Formation Behavior of Continuous Graded Composition in Ti-ZrO 2

A mixed-powder pouring method has been proposed to fabricate functionally graded materials (FGMs) with the desired compositional gradient. The experimental procedure involves preparation of mixed powders consisting of more than two types of particles with different size and/or density, which exhibit different velocities in suspension and sedimentation to form the green body under gravity conditions. The green body was sintered by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The initiation of the particle settlement was precisely controlled by using crushed ice as the suspension medium. Ti-ZrO2 FGMs were fabricated, in this study, using different sizes of ZrO2 and Ti particles. Vickers hardness confirmed the compositional gradient in the fabricated FGMs. A numerical simulation was also carried out to analyze the particle movement inside the suspension medium during the formation process and predict compositional gradient in the FGMs

洗面ボウルの大きさと使いやすさに関する一実験

This study investigated the problems concerning the usability of washbowls. The questionnaires distributed before the experiment revealed frequent complaints by users that washbowls were narrow and that there was excessive splashing. The experiment was conducted to confirm the usability and splashing as a function of bowl size using three females subjects (21 to 23 years of age). Four washbowl sizes were selected from the results of the questionnaires : 34cm wide and 24cm long, 39cm wide and 28cm long, 50cm wide and 33.5cm long, and 65cm wide and 37cm long. Using these sizes and two shapes (elliptical and square), the splashing area during face washing was measured as an index of usability. Four sizes and two shapes were made clipping the shape out of the filter papers. The area of splashing for each size and shape was calculated from the weight of the splashing area traced and cut from non-woven fabric. As a result, the 39cm wide and 28cm long washbowl was most popular and had the widest splashing area. Washbowls over 50cm wide exhibited less splashing area. The splashing area did not differ significantly between 50cm wide and 65cm wide washbowls, or between elliptical and square shapes. The experiment demonstrated that washbowls should be at least 50cm wide

Influence of the combination of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists on eGFR decline in type 2 diabetes: post-hoc analysis of RECAP study

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that both SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1Ra) have protective effects in patients with diabetic kidney disease. Combination therapy with SGLT2i and GLP1Ra is commonly used in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We previously reported that in combination therapy of SGLT2i and GLP1Ra, the effect on the renal composite outcome did not differ according to the preceding drug. However, it remains unclear how the initiation of combination therapy is associated with the renal function depending on the preceding drug. In this post hoc analysis, we analyzed a total of 643 T2D patients (GLP1Ra-preceding group, n = 331; SGLT2i-preceding group, n = 312) and investigated the differences in annual eGFR decline. Multiple imputation and propensity score matching were performed to compare the annual eGFR decline. The reduction in annual eGFR decline in the SGLT2i-preceding group (pre: −3.5 ± 9.4 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, post: −0.4 ± 6.3 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p < 0.001), was significantly smaller after the initiation of GLP1Ra, whereas the GLP1Ra-preceding group tended to slow the eGFR decline but not to a statistically significant extent (pre: −2.0 ± 10.9 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, post: −1.8 ± 5.4 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p = 0.83) after the initiation of SGLT2i. After the addition of GLP1Ra to SGLT2i-treated patients, slower annual eGFR decline was observed. Our data raise the possibility that the renal benefits—especially annual eGFR decline—of combination therapy with SGLT2i and GLP1Ra may be affected by the preceding drug

Anxiety and its risk factors among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing COVID-19 situation: A cross-sectional survey

Introduction In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety–State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants. Results From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05). Conclusion Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.Revisión por pare

Design of ZrO 2/Ti functionally graded thermal barrier coatings based on a nonlinear micromechanical approach

This study presents a design process of ZrO /Ti functionally graded thermal barrier coatings (FG TBCs) based on a mean-field nonlinear micromechanical approach developed by Tsukamoto [1], which takes into account the time-independent and dependent inelastic deformation, such as plasticity of metals, creep of metals and ceramics, and diffusional mass flow at the ceramic/metal interface. The effect of compositional gradations on micro-stress states in the FG TBCs has been examined. The suitable compositional gradations have been proposed for typical thermo-mechanical boundary conditions in terms of thermal-stress relaxations, thermal-shielding and light-weight characteristics

Extracellular Vesicles Deliver Host and Virus RNA and Regulate Innate Immune Response

The innate immune system plays a crucial role in controlling viral infection. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors and RIG-I-like receptors, sense viral components called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and trigger signals to induce innate immune responses. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, deliver functional RNA and mediate intercellular communications. Recent studies have revealed that EVs released from virus-infected cells deliver viral RNA to dendritic cells and macrophages, thereby activating PRRs in recipient cells, which results in the expression of type I interferon and pro-inflammatory cytokines. On the other hand, EVs transfer not only viral RNA but also host microRNAs to recipient cells. Recently, infection of hepatocytes with hepatitis B virus (HBV) was shown to affect microRNA levels in EVs released from virus-infected cells, leading to attenuation of host innate immune response. This suggests that the virus utilizes the EVs and host microRNAs to counteract the antiviral innate immune responses. In this review, we summarize recent findings related to the role of EVs in antiviral innate immune responses