Modeling Multi-Objective, Interbasin, Surface Water Development System with Supplementary Use of Reclamation System

This paper centers on the multi-objective, interbasin, surface water development system, whereby, if necessary, the conjunctive use of reclamation system is assumed to be available. The major objectives of the paper include (i) analysis of the quality of industrial waters blended with renovated waters ; (ii) identification of the relation between the blended water demand and its blending ratio and (iii) modeling and analysis of the coordinated attainments of multiple goals involved in the stated system. A case study is conducted at the interbasin system of the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture and some informative results obtained point to the need of this kind of alternative water utilization systems. The major findings of the study include : (1) The reclamation system is required to be implemented on a certain scale to supplement the industrial water supply. (2) In cases where the permitted-levels of the collection goals related to each river basin are set to be relatively higher, the total amounts of water supply that must be covered by the reclamation systems should be allocated to the system of each basin roughly in proportion to the amounts of its industrial water demand. (3) The increased attainments of the amounts of collection, and in consequence, the increased attainments of the improvement in the blended water quality are achievable only at the sacrifice of economic efficiency. (4) The attainments of the goals are seen to be well-balanced and not biased to any of them, chiefly owing to the L-type utility function underlying the model

Using NU-KNIT® for hemostasis around recurrent laryngeal nerve during transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: We thought that using electrocautery for hemostasis caused recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. We reflected the prolonged use of electrocautery and employed NU-KNIT® to achieve hemostasis nearby the recurrent laryngeal nerve. We assessed that using NU-KNIT® hemostasis prevented or not postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, retrospectively. The present study was evaluated to compare using electrocautery hemostasis with using NU-KNIT® hemostasis during lymphadenectomy along recurrent laryngeal nerve. The variables compared were morbidity rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, operation time, and blood loss. RESULTS: We use NU-KNIT® to achieve hemostasis without strong compression. This group is named group N. On the other hand, we use electrocautery to achieve hemostasis. This group is named group E. Complication rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was higher in group E (55.6%) than group N (5.3%) (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Even hemostasis using NU-KNIT® was slightly more time-consuming than using electrocautery, we concluded that it would be useful to prevent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy

A Case Control Association Study and Cognitive Function Analysis of Neuropilin and Tolloid-Like 1 Gene and Schizophrenia in the Japanese Population

BACKGROUND: Using a knock-out mouse model, it was shown that NETO1 is a critical component of the NMDAR complex, and that loss of Neto1 leads to impaired hippocampal long term potentiation and hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Moreover, hemizygosity of NETO1 was shown to be associated with autistic-like behavior in humans. PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: We examined the association between schizophrenia and the neuropilin and tolloid-like 1 gene (NETO1). First, we selected eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the NETO1 locus, based on the Japanese schizophrenia genome wide association study (JGWAS) results and previously conducted association studies. These SNPs were genotyped in the replication sample comprised of 963 schizophrenic patients and 919 healthy controls. We also examined the effect of associated SNPs on scores in the Continuous Performance Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Keio version (schizophrenic patients 107, healthy controls 104). RESULTS: There were no significant allele-wise and haplotype-wise associations in the replication analysis after Bonferroni correction. However, in meta-analysis (JGWAS and replication dataset) three association signals were observed (rs17795324: p = 0.028, rs8098760: p = 0.017, rs17086492: p = 0.003). These SNPs were followed up but we could not detect the allele-specific effect on cognitive performance measured by the Continuous performance test (CPT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting test (WCST). MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: We did not detect evidence for the association of NETO1 with schizophrenia in the Japanese population. Common variants within the NETO1 locus may not increase the genetic risk for schizophrenia in the Japanese population. Additionally, common variants investigated in the current study did not affect cognitive performance, as measured by the CPT and WCST

Promotion of allergic immune responses by intranasally-administrated nanosilica particles in mice

With the increase in use of nanomaterials, there is growing concern regarding their potential health risks. However, few studies have assessed the role of the different physical characteristics of nanomaterials in allergic responses. Here, we examined whether intranasally administered silica particles of various sizes have the capacity to promote allergic immune responses in mice. We used nanosilica particles with diameters of 30 or 70 nm (nSP30 or nSP70, respectively), and conventional micro-sized silica particles with diameters of 300 or 1000 nm (nSP300 or mSP1000, respectively). Mice were intranasally exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) plus each silica particle, and the levels of OVA-specific antibodies (Abs) in the plasma were determined. Intranasal exposure to OVA plus smaller nanosilica particles tended to induce a higher level of OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, IgG and IgG1 Abs than did exposure to OVA plus larger silica particles. Splenocytes from mice exposed to OVA plus nSP30 secreted higher levels of Th2-type cytokines than mice exposed to OVA alone. Taken together, these results indicate that nanosilica particles can induce allergen-specific Th2-type allergic immune responses in vivo. This study provides the foundations for the establishment of safe and effective forms of nanosilica particles

Effect of amorphous silica nanoparticles on in vitro RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in murine macrophages

Amorphous silica nanoparticles (nSP) have been used as a polishing agent and/or as a remineralization promoter for teeth in the oral care field. The present study investigates the effects of nSP on osteoclast differentiation and the relationship between particle size and these effects. Our results revealed that nSP exerted higher cytotoxicity in macrophage cells compared with submicron-sized silica particles. However, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the number of osteoclast cells (TRAP-positive multinucleated cells) were not changed by nSP treatment in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) at doses that did not induce cytotoxicity by silica particles. These results indicated that nSP did not cause differentiation of osteoclasts. Collectively, the results suggested that nanosilica exerts no effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells, although a detailed mechanistic examination of the nSP70-mediated cytotoxic effect is needed

The method of lesson study based on the structure of the subject: the case of primary social studies classroom

This study presents the case study of the lesson study in a primary social studies classroom in Japan. The result indicates to propose a new method of social studies lesson study. While previous method tended to pay less attention to the context of school and children because of the focus of generalization, this study highlights the reality of diverse children in a classroom settings. Throughout the study, we compared the two items: The structure of the subject, namely, triangle relation of goals, contents, and methods and learner 's learning structure. Comparing the two items, we could see the effect of the process of teaching and learning on the children. It means that we can propose the new method by focusing on the reality of the classroom

SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF Ni EXTRACTION AND ITS APPLICATION FOR WASTE SOLUTION IN Ni NON-ELECTRIC PLATING

Waste solution from the Ni non-electric　plating process contains 4.0kg/㎥ Ni (II), 0.1kg/㎥ Fe (III), 0.01kg/㎥ Zn (II), 48kg/㎥ SO₄²⁻, 98kg/㎥ HP0₃²⁻ and 31kg/㎥ lactic acid as a typical composition. Solvent extraction, cementation, ion exchange resin and precipitation methods may be used for the treatment of this kind of solution. In this study, solvent extraction of Ni (II) is investigated using two kinds of extractant in order to clarify the relation between extraction percent age and pH for various extractant mixtures. As Ni ions have an octahedral structure with ligands, the synergistic effect for Ni extraction may be effected by using two types of extractants