A Nexus of Policy Diffusion and Multilateral Aid

Diffusion holds the key to both the mechanism of carbon emission and a solution to the problem of emission excesses. In essence, diffusion represents spatial dependence through connectivity between states and affects their policies or even regulations entailed in the framework of global governance. Even though it is of critical importance to climate governance in influencing trust and incentives for cooperation, diffusion has received limited attention from international relations analysts of climate change. Using spatial modeling and systemic international relations theories, we uncover that, on average, diffusion adversely affects other states’ emission efficiency and that emission by states with competitive trading activity is a major source of the adverse diffusion. This result holds even if international and domestic countervailing factors are taken into account. An in-sample simulation analysis confirms that, for better climate governance, the adverse diffusion can be neutralized by a coalition of numerous trading states, rather than by a limited number of large states (e.g., G20)

Multivariate analysis of the effect of keratinized mucosa on peri-implant tissues with platform switching: A retrospective study

Suzuki A., Nakano T., Inoue M., et al. Multivariate analysis of the effect of keratinized mucosa on peri-implant tissues with platform switching: A retrospective study. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research , (2024); https://doi.org/10.1111/cid.13318.Background: In recent years, platform switching implant treatment has been increasing, which is believed to minimize bone loss around the implant after placement. However, there have been no reports on the relationship between keratinized mucosa width (KMW) and bone loss and soft tissue recession in platform switching implants. Objective: We evaluated the effect of the KMW on the amount of bone loss and soft tissue recession around a platform switching implant retrospectively using multivariate analysis. Materials and Methods: This one-year retrospective study included 91 implants in 48 patients. Age, sex, a history of periodontitis, implant location, oral hygiene status, and the KMW were included as explanatory variables to evaluate bone loss (BL) and buccal gingival height (GH). Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effect of the KMW on platform switching peri-implant tissues. Results: The mean bone loss on the mesial (ΔBLm), distal (ΔBLd), and buccal (ΔBLb) sides of the implant were 0.16 ± 0.27 mm, 0.19 ± 0.34 mm, and 0.24 ± 0.50 mm, respectively, at 1 year after superstructure placement. The mean amount of change of GH (ΔGH) on the buccal side was 0.30 ± 0.47 mm. After correcting for confounders using GEEs, the results suggested that KMW <1.5 mm was a significant factor (P < 0.001) for bone loss over time in ΔBLm, ΔBLd, and ΔBLb. In addition, for soft tissues on the buccal side, KMW <1.5 mm was a significant factor for ΔGH reduction over time (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Keratinized mucosa width ≥1.5 mm was associated with a higher probability less hard and soft tissue recession around the platform switching implant after 1 year from superstructure placement

A Study of the Lecture Contents about “Early Childhood Care and Education” in the Training Home Economics Teachers of Secondary School : Analysis of the syllabi of the teacher colleges

This study aimed to review the contents of the lecture about “Early Childhood Care and Education” at teacher colleges in the training home economics teachers of secondary school. The syllabi of colleges were analyzed for the following two points, 1: The difference of the way of thinking teaching materials between the schools and the teacher training colleges, 2: Weakness of cooperation between teachers in charge of each subject in teacher training courses. Following results were obtained: (1) Most of the colleges had taken up the “development of neonates and infants” as a theme. (2) Colleges more than 70% had taken up “touching experience with young children”. (3) Few syllabi of the colleges have dealt with all the subjects that home economics teachers take up in the school. (4) Cooperative lecture or contents between teachers in charge of each subject in teacher training courses was hardly implemented, and cooperation between childcare and other contents was hardly observed

Sound of Ikebana: Fluid Artwork Created under Zero-G Using Parabolic Flight

The authors, led by artist Naoko Tosa, discuss their collaboration on the video artwork Sound of Ikebana, made by applying sound vibration to fluid and shooting it with a high-speed camera. To study the fluid’s shape under zero gravity the authors experimented with generating the artwork under weightlessness achieved through parabolic flight. The authors confirmed that a new shape significantly different from the one created under normal gravity is created. A three-dimensional artwork was also generated by shooting the phenomenon from multiple viewpoints

Long-term QiGong practice is associated with improved self-perceived health and quality of life

In cross-sectional studies, we examined the long-term practice effects of QiGong exercise on perceived health and quality of life (QoL) in middle-aged (over 50 years) Japanese individuals. In Study 1, Japanese adults (n = 320) who practised QiGong responded to a questionnaire concerning the perceived benefits of QiGong practice and QoL. In Study 2, we collected data from QiGong participants who attended a QiGong conference (n = 799). Participants in Study 1 perceived that QiGong affords physical, psychological, and social benefits and QiGong duration in years correlated strongly with QoL. In Study 2, those who practised QiGong for 0–3 years vs. 13+ years reported a greater likelihood of perceived palpitation, insomnia, a lack of vigour, and attention deficit (odd ratios 1.56–2.60, all p  .05). QiGong is a multi-component form of physical activity, which – if practised for prolonged periods – affords motor, cognitive, social, and QoL benefits

Determination of Severity of Murine IgA Nephropathy by Glomerular Complement Activation by Aberrantly Glycosylated IgA and Immune Complexes

The pathogenic roles of glomerular deposition of components of the complement cascade in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are not completely clarified. To investigate the pathologic role of complement pathways in IgAN, two IgAN-prone mouse models were examined. Grouped ddY (gddY) mice showed significant high proteinuria, severe glomerular lesions, and extracellular matrix expansion compared with high serum IgA (HIGA) mice but with similar intensity of glomerular IgA deposition. Glomerular activation of the classical, lectin, and alternative pathways was demonstrated by significantly stronger staining for complement (C)3, C5b-9, C1q, C4, mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-A/C, MBL-associated serine protease-2, and factor B and properdin in gddY mice than in HIGA mice. Similarly, the serum levels of IgA-IgG2a/IgM and IgA–MBL-A/C immune complexes and polymeric IgA were significantly higher in gddY mice than in HIGA mice. Moreover, the serum levels of aberrantly glycosylated IgA characterized by the binding of Sambucus nigra bark lectin and Ricinus communis agglutinin I were significantly higher in gddY mice than in HIGA mice. This aberrancy in glycosylation was confirmed by monosaccharide compositional analysis of purified IgA using gas-liquid chromatography. This study is the first to demonstrate that aberrantly glycosylated IgA may influence the formation of macromolecular IgA including IgA-IgG immune complexes and subsequent complement activation, leading to full progression of IgAN

Internet-Based Inquiries From Users With the Intention to Overdose With Over-the-Counter Drugs: Qualitative Analysis of Yahoo! Chiebukuro

市販薬乱用に関して投稿された質問の分析 --Yahoo!知恵袋内テキストデータの定性分析--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2023-12-05.[Background:] Public concern with regard to over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse is growing rapidly across countries. OTC drug abuse has serious effects on the mind and body, such as poisoning symptoms, and often requires specialized treatments. In contrast, there is concern about people who potentially abuse OTC drugs whose symptoms are not serious enough to consult medical institutions or drug addiction rehabilitation centers yet are at high risk of becoming drug dependent in the future. [Objective:] Consumer-generated media (CGM), which allows users to disseminate information, is being used by people who abuse (and those who are trying to abuse) OTC drugs to obtain information about OTC drug abuse. This study aims to analyze the content of CGM to explore the questions of people who potentially abuse OTC drugs. [Methods:] The subject of this research was Yahoo! Chiebukuro, the largest question and answer website in Japan. A search was performed using the names of drugs commonly used in OTC drug abuse and the keywords overdose and OD, and the number of questions posted on the content of OTC drug abuse was counted. Furthermore, a thematic analysis was conducted by extracting text data on the most abused antitussive and expectorant drug, BRON. [Results:] The number of questions about the content of overdose medications containing the keyword BRON has increased sharply as compared with other product names. Furthermore, 467 items of question data that met the eligibility criteria were obtained from 528 items of text data on BRON; 26 codes, 6 categories, and 3 themes were generated from the 578 questions contained in these items. Questions were asked about the effects they would gain from abusing OTC drugs and the information they needed to obtain the effects they sought, as well as about the effects of abuse on their bodies. Moreover, there were questions on how to stop abusing and what is needed when seeking help from a health care provider if they become dependent. It has become clear that people who abuse OTC drugs have difficulty in consulting face-to-face with others, and CGM is used as a means to obtain the necessary information anonymously. [Conclusions:] On CGM, people who abused or tried to abuse OTC drugs were asking questions about their abuse expectations and anxieties. In addition, when they became dependent, they sought advice to quit their abuse. CGM was used to exchange information about OTC drug abuse, and many questions on anxieties and hesitations were posted. This study suggests that it is necessary to produce and disseminate information on OTC drug abuse, considering the situation of those who abuse or are willing to abuse OTC drugs. Support from pharmacies and drugstores would also be essential to reduce opportunities for OTC drug abuse

Case Report Carbon Ion Beam Radiotherapy for Sinonasal Malignant Tumors Invading Skull Base

Objective. To evaluate the treatment outcome and prognostic factors in patients with sinonasal malignant tumors invading skull base. Study Design and Setting. A retrospective clinical study at the Yamagata University School of Medicine. Subjects and Methods. Three patients with sinonasal malignant tumors invading skull base were presented in present study. All patients were treated with carbon ion beam radiotherapy. The prescribed dose to the center of the clinical target volume was 64.0 GyE/16 fractions over 4 weeks at 4.0 GyE/fraction per day. Results. All patients completed carbon ion beam radiotherapy without an interval. The mean observation period was 39.6 months (range: 11-54 months). There were no local or regional recurrences in all cases; however, one patient had a metastasis in distant organs. Regarding the complications, visual loss was observed in one eye of one patient whose optic nerve was entirely involved by the tumor and field of carbon ion beam radiotherapy. Radiation induced brain injury was observed in two patients; however, these patients do not complain about neurological abnormality and had no treatment for radiation induced brain necrosis. Conclusions. Carbon ion beam radiotherapy for sinonasal malignant tumors invading the skull base showed therapeutic effectiveness

Mammalian Lgl Forms a Protein Complex with PAR-6 and aPKC Independently of PAR-3 to Regulate Epithelial Cell Polarity

AbstractBackground: Epithelial cells have apicobasal polarity and an asymmetric junctional complex that provides the bases for development and tissue maintenance. In both vertebrates and invertebrates, the evolutionarily conserved protein complex, PAR-6/aPKC/PAR-3, localizes to the subapical region and plays critical roles in the establishment of a junctional complex and cell polarity. In Drosophila, another set of proteins called tumor suppressors, such as Lgl, which localize separately to the basolateral membrane domain but genetically interact with the subapical proteins, also contribute to the establishment of cell polarity. However, how physically separated proteins interact remains to be clarified.Results: We show that mammalian Lgl competes for PAR-3 in forming an independent complex with PAR-6/aPKC. During cell polarization, mLgl initially colocalizes with PAR-6/aPKC at the cell-cell contact region and is phosphorylated by aPKC, followed by segregation from apical PAR-6/aPKC to the basolateral membrane after cells are polarized. Overexpression studies establish that increased amounts of the mLgl/PAR-6/aPKC complex suppress the formation of epithelial junctions; this contrasts with the previous observation that the complex containing PAR-3 promotes it.Conclusions: These results indicate that PAR-6/aPKC selectively interacts with either mLgl or PAR-3 under the control of aPKC activity to regulate epithelial cell polarity

Atomic structure and magnetism of the Au-Ga-Ce 1/1 approximant crystal

We report a new Au-Ga-Ce 1/1 approximant crystal (AC) which possesses a significantly wide single-phase region of 53 - 70 at% Au and 13.6 - 15.1 at% Ce. Single crystal X-ray structural analyses reveal the existence of two types of structural degrees of freedom, i.e., the Au/Ga mixing sites and the fractional Ce occupancy site: the former enables a large variation in the electron concentration and the latter allows a variation in the occupancy of a magnetic impurity atom at the center of the Tsai-type cluster. Following these findings, the influences of two types of structural modifications on the magnetism are thoroughly investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements on the Au-Ga-Ce 1/1 AC. The spin-glass (SG) state is found to be the ground state over the entire single-phase region, showing a robust nature of the SG state against both structural modifications. In addition, a gigantic specific heat (C/T) is commonly observed at low temperatures for all the compositions, which is consistently explained as a consequence of the spin-freezing phenomenon, not of a heavy Fermion behavior as reported elsewhere. Moreover, the origin of the SG state in the 1/1 Au-Ga-Ce AC is attributed to the existence of non-magnetic atom disorder in the Au/Ga mixing sites. Furthermore, a Kondo behavior is observed in the electrical resistivity at low temperatures, which is enhanced by increasing the Ce concentration, verifying that a Ce atom introduced at the cluster center behaves as a Kondo impurity for the first time.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure