Properties of radio-frequency-sputter-deposited GaN films in a nitrogen/hydrogen mixed gas

GaN films have been deposited by reactive sputtering in nitrogen gas at pressures from 0.08 to 2.70 Pa with and without the addition of hydrogen gas. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), optical absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy have been used to characterize the sputter-deposited GaN films. The XRD pattern reveals that the GaN films deposited in nitrogen gas at pressures lower than 0.53 Pa are polycrystals with the (0001) texture (α-GaN), while those deposited at or above 1.07 Pa display mixed crystalline orientations or an amorphous-like nature. The GaN:H films deposited in nitrogen/hydrogen mixed gas, on the other hand, show an amorphous or amorphous-like nature. The FTIR spectra indicate that the GaN:H films show peaks arising from hydrogen-related bonds at ～1000 and ～3200 cm−1, in addition to the GaN absorption band at ,555 cm−1. The optical absorption spectra at 300 K indicate the fundamental absorption edges at ～3.38 and ～3.7 eV for the highly oriented α-GaN and amorphous GaN:H films, respectively. PL emission has been observed from sputter-deposited a-GaN films at temperatures below 100 K. The GaN:H films also show strong band-edge and donor-acceptor pair emissions. The PL emission in the GaN:H film may arise from crystalline GaN particles embedded in the amorphous GaN matrix

Toward Sensor-Based Context Aware Systems

This paper proposes a methodology for sensor data interpretation that can combine sensor outputs with contexts represented as sets of annotated business rules. Sensor readings are interpreted to generate events labeled with the appropriate type and level of uncertainty. Then, the appropriate context is selected. Reconciliation of different uncertainty types is achieved by a simple technique that moves uncertainty from events to business rules by generating combs of standard Boolean predicates. Finally, context rules are evaluated together with the events to take a decision. The feasibility of our idea is demonstrated via a case study where a context-reasoning engine has been connected to simulated heartbeat sensors using prerecorded experimental data. We use sensor outputs to identify the proper context of operation of a system and trigger decision-making based on context information

Personalized curriculum composition by learner profile driven data mining

The paper is focused on modeling, processing, evaluating and refining processes with humans involved like (not only, but also e-) learning. A formerly developed concept called storyboarding has been applied at Tokyo Denki University (TDU) to model the various ways to study at this university. Along with this storyboard, we developed a Data Mining Technology to estimate success chances of curricula. Here, we introduce a learner profiling concept that represents the students’ individual properties, talents and preferences personalized data mining

Personalized curriculum composition by learner profile driven data mining

The paper is focused on modeling, processing, evaluating and refining processes with humans involved like (not only, but also e-) learning. A formerly developed concept called storyboarding has been applied at Tokyo Denki University (TDU) to model the various ways to study at this university. Along with this storyboard, we developed a Data Mining Technology to estimate success chances of curricula. Here, we introduce a learner profiling concept that represents the students’ individual properties, talents and preferences personalized data mining

[実践報告] 老年看護学実習の学びにポスターツアー（ジグソー法）を用いた教育実践の評価

要旨：本稿では看護学部３年生の「老年看護学実習Ⅰ」の科目におけるポスターツアー（ジグソー法）を用いた教育実践の概要および実施状況、さらに学生からの評価をもとに教育実践の効果を述べる。　2019年９月～10月、58名の学生は老年看護学実習（高齢者施設実習）の学びをグループでまとめてポスターを作成した。ジグソー法による実習グループの再編成後にポスターツアーを実施した。実習終了後、対象学生へ無記名自記式のアンケート調査を実施した。　調査の結果、“実習施設の理解が深まった”は「とてもそう思う」93.1％、「少しそう思う」5.2％、「無回答」1.7％であった。“他施設の役割・機能がわかった”は「とてもそう思う」93.1％、「少しそう思う」3.4％、「どちらでもない」および「無回答」ともに1.7％であった。“施設間の相違がわかった”についても同じ傾向を示した。　ポスターツアー（ジグソー法）を用いた実習の学びの共有は、質疑応答に十分な時間を費やすことが可能となり、発表全体への理解度を深めた。また、個々のグループメンバーが代表として責任をもってグループの学びを他のメンバーへ発表することは、フリーライダーを抑止し、個人の学びを深めることに効果的であった。Abstract: This study outlined an educational practice based on poster presentations (jigsaw method) in the course “Geriatric Nursing Practice I” taught to third-year students at the faculty of nursing in A nursing college. We also described the implementation status of the educational practice and its effectiveness based on students’ evaluations. From September to October 2019, 58 students created posters in groups summarizing what was learned during their practical training in Geriatric Nursing Practice I (i.e., practice at older adult care facilities). Poster presentations were conducted based on the jigsaw method after the students of the training group regrouped. After the practical training was completed, the students were surveyed using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. According to the survey results, 93.1% of the students responded “Strongly agree” to the statement “I gained adeeper understanding of the training facility,” whereas 5.2% responded “Somewhat agree,” and 1.7% did not provide a response. Regarding the statement “I understood the role and function of other facilities,” 93.1% of the students responded “Strongly agree,” whereas 3.4% responded “Somewhat agree,” and 1.7% either responded “Neither agree nor disagree” or did not provide a response. The same tendency was observed with regard to the statement “I understood the differences between facilities.” Sharing what was learned during the practical training through poster presentations (jigsaw method) allowed the students to spend sufficient time on questions and answers which deepened their understanding of all presentations. Further, each group member presented what their group had learned to other groups, which was effective in deterring freeloaders and promoting intensive individual learning

SP7 Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation at a Late Stage in Mice

RUNX2 and SP7 are essential transcription factors for osteoblast differentiation at an early stage. Although RUNX2 inhibits osteoblast differentiation at a late stage, the function of SP7 at the late stage of osteoblast differentiation is not fully elucidated. Thus, we pursued the function of SP7 in osteoblast differentiation. RUNX2 induced Sp7 expression in Runx2−/− calvarial cells. Adenoviral transfer of sh-Sp7 into primary osteoblasts reduced the expression of Alpl, Col1a1, and Bglap2 and mineralization, whereas that of Sp7 reduced Bglap2 expression and mineralization at a late stage of osteoblast differentiation. Sp7 transgenic mice under the control of 2.3 kb Col1a1 promoter showed osteopenia and woven-bone like structure in the cortical bone, which was thin and less mineralized, in a dose-dependent manner. Further, the number of processes in the osteoblasts and osteocytes was reduced. Although the osteoblast density was increased, the bone formation was reduced. The frequency of BrdU incorporation was increased in the osteoblastic cells, while the expression of Col1a1, Spp1, Ibsp, and Bglap2 was reduced. Further, the osteopenia in Sp7 or Runx2 transgenic mice was worsened in Sp7/Runx2 double transgenic mice and the expression of Col1a1 and Bglap2 was reduced. The expression of Sp7 and Runx2 was not increased in Runx2 and Sp7 transgenic mice, respectively. The expression of endogenous Sp7 was increased in Sp7 transgenic mice and Sp7-transduced cells; the introduction of Sp7 activated and sh-Sp7 inhibited Sp7 promoter; and ChIP assay showed the binding of endogenous SP7 in the proximal region of Sp7 promoter. These findings suggest that SP7 and RUNX2 inhibit osteoblast differentiation at a late stage in a manner independent of RUNX2 and SP7, respectively, and SP7 positively regulates its own promoter

Gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma: review of the literature.

Gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma (GI-FL) is a relatively rare disease, accounting for only 1%-3.6% of gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although the duodenum and terminal ileum are considered to be the most common sites of origin, the development of wireless capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy has increased the detection of GI-FL in every part of the small intestine. Approximately 70% of patients with GI-FL are estimated to have multiple lesions throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract. FL is a low-grade lymphoma that usually develops very slowly. If the lymphoma causes no symptoms, immediate treatment may not be necessary. Standard therapy has not yet been established for GI-FL, but chemotherapy, radiotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, or a combination of these therapies, is sometimes performed based on the therapeutic regimens for nodal FL. Regimens including conventional chemotherapy with rituximab, which achieve high response rates in nodal FL, are commonly used for GI-FL. The long-term clinical outcome of GI-FL is unclear. The results of a few series on the long-term outcomes of patients with GI-FL treated with conventional therapy indicate a median relapse-free time ranging from 31 to 45 months. On the other hand, in patients with GI-FL who were followed without treatment, the median time to disease progression was 37.5 months. Thus, whether to initiate aggressive therapy or whether to continue watchful waiting in patients with GI-FL is a critically important decision. Ongoing research on biomarkers to guide individualized GI-FL therapy may provide invaluable information that will lead to the establishment of a standard therapeutic regimen