Japanese-English Sentence Translation Exercises Dataset for Automatic Grading

This paper proposes the task of automatic assessment of Sentence Translation Exercises (STEs), that have been used in the early stage of L2 language learning. We formalize the task as grading student responses for each rubric criterion pre-specified by the educators. We then create a dataset for STE between Japanese and English including 21 questions, along with a total of 3, 498 student responses (167 on average). The answer responses were collected from students and crowd workers. Using this dataset, we demonstrate the performance of baselines including finetuned BERT and GPT models with few-shot in-context learning. Experimental results show that the baseline model with finetuned BERT was able to classify correct responses with approximately 90% in F1, but only less than 80% for incorrect responses. Furthermore, the GPT models with few-shot learning show poorer results than finetuned BERT, indicating that our newly proposed task presents a challenging issue, even for the stateof-the-art large language models.Comment: 9 page

Multi-physics numerical analyses for predicting the alterations in permeability and reactive transport behavior within single rock fractures depending on temperature, stress, and fluid pH conditions

The aim of the current study was to establish a validated numerical model for addressing the changes in permeability and reactive transport behavior within rock fractures based on the fluid pH under coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical (THMC) conditions. Firstly, a multi-physics reactive transport model was proposed, considering the geochemical reactions that depend on the temperature, stress, and fluid chemistry conditions (e.g., fluid pH and solute concentrations), as well as the changes in permeability in the rock fractures driven by these reactions, after which the correctness of the model implementation was verified by solving the 1D reactive transport problem as a fundamental benchmark. Secondly, the validity of the model against actual rock fractures was investigated by utilizing the model to replicate the measurements of the evolving permeability and the effluent element concentrations in single granite fractures obtained by means of two flow-through experiments using deionized water (pH ∼ 6) and a NaOH aqueous solution (pH ∼ 11) as permeants under stressed, temperature-elevated conditions. The model predictions efficiently followed the changes in fracture permeability over time measured by both experiments. Additionally, the observed difference in the changing rates, which may contribute to the difference in the fluid pH between the two experiments, was also captured exactly by the predictions. Moreover, in terms of the effluent element concentrations, among all the elements targeted for measurement, the concentrations of most elements were replicated by the model within one order of discrepancy. Overall, it can be concluded that the developed model should be valid for estimating the changes in permeability and reactive transport behavior within rock fractures induced by geochemical reactions which depend on the fluid pH under coupled THMC conditions

DIP during perioperative chemotherapy

Purpose : Drug-induced interstitial pneumonia (DIP) that occurs during chemotherapy for breast cancer is a rare but a serious adverse event. Treatments of DIP requires interruption of breast cancer treatment, which may affect the patient’s prognosis. However, there are few reports which discuss DIP during breast cancer treatments. Purpose of this report is to make clear how DIP occurred and influenced breast cancer treatment in our hospital. Patients and Methods : A total of 74 patients who started perioperative chemotherapy in Tokushima Municipal Hospital for breast cancer from January 2019 to December 2020 were evaluated for DIP. Patients’ and tumors’ characteristics, and regimens which caused DIP were investigated. The clinical courses of the DIP patients were also followed up. Results : Twelve of the 74 patients developed DIP. All 12 patients had histories of cyclophosphamide administration ; however, the causative drug could not be determined. Ten of the 12 patients were treated with steroids, and all the patients recovered ultimately from the interstitial pneumonia. While chemotherapy was administered in six patients after mild DIP, no relapse of pneumonia was observed. Conclusion : DIP during perioperative chemotherapy for breast cancer was resolved with appropriate treatment. Patients were able to resume breast cancer treatment with minimal interruption

Rikkunshito Ameliorates Cancer Cachexia Partly through Elevation of Glucarate in Plasma

Cancer cachexia, which is characterized by decreased food intake, weight loss and systemic inflammation, increases patient’s morbidity and mortality. We previously showed that rikkunshito (RKT), a Japanese traditional herbal medicine (Kampo), ameliorated the symptoms of cancer cachexia through ghrelin signaling-dependent and independent pathways. To investigate other mechanisms of RKT action in cancer cachexia, we performed metabolome analysis of plasma in a rat model bearing the Yoshida AH-130 hepatoma. A total of 110 metabolites were detected in plasma and RKT treatment significantly altered levels of 23 of those metabolites in cachexia model rats. Among them, glucarate, which is known to have anticarcinogenic activity through detoxification of carcinogens via inhibition of β-glucuronidase, was increased in plasma following administration of RKT. In our AH-130 ascites-induced cachexia rat model, administration of glucarate delayed onset of weight loss, improved muscle atrophy, and reduced ascites content. Additionally, glucarate reduced levels of plasma interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in tumor-bearing rats and was also found to suppress LPS-induced IFN-γ expression in splenocytes in vitro. These results suggest that glucarate has anti-inflammatory activity via a direct effect on immune host cells and suggest that RKT may also ameliorate inflammation partly through the elevation of glucarate in plasma

Effects of excitation light intensity on parathyroid autofluorescence

The intraoperative identification and preservation of the parathyroid glands are vital techniques, which are largely dependent on a surgeon’s experience. Therefore, a simple and reproducible technique to identify the parathyroid glands during surgery is needed. Parathyroid tissue shows near-infrared (NIR) autofluorescence, which enables the intraoperative identification of the parathyroid gland. We herein present two cases that underwent surgery on the parathyroid glands, which were observed using the NIR fluorescence imaging system LIGHTVISION® (Shimazu, Kyoto, Japan). In a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma, the system was adopted to preserve normal parathyroid glands during left hemithyroidectomy. The left lower parathyroid gland was identified using the imaging system under white light; however, its autofluorescence was visualized more clearly with the excitation light of NIR. In a case of primary hyperparathyroidism due to MEN1, the system was adopted to identify and remove all of the parathyroid glands during total parathyroidectomy. The autofluorescence of diseased glands was weaker than that of normal glands, even with the excitation light of NIR. When the parathyroid glands were irradiated with a red laser pointer, the intensity of autofluorescence significantly increased. However, the largest gland, which was pathologically proven to contain strongly proliferating chief cells, did not show autofluorescence. These results suggest that normal or less diseased parathyroid glands, which are generally small and difficult to identify during surgery, showed relatively strong autofluorescence. A stronger excitation light increases the autofluorescence of parathyroid glands, which enhances sensitivity for detecting parathyroid glands during surgery. In conclusion, LIGHTVISION® is a useful device to identify parathyroid glands and an additional excitation light of a red laser pointer increases the detection sensitivity

頸動脈狭窄に対する自己拡張型ステント留置後フォローアップ時のステント径と内腔の検討

Purpose: We examined postoperative stent and lumen expansions after carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Furthermore, we investigated factors influencing the stent and lumen expansions in a follow-up period. Subjects: 134 cases (128 patients) who underwent CAS and performed follow-up cerebral angiography 12 months after CAS were enrolled into this study. The stenosis rate based on the stent and lumen diameters on follow-up angiography as a percentage of that immediately after CAS was evaluated. Results: Both the stent and lumen diameters were significantly dilated 12 months after CAS (p <0.001). There were no significant stent-type-related differences in the stent expansion rate. In the symptomatic stenosis group, this expansion rate was significantly higher than in the asymptomatic stenosis group (p = 0.02). With respect to the presence or absence of a high signal intensity on time of flight (TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) images, the stent expansion rate was significantly higher in the high signal intensity group (p = 0.006). In patients with a plaque/sternocleidomastoid muscle signal intensity ratio of ≥1.50 on plaque images, it was significantly higher than in those with a value of <1.50 (p = 0.006). However, there were no significant differences in the lumen expansion rate among the groups. Conclusion: Both the stent and vascular lumen were dilated 12 months after CAS. Plaque fragility influenced the stent expansion rate; however, there were no significant factor-related differences in the vascular lumen expansion rate.博士（医学）・乙第1414号・平成30年3月15日©2017 The Editorial Committee of Journal of Neuroendovascular Therapy. All rights reserved. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License(CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Neural Sources of Vagus Nerve Stimulation–Induced Slow Cortical Potentials

[Objectives] This study investigated neuronal sources of slow cortical potentials (SCPs) evoked during vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with epilepsy who underwent routine electroencephalography (EEG) after implantation of the device. [Materials and Methods] We analyzed routine clinical EEG from 24 patients. There were 5 to 26 trains of VNS during EEG. To extract SCPs from the EEG, a high-frequency filter of 0.2 Hz was applied. These EEG epochs were averaged and used for source analyses. The averaged waveforms for each patient and their grand average were subjected to multidipole analysis. Patients with at least 50% seizure frequency reduction were considered responders. Findings from EEG analysis dipole were compared with VNS responses. [Results] VNS-induced focal SCPs whose dipoles were estimated to be located in several cortical areas including the medial prefrontal cortex, postcentral gyrus, and insula, with a significantly higher frequency in patients with a good VNS response than in those with a poor response. [Conclusions] This study suggested that some VNS-induced SCPs originating from the so-called vagus afferent network are related to the suppression of epileptic seizures

Epidemiology of Infectious Hepatitis 2nd Report. Epidemic Observation on the Infectious Hepatitis in Akaiwa District (No. 2)

Comparing the epidemic of infectious hepatitis that took place in Toyoda, Onoda, as well as Kumayama in Akaiwa County, during the period ranging from march 1951 to sept. do., with the previous report on the epidemic of malignant hepatitis submitted by february 1951, following results were obtained: 1. Number of patients, 120; total ever since the first. occurence, 213 cases; For the total populace, rate of occurence, Toyoda-39%, Onoda-3.1%, Kama-mura, 2.4%. 2. As for the type of disease. contrary to the previous occasion in which typical form was predominant, this time saw the predominaney of abortive form, of which the mortality rate proved only 0.83%, in comparison to 13.9% estimated in the former time. 3. As for state of starting estimated by month, as previous occasion, maximum occurrence took place in July and August. 4. As for age, showing similar trend as before, 21-30 occupying most cases, evenly has diffused from 10 to 60. There were actually 7 cases that were above 61, which verifies that contamination in old age is not so seldom. 5. As has been in the previous occasion, as to state of contamination, what may be called village infection occupied the majority of cases; where, a special increase of familiary infection has drawn our attention, amounting to the rate of 38.3%, in comparison to former 20.4%, Which, as the infection spread itself, increases in number. 6. Familiary infection may be explained by propagated epidemic form. Its three cases had been delivered. 7. On taking a bird's'-eye-view over the whole area that was infected, the special phase for this season will come under two heads; area in which new patients have emerged around those affected formerly., and the other, which has been contaminated with a fixed current toward areas not yet. infected. The latter is considered to take shift into the former form after a while. 8. Though rare, sporadic infection could be found in this epidemic too, each of which was a case infections being pressed onward into uncontaminated area, and 6 out of 9 cases have become the source for later infection. If theses poradic infections were considered in detail, these would be clear to have a connection with that of epidemic places and also able to come under propagated epidemic form

HER2陽性乳癌の総リンパ球数の検討

Purpose : Several studies have shown that peripheral hematologic parameters, such as the absolute lymphocyte count（ALC）and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio（NLR）can predict the prognosis for malignant tumor. We investigated the relation of these parameter and prognosis before neoadjuvant chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor-２（HER２）-positive breast cancer patients. Methods : From April ２００９ to March ２０１９, ８５ patients diagnosed with HER２‐positive breast cancer and treated with trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included in this retrospective cohort study. The optimal cut-off for the NLR and ALC was identified using the receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve analysis and Youden’s index. Results : The median age of patients at the start of treatment was ５８．９（range ３２‐８１）years. The median follow-up time for HER２-positive breast cancer patients was ５２．０（range：９．８‐１１４．３）months. In this period, １１ patients developed recurrence. The low-ALC group showed better disease free survival than the high-ALC group（p=０．０４８２）. There was no significant difference in disease free survival between the low- and high-NLR groups. Conclusion : ALC before neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be a predictor of prolonged disease free survival in HER２‐positive breast cancer patients