Quality Assessment of Microalgae Exposed to Trace Metals Using Flow Cytometry

Seaweed has long been an important kitchen ingredient and a functional food material. Microalgae have attracted the same attention as seaweed from food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies because several algae contain unique functional materials. Industry application of algae requires the selection of useful algal species, evaluation of their features and monitoring of their quality in culture. Taking Chlorella for example, this chapter presents a method using flow cytometry (FCM) to assess not only the number of algae but also algal quality. First, Chlorella was cultured in media containing eluate from steel slag as an experimental factor and trace metals. After the treatment of algae with eluate, the number and physiological features of algae were evaluated, respectively, using hemocytometry and FCM. Results show that eluate from slag induced neither lethality nor growth inhibition. Coupled with hemocytometry, FCM was used to estimate vigorous and aberrant algal status. Consequently, the eluate did not give rise to algae stresses. Interestingly, the addition of slag eluate increased the amounts of the carbonate species. The increase in the carbonate species actually triggered the potential increase in aqueous CO2 for photosynthesis, eventually inducing algal proliferation. These analyses can support evaluation of algal features and maintenance of their quality for industry application

Efficient Interpretation of Multiparametric Data Using Principal Component Analysis as an Example of Quality Assessment of Microalgae

Multiparametric flow cytometry (FCM) realizes high-throughput measurement, but multiparametric data make it difficult to interpret the complicated information. To present clear patterning graphs from FCM data, one must grasp the essence of the data. This study estimated the usefulness of principal component analysis (PCA), which reduces multi-dimensional information to arbitrary one-dimensional information. Recently, microalgae have attracted the attention of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food companies. Taking alga Chlorella as an example, this chapter presents the usefulness of PCA for the evaluation of algal quality using FCM. To evaluate the algal status effectively, Chlorella (control), heated algae, and metallic-treatment algae were prepared and quantified using FCM. FCM data were subjected to PCA analysis. To interpret correlativity among parameters, FCM data are generally expressed as histograms and scatter or contour plots. An operator using multiple parameters has difficulty finding high correlativity among parameters and presenting an effective graph. The PCA method produced new comprehensive axes with different inclination factors among parameters. Scatter plots using new axes showed patterns treatment dependently with different vectors. Results show that the PCA method can extract information of test objects from data and that it can contribute to effective interpretation of cell characteristics, even if data include multiparameters from FCM

Hypoxic training increases maximal oxygen consumption in Thoroughbred horses well-trained in normoxia.

Hypoxic training is effective for improving athletic performance in humans. It increases maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max) more than normoxic training in untrained horses. However, the effects of hypoxic training on well-trained horses are unclear. We measured the effects of hypoxic training on V̇O2max of 5 well-trained horses in which V̇O2max had not increased over 3 consecutive weeks of supramaximal treadmill training in normoxia which was performed twice a week. The horses trained with hypoxia (15% inspired O2) twice a week. Cardiorespiratory valuables were analyzed with analysis of variance between before and after 3 weeks of hypoxic training. Mass-specific V̇O2max increased after 3 weeks of hypoxic training (178 ± 10 vs. 194 ± 12.3 ml O2 (STPD)/(kg × min), P<0.05) even though all-out training in normoxia had not increased V̇O2max. Absolute V̇O2max also increased after hypoxic training (86.6 ± 6.2 vs. 93.6 ± 6.6 l O2 (STPD)/min, P<0.05). Total running distance after hypoxic training increased 12% compared to that before hypoxic training; however, the difference was not significant. There were no significant differences between pre- and post-hypoxic training for end-run plasma lactate concentrations or packed cell volumes. Hypoxic training may increase V̇O2max even though it is not increased by normoxic training in well-trained horses, at least for the durations of time evaluated in this study. Training while breathing hypoxic gas may have the potential to enhance normoxic performance of Thoroughbred horses

A Study on Playing and Learning of Young Children

The base of Menshenbildung is cultivated in infancy, and infant education is a firm basis of the education in subsequent years. We can not discuss the education without considering the importance of the infant education. In this paper, we reconsider playing and learning of the infant, taking up the infant education and its adjacent domains. First, we consider the necessity to make playing a kind of learning and suggest concrete measures. Secondly, referring computer games and traditional playing, we examine playground equipments which will activate infants' play. Thirdly, we point out that there is still an insuperable barrier between primany education and infant education. We also verify that the creative education stands on the edge of crisis, relating the current of an exaggerated importance on intellectual training. And finally, we discuss some problems concerning the child-raising support

Fundamental Study to Create a Joint Modeling Bringing up a Skill to Build a Relationship in a Childcare Facility

近年の社会変化により，子どもの遊びには変化が見られ，主体性を発揮して夢中になれる活動や，友達とやりとりをしながら創造性を発揮する機会が，必要とされている。つまり，遊びを通した子ども同士の関わりは，道徳性・社会性を育み，人間関係形成能力を育むための重要な課題であると指摘できる。人間関係形成能力を育むための活動の１つとして，共同造形制作が考えられる。本論では，子ども同士の関わりを作る造形表現活動の実践は，１人では作ることができない大きな作品で，アイデアを多く必要とする「寄せがき方式」の制作遊びを設定して行うことが望ましいと考えられる。創造的な遊びには，子どもにとって友達とイメージを共有して作る要素が多く，テーマや色や形を工夫していくことができると考える。Due to recent social changes, we can see changes in how children play and it is required to have activities that they can really into by exercising independence or opportunities in which they can exercise creativity by communicating with friends. Accordingly, we can indicate that communication among children through playing will be an important issue to grow morality and sociality as well as growing skills to build a relationship. As one of activities to grow skills to build a relationship, we can consider a joint modeling. In this study, we consider that practices of activities to express modeling that build a relationship among children should be a big work that cannot be created alone therefore it is desirable to proceed such practices by setting a play to create a “message method” that require a lot of ideas. Creative play has many elements created by sharing images with friends for children and we consider that they can devise themes, colors, and shapes

Childcare Practice Study of Rythmique that Draws Proactive Physical Expression from Children (1st Report) : Mainly Including Cases of Classes for One, Two, and Three Years Old in a Childcare Facility

近年の先行研究を「身体表現」「音楽教育」「リトミック」「遊戯」をキーワードに概観すると，100 年を超える歴史の中で，リトミックの捉え方が変容していることと，リトミックの新しい保育実践研究が必要であることが，明らかになった。そこで本論では，保育施設におけるリトミックの実践から，子どもが何を学び，何が育っているのかを論考した。その結果，以下のことが示唆された。(1)１歳児学級の子どもは，保育者の模倣を活発に行う段階である。(2)２歳児学級においては，子どもが自由に想像し表現できるよう，保育者は，配慮する必要がある。(3)３歳児学級においては，表現することの楽しさを通して心が解放される気持ち良さを感じることや，リトミックの主題や保育者の姿に集中することや，何かを達成する喜びを感じること等が重要である。When we outline recent prior-research with key words, “physical expression”,“music education”, “Rythmique” , and “play” , it was clarified that how we consider Rythmique had been changed in the history over 100 years and new study for Rythmique practice is required. Accordingly, this article discussed what children learn from Rythmique practice in a childcare facility and what is grown. As the result, the followings were suggested. i. One years old children are in a phase where they actively imitate their guardians. ii. For a class for two years old children, guardians need to take care of children so that they can freely express. iii. For a class for three years old children, it is important to feel comfort by which their mind can be released and concentrate on a subject of Rythmique or appearance of guardians, and feel pleasure to achieve something through how fun it is to exp ress

Actual Situation of Handicraft Education Seen in the Ehime Education Association Magazine in the Dawn Era of Constructing the Basis of Handicraft Education (Second Part): History of Handicraft Education in Ehime (Ⅳ)

　本論は，阿部七五三吉（1936）による「手工教育基礎建設の曙光時代」［1907（明治40 年）頃～ 1926（大正15）年頃まで］における，1911（明治44）年の「改正小学校令」から1926（大正15）年の「改正小学校令」までの14 年９か月間を調査対象期間として，愛媛教育協会機関誌に見られる手工教育関係史料を調査し，愛媛県の尋常小学校及び高等小学校における手工科の成立及び展開過程を探った。その結果，1911（明治44）年の「改正小学校令」によって手工科は，高等小学校実業科目の選択必修科目の一つとなったが，実業科目としての性格が強くなると同時に，授業時数の増加が小学校にとって負担になり，手工科加設校は結果的に減少し，愛媛県の小学校における手工教育は混迷した

Electrochemical Capacitors Using Fluorohydrogenate Ionic Liquid Electrolytes

Electrochemical capacitors using fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids show a large voltage dependence of capacitance with a maximum at a charging voltage around 2.5 V, resulting in a larger capacitance than those using other typical ionic liquid electrolytes. The voltage dependence becomes less remarkable with decrease in the HF composition n in EMIm(FH)nF (EMIm: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium). Cyclic voltammetry using an activated carbon working electrode revealed that two redox reactions occur at the higher and lower potentials against the rest potential in EMIm(FH)2.3F. These Faradaic processes contribute to the voltage dependence of capacitance

Applicability of care quality indicators for women with low-risk pregnancies planning hospital birth: a retrospective study of medical records

Practices for planned birth among women with low-risk pregnancies vary by birth setting, medical professional, and organizational system. Appropriate monitoring is essential for quality improvement. Although sets of quality indicators have been developed, their applicability has not been tested. To improve the quality of childbirth care for low-risk mothers and infants in Japanese hospitals, we developed 35 quality indicators using existing clinical guidelines and quality indicators. We retrospectively analysed data for 347 women in Japan diagnosed with low-risk pregnancy in the second trimester, admitted between April 2015 and March 2016. We obtained scores for 35 quality indicators and evaluated their applicability, i.e., feasibility, improvement potential, and reliability (intra- and inter-rater reliability: kappa score, positive and negative agreement). The range of adherence to each indicator was 0–95.7%. We identified feasibility concerns for six indicators with over 25% missing data. Two indicators with over 90% adherence showed limited potential for improvement. Three indicators had poor kappa scores for intra-rater reliability, with positive/negative agreement scores 0.94/0.33, 0.33/0.95, and 0.00/0.97, respectively. Two indicators had poor kappa scores for inter-rater reliability, with positive/negative agreement scores 0.25/0.92 and 0.68/0.61, respectively. The findings indicated that these 35 care quality indicators for low-risk pregnant women may be applicable to real-world practice, with some caveats