The evaluation of research in the UK and Japan

Most industrial countries have introduced a system of evaluation in the HE sector during the last two decades. Although the experience in each country is different, recent studies show that many countries have faced similar confusion and problems with regard to the application of evaluation. This study examines the validity of the present systems of evaluation for research in the UK and Japan, based on in-depth consideration of the factors behind the emergence of evaluation, political developments, policymakers' views, academic debates and institutional reactions in both nations. As an example of a response to the government's initiative, one case study in each country is undertaken, Warwick University in Britain and Nagoya University in Japan. Each case is analysed at three levels: institutional, departmental and individual. Some elements of the systems are then recontexualised in a comparative perspective, involving the analysis of background factors, development of the systems, details of the mechanisms and their impacts. An improved system of evaluation is suggested for each country. It is argued that evaluation intrinsically is an unseen but extremely powerful instrument. It has the dynamic force to be able to alter the original nature of all of those involved. When it is applied to academic research in the university, therefore, its effects could be immeasurable. Hence, it should be treated with prudent deliberation before implementation. It is pointed out that the current systems of research assessment in the UK and Japan have both produced a number of unintended effects, and both nations have not yet been successful in establishing a system which can judge quality appropriatel y. The study suggests that more serious consideration of the nature of 'evaluation' and its application to research will be required before developing further the present systems adopted in both countries. This should be backed by sufficient research studies on 'evaluation'

Evaluation of Art Lighting Combining LED Lighting and Glass Art by Psychological Experiment

[ADADA+CUMULUS 2020 (International Conference for Asia Digital Art and Design 2020)] Fully Virtual Conference, 2020/12/14-16.We investigated how people feel and evaluate artistic lighting in both working and relaxing environments. We have carried out a psychological experiment comparing two types of art lighting created by us and an ordinary LED lighting.Twenty four subjects filled in questionnaires to evaluate each lighting and the result was statistically analyzed. It was revealed that both of the art lightings are highly evaluated in various relaxing environments. At the same time, it was found that the art lightings have the capability of making people creative in the working environment

スポーツ活動時における糖・電解質飲料の摂取が食行動に及ぼす影響

To examine the effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages ingested during softball practice lasting4 h on acute post-exercise blood characteristics and feeding behavior, two investigations were conducted inthe summer. In investigation A, 27 female players ingested 4% carbohydrate beverage (4%CHO) or noncaloricbeverage (Non-CHO) during exercise for 1 month. Energy and carbohydrate intake from food in the4%CHO group was lower than that in the Non-CHO group. In investigation B, 29 female players were divided into three groups. Each group ingested 7% carbohydrate beverage (7%CHO), 4%CHO, or Non-CHO duringexercise. Blood glucose levels remained unchanged during exercise in all three groups, but plasma free fattyacid levels increased significantly after exercise in the Non-CHO group. These results suggest that ingestion ofcarbohydrate-electrolyte beverages during prolonged exercise under hot conditions affects feeding behavior ofplayers

Isolation and Characterization of Renal Erythropoietin-Producing Cells from Genetically Produced Anemia Mice

Understanding the nature of renal erythropoietin-producing cells (REPs) remains a central challenge for elucidating the mechanisms involved in hypoxia and/or anemia-induced erythropoietin (Epo) production in adult mammals. Previous studies have shown that REPs are renal peritubular cells, but further details are lacking. Here, we describe an approach to isolate and characterize REPs. We bred mice bearing an Epo gene allele to which green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter cDNA was knocked-in (EpoGFP) with mice bearing an Epo gene allele lacking the 3′ enhancer (EpoΔ3′E). Mice harboring the mutant EpoGFP/Δ3′E gene exhibited anemia (average Hematocrit 18% at 4 to 6 days after birth), and this perinatal anemia enabled us to identify and purify REPs based on GFP expression from the kidney. Light and confocal microscopy revealed that GFP immunostaining was confined to fibroblastic cells that reside in the peritubular interstitial space, confirming our previous observation in Epo-GFP transgenic reporter assays. Flow cytometry analyses revealed that the GFP fraction constitutes approximately 0.2% of the whole kidney cells and 63% of GFP-positive cells co-express CD73 (a marker for cortical fibroblasts and Epo-expressing cells in the kidney). Quantitative RT-PCR analyses confirmed that Epo expression was increased by approximately 100-fold in the purified population of REPs compared with that of the unsorted cells or CD73-positive fraction. Gene expression analyses showed enrichment of Hif2α and Hif3α mRNA in the purified population of REPs. The genetic approach described here provides a means to isolate a pure population of REPs, allowing the analysis of gene expression of a defined population of cells essential for Epo production in the kidney. This has provided evidence that positive regulation by HIF2α and negative regulation by HIF3α might be necessary for correct renal Epo induction. (282 words

Utility of phrenic nerve ultrasound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the upper and lower motor neurons causing progressive weakness. It eventually involves the diaphragm which leads to respiratory paralysis and subsequently death. Phrenic nerve (PN) conduction studies and diaphragm ultrasound has been studied and correlated with pulmonary function tests in ALS patients. However, PN ultrasonography has not been employed in ALS. This study aims to sonographically evaluate the morphologic appearance of the PN of ALS patients. Thirty-eight ALS patients and 28 normal controls referred to the neurophysiology laboratory of two institutions were retrospectively included in the study. Baseline demographic and clinical variables such as disease duration, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised score, and ALS region of onset were collected. Ultrasound was used to evaluate the PN cross-sectional area (CSA) of ALS and control subjects. The mean PN CSA of ALS patients were 1.08 ± 0.39 mm on the right and 1.02 ± 0.34 mm on the left. The PN CSA of ALS patients were significantly decreased compared to controls (p value < 0.00001). The PN CSA of ALS patients was not correlated to any of the demographic and clinical parameters tested. This study demonstrates that ALS patients have a smaller PN size compared to controls using ultrasonography

社会人ラグビーフットボール選手におけるポジション別栄養アセスメント

A rugby football team consists of 15 players: 8 forwards and 7 backs. Rugby football players must improve their performance according to role of their position. The purpose of this study was to assess nutritional status based on body composition and clinical parameters to compare the forward and back positions in rugby football players. Forty-one male amateur rugby football players （23 forwards and 18 backs, age 24±4 years） playing in the Top West A1 league participated in this study. Body composition and circumference were measured in the preseason. The following were significantly higher in forwards than in backs: height; body weight; body fat percentage; lean body mass; visceral fat area（VFA）; and neck, chest, flexed arm, forearm, hip, thigh, and calf circumference. Six forwards and one back had a VFA of over 100 cm^2. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly higher in forwards than in backs. In some forwards, clinical parameters such as triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or ALT were outside the normal range. The result of nutritional assessment based on body composition and these clinical parameters suggests that physical characteristics such as body weight, lean body mass, body fat percentage, and circumference are higher in rugby football forwards compared with backs. However, some players have higher abdominal visceral fat accumulation, indicating higher risk of lifestyle-related diseases, regardless of positions

陸上長距離選手における暑熱環境での唾液中免疫グロブリンAの分泌低下とその要因の検討

Depressed immune function during intensive training is associated with higher incidence of illness in athletes. Previous reports have suggested that resting salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels are correlated with the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate changes in sIgA of male long-distance runners during the summer. Fifteen male long-distance runners aged 19±0 years were examined during the summer (June to July) and fall (October to November). Wet-bulb globe temperature was measured during training. Heart rate and rate of perceived exertion were recorded to monitor exercise intensity. Saliva samples were collected before and after training, and saliva flow rate and sIgA concentration were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expressed as secretion rate. Mood states, including total mood disturbance (TMD), were assessed using the Profile of Mood States. Energy and nutrient intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. After long-distance running during the summer, sIgA secretion rate was decreased and TMD was increased. Resting sIgA secretion rate was significantly lower during the summer than during the fall. There were no significant differences in energy or nutrient intake between summer and fall except for iron intake. These findings suggest that intensive exercise during the summer increases psychological stress and decreases sIgA secretion rate in long-distance runners

Structural differences between the closely related RNA helicases, UAP56 and URH49, fashion distinct functional apo-complexes

mRNAを核から細胞質へ輸送するバルクmRNA輸送体の構成因子を解明 がんの早期発見や予後の予測に役立つ可能性のある研究成果. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2024-01-16.mRNA export is an essential pathway for the regulation of gene expression. In humans, closely related RNA helicases, UAP56 and URH49, shape selective mRNA export pathways through the formation of distinct complexes, known as apo-TREX and apo-AREX complexes, and their subsequent remodeling into similar ATP-bound complexes. Therefore, defining the unidentified components of the apo-AREX complex and elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of distinct apo-complexes is key to understanding their functional divergence. In this study, we identify additional apo-AREX components physically and functionally associated with URH49. Furthermore, by comparing the structures of UAP56 and URH49 and performing an integrated analysis of their chimeric mutants, we exhibit unique structural features that would contribute to the formation of their respective complexes. This study provides insights into the specific structural and functional diversification of these two helicases that diverged from the common ancestral gene Sub2

Texture in aging

Texture analysis characterizes regions in an image by their texture content and has been utilized to infer the underlying structures of medical images such as skeletal muscles. Although potentially useful in tissue diagnosis and assessing disease progression of neuromuscular diseases, the use of texture analysis in such purposes are limited, due to lack of information such as effects of aging. Thus, we performed texture analysis of medial gastrocnemius in healthy individuals form their 20s to late 80s. Among the 283 texture features in 6 classes, the features related to histogram, co-occurrence matrix, absolute gradient, and wavelet were correlated to age in 17-40% of the parameters, while none of the features related to run-length matrix and autoregressive model had significant correlation to age. This study showed that age-dependency in many texture features are present and need to be taken into account in elucidating the clinical significance. By contrast, the features related to run-length matrix and autoregressive model could have clinical utility