Significance of Learning the Diversity of Igneous Rocks: Focus on the identification of granite-like rocks

Igneous rocks are divided by the difference of constituent mineral and texture such as equigranular or porphyritic. In junior high school, it is required to observe the various volcanic and plutonic rocks and to understand that differences in their textures are caused by differences in their formation process. Although students of science teacher training course can correctly identify typical igneous rocks, but they often cannot identify rocks in the boundary region or untypical appearances. This study clarified that the beginners tend to identify igneous rocks based on uncertain features such as color and presence of magnetism rather than the combination of minerals.本研究の一部はJSPS科研費JP17H01980の助成を受けたものです

60 GHz Wireless Signal Transmitting Gate Driver for IGBT

This paper shows the very first demonstration result of wireless IGBT gate drive using with 60 GHz wireless module with sufficient “real-time” control with 100 ns-level time delay with small fluctuation of the delay.2015 IEEE 27th International Symposium on Power Semiconductor Devices & IC\u27s (ISPSD 2015), May 10-14, 2015, Hong Kong, Chin

Identification of Myocardial Damage in Systemic Sclerosis: A Nuclear Cardiology Approach

Myocardial involvement is an important prognostic factor in patients with systemic sclerosis, and early diagnosis and staging of the disease have been sought after. Since myocardial damage is characterized by connective tissue disease, including fibrosis and diffuse vascular lesions or microcirculation, nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging has been a promising option for evaluating myocardial damages in early stages. In addition to the conventional stress-rest perfusion imaging, the current use of quantitative electrocardiographic gated imaging has contributed to more precise evaluation of cardiac perfusion, ventricular wall motion, and diastolic function, all of which have enhanced diagnostic ability of evaluating myocardial dysfunction. Abnormal sympathetic imaging with Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine might be another option for identifying myocardial damage. This paper deals with approaches from nuclear cardiology to detect perfusion and functional abnormality as an early sign of myocardial involvement as well as possible prognostic values in patients with abnormal imaging results. The role of nuclear cardiology in the era of multiple imaging modalities is discussed

Influence of lumbar kyphosis and back muscle strength on the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in middle-aged and elderly people

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study was to clarify the relationship between kyphosis and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by evaluation of spinal alignment, obesity, osteoporosis, back muscle strength, intake of oral drugs, and smoking and alcohol history in screening of a community population to determine the factors related to GERD symptoms. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: GERD increases with age and is estimated to occur in about 30% of people. Risk factors for GERD include aging, male gender, obesity, oral medicines, smoking, and alcohol intake. It has also been suggested that kyphosis may influence the frequency of GERD, but the relationship between kyphosis and GERD is unclear. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined 245 subjects (100 males and 145 females; average age 66.7 years old) in a health checkup that included evaluation of sagittal balance and spinal mobility with SpinalMouse(®), GERD symptoms using the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire, body mass index, osteoporosis, back muscle strength, number of oral drugs taken per day, intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), intake of bisphosphonates, and smoking and alcohol intake. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis including all the variables showed that lumbar lordosis angle, sagittal balance, number of oral drugs taken per day, and back muscle strength had significant effects on the presence of GERD (OR, 1.10, 1.11, 1.09 and 1.03; 95%CI, 1.03–1.17, 1.02–1.20, 1.01–1.18 and 1.01–1.04; p = 0.003, 0.015, 0.031 and 0.038, respectively). The other factors showed no association with GERD. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to show that lumbar kyphosis, poor sagittal balance; increased number of oral drugs taken per day, and decreased back muscle strength are important risk factors for the development of GERD symptoms. Thus, orthopedic surgeons and physicians should pay attention to GERD in elderly patients with spinal deformity

言語聴覚障害領域の現状と展望

総説Literature Review言語聴覚士はリハビリテーション領域のみならず、耳鼻咽喉科、小児科、歯科など幅広い領域において評価・訓練・指導のほか、研究など積極的な活動を行っている。しかし、臨床・研究などにおいて歴史的にも長い実績を持ちながらも理学療法士、作業療法士に比べて社会的認知度が低く、欧米における専門職としての地位や認知度の高さに比べて格段の差がある。現在、わが国の言語聴覚士数は9909人で、20～30歳代が全体の約70%、女性が80%を占める。勤務先としては医療が70%を占める。対象領域は成人系障害へのかかわりが多く、小児・聴覚領域は少ない。言語聴覚士の国家資格化と診療・介護報酬における評価がなされた結果、言語聴覚療法を行っている施設は、増加傾向にあるものの未だ十分とはいえない状況にある。わが国における言語聴覚療法の動向について述べるとともに、今後の展望について考察を行った

Esophageal transit scintigraphy and structured questionnaire in patients with systemic sclerosis with endoscopically proven reflux esophagitis

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Objectives: Esophageal complications are common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms and dysmotility was examined in endoscopically confirmed patients suspected of having reflux esophagitis. Methods: A total of 32 patients with limited and diffuse type SSc (lSSc, dSSc) were examined based on a structured questionnaire score (QS) of GER symptoms, retention fraction of esophageal scintigraphy at 90 s (R90) and gastric emptying time. Results: The QS was significantly higher in the reflux esophagitis group than in the non-esophagitis group (5.4 ± 3.5, 1.4 ± 2.9, P = 0.003). When the non-esophagitis group was further divided into lSSc and dSSc groups, R90 was higher in the reflux esophagitis group (31 ± 18%) and the non-esophagitis group with dSSc (34 ± 32%) than in the non-esophagitis group with lSSc (8 ± 3%, P = 0.02). Both high R90 ≥ 15% and QS ≥ 4 indicated reflux esophagitis. Conversely, both normal R90 and QS indicated no reflux esophagitis. Conclusion: A combination of esophageal scintigraphy and structured questionnaire demonstrated different aspects of esophageal dysfunction, namely dysmotility and GER. Patients with high QS and dysmotility may be indicated for further evaluation including endoscopic examination and medical treatment. © 2009 The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine

Esophageal transit study using a sliding sum image: application to patients with probable and definite systemic sclerosis

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Purpose: Esophageal complication is common in systemic sclerosis (SSc), but scintigraphic transit patterns based on each subtype have not been understood well. The aim of this study was to develop a new algorithm for integrating a dynamic esophageal transit study and to apply the method to patients with SSc. Methods: A total of 40 patients suspected of having SSc were examined by a dynamic esophageal transit study. The subtypes included 32 with definite SSc (15 limited cutaneous type and 17 diffuse cutaneous type) and 8 with probable SSc. The serial esophageal images were shifted and summed to a functional image (sliding sum image) and compared to a conventional condensed image analysis. Esophageal retention fraction at 90 s (R90) and half-time (T1/2) of transit were also measured. Results: The four patterns of the sliding sum image and condensed image agreed in all patients. Abnormal retention patterns were observed in none of the 8 (0%) patients with the probable SSc and in 15 of 32 (47%) patients with definite SSc (p = 0.014). The severity of scleroderma assessed by modified Rodnan skin thickness score correlated with that of esophageal retention R90 (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The sliding sum image is a simple and effective method for integrating esophageal transit. Patients with definite SSc and severe scleroderma had significantly higher retention patterns, while probable SSc patients showed no esophageal dysmotility. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine

Transgenic up-regulation of alpha-CaMKII in forebrain leads to increased anxiety-like behaviors and aggression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have demonstrated essential roles for alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alpha-CaMKII) in learning, memory and long-term potentiation (LTP). However, previous studies have also shown that alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice display a dramatic decrease in anxiety-like and fearful behaviors, and an increase in defensive aggression. These findings indicated that alpha-CaMKII is important not only for learning and memory but also for emotional behaviors. In this study, to understand the roles of alpha-CaMKII in emotional behavior, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing alpha-CaMKII in the forebrain and analyzed their behavioral phenotypes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We generated transgenic mice overexpressing alpha-CaMKII in the forebrain under the control of the alpha-CaMKII promoter. In contrast to alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, alpha-CaMKII overexpressing mice display an increase in anxiety-like behaviors in open field, elevated zero maze, light-dark transition and social interaction tests, and a decrease in locomotor activity in their home cages and novel environments; these phenotypes were the opposite to those observed in alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice. In addition, similarly with alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, alpha-CaMKII overexpressing mice display an increase in aggression. However, in contrast to the increase in defensive aggression observed in alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, alpha-CaMKII overexpressing mice display an increase in offensive aggression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Up-regulation of alpha-CaMKII expression in the forebrain leads to an increase in anxiety-like behaviors and offensive aggression. From the comparisons with previous findings, we suggest that the expression levels of alpha-CaMKII are associated with the state of emotion; the expression level of alpha-CaMKII positively correlates with the anxiety state and strongly affects aggressive behavior.</p