Design and Implementation of e-Learning System at the Faculty of Science, Okayama University

岡山大学理学部ではe-ラーニングシステム(理学部LMS)が導入され運用されている。理学部LMSの導入に際しては商用またはオープンソフトウェアの様々な学習管理システムを調査し，Moodleが採用された。理学部でのMoodleはセキュアで信頼性の高いPCベースのGNU/Linux，Apache，MySQLおよびPHPが稼動するコンピュータによって運用されている。理学部LMSを使用するための初期コストは，学部を構成している教員と学生の持つ利用能力に応じて可能な限りコストパフォーマンスを高める様にデザインされた。LMSとして採用したMoodleがベースとしている社会構築主義は講義を改善する強力なポテンシャルを有するが，理学部LMSシステムの有効性はユーザの能力によって制限されるかもしれない

Production and Application of Zirconium and Hafnium : Present and Future

Zrがはじめて見いだされたのは，1789年 Klaprothによってであるが， Klaprothはジルコン鉱石中に新しい金属酸化物が存在することを発見したのにすぎなかった. この化合物はジルコニアと命名された. 1824年にBerzeliusによって金属ジルコニウムとして初めて抽出された.これは， K2ZrF6をKによって還元したものであり，かなりのC,O,Nなどを含んでいたので，その加工性は十分ではなかった.実際に靭性のあるZrが得られたのは， 1914年LelyとHamburgerによってである.彼らは,塩化ジルコニウムを高純度のNaによって還元して作った.これがZrの製造法が確立されたはじめであるといえる.一方， Hfがはじめて発見されたのは1923年で，Co-sterとHevesyによってであった.多くのZr鉱石のX線スペクトル写真をとっているときにHf元素のスペクトルを発見したのであるが，これはZrの電子構造の研究を行っているときであった. ZrとHfの化学的性質はよく似ているので，このような経過で見いだされたのは自然である. Zr. Hfともに工業的に生産され利用され始めたのは1952年以降である.ここでは, Zr.とHfの製造方法，抽出分離法，高純度化法，ZrとHfの性質と用途について述べる

Effect of Ammonium Salts on the Solvent Extraction of Some Transition Metals with Liquid Cation Exchangers

The extractions of some transition metal ions from an ammoniacal solution with di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phosphoric acid and Versatic Acid 911 diluted in benzene were investigated in order to clarify the effect of ammonia on the solvent extraction. As regards the result, the extraction of these metals with D2EHPA was not affected by ammonia, while the extraction with Versatic Acid 911 was considerably affected. These results were discussed by the average ligand number of metal ammine complexes. Theoretical consideration on the solvent extraction in the presence of ammonia was performed to predict the extent of interference on the solvent extraction by the formation of metal ammine complexes in the aqueous phase. The results of this consideration were in good accordance with the experimental results of copper and zinc extraction, and were in near coincidence with the experimental results of nickel and cobalt extraction. However, there was no coincidence between the results of the theoretical consideration and the experimental results of cadmium extraction

Task Scheduling Algorithm for Multicore Processor Systems with Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading

PDPTA'14 : The 2014 International Conference on Parallel and Distributed Processing Techniques and Applications , Jul 21-24, 2014 , Las Vegas, NV, USAIn this paper, we propose a task scheduling algorithm for multiprocessor systems with Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading technologies. The proposed algorithm minimizes the total computation time taking account of dynamic changes of the processing speed by the two technologies, in addition to the network contention among the processors. We constructed a clock speed model with which the changes of processing speed with Turbo Boost and Hyper-threading can be estimated for various processor usage patterns. We then constructed a new scheduling algorithm that minimizes the total execution time of a task graph considering network contention and the two technologies. We evaluated the proposed algorithm by simulations and experiments with a multi-processor system consisting of 4 PCs. In the experiment, the proposed algorithm produced a schedule that reduces the total execution time by 36% compared to conventional methods which are straightfor-ward extensions of an existing method

Are Dysregulated Inflammatory Responses to Commensal Bacteria Involved in the Pathogenesis of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Autoimmune Disease? An Analysis Using Mice Models of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Autoimmune Pancreatitis

The etiopathogenesis of many autoimmune disorders has not been identified. The aim of this paper is to focus on the involvement of bacterial exposure in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), both of which are broadly categorized as autoimmune disorders involving hepatobiliary-pancreatic lesions. Avirulent and/or commensal bacteria, which may have important role(s) as initiating factors in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as PBC and AIP, will be emphasized

REMOVAL OF TOXIC ORGANIC COMPOUND FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTlON BY SOLVENT SUBLATION

Solvent sublation was found to be highly efficient in the removal of monochlorobenzene(MCB) from an aqueous solution, because this compound is hydrophobic and has a low vapor pressure. The removal rate of MCB attained about 81%. A model of the removal mechanism is　constructed，and the values calculated from the model accord well with experimental values. When certain salts are added in the aqueous phase, the removal is slightly enhanced by the addition of alcohols, which reduce the bubble-size,and consequently increase the bubble surface area per unit volume

The endogenous soluble VEGF receptor-2 isoform suppresses lymph node metastasis in a mouse immunocompetent mammary cancer model

BACKGROUND: Cancer metastasis contributes significantly to cancer mortality and is facilitated by lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. A new splicing variant, endogenous soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (esVEGFR-2) that we recently identified is an endogenous selective inhibitor of lymphangiogenesis. To evaluate the antimetastatic potential of esVEGFR-2, gene therapy with vector expressing esVEGFR-2 (pesVEGFR-2) or endostatin (pEndo) as a positive control was conducted on murine metastatic mammary cancer. METHODS: Syngeneic inoculated metastatic mammary cancers received direct intratumoral injection of pesVEGFR-2, pEndo or pVec as control, once a week for six weeks. In vivo gene electrotransfer was performed on the tumors after each injection. RESULTS: Deaths from metastasis were much lower in the pesVEGFR-2 and pEndo groups than in those of the pVec. Tumor volume was significantly lower in the pesVEGFR-2 and the pEndo groups throughout the study. Multiplicity of lymph node and lung metastatic nodules was significantly suppressed in the pesVEGFR-2 and pEndo groups. Moreover, the total number of overall metastasis including the other organs was also decreased in these groups. However, pesVEGFR-2 was not able to decrease the number of lungs, ovaries, kidneys and adrenals with metastasis as counted by unilateral or bilateral metastasis. The number of CD34+/Lyve-1⁻ blood microvessels was significantly decreased in the pEndo group, while the number of CD34⁻/Lyve-1+ lymphatic vessels was significantly decreased in the pesVEGFR-2 and pEndo groups. In addition, a significant reduction in the number of dilated lymphatic vessels containing intraluminal cancer cells was observed in the pesVEGFR-2 and pEndo groups. Levels of apoptosis were significantly increased in the pEndo group, whereas the rates of cell proliferation were significantly decreased in the pesVEGFR-2 and pEndo groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that esVEGFR-2 can inhibit mainly lymph node metastasis. The antimetastatic activity of esVEGFR-2 may be of high clinical significance in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer because lymph node involvement is a most important prognostic factor in cancer patients