From storytelling to poetry: The oral background of the Persian epics.

The present work examines the role played by oral tradition in the evolution of the Persian (written) epic tradition, which virtually began with the Shadhname of Ferdowsi (ShNF). The text is also the culmination of a long development that stretches back into ancient times. In the process of transmission of narratives, both writing and oral tradition are assumed to have played a role. While Ferdowsi's written sources have been studied, the influence of oral tradition on his work remains largely unexplored. In order to explore oral influence on the ShNF, the thesis suggests a new approach. Based on formal characteristics of naqqali (the Persian storytelling tradition as it is known from later times), a set of criteria is proposed to demonstrate the extent to which a written text shows structures which could be explained as deriving from oral composition, here called "Oral Performance Model" (OPM). The OPM consists of formal and thematic criteria. The former consider whether a text can be divided into a sequence of instalments, and the latter examine how instalment divisions affect the thematic organisation of the story. By applying the OPM to the ShNF, it becomes clear that Ferdowsi used techniques associated with oral storytelling. Such findings on the ShNF throw new light on the later epics, which are not only influenced by the ShNF as a model but are also influenced by oral performance. To demonstrate this, the OPM is applied to the Garshaspname of Asadi (GN). While oral performance continues to influence the structure of the text, it is also clear that literary elements play a greater role in the GN than in the ShNF. Despite his literary ambitions, Asadi displays his implicit dependence on oral performance, which seems to have fundamentally shaped his perception and appreciabon of heroic stories

First-principles study of electronic and optical properties of lead-free double perovskites Cs2NaBX6 (B = Sb, Bi; X = Cl, Br, I)

Organolead halide perovskite is regarded as the most promising light-harvesting material for next-generation solar cells; however, the intrinsic instability and toxicity of lead are still of great concern. Bismuth is ecofriendly and has electronic properties similar to those of lead, which has gradually attracted interest for optoelectronic applications. However, the valence state of bismuth is different from that of lead, eliminating the possibility of replacing lead by bismuth in organolead halide perovskites. To address this matter, one feasible strategy is to construct B-site double perovskites by the combination of Bi3+ and B+ in 1:1 ratio. In this work, lead-free halide double perovskites of the form Cs2NaBX6 (B = Sb, Bi; X = Cl, Br, I) were investigated by first-principles calculations. The electronic properties, optical absorption coefficients, and thermodynamic stability of these compounds were investigated to ascertain their potential application in solar energy conversion. The results provide theoretical support for the exploration of lead-free perovskite materials in potential optoelectronic applications

触媒的不斉多連続アルドール反応によるポリオール合成

学位の種別: 課程博士審査委員会委員 : （主査）東京大学教授 金井 求, 東京大学教授 浦野 泰照, 東京大学准教授 岡田 正弘, 東京大学講師 宮本 和範, 東京大学講師 藤井 晋也University of Tokyo(東京大学

Traditional Herbal Medicine, Rikkunshito, Induces HSP60 and Enhances Cytoprotection of Small Intestinal Mucosal Cells as a Nontoxic Chaperone Inducer

Increasing incidence of small intestinal ulcers associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has become a topic with recent advances of endoscopic technology. However, the pathogenesis and therapy are not fully understood. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Rikkunshito (TJ-43), a traditional herbal medicine, on expression of HSP60 and cytoprotective ability in small intestinal cell line (IEC-6). Effect of TJ-43 on HSP60 expression in IEC-6 cells was evaluated by immunoblot analysis. The effect of TJ-43 on cytoprotective abilities of IEC-6 cells against hydrogen peroxide or indomethacin was studied by MTT assay, LDH-release assay, caspase-8 activity, and TUNEL. HSP60 was significantly induced by TJ-43. Cell necrosis and apoptosis were significantly suppressed in IEC-6 cells pretreated by TJ-43 with overexpression of HSP60. Our results suggested that HSP60 induced by TJ-43 might play an important role in protecting small intestinal epithelial cells from apoptosis and necrosis in vitro

Conceptualizing the Japanese Prosocial Behavior from the Viewpoint of the “Seven Practices of Giving” in Buddhism

What is the Japanese-specific prosocial behavior, if any? We attempted to articulate it in terms of the Buddhist Seven Practices of Giving: (a) bodily/behavioral, (b) seat-offering/letting-go, (c) house-offering/hospitality, (d) kind words-giving, (e) smiling, (f) tender looking, and (g) mental/compassionate practices. We argued with psychological evidence that the West-originated concept of prosociality refers basically to active overt behaviors toward others’ welfare, whereas the Japanese prosociality involves one’s subtle facial expressions and inner gentle attitudes. A possible underlying mechanism might well be theorized, based on Haruki’s “alien reinforcement” theory, which can ably explain social behaviors especially in collective cultures

NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species are essential for differentiation of a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) into osteoclasts

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from NADPH oxidase (Nox) homologues have been suggested to regulate osteoclast differentiation. However, no bone abnormalities have been documented in Nox1 deficient, Nox2 deficient, or Nox3 mutant mice. During receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-stimulated differentiation of a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) into osteoclasts, mRNA levels of Nox enzymes (Nox1-4) and their adaptor proteins were monitored by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. RAW264.7 cells constitutively expressed abundant Nox2 mRNA and small amounts of Nox1 and Nox3 transcripts. RANKL markedly attenuated Nox2 mRNA expression in association with reciprocal up-regulation of Nox1 and Nox3 transcripts. Introduction of small interference RNA targeting p67phox or p22phox into RAW264.7 cells effectively downregulated ROS generation and significantly suppressed the RANKL-stimulated differentiation, which was assessed by appearance of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)- positive, multinucleated cells having an ability to form resorption pits on calcium phosphate thin film-coated disks, and by expression of osteoclast marker genes (TRAP, cathepsin K, Atp6i, ClC-7, and NFATc1). Our results suggest that RANKL may stimulate switching between Nox homologues during osteoclast differentiation, and Nox-derived ROS may be crucial for RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation

Autonomic function measurements for evaluating fatigue and quality of life in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy: a prospective longitudinal study

Background: Fatigue during radiation therapy in women with breast cancer can decrease quality of life (QOL), yet it is often underestimated and needs to be evaluated objectively. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate fatigue and QOL of women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy with a simple autonomic function measurement. Methods: Women with breast cancer who underwent postoperative radiotherapy in eight cancer care hospitals in Chubu and Kinki regions in Japan were recruited between October 2021 and June 2022. The women underwent a self-administered questionnaire that included the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) and the Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8) and an autonomic nervous function measurement using a simple, non-invasive device before (T0, baseline), mid (T1), and at the end (T2) of treatment. Results: The 57 women showed similar trends, with CFS scores and log LF/HF ratio being the highest at T0 and significantly decreasing at T1 (both p < 0.05). The log LF/HF trends differed between those with high and low baseline log LF/HF values. Women with mental component summary (MCS) score improvement (T0 to T2) had the highest log LF/HF ratio at T0 and had significantly lower log LF/HF values at T1 and T2 than at T0 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). The change of (⊿) MCS from T0 to T1 was negatively correlated with ⊿log LF/HF from T0 to T1 (r = − 0.36, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Measurement of autonomic nerve function with a simple device is useful for objective fatigue assessment during radiotherapy. Psychological support is important as improvement in mental health helps improve autonomic nerve function and, in turn, fatigue.Aoki M., Kuratsune H., Yamamoto S., et al. Autonomic function measurements for evaluating fatigue and quality of life in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy: a prospective longitudinal study. Radiation Oncology 18, 171 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1186/S13014-023-02362-W