PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF TRAPEZE POSTURES ON RIGHTING FORCE IN SAILING

This study examined the effect of change of “Trapeze” postures in sailing on the horizontal force for righting the boat. Three healthy university sailors participated. The subjects were instructed to successively change their trapeze posture. The traction force of the wire was measured from which its horizontal component for righting the boat (FH) was computed. A distinct change of FH was observed when the subjects extend their legs during trapezing. From this result, it can be suggested that the change of the trapeze posture by extending the leg linked to expand the angle between the wire and mast, thereby contributing to the increase the resultant FH

Discrete Limit Analysis for Framed Structures by using Hybrid-type Penalty Method

本論文では，HPMによる2次元，3次元の進行型破壊の解析において，杭やアンカーなどをモデル化するための線材を利用できるようにするため、HPMの平面要素やソリッド要素と同じ形式の変位場を有し，同じ手法で離散化するHPMのはり要素を開発した．そして，骨組構造の離散化極限解析を行い得られる解の精度を検討したところ，厳密解と同じ極限荷重や崩壊形式を得ることができた．In this study, bar elements for the hybrid-type penalty method (HPM) are developed. In this method for calculating the displacement field, it is assumed that an independent linear displacement field for the axial direction and an independent third-order displacement field for the bending of each element are combined. This model has six degrees of freedom: strain, gradient of strain, and the rigid-body displacement of the center of gravity of the elements. The continuity conditions of displacement are incorporated by using a penalty function. The elastic solution obtained with this method is consistent with the exact solution. The incremental loading method is used in the proposed discrete limit analysis. Because this method generates each plastic hinge sequentially, the progress of destruction can be followed. Accurate collapse loads and modes were obtained using numerical analysis

Discrete Analysis for Plate Bending Problems by Using Hybridtype

In present paper, we have given investigation of the plate bending problem by numerical treatment using hybridtype penalty method (HPM) based on discontinuous Galerkin method. The HPM assume linear and nonlinear displacement field with rigid displacement, rigid rotation, strain and its gradient in each subdomain and introduce subsidiary condition about the continuity of displacement into the framework of the variational expression with Lagrange multipliers. For this purpose, we accept the Kirchhoff theory, which takes no into account the transversal shear deformation. In first step of the work, we give the equilibrium equations for deformable body in 3D case and as boundary conditions we give geometrical (for displacement field) and kinetic (for surface force) boundary conditions. Secondary we apply Kirchhoff theory to make the displacement field for plate bending problem into the 3D case. For this purpose, we use quadratic form, which includes rigid, linear, and nonlinear parts of displacements. It can define the parameters used in this displacement field as each subdomain independently. We introduce penalty function, which presents strong spring connecting each subdomain. Then we obtain stiffness matrix as every contact surface of each subdomain. The discretization equation of this model becomes a simulteniuos linear equation. The coefficient matrix consists of stiffness in the subdomain and subsidiary condition on the intersection boundary for the adjacent subdomain. In this model, it can express the discontinuous phenomenon of hinge etc. without changing degree of freedom. Finally, we compute simple problems to check the accuracy of the elastic solution

Stress change on the temporomandibular joint in mandibular prognathism subjects with asymmetry after orthognathic surgery

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in 80 Japanese subjects (21 males and 59 females, mean age 23.7 years) with mandibular prognathism, with and without asymmetry after orthognathic surgery using the rigid bodies spring model (RBSM). The asymmetric group consisted of 40 subjects whose Mx-Md midline was more than 3 degrees. The remaining 40 subjects formed the symmetric group.The geometry of the stress analysis model was based on frontal cephalograms of the subjects. Menton (Me), the centre point of occlusal force on a line connecting the bilateral buccal cusps of the second molars, and the most lateral, superior, and medial points on the condyle were plotted on a computer display and stress on the condyle was calculated with the two-dimensional RBSM program, Fortran. The degree (force partition) of the resultant force, the direction (angulation), and the displacement (X, Y) of each condyle were calculated and the horizontal displacement (u), the vertical displacement (v), and rotation displacement (θ) of the mandibular body at Me were calculated pre- and post-operatively. The data was analysed using paired and unpaired t-tests.For the vertical (v) and rotational (θ) displacement, the post-operative value was smaller than the pre-operative value (v: P < 0.001, θ: P = 0.0063) in the asymmetric group. For angulation and the X-component, the post-operative value was smaller than that pre-operatively on the deviated (angulation: P = 0.0074, X-component: P = 0.0003) and non-deviated (angulation: P = 0.0024, X-component: P = 0.001) side in the asymmetric group. However, there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-operative value for any parameter in the symmetric group.These findings suggest that surgical correction of mandibular prognathism, with and without asymmetry, could induce an improvement in stress balance on the TMJ in the frontal aspect. © The Author 2010

Concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in spinal fluid of chronic spinal disease.

We studied total nitric oxide (nitrite + nitrate) (NO) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of chronic spinal diseases in nonsmokers (133 patients: 76 men and 57 women; mean age, 63 years; range, 15-92 years) by the Griess method to clarify the role of NO in different spinal diseases. The extent of compression in terms of numbers of disc level at the compressed spinal nerve and neurological evaluation were also assessed according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores. The spinal diseases included cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy (cervical disease group), ossification of yellow ligament (thoracic disease group), and lumbar disc herniation, lumbar canal stenosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis (lumbar disease group). NO levels in the spinal disease groups (4.98+/-2.28 micromol/l: mean +/- SD) were significantly higher than that in the control group (2.53+/-0.94 micromol/l). An inverse correlation was detected between the elevated levels of NO and the grade of clinical symptoms in the cervical disorders. The number of disc level at the compressed spinal nerve was positively correlated with elevated NO levels in CSF in the cervical and lumbar disorder groups. These results indicate that nerve compression may elevate NO levels in CSF, and that NO concentration in the CSF might be a useful marker of damage to nervous system in spinal disorders.</p

Leaf litter, a critical habitat for juvenile Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonicus (Amphibia: Caudata)

東広島市椋梨川水系にはオオサンショウウオが生息している。2011 年から，生息状況や産卵，幼生の離散などの生態学的な調査が行われている。この過程で幼生が巣穴から離散した直後の隠れ家や餌となる水生昆虫の生息場所として流水中の落ち葉・落枝が重要な役割を担う可能性が示唆されている。本研究では流水中の落ち葉・落枝の詳細を明らかにするため，河畔林のフロラを調査するとともに，幼生が発見された場所の落ち葉との比較を行った。その結果，流水中の落ち葉・落枝として29種の維管束植物が同定できた。流水中の落ち葉・落枝の大半がコナラやスギなどの木本で，離散後の幼生や餌となる水生昆虫の生息場所として周辺の植生が強い影響を与える可能性が示唆された。Japanese giant salamanders Andrias japonicus inhabit the Mukunashi River around Higashi-Hiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan; researchers and local people have collaborated to investigate the species’ behavior, particularly its oviposition and the movement of larvae after leaving the nest. In this research we focused on leaf litter in the stream as habitat in which salamander larvae and the aquatic insects which are its critical food cohabit. We studied the flora of the riparian forest to identify the species of leaf litter in the stream among which salamander larvae were found. Leaf litter and branches belonging to 29 species of vascular plants were identified, and most leaves were from the deciduous oak Quercus serrata and the conifer Cryptomeria japonica. It is suggested that the surrounding flora has an important influence on the survival of Japanese giant salamander larvae that have left the nest

Effectiveness of two novel anionic and cationic platinum complexes in the treatment of osteosarcoma

Aim: This study aimed to characterize the cellular basis of the platinum cytotoxicity of two novel platinum complexes, 3Pt and 1Pt, in comparison with that of cisplatin. 3Pt comprises anionic phosphate moieties, while 1Pt comprises neutral aromatic ligands. Methods: We compared the cytotoxic potency of 3Pt and 1Pt with that of cisplatin in osteosarcoma cell lines and an orthotopic mouse model. Results: The cytotoxic potency of 3Pt was markedly higher than that of cisplatin in all cell lines. Both novel platinum complexes showed a complete lack of cross resistance in cisplatin-resistant cells. Caffeine enhanced the cytotoxic potency of these novel platinum complexes, as observed for cisplatin. Apoptosis after drug administration was observed by DNA ladder formation and an annexin V/PI assay. DNA double-strand breaks were confirmed by phosphorylation of histone H2AX. In vivo, the antitumor activity of 3Pt and 1Pt was superior and similar, respectively, to that of cisplatin. Both novel platinum complexes exerted strong antitumor effects on osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: 3Pt may be an effective drug for the treatment of bone cancer because the PO3 moiety has a high affinity to bone, as exhibited by bisphosphonates, and is expected to decrease the incidence of side effects at extraskeletal sites and overcome drug resistance. Cationic 1Pt may also be an effective antitumor drug because of its unique chemical structure and properties. Further investigations to detail the antitumor effects of these ionic Pt complexes on osteosarcoma are warranted. © 2015 Bentham Science Publishers

High-grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of pelvis treated with curettage and bone graft after complete remission following caffeine-potentiated chemotherapy

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学

Over 10-year follow-up of functional outcome in patients with bone tumors reconstructed using distraction osteogenesis

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term functional capabilities of patients who underwent bone distraction for the treatment of bone defects caused by bone tumor excision. Methods: Bone distraction was indicated for patients with stage IIB malignant bone tumors when chemotherapy was judged to be effective and an epiphysis could be preserved or for patients with low-grade or aggressive benign bone tumors. Twenty-two patients who underwent reconstruction with bone distraction and were followed up for at least 10 years were retrospectively investigated. Patients included 8 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 25.3 years. Tumor types included seven osteosarcomas, two osteofibrous dysplasias, one Ewing\u27s sarcoma, five low-grade osteosarcomas, two adamantinomas, and five giant cell tumors. Chemotherapy was performed during bone distraction in 8 cases. Bone transport was used in 17 cases, while shortening distraction was used in 5 cases. Results: The mean distraction length was 8.1 cm, and the mean external fixation period was 301 days. The average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score (used to measure functional outcome) was 91.5 % at mean follow-up of 202 months. Fourteen patients were able to play sports without any difficulty. Conclusions: Epiphyseal preservation and reconstruction by bone distraction require both time and effort, but can provide excellent long-term outcomes, resulting in a stable reconstruction that functionally restores the natural limb. © 2012 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association

Inversion channel diamond metaloxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor with normally off characteristics

We fabricated inversion channel diamond metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with normally off characteristics. At present, Si MOSFETs and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) with inversion channels are widely used because of their high controllability of electric power and high tolerance. Although a diamond semiconductor is considered to be a material with a strong potential for application in next-generation power devices, diamond MOSFETs with an inversion channel have not yet been reported. We precisely controlled the MOS interface for diamond by wet annealing and fabricated p-channel and planar-type MOSFETs with phosphorus-doped n-type body on diamond (111) substrate. The gate oxide of Al2O3 was deposited onto the n-type diamond body by atomic layer deposition at 300 °C. The drain current was controlled by the negative gate voltage, indicating that an inversion channel with a p-type character was formed at a high-quality n-type diamond body/Al2O3 interface. The maximum drain current density and the field-effect mobility of a diamond MOSFET with a gate electrode length of 5 μm were 1.6 mA/mm and 8.0 cm2/Vs, respectively, at room temperature. © The Author(s) 2016