現像温度および時間のマンモフイルム特性に与える影響

The influence for developing temperature and processing time within film processing conditions was investigated using four mammographic films, Konica New CM, Fuji UM-MA HC, Kodak Min-R M and Kodak EB/RA (for rapid system). And Fuji UR-2, a double-emulsion film, was used as a control. Those sensitometric strips exposed by a sensitometer were processed in the different combinations of developing temperatures ranging from 28 to 36℃, processing times from 45 to 210 sec. Average gradient, relative speed and base plus fog obtained from the measured film characteristic curves were evaluated for the different developing temperatures and times. Fuji UR-2 was scarcely affected and mammographic films were greatly affected in the different combinations without an increase in base plus fog except EB/RA. In New CM, UM-MA HC and Min-R M, the average gradients and the relative speeds increased as the developing temperature was higher and the developing time was longer, but the increases were limit on the combination of 36℃ and 210 sec in New CM and UM-MA HC. In EB/RA, the average gradients were almost constant and the relative speeds increased slightly like the double-emulsion film. These results suggested that it would be possible to contribute to dose reduction and advancement of contrast in New CM, UM-MA HC and Min-R M by changing these processing parameters.フィルム処理条件において,現像温度と処理時間に対する影響を4種類のマンモグラフィ用フィルムKonica New CM, Fuji UM-MA HC,Kodak Min-R M,迅速処理用Kodak EB/RAについて調べた｡そして,比較基準用として両面乳剤フィルムFuji UR-2を用いた｡感光計で露光したフィルムを現像温度28～36℃,処理時間45～210秒で処理した｡特性曲線から得られたフィルム特性（平均階調度,相対感度,カブリ濃度）を異なる現像温度,現像時間に対して評価した｡UR-2はほとんど影響を受けず,マンモグラフィ用フィルムは,カブリ濃度が上昇することなく,現像条件の影響を大きく受けた。New CM, UM-MA HC,Min-R Mは現像温度の上昇,処理時間の延長に伴い,平均階調度と相対感度は増加した｡しかし,New CM, UM-MA HCの36℃,210秒で増加は限度に達した｡EB/RAの平均階調度は一定で,相対感度は両面乳剤フイルムと同 様にわずかな増加であった｡これらの結果は,New CM, UM-MA HC, Min-R Mにおいて,処理条件を変化させることにより,被曝低減,コントラスト向上に貢献できる可能性を示唆していた

Deficiency of the basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor DEC1 prevents obesity induced by a high‐fat diet in mice

Obesity is a major public health problem in developed countries resulting from increased food intake and decreased energy consumption and usually associated with abnormal lipid metabolism. Here, we show that DEC1, a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor, plays an important role in the regulation of lipid consumption in mouse brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is the major site of thermogenesis. Homozygous Dec1 deletion attenuated high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy, fat volume and hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, DEC1 deficiency increased body temperature during daytime and enhanced the expression of uncoupler protein 1, a key factor of thermogenesis, and various lipolysis‐related genes in interscapular BAT. In vitro experiments suggested that DEC1 suppresses the expression of various lipolysis‐related genes induced by the heterodimer of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ and retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) through direct binding to RXRα. These observations suggest that enhanced lipolysis in BAT caused by DEC1 deficiency leads to an increase in lipid consumption, thereby decreasing lipid accumulation in adipose tissues and the liver. Thus, DEC1 may serve as an energy‐saving factor that suppresses lipid consumption, which may be relevant to managing obesity.This work was supported by Grants‐in‐Aid for Science from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant numbers 22590223 and 2339042351)

Calibration of imaging plate for high energy electron spectrometer

Copyright 2005 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Review of Scientific Instruments, 76(1), 013507_1-013507_5, 2005 and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.182437

光電界センサを用いたレーザによる放電誘導機構の解明

It is very important to clarify the mechanism of discharge induced by a laser-produced plasma channel as a basic study on the laser-induced lightning. We measured the temporal evolution of the electron density and the neutral particle density in one of plasma beads in the channel using Thomson and Rayleigh scattering methods, and also performed discharge induction experiments for a short gap. It was found that the induced discharge is greatly influenced by the temporal evolution of the electron density and the neutral particle density in a plasma. In this paper, we measured the electric field along the channel using an optical sensor at the discharge induction to study the leader propagation process in a long gap. The induced discharge in a long gap changes in the order of electron avalanche, streamer, leader, and final sparkover similarly as in a long gap discharge in the atmosphere. To clarify the leader propagation, we measured the change in the electric field due to the leader propagation between the electrodes, and estimated the velocity of the leader propagation. The electric field was measured using an optical sensor based on the Pockels effect

Physical Properties of Screen-Film Systems - New System for Chest Radiography -

胸部専用の新しい増感紙／フィルムシステムについて物理的画質特性を測定し、従来のシステムと比較を行った。測定した新システムは、日本コダックのインサイトシステムからHC/IT-1、富士メディカルシステムのADシステムからHG-M/UR-1、コニカのEXシステムからXG-S/ES-C である。従来のシステムとして富士メディカルシステムのHR-4/Super HR-S を使用した。その結果、新システムは22～73％感度は高く、特性曲線においては低濃度部を持ち上げ、最大コントラストは高濃度側にシフトしていた。空間周波数2cycles/mmで相対鮮鋭度を比較すると、新システムが10～30％程度の低下となっていた。ノイズは、濃度1.0で新システムが35～46％の減少となった。以上より、新システムは、縦隔部の濃度を上げ、粒状性の改善を重視した設計となっていることが分かった。The new three screen-film systems, Kodack INSIGHT system HC/IT-1, Fuji AD system HG-M/UR-1, and Konica EX system XG-S/ES-C for chest radiography were evaluated. In addition, the conventional system Fuji HR-4/Super HR-S was measured for comparison with new systems. The evaluation method is as follows. The image quality characteristics, speed, contrast, resolution and granularity were measured. The sensitivity and contrast were determined by measuring the MTF (modulation transfer function) and NCTF (normalized contrast transfer function). The granularity was estimated by measuring the Wiener spectrum. The speed of the new systems were improved by 22% to 73%. The dinsities at the maximum gradient value were shifted to high density (2.0-2.7). However, they had 10% to 30% less resolution. The other hand, the granularities were improved by 21% to 37% at 1.0 density. These results suggested that the emphasis of new systems was put on improving the image quality of mediastinum region, maintaining performance of the conventional system

Ambient fine and coarse particles in Japan affect nasal and bronchial epithelial cells differently and elicit varying immune response

Ambient particulate matter (PM) epidemiologically exacerbates respiratory and immune health, including allergic rhinitis (AR) and bronchial asthma (BA). Although fine and coarse particles can affect respiratory tract, the differences in their effects on the upper and lower respiratory tract and immune system, their underlying mechanism, and the components responsible for the adverse health effects have not been yet completely elucidated. In this study, ambient fine and coarse particles were collected at three different locations in Japan by cyclone technique. Both particles collected at all locations decreased the viability of nasal epithelial cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs), increased the production of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β from bronchial epithelial cells and APCs, and induced expression of dendritic and epithelial cell (DEC) 205 on APCs. Differences in inflammatory responses, but not in cytotoxicity, were shown between both particles, and among three locations. Some components such as Ti, Co, Zn, Pb, As, OC (organic carbon) and EC (elemental carbon) showed significant correlations to inflammatory responses or cytotoxicity. These results suggest that ambient fine and coarse particles differently affect nasal and bronchial epithelial cells and immune response, which may depend on particles size diameter, chemical composition and source related particles types

シエンシャ ニ トッテ ノ リカバリー : ブンケン レビュー カラ

　今回，日本における支援者自身のリカバリーや支援者がとらえているリカバリー概念を明らかにすることを目的に，支援者のリカバリーについて文献レビューし，日本の現状で支援者がリカバリー概念を活用する上での課題について検討を行った．方法は，2014 年12 月22 日に医学中央雑誌及びCiNii で「支援者　リカバリー」「専門家　リカバリー」をキーワードに文献検索を行った．最終的に42 文献が抽出され，年代は2010 年が20 文献と最も多かった．また，内容は，「リカバリーに関連する理論・手技」が14 文献と最も多く，支援者自身のリカバリーに関する文献は3 文献であった．しかし，一つは退院促進に支援員としてかかわる精神障害当事者のリカバリー体験を調査した原著論文であり，残り2 文献は会議録であった．　これらの結果から，日本の支援者は障害当事者のリカバリー促進やプロセスに関心が高いが，自分自身のリカバリーについては関心が低いことが考えられた．従って，障害や病を経験していない支援者が，支援の中で「当事者をリカバリーさせる」という視点に陥りやすい課題が存在すると思われた．With the objective of clarifying the recovery of supporters themselves and the concept of recovery as perceived by the supporters in Japan, a review was made of literature dealing with the recovery of supporters and issues regarding how supporters can put into practical use the recovery concept in the present Japanese climate. The method used involved making keyword searches such as ＂supporters recovery,＂ ＂professionals recovery” in the Igaku Chuo Zasshi and CiNii on Dec. 22, 2014. Ultimately, 33 documents were extracted, and of them, hits from the year 2010 were the greatest, with 33 documents. In addition, the most prolific content was ＂theory and method related to recovery＂, with 14 documents, and 3 documents dealt with the recovery of the supporters themselves. However, one of such documents was the original article relating the recovery experience of a mentally disabled person with the supporter aiding in his/her discharge. The remaining 2 documents were conference minutes. From the above results, it was revealed that there is heightened interest in the recovery promotion and process on the part of supporters with regard to the disabled persons themselves, but there is low interest in the recovery of the supporters themselves. Therefore, it was thought that the task is to correct the viewpoint that the supporters who have not experienced disability or illness tend to fall into, namely to ＂aid in the recovery of the patient” in the process of providing support

シュウロウ ケイゾク シエン ニ カンスル トウジシャ エノ グループ インタビュー : ショウガイ ノ カイジ ヒカイジ ノ

　昨年、我々は就労の経験がある精神障害当事者6名に対し、就労継続支援を検討するためにグループインタビュー法による調査を行い、報告した。その際、障害を開示した場合の就労支援の経験について検討する必要性が示された。そこで、今回、障害を開示して就労した経験がある7名の障害当事者に対し、職業経験に関するグループインタビューを行い、昨年の結果と比較検討を行った。　その結果、障害開示によるデメリットとして、働くチャンス、職務内容・環境への不満が多くあげられた。これらは、制度・支援への不満と要望の雇用形態、雇用支援制度、職場の条件と関係していることが示され、更には、当事者と支援者との間で支援に関する認識のズレがある可能性が考えられた。特に、職場内での環境・業務内容への配慮にデメリットを感じる障害当事者がおり、障害当事者自身の希望や興味・関心に応じた業務内容や雇用形態、支援になっていないことが予測された。　Last year, for the purpose of reviewing the modalities of support for continuous employment, we conducted hearing investigation through group interview with such six mentally-troubled persons who had work experiences, and we issued a report on the outcomes.　As a response to the above report, we got such useful feedback from others that further investigations would be necessary for us to examine the work experience of those mentally-troubled persons who disclosed their disability.　Accordingly, this year, we conducted group interview with such seven mentally-troubled persons who had work experiences, and made a comparative review of theoutcomes of our investigation of last year and that of this year.　From an analysis of the results, it is clear that these persons faced various forms of differential treatment in the chance to work, job content, work environment and others, due to disclosing their disability.　It is also clear that this differential treatment is associated with their disappointment with the system and support for their employment, and the difference between their request and the reality in employment status, employment support system and working conditions. Further, there may be a perception gap between these persons and their supporters in the shape of assistance.　Especially, some disability persons consider it disadvantageous to be given a special treatment in the working conditions and job content in the workplace. We are afraid that the reality of job content, employment status / support provided to disability persons does not meet their request which reflects their own desire and interest

シュウロウ ニ カンスル シテン ノ チガイ : ショウガイ トウジシャ ト シエンシャ ノ グループ インタビュー ノ ヒカク カラ

　過去5 年間，我々は継続的にグループインタビューを実施し，障害当事者と支援者の間で支援に関する「認識のズレ」がある可能性を示してきた．しかし，両者を同時期に実施することができず，社会的要因の違いを排除することができなかった．今回，障害当事者7 名と支援者8 名から協力を得て，グループインタビューを実施し，両者の比較を行った．その結果，共通点として，両者とも「支援」においてプログラムを，「職場環境」では人間関係を重視していた．一方，異なる点としては，①就労への準備，②就労及び就労後の視点，③就労を妨げる要因の3 点が示された．また，その背景として，両者の就労に対する価値観の違いがあり，支援者は障害当事者の就労は準備から定着まで「支援」が必要であると考え，一方，障害当事者は就労に「仕事のやりがい」を含めていると思われた．　支援者と障害当事者の両者が異なる立場である以上，「認識のズレ」が生じることは当然のことである．よりよい就労支援を目指すうえで，両者の間に「認識のズレ」が存在することをふまえたうえで，協働できる関係をつくることが必要であると考えられた．　We have conducted group interviews on an ongoing basis over the past five years which have indicated a possible "perception gap" related to support between persons with disabilities and their supporters. However, we have been unable to interview both persons with disabilities and their supporters at the same time and it has been impossible to eliminate the differences in social factors. In this study, we held a group interview with seven persons with disabilities and eight supporters and compared the two groups. The results indicated that, as a common point, both parties placed importance on the program and human relations in the "work environment" and in "support". However, differences between the two parties arose with respect to (1) preparation for employment, (2) perspectives on employment and postemployment, and (3) factors that interfere with employment. In addition, both parties have differing backgrounds in terms of their sense of value towards employment. Supporters believe they must support persons with disabilities in finding a job beginning with preparation for employment and continuing until they have established themselves in the job. On the other hand, persons with disabilities are thought to include "the challenge of work" in finding employment. As supporters and persons with disabilities are in different positions, it\u27s only natural for a "perception gap" to occur. It is thought thatboth parties need to build a cooperative relationship taking into account the existence of these "perception gaps" in order to facilitate better job assistance