大学生の規範意識、 道徳的認知、 行動基準の関連

本研究の目的は青年を対象として、 規範意識、 道徳的認知 (道徳的認知)、 5つの行動基準の関連を検討することであった。 調査協力者は教職課程に在籍する大学生229名 (男性178名, 女性51名) であった。 調査内容は、 規範意識 8項目、 道徳的認知 (DIT)、 行動基準尺度 (「自分本位」, 「仲間的セケン」, 「地域的セケン」, 「他者配慮」, 「公共利益」) であった。 変数間の相関を算出した結果、 「自分本位」 は 「規範意識」 と負の相関があり、 「地域的セケン」、 「他者配慮」、 「公共利益」、 「道徳的認知 (道徳性)」 は 「規範意識」 と正の相関があった。 「規範意識」 を従属変数、 そのほかの変数を独立変数とした重回帰分析の結果、 「地域的セケン」、 「他者配慮」 が 「規範意識」 を予測していた。 以上の結果について議論した。Recently, there has been a decrease in social norms in adolescents; this has led to several problems. Social norms are important research topic in the field of education, psychology, and business management, among others. This study was conducted to clarify the factors that predict social norms by focusing on moral cognition-Kohlberg- and the Standard for Public Space Scale (Egocentric, Peer-standards, Regional-standards, Care about Others, and Public Values). Regression analysis was performed to analyze the impacts of moral cognition and the five behavioral standards. The results revealed that "Regional-standards" and "Care about Others" significantly predicted social norms and that moral cognition did not predict social norms in adolescents. These results were discussed

規範意識は経年により変容するのか : 量的側面及び質的側面からの検討

近年, 青年の規範意識が低下したといわれることがある。 本研究では青年405名を対象として規範意識の量的側面, 質的側面から三時点 (2003年, 2009年, 2011年 (社会的危機)) において経年変化を検討した。 その結果, 規範意識は量的側面 ( 6件法) においては経年に伴い低下をしてはおらず, 規範によっては経年に伴い上昇していることが示された。 また, 規範意識の質的側面 (理由付け) では経年に伴いおおむねの規範について個人の自由だと判断する人が増加しているということはなく, 「道徳」 あるいは 「慣習」 と理解している人が多かった。 これらの結果について, 社会経済状況を踏まえ考察を行った。It has been suggested that normative consciousness in young people has weakened in recent times. Changes in normative consciousness on the basis of the time course effect were investigated quantitatively and qualitatively at three time points (2003, 2009, and 2011 (social crisis)). The results indicated that normative consciousness as measured quantitatively has not weakened over time and has actually strengthened for certain norms. When assessed qualitatively, participants that considered judgments related to norms to be a matter of personal choice were found not to have increased over time. Most participants recognized norms as moral obligations, or conventions. The above results are discussed in relation to social and economic conditions

VLBI Detections of Parsec-Scale Nonthermal Jets in Radio-Loud Broad Absorption Line Quasars

We conducted radio detection observations at 8.4 GHz for 22 radio-loud broad absorption line (BAL) quasars, selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Third Data Release, by a very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) technique. The VLBI instrument we used was developed by the Optically ConnecTed Array for VLBI Exploration project (OCTAVE), which is operated as a subarray of the Japanese VLBI Network (JVN). We aimed at selecting BAL quasars with nonthermal jets suitable for measuring their orientation angles and ages by subsequent detailed VLBI imaging studies to evaluate two controversial issues of whether BAL quasars are viewed nearly edge-on, and of whether BAL quasars are in a short-lived evolutionary phase of quasar population. We detected 20 out of 22 sources using the OCTAVE baselines, implying brightness temperatures greater than 10^5 K, which presumably come from nonthermal jets. Hence, BAL outflows and nonthermal jets can be generated simultaneously in these central engines. We also found four inverted-spectrum sources, which are interpreted as Doppler-beamed, pole-on-viewed relativistic jet sources or young radio sources: single edge-on geometry cannot describe all BAL quasars. We discuss the implications of the OCTAVE observations for investigations for the orientation and evolutionary stage of BAL quasars.Comment: 10 pages, no figure, 3 tables, accepted for publication in PAS

Predictive Value of Cetuximab-Induced Skin Toxicity in Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and NECK

Background: Skin toxicity is a common adverse event during cetuximab (Cmab) treatment. However, few reports have investigated the correlation between skin toxicity and the efficacy of Cmab in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 112 R/M SCCHN patients who received palliative chemotherapy with Cmab. Main eligibility criteria included primary disease in the oral cavity, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, oropharynx, or larynx; no prior history of EGFR-directed therapy; receipt of Cmab plus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for recurrent or metastatic disease; and follow-up for more than 90 days. We analyzed the time to first occurrence and time of maximum grade skin toxicity, and its predictive value with regard to treatment efficacy.Results: After a median follow-up of 393 days (range 109–1501 days), 105 (94%) and 20 (18%) patients had skin toxicity of any grade and grade 3, respectively. Among them, 8 patients with grade 3 acneiform rash, skin rash, or paronychia within 90 days after treatment initiation (“early skin toxicity”) had improved progression-free survival (PFS) (log-rank test, P = 0.045; 2-year PFS, 25.0 vs. 2.9%) and overall survival (OS) (log-rank test, P = 0.023, 2-year OS, 50.0 vs. 14.4%) compared with those with < grade 3 toxicity. A greater proportion of patients with early skin toxicity than patients without this toxicity could proceed with Cmab maintenance (88 vs. 44%, P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis identified early skin toxicity as an independent predictor of better PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.363, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.142–0.924, P = 0.034) and OS (HR = 0.187, 95% CI: 0.045–0.781, P = 0.022).Conclusion: Grade 3 Cmab-induced skin toxicity within 90 days was associated with better survival in R/M SCCHN. Effective rash management therefore seems necessary to realize the benefit of Cmab treatment

Effects of eluted components from 4-META/MMA-TBB adhesive resin sealer on osteoblastic cell proliferation

Background/purpose: Adhesive resin sealer systems are applied to seal root-canal systems more effectively through the formation of a resin impregnation layer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eluted components of the adhesive, Super-Bond sealer (SBS), on the proliferation of osteoblastic cells in vitro. Materials and methods: The standard powder:liquid ratio according to the manufacturer\u27s instructions was used to produce a cylindrical block of SBS (5 mm in diameter, 10 mm long) for this elution study. The resin block was placed on a 100-mm culture dish. Osteoblastic cells were seeded at a density of 4 × 10 6 in α-minimum essential medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and cultured in a humidified incubator. After 3 days of culture with or without SBS, cells were retrieved and lysed according to the manufacturer\u27s instructions. The cellular events induced by the eluted components from SBS were analyzed using an antibody assay for mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and a 3-(4,5-dimethylthyazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, the concentration of boron, a component of the catalyst, tri-n-butyl borane (TBB), was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Results: Expression of MAPKs increased after SBS application. The MTT assay indicated that TBB, one of the components of SBS, accelerated the proliferation of osteoblastic cells. Values of boron were 1.66 ± 0.37 and 1.74 ± 0.30 ppm in cells cultured with and without FBS, respectively. Conclusions: The eluted components from SBS can increase the expression of some MAPKs related to osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Both the elution experiment and treatment of cell culture with SBS components indicated that the boron originating from TBB is likely to be responsible for activation of the proliferation of osteoblastic cells

Functional tooth number and mortality

Aim: Previous studies on the association between intraoral conditions and mortality in community-dwelling older individuals reported that fewer present teeth (PT) are significant risk factors for mortality. However, how the number of PT relative to the number of functional teeth (FT), including both present and rehabilitated teeth, influences mortality has not been investigated fully. This study examined the impact of the number of FT on mortality among community-dwelling Japanese older adults. Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational and population-based follow-up study, which examined 1188 older individuals who participated in an annual geriatric health examination from 2009 to 2015. The average follow-up period was 1697.0 ± 774.5 days. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at follow-up. The numbers of PT and FT of each participant were counted during an oral examination. In addition, demographics, clinical variables, blood nutrient markers, physical functions and perceived masticatory function were measured. Results: Kaplan–Meier analysis, followed by a log-rank test, revealed that fewer PT (P < 0.001) and FT (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with a reduced survival rate. Cox's proportional hazard analysis indicated that the number of FT, but not the number of PT, was a significant independent mortality risk factor after adjusting for demographics, clinical variables, nutrient markers and physical functioning (P = 0.036, hazard ratio: 2.089). Conclusions: Current results suggest that the number of FT more strongly predicts all-cause mortality than the number of PT among community-dwelling older adults. Further studies are necessary to consider the confounding of socioeconomic status and disability status

Number of functional teeth more strongly predicts all‐cause mortality than number of present teeth in Japanese older adults

Aim Previous studies on the association between intraoral conditions and mortality in community‐dwelling older individuals reported that fewer present teeth (PT) are significant risk factors for mortality. However, how the number of PT relative to the number of functional teeth (FT), including both present and rehabilitated teeth, influences mortality has not been investigated fully. This study examined the impact of the number of FT on mortality among community‐dwelling Japanese older adults. Methods This study was a retrospective, observational and population‐based follow‐up study, which examined 1188 older individuals who participated in an annual geriatric health examination from 2009 to 2015. The average follow‐up period was 1697.0 ± 774.5 days. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality at follow‐up. The numbers of PT and FT of each participant were counted during an oral examination. In addition, demographics, clinical variables, blood nutrient markers, physical functions and perceived masticatory function were measured. Results Kaplan–Meier analysis, followed by a log‐rank test, revealed that fewer PT (P  Conclusions Current results suggest that the number of FT more strongly predicts all‐cause mortality than the number of PT among community‐dwelling older adults. Further studies are necessary to consider the confounding of socioeconomic status and disability status

Impact of number of functional teeth on independence of Japanese older adults

Aim To examine the relationship between the number of present and functional teeth at baseline and future incidence of loss of independence. Methods Participants were community-dwelling older individuals who participated in a comprehensive geriatric health examination conducted in Kusatsu town, Japan, between 2009 and 2015. The primary endpoint was the incidence of loss of independence among participants, defined as the first certification of long-term care insurance in Japan. The numbers of present and functional teeth at baseline were determined via an oral examination. Demographics, clinical variables (e.g., history of chronic diseases and psychosocial factors), blood nutritional markers, physical functions, and perceived masticatory function were assessed. Results This study included 1121 individuals, and 205 individuals suffered from loss of independence during the follow-up period. Kaplan–Meier estimates of loss of independence for participants with smaller numbers of present and functional teeth were significantly greater than for those with larger numbers of teeth. Cox proportional hazard analyses indicated that a smaller number of present teeth was not a significant risk factor after adjusting for demographic characteristics. However, the number of functional teeth was a significant risk factor after the adjustment (hazard ratio: 1.975 [1.168–3.340]). Additionally, higher hazard ratios were observed in other adjusted models, but they were not statistically significant. Conclusions The number of functional teeth may be more closely related to the future incidence of loss of independence than the number of present teeth. This novel finding suggests that prosthodontic rehabilitation for tooth loss possibly prevents the future incidence of this life-event

シカク ショウガイシャ ユウドウヨウ ブロックトウ ノ リヨウ ジョウキョウ チョウサ

For the project of National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) on standardization of visibility of tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs) for visually impaired people, we conducted a survey on TWSIs use in 154 subjects (91 males and 63 females) with low vision, aged 14-90 years (mean=60.2). The results showed that 49% of the subjects used TWSIs when they walked, with the most common usage being walking while looking at TWSIs for guidance (45%), followed by walking on TWSIs without a white cane (33%). The other 51% gave reasons why they did not use TWSIs, which included 60% of them who did not need TWSIs for mobility, while the other 30% could not use them due to insufficient visibility, for example, the TWSI colors being too similar to background. Our study also clarified that over 60% of people with low vision walk by themselves every day. To assure the safety of walking for visually impaired people, the visibility of TWSIs must be standardized as soon as possible