Evaluation and Fault Classification for Service Robot during Sit- to-Stand Movement through Center of Mass

Many service robots have been developed to assist patients with sit-to-stand movement (STS). However, little research has focused on users’ negative psychological changes during the STS movement when assisted by a robot. The STS movement accompanied with a negative psychological change is defined as a fault. The main purpose of this study was to propose a method of conveying faults to a service robot through the center of mass (CoM). Experiments on the STS movement were executed five times with 10 healthy subjects under four conditions: two self-performed STSs with seat heights of 43 and 62 cm, and two robot-assisted STSs with a seat height of 43 cm and end-effector speeds of 2 and 5 s. Time series data on the CoM were measured with high-speed camera system. A classifier was designed according to the data on the CoM in the frequency domain. The results showed that the proposed classifier had a high probability of discriminating fault classes from others. Then, the vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) under the same experimental conditions was used to cross-check the experimental results. It was concluded that faults in the assistance of service robots can be detected from the CoP-related items

Exploring Learning Problems of Filipino Nurse Candidates Working in Japan: Based on the Results of a Practice National Board Examination of Japan Given in English

This article investigates the status of the education and training of Filipino nurse candidates who have been working in Japan under the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). A survey was conducted among Filipino nurse candidates, using a practice examination based on the English version of Japan’s National Board Examination for Registered Nurses in 2009. Categorized by area, the mean correct answer rate for nursing-related questions ranged between 61% and 73%; the rate for questions concerning basic knowledge of body functions and diseases ranged between 55% and 57%. There was a large gap in terms of the results of the examination between those who had previously seen the exam questions and those who had never seen them. While 57.1% of those who had previously seen the questions satisfied the acceptance criteria, only 23.7%of those who had never viewed the test satisfied it. Based on these results, the factors which serve as obstacles that Filipino nurse candidates encounter in passing the national examination include not only difficulties in acquiring Japanese proficiency but also differences between Japan and the Philippines in respect to the nursing education curriculum and basic nursing policies

Exploring Learning Problems of Filipino Nurse Candidates Working in Japan: Based on the Results of a Practice National Board Examination of Japan Given in English

This article investigates the status of the education and training of Filipino nurse candidates who have been working in Japan under the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). A survey was conducted among Filipino nurse candidates, using a practice examination based on the English version of Japan’s National Board Examination for Registered Nurses in 2009. Categorized by area, the mean correct answer rate for nursing-related questions ranged between 61% and 73%; the rate for questions concerning basic knowledge of body functions and diseases ranged between 55% and 57%. There was a large gap in terms of the results of the examination between those who had previously seen the exam questions and those who had never seen them. While 57.1% of those who had previously seen the questions satisfied the acceptance criteria, only 23.7%of those who had never viewed the test satisfied it. Based on these results, the factors which serve as obstacles that Filipino nurse candidates encounter in passing the national examination include not only difficulties in acquiring Japanese proficiency but also differences between Japan and the Philippines in respect to the nursing education curriculum and basic nursing policies

Influence of Cold Sensation on Plantar Tactile Sensation for Young Females

Cold sensation (CS) is a cold feeling on people’s hands or feet; this is a well-known health problem for young females. Plantar tactile sensation plays an important role in postural control and is affected by skin temperature. However, there is no research focusing on the relation between CS and plantar tactile sensation. In this study, we address the question of whether the CS influences plantar tactile sensation. 32 non cold sensation (Non-CS) and 31 cold sensation (CS) young females have participated in this research. A tactile sensation test was conducted at five plantar points (first and fifth toes, first and fifth metatarsal heads, and heel). Experimental results showed that although there was no significant difference at the first and fifth toes as well as the first metatarsal head and heel, the sensation threshold at the fifth metatarsal head for CS was lower than the Non-CS (21.61 ± 8.10 μm, 27.42 ± 11.02 μm respectively, p < 0.05).  It was concluded that plantar tactile sensation for young females with cold sensation was more sensitive compared to healthy subjects

Synergetic effect of poly (ADP-ribosyl) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor and cisplatin on ovarian cancer

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the combination of poly (ADP-ribosyl) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, talazoparib (BMN673), and cisplatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells in vitro, and on xenograft tumors of ovarian cancer cells in vivo. Methods: Cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay, while cell proliferation and cell cycle were assessed using colony formation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and TUNEL assays. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression levels of proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins. Results: The PARP inhibitor, BMN673, produced a dose-dependent synergistic effect with cisplatin (p < 0.05). Compared with when cisplatin or BMN673 was used alone, the combination of cisplatin and BMN673 significantly inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that cisplatin and BMN673 treatment increased the number of cells positive for TUNEL, but reduced the population of cells positive for Ki67. Conclusion: Thus, BMN673 and cisplatin are synergistic against ovarian cancer cells, and therefore, should be subjected to further investigations, including clinical trials, to determine the potentials of the combination for the management of ovarian carcinoma. Keywords: PARP inhibitor; Ovarian cancer; Xenografted tumor; Cisplati

Migration patterns of pregnant women after disasters

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (within Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures) was a complex disaster; it caused a tsunami and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, resulting in radiation exposure. This study investigated the earthquake’s effects on the migration patterns of pregnant women and their concerns regarding radiation exposure. We also considered the following large-scale earthquakes without radiation exposure: Great Hanshin-Awaji (Hyogo prefecture), Niigata-Chuetsu, and Kumamoto. Pregnant women were categorized as outflow and inflow pregnant women. Data on the annual number of births three years before and after the earthquake were used as a denominator to calculate the outflow and inflow rates per 100 births. The odds ratios of annual outflow and inflow rates after the earthquake, using three years before the earthquake as the baseline, were calculated. The odds-ratio for outflow significantly increased for Hyogo, Fukushima, Miyagi, and Kumamoto prefectures after the earthquake, particularly for Fukushima, showing a significant increase until three years post the Great East Japan Earthquake (disaster year: odds-ratio: 2.66 [95% confidence interval: 2.44–2.90], 1 year post: 1.37 [1.23–1.52], 2 years post: 1.13 [1.00–1.26], 3 years post: 1.18 [1.05–1.31]), while the remaining three prefectures reported limited increases post one year. The inflow decreased after the earthquake, particularly in Fukushima, showing a significant decrease until 2 years post the Great East Japan Earthquake (disaster year: 0.58 [0.53–0.63], 1 year post: 0.76 [0.71–0.82], 2 years post: 0.83 [0.77–0.89]). Thus, pregnant women’s migration patterns changed after large-scale earthquakes, suggesting radiation exposure concerns possibly have a significant effects. These results suggested that plans for receiving assistance and support that considers the peculiarities of disaster related damage and pregnant women’s migration patterns are needed in both the affected and non-affected areas