Declaring Buddhism dead in the 19th century: the Meiji oligarchy and protestant mission in Japan a foreign religion. Explorations of an unchartered territory

This paper elaborates the interaction of social ideologies and religion between the Japanese oligarchy of the first half of the Meiji era and the German Liberal Protestant Mission. The Protestant image conflict, the newly emerging science of comparative religion and social consolidation are considered in the context of the interests of both parties. German Protestant ethics and educational ideology were introduced as distinctly attractive nation-building strategies, appropriate for the purposes of the Meiji oligarchy. The parallels with the indigenous national doctrine of the Edo period enabled the ruling class to incorporate the new and Western ethical concepts, which founded their sympathy for the German Liberal Protestant mission. The influence of Liberal Protestant theology on Buddhist reformers is also discussed in relation to the mission’s activity in the 1880s and early 1890s

Influence of various polishing methods on pulp temperature: An in vitro study

Objective: After orthodontic debonding, adhesive removal can lead to rises in pulp temperature, causing histological changes or pulp necrosis. The objective of this study was to measure increases in pulp temperature during adhesive removal using different instruments and various cooling procedures. Materials and methods: A thermoelement was introduced into the pulp chamber of 10human incisors. The teeth were immersed in a 36°C water bath up to the cementoenamel junction. Two carbide burs, one polishing disk and two rubber points were used for polishing. All measurements were taken over a 10s period by a single investigator, under slight pressure and with constant motion. Three cooling procedures were examined: no cooling, air cooling and water cooling. Pulp temperatures were measured before polishing and after 10s of polishing. Results: Without cooling, the two rubber points revealed clinically relevant temperature increases of 6.1°C and 12.4°C. Cooling with air and with water reduced pulp temperature in conjunction with all polishing methods. Air cooling was most efficient, except in combination with the polishing disk. Conclusion: Under these study conditions, carbide burs and polishing disks can be used safely and without risk to the pulp, even without cooling. On the other hand, rubber points cause a marked increase in pulp temperature when used without coolin

Influence of material choice on the force delivery of bimaxillary tooth positioners on canine malpositions

Objective: Since their introduction in 1945, tooth positioners have been used to treat a range of malpositions. Although the original appliance was made of natural rubber, today's tooth positioners are fabricated from various elastic, transparent materials. It was the aim of this study to evaluate the forces and moments produced by current positioners on various upper canine malpositions. Material and methods: Seven positioners of different materials were tested on 11 upper canine malpositions: 0.25, 0.5, 1mm supraposition; 0.25, 0.5, 1mm infraposition; 5°, 10°, 20° mesiorotation; 5° mesioinclination, 5° buccal root torque. We measured forces and moments in vitro after bite closure by 0.5mm, and opening by 1mm using a three-dimensional robotic device. All measurements were taken in a temperature-controlled environment at 36°C. Results: The forces and moments measured at the canine varied greatly among the different positioners, with the thermoformed EVA positioner showing much greater forces and moments in almost all malpositions. At initial closure, we observed intrusive forces of 6-32N for suprapositions, 0-11N intrusive forces for infrapositions, 0-20Nmm for mesiorotations, 6-12Nmm for mesioinclinations, and − 23Nmm to 5Nmm for buccal root torque. All positioners were most effective on suprapositioned teeth. Very low or negligible correctional forces and moments in conjunction with all infrapositions and 5° with rotation were noted. Labial root torque led to unpredictable moments. Conclusion: Positioner material plays a major role in delivering forces to the teeth. However, tooth positioners did not induce corrective forces in all the malpositions tested. Clinically relevant correctional forces or moments in conjunction with all suprapositions, rotations of 10° and 20° as well as mesial tipping of the canine were observe

Development and validation of a mobile phone application developed for measuring dietary fiber intake

We have developed a mobile phone application for measuring the intake of dietary fiber and validated the ability of the application to accurately capture this intake against measurements registered by a dietary record. We also investigated what food groups contributed most to the total, soluble, and insoluble dietary fiber intake. Twenty-six randomly selected Swedish women aged 35–85 years were included and randomized to either start to register dietary intake in the application or by a dietary record, during three consecutive days. After a washout period of at least two weeks, the participants used the other method. We found that the difference in measured mean fiber intake between the dietary record and the application was two grams independent of the total intake per day. A statistically significant correlation between fiber intake as measured by the two methods was found (rho = 0.65, p < 0.001). Vegetables and roots were the predominantly contributing foods to total and soluble fiber intake. Bread and crackers contributed most to insoluble fiber intake. In conclusion, the application may be considered as a useful and easy-to-use method to measure dietary fiber intake

A Preparatory Study for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Dietary Fiber Intake During Adult Pelvic Radiotherapy

Background: Patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy are often advised to omit fiber-rich foods from their diet to reduce the adverse effects of treatment. Scientific evidence supporting this recommendation is lacking, and recent studies on animals and humans have suggested that there is a beneficial effect of dietary fiber for the alleviation of symptoms. Randomized controlled studies on dietary fiber intake during pelvic radiotherapy of sufficient size and duration are needed. As preparation for such a large-scale study, we evaluated the feasibility, compliance, participation rate, and logistics and report our findings here in this preparatory study. Methods: In this preparatory study of a fiber intervention trial, Swedish gynecological cancer patients scheduled for radiotherapy were recruited between January 2019 and August 2020. During the intervention, the participants filled out questionnaires and used an application. They also consumed a fiber supplement at first in powder form, later in capsules. Blood- and fecal samples were collected. The study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04534075?cond=fidura&draw=2&rank=1). Results: Among 136 approached patients, 57 started the study and the participation rate for primary outcomes was 63% (third blood sample) and 65% (third questionnaire). Barely half of the participants provided fecal samples. Providing concise and relevant information to the patients at the right time was crucial in getting them to participate and stay in the study. The most common reasons for declining participation or dropping out were the expected burden of radiotherapy or acute side effects. Tailoring the ambition level to each patient concerning the collection of data beyond the primary endpoints was an important strategy to keep the dropout rate at an acceptable level. Using capsules rather than psyllium in powder form made it much easier to document intake and to create a control group. During the course of the preparatory study, we improved the logistics and for the last 12 participants included, the participation rate was 100% for the earliest primary outcome. Conclusion: A variety of adjustments in this preparatory study resulted in an improved participation rate, which allowed us to set a final protocol and proceed with the main study