also could exchange in particular can be expected to be teaching a variety of effects. Therefore, it was possible to obtain the basic data for curriculum development "Interdepartmental Project"

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the ferredoxin reductase component in the Rieske nonhaem iron oxygenase system carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase

The NAD(P)H:ferredoxin oxidoreductase in carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase from Janthinobacterium sp. J3 was crystallized and diffraction data were collected to 2.60 Å resolution