Impact of Portlandite on Alkali-Silica Reaction of Pyrex Glass and Blastfurnace Slag Aggregate

In this study, it is investigated the effect of Ca ion on dissolution and reaction products in alkaline environment using Pyrex glass showing ASR expansion and blast furnace slag fine aggregate suppressing ASR. It is reported that Ca plays a role in the dissolution and polymerization of silica, and is therefore an important factor in ASR. For each sample, calculation of dissolution rate and analysis of solid phase product by 29Si MAS NMR and XRD/Rietveld analysis, and liquid phase analysis by ICP-AES were performed. As a result, it was confirmed that addition of Ca has an influence on dissolution behavior of PG and BFS. In the reaction of PG, addition of Ca promotes the polymerization reaction of silica and increases the amount of N-S-H which has expandable and contributes to deterioration mechanism. On the other hand, in BFS, the dissolved silica did not polymerize and N-S-H did not form. It was suggested that the difference in ASR reactivity between PG and BFS is due to the difference in the reaction behavior

Effects of self-perceived objectivity on hiring decisions : Reexamining the Experiment by Uhlmann and Cohen

Uhlmann and Cohen (2007) argued that self-perceived objectivity increased discrimination against women in hiring decisions; when decision makers have a sense of personal objectivity, they feel entitled to evaluate job applicants based on their gender stereotypical beliefs. We reexamined Experiment 2 by Uhlmann and Cohen (2007) with a sample of male university students in Japan. Contrary to their results, i.e., male participants high in stereotypic beliefs, primed with a sense of objectivity, gave male applicants more positive hiring evaluations than female applicants, we did not find any significant effects. The effects of self-perceived objectivity should be reexamined in future research considering factors, such as a sense of power, duration of effects after being primed, and participants’ sex.本論文は，2016年度に広島大学教育学部で開講した「心理学課題演習」において，第1著者の指導により第2著者から第5著者までが実施した研究をもとに執筆した。研究の一部は第2著者から第5著者により第72回中国四国心理学会学部生研究発表会において報告された。また，本研究の一部はJSPS科研費（JP26380844）による助成を受けたものである

A case report of de novo missense FOXP1 mutation in a non-Caucasian patient with global developmental delay and severe speech impairment

The FOXP protein family (FOXP1-4) is a group of transcription factors that play important roles in embryological, immunological, hematological, and speech and language development. Here, we report FOXP1 de novo mutation and severe speech delay in an individual belonging to a non-Caucasian population

Characteristics of Ferrite-Rich Portland Cement: Comparison With Ordinary Portland Cement

The cement industry is an energy-intensive industry, and improving the energy efficiency of cement has become necessary to reduce its carbon footprint and to compete in the global market. Clinker production consumes more than 90% of the total energy used in the cement industry. Therefore, a reduction in the burning temperature of the cement clinker can reduce the energy consumption; however, it alters the mineralogy of the clinker composition. Ferrite-rich Portland cement can be produced by lowering the burning temperature by ~100°C (i.e., at 1,350°C), which can reduce the energy consumption by ~5% in comparison with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) clinker. In this study, the hydration reaction and properties of the ferrite-rich Portland cement were examined by experimental techniques and thermodynamic modeling approach, and the results were compared with that of OPC. The produced ferrite-rich cement has almost twice the amount of ferrite phase and half the amount of belite phase contents present in the OPC. The hydration reaction and the composition of hydrates were studied by the X-ray diffraction (XRD)/Rietveld analysis and thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The different proportions of the ferrite and belite phases in ferrite-rich cement change their hydration reaction from that of the OPC, but not the total hydration of cement. The XRD results reveal similar phases in both the cements, and the analysis could not identify the new phases formed in the ferrite-rich cement. An equal degree of hydration and quantified hydrates at the early age results in almost identical initial and final setting times in both the cements. The ferrite-rich cement demonstrates a high early strength and relatively slower strength development; however, it can develop adequate strength at 28 days. The thermodynamic model predicts the hydration of ferrite-rich cement and shows comparatively high amount of Fe-containing phases, mainly Fe-ettringite and Fe-siliceous hydrogarnet. Model predictions of the hydrates compositions agreed with the experimental results, and a relationship between the predicted total porosity and the measured compressive strength was derived

An Autopsy Case of Ruptured Hepatic Angiosarcoma Treated by Transcatheter Arterial Embolization

An 80-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital with intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to a ruptured liver tumor. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) temporarily achieved hemostasis, but he died following re-rupture 4 days later. Based on autopsy findings, the liver tumor was diagnosed as hepatic angiosarcoma. Embolic agents used during embolization were identified within the hepatic small interlobular arteries. However, there were no findings of tumor cell necrosis or ischemic change in the angiosarcoma. In the present case, TAE alone did not induce ischemia-induced tumor necrosis, suggesting that TAE might be unsuitable to treat hepatic angiosarcoma. Treatment optimization for ruptured hepatic angiosarcoma is desired

大学院新入生を対象としたサポートグループによる支援の試み

大学院生は在学年数が短いため，入学初期に早く環境に適応することが重要となる。近年，大学院新入生に「他大学出身者」，「社会人」，「留学生」の割合が増え，大学の環境に適応するには課題が多い。本学では，ピアサポートルームの活動の一環として，大学院生の早期適応を支援するためのサポートグループ活動を実施した。本研究では，その実践活動の内容と効果について検討した。その結果，サポートグループに参加した大学院新入生は，緊張-不安，疲労，混乱，抑うつ-落ち込みなどのネガティブな感情（日本語版POMS 短縮版）が軽減された。また，他大学出身の新入生において，抑うつ-落ち込みの程度が低減するとともに，大学への所属感が高まったことが示唆された。Graduate school programs are short term, so it is important for first-year graduate students to adapt to the environment as soon as they begin their first semester. As part of peer support activities, we conducted support group activities to assist in early adaptation of new graduate students. In this paper, we examined the effect of the support group. We found that the first-year graduate students who joined the support group had reduced negative emotions (POMS shortened version) such as anxiety, fatigue, confusion, and depression. In addition, depression in students transferring from other universities was reduced and the sense of belonging to the university had increased

Sensitization of catastrophic cognition in cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cognitive model of panic disorder have proposed that panic attacks result from the catastrophic misinterpretation of certain bodily sensations. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for panic disorder aims to change these catastrophic cognitions. CBT intervention successfully caused reduction of catastrophic cognitions and symptomatic improvement in the majority of cases. However there are some patients who fail to modify their catastrophic cognitions or rather experience an increase in them during CBT treatment. It is clinically and theoretically important to understand about cognitive sensitization of panic disorder during CBT sessions. The purpose of the present study is 1) to clarify the baseline characteristics of panic patients who would experience sensitization of their catastrophic cognitions through the CBT treatment, and 2) to examine the course of symptomatic changes for them.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Of ninety-five outpatients with panic disorder started the group CBT program for treatment of panic disorder, seventy-nine completer were classified as "cognitively sensitized (CS)" or "cognitive responding (CR)" or "no-responder" according to the difference of the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire score across treatment. We compared the CS and CR patients in terms of their baseline clinical characteristics. Then we assessed the symptomatic and functional changes for both groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At the start of the CBT program, despite of the same degree of panic disorder severity, CS scored significantly lower on ACQ score than CR. CS also showed significantly lower score on anticipatory anxiety compared to CR. At the end of treatment CS showed significant improvement in severity of panic disorder, although the degree of improvement was smaller than that for CR. Then CS would progressively reduce their agoraphobic fear and avoidance, and would improve their functional impairment up to three month of follow-up.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Panic patients who would experience sensitization of their catastrophic cognitions through the CBT treatment could nonetheless gradually improve. They showed a relatively low level of catastrophic cognition and anticipatory anxiety before starting the CBT program. We might conclude that temporary sensitization of catastrophic cognition may be necessary before improvement especially among those with initially low catastrophic body sensation fears and that we need not be concerned too much with temporary increase in catastrophic cognition in the process of CBT for panic disorder.</p

Conditional deletion of Npt2b in phosphate transport

Background Hyperphosphatemia is common in chronic kidney disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. The intestinal Na+-dependent phosphate transporter Npt2b is thought to be an important molecular target for the prevention of hyperphosphatemia. The role of Npt2b in the net absorption of inorganic phosphate (Pi), however, is controversial. Methods In the present study, we made tamoxifen-inducible Npt2b conditional knockout (CKO) mice to analyze systemic Pi metabolism, including intestinal Pi absorption. Results Although the Na+-dependent Pi transport in brush-border membrane vesicle uptake levels were significantly decreased in the distal intestine of Npt2b CKO mice compared with control mice, plasma Pi and fecal Pi excretion levels were not significantly different. Data obtained using the intestinal loop technique showed that Pi uptake in Npt2b CKO mice was not affected at a Pi concentration of 4 mM, which is considered the typical luminal Pi concentration after meals in mice. Claudin, which may be involved in paracellular pathways, as well as claudin-2, 12, and 15 protein levels were significantly decreased in the Npt2b CKO mice. Thus, Npt2b deficiency did not affect Pi absorption within the range of Pi concentrations that normally occurs after meals. Conclusion These findings indicate that abnormal Pi metabolism may also be involved in tight junction molecules such as Cldns that are affected by Npt2b deficiency