Development of a visible-light-responsive rutile rod by site-selective modification of iron(III) ion on {1 1 1} exposed crystal faces

{1 1 1} exposed crystal faces of shape-controlled rutile titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) were site-selectively modified with trivalent iron(III) (Fe3+) ions by utilizing adsorption property of iron(III)/iron(II) (Fe3+/Fe2+) ions. The rutile TiO2 with site-selective modification of Fe3+ ions showed high photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation as a result of separation of redox sites, i.e., oxidation and reduction proceed over Fe3+ ions on {1 1 1} faces and the bare TiO2 surface on {1 1 0} faces, respectively. Double-beam photoacoustic spectroscopic analyses suggest that the high activity of TiO2 with site-selective modification of Fe3+ ions is attributed to not efficient electron injection from Fe3+ ions but efficient reduction by injected electrons on {1 1 0} faces

Improvement of visible light responsivity of rutile TiO2 nanorods by site-selective modification of iron(III) ion on newly exposed faces formed by chemical etching treatment

Site-selective modification of trivalent iron(III) (Fe3+) ions was applied to rutile titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) nanorods after chemical etching treatment in order to improve photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation. Chemical etching of rutile nanorods with {1 1 0} and {1 1 1} faces using aqueous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or hydrogen (H2O2)–ammonia (NH3) solution exposed {0 0 1} and {1 1 n} (n < 1) faces, respectively. Fe3+-modified rutile nanorods after chemical etching exhibited higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of toluene in gas phase than that before chemical etching. This improvement of photocatalytic activity was attributed to a large amount of site-selectively-modified Fe3+ ions, resulting in an increase in photoabsorption. Moreover, our results indicate that a rutile nanorod with large {0 0 1} and {1 1 0} exposed crystal faces is the most suitable structure for visible light response by site-selective modification of Fe3+ ions

地震発生時における住民の共助の意向の実態と関連する要因-地震による被災経験を持たない地域における調査-

目的：災害時における住民の共助の意向および避難行動要支援者を助けようとする意志に関する実態の調査と、それらに関連する要因を明らかにすることである。 方法：A 県 B 市 C 地区の 15 歳以上の住民 4370 人に無記名自記式質問紙調査を行い、 3651人の回答者中2861人から有効回答を得た（有効回答率78.4%）。調査内容は、基本属性、災害時における対応、災害に備える行動、災害に関する認識、地域への愛着・つながりとした。結果：災害時における共助の意向のある者は 78.1%、避難行動要支援者を助けようとする意志のある者は 79.5% であった。また、災害時における共助の意向、避難行動要支援者を助けようとする意志の両方に地域防災活動への参加の必要性、災害時に助け合える隣近所の人がいることが関連していた。考察：災害時における共助の意向を有することおよび避難行動要支援者を助けようとする意志を有することには、災害時のことを考える機会を日頃から持つこと、平常時から住民同士の交流を深める機会をつくることが必要であることが示唆された。Aim: This study was performed to investigate residents’ willingness to cooperate and help others requiring support with evacuation in the event of a disaster, and to identify factors linked to these traits. Methods: An anonymous, self-administered written survey was conducted with 4370 residents aged ≥15 in District C, City B, Prefecture A. Of the 3651 responses received, 2861 were valid (valid response rate, 78.4%). The survey covered basic attributes, coping in the event of a disaster, actions to prepare for a disaster, understanding of disasters, and attachment to and relations within the community.Results: The percentage of people who were willing to cooperate in the event of a disaster was 78.1%, and the percentage who would be willing to help others requiring support with evacuation was 79.5%. Necessity of participation in regional disaster prevention activities and having neighbors who help each other in a disaster were both found to be contributing factors to willingness to cooperate and help others requiring support with evacuation in the event of a disaster.Discussion: This study suggested that having the opportunity to think about how they would cope at the time of a disaster and to create opportunities to deepen exchanges between residents under normal conditions were necessary for willingness to cooperate and help others requiring support with evacuation in the event of a disaster

Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Japanese version of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale

Abstract Background Until recently, no Japanese versions have existed of the more popular, patient-reported disability questionnaires for neck pain. This study aimed to test the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Japanese version of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS), one of the most widely used questionnaires in patients with neck pain. Methods In this validation study, 167 outpatients with neck pain participated. Patients received the NPDS and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36), and used Visual Analog Scales (VASs) to assess pain and global health. To examine test-retest reliability, patients who were considered stable by clinicians were given the NPDS 2 weeks after baseline. To examine responsiveness, patients who had not undergone treatment at the time of the first data collection or had no change in treatment over 3 months were studied again 2 weeks after starting a new medication or physical therapy. Results Of the 167 participants, 143 completed the questionnaires (85.6%). Factor analysis showed two factors, defined as neck-pain-related disability (factor 1) and neck-related pain (factor 2). Cronbach&apos;s a coefficient for factor 1, factor 2, and total score was 0.94, 0.93, and 0.96. The intra-class correlation coefficients for the 19 more stable patients were 0.79, 0.88, and 0.87. For concurrent validity, the correlation between NPDS subscales and total score and SF-36 subscale scores ranged from r = -0.54 to -0.22 (p \ 0.01). Correlations between the NPDS subscales and total score and VAS of pain ranged from 0.56 to 0.77 (p \ 0.01) and those for VAS of global health ranged from 0.48 to 0.63 (p \ 0.01). The NPDS subscales and total scores of the 41 patients retested after treatment were significantly improved. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this articl

性的虐待を受けた子どもと非加害親への心理的支援 : 児童家庭支援センターでの親子並行面接を通して

This is a case study of a sexually abused child and her mother (non-perpetrator parent) who underwent parallel interviews conducted by therapists in a child and family support center. The child was in the first grade of an elementary school and had been sexually abused by her father. One therapist carried out play therapy for the child once a week. The treatment target was to overcome her trauma. A second therapist interviewed her mother with the aim of psychological recovery and support that would allow the mother to take a role in the daily care of her child. In this paper we discuss the psychological transformation and recovery process as well as the ideal method of psychological support in cases of sexual abuse, such as the case of the mother and child described above. The stages of the psychological transformation process through which the child passed during the play therapy were as follow: reproduction of the abuse and her self-image as a survivor, the image of a safe place to stay and the expression of her feelings, and, finally,the care of her mind and body and the recovery of self-image. On the other hand, the stages her mother passed through included acceptance of the fact of sexual abuse fact, understanding of the damage received by the child and psychological care,and,finally,an understanding of the damage done to the mother. As a result of support provided for both the mother and child, they were able to recover psychologically and their domestic relations were reestablished

Low testosterone levels, depressive symptoms, and falls in older men: a cross-sectional study.

While several studies have cited a potential association between testosterone deficiency and risk of falls among community-dwelling older men, evidence for such an association is conflicting. Depressive symptoms, which occasionally accompany testosterone deficiency but which are often neglected as associated symptoms, may actually provoke falls independent of or jointly with testosterone deficiency. We examined the association between testosterone levels, depressive symptoms, and falls, and assessed the joint effect of testosterone levels and depressive symptoms on falls among older men.Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from 869 men aged over 60 years who participated in health check-ups conducted in 2010 from 2 Japanese municipalities. Salivary testosterone (sT) levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and depressive symptoms were assessed via the short form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Self-reported "any fall" over the 1-month period. Among the total of 482 participants analyzed (median age, 70 years), 10.8% reported any fall. On comparison between 90th percentile sT levels and lower levels, our logistic regression model with restricted cubic splines showed that lower sT levels were associated with an increased likelihood of suffering any fall after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and mobility function. For example, 5th percentile sT was associated with any fall [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 4.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.66–10.8]. Depressive symptoms were also strongly associated with any fall [adjusted OR, 3.49 (95% CI, 1.52–8.04)]. We noted no apparent interaction of sT and depressive symptoms with falls (P = .079), suggesting that the joint effect of testosterone deficiency and depressive symptoms on falls was multiplicative. Indeed, compared with a combination of 90th percentile sT values and no depressive symptoms, adjusted OR for any fall in a combination involving 5th percentile sT and depressive symptoms was 14.8-fold (95% CI, 3.76–58.0). Our findings indicated that both relatively low testosterone levels and presence of depressive symptoms were independently associated with falls among older men. Causality of these associations should be confirmed in future prospective studies

Overactive bladder symptom severity is associated with falls in community-dwelling adults: LOHAS study.

[Objectives] To examine the association between overactive bladder (OAB) symptom severity and falls and the contribution of OAB symptoms to falls in a community-dwelling population. [Design] Cross-sectional study. [Setting] 2 Japanese municipalities. [Participants] A total of 2505 residents aged over 40 years, who participated in health check-ups conducted in 2010. OAB symptom assessed via overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) was divided into six categories based on distribution and Japanese clinical guidelines. Mobility problems and depressive symptoms were assessed via the Timed Up and Go test and the short form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, respectively. [Primary outcome measures] Self-reported any fall and frequent fall (≥2) over the 1-month period. Independent contributions to any fall and frequent falls were assessed via logistic regression to generate population-attributable fractions (PAFs), assuming separate causal relationships between OAB symptoms, mobility problems and depressive symptoms and any or frequent falls. [Results] Among the total 1350 participants (mean age: 68.3 years) analysed, any fall and frequent falls were reported by 12.7% and 4.4%, respectively. Compared with no OABSS score, moderate-to-severe OAB and mild OAB were associated with any fall (adjusted ORs 2.37 (95% CI 1.12 to 4.98) and 2.51 (95% CI 1.14 to 5.52), respectively). Moderate-to-severe OAB was also strongly associated with frequent falls (adjusted OR 6.90 (95% CI 1.50 to 31.6)). Adjusted PAFs of OAB symptoms were 40.7% (95% CI 0.7% to 64.6%) for any fall and 67.7% (95% CI −23.1% to 91.5%) for frequent falls. Further, these point estimates were similar to or larger than those of mobility problems and depressive symptoms. [Conclusions] An association does indeed exist between OAB symptom severity and falls, and OAB symptoms might be important contributors to falls among community-dwelling adults. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to examine whether or not OAB symptoms predict risk of future falls and fall-related injuries