start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=気候変動がタナ川流域の水利用可能量、作物水生産性、農業気候区に及ぼす影響の評価：ブラ灌漑計画を中心に kn-title=Evaluation of the impacts of climate change on water availability, crop water productivity, and agroclimatic zones in the Tana River Basin, Kenya: a focus on the Bura irrigation scheme en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DANIEL MWENDWA WAMBUA en-aut-sei=DANIEL MWENDWA WAMBUA en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=分子シミュレーション及び積分方程式理論に基づく水中または単純液体中における溶質間有効相互作用に関する研究 kn-title=Molecular Simulation and Integral Equation Studies of the Solute-Solute Effective Interactions in Water and Simple Liquids en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NAITOHidefumi en-aut-sei=NAITO en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name=内藤秀文 kn-aut-sei=内藤 kn-aut-mei=秀文 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=295 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=128303 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20251201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Using a microfluidic paper-based analytical device and solid-phase extraction to determine phosphate concentration en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Phosphate is an essential nutrient, but in high concentrations it contributes to water pollution. Traditional methods for phosphate measurement, such as absorption spectrophotometry and ion chromatography, require expensive equipment and skilled operators. This study introduces a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) that is designed to accomplish field-based, low-concentration phosphate measurements. This μPAD utilizes colorimetric detection based on the molybdenum blue method. Herein, we describe how the conditions were optimized in terms of design and sensitivity by adjusting reagent concentrations, paper thickness, and the time frames for sample introduction, and reaction. The operation consists of simply dipping the μPAD into a sample, capturing images in a home-made photo studio box, and processing the images with ImageJ software to measure RGB intensity. An additional preconcentration step involves solid-phase extraction with an anion exchange resin that achieves a 10-fold enrichment, which enables detection that ranges from 0.05 to 1 mg L−1 with a detection limit of 0.089 mg L−1 and a quantification limit of 0.269 mg L−1. The replicated measurements showed good reproducibility both intraday and interday (five different days) as 4.7 % and 3.0 % of relative standard deviations, respectively. After storage in a refrigerator for as long as 26 days, this μPAD delivered stable and accurate results for real-world samples of natural water, soil, and toothpaste. The results produced using this system correlate well with those produced via spectrophotometry. This μPAD-based method is a cost-effective, portable, rapid, and simple approach that allows relatively unskilled operators to monitor phosphate concentrations in field applications. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NambaHaruka en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Phosphate kn-keyword=Phosphate en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Solid-phase extraction kn-keyword=Solid-phase extraction en-keyword=Anion exchanger kn-keyword=Anion exchanger en-keyword=Molybdenum blue method kn-keyword=Molybdenum blue method END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=97 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250411 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of aged garlic extract on experimental periodontitis in mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been reported to exert anti‑inflammatory effects. AGE has been recently found to reduce the inflammatory symptoms of periodontitis, a widespread chronic inflammatory disease caused by oral bacterial infection. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of AGE on experimental periodontitis and the related inflammatory factors. AGE (2 g/kg/day) was orally administered to 15 mice during the experimental period, while a control group consisted of 15 mice that received pure water. A total of 3 days after initiation of administration, the left maxillary second molar was ligated with a 5‑0 silk thread for 7 days. Blood biochemical tests were performed to monitor the systemic effects of AGE. Alveolar bone loss was measured morphometrically using a stereomicroscope, and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was performed to assay mRNAs of proinflammatory cytokines in gingival tissues. A histological survey was also performed to identify osteoclasts in periodontitis lesions (five mice per group). The total protein and albumin levels showed no significant differences between the AGE and control groups. However, ligation‑induced bone resorption was lower in the AGE group than in the control group (P=0.01). Additionally, ligature increased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, whereas AGE administration tended to suppress them. Remarkably, tumor necrosis factor gene expression was significantly suppressed (P=0.04). The number of osteoclasts in periodontitis lesions was reduced in the AGE‑treated group. These results indicate that AGE prevents alveolar bone loss by suppressing the inflammatory responses related to osteoclast differentiation in the periodontal tissue. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of AGE in reducing inflammatory bone resorption. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KuangCanyan en-aut-sei=Kuang en-aut-mei=Canyan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiAnna en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Anna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Kamei‑ΝagataChiaki en-aut-sei=Kamei‑Νagata en-aut-mei=Chiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NangoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Nango en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtaniMasahiro en-aut-sei=Ohtani en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology‑Periodontal Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Periodontics and Endodontics, Department of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Periodontics and Endodontics, Department of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Central Research Institute, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Central Research Institute, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology‑Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology‑Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=AGE kn-keyword=AGE en-keyword=experimental periodontitis kn-keyword=experimental periodontitis en-keyword=bone resorption kn-keyword=bone resorption en-keyword=inflammation kn-keyword=inflammation en-keyword=osteoclasts kn-keyword=osteoclasts END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=94 end-page=100 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of different management approaches on unmet water demand in coffee-producing areas during wet and dry years: a case study of the Srepok River Watershed, Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The primary cause of conflicts over water allocation is growing demand and limited supply, which has become an increasingly serious issue in many watersheds. To alleviate water disputes, effective management strategies can be employed, particularly in the context of intensifying agricultural production and unpredictable changes in weather. In this study, two models, SWAT and WEAP, and the modified surface water supply index (MSWSI) were utilized to evaluate water allocation in the Srepok River Watershed (SRW), considering the prioritization of demand and various irrigation methods, during both wet and dry years. The crop irrigation was chosen to be the main focus in relation to the unmet water demand (UWD). The results indicated that coffee was the primary cause of UWD in the middle of the watershed during the second half of the dry season, and annual crops (AC) were the secondary cause. This research further elucidated that while prioritizing demand had an insignificant impact, transitioning from hose irrigation to sprinkler irrigation could be remarkably effective in mitigating the issues of UWD in coffee crops during both wet and dry years. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SamTruong Thao en-aut-sei=Sam en-aut-mei=Truong Thao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=hydrological model kn-keyword=hydrological model en-keyword=drought kn-keyword=drought en-keyword=coffee irrigation kn-keyword=coffee irrigation en-keyword=water-saving technique kn-keyword=water-saving technique en-keyword=water allocation kn-keyword=water allocation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=1983 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250427 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Initial Bonding Performance to CAD/CAM Restorative Materials: The Impact of Stepwise Concentration Variation in 8-Methacryloxyoctyl Trimethoxy Silane and 3-Methacryloxypropyl Trimethoxy Silane on Feldspathic Ceramic, Lithium Disilicate Glass-Ceramic, and Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigated the effects of varying concentrations of two distinct silane agents, 8-methacryloxyoctyl trimethoxy silane (8-MOTS) and 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (γ-MPTS), on their initial bonding efficacy to feldspathic ceramic (FC), lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LD) and polymer-infiltrated ceramic (PIC) specimens, in 10% increments for concentrations ranging from 10% to 40%. Shear bond strengths between the ceramic substrates and the luting material were assessed following 24 h incubation in distilled water. For FC, the median value of shear bond strength peaked at 20% of γ-MPTS (7.4 MPa), while 8-MOTS exhibited a concentration-dependent increase, reaching its highest value at 40% (13.1 MPa). For LD, γ-MPTS above 10% yielded similar strength median values (10.2 MPa), whereas 8-MOTS at 30% (15.8 MPa) and 40% (13.4 MPa) yielded higher strength values than at 10% (2.9 MPa) and 20% (4.1 MPa), with the highest median value exhibited at 30%. For PIC, both γ-MPTS and 8-MOTS demonstrated similarly low bond strength values which were not significantly different from the non-silane-treated specimens. When applied on silica-based FC and LD, silane revealed a concentration-dependent bonding effect, with 8-MOTS exhibiting superior bond strength to γ-MPTS. However, PIC, characterized by a high inorganic filler content, demonstrated limited bondability with both silanes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaruoYukinori en-aut-sei=Maruo en-aut-mei=Yukinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwaharaMiho en-aut-sei=Kuwahara en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiharaKumiko en-aut-sei=Yoshihara en-aut-mei=Kumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IrieMasao en-aut-sei=Irie en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaokaNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Nagaoka en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshizaneMai en-aut-sei=Yoshizane en-aut-mei=Mai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoTakuya en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkiyamaKentaro en-aut-sei=Akiyama en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=silane coupling kn-keyword=silane coupling en-keyword=bond strength kn-keyword=bond strength en-keyword=ceramic kn-keyword=ceramic en-keyword=feldspathic kn-keyword=feldspathic en-keyword=lithium kn-keyword=lithium en-keyword=polymer-infiltrated ceramic kn-keyword=polymer-infiltrated ceramic en-keyword=CAD/CAM kn-keyword=CAD/CAM END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1108 end-page=1116 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spray-drying of polymer solutions across a broad concentration range and the subsequent formation of a few micro- ∼nano-meter sized fibers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Spray drying is a widely utilized technique for the concentration and fine particulation of dried products. This study demonstrated that a versatile spray dryer, equipped with a two-fluid nozzle atomizer, can convert polymer solutions into nanoscale fibers by manipulating the conditions of the polymer solutions. The polymers employed in this research included polyvinylpyrrolidones (Mw 24.5 k to 60 kDa), dextrans (70 k to 450–650 kDa), pullulan, gum Arabic, Eudragit and agar, with methanol and water serving as solvents. Various combinations of polymers and solvents were subjected to spray drying at polymer concentrations ranging from 5 to 1000 g/L. Scanning electron microscopy analyses of the spray-dried samples indicated that the products transitioned from micrometer-sized particles to sub-micrometer fibers in several instances when the polymer concentrations exceeded specific threshold levels. The investigation also explored the relationship between these threshold concentrations and the surface tension and viscosity of the polymer solutions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AragaChika en-aut-sei=Araga en-aut-mei=Chika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKaito en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHaruna en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HondaNao en-aut-sei=Honda en-aut-mei=Nao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasegawaTakato en-aut-sei=Hasegawa en-aut-mei=Takato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakasoKoichi en-aut-sei=Nakaso en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraKoreyoshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Koreyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Sub-micron fiber kn-keyword=Sub-micron fiber en-keyword=spray-drying kn-keyword=spray-drying en-keyword=two fluid nozzle atomizer kn-keyword=two fluid nozzle atomizer en-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone kn-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone en-keyword=polysaccharide kn-keyword=polysaccharide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=79 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=65 end-page=73 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association between the Pretreatment Body Mass Index and Anamorelin’s Efficacy in Patients with Cancer Cachexia: A Retrospective Cohort Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Anamorelin (ANAM) is used to treat cancer-associated cachexia, a syndrome involving muscle loss and anorexia. The timing of the initiation of ANAM treatment is crucial to its efficacy. Although the body mass index (BMI) is a diagnostic criterion for cancer cachexia, no studies have explored its association with ANAM efficacy. We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between the pre-treatment BMI and ANAM efficacy in patients with cancer-associated cachexia (n=47). The ANAM treatment was considered effective if the patient’s appetite improved within 30 days of treatment initiation. We calculated a BMI cutoff value (19.5 kg/m2) and used it to divide the patients into high- and low-BMI groups. Their background, clinical laboratory values, cancer types, and treatment lines were investigated. Twenty (42.6%) had a high BMI (≥ 19.5 kg/m2) and 27 (57.4%) had a low BMI (< 19.5 kg/m2). High BMI was significantly associated with ANAM effectiveness (odds ratio 7.86, 95% confidence interval 1.99-31.00, p=0.003). Together these results indicate that it is beneficial to initiate ANAM treatment before a patient’s BMI drops below 19.5 kg/m2. Our findings will help advance cancer cachexia treatment and serve as a reference for clinicians to predict ANAM’s efficacy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MakiMasatoshi en-aut-sei=Maki en-aut-mei=Masatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakadaRyo en-aut-sei=Takada en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshigoTomoyuki en-aut-sei=Ishigo en-aut-mei=Tomoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraMiki en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Miki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYoko en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtsukaShinya en-aut-sei=Otsuka en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraKoji en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamaokaTerutaka en-aut-sei=Hamaoka en-aut-mei=Terutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pharmacy, Sapporo Medical University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Surgery, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hospital Pharmacy, NHO Fukuyama Medical Center kn-affil= en-keyword=anamorelin kn-keyword=anamorelin en-keyword=cancer-associated cachexia kn-keyword=cancer-associated cachexia en-keyword=body mass index kn-keyword=body mass index en-keyword=albumin kn-keyword=albumin en-keyword=efficacy rate kn-keyword=efficacy rate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=124 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250407 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Surgical protocol of robotic liver resection using a two-surgeon technique (TAKUMI-3): a technical note and initial outcomes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Internationally, evidence supporting robotic liver resection (RLR) has gradually increased in recent years. However, a standardized protocol for RLR remains lacking. This study describes a surgical protocol and the initial outcomes of RLR in a high-volume center for robotic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery in Japan.
Methods Patients were placed in the reverse Trendelenburg position, with a supine position for anterolateral tumors and left lateral position for posterosuperior tumors. Our standard RLR protocol involved a two-surgeon technique. Liver parenchymal transection was performed by an assistant using the clamp crush technique with a console, with or without a laparoscopic Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA). Surgical techniques, including the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of RLR, are also demonstrated.
Results We performed 113 RLR at our institution for common primary diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 52, 46.0%) and metastatic tumors (n = 48, 42.5%) between July 2022 and December 2024. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 156 min (interquartile range [IQR], 121-209 min) and 20 mL (IQR, 0-100 mL), respectively. During liver parenchymal transection, a laparoscopic CUSA was used in 59 patients (52.2%), and a water-jet scalpel was used in 12 patients (10.6%). The incidence of mortality, major complications, and bile leakage was 0%, 6.2%, and 2.7%, respectively. The median hospital stay was 7 days (IQR, 6-9 days).
Conclusions We successfully introduced an RLR program using the two-surgeon technique. Safe implementation of RLR can be achieved upon completion of the training program and thorough understanding of the surgical protocols. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakagiKosei en-aut-sei=Takagi en-aut-mei=Kosei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiTomokazu en-aut-sei=Fuji en-aut-mei=Tomokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiKazuya en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Kazuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmedaYuzo en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Yuzo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaMotohiko en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Motohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaTakeyoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Takeyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaiYasuo en-aut-sei=Nagai en-aut-mei=Yasuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanehiraNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Kanehira en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiyoshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=Liver resection kn-keyword=Liver resection en-keyword=Robotic surgery kn-keyword=Robotic surgery en-keyword=Training kn-keyword=Training en-keyword=Outcomes kn-keyword=Outcomes END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=619 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250313 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of Trehalose on Halitosis: A Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background/Objectives: Halitosis is a condition characterized by an unpleasant malodor. Intra-oral halitosis is caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and can be associated with oral dryness. Trehalose is one of the materials used to relieve oral dryness. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of trehalose on halitosis. Methods: This prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study enrolled volunteers from Okayama University Hospital. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving trehalose (a 10% trehalose solution) and the other receiving a placebo (distilled water) in a 1:1 allocation. The primary study outcome was the subjective organoleptic test. The secondary outcomes were the concentrations of the VSCs, which were measured using a portable gas chromatography device, and the oral moisture status, which was measured using an oral moisture meter. The planned sample size was 10 participants based on the previous study. Results: The final intention-to-treat analysis was performed using the data from 9 participants. After applying 10% trehalose as an oral spray, the organoleptic score decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, no significant differences were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups. In terms of secondary outcomes, the oral moisture levels increased immediately after the trehalose spray application, and significant differences in the amount of change from the baseline were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups (p = 0.047). No significant differences were seen in any of the other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We could not identify any positive effects on halitosis from a one-time 10% trehalose application as an oral spray in this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. However, the trehalose application immediately improved the oral moisture levels and was useful for treating oral dryness. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyaiHisataka en-aut-sei=Miyai en-aut-mei=Hisataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TomofujiTakaaki en-aut-sei=Tomofuji en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaManabu en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Manabu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaMomoko en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Momoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KataokaKota en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Kota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumitaIchiro en-aut-sei=Sumita en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaYurika en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Yurika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyamaNaoki en-aut-sei=Toyama en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YokoiAya en-aut-sei=Yokoi en-aut-mei=Aya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=Yamanaka-KohnoReiko en-aut-sei=Yamanaka-Kohno en-aut-mei=Reiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiNoriko en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Noriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruyamaTakayuki en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=EkuniDaisuke en-aut-sei=Ekuni en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Asahi University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=halitosis kn-keyword=halitosis en-keyword=trehalose kn-keyword=trehalose en-keyword=oral dryness kn-keyword=oral dryness en-keyword=cross-over study kn-keyword=cross-over study en-keyword=randomized trial kn-keyword=randomized trial END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250312 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Droplet Impact Behavior on Convex Surfaces with a Circumferential Wettability Difference en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Controlling the bouncing behavior of the impacting droplets is an important issue for splay cooling, icing prevention, and other applications. The bouncing behavior of impacting droplets on superhydrophobic curved surfaces and flat substrates with a wettability difference has been widely investigated, and droplets impacting these surfaces show shorter contact times than those on superhydrophobic flat surfaces and droplet transport. However, there have been few studies on the droplet impact behavior on curved surfaces with a wettability difference, where efficient droplet control could be achieved by combining the features. In the present study, droplet impact experiments were conducted using copper cylinders with different circumferential wettabilities from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic, varying the impact velocity, cylinder diameter, and rotation angle. Droplets that impacted the wettability boundary showed asymmetric deformation and moved to the hydrophilic side, owing to the driving force of the wettability difference. Moreover, the droplet behavior was classified into four types: the droplet bounced off the surface, the droplet bounced off the surface and split, the droplet attached to the surface, and the droplet attached to the surface and split. The droplet behavior was estimated by using the maximum spreading width of the droplet impacted on the flat substrate. We evaluated whether the droplets attached to the surface or bounced off the surface after impact using the Weber number and rotation angle, and the estimations were in agreement with the experimental results for cylinder diameters of 4 and 6 mm. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshikawaTaku en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeKazuma en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoribeAkihiko en-aut-sei=Horibe en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=210 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=112952 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=202503 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A microfluidic paper-based analytical device that uses gelatin film to assay protease activity via time readout en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Food processing, detergents, and pharmaceuticals frequently employ proteases, which are enzymes that break the chemical bonds of both proteins and peptides. In this work, we developed a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) for protease activity assays via time readout. To accomplish this, we folded the µPAD to form layers, then inserted a water-insoluble gelatin film between the layers of paper to form the device. Lamination helps to maintain the gelatin film between the introduction zone, which is the upper layer, and the detection channel, which is the lower layer. Proteases decompose the gelatin film when it enters the introduction zone, which then allows it to flow into the detection channel. The protease activity in the sample solution determines the time required to dissolve the gelatin film, which leads to a linear relationship between the logarithm of the protease concentration and the time required to flow the solution a specific distance on the detection channel. The µPAD was used to measure proteases in concentrations that ranged from 0.25 to 1 mg L−1 for bromelain, 2.5 to 10 mg L−1 for papain, and 1 to 8 mg L−1 for trypsin. The limits of quantification for bromelain, papain, and trypsin were 0.41, 2.7, and 9.2 mg mL−1, respectively. The relative standard deviations for bromelain were smaller than 2 % for concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mg L−1. We compared the µPAD to a commercially available protease activity assay kit, which relies on quenching fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled casein. Both methods demonstrated the same order of activity: bromelain > papain > trypsin. The proposed device allowed the assay of bromelain in both pineapple pulp and juice, which were stored at room temperature. When first using the proposed device, the bromelain in the pulp gradually lost its activity, while the activity of the bromelain in the juice showed no significant change for five days. The µPAD requires no analytical instruments for quality control and monitoring of the protease activity in food. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RenJianchao en-aut-sei=Ren en-aut-mei=Jianchao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Protease kn-keyword=Protease en-keyword=Enzyme assay kn-keyword=Enzyme assay en-keyword=Time readout kn-keyword=Time readout END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=36 end-page=43 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=2025 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of the temporal behavior of fulvic acid iron in Asahi River, Okayama, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Iron is essential for biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, but its riverine concentration can be affected by environmental conditions. This study assessed weekly fulvic acid iron (FAFe) concentration at a single sampling site in Asahi River from 2022–2023 to explore the differences in the temporal scales. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of physicochemical properties of the river on the concentration of FAFe, analyze the concentration of FAFe in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and assess the relationship between FAFe concentration and land use types of the watershed. The results indicated that physicochemical parameters, such as pH and surface water temperature (SWT) seemed to influence FAFe concentration (p < 0.05). Hydrological dynamics influenced FAFe concentration and transport, revealing an increasing trend during spring (p < 0.001) and summer (p = 0.05), with non-significant trends during autumn and winter (p > 0.05). FAFe exhibited a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) (p < 0.001). Upland fields significantly influenced FAFe concentration (p < 0.01) through runoff with abundant NO3– and PO43– into the river. Thus, FAFe concentration in Asahi River was influenced by pH, SWT, TOC, hydrological regime, and agricultural runoff. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YengehRohdof Lactem en-aut-sei=Yengeh en-aut-mei=Rohdof Lactem kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=dissolved iron kn-keyword=dissolved iron en-keyword=seasonal variation kn-keyword=seasonal variation en-keyword=dissolved organic matter kn-keyword=dissolved organic matter en-keyword=fulvic acid iron kn-keyword=fulvic acid iron END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=217 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interchangeability of Cross-Platform Orthophotographic and LiDAR Data in DeepLabV3+-Based Land Cover Classification Method en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Riverine environmental information includes important data to collect, and the data collection still requires personnel's field surveys. These on-site tasks still face significant limitations (i.e., hard or danger to entry). In recent years, as one of the efficient approaches for data collection, air-vehicle-based Light Detection and Ranging technologies have already been applied in global environmental research, i.e., land cover classification (LCC) or environmental monitoring. For this study, the authors specifically focused on seven types of LCC (i.e., bamboo, tree, grass, bare ground, water, road, and clutter) that can be parameterized for flood simulation. A validated airborne LiDAR bathymetry system (ALB) and a UAV-borne green LiDAR System (GLS) were applied in this study for cross-platform analysis of LCC. Furthermore, LiDAR data were visualized using high-contrast color scales to improve the accuracy of land cover classification methods through image fusion techniques. If high-resolution aerial imagery is available, then it must be downscaled to match the resolution of low-resolution point clouds. Cross-platform data interchangeability was assessed by comparing the interchangeability, which measures the absolute difference in overall accuracy (OA) or macro-F1 by comparing the cross-platform interchangeability. It is noteworthy that relying solely on aerial photographs is inadequate for achieving precise labeling, particularly under limited sunlight conditions that can lead to misclassification. In such cases, LiDAR plays a crucial role in facilitating target recognition. All the approaches (i.e., low-resolution digital imagery, LiDAR-derived imagery and image fusion) present results of over 0.65 OA and of around 0.6 macro-F1. The authors found that the vegetation (bamboo, tree, grass) and road species have comparatively better performance compared with clutter and bare ground species. Given the stated conditions, differences in the species derived from different years (ALB from year 2017 and GLS from year 2020) are the main reason. Because the identification of clutter species includes all the items except for the relative species in this research, RGB-based features of the clutter species cannot be substituted easily because of the 3-year gap compared with other species. Derived from on-site reconstruction, the bare ground species also has a further color change between ALB and GLS that leads to decreased interchangeability. In the case of individual species, without considering seasons and platforms, image fusion can classify bamboo and trees with higher F1 scores compared to low-resolution digital imagery and LiDAR-derived imagery, which has especially proved the cross-platform interchangeability in the high vegetation types. In recent years, high-resolution photography (UAV), high-precision LiDAR measurement (ALB, GLS), and satellite imagery have been used. LiDAR measurement equipment is expensive, and measurement opportunities are limited. Based on this, it would be desirable if ALB and GLS could be continuously classified by Artificial Intelligence, and in this study, the authors investigated such data interchangeability. A unique and crucial aspect of this study is exploring the interchangeability of land cover classification models across different LiDAR platforms. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PanShijun en-aut-sei=Pan en-aut-mei=Shijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoYutaro en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Yutaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=TOKEN C. E. E. Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry kn-keyword=airborne LiDAR bathymetry en-keyword=cross-platform kn-keyword=cross-platform en-keyword=deep learning kn-keyword=deep learning en-keyword=green LiDAR system kn-keyword=green LiDAR system en-keyword=riverine land cover classification kn-keyword=riverine land cover classification END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=108 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Implementation of Sensor Input Setup Assistance Service Using Generative AI for SEMAR IoT Application Server Platform en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=For rapid deployments of various IoT application systems, we have developed Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytical in Real-Time (SEMAR) as an integrated server platform. It is equipped with rich functions for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing various data. Unfortunately, the proper configuration of SEMAR with a variety of IoT devices can be complex and challenging for novice users, since it often requires technical expertise. The assistance of Generative AI can be helpful to solve this drawback. In this paper, we present an implementation of a sensor input setup assistance service for SEMAR using prompt engineering techniques and Generative AI. A user needs to define the requirement specifications and environments of the IoT application system for sensor inputs, and give them to the service. Then, the service provides step-by-step guidance on sensor connections, communicating board configurations, network connections, and communication protocols to the user, which can help the user easily set up the configuration to connect the relevant devices to SEMAR. For evaluations, we applied the proposal to the input sensor setup processes of three practical IoT application systems with SEMAR, namely, a smart light, water heater, and room temperature monitoring system. In addition, we applied it to the setup process of an IoT application system for a course for undergraduate students at the Insitut Bisnis dan Teknologi (INSTIKI), Indonesia. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed service for SEMAR. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KotamaI. Nyoman Darma en-aut-sei=Kotama en-aut-mei=I. Nyoman Darma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BrataKomang Candra en-aut-sei=Brata en-aut-mei=Komang Candra kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PradhanaAnak Agung Surya en-aut-sei=Pradhana en-aut-mei=Anak Agung Surya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=Noprianto en-aut-sei=Noprianto en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DesnanjayaI. Gusti Made Ngurah en-aut-sei=Desnanjaya en-aut-mei=I. Gusti Made Ngurah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Computer System Engineering, Institute of Business and Technology Indonesia kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword= generative AI kn-keyword= generative AI en-keyword= review kn-keyword= review en-keyword= application server platform kn-keyword= application server platform en-keyword= SEMAR kn-keyword= SEMAR en-keyword= sensor input kn-keyword= sensor input END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=53 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=3 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250131 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Investigation of SNPs associated with reproductive and body growth traits in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Water buffaloes are essential to the rural economies of many developing countries, including Vietnam and Nepal, but native buffalo populations in these countries face challenges such as low productivity due to fertility and body growth issues. This study analyzed 34 SNPs in 18 genes associated with reproductive and body growth traits reported in cattle and buffalo in Vietnamese and Nepalese native buffaloes. Results showed no polymorphism at bovine SNPs in either buffalo. Further analysis with SNPs previously reported only in popular buffalo breeds, such as Murrah, found that Vietnamese buffalo were monomorphic at all sites, which may reflect reduced genetic diversity due to population decline. In contrast, Nepalese buffalo, consisting of two native breeds, showed polymorphism in 11 SNPs in 7 genes, with 10 of these matching those found in the Murrah buffalo analyzed here. These findings suggest that these SNPs may be applicable for genetic improvement in Nepalese native buffalo. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation and breeding programs aimed at enhancing reproductive and body growth performance of native buffalo in Vietnam and Nepal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Thuy ThanhNguyen en-aut-sei=Thuy Thanh en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuniedaTetsuo en-aut-sei=Kunieda en-aut-mei=Tetsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Manoj KumarShah en-aut-sei=Manoj Kumar en-aut-mei=Shah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Thu Nu AnhLe en-aut-sei=Thu Nu Anh en-aut-mei=Le kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=Van HuuNguyen en-aut-sei=Van Huu en-aut-mei=Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=UshijimaKoichiro en-aut-sei=Ushijima en-aut-mei=Koichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaeMayuko en-aut-sei=Nagae en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujiTakehito en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Takehito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Swine Research Program kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo kn-keyword=Vietnamese native buffalo en-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo kn-keyword=Nepalese native buffalo en-keyword=SNPs kn-keyword=SNPs en-keyword=Reproduction kn-keyword=Reproduction en-keyword=Body growth kn-keyword=Body growth END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2025 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=013C01 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241226 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Modification on Thermal Motion in Geant4 for Neutron Capture Simulation in Gadolinium Loaded Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Neutron tagging is a fundamental technique for electron anti-neutrino detection via the inverse beta decay channel. A reported discrepancy in neutron detection efficiency between observational data and simulation predictions prompted an investigation into neutron capture modeling in Geant4. The study revealed that an overestimation of the thermal motion of hydrogen atoms in Geant4 impacts the fraction of captured nuclei. By manually modifying the Geant4 implementation, the simulation results align with calculations based on evaluated nuclear data and show good agreement with observables derived from the SK-Gd data. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HinoY. en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeK. en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsakaR. en-aut-sei=Asaka en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanS. en-aut-sei=Han en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaM. en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshitsukaM. en-aut-sei=Ishitsuka en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoH. en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzumiyamaS. en-aut-sei=Izumiyama en-aut-mei=S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanemuraY. en-aut-sei=Kanemura en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoshioY. en-aut-sei=Koshio en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanishiF. en-aut-sei=Nakanishi en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekiyaH. en-aut-sei=Sekiya en-aut-mei=H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanoT. en-aut-sei=Yano en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Center for Cosmic Neutrinos, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=234 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=120015 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250305 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Reversible chemical modifications of graphene oxide for enhanced viral capture and release in water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Detecting low concentrations of viruses in sewage water is crucial for monitoring the spread of emerging viral diseases. However, current detection methods, which involve concentrating viruses using traditional materials such as gauze or cotton, have limitations in effectively accomplishing this task. This study demonstrates that graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional carbon material, possesses strong viral adsorption capabilities. However, it lacks efficiency for effective viral release. Therefore, we designed a series of new GO-based materials, which exhibited a viral adsorption similar to pristine GO, while significantly enhancing their release performance by attaching alkyl chains and hydrophilic functional groups. Among the synthesized materials, 1,8-aminooctanol grafted to GO (GO-NH2C8OH) has emerged as the most promising candidate, achieving a viral release rate higher than 50 %. This superior performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the alkyl chain and the terminal OH group, which enhances both its affinity for viruses and water dispersibility. Furthermore, we have successfully applied GO-NH2C8OH in a new protocol for concentrating viruses from sewage wastewater. This approach has demonstrated a 200-fold increase in virus concentration, allowing PCR detection of this type of pathogens present in wastewater below the detection limit by direct analysis, underscoring its significant potential for virus surveillance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Ferré-PujolPilar en-aut-sei=Ferré-Pujol en-aut-mei=Pilar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataSeiji en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=RayaJésus en-aut-sei=Raya en-aut-mei=Jésus kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=BiancoAlberto en-aut-sei=Bianco en-aut-mei=Alberto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatayamaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoTakashi en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institut de Chimie, UMR 7177 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Center for Water Environment Technology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials kn-keyword=Carbon nanomaterials en-keyword=Functionalization kn-keyword=Functionalization en-keyword=Adsorption kn-keyword=Adsorption en-keyword=Desorption kn-keyword=Desorption en-keyword=Pathogens kn-keyword=Pathogens END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241224 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The perception of plastic waste and composition of boathouse waste in floating villages on Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Villagers living on Tonlé Sap (TS) Lake have low incomes and no access to basic public services, such as waste management, domestic water, electricity, and health care. Knowledge of the villagers’ perceptions and the composition of the waste from their boathouses will contribute to constructing a waste collection system with community participation within the framework of waste prevention and reduction. This study surveyed residents living in boathouses in four floating villages on TS Lake, Cambodia, regarding their perceptions and boathouse waste composition to assess the status of plastic waste and the villagers’ environmental awareness and their willingness to participate in waste collection. The household waste survey sought to clarify the amount of plastic waste and other recyclable waste discharged from floating houses. The perception survey revealed that in the wet season, 36% of respondents disposed of plastic waste by open burning/dumping and 40% by discharge into TS Lake; in the dry season, 76% disposed of waste by open burning/dumping, and only 4% discharged waste into TS Lake. An analysis of the boathouse plastic waste composition showed that residents of the floating villages generated 40.21 g plastic waste/day/capita, which was much lower than 340 g/day/capita in the USA, 120 g/day/capita in China, and even 70 g/day/capita in Cambodian on average, but higher than the 10 g/day/capita in India. This study proposes a novel and valuable framework to estimate and determine the level of awareness of people in floating villages related to plastic pollution effects and waste components from boathouses. At the same time, the research results provide an essential scientific basis to be able to develop an effective waste collection system in the area of TS Lake. The proposed framework of this study will help the policy decision-makers in the TS Lake area and those in similar geographical regions facing similar problems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=VinSpoann en-aut-sei=Vin en-aut-mei=Spoann kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChandaraPhat en-aut-sei=Chandara en-aut-mei=Phat kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukijiMakoto en-aut-sei=Tsukiji en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Economic Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Natural Resource Management and Development, Faculty of Development Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Environmental Management Course, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Environmental Management Program, School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Boathouse waste composition kn-keyword=Boathouse waste composition en-keyword=Cambodia kn-keyword=Cambodia en-keyword=Floating villages kn-keyword=Floating villages en-keyword=Perception survey kn-keyword=Perception survey en-keyword=Plastic waste kn-keyword=Plastic waste END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=129 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=726 end-page=735 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241231 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hydronium Ions Are Less Excluded from Hydrophobic Polymer–Water Interfaces than Hydroxide Ions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The cloud point temperatures of aqueous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) solutions were measured from pH 1.0 to pH 13.0 at a constant ionic strength of 100 mM. This ionic strength was reached by mixing the appropriate concentration of NaCl with either HCl or NaOH. The phase transition temperature of both polymers was nearly constant between pH 2.0 and 12.0. However, the introduction of 100 mM HCl (pH 1.0) led to an increase in the cloud point temperature, although this value was still lower than the cloud point temperature in the absence of salt. By contrast, the introduction of 100 mM NaOH (pH 13.0) caused a decrease in the cloud point temperature, both relative to adding 100 mM NaCl and adding no salt. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of these systems were performed below the cloud point temperature, and the chemical shifts closely tracked the corresponding changes in the phase transition temperature. Specifically, the introduction of 100 mM HCl caused the 1H chemical shift to move downfield for the CH resonances from both PNIPAM and PEO, while 100 mM NaOH caused the same resonances to move upfield. Virtually no change in the chemical shift was seen between pH 2.0 and 12.0. These results are consistent with the idea that a sufficient concentration of H3O+ led to polymer swelling compared to Na+, while substituting Cl– with OH– reduced swelling. Finally, classical all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed with a monomer and 5-mer corresponding to PNIPAM. The results correlated closely with the thermodynamic and spectroscopic data. The simulation showed that H3O+ ions more readily accumulated around the amide oxygen moiety on PNIPAM compared with Na+. On the other hand, OH– was more excluded from the polymer surface than Cl–. Taken together, the thermodynamic, spectroscopic, and MD simulation data revealed that H3O+ was less depleted from hydrophobic polymer/water interfaces than any of the monovalent Hofmeister metal cations or even Ca2+ and Mg2+. As such, it should be placed on the far-right side of the cationic Hofmeister series. On the other hand, OH– was excluded from the interface and could be positioned in the anionic Hofmeister series between H2PO4– and SO42–. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MyersRyan L. en-aut-sei=Myers en-aut-mei=Ryan L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TairaAoi en-aut-sei=Taira en-aut-mei=Aoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanChuanyu en-aut-sei=Yan en-aut-mei=Chuanyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeSeung-Yi en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Seung-Yi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WelshLauren K. en-aut-sei=Welsh en-aut-mei=Lauren K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IaniroPatrick R. en-aut-sei=Ianiro en-aut-mei=Patrick R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangTinglu en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Tinglu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=CremerPaul S. en-aut-sei=Cremer en-aut-mei=Paul S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=222 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115374 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Environmental water in Kolkata is suitable for the survival of Vibrio cholerae O1 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many patients with cholera emerge in Kolkata, India throughout the year. Such emergency indicates that cholera toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae O1 (toxigenic V. cholerae O1) are widespread in Kolkata. This suggests that the suitable conditions for replication of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is provided in Kolkata. In previous studies, we found that the replication rate of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is low in the low ionic aqueous solution. Then we measured the ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata. As a control, we measured them in Japanese environmental water. The ion concentration in the environmental water of Kolkata was significantly high. Then, we examined the survival of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in groundwater from Kolkata and found that V. cholerae O1 survive for long time in the solution but not in the solution diluted with Milli Q water. In addition, we found that V. cholerae O1 proliferated in environmental water of Kolkata to which a small amount of nutrient was added, but did not grow in the environmental water diluted with water to which the same amount of nutrient was added. These results indicate that the environmental water from Kolkata is suitable for survival of V. cholerae O1. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiEizo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChowdhuryGoutam en-aut-sei=Chowdhury en-aut-mei=Goutam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaShanta en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Shanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiSadayuki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Sadayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Health Pharmacy, Yokohama University of Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Environmental water kn-keyword=Environmental water en-keyword=Ion kn-keyword=Ion en-keyword=Prevalence kn-keyword=Prevalence en-keyword=Survival kn-keyword=Survival en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1 end-page=8 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Transepidermal Water Loss Estimation Model for Evaluating Skin Barrier Function en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Deterioration of skin barrier function causes symptoms such as allergies because it allows various chemical substances to enter the human body. Quantitative evaluation of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum is useful as a measure of skin barrier function in fields such as dermatology, nursing science, and cosmetics development. The stratum corneum is responsible for most of the skin barrier function, and this function has conventionally been evaluated using transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In this paper, we propose a new model for estimation of TEWL from measurements of the thickness of the stratum corneum and water content of the surface of the stratum corneum, and discuss the results of the measurements. By measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum using confocal laser microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy, respectively, and examining the relationship of these variables with TEWL, we established a new potential model for estimating TEWL from these two variables. The correlation coefficient of the validation data was 0.886 and the root mean squared error was 8.18 points. These findings indicate the feasibility of qualitative evaluation of TEWL by measuring the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UeharaOsamu en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusuharaToshimasa en-aut-sei=Kusuhara en-aut-mei=Toshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTakao en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Medical Engineering Laboratory, ALCARE Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=TEWL kn-keyword=TEWL en-keyword=stratum corneum thickness kn-keyword=stratum corneum thickness en-keyword=water content of stratum corneum kn-keyword=water content of stratum corneum END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241214 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of aged microplastics on paddy soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions under laboratory aerobic conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Microplastics (MPs) formed after changes in chemical or physical properties may alter soil properties, which in turn may affect microbial activities and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, few studies have focused on the effects of aged MPs changes on soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of MPs with different aging times on soil GHG emissions and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Low-density polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) were treated with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 0–2 weeks. Soil was incubated with PE or PLA 1% (w/w) concentration at 60% water holding capacity (WHC) for 35 days. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Results showed that CO2 and N2O emissions were higher (p < 0.05) in MPs-amended treatments than those without MPs and increased with MPs age. The addition of virgin PE did not affect soil DOC content, whereas aged PE and all PLA additions significantly increased soil DOC content on day 0, probably because UV irradiation caused the degradation of MPs to smaller molecules. In addition, aged MPs addition altered DOC spectral characteristics on day 7, possibly because aged PE and PLA promote microbial decomposition of organic matter by altering soil properties. Changes in soil DOC content and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) by aged PE and PLA probably promoted the emissions of CO2 and N2O compared to virgin MPs or soil only. Our study revealed that aged PE and PLA promote GHG emissions from soil by changing DOC contents and qualities. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhangTian en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Tian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkaoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akao en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaharaNozomi en-aut-sei=Nakahara en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=PereraGamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika en-aut-sei=Perera en-aut-mei=Gamamada Liyanage Erandi Priyangika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoChiyu en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Chiyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Environmental Management Center, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Aged MPs kn-keyword=Aged MPs en-keyword=biodegradable plastics kn-keyword=biodegradable plastics en-keyword=microplastics kn-keyword=microplastics en-keyword=nitrogen transformation kn-keyword=nitrogen transformation en-keyword=organic carbon decomposition kn-keyword=organic carbon decomposition END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=161 cd-vols= no-issue=21 article-no= start-page=214501 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The nature of the hydrophobic interaction varies as the solute size increases from methane’s to C60’s en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The hydrophobic interaction, often combined with the hydrophilic or ionic interactions, makes the behavior of aqueous solutions very rich and plays an important role in biological systems. Theoretical and computer simulation studies have shown that the water-mediated force depends strongly on the size and other chemical properties of the solute, but how it changes with these factors remains unclear. We report here a computer simulation study that illustrates how the hydrophobic pair interaction and the entropic and enthalpic terms change with the solute size when the solute–solvent weak attractive interaction is unchanged with the solute size. The nature of the hydrophobic interaction changes qualitatively as the solute size increases from that of methane to that of fullerene. The potential of mean force between small solutes has several well-defined extrema, including the third minimum, whereas the potential of mean force between large solutes has the deep contact minimum and the large free-energy barrier between the contact and the water-bilayer separated configurations. The difference in the potential of mean force is related to the differences in the water density, energy, and hydrogen bond number distributions in the vicinity of the pairs of hydrophobic solutes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaitoHidefumi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=11326 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preparation of Nano- and Microparticles Obtained from Polymerization Reaction and Their Application to Surface Coating of Woody Materials en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A surface coating of polymer particles of different hydrophobicity and wide-ranged size is helpful for the surface modification of materials such as woody thin board (WTB) derived from biomass. A preparation method for polymer particles was, in this study, proposed using a capillary-type flow system. Under hydrothermal conditions, the refinement of dispersed oil droplets in water (O/W emulsions) and the polymerization reaction could be simultaneously advanced, and polymer particles of polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with a particle size of about 100 nm could be synthesized. The coating of polymer particles gave an improved effect on the water repellency of WTBs due to the hydrophobicity of polymer particles and an alteration of surface roughness, and it also provided long-term stability (more than 6 years). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimanouchiToshinori en-aut-sei=Shimanouchi en-aut-mei=Toshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirotaDaichi en-aut-sei=Hirota en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasafumi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masafumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaKazuma en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraYukitaka en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Yukitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, kn-affil= en-keyword=polymer particles kn-keyword=polymer particles en-keyword= emulsification kn-keyword= emulsification en-keyword= water repellency kn-keyword= water repellency en-keyword= hydrophobicity kn-keyword= hydrophobicity en-keyword= coating kn-keyword= coating en-keyword= convective self-assembly kn-keyword= convective self-assembly en-keyword= wood thin board kn-keyword= wood thin board END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=9 cd-vols= no-issue=50 article-no= start-page=50041 end-page=50048 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241205 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Conformational Flexibility of D1-Glu189: A Crucial Determinant in Substrate Water Selection, Positioning, and Stabilization within the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosynthetic water oxidation is a vital process responsible for producing dioxygen and supplying the energy necessary to sustain life on Earth. This fundamental reaction is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II, which houses the Mn4CaO5 cluster as its catalytic core. In this study, we specifically focus on the D1-Glu189 amino acid residue, which serves as a direct ligand to the Mn4CaO5 cluster. Our primary goal is to explore, using density functional theory (DFT), how the conformational flexibility of the D1-Glu189 side chain influences crucial catalytic processes, particularly the selection, positioning, and stabilization of a substrate water molecule within the OEC. Our investigation is based on a hypothesis put forth by Li et al. (Nature, 2024, 626, 670), which suggests that during the transition from the S2 to S3 state, a specific water molecule temporarily coordinating with the Ca ion, referred to as O6*, may exist as a hydroxide ion (OH-). Our results demonstrate a key mechanism by which the detachment of the D1-Glu189 carboxylate group from its coordination with the Ca ion allows the creation of a specialized microenvironment within the OEC that enables the selective attraction of O6* in its deprotonated form (OH-) and stabilizes it at the catalytic metal (MnD) site. Our findings indicate that D1-Glu189 is not only a structural ligand for the Ca ion but may also play an active and dynamic role in the catalytic process, positioning O6* optimally for its subsequent participation in the oxidation sequence during the water-splitting cycle. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IsobeHiroshi en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiKizashi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Kizashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology, Osaka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=306 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109175 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Regional-scale evaluation of tertiary irrigation system in Muda Irrigation Scheme from space en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A tertiary irrigation system is essential for efficient water management in large-scale irrigation scheme and requires regular evaluation to understand their effectiveness. The current water balance method for tertiary irrigation system evaluation requires extensive data, making continuous monitoring over vast areas unfeasible. A better approach using geospatial data from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) is introduces to evaluate the efficiency of tertiary irrigation systems on a regional scale, aiding water management strategies. This study aims to (1) define the rice cultivation boundary for accurate data collection and (2) quantitatively evaluate irrigation system performance using specific indicators. Remote sensing evapotranspiration (RS-ET) and yield derived from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were collected within rice cultivation boundary across 60 irrigation blocks, including 14 blocks equipped with tertiary irrigation system in Region II of the Muda Irrigation Scheme. Three irrigation system performance indicators (equity, adequacy, and water productivity) were used as a key metric in over four rice-growing seasons to evaluate tertiary irrigation system. Results reveal that tertiary irrigation system performance varies with the current three-phase water management strategy. Equity performance was highest during the off-season, particularly in phase 1 (2–8 %). Adequacy was moderate across all phases and seasons (median: 0.6–0.67), while water productivity showed consistent strength in phases 1 and 3, with fluctuations in phase 2, across seasons. This study underscores the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of using geospatial data from space for continuous regional-scale monitoring, highlighting areas for improvement in the current water management strategy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZahirAliya Mhd en-aut-sei=Zahir en-aut-mei=Aliya Mhd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Water management kn-keyword=Water management en-keyword=Remote sensing kn-keyword=Remote sensing en-keyword=Irrigation performance kn-keyword=Irrigation performance en-keyword=Irrigation system kn-keyword=Irrigation system en-keyword=Earth observation data kn-keyword=Earth observation data en-keyword=Muda Irrigation Scheme kn-keyword=Muda Irrigation Scheme END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=NERICA陸稲における乾燥土壌下のバイオマス生産と収量維持に寄与する水利用特性の解明 kn-title=Water use properties contributing to the maintenance of plant biomass and grain production in NERICA upland rice subjected to dry soils en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NGUYEN THI THANH HIEN en-aut-sei=NGUYEN THI THANH HIEN en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=持続可能な節水型農業の実践：セルロースナノファイバーによる土壌保水と植物生育効率の向上 kn-title=Sustainable Practice for Water-Scarce Agriculture: Enhancing Soil Water Retention and Plant Growth Efficiency with Cellulose Nanofibers en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NGO THUY AN en-aut-sei=NGO THUY AN en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=クロスカルメロースナトリウムの塩基性環境下における高吸水性ゲル化を利用した新規徐放化システムの開発 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GOMIMasato en-aut-sei=GOMI en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name=五味真人 kn-aut-sei=五味 kn-aut-mei=真人 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=e20220127 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Rapid thawing of frozen bull spermatozoa by transient exposure to 70 °C improves the viability, motility and mitochondrial health en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Up to now, the definitive conclusion of the positive effects of rapid transient thawing at higher temperatures for shorter durations has not been obtained yet and is still under discussion due to some contradictory findings and limited assessment of post-thawed parameters. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of rapid thawing in water at 70 °C by using various post-thawed parameters of frozen bull spermatozoa. Experiment 1, monitoring the change of temperature inside frozen bull straw thawed in water at different temperatures. Experiment 2, evaluation of various post-thawed characteristics of frozen bull spermatozoa thawed in water at different temperatures by using a computer-assisted sperm analysis, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. The time it took for the temperature inside the straw to warm up to 15 °C was nearly twice as faster when the straw was thawed in 70 °C water compared with 39 °C. Although there were differences among bulls, viability, motility, and mitochondrial membrane potential of spermatozoa thawed at 70 °C for 8 seconds and stabilized at 39 °C for 52 seconds were significantly higher than those of controls (thawed at 39 °C for 60 seconds) at 0 and 3 h after thawing. Just after thawing, however, there were no differences in acrosome integrity and distribution of phospholipase C zeta1, whereas mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production was significantly lower in spermatozoa thawed at 70 °C. From these results, we conclude that rapid thawing at 70 °C and then stabilization at 39 °C significantly improves viability, motility and mitochondrial health of bull spermatozoa rather than conventional thawing at 39 °C. The beneficial effect of rapid transient thawing could be due to shorter exposure to temperatures outside the physiological range, consequently maintaining mitochondrial health. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NguyenHai Thanh en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Hai Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoSon Quang en-aut-sei=Do en-aut-mei=Son Quang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AthurupanaRukmali en-aut-sei=Athurupana en-aut-mei=Rukmali kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakaiTakuya en-aut-sei=Wakai en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunahashiHiroaki en-aut-sei=Funahashi en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=bull semen kn-keyword=bull semen en-keyword=cryopreservation process kn-keyword=cryopreservation process en-keyword=phospholipase C zeta1 (PLCZ1) kn-keyword=phospholipase C zeta1 (PLCZ1) en-keyword=temperature of thawing kn-keyword=temperature of thawing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=30 cd-vols= no-issue=70 article-no= start-page=e202402690 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241105 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=MoSe2-Sensitized Water Splitting Assisted by C60-Dendrons on the Basal Surface en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To facilitate water splitting using MoSe2 as a light absorber, we fabricated water-dispersible MoSe2/C60-dendron nanohybrids via physical modification of the basal plane of MoSe2. Upon photoirradiation, the mixed-dimension MoSe2/C60 (2D/0D) heterojunction generates a charge-separated state (MoSe2⋅+/C60⋅−) through electron extraction from the exciton in MoSe2 to C60. This process is followed by the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water in the presence of a sacrificial donor (1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide) and co-catalyst (Pt-PVP). The apparent quantum yields of the HER were estimated to be 0.06 % and 0.27 % upon photoexcitation at the A- and B-exciton absorption peaks (λmax=800 and 700 nm), respectively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TajimaTomoyuki en-aut-sei=Tajima en-aut-mei=Tomoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraTomoki en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Tomoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=EfendiArif en-aut-sei=Efendi en-aut-mei=Arif kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YukimotoMariko en-aut-sei=Yukimoto en-aut-mei=Mariko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaguchiYutaka en-aut-sei=Takaguchi en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Materials Design and Engineering, University of Toyama kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Materials Design and Engineering, University of Toyama kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Materials Design and Engineering, University of Toyama kn-affil= en-keyword=Water splitting kn-keyword=Water splitting en-keyword=Transition metal dichalcogenide kn-keyword=Transition metal dichalcogenide en-keyword=Hydrogen evolution kn-keyword=Hydrogen evolution en-keyword=Photocatalyst kn-keyword=Photocatalyst en-keyword=Fullerene kn-keyword=Fullerene END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=113D01 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241026 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Measurement of γ-Rays Generated by Neutron Interaction with 16O at 30 MeV and 250 MeV en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Deep understanding of γ-ray production from the fast neutron reaction in water is crucial for various physics studies at large-scale water Cherenkov detectors. We performed test experiments using quasi-mono energetic neutron beams (⁠En = 30 and 250 MeV) at Osaka University’s Research Center for Nuclear Physics to measure γ-rays originating from the neutron–oxygen reaction with a high-purity germanium detector. Multiple γ-ray peaks which are expected to be from excited nuclei after the neutron–oxygen reaction were successfully observed. We measured the neutron beam flux using an organic liquid scintillator for the cross section measurement. With a spectral fitting analysis based on the tailored γ-ray signal and background templates, we measured cross sections for each observed γ-ray component. The results will be useful to validate neutron models employed in ongoing and future water Cherenkov experiments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanoT. en-aut-sei=Tano en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoraiT. en-aut-sei=Horai en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AshidaY. en-aut-sei=Ashida en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HinoY. en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IacobF. en-aut-sei=Iacob en-aut-mei=F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaurelA. en-aut-sei=Maurel en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriM. en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=CollazuolG. en-aut-sei=Collazuol en-aut-mei=G. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonakaA. en-aut-sei=Konaka en-aut-mei=A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoshioY. en-aut-sei=Koshio en-aut-mei=Y. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayaT. en-aut-sei=Nakaya en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimaT. en-aut-sei=Shima en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=WendellR. en-aut-sei=Wendell en-aut-mei=R. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Ecole Polytechnique, IN2P3-CNRS, Laboratoire Leprince-Ringuet kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=National Astronomical Observatory of Japan kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=TRIUMF kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Physics, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Physics, Kyoto University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=99 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=563 end-page=574 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20241027 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Therapeutic potential of 4-phenylbutyric acid against methylmercury-induced neuronal cell death in mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental neurotoxin that induces damage to the central nervous system and is the causative agent in Minamata disease. The mechanisms underlying MeHg neurotoxicity remain largely unknown, and there is a need for effective therapeutic agents, such as those that target MeHg-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is activated as a defense mechanism. We investigated whether intraperitoneal administration of the chemical chaperone, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), at 120 mg/kg/day can alleviate neurotoxicity in the brains of mice administered 50 ppm MeHg in drinking water for 5 weeks. 4-PBA significantly reduced MeHg-induced ER stress, neuronal apoptosis, and neurological symptoms. Furthermore, 4-PBA was effective even when administered 2 weeks after the initiation of exposure to 30 ppm MeHg in drinking water. Our results strongly indicate that ER stress and the UPR are key processes involved in MeHg toxicity, and that 4-PBA is a novel therapeutic candidate for MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MikiRyohei en-aut-sei=Miki en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomuraRyosuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IijimaYuta en-aut-sei=Iijima en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KubotaSho en-aut-sei=Kubota en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasugiNobumasa en-aut-sei=Takasugi en-aut-mei=Nobumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwawakiTakao en-aut-sei=Iwawaki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraMasatake en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Masatake kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Cell Medicine, Department of Life Science, Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of International Affairs and Research, National Institute for Minamata Disease kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Methylmercury kn-keyword=Methylmercury en-keyword=Neuronal cell death kn-keyword=Neuronal cell death en-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum stress kn-keyword=Endoplasmic reticulum stress en-keyword=Unfolded protein response kn-keyword=Unfolded protein response END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=77 end-page=83 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=2021 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of drought features in the Dakbla watershed, Central Highlands of Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The drought impacts in the Dakbla watershed were assessed based on a combination of hydrological modeling and drought indices. Three drought indices, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSI), and Streamflow Drought Index (SDI) were utilized to evaluate the drought features of meteo-hydrology and agriculture. The results indicated that these indices are well adapted to the local conditions, especially the 12-month time scale. Evaluations of drought features on the watershed scale could provide more specific information regarding drought risk than regional-scale/district-level assessments, because a watershed is a hydrologically fundamental unit to consider water resources management. Additionally, evaluations of drought impacts using the SSI showed longer and higher trends than those using the SPI and SDI in terms of drought duration and frequency. Considering the spatial distribution of drought frequency, the areas predominated by agricultural land in the target watershed had higher drought risk. Thus, assessment of agricultural droughts along with meteo-hydrological droughts is extremely important to support realistic local drought management strategies by considering water availability, water balance, and soil characteristics, especially in specific agricultural areas. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Ngoc Quynh TramVo en-aut-sei=Ngoc Quynh Tram en-aut-mei=Vo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=hydrological modeling kn-keyword=hydrological modeling en-keyword=drought indices kn-keyword=drought indices en-keyword=drought features kn-keyword=drought features en-keyword=watershed scale assessment kn-keyword=watershed scale assessment en-keyword=agricultural activities kn-keyword=agricultural activities en-keyword=mountainous region kn-keyword=mountainous region END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=87 end-page=94 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation and selection of a set of CMIP6 GCMs for water resource modeling in the poorly gauged complex terrain of the Tana River basin in Kenya en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Tana River basin is among the least monitored in terms of meteorological data in Kenya. The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) provided data on a ten-day timescale, which is not adequate for water resource evaluation. To bridge this data gap, there is a growing need to leverage General Circulation Models (GCMs) and global datasets to assess current and future water resources in this basin. This study focused on evaluating the performance of 19 CMIP6 GCMs concerning precipitation (pr), maximum temperature (tasmax), and minimum temperature (tasmin) for the complex terrain of the Tana River basin. This involved a rigorous process of disaggregating the data provided by the KMD into a daily timescale for downscaling. The GCMs’ historical output was prepared using the Climate Data Operator (CDO) in Cygwin. The Kling Gupta Efficiency (KGE) was computed for each variable at three stations: Nyeri (upstream), Kitui (midstream), and Bura (downstream). The KGE results were validated using Taylor statistics. Five GCMs, CMCC-ESM2, MPI-ESM1-2-HR, ACCESS-CM2, NorESM2-MM, and GFDL-ESM4, performed best with a multivariable Multi-station KGE statistic of 0.455–0.511. The outputs from these selected GCMs were subsequently downscaled for later use in assessing the water resources and crop water demand in the basin. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Mwendwa WambuaDaniel en-aut-sei=Mwendwa Wambua en-aut-mei=Daniel kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=climate change kn-keyword=climate change en-keyword=adaptation kn-keyword=adaptation en-keyword=scenarios kn-keyword=scenarios en-keyword=downscaling kn-keyword=downscaling en-keyword=disaggregation kn-keyword=disaggregation en-keyword=temporal kn-keyword=temporal END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2024 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=103D01 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240904 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Study of the Neutrino–Oxygen Cross Sections of the Charged-Current Reaction 16O(ν̄e, e+)16N(0 MeV, 2–) and the Neutral-Current Reaction 16O(ν, ν′)16O(12.97/12.53 MeV, 2–), Producing High-Energy γ Rays en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In our previous work, we discussed the cross section and the detection of 4.4 MeV γ rays produced in the neutrino neutral-current (NC)reaction 16O(ν, ν′)16O(12.97 and 12.53 MeV, 2−) in a water Cherenkov detector at low energy below 100 MeV. In this report, we further investigate both the charged-current reaction 16O(ν¯e, e+)16N(0 MeV, 2−) and the NC reaction16O(ν, ν′)16O(12.97 and 12.53 MeV, 2−), producing high-energy γ rays, in which a more solid identification of the reactions can be applied via the coincidence method. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SakudaMakoto en-aut-sei=Sakuda en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiToshio en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakazatoKen'Ichiro en-aut-sei=Nakazato en-aut-mei=Ken'Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiHideyuki en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Physics Department, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physics, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=416 cd-vols= no-issue=28 article-no= start-page=6679 end-page=6686 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024107 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Comparison of protein immobilization methods with covalent bonding on paper for paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, two methods were examined to optimize the immobilization of antibodies on paper when conducting a paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (P-ELISA). Human IgG, as a test-capture protein, was immobilized on paper via the formation of Schiff bases. Aldehyde groups were introduced onto the surface of the paper via two methods: NaIO4 and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) with glutaraldehyde (APTS-glutaraldehyde). In the assay, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-human IgG (HRP-anti-IgG) binds to the immobilized human IgG, and the colorimetric reaction of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzyzine (TMB) produces a blue color in the presence of H2O2 and HRP-anti-IgG as a model analyte. The immobilization of human IgG, the enzymatic reaction conditions, and the reduction of the chemical bond between the paper surface and immobilized human IgG all were optimized in order to improve both the analytical performance and the stability. In addition, the thickness of the paper was examined to stabilize the analytical signal. Consequently, the APTS-glutaraldehyde method was superior to the NaIO4 method in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility. Conversely, the reduction of imine to amine with NaBH4 proved to exert only minimal influence on sensitivity and stability, although it tended to degrade reproducibility. We also found that thick paper was preferential when using P-ELISA because a rigid paper substrate prevents distortion of the paper surface that is often caused by repeated washing processes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ChenYang en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Yang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kn-keyword=Paper-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay en-keyword=ELISA kn-keyword=ELISA en-keyword=Immobilization kn-keyword=Immobilization en-keyword=Covalent bonding kn-keyword=Covalent bonding en-keyword=Protein kn-keyword=Protein END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=46 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=2400604 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Elastomer Particle Monolayers Formed by the Compression of Poly(methyl acrylate) Microparticles at an Air/Water Interface en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In the previous study (Green Chem., 2023, 25, 3418), highly stretchable and mechanically tough poly(methyl acrylate) (pMA) microparticle-based elastomers can be formed by drying a microparticle-containing aqueous dispersion. This discovery has the potential to overcome the mechanical weakness of industrially produced aqueous latex films. However, in 3D-arranged particle films, structural complexity, such as the existence of defects, makes it difficult to clearly understand the relationship between the particle film structure and its mechanical properties. In this study, 2D-ordered pMA particle monolayers at the air/water interface of a Langmuir trough are prepared. Under high compression at the air/water interface, the microparticles contact their neighboring particles, and the resulting monolayers can be successfully transferred onto a solid substrate. The compression of the monolayer films is linked to an increase in the elastic modulus of the monolayer film on the solid substrate as evident from the local Young's modulus mapping using atomic force microscopy. Thus, pMA particle films with different mechanical properties can be created using a Langmuir trough. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SasakiYuma en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Yuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishizawaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Nishizawa en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeNatsuki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Natsuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchihashiTakayuki en-aut-sei=Uchihashi en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Langmuir–Blodgett techniques kn-keyword=Langmuir–Blodgett techniques en-keyword=polymer colloids kn-keyword=polymer colloids en-keyword=polymer structures kn-keyword=polymer structures en-keyword=thin films kn-keyword=thin films en-keyword=tough materials kn-keyword=tough materials END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=112 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=419 end-page=424 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240909 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Electrochemically assisted sol-gel deposition of bioactive gels for biomedical applications en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=So far, the sol-gel process has been available to prepare precursor gels of bioactive glasses with various compositions. In this report, we described a novel coating method of bioactive gels on a titanium substrate where the sol-gel transition is controlled by applying external electric fields. The application of a constant current of 10 mA/cm2 in an acidic sol containing pre-hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, calcium nitrate, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate led to the deposition of gels on the titanium cathodes due to the generation of OH– by water electrolysis as a catalyst of the sol-gel transition. The obtained gels, which were characterized to be amorphous and consisted of Si, Ca, and P, covered the titanium substrates as a coating. The bioactivity of the gels deposited was confirmed by soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF) up to 7 days, suggesting that the electrochemically assisted sol-gel process is promising for providing bioactive coatings on metallic implants. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshiokaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoNaoki en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayakawaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Biomaterials Laboratory, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Biomaterials Laboratory, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Sol-gel-derived gels kn-keyword=Sol-gel-derived gels en-keyword=Coating kn-keyword=Coating en-keyword=Water electrolysis kn-keyword=Water electrolysis en-keyword=Bioactivity kn-keyword=Bioactivity en-keyword=SBF kn-keyword=SBF END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=16 cd-vols= no-issue=16 article-no= start-page=2266 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240809 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Long-Term Bonding Performance of One-Bottle vs. Two-Bottle Bonding Agents to Lithium Disilicate Ceramics en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of this study was to compare the long-term bonding performance to lithium disilicate (LDS) ceramic between one-bottle and two-bottle bonding agents. Bonding performance was investigated under these LDS pretreatment conditions: with hydrofluoric acid (HF) only, without HF, with a two-bottle bonding agent (Tokuyama Universal Bond II) only. Shear bond strengths between LDS and nine resin cements (both self-adhesive and conventional adhesive types) were measured at three time periods: after one-day water storage (Base), and after 5000 and 20,000 thermocycles (TC 5k and TC 20k respectively). Difference in degradation between one- and two-bottle bonding agents containing the silane coupling agent was compared by high-performance liquid chromatography. With HF pretreatment, bond strengths were not significantly different among the three time periods for each resin cement. Without HF, ESTECEM II and Super-Bond Universal showed significantly higher values than others at TC 5k and TC 20k when treated with the recommended bonding agents, especially at TC 20k. Difference in degradation between one- and two-bottle bonding agents containing the silane coupling agent was compared by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For both cements, these values at TC 20k were also not significantly different from pretreatment with only Tokuyama Universal Bond II. For LDS, long-term bond durability could be maintained by pretreatment with Tokuyama Universal Bond II instead of the hazardous HF. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IrieMasao en-aut-sei=Irie en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruoYukinori en-aut-sei=Maruo en-aut-mei=Yukinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigawaGoro en-aut-sei=Nishigawa en-aut-mei=Goro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoTakuya en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Dental Biomaterials, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=shear bond strength kn-keyword=shear bond strength en-keyword=bonding agent kn-keyword=bonding agent en-keyword=one- vs. two bottles kn-keyword=one- vs. two bottles en-keyword=resin luting materials kn-keyword=resin luting materials en-keyword=lithium disilicate ceramics kn-keyword=lithium disilicate ceramics en-keyword=durability kn-keyword=durability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1403922 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240820 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Lentil adaptation to drought stress: response, tolerance, and breeding approaches en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a cool season legume crop that plays vital roles in food and nutritional security, mostly in the least developed countries. Lentil is often cultivated in dry and semi-dry regions, where the primary abiotic factor is drought, which negatively impacts lentil growth and development, resulting in a reduction of yield. To withstand drought-induced multiple negative effects, lentil plants evolved a variety of adaptation strategies that can be classified within three broad categories of drought tolerance mechanisms (i.e., escape, avoidance, and tolerance). Lentil adapts to drought by the modulation of various traits in the root system, leaf architecture, canopy structure, branching, anatomical features, and flowering process. Furthermore, the activation of certain defensive biochemical pathways as well as the regulation of gene functions contributes to lentil drought tolerance. Plant breeders typically employ conventional and mutational breeding approaches to develop lentil varieties that can withstand drought effects; however, little progress has been made in developing drought-tolerant lentil varieties using genomics-assisted technologies. This review highlights the current understanding of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of lentil adaptation to drought stress. We also discuss the potential application of omics-assisted breeding approaches to develop lentil varieties with superior drought tolerance traits. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NoorMd. Mahmud Al en-aut-sei=Noor en-aut-mei=Md. Mahmud Al kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Tahjib-Ul-ArifMd. en-aut-sei=Tahjib-Ul-Arif en-aut-mei=Md. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AlimS. M. Abdul en-aut-sei=Alim en-aut-mei=S. M. Abdul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IslamMd. Mohimenul en-aut-sei=Islam en-aut-mei=Md. Mohimenul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasanMd. Toufiq en-aut-sei=Hasan en-aut-mei=Md. Toufiq kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=BabarMd. Ali en-aut-sei=Babar en-aut-mei=Md. Ali kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HossainMohammad Anwar en-aut-sei=Hossain en-aut-mei=Mohammad Anwar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=JewelZilhas Ahmed en-aut-sei=Jewel en-aut-mei=Zilhas Ahmed kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MostofaMohammad Golam en-aut-sei=Mostofa en-aut-mei=Mohammad Golam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Horticulture Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Agronomy Departments, University of Florida kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University kn-affil= en-keyword=abiotic stress kn-keyword=abiotic stress en-keyword=morphology kn-keyword=morphology en-keyword=pulse crop kn-keyword=pulse crop en-keyword=plant growth kn-keyword=plant growth en-keyword=omics kn-keyword=omics en-keyword=water-deficit kn-keyword=water-deficit END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100347 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202412 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Reduction with zinc - Impact on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We used a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (mu PAD) to investigate the influence that zinc reduction exerts on the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. The mu PAD consists of layered channels for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite with zinc powder and the subsequent detection of nitrite with Griess reagent. The amount of zinc, number of layers, and reaction time for the reduction were optimized to obtain an intense signal for nitrate. Initially, the sensitivity to nitrate corresponded to 55% that of nitrite, which implied an incomplete reduction. We found, however, that zinc decreased the sensitivity to nitrite in both the mu PAD and spectrophotometry. The sensitivity to nitrite was decreased by 48% in spectrophotometry and 68% in the mu PAD following the reaction with zinc. One of the reasons for the decreased sensitivity is attributed to the production of ammonia, as we elucidated that both nitrite and nitrate produced ammonia via the reaction with zinc. The results suggest that the total concentration of nitrite and nitrate must be corrected by constructing a calibration curve for nitrite with zinc, in addition to developing curves for nitrate with zinc and for nitrite without zinc. Using these calibration curves, the absorbance at different concentration ratios of nitrite and nitrate ions could be reproduced via calculation using the calibration curves with zinc for nitrite and nitrate. Eventually, the developed mu PAD was applied to the determination of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples, and the results were compared with those using a conventional spectrophotometric method. The results of the mu PAD are in good agreement with those of conventional spectrophotometry, which suggests that the mu PAD is reliable for the measurement of nitrite and nitrate ions in natural water samples. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UmedaMika I. en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Mika I. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiTakatoshi en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Takatoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HinoEiichi en-aut-sei=Hino en-aut-mei=Eiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DateYusuke en-aut-sei=Date en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=AokiKaoru en-aut-sei=Aoki en-aut-mei=Kaoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Yonago College kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Nitrite ion kn-keyword=Nitrite ion en-keyword=Nitrate ion kn-keyword=Nitrate ion en-keyword=On-site analysis kn-keyword=On-site analysis en-keyword=Environmental analysis kn-keyword=Environmental analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=378 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=113269 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mesoporous carbon with extremely low micropore content synthesized from graphene oxide modified with alkali metal nitrates en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=High-temperature thermal exfoliation is a simple, rapid, and cost-efficient method for transforming graphene oxide (GO) materials into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) materials. In this study, GO materials were dispersed with alkali metal nitrates (MNO3), leading to the preparation of porous rGO materials characterized by high specific surface area (SSA) and pore volume via high-temperature thermal exfoliation. Experimental data indicate that the metal cations of MNO3 tend to react directly with the oxygen functional groups (OFG) of GO, modulating the OFG content. Simultaneously, nitrate anions have preferential interaction with alkali metal ions and adhere to the surface of the GO. The presence of MNO3 on the surface of GO facilitates the thermal exfoliation process and leads to the formation of structures with an extremely high proportion of mesoporous content. The isothermal gas adsorption results show that the exfoliation efficiency of the samples activated with different nitrate salts decreases in the order rGO-KNO3 > rGO-NaNO3 > rGO-LiNO3. Among these samples, rGO modified with KNO3 exhibited the greatest exfoliation efficiency, with a mesopore-to-micropore volume ratio of 22.4, more than 1.7 times that of rGO. Its SSA and pore volume were 359 m2 g−1 and 1.26 cm3 g−1, respectively. These values significantly surpass those of rGO. Our research findings demonstrate that activation with MNO3 significantly increases the SSA and pore volume of the GO material after high-temperature annealing. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiZhao en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Zhao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToyotaMoeto en-aut-sei=Toyota en-aut-mei=Moeto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhkuboTakahiro en-aut-sei=Ohkubo en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Mesoporous carbon kn-keyword=Mesoporous carbon en-keyword=Alkali metal nitrates kn-keyword=Alkali metal nitrates en-keyword=Oxygen functional groups kn-keyword=Oxygen functional groups en-keyword=Activation kn-keyword=Activation en-keyword=Thermal exfoliation kn-keyword=Thermal exfoliation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=40 cd-vols= no-issue=32 article-no= start-page=16994 end-page=17000 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240730 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of Droplet-Removal Processes on Fog-Harvesting Performance on Wettability-Controlled Wire Array with Staggered Arrangement en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Development of freshwater resources is vital to overcoming severe worldwide water scarcity. Fog harvesting has attracted attention as a candidate technology that can be used to obtain fresh water from a stream of foggy air without energy input. Drainage of captured droplets from fog harvesters is necessary to maintain the permeability of harp-shaped harvesters. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the droplet-removal process on the amount of water harvested using a harvester constructed by wettability-controlled wires with an alternating and staggered arrangement. Droplet transfer from hydrophobic to hydrophilic wires, located upstream and downstream of the fog flow, respectively, was observed with a fog velocity greater than 1.5 m/s. The proportion of harvesting resulting from droplet transfer exceeded 30% of the total, and it reflected more than 20% increase of the harvesting performance compared with that of a harvester with wires of the same wettability: this value varied with the adhesive property of the wires and fog velocity. Scaled-up and multilayered harvesters were developed to enhance harvesting performance. We demonstrated certain enhancements under multilayered conditions and obtained 15.99 g/30 min as the maximum harvested amount, which corresponds to 13.3% of the liquid contained in the fog stream and is enhanced by 10% compared with that without droplet transfer. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamadaYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkaJunya en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Junya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeKazuma en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoribeAkihiko en-aut-sei=Horibe en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=29 article-no= start-page=5836 end-page=5847 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relationship between π–A isotherms and single microgel/microgel array structures revealed via the direct visualization of microgels at the air/water interface en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The structures of single microgels and microgel arrays formed at the air/water interface were visualized directly, and their structures correlated with π–A isotherms in order to understand the compression behavior of soft and deformable microgels at this interface. Large microgels (ca. 4 μm) were synthesized so that these can be clearly visualized at the air/water interface, even under high compression, and a series of microgel compression experiments were directly evaluated using a Langmuir trough equipped with a fluorescence microscope. The experiments revealed that upon compressing the microgel arrays at the interface voids disappeared and colloidal crystallinity increased. However, the colloidal crystallinity decreased when the microgel arrays were strongly compressed. In addition, when the structures were observed at higher magnification, it became clear that the single microgel structures, when visualized from above, changed from circular to polygonal upon compressing the microgel array. The results of this study can be expected to improve the understanding of the compression behavior of microgel arrays adsorbed at the air/water interface and will thus be useful for the creation of new functional microgel stabilizers with potential applications in e.g., bubbles and emulsions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawamotoTakahisa en-aut-sei=Kawamoto en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MinatoHaruka en-aut-sei=Minato en-aut-mei=Haruka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiDaisuke en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=253 end-page=266 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240509 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Freeze-thaw Resistance of Concrete using Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag and Blast-furnace Slag Sand in Salt Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The freeze-thaw resistance of concrete is significantly lower in salt water than in fresh water. Concrete deteriorates through repeated freezing and thawing, but in salt water, freezing alone leads to destruction. This paper investigated the effect of calcium hydroxide in concrete on the failure of concrete under such low temperatures. Calcium hydroxide precipitates at the transition zone between aggregate and cement paste due to the hydration of cement. The lower the temperature and the higher the concentration of salt water, the more calcium hydroxide dissolves. From concrete, more calcium hydroxide is eluted in salt water than in fresh water. This accelerates the deterioration of mortar and concrete due to freeze-thaw action. Mortar and concrete using ground granulated blast-furnace slag produces less calcium hydroxide. In mortar and concrete using blast-furnace slag sand, calcium hydroxide precipitated around the aggregate reacts with cement paste and blast-furnace slag sand to modify the transition zone. From these results, it was clarified that concrete using blast-furnace slag exhibits high freeze-thaw resistance even in salt water.
This paper is the English translation of the authors’ previous work [Ayano, T., Fujii, T. and Okazaki, K., (2023). “Freeze-thaw resistance of concrete using ground granulated blast-furnace and blast-furnace slag sand in salt water.” Japanese Journal of JSCE, 79(12), 23-00042. (in Japanese)]. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AyanoToshiki en-aut-sei=Ayano en-aut-mei=Toshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiTakashi en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkazakiKanako en-aut-sei=Okazaki en-aut-mei=Kanako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Social Engineering and Environmental Management, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=281 end-page=284 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202406 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spontaneous Bilateral Pneumothorax in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa: The Management of Prolonged Postoperative Air Leakage en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 24-year-old Japanese female with anorexia nervosa presented to our hospital for bilateral pneumothorax, and 12-Fr thoracostomy catheters were inserted into the bilateral pleural cavities. On hospital day 9, a thoracoscopic bullectomy was performed. However, air leakage relapsed on both sides on postoperative day 1. The air leakage on the right side was particularly persistent, and we switched the drainage to a Heimlich valve. Both lungs expanded gradually and the chest tube was removed on postoperative day 19. Passive pleural drainage might be an option for prolonged air leakage after a bullectomy in patients with anorexia nervosa. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkadaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakiYuho en-aut-sei=Maki en-aut-mei=Yuho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsubaraKei en-aut-sei=Matsubara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiranoYutaka en-aut-sei=Hirano en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraToshiya en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Toshiya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraMotoki en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Motoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=spontaneous pneumothorax kn-keyword=spontaneous pneumothorax en-keyword=anorexia nervosa kn-keyword=anorexia nervosa en-keyword=Heimlich valve kn-keyword=Heimlich valve END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=35 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=103650 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202408 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of cellulose nanofibers on soil water retention and aggregate stability en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Innovative solutions that address global challenges such as water scarcity and soil erosion are critical for maintaining sustainable agriculture. Due to their water-absorbing and soil-binding properties, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) can be applied to soil to enhance soil water retention and aggregate stability. In this study, we analyzed the effects of the drying temperature, dosage, irrigation water quality, and soil type on the efficacy of CNFs. Our results revealed that CNF dried at 5 degrees C is more effective at absorbing water than others, and adding 1% CNF enhanced soil water content up to 98%. The CNF samples absorbed water due to their hydrophilic molecular groups and morphological structure, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. CNF addition increased the soil volumetric water content and prolonged water retention by 22 days in the paddy soil samples, highlighting its potential for drought-prone areas. Furthermore, irrigation water quality, such as pH and cation values, influenced the interactions between CNF and water molecules, suggesting adjustments to the water retention curve. In its hydrated state, CNF promotes colloid flocculation and binds to soil particles, thereby strengthening the bonds crucial for aggregate formation and stability. CNF enhanced macro-aggregate formation by up to 48% and 59% in the masa and paddy soil samples, respectively. Our study emphasizes the potential of CNF for water conservation, soil health, and overall agricultural sustainability. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NgoAn Thuy en-aut-sei=Ngo en-aut-mei=An Thuy kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BuiLong Thanh en-aut-sei=Bui en-aut-mei=Long Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Soil amendments kn-keyword=Soil amendments en-keyword=water -saving polymers kn-keyword=water -saving polymers en-keyword=soil moisture improvement kn-keyword=soil moisture improvement en-keyword=mean weight diameter kn-keyword=mean weight diameter en-keyword=irrigation water kn-keyword=irrigation water END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=877 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240427 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Isolation of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus from Estuarine Waters, and Genotyping of V. vulnificus Isolates Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Bacteria in the genus Vibrio are ubiquitous in estuarine and coastal waters. Some species (including Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus) are known human pathogens causing ailments like cholera, diarrhea, or septicemia. Notably, V. vulnificus can also cause a severe systemic infection (known as vibriosis) in eels raised in aquaculture facilities. Water samples were periodically collected from the estuary of the Asahi River, located in the southern part of Okayama City, Japan. These samples were directly plated onto CHROMagar Vibrio plates, and colonies displaying turquoise-blue coloration were selected. Thereafter, polymerase chain reaction was used to identify V. cholerae and V. vulnificus. A total of 30 V. cholerae strains and 194 V. vulnificus strains were isolated during the warm season when the water temperature (WT) was higher than 20 degrees C. Concurrently, an increase in coliforms was observed during this period. Notably, V. vulnificus has two genotypes, designated as genotype 1 and genotype 2. Genotype 1 is pathogenic to humans, while genotype 2 is pathogenic to both humans and eels. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification method was developed to rapidly determine genotypes at a low cost. Of the 194 strains isolated, 80 (41.2%) were identified as genotype 1 strains. Among the 41 strains isolated when the WTs were higher than 28 degrees C, 25 strains (61.0%) belonged to genotype 1. In contrast, of the 32 strains isolated when the WTs were lower than 24 degrees C, 27 strains (84.4%) belonged to genotype 2. These results suggest that the distribution of the two genotypes was influenced by WT. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-Ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurataMegumi en-aut-sei=Kurata en-aut-mei=Megumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiroseRiho en-aut-sei=Hirose en-aut-mei=Riho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshikawaMasaya en-aut-sei=Yoshikawa en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiangYong en-aut-sei=Liang en-aut-mei=Yong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamagishiYosuke en-aut-sei=Yamagishi en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoTamaki en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Tamaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae en-keyword=Vibrio vulnificus kn-keyword=Vibrio vulnificus en-keyword=genotype kn-keyword=genotype en-keyword=LAMP kn-keyword=LAMP en-keyword=water temperature kn-keyword=water temperature END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=477 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240430 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Measurements of Thermodynamic Data of Water in Ca-Bentonite by Relative Humidity Method en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Buffer material (compacted bentonite), one of the engineered barrier elements in the geological disposal of a high-level radioactive waste, develops swelling stress due to groundwater penetration from the surrounding rock mass. Montmorillonite is the major clay mineral component of bentonite. Even previous studies provide few mechanical and thermodynamic data on Ca-montmorillonite. In this study, thermodynamic data on Ca-montmorillonite were obtained as a function of water content by measuring relative humidity (RH) and temperature. The activities of water and the relative partial molar Gibbs free energies of water were determined from the experimental results, and the swelling stress of Ca-bentonite was calculated using the thermodynamic model and compared with measured data. The activities of water and the relative partial molar Gibbs free energies obtained in the experiments decreased with decreasing water content in water contents lower than about 25%. This trend was similar to that of Na-montmorillonite. The swelling stress calculated based on the thermodynamic model was approximately 200 MPa at a montmorillonite partial density of 2.0 Mg/m3 and approximately 10 MPa at a montmorillonite partial density of 1.4 Mg/m3. The swelling stresses in the high-density region (around 2.0 Mg/m3) were higher than that of Na-montmorillonite and were similar levels in the low-density region (around 1.5 Mg/m3). Comparison with measured data showed the practicality of the thermodynamic model. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IchikawaKosuke en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHaruo en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=geological disposal kn-keyword=geological disposal en-keyword=buffer material kn-keyword=buffer material en-keyword=Ca-montmorillonite kn-keyword=Ca-montmorillonite en-keyword=bentonite kn-keyword=bentonite en-keyword=swelling stress kn-keyword=swelling stress END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=746 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240407 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Pyrene-Modified Cyclic Peptides Detect Cu2+ Ions by Fluorescence in Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The detection of metal ions is an option for maintaining water quality and diagnosing metal ion-related diseases. In this study, we successfully detected metal ions using fluorescent peptides in water. First, we prepared seven linear (L1-L7) and seven cyclic (C1-C7) peptides containing two pyrenyl (Pyr) units and assessed the response to various metal ions by fluorescence. The results indicated that C1, which contains a hexameric cyclic peptide moiety consisting of Pyr and Gly units, did not show a fluorescent response to metal ions, while the linear L1 corresponding to C1 showed a response to Cu2+, but its selectivity was found to be poor through a competition assay for each metal ion. We then assessed C2-C7 and L2-L7, in which Gly was replaced by His units at various positions in the same manner. The results showed that C2-C7 responded to Cu2+ in a manner dependent on the His position. Additionally, superior selectivity was observed in C7 through a competition assay. These results demonstrate that the structural restriction of peptides and the sequence affect the selective detection of Cu2+ and reveal that peptides with an appropriate structure can accomplish the fluorescent detection of Cu2+ specifically. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MaekawaYuhi en-aut-sei=Maekawa en-aut-mei=Yuhi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuraSora en-aut-sei=Sakura en-aut-mei=Sora kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaniYuji en-aut-sei=Furutani en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiharaRento en-aut-sei=Fujihara en-aut-mei=Rento kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimeHisashi en-aut-sei=Sugime en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukiTakashi en-aut-sei=Ohtsuki en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamatsuMizuki en-aut-sei=Kitamatsu en-aut-mei=Mizuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University kn-affil= en-keyword=peptide kn-keyword=peptide en-keyword=pyrene kn-keyword=pyrene en-keyword=metal ion kn-keyword=metal ion en-keyword=fluorescence kn-keyword=fluorescence END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=430 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240421 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Swelling Stress of Bentonite: Thermodynamics of Interlayer Water in K-Montmorillonite in Consideration of Alteration en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The buffer material that makes up the geological disposal system of high-level waste swells by contact with groundwater and seals space with rock mass and fractures in rock mass. The buffer material has a function of mechanical buffer with rock pressure, and swelling stress is important in this case. The alteration of bentonite may occur due to the initial replacement of cations (Na+ ions) in the interlayer with K+ ions upon contact with groundwater, but there are no studies on the swelling stress of K-bentonite. In this study, the author prepared K-montmorillonite samples and obtained thermodynamic data on interlayer water as a function of water content using a relative humidity method. The swelling stress was analyzed based on a thermodynamic model developed in earlier studies and compared with measured data. The activity and the relative partial molar Gibbs free energy of porewater decreased with decreasing water content in the region, below approximately 15%. This behavior significantly differs from that of other ions, such as Na. The swelling stress calculated based on the thermodynamic model and date occurred in the region of high density of 1.9 Mg/m3 with montmorillonite partial density. It was indicated for the first time that K-bentonite scarcely swells under realistic design conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=EndoMisato en-aut-sei=Endo en-aut-mei=Misato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHaruo en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Institute of Academic and Research, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=swelling stress kn-keyword=swelling stress en-keyword=K-montmorillonite kn-keyword=K-montmorillonite en-keyword=thermodynamic data kn-keyword=thermodynamic data en-keyword=interlayer water kn-keyword=interlayer water en-keyword=relative humidity method kn-keyword=relative humidity method END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=394 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Changes of Temperature and Moisture Distribution over Time by Thermo-Hydro-Chemical (T-H-C)-Coupled Analysis in Buffer Material Focusing on Montmorillonite Content en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Bentonite is used as a buffer material in engineered barriers for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The buffer material will be made of bentonite, a natural clay, mixed with silica sand. The buffer material is affected by decay heat from high-level radioactive waste, infiltration of groundwater, and swelling of the buffer material. The analysis of these factors requires coupled analysis of heat transfer, moisture transfer, and groundwater chemistry. The purpose of this study is to develop a model to evaluate bentonite types and silica sand content in a unified manner for thermo-hydro-chemical (T-H-C)-coupled analysis in buffer materials. We focused on the content of the clay mineral montmorillonite, which is the main component of bentonite, and developed a model to derive the moisture diffusion coefficient of liquid water and water vapor based on Philip and de Vries, and Kozeny-Carman. The evolutions of the temperature and moisture distribution in the buffer material were analyzed, and the validity of each distribution was confirmed by comparison with the measured data obtained from an in situ experiment at 350 m in depth at the Horonobe Underground Research Center, Hokkaido, Japan. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OuchiKohei en-aut-sei=Ouchi en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHaruo en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=geological disposal kn-keyword=geological disposal en-keyword=buffer material kn-keyword=buffer material en-keyword=T-H-C-coupled analysis kn-keyword=T-H-C-coupled analysis en-keyword=montmorillonite kn-keyword=montmorillonite en-keyword=bentonite kn-keyword=bentonite END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=249 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=440 end-page=452 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=How do water-mediated interactions and osmotic second virial coefficients vary with particle size? en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We examine quantitatively the solute-size dependences of the effective interactions between nonpolar solutes in water and in a simple liquid. The potential w(r) of mean force and the osmotic second virial coefficients B are calculated with high accuracy from molecular dynamics simulations. As the solute diameter increases from methane's to C60's with the solute–solute and solute–solvent attractive interaction parameters fixed to those for the methane–methane and methane–water interactions, the first minimum of w(r) lowers from −1.1 to −4.7 in units of the thermal energy kT. Correspondingly, the magnitude of B (<0) increases proportional to σα with some power close to 6 or 7, which reinforces the solute-size dependence of B found earlier for a smaller range of σ [H. Naito, R. Okamoto, T. Sumi and K. Koga, J. Chem. Phys., 2022, 156, 221104]. We also demonstrate that the strength of the attractive interactions between solute and solvent molecules can qualitatively change the characteristics of the effective pair interaction between solute particles, both in water and in a simple liquid. If the solute–solvent attractive force is set to be weaker (stronger) than a threshold, the effective interaction becomes increasingly attractive (repulsive) with increasing solute size. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaitoHidefumi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=205 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=346 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230929 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Flavobacterium okayamense sp. nov. isolated from surface seawater en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Strain KK2020170T, a Gram-stain negative, yellow colony-forming bacterium, was isolated from surface seawater sampled in Kojima Bay, Okayama, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain KK2020170T belongs to the genus Flavobacterium, with Flavobacterium haoranii LQY-7T (98.1% similarity) being its closest relative, followed by Flavobacterium sediminis MEBiC07310T (96.9%) and Flavobacterium urocaniciphilum YIT 12746T (96.0%). Whole-genome shotgun sequencing showed that strain KK2020170T, when paralleled with F. haoranii LQY-7 T, had 81.3% average nucleotide identity, and 24.6% in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values, respectively. The DNA G + C content of strain KK2020170T was 31.1 mol%. The most abundant fatty acids (> 10%) of strain KK2020170T were iso-C15: 0, iso-C17: 0 3-OH and iso-C15: 1 G. The dominant respiratory quinone of the strain was menaquinone MK-6. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis results, we propose that strain KK2020170T represents a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium okayamense sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is KK2020170T (= ATCC TSD-280 T = NBRC 115344 T). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MuzemboBasilua Andre en-aut-sei=Muzembo en-aut-mei=Basilua Andre kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorohoshiSho en-aut-sei=Morohoshi en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunihiroTadao en-aut-sei=Kunihiro en-aut-mei=Tadao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TazatoNozomi en-aut-sei=Tazato en-aut-mei=Nozomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhnoAyumu en-aut-sei=Ohno en-aut-mei=Ayumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UesakaKazuma en-aut-sei=Uesaka en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiMakoto en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=TechnoSuruga Laboratory Co., Ltd kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=TechnoSuruga Laboratory Co., Ltd kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=TechnoSuruga Laboratory Co., Ltd kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Oral Microbiome Center, Taniguchi Dental Clinic kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Bacteroidota kn-keyword=Bacteroidota en-keyword=Flavobacterium kn-keyword=Flavobacterium en-keyword=New taxa kn-keyword=New taxa en-keyword=Sea water kn-keyword=Sea water END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=115 end-page=122 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202404 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impacts of Age and Gender on Brain Edema in a Mouse Water Intoxication Model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Brain edema causes abnormal fluid retention and can be fatal in severe cases. Although it develops in various diseases, most treatments for brain edema are classical. We analyzed the impacts of age and gender on the characteristics of a water intoxication model that induces pure brain edema in mice and examined the model’s usefulness for research regarding new treatments for brain edema. C57BL/6J mice received an intraperitoneal administration of 10% body weight distilled water, and we calculated the brain water content by measuring the brain-tissue weight immediately after dissection and after drying. We analyzed 8-OHdG and caspase-3 values to investigate the brain damage. We also applied this model in aquaporin 4 knockout (AQP4−) mice and compared these mice with wild-type mice. The changes in water content differed by age and gender, and the 8-OHdG and caspase-3 values differed by age. Suppression of brain edema by AQP4− was also confirmed. These results clarified the differences in the onset of brain edema by age and gender, highlighting the importance of considering the age and gender of model animals. Similar studies using genetically modified mice are also possible. Our findings indicate that this water intoxication model is effective for explorations of new brain edema treatments. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Nakamura-MaruyamaEmi en-aut-sei=Nakamura-Maruyama en-aut-mei=Emi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IrieKeiichiro en-aut-sei=Irie en-aut-mei=Keiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaritaKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Narita en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HimiNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Himi en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyamotoOsamu en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTakehiro en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physiology2, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurological Surgery, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physiology2, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physiology2, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Physiology2, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Physiology2, Kawasaki Medical School kn-affil= en-keyword=brain edema kn-keyword=brain edema en-keyword=water intoxication model kn-keyword=water intoxication model en-keyword=age kn-keyword=age en-keyword=gender kn-keyword=gender en-keyword=AQP4 kn-keyword=AQP4 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=95 end-page=106 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202404 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Roles of Neuropeptide Y in Respiratory Disease Pathogenesis via the Airway Immune Response en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The lungs are very complex organs, and the respiratory system performs the dual roles of repairing tissue while protecting against infection from various environmental stimuli. Persistent external irritation disrupts the immune responses of tissues and cells in the respiratory system, ultimately leading to respiratory disease. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino-acid polypeptide and a neurotransmitter that regulates homeostasis. The NPY receptor is a seven-transmembrane-domain G-protein-coupled receptor with six subtypes (Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, and Y6). Of these receptors, Y1, Y2, Y4, and Y5 are functional in humans, and Y1 plays important roles in the immune responses of many organs, including the respiratory system. NPY and the Y1 receptor have critical roles in the pathogenesis of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The effects of NPY on the airway immune response and pathogenesis differ among respiratory diseases. This review focuses on the involvement of NPY in the airway immune response and pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ItanoJunko en-aut-sei=Itano en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiuraKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Kiura en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyaharaNobuaki en-aut-sei=Miyahara en-aut-mei=Nobuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Hematology, Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=neuropeptide y kn-keyword=neuropeptide y en-keyword=Y1 receptor kn-keyword=Y1 receptor en-keyword=airway immune response kn-keyword=airway immune response en-keyword=bronchial epithelial cells kn-keyword=bronchial epithelial cells en-keyword=respiratory disease kn-keyword=respiratory disease END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=965 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=91 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240410 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Supernova Burst and Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background Simulator for Water Cherenkov Detectors en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=If a Galactic core-collapse supernova explosion occurs in the future, it will be critical to rapidly alert the community to the direction of the supernova by utilizing neutrino signals in order to enable the initiation of follow-up optical observations. In addition, there is anticipation that observation of the diffuse supernova neutrino background will yield discoveries in the near future, given that experimental upper limits are approaching theoretical predictions. We have developed a new supernova event simulator for water Cherenkov neutrino detectors, such as the highly sensitive Super-Kamiokande. This simulator calculates the neutrino interaction in water for two simulation purposes, individual core-collapse supernova bursts and diffuse supernova neutrino background. Based on this simulator, we can evaluate the precision in determining the location of supernovae and estimate the expected number of events related to the diffuse supernova neutrino background in Super-Kamiokande. In this paper, we describe the basic structure of the simulator and its demonstration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakanishiFumi en-aut-sei=Nakanishi en-aut-mei=Fumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IzumiyamaShota en-aut-sei=Izumiyama en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoshioYusuke en-aut-sei=Koshio en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=40 cd-vols= no-issue=15 article-no= start-page=8074 end-page=8082 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240405 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Engineering Interconnected Open-Porous Particles via Microfluidics Using Bijel Droplets as Structural Templates en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Designing porous structures is key in materials science, particularly for separation, catalysis, and cell culture systems. Bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels represent a unique class of soft matter formed by kinetically arresting the separation of the spinodal decomposition phase, which is stabilized by colloidal particles with neutral wetting. This study introduces a microfluidic technique to create highly interconnected open-porous particles using bijel droplets stabilized with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-modified silica particles. Monodisperse droplets comprising a hydrophobic monomer, water, ethanol, silica particles, and CTAB were initially formed in the microfluidic device. The diffusion of ethanol from these droplets into the continuous cyclohexane phase triggered spinodal decomposition within the droplets. The phase-separated structure within the droplets was stabilized by the CTAB-modified silica particles, and subsequent photopolymerization yielded microparticles with highly interconnected, open pores. Moreover, the influence of the ratio of the CTAB and silica particles, fluid composition, and microchannel direction on the final structure of the microparticles was explored. Our findings indicated that the phase-separated structure of the particles transitioned from oil-in-water to water-in-oil as the CTAB/silica ratio was increased. At intermediate CTAB/silica ratios, microparticles with bicontinuous structures were formed. Regardless of the fluid composition, the pore size of the particles increased with time after phase separation. However, this coarsening was arrested 15 s after droplet formation in the CTAB-modified silica particles, accompanied by a change in the particle shape from spherical to ellipsoidal. In situ observations of the bijel droplet formation revealed that the particle shape deformation is caused by the rolling of elastic bijel droplets at the bottom of the microchannel. As such, the channel setup was altered from horizontal to vertical to prevent the deformation of bijel droplets, resulting in spherical particles with open pores. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MasaokaMina en-aut-sei=Masaoka en-aut-mei=Mina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaHiroaki en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=626 cd-vols= no-issue=7999 article-no= start-page=670 end-page=677 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240131 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Oxygen-evolving photosystem II structures during S1–S2–S3 transitions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosystem II (PSII) catalyses the oxidation of water through a four-step cycle of Si states (i = 0–4) at the Mn4CaO5 cluster1,2,3, during which an extra oxygen (O6) is incorporated at the S3 state to form a possible dioxygen4,5,6,7. Structural changes of the metal cluster and its environment during the S-state transitions have been studied on the microsecond timescale. Here we use pump-probe serial femtosecond crystallography to reveal the structural dynamics of PSII from nanoseconds to milliseconds after illumination with one flash (1F) or two flashes (2F). YZ, a tyrosine residue that connects the reaction centre P680 and the Mn4CaO5 cluster, showed structural changes on a nanosecond timescale, as did its surrounding amino acid residues and water molecules, reflecting the fast transfer of electrons and protons after flash illumination. Notably, one water molecule emerged in the vicinity of Glu189 of the D1 subunit of PSII (D1-E189), and was bound to the Ca2+ ion on a sub-microsecond timescale after 2F illumination. This water molecule disappeared later with the concomitant increase of O6, suggesting that it is the origin of O6. We also observed concerted movements of water molecules in the O1, O4 and Cl-1 channels and their surrounding amino acid residues to complete the sequence of electron transfer, proton release and substrate water delivery. These results provide crucial insights into the structural dynamics of PSII during S-state transitions as well as O–O bond formation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiHongjie en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Hongjie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NangoEriko en-aut-sei=Nango en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OwadaShigeki en-aut-sei=Owada en-aut-mei=Shigeki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaDaichi en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoKana en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Kana kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=LuoFangjia en-aut-sei=Luo en-aut-mei=Fangjia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaRie en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkitaFusamichi en-aut-sei=Akita en-aut-mei=Fusamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoKoji en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=KangJungmin en-aut-sei=Kang en-aut-mei=Jungmin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitohYasunori en-aut-sei=Saitoh en-aut-mei=Yasunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KishiShunpei en-aut-sei=Kishi en-aut-mei=Shunpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuHuaxin en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Huaxin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsubaraNaoki en-aut-sei=Matsubara en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiiHajime en-aut-sei=Fujii en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaharaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Sugahara en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiMamoru en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Mamoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaTetsuya en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraTetsunari en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Tetsunari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=ThaoTran Nguyen en-aut-sei=Thao en-aut-mei=Tran Nguyen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonekuraShinichiro en-aut-sei=Yonekura en-aut-mei=Shinichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuLong-Jiang en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Long-Jiang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToshaTakehiko en-aut-sei=Tosha en-aut-mei=Takehiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=TonoKensuke en-aut-sei=Tono en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= en-aut-name=JotiYasumasa en-aut-sei=Joti en-aut-mei=Yasumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=26 ORCID= en-aut-name=HatsuiTakaki en-aut-sei=Hatsui en-aut-mei=Takaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=27 ORCID= en-aut-name=YabashiMakina en-aut-sei=Yabashi en-aut-mei=Makina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=28 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboMinoru en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=29 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataSo en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=So kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=30 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeHiroshi en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=31 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiKizashi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Kizashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=32 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=33 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=34 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Picobiology, Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Division of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Ryukoku University kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=26 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=27 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=28 en-affil=Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=29 en-affil=Department of Picobiology, Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=30 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=31 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=32 en-affil=Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=33 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=34 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=564 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=121937 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240501 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Synthesis and characterization of iron(II) complex with unsymmetrical heterocyclic (2-pyridyl)(4-imidazolyl)azine en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A new iron(II) complex bearing unsymmetrical azine, [Fe(HLH)2](PF6)2·H2O·MeCN (HLH = 2-pyridylmethylidenehydrazono(4-imidazolyl)methane), was synthesized exclusively by a reaction of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde, 1H-imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde, hydrazine monohydrate and FeCl2·4H2O (in a molar ratio of 2:2:2:1) in methanol, followed by the addition of an aqueous NH4PF6 solution. It was characterized using spectroscopic techniques, elemental analysis, magnetic measurement, and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular and crystal structure of the compound was revealed by X-ray analysis, where an iron(II) ion was surrounded by two HLH azines with a planar E(py),Z(im) conformation, and tridentate κ3N,N’,N” coordination mode, forming a monomeric six-coordinated and diamagnetic complex. The complex cations were linked by water molecules via intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions between the imidazole N−H and the neighboring uncoordinated azine-N atom, forming a 1D chain structure. The selective formation of this unsymmetrical azine (HLH) from a stoichiometric mixture of the components would result from the steric preference of the five- and six-membered chelate rings by the 2-pyridyl and 4-imidazolyl azine moieties, respectively, with the E(py),Z(im) configuration. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HayiborKennedy Mawunya en-aut-sei=Hayibor en-aut-mei=Kennedy Mawunya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SunatsukiYukinari en-aut-sei=Sunatsuki en-aut-mei=Yukinari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil= en-keyword=(Pyridyl)(imidazolyl)azine kn-keyword=(Pyridyl)(imidazolyl)azine en-keyword=Aldazines kn-keyword=Aldazines en-keyword=Iron(II) complex kn-keyword=Iron(II) complex en-keyword=Crystal structure kn-keyword=Crystal structure END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=14 end-page=21 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=2024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficient agricultural monitoring: a methodology for assessing individual farmer adherence to rice-planting schedule for tertiary irrigation system under the Muda Irrigation Scheme using Earth observation datasets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The tertiary irrigation system (TIS) was designed for the Muda Irrigation Scheme (MIS) to distribute irrigation water to farmers' fields to ensure the reliability of water supply for cultivating rice paddies twice a year. Variability in farming practices, influenced by farmer autonomy along the tertiary canal adds complexity and uncertainty to adherence monitoring. Traditional on -site data collection methods are limited in scope and efficiency, whereas Earth observation (EO) enables continuous monitoring. In this study, we introduced a methodology that uses EO datasets to monitor individual field adherence to rice -planting schedules under TIS. These tools improve the monitoring of rice -planting schedule adherence by identifying non -adherent fields for further countermeasures. This study highlights the potential use of EO datasets and advanced data processing techniques for efficient agricultural monitoring. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZahirAliya Mhd en-aut-sei=Zahir en-aut-mei=Aliya Mhd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Google Earth Engine kn-keyword=Google Earth Engine en-keyword=agricultural practices kn-keyword=agricultural practices en-keyword=irrigation kn-keyword=irrigation en-keyword=remote sensing kn-keyword=remote sensing en-keyword=Sentinel-1 kn-keyword=Sentinel-1 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=8164 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural insights into photosystem II supercomplex and trimeric FCP antennae of a centric diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Diatoms are dominant marine algae and contribute around a quarter of global primary productivity, the success of which is largely attributed to their photosynthetic capacity aided by specific fucoxanthin chlorophyll-binding proteins (FCPs) to enhance the blue-green light absorption under water. We purified a photosystem II (PSII)-FCPII supercomplex and a trimeric FCP from Cyclotella meneghiniana (Cm) and solved their structures by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The structures reveal detailed organizations of monomeric, dimeric and trimeric FCP antennae, as well as distinct assemblies of Lhcx6_1 and dimeric FCPII-H in PSII core. Each Cm-PSII-FCPII monomer contains an Lhcx6_1, an FCP heterodimer and other three FCP monomers, which form an efficient pigment network for harvesting energy. More diadinoxanthins and diatoxanthins are found in FCPs, which may function to quench excess energy. The trimeric FCP contains more chlorophylls c and fucoxanthins. These diversified FCPs and PSII-FCPII provide a structural basis for efficient light energy harvesting, transfer, and dissipation in C. meneghiniana. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhaoSonghao en-aut-sei=Zhao en-aut-mei=Songhao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenLili en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Lili kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiXiaoyi en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Xiaoyi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaoQiushuang en-aut-sei=Tao en-aut-mei=Qiushuang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiZhenhua en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Zhenhua kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=XuCaizhe en-aut-sei=Xu en-aut-mei=Caizhe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhouCuicui en-aut-sei=Zhou en-aut-mei=Cuicui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YangYanyan en-aut-sei=Yang en-aut-mei=Yanyan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SangMin en-aut-sei=Sang en-aut-mei=Min kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=HanGuangye en-aut-sei=Han en-aut-mei=Guangye kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YuLong-Jiang en-aut-sei=Yu en-aut-mei=Long-Jiang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuangTingyun en-aut-sei=Kuang en-aut-mei=Tingyun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangWenda en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Wenda kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=China National Botanical Garden kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=299 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=104839 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202307 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structural insights into the action mechanisms of artificial electron acceptors in photosystem II en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosystem II (PSII) utilizes light energy to split water, and the electrons extracted from water are transferred to QB, a plastoquinone molecule bound to the D1 subunit of PSII. Many artificial electron acceptors (AEAs) with molecular structures similar to that of plastoquinone can accept electrons from PSII. However, the molecular mechanism by which AEAs act on PSII is unclear. Here, we solved the crystal structure of PSII treated with three different AEAs, 2,5-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,6dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone, and 2-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone, at 1.95 to 2.10 angstrom resolution. Our results show that all AEAs substitute for QB and are bound to the QB-binding site (QB site) to receive electrons, but their binding strengths are different, resulting in differences in their efficiencies to accept electrons. The acceptor 2-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone binds most weakly to the QB site and showed the highest oxygen-evolving activity, implying a reverse relationship between the binding strength and oxygen-evolving activity. In addition, a novel quinonebinding site, designated the QD site, was discovered, which is located in the vicinity of QB site and close to QC site, a binding site reported previously. This QD site is expected to play a role as a channel or a storage site for quinones to be transported to the QB site. These results provide the structural basis for elucidating the actions of AEAs and exchange mechanism of QB in PSII and also provide information for the design of more efficient electron acceptors. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KamadaShinji en-aut-sei=Kamada en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Photosystem II kn-keyword=Photosystem II en-keyword=photosynthesis kn-keyword=photosynthesis en-keyword=electron transfer kn-keyword=electron transfer en-keyword=structural biology kn-keyword=structural biology en-keyword=crystal structure kn-keyword=crystal structure en-keyword=electron acceptor kn-keyword=electron acceptor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=78 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=53 end-page=61 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=202402 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Quantitative Assessment of the Heat Transfer Capacity of Ice Bags and their Cooling Effects on the Skin Surface and Core Temperature en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Ice bags are frequently used in medical care settings for pain relief, comfort, and in some cases, whole-body cooling. This study quantifies heat energy transfer capacity of ice bags and evaluates their cooling effects on body temperature. Forty-eight healthy adults in their 20s were recruited. An ice bag wrapped in two layers of dry towel was applied to the forehead, neck, or palm of each participant for 10 min. The skin surface temperature, heat flow, and core temperature were recorded during the cooling and non-cooling periods, with energy transfer calculated by integrating heat flow over time. Over the non-cooling period, 31.4-53.6 kJ·m-2 of energy was dissipated over 10 min, whereas during the cooling period, the range increased to 180.0-218.7 kJ·m-2 over 10 min. Skin surface temperature decreased by 3.2-5.7°C, whereas core temperature was unchanged. Ice bag use augmented energy transfer by about 150-180 kJ·m-2 over 10 min, but this was insufficient for rapid whole body cooling due to the small skin-surface area in contact with the ice bag. The measured energy transfer indicated that topical ice bag application absorbs insufficient energy to affect core temperature. Quantitative assessment of energy transfer was shown to inform the safe and appropriate use of thermotherapy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IchikawaYukiko en-aut-sei=Ichikawa en-aut-mei=Yukiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OginoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Ogino en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health and Welfare Science, Okayama Prefectural University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health and Welfare Science, Okayama Prefectural University kn-affil= en-keyword=cold compress kn-keyword=cold compress en-keyword=fever kn-keyword=fever en-keyword=hyperthermia kn-keyword=hyperthermia en-keyword=thermal conductivity kn-keyword=thermal conductivity en-keyword=thermoregulation kn-keyword=thermoregulation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=81 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=80 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240128 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mutational analysis of the transmembrane α4-helix of Bacillus thuringiensis mosquito-larvicidal Cry4Aa toxin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cry4Aa, produced by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, exhibits specific toxicity to larvae of medically important mosquito genera. Cry4Aa functions as a pore-forming toxin, and a helical hairpin (α4-loop-α5) of domain I is believed to be the transmembrane domain that forms toxin pores. Pore formation is considered to be a central mode of Cry4Aa action, but the relationship between pore formation and toxicity is poorly understood. In the present study, we constructed Cry4Aa mutants in which each polar amino acid residues within the transmembrane α4 helix was replaced with glutamic acid. Bioassays using Culex pipiens mosquito larvae and subsequent ion permeability measurements using symmetric KCl solution revealed an apparent correlation between toxicity and toxin pore conductance for most of the Cry4Aa mutants. In contrast, the Cry4Aa mutant H178E was a clear exception, almost losing its toxicity but still exhibiting a moderately high conductivity of about 60% of the wild-type. Furthermore, the conductance of the pore formed by the N190E mutant (about 50% of the wild-type) was close to that of H178E, but the toxicity was significantly higher than that of H178E. Ion selectivity measurements using asymmetric KCl solution revealed a significant decrease in cation selectivity of toxin pores formed by H178E compared to N190E. Our data suggest that the toxicity of Cry4Aa is primarily pore related. The formation of toxin pores that are highly ion-permeable and also highly cation-selective may enhance the influx of cations and water into the target cell, thereby facilitating the eventual death of mosquito larvae. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiHirokazu en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Hirokazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsakuraMami en-aut-sei=Asakura en-aut-mei=Mami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IdeToru en-aut-sei=Ide en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayakawaTohru en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Tohru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=113 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=7 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of seed cold PEG-priming and subsequent long storage on germination, growth and flowering of Eustoma grandiflorum（Raf.）Shinn ʻExe Lavenderʼ en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cold wet treatment is frequently applied to Eustoma seeds to enhance the bolting rate of plants grown under high temperatures. Our previous study indicated that cold PEG‒primed Eustoma seeds could maintain their germination rate and bolting rate even after being re‒dried for 30days and grown under high temperatures. The present study aimed to investigate whether prolonged storage after cold PEG‒priming affect the germination, growth, and flowering of Eustoma ‘Exe Lavender’ seedling. Seeds were initially cold‒primed with water or PEG‒6000 at ‒1.5 MPa for 5 weeks at 10°C in the dark and were then subjected to re‒drying and storage for 30, 60, 90 and 360days at 10°C. After 360days of storage, cold PEG‒primed seeds germinated earlier and more effectively than cold hydro‒primed seeds. Compared to the results after 30days of storage, plants grown from 360days exhibited similar bolting rate, days to bolting, bolting node and flowering rate, cut flower length and number of flower node. These results suggest that ‘Exe Lavender’ seeds can germinate and develop well even after 360days of storage and under high temperature conditions when subjected to cold PEG‒6000 treatment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PhanThao Thu en-aut-sei=Phan en-aut-mei=Thao Thu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKeigo en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasubaKen-ichiro en-aut-sei=Yasuba en-aut-mei=Ken-ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaYuichi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoTanjuro en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Tanjuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Hiroshima Prefectural Technology Research Institute, Agricultural Technology Research Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=bolting kn-keyword=bolting en-keyword=chilling kn-keyword=chilling en-keyword=dehydrate kn-keyword=dehydrate en-keyword=long storage kn-keyword=long storage en-keyword=PEG-6000 kn-keyword=PEG-6000 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=64 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=532 end-page=542 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231229 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=pSPICA Force Field Extended for Proteins and Peptides en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Many coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) studies have been performed to investigate biological processes involving proteins and lipids. CG force fields (FFs) in these MD studies often use implicit or nonpolar water models to reduce computational costs. CG-MD using water models cannot properly describe electrostatic screening effects owing to the hydration of ionic segments and thus cannot appropriately describe molecular events involving water channels and pores through lipid membranes. To overcome this issue, we developed a protein model in the pSPICA FF, in which a polar CG water model showing the proper dielectric response was adopted. The developed CG model greatly improved the transfer free energy profiles of charged side chain analogues across the lipid membrane. Application studies on melittin-induced membrane pores and mechanosensitive channels in lipid membranes demonstrated that CG-MDs using the pSPICA FF correctly reproduced the structure and stability of the pores and channels. Furthermore, the adsorption behavior of the highly charged nona-arginine peptides on lipid membranes changed with salt concentration, indicating the pSPICA FF is also useful for simulating protein adsorption on membrane surfaces. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyazakiYusuke en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShinodaWataru en-aut-sei=Shinoda en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=18 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=347 end-page=354 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231218 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Close-Packed Ices in Nanopores en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Water molecules in any of the ice polymorphs organize themselves into a perfect four-coordinated hydrogen-bond network at the expense of dense packing. Even at high pressures, there seems to be no way to reconcile the ice rules with the close packing. Here, we report several close-packed ice phases in carbon nanotubes obtained from molecular dynamics simulations of two different water models. Typically they are in plastic states at high temperatures and are transformed into the hydrogen-ordered ice, keeping their close-packed structures at lower temperatures. The close-packed structures of water molecules in carbon nanotubes are identified with those of spheres in a cylinder. We present design principles of hydrogen-ordered, close-packed structures of ice in nanotubes, which suggest many possible dense ice forms with or without nonzero polarization. In fact, some of the simulated ices are found to exhibit ferroelectric ordering upon cooling. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MochizukiKenji en-aut-sei=Mochizuki en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AdachiYuji en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Close-packed ices kn-keyword=Close-packed ices en-keyword=Ice nanotubes kn-keyword=Ice nanotubes en-keyword=Carbon nanotubes kn-keyword=Carbon nanotubes en-keyword=Continuous freezing kn-keyword=Continuous freezing en-keyword=Ferroelectricices kn-keyword=Ferroelectricices END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=123 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=231601 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Water/ice mixture- and freezing-front motion in a non-isothermal liquid bridge en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We experimentally investigate the water/ice mixture- and freezing-front behavior in a water liquid bridge under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. We find rapid propagation, temporary suspension, and regression of the water/ice mixture front, and finally, it merges with the freezing front when part of the liquid bridge is higher than the freezing temperature. However, freezing-front propagation follows dendritic ice formation, and a protrusion forms at the middle of the liquid bridge as long as the whole liquid bridge is lower than the freezing temperature. We explain those phenomena by quasi-stationary heat-transfer considerations. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamadaYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkanoKodai en-aut-sei=Okano en-aut-mei=Kodai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeKazuma en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoribeAkihiko en-aut-sei=Horibe en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=School of Engineering, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=RP88822 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231121 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Characterization of tryptophan oxidation affecting D1 degradation by FtsH in the photosystem II quality control of chloroplasts en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosynthesis is one of the most important reactions for sustaining our environment. Photosystem II (PSII) is the initial site of photosynthetic electron transfer by water oxidation. Light in excess, however, causes the simultaneous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to photo-oxidative damage in PSII. To maintain photosynthetic activity, the PSII reaction center protein D1, which is the primary target of unavoidable photo-oxidative damage, is efficiently degraded by FtsH protease. In PSII subunits, photo-oxidative modifications of several amino acids such as Trp have been indeed documented, whereas the linkage between such modifications and D1 degradation remains elusive. Here, we show that an oxidative post-translational modification of Trp residue at the N-terminal tail of D1 is correlated with D1 degradation by FtsH during high-light stress. We revealed that Arabidopsis mutant lacking FtsH2 had increased levels of oxidative Trp residues in D1, among which an N-terminal Trp-14 was distinctively localized in the stromal side. Further characterization of Trp-14 using chloroplast transformation in Chlamydomonas indicated that substitution of D1 Trp-14 to Phe, mimicking Trp oxidation enhanced FtsH-mediated D1 degradation under high light, although the substitution did not affect protein stability and PSII activity. Molecular dynamics simulation of PSII implies that both Trp-14 oxidation and Phe substitution cause fluctuation of D1 N-terminal tail. Furthermore, Trp-14 to Phe modification appeared to have an additive effect in the interaction between FtsH and PSII core in vivo. Together, our results suggest that the Trp oxidation at its N-terminus of D1 may be one of the key oxidations in the PSII repair, leading to processive degradation by FtsH. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoYusuke en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OzawaShin-Ichiro en-aut-sei=Ozawa en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoKeisuke en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DograVivek en-aut-sei=Dogra en-aut-mei=Vivek kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ScholzMartin en-aut-sei=Scholz en-aut-mei=Martin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhangGuoxian en-aut-sei=Zhang en-aut-mei=Guoxian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=de VitryCatherine en-aut-sei=de Vitry en-aut-mei=Catherine kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikitaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ishikita en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimChanhong en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Chanhong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=HipplerMichael en-aut-sei=Hippler en-aut-mei=Michael kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiYuichiro en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoWataru en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Münster kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7141, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and Sorbonne Université Pierre et Marie Curie kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=post-translational modification kn-keyword=post-translational modification en-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana kn-keyword=Arabidopsis thaliana en-keyword=protein degradation kn-keyword=protein degradation en-keyword=photosystem II kn-keyword=photosystem II en-keyword=photo-oxidative damage kn-keyword=photo-oxidative damage en-keyword=tryptophan oxidation kn-keyword=tryptophan oxidation en-keyword=Chlamydomonas reinhardtii kn-keyword=Chlamydomonas reinhardtii END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1208 end-page=1219 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231210 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nuclear Transformation of the Marine Pennate Diatom Nitzschia sp. Strain NIES-4635 by Multi-Pulse Electroporation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nitzschia is one of the largest genera of diatoms found in a range of aquatic environments, from freshwater to seawater. This genus contains evolutionarily and ecologically unique species, such as those that have lost photosynthetic capacity or those that live symbiotically in dinoflagellates. Several Nitzschia species have been used as indicators of water pollution. Recently, Nitzschia species have attracted considerable attention in the field of biotechnology. In this study, a transformation method for the marine pennate diatom Nitzschia sp. strain NIES-4635, isolated from the coastal Seto Inland Sea, was established. Plasmids containing the promoter/terminator of the fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding protein gene (fcp, or Lhcf) derived from Nitzschia palea were constructed and introduced into cells by multi-pulse electroporation, resulting in 500 μg/mL nourseothricin-resistant transformants with transformation frequencies of up to 365 colonies per 108 cells. In addition, when transformation was performed using a new plasmid containing a promoter derived from a diatom-infecting virus upstream of the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp), 44% of the nourseothricin-resistant clones exhibited GFP fluorescence. The integration of the genes introduced into the genomes of the transformants was confirmed by Southern blotting. The Nitzschia transformation method established in this study will enable the transformation this species, thus allowing the functional analysis of genes from the genus Nitzschia, which are important species for environmental and biotechnological development. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkadaKoki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimotoYu en-aut-sei=Morimoto en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiraishiYukine en-aut-sei=Shiraishi en-aut-mei=Yukine kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TamuraTakashi en-aut-sei=Tamura en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MayamaShigeki en-aut-sei=Mayama en-aut-mei=Shigeki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KadonoTakashi en-aut-sei=Kadono en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AdachiMasao en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IfukuKentaro en-aut-sei=Ifuku en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NemotoMichiko en-aut-sei=Nemoto en-aut-mei=Michiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=The Advanced Support Center for Science Teachers, Tokyo Gakugei University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Diatom kn-keyword=Diatom en-keyword=Genetic transformation kn-keyword=Genetic transformation en-keyword=Nitzschia kn-keyword=Nitzschia en-keyword=Multi-pulse electroporation kn-keyword=Multi-pulse electroporation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=3 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=79 end-page=91 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2024 dt-pub=20240325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Water usage, flooding, and the Takao family at Senjū-nakagumi in the Meiji period: A case study of the Minuma substitute canal (Minuma-daiyōsui) kn-title=明治期における水利・洪水と千住中組高尾家―見沼代用水を事例に― en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This paper examines the maintenance work of the Minuma Substitute Canal by the Meiji Government and how Noriyoshi Takao who lived at Senjū-nakagumi was involved in it. In the 1880s, when the cost of maintaining the Minuma Substitute Canal was shifted from government expenditures to private ones, the early modern water usage system was on the verge of being converted to a modern one. This meant that the system, which was based on villages or ryō (領), transformed into one based on individuals, especially landowners. The village served as a cost-sharing unit during the Meiji period. Ryō (領) were operated in the downstream water of the Minuma Substitute Canal where there were no critical structures. However, districts (郡) supervised the water usage of ryō, creating a multilayered local community in terms of water usage. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MIMURAShoji en-aut-sei=MIMURA en-aut-mei=Shoji kn-aut-name=三村昌司 kn-aut-sei=三村 kn-aut-mei=昌司 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=National Defense Academy of Japan kn-affil= en-keyword=water usage kn-keyword=water usage en-keyword=floods kn-keyword=floods en-keyword=modern Japan kn-keyword=modern Japan END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=42 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=227 end-page=237 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231127 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Flavor retention characteristics of amorphous solid dispersion of flavors, prepared by vacuum-foam- and spray-drying under different conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigated the powderization of flavoring substances, using an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) technique, in which hydrophobic molecules are separately embedded in a water-soluble carrier matrix. Six flavors, five carrier forming materials (polyvinylpyrrolidone/disaccharides), two solvents (methanol/ethanol) and two drying methods (vacuum-foam-/spray-drying) were employed. The drying conditions for the two drying processes were first examined, and under the optimal drying conditions, various flavor-carrier combinations and compositions of ASD samples were prepared and their flavor retention after drying and during storage under a vacuum were compared. Results demonstrated that flavor loss during drying and storage was minimized when the material was vacuum-foam-dried with polyvinylpyrrolidone. Vacuum-foam-drying in the presence of α-maltose or palatinose also resulted in a greater retention of flavor during drying and storage than a typical O/W emulsification-based powderization. These findings suggest that the ASD-based powderization of flavoring materials is a feasible alternative to the currently used produces. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NittaYuna en-aut-sei=Nitta en-aut-mei=Yuna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoHaruna en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Haruna kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoRina en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Rina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImanakaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Imanaka en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraKoreyoshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Koreyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Flavor kn-keyword=Flavor en-keyword=amorphous solid dispersion kn-keyword=amorphous solid dispersion en-keyword=vacuum foam drying kn-keyword=vacuum foam drying en-keyword=spray drying kn-keyword=spray drying en-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone kn-keyword=polyvinylpyrrolidone en-keyword=disaccharide kn-keyword=disaccharide END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=18 article-no= start-page=2893 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230909 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=MicroRNAs as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Acute Kidney Injury en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome where a rapid decrease in kidney function and/or urine output is observed, which may result in the imbalance of water, electrolytes and acid base. It is associated with poor prognosis and prolonged hospitalization. Therefore, an early diagnosis and treatment to avoid the severe AKI stage are important. While several biomarkers, such as urinary L-FABP and NGAL, can be clinically useful, there is still no gold standard for the early detection of AKI and there are limited therapeutic options against AKI. miRNAs are non-coding and single-stranded RNAs that silence their target genes in the post-transcriptional process and are involved in a wide range of biological processes. Recent accumulated evidence has revealed that miRNAs may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AKI. In this review article, we summarize the current knowledge about miRNAs as promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for AKI, as well as the challenges in their clinical use. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsujiKenji en-aut-sei=Tsuji en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanohHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Nakanoh en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKazuhiko en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Kazuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraShinji en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaJun en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=microRNA kn-keyword=microRNA en-keyword=acute kidney injury kn-keyword=acute kidney injury en-keyword=biomarker kn-keyword=biomarker en-keyword=mesenchymal stem cell kn-keyword=mesenchymal stem cell END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=1562 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20231024 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Novel Iron Chelators, Super-Polyphenols, Show Antimicrobial Effects against Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Dental caries are an oral infectious disease that can affect human health both orally and systemically. It remains an urgent issue to establish a novel antibacterial method to prevent oral infection for a healthy life expectancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of novel iron chelators, super-polyphenols (SPs), on the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans, in vitro. SPs were developed to reduce the side effects of iron chelation therapy and were either water-soluble or insoluble depending on their isoforms. We found that SP6 and SP10 inhibited bacterial growth equivalent to povidone-iodine, and viability tests indicated that their effects were bacteriostatic. These results suggest that SP6 and SP10 have the potential to control oral bacterial infections such as Streptococcus mutans. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Shinoda-ItoYuki en-aut-sei=Shinoda-Ito en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OmoriKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoTakashi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayamaMasaaki en-aut-sei=Nakayama en-aut-mei=Masaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoMasahiro en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Periodontics & Endodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology-Periodontal Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=antimicrobial kn-keyword=antimicrobial en-keyword=iron chelator kn-keyword=iron chelator en-keyword=oral infection kn-keyword=oral infection en-keyword=Streptococcus mutans kn-keyword=Streptococcus mutans en-keyword=super-polyphenols kn-keyword=super-polyphenols END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=45 article-no= start-page=31107 end-page=31117 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Solvation free energies of alcohols in water: temperature and pressure dependences en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Solvation free energies μ* of amphiphilic species, methanol and 1,2-hexanediol, are obtained as a function of temperature or pressure based on molecular dynamics simulations combined with efficient free-energy calculation methods. In general, μ* of an amphiphile can be divided into Image ID:d3cp03799a-t1.gif and Image ID:d3cp03799a-t2.gif, the nonpolar and electrostatic contributions, and the former is further divided into Image ID:d3cp03799a-t3.gif and Image ID:d3cp03799a-t4.gif which are the work of cavity formation process and the free energy change due to weak, attractive interactions between the solute molecule and surrounding solvent molecules. We demonstrate that μ* of the two amphiphilic solutes can be obtained accurately using a perturbation combining method, which relies on the exact expressions for Image ID:d3cp03799a-t5.gif and Image ID:d3cp03799a-t6.gif and requires no simulations of intermediate systems between the solute with strong, repulsive interactions and the solute with the van der Waals and electrostatic interactions. The decomposition of μ* gives us several physical insights including that μ* is an increasing function of T due to Image ID:d3cp03799a-t7.gif, that the contributions of hydrophilic groups to the temperature dependence of μ* are additive, and that the contribution of the van der Waals attraction to the solvation volume is greater than that of the electrostatic interactions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TairaAoi en-aut-sei=Taira en-aut-mei=Aoi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoRyuichi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Science, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=アルコールから乾燥調製した糖類アモルファスマトリクスの難水溶性薬剤の固体分散キャリアとしての応用とその物理化学的特性 kn-title=Application of amorphous sugar matrix dried from alcohol to solid dispersion of hydrophobic drug and its physicochemical characteristics en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TAKEDAKoji en-aut-sei=TAKEDA en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name=竹田昂司 kn-aut-sei=竹田 kn-aut-mei=昂司 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=471 end-page=478 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202310 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Low Patient Weight and Long Intubation Time Are Key Factors for Pain during Colonoscopy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Although the clinical usefulness of colonoscopy has been established, the procedure remains painful for many patients. This study was designed to clarify the factors predicting colonoscopy-related pain. We evaluated 283 consecutive patients who completed a first-ever, total colonoscopy without sedatives or analgesics. The severity of pain symptoms was evaluated by a numeric rating scale (NRS) in a questionnaire immediately after the colonoscopy. Patient backgrounds and endoscopic findings were analyzed to evaluate their association with pain. Out of 283 patients, 53 scored their pain 0-1 on the NRS while 48 scored it 6-10. We defined the colonoscopies of the former and latter patients as painless and painful, respectively, and compared the two. Multivariate analyses revealed that low body weight (OR 4.95, 95%CI 1.89-12.99) and longer intubation time (OR 3.63, 95%CI 1.46-9.03) were significant risk factors for painful colonoscopy. To identify factors contributing to the increased intubation time, we divided subjects into short- and long-intubation-time groups based on a median insertion time of 7 min. Older age (OR 2.28, 95%CI 1.31-3.98), previous abdominal surgery (OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.13-3.32) and findings of invasive cancer (OR 10.90, 95%CI 1.34-88.90) were significant factors for longer intubation time. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkaShohei en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaradaKeita en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=Keita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoShumpei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Shumpei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasutomiEriko en-aut-sei=Yasutomi en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IgawaShoko en-aut-sei=Igawa en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhmoriMasayasu en-aut-sei=Ohmori en-aut-mei=Masayasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraiMami en-aut-sei=Hirai en-aut-mei=Mami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamasakiYasushi en-aut-sei=Yamasaki en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiToshihiro en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinugasaHideaki en-aut-sei=Kinugasa en-aut-mei=Hideaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaharaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Takahara en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaSakiko en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Sakiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=colonoscopy kn-keyword=colonoscopy en-keyword=colonoscopy-related pain kn-keyword=colonoscopy-related pain en-keyword=comfortable colonoscopy kn-keyword=comfortable colonoscopy END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=eabm2225 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220325 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structure and dynamics of Odinarchaeota tubulin and the implications for eukaryotic microtubule evolution en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Tubulins are critical for the internal organization of eukaryotic cells, and understanding their emergence is an important question in eukaryogenesis. Asgard archaea are the closest known prokaryotic relatives to eukaryotes. Here, we elucidated the apo and nucleotide-bound x-ray structures of an Asgard tubulin from hydrothermal living Odinarchaeota (OdinTubulin). The guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP)–bound structure resembles a microtubule protofilament, with GTP bound between subunits, coordinating the “+” end subunit through a network of water molecules and unexpectedly by two cations. A water molecule is located suitable for GTP hydrolysis. Time course crystallography and electron microscopy revealed conformational changes on GTP hydrolysis. OdinTubulin forms tubules at high temperatures, with short curved protofilaments coiling around the tubule circumference, more similar to FtsZ, rather than running parallel to its length, as in microtubules. Thus, OdinTubulin represents an evolutionary stage intermediate between prokaryotic FtsZ and eukaryotic microtubule-forming tubulins. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkılCaner en-aut-sei=Akıl en-aut-mei=Caner kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AliSamson en-aut-sei=Ali en-aut-mei=Samson kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TranLinh T. en-aut-sei=Tran en-aut-mei=Linh T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=GaillardJérémie en-aut-sei=Gaillard en-aut-mei=Jérémie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiWenfei en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Wenfei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashidaKenichi en-aut-sei=Hayashida en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiroseMika en-aut-sei=Hirose en-aut-mei=Mika kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoTakayuki en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=OshimaAtsunori en-aut-sei=Oshima en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujishimaKosuke en-aut-sei=Fujishima en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=BlanchoinLaurent en-aut-sei=Blanchoin en-aut-mei=Laurent kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaritaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Narita en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=RobinsonRobert C. en-aut-sei=Robinson en-aut-mei=Robert C. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=University of Grenoble-Alpes, CEA, CNRS, INRA, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire & Végétale, CytoMorpho Lab kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Cellular and Structural Physiology Institute (CeSPI), Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Cellular and Structural Physiology Institute (CeSPI), Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Tokyo Institute of Technology, Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=University of Grenoble-Alpes, CEA, CNRS, INRA, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire & Végétale, CytoMorpho Lab kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=3300 end-page=3308 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220126 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Flame retardance-donated lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) by the Mannich reaction with (amino-1,3,5-triazinyl)phosphoramidates and their properties en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nitrogen/phosphorus-containing melamines (NPCM), a durable flame-retardant, were prepared by the successive treatment of ArOH (Ar = BrnC6H5−n, n = 0, 1, 2, and 3) with POCl3 and melamine monomer. The prepared flame-retardants were grafted through the CH2 unit to lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) by the Mannich reaction. The resulting three-component products were characterized using FT-IR (ATR) and EA. The thermal behavior of the NPCM-treated LCNF fabric samples was determined using TGA and DSC analyses, and their flammability resistances were evaluated by measuring their Limited Oxygen Index (LOI) and the UL-94V test. A multitude of flame retardant elements in the fabric samples increased the LOI values as much as 45 from 20 of the untreated LCNFs. Moreover, the morphology of both the NPCM-treated LCNFs and their burnt fabrics was studied with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The heat release lowering effect of the LCNF fabric against the water-based paint was observed with a cone calorimeter. Furthermore, the mechanical properties represented as the tensile strength of the NPCM-treated LCNF fabrics revealed that the increase of the NPCM content in the PP-composites led to an increased bending strength with enhancing the flame-retardance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OnoFumiaki en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Fumiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkiharaTakumi en-aut-sei=Okihara en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakaNoboru en-aut-sei=Osaka en-aut-mei=Noboru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaokaNoriyuki en-aut-sei=Nagaoka en-aut-mei=Noriyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KameokaYuji en-aut-sei=Kameoka en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaAkira en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=OokiHironari en-aut-sei=Ooki en-aut-mei=Hironari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoTakumi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodomeDaisuke en-aut-sei=Todome en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=UemotoShinya en-aut-sei=Uemoto en-aut-mei=Shinya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=FurutaniMitsuaki en-aut-sei=Furutani en-aut-mei=Mitsuaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=InokuchiTsutomu en-aut-sei=Inokuchi en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaKenji en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama Biomass Innovation Creative Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Science, Okayama University Dental School kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Marubishi Oil Chemical Co., Ltd kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Marubishi Oil Chemical Co., Ltd kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Gen Gen Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Gen Gen Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Okayama Biomass Innovation Creative Center kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Okayama Biomass Innovation Creative Center kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Life Science, Kurashiki University of Science & the Arts kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=98 end-page=108 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=2022 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Skin Electrical Impedance Model for Evaluation of the Thickness and Water Content of the Stratum Corneum en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Deterioration of the skin barrier function causes symptoms such as allergies because various chemical substances may enter the human body. Quantitative evaluation of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum is useful as a measure of the skin barrier function in domains such as dermatology, nursing science, and cosmetics development. The stratum corneum is responsible for most of the skin barrier function, and two factors—the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum—are thus important. In this paper, the stratum corneum is regarded as a parallel model of resistance and capacitance. From measurements of the electrical impedance of the skin, we propose a new model for simultaneous estimation of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum conventionally measured by a confocal laser scanning microscope and a confocal Raman spectrometer, respectively, and we discuss the results of the measurements. The electrical impedance of the skin was measured using a device that we developed. The measurement began 3 seconds after the electrodes on the measurement head of the device came into contact with the skin, and parameters including the impedance, which was obtained by applying an alternating current signal at two frequencies, were measured. We measured the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum using confocal laser microscopy and confocal Raman spectroscopy, respectively; investigated the relationship of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum with the electrical impedance of the skin; and established a new potential model for estimating the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum from the parallel resistance and capacitance. The correlation coefficients of the verification data were 0.931 and 0.776, respectively; and the root-mean-squared error of the thickness of the stratum corneum was 2.3 µm, while the root-mean-squared error of the water content at the surface of the stratum corneum was 5.4 points. These findings indicate the feasibility of quantitative evaluation of the thickness and water content of the stratum corneum by measuring skin electrical impedance. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UeharaOsamu en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Osamu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusuharaToshimasa en-aut-sei=Kusuhara en-aut-mei=Toshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuzakiKenichi en-aut-sei=Matsuzaki en-aut-mei=Kenichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoYoshitake en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Yoshitake kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraTakao en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Medical Engineering Laboratory, ALCARE CO., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Medical Engineering Laboratory, ALCARE CO., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=skin electrical impedance kn-keyword=skin electrical impedance en-keyword=thickness kn-keyword=thickness en-keyword=water content kn-keyword=water content en-keyword=stratum corneum kn-keyword=stratum corneum en-keyword=skin barrier kn-keyword=skin barrier END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=1706 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=464247 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230913 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Separation and fractionation of glutamic acid and histidine via origami isoelectric focusing en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We demonstrated the fractionation of two amino acids, glutamic acid and histidine, separated via isoelectric focusing (IEF) on filter paper folded and stacked in an origami fashion. Channels for electrophoresis were fabricated as circular zones acquired via wax printing onto the filter paper. An ampholyte solution with amphiphilic samples was deposited on all the circle zones, which was followed by folding to form the electrophoresis channels. IEF was achieved by applying an electrical potential between the anodic and cathodic chambers filled with phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions, respectively. A pH gradient was formed using either a wide-range ampholyte with a pH of 3 to 10 or a narrow-range version with a pH of 5 to 8, which was confirmed by adding pH indicators to each layer. The origami IEF was used to separate the amino acids, glutamic acid and histidine, by mixing with the ampholytes, which were deposited on the layers. The components in each layer were extracted with water and measured by high-performance liquid chromatography using pre-column derivatization with dansyl chloride. The results indicated that the focus for glutamic acid and that for histidine were at different layers, according to their isoelectric points. The origami isoelectric focusing achieved the fractionation of amino acids in less than 3 min using voltage as low as 30 V. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DanchanaKaewta en-aut-sei=Danchana en-aut-mei=Kaewta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaNayu en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Nayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmedaMika I. en-aut-sei=Umeda en-aut-mei=Mika I. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Isoelectric focusing kn-keyword=Isoelectric focusing en-keyword=Origami electrophoresis kn-keyword=Origami electrophoresis en-keyword=Amino acids kn-keyword=Amino acids END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=951 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=L27 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230707 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Search for Astrophysical Electron Antineutrinos in Super-Kamiokande with 0.01% Gadolinium-loaded Water en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report the first search result for the flux of astrophysical electron antineutrinos for energies O(10) MeV in the gadolinium-loaded Super-Kamiokande (SK) detector. In 2020 June, gadolinium was introduced to the ultrapure water of the SK detector in order to detect neutrons more efficiently. In this new experimental phase, SK-Gd, we can search for electron antineutrinos via inverse beta decay with efficient background rejection thanks to the high efficiency of the neutron tagging technique. In this paper, we report the result for the initial stage of SK-Gd, during 2020 August 26, and 2022 June 1 with a 22.5 x 552 kton center dot day exposure at 0.01% Gd mass concentration. No significant excess over the expected background in the observed events is found for the neutrino energies below 31.3 MeV. Thus, the flux upper limits are placed at the 90% confidence level. The limits and sensitivities are already comparable with the previous SK result with pure water (22.5 x 2970 kton center dot day) owing to the enhanced neutron tagging. Operation with Gd increased to 0.03% started in 2022 June. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HaradaM. en-aut-sei=Harada en-aut-mei=M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Physics, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=387 end-page=394 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association between Radon Hot Spring Bathing and Health Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study in Misasa, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=No epidemiological studies have examined the health effects of daily bathing in radon hot springs. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the associations between radon hot spring bathing and health conditions. The target population was 5,250 adults ≥ 20 years old in the town of Misasa, Japan. We collected information about the participants’ bathing habits and alleviation of a variety of disease symptoms, and their self-rated health (SRH). Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. In both the adjusted and unadjusted models of hypertension, significant associations between the > 1×/week hot spring bathing and the alleviation of hypertension symptoms were observed compared to the group whose hot spring bathing was <1×/week: adjusted model, OR 5.40 (95%CI: 1.98-14.74); unadjusted model, 3.67 (1.50-8.99) and for gastroenteritis: adjusted model, 9.18 (1.15-72.96); unadjusted model, 7.62 (1.59-36.49). Compared to the no-bathing group, higher SRH was significantly associated with both bathing < 1×/week: unadjusted model, 2.27 (1.53-3.37) and > 1×/week: adjusted model, 1.91 (1.15-3.19). These findings suggest that bathing in radon hot springs is associated with higher SRH and the alleviation of hypertension and gastroenteritis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KataokaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kataoka en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HabuHiroshi en-aut-sei=Habu en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaAyumi en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ayumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaoeShota en-aut-sei=Naoe en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurakamiKaito en-aut-sei=Murakami en-aut-mei=Kaito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoYuki en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YukimineRyohei en-aut-sei=Yukimine en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaoSoshi en-aut-sei=Takao en-aut-mei=Soshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitsunobuFumihiro en-aut-sei=Mitsunobu en-aut-mei=Fumihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=YorifujiTakashi en-aut-sei=Yorifuji en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaokaKiyonori en-aut-sei=Yamaoka en-aut-mei=Kiyonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Longevity and Social Medicine (Geriatrics), Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Graduate School of Health Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=radon hot spring kn-keyword=radon hot spring en-keyword=bathing habit kn-keyword=bathing habit en-keyword=self-rated health kn-keyword=self-rated health en-keyword=cross-section study kn-keyword=cross-section study END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=1438 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230718 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Combined Effect of Salicylic Acid and Proline Mitigates Drought Stress in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) through the Modulation of Physiological Attributes and Antioxidant Enzymes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Salicylic acid (SA) and proline exhibit protective effects against a wide range of stresses. However, the combined impact of SA and proline on rice under drought stress is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated the protective roles of SA and/or proline in conferring drought tolerance in rice. There were eight treatments comprising the control (T1; 95-100% FC), 1.5 mM SA (T2), 2 mM proline (T3), 0.75 mM SA + 1 mM proline (T4), 45-50% FC (T5, drought stress), T5 + 1.5 mM SA (T6), T5 + 2 mM proline (T7), and T5 + 0.75 mM SA + 1 mM proline (T8), and two rice varieties: BRRI dhan66 and BRRI dhan75. Drought stress significantly decreased the plant growth, biomass, yield attributes, photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (Tr), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids content), relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), soluble sugar and starch content, and uptake of N, P and K+ in roots and shoots. Drought-induced oxidative stress in the form of increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and lipid peroxidation (MDA) was observed. The combined application of SA (0.75 mM) + proline (1 mM) was found to be more effective than the single application of either for drought stress mitigation in rice. A combined dose of SA + proline alleviated oxidative stress through boosting antioxidant enzymatic activity in contrast to their separate application. The application of SA + proline also enhanced proline, soluble sugar and starch content, which resulted in the amelioration of osmotic stress. Consequently, the combined application of SA and proline significantly increased the gas exchange characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, RWC, MSI, nutrient uptake, plant growth, biomass and yield of rice. Therefore, the combined application of SA and proline alleviated the detrimental impacts of drought stress more pronouncedly than their separate application did by increasing osmoprotectants, improving nutrient transport, up-regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibiting oxidative stress. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UrmiTahmina Akter en-aut-sei=Urmi en-aut-mei=Tahmina Akter kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IslamMd. Moshiul en-aut-sei=Islam en-aut-mei=Md. Moshiul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZumurKamrun Naher en-aut-sei=Zumur en-aut-mei=Kamrun Naher kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbedinMd. Anwarul en-aut-sei=Abedin en-aut-mei=Md. Anwarul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HaqueM. Moynul en-aut-sei=Haque en-aut-mei=M. Moynul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SiddiquiManzer H. en-aut-sei=Siddiqui en-aut-mei=Manzer H. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MurataYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Murata en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoqueMd. Anamul en-aut-sei=Hoque en-aut-mei=Md. Anamul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University kn-affil= en-keyword=rice kn-keyword=rice en-keyword=drought stress kn-keyword=drought stress en-keyword=osmolytes kn-keyword=osmolytes en-keyword=reactive oxygen species kn-keyword=reactive oxygen species en-keyword=lipid peroxidation kn-keyword=lipid peroxidation en-keyword=antioxidant kn-keyword=antioxidant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=37 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1772 end-page=1787 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230713 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Anti-oppressive global citizenship education in English language teaching: a three-pillar approach en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Anti-oppressive global citizenship education (GCE), a specific strand of critical GCE, is a new field, especially concerning empirical studies within English classrooms. Based on an anti-oppressive GCE framework and the research question, “what does anti-oppressive theory look like in practice in English classrooms and how can this be woven into GCE?”, this paper explains the results of a project which used a portraiture methodology to collect and analyze approximately 6 hours of semi-structured interviews, detailed impressionistic records, and several lessons collected with one secondary school English teacher in Ontario, Canada. The portrait showcases how the educator implements a three-pillar approach to anti-oppressive GCE language education and the need to shine light on minoritized identities, create healthy soil for the foundation of learning about systemic oppression, and give the proper amounts of water/support to each student. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=CarrollShawna M. en-aut-sei=Carroll en-aut-mei=Shawna M. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Education, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Anti-oppression education kn-keyword=Anti-oppression education en-keyword=global citizenship education kn-keyword=global citizenship education en-keyword=language teaching kn-keyword=language teaching en-keyword=portraiture kn-keyword=portraiture END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=918273 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220718 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Sea Surface Temperature and Salinity in Lombok Strait Reconstructed From Coral Sr/Ca and δ18O, 1962–2012 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Coral geochemical tracers have been used in studies of the paleoclimatology and paleoceanography of the tropics and subtropics. We measured Sr/Ca and oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) in a coral sample collected from the southern part of Lombok Strait, a significant outlet of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) to the Indian Ocean, to reconstruct the historical record of sea surface temperature (SST) and seawater δ18O. Seawater δ18O can be used to approximate sea surface salinity (SSS) because it reflects the balance of evaporation and precipitation. The resulting time series reconstructed SST and SSS, covering the period 1962–2012, shows no clear trend of global warming, although the record includes a large cooling event (~4°C) during 1996–1997. Although neither SST nor SSS shows a systematic relationship with El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), weak but significant correlations are found partly. In addition, the coral data show signals of major IOD and El Niño events in 1994 and 1997, respectively, although climatic trends recorded in the coral are not consistent with those found along the Java-Sumatra coast. To evaluate other influences on the ITF in Lombok Strait, we compared our coral record with coral records from sites in the Java Sea, the southern part of Makassar Strait, and Ombai Strait. During the northwest monsoon (December–January–February), variations in SST and SSS at Lombok Strait site are similar to those at the Java Sea and southern Makassar sites for the period 1962–1995, which suggests that low-salinity water from the Java Sea is carried at least to the southern part of Makassar Strait where it suppresses the ITF upstream from Lombok Strait. However, the SST and SSS records differ at the three sites during the southeast monsoon (June–July–August), indicating that surface conditions in Lombok Strait vary separately from those in the Java Sea. In the longer term, although global warming has been widely identified in the Indonesian Seas, the coral record shows no clear warming trend in the southern part of Lombok Strait, where fluctuations in the ITF may be modulating the distribution of heat in the surface waters of the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GendaAi en-aut-sei=Genda en-aut-mei=Ai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkeharaMinoru en-aut-sei=Ikehara en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiAtsushi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArmanAli en-aut-sei=Arman en-aut-mei=Ali kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueMayuri en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Mayuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Advanced Marine Core Research, Kochi University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research and Technology Center for Application of Isotope and Radiation, National Research and Innovation Agency kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=coral kn-keyword=coral en-keyword=geochemical tracers kn-keyword=geochemical tracers en-keyword=Sr/Ca kn-keyword=Sr/Ca en-keyword=δ 18O kn-keyword=δ 18O en-keyword=sea surface temperature kn-keyword=sea surface temperature en-keyword=salinity kn-keyword=salinity en-keyword=Lombok Strait kn-keyword=Lombok Strait END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=6893 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230607 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Hydrothermal Preparation of Faceted Vesicles Made of Span 40 and Tween 40 and Their Characterization en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Span 40 (sorbitan monooleate)/Tween 40 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate) system gives faceted vesicles with angular surfaces, rather than spherical vesicles. Herein, a continuous and facile preparation method, based on the subcritical water-assisted emulsification and solvent diffusion, was presented to yield faceted vesicles with two major and minor axes (Type A) and vesicles closer to a polyhedron (Type B). Type A, rather than Type B, vesicles were likely to be formed. From the measurements concerning & zeta;-potential, membrane fluidity, and the polarization environment of the membranes, faceted vesicles could be obtained at 0.25 wt% of the surfactant concentration. The phase-separated behavior of Span 40 and Tween 40 within vesicle membranes could explain the structural feature of faceted vesicles and calcein leakage behavior. The significant advantage is that Type A vesicles would be utilized as alternative drug carriers for others with low encapsulation efficiency, although the present technical limitations cause difficulty in the selective formation of Type A and B vesicles and the selection of adequate solvent to accelerate the solvent diffusion step. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimanouchiToshinori en-aut-sei=Shimanouchi en-aut-mei=Toshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KomoriYui en-aut-sei=Komori en-aut-mei=Yui kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToramotoKazuki en-aut-sei=Toramoto en-aut-mei=Kazuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiKeita en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Keita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaKazuma en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JungHo-Sup en-aut-sei=Jung en-aut-mei=Ho-Sup kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraYukitaka en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Yukitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Technology, Nara College kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=vesicles kn-keyword=vesicles en-keyword=subcritical water kn-keyword=subcritical water en-keyword=emulsification kn-keyword=emulsification en-keyword=solvent diffusion kn-keyword=solvent diffusion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=119 cd-vols= no-issue=43 article-no= start-page=e2122641119 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221017 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structures and mechanisms of actin ATP hydrolysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The major cytoskeleton protein actin undergoes cyclic transitions between the monomeric G-form and the filamentous F-form, which drive organelle transport and cell motility. This mechanical work is driven by the ATPase activity at the catalytic site in the F-form. For deeper understanding of the actin cellular functions, the reaction mechanism must be elucidated. Here, we show that a single actin molecule is trapped in the F-form by fragmin domain-1 binding and present their crystal structures in the ATP analog-, ADP-Pi-, and ADP-bound forms, at 1.15-Å resolutions. The G-to-F conformational transition shifts the side chains of Gln137 and His161, which relocate four water molecules including W1 (attacking water) and W2 (helping water) to facilitate the hydrolysis. By applying quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations to the structures, we have revealed a consistent and comprehensive reaction path of ATP hydrolysis by the F-form actin. The reaction path consists of four steps: 1) W1 and W2 rotations; 2) PG–O3B bond cleavage; 3) four concomitant events: W1–PO3− formation, OH− and proton cleavage, nucleophilic attack by the OH− against PG, and the abstracted proton transfer; and 4) proton relocation that stabilizes the ADP-Pi–bound F-form actin. The mechanism explains the slow rate of ATP hydrolysis by actin and the irreversibility of the hydrolysis reaction. While the catalytic strategy of actin ATP hydrolysis is essentially the same as those of motor proteins like myosin, the process after the hydrolysis is distinct and discussed in terms of Pi release, F-form destabilization, and global conformational changes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KanematsuYusuke en-aut-sei=Kanematsu en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaritaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Narita en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OdaToshiro en-aut-sei=Oda en-aut-mei=Toshiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoikeRyotaro en-aut-sei=Koike en-aut-mei=Ryotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaMotonori en-aut-sei=Ota en-aut-mei=Motonori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakanoYu en-aut-sei=Takano en-aut-mei=Yu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritsuguKei en-aut-sei=Moritsugu en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraIkuko en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Ikuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaKotaro en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Kotaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KomatsuHideyuki en-aut-sei=Komatsu en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaeTakayuki en-aut-sei=Nagae en-aut-mei=Takayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeNobuhisa en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Nobuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwasaMitsusada en-aut-sei=Iwasa en-aut-mei=Mitsusada kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaédaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Maéda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaShuichi en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Sciences, Hiroshima City University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Structural Biology Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Health and Welfare, Tokai Gakuin University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Information Sciences, Hiroshima City University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Structural Biology Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=actin kn-keyword=actin en-keyword=ATP hydrolysis kn-keyword=ATP hydrolysis en-keyword=protein crystallography kn-keyword=protein crystallography en-keyword=QM kn-keyword=QM en-keyword=MM simulation kn-keyword=MM simulation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=273 end-page=280 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202306 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Usefulness of Simple Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging for Head and Neck Tumors: An Early Clinical Study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging (DKI), a type of restricted diffusion-weighted imaging, has been reported to be useful for tumor diagnoses in clinical studies. We developed a software program to simultaneously create DK images with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and conducted an initial clinical study. Multi-shot echo-planar diffusion-weighted images were obtained at b-values of 0, 400, and 800 sec/mm2 for simple DKI, and DK images were created simultaneously with the ADC map. The usefulness of the DK image and ADC map was evaluated using a pixel analysis of all pixels and a median analysis of the pixels of each case. Tumor and normal tissues differed significantly in both pixel and median analyses. In the pixel analysis, the area under the curve was 0.64 for the mean kurtosis (MK) value and 0.77 for the ADC value. In the median analysis, the MK value was 0.74, and the ADC value was 0.75. The MK and ADC values correlated moderately in the pixel analysis and strongly in the median analysis. Our simple DKI system created DK images simultaneously with ADC maps, and the obtained MK and ADC values were useful for differentiating head and neck tumors from normal tissue. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimizuYudai en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamitsuYuki en-aut-sei=Nakamitsu en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaSuzuka en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Suzuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukumuraYuka en-aut-sei=Fukumura en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraYoshihide en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Yoshihide kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamizakiRyo en-aut-sei=Kamizaki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImajohSatoshi en-aut-sei=Imajoh en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanabeYoshinori en-aut-sei=Tanabe en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OitaMasataka en-aut-sei=Oita en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=BamgboseBabatunde O. en-aut-sei=Bamgbose en-aut-mei=Babatunde O. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanagiYoshinobu en-aut-sei=Yanagi en-aut-mei=Yoshinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Bayero University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Department of Dental Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=simple diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=mean kurtosis kn-keyword=mean kurtosis en-keyword=clinical trial kn-keyword=clinical trial en-keyword=head and neck tumor kn-keyword=head and neck tumor en-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging kn-keyword=magnetic resonance imaging END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=77 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=263 end-page=272 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202306 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Early Fluid Balance Is Associated with 90-Day Mortality in Patients Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is widely used to control fluid balance, but the optimal fluid balance to improve the prognosis of patients remains debated. Appropriate fluid management may depend on hemodynamic status. We investigated the association between 90-day mortality and fluid balance/mean arterial pressure (MAP) in patients receiving CRRT. This single-center retrospective study was conducted between May 2018 and March 2021. Based on the cumulative fluid balance at 72 h after initiation of CRRT, the cases were divided into negative (< 0 mL) and positive (> 0 mL) fluid balance groups. Ninety-day mortality was higher in the positive fluid balance group (p=0.009). At 4 h before and after CRRT initiation, the mean MAP was lower in the positive fluid balance group (p<0.05). After multivariate cox adjustment, 72-h positive fluid balance was independently associated with 90-day mortality (p=0.004). In addition, the cumulative fluid balance was associated with 90-day mortality (p<0.05) in cases without shock, high APACHE II score, sepsis, dialysis dependence, or vasopressor use. A 72-h positive fluid balance was associated with 90-day mortality in patients receiving CRRT. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=GuoYusheng en-aut-sei=Guo en-aut-mei=Yusheng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KosakaJunko en-aut-sei=Kosaka en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimatsuHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morimatsu en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=fluid management kn-keyword=fluid management en-keyword=continuous renal replacement therapy kn-keyword=continuous renal replacement therapy en-keyword=mortality kn-keyword=mortality en-keyword=mean arterial pressure kn-keyword=mean arterial pressure en-keyword=daily cumulative fluid balance kn-keyword=daily cumulative fluid balance END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=29 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=1 end-page=27 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230331 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Geology of the Paleogene to Neogene successions and gentle upwarping of the Kibi Plateau Surface, surrounding area of Kibichuou Town, Okayama Prefecture, Southwest Japan kn-title=岡山県吉備中央町賀陽周辺の古第三系～新第三系の地質と吉備高原面のゆるやかな曲隆 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Paleogene to Neogene successions which are composed of the Paleogene Kayo Formation, the late Oligocene to earliest Miocene Yagane Formation and the middle Miocene Ukan Formation are sporadically distributed in the Kibi Plateau region, surrounding area of Kibichuou Town, Okayama Prefecture, Southwest Japan. The gravel of the Kayo Formation occupied paleo-valley of Pre-Paleogene basement. The Yagane and Ukan formations unconformably overlay Pre-Paleogene rocks and occupy the gentle valley on the Kibi Surface as valley fill deposits.
The fluvial of the Kayo Formation is mainly composed of conglomerate with minor amount of sandstone and mudstone. The fluvial Yagane Formation is mainly composed of conglomerate and associated with sandstone, mudstone and coal beds. The marine Ukan Formation is subdivided into 3 members, the Yamagata Muddy sandstone Member (YMM), the Shimoyokomi Sandstone Member (SSM) and the Tsuneyama Mudstone Member (TMM) in ascending order. The YMM is characterized by the bio-disturbed very poorly sorted muddy sandstone with frequent burrows, which indicate tidal flat deposits. The SSM is mainly composed of parallel bedded well-sorted sandstone with occasional burrows, which suggest near shore deposits. The TMM is composed of homogeneous clay rich mudstone, which implies off shore deposits.
The boundary between the SSM and TMM (the contact of the sandstone and mudstone) is distinctive and correlative throughout the study area. The boundary is considered to be formed under similar water depth. The variations of the boundary height indicate a later ground movement. From the north to the south in about 25km distance, the height of the boundary changes 260m (in Ukan), 300m (in Takeshou), 360m (in Kibikogentoshi) and 260m (in Nichiouji). It indicates that a very gentle upwarping of the Kibi Plateau Surface was formed after the deposition of the Miocene. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TANAKAHajime en-aut-sei=TANAKA en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name=田中元 kn-aut-sei=田中 kn-aut-mei=元 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SUZUKIShigeyuki en-aut-sei=SUZUKI en-aut-mei=Shigeyuki kn-aut-name=鈴木茂之 kn-aut-sei=鈴木 kn-aut-mei=茂之 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Seibu Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil=西部技術コンサルタント株式会社 affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学理学部地球科学科 en-keyword=Kibi Plateau Surface kn-keyword=Kibi Plateau Surface en-keyword=Upwarping kn-keyword=Upwarping en-keyword=Miocene kn-keyword=Miocene en-keyword=Ukan Formation kn-keyword=Ukan Formation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230324 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=カーボンナノチューブ/デンドリマーハイブリッドによる水からの水素生成と生体イメージングのための光化学特性 kn-title=Photochemical properties of carbon nanotube/dendrimer hybrids for photocatalytic H2 evolution from water and biomedical imaging en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YAMAGAMIMasahiro en-aut-sei=YAMAGAMI en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name=山神将大 kn-aut-sei=山神 kn-aut-mei=将大 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230324 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=ラット腸管グラフトモデルにおけるCORM-3の腸管内腔投与による効果 kn-title=Luminal Administration of a Water-soluble Carbon Monoxide–releasing Molecule (CORM-3) Mitigates Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats Following Intestinal Transplantation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OBARATakafumi en-aut-sei=OBARA en-aut-mei=Takafumi kn-aut-name=小原隆史 kn-aut-sei=小原 kn-aut-mei=隆史 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=1105460 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230316 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mutagenic analysis of actin reveals the mechanism of His161 flipping that triggers ATP hydrolysis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The dynamic assembly of actin is controlled by the hydrolysis of ATP, bound to the center of the molecule. Upon polymerization, actin undergoes a conformational change from the monomeric G-form to the fibrous F-form, which is associated with the flipping of the side chain of His161 toward ATP. His161 flipping from the gauche-minus to gauche-plus conformation leads to a rearrangement of the active site water molecules, including ATP attacking water (W1), into an orientation capable of hydrolysis. We previously showed that by using a human cardiac muscle a-actin expression system, mutations in the Pro-rich loop residues (A108G and P109A) and in a residue that was hydrogen-bonded to W1 (Q137A) affect the rate of polymerization and ATP hydrolysis. Here, we report the crystal structures of the three mutant actins bound to AMPPNP or ADP-P-i determined at a resolution of 1.35-1.55( )angstrom, which are stabilized in the F-form conformation with the aid of the fragmin F1 domain. In A108G, His161 remained non-flipped despite the global actin conformation adopting the F-form, demonstrating that the side chain of His161 is flipped to avoid a steric clash with the methyl group of A108. Because of the non-flipped His161, W1 was located away from ATP, similar to G-actin, which was accompanied by incomplete hydrolysis. In P109A, the absence of the bulky proline ring allowed His161 to be positioned near the Pro-rich loop, with a minor influence on ATPase activity. In Q137A, two water molecules replaced the side-chain oxygen and nitrogen of Gln137 almost exactly at their positions; consequently, the active site structure, including the W1 position, is essentially conserved. This seemingly contradictory observation to the reported low ATPase activity of the Q137A filament could be attributed to a high fluctuation of the active site water. Together, our results suggest that the elaborate structural design of the active site residues ensures the precise control of the ATPase activity of actin. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IwasaMitsusada en-aut-sei=Iwasa en-aut-mei=Mitsusada kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakedaShuichi en-aut-sei=Takeda en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaritaAkihiro en-aut-sei=Narita en-aut-mei=Akihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaYuichiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Yuichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OdaToshiro en-aut-sei=Oda en-aut-mei=Toshiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Structural Biology Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (RIIS), Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Health and Welfare, Tokai Gakuin University kn-affil= en-keyword=MD simulation kn-keyword=MD simulation en-keyword=actin kn-keyword=actin en-keyword=water dynamics kn-keyword=water dynamics en-keyword=ATP hydrolysis kn-keyword=ATP hydrolysis en-keyword=X-ray structure kn-keyword=X-ray structure en-keyword=baculovirus expression kn-keyword=baculovirus expression END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=2023217 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preparation of crystalline polyimide nanofibers via solution crystallization en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Two crystalline polyimide nanofibers (PINFs) with different morphologies were prepared. The crystalline unit cells of the aromatic PI crystals and the crystal morphologies of the fabricated PINFs were examined. PINF-I (lengths = 305 ± 152 nm and diameters = 12 ± 2 nm) was crystallized from crystalline PI dissolved in a concentrated sulfuric acid solution. The resulting PINF-I was isolated from this solution, and it did not aggregate in water. PINF-II with diameters of 105 ± 99 nm was prepared by dispersing PINF-I in a mixed water and t-butanol (TBA) solution (water:TBA = 4:1), followed by freeze-drying. Then, the PINF-II was heated to enhance its crystallinity. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies of the heat-treated PINF-II revealed a PI crystalline unit cell [orthorhombic, a = 1.21 nm, b = 0.88 nm, and c = 2.23 nm (molecular chain axis direction)]. The crystal structure of the heat-treated PINF-II suggested that highly crystalline PINFs were fabricated in which the PI molecular chains were oriented along the direction of the fiber lengths. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KumanoShota en-aut-sei=Kumano en-aut-mei=Shota kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakiTomoyasu en-aut-sei=Takaki en-aut-mei=Tomoyasu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaTetsuya en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=1150 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Taste Responses and Ingestive Behaviors to Ingredients of Fermented Milk in Mice en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Fermented milk is consumed worldwide because of its nutritious and healthful qualities. Although it is somewhat sour, causing some to dislike it, few studies have examined taste aspects of its ingredients. Wild-type mice and T1R3-GFP-KO mice lacking sweet/umami receptors were tested with various taste components (sucrose, galactose, lactose, galacto-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, l- and d-lactic acid) using 48 h two-bottle tests and short-term lick tests. d-lactic acid levels were measured after the ingestion of d- or; l-lactic acid or water to evaluate d-lactic acidosis. In wild-type mice, for the sweet ingredients the number of licks increased in a concentration-dependent manner, but avoidance was observed at higher concentrations in 48 h two-bottle tests; the sour ingredients d- and l-lactic acid showed concentration-dependent decreases in preference in both short- and long-term tests. In 48 h two-bottle tests comparing d- and l-lactic acid, wild-type but not T1R3-GFP-KO mice showed higher drinking rates for l-lactic acid. d-lactic acidosis did not occur and thus did not contribute to this preference. These results suggest that intake in short-term lick tests varied by preference for each ingredient, whereas intake variation in long-term lick tests reflects postingestive effects. l-lactic acid may have some palatable taste in addition to sour taste. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamaseYuko en-aut-sei=Yamase en-aut-mei=Yuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuangHai en-aut-sei=Huang en-aut-mei=Hai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MitohYoshihiro en-aut-sei=Mitoh en-aut-mei=Yoshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EgusaMasahiko en-aut-sei=Egusa en-aut-mei=Masahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyawakiTakuya en-aut-sei=Miyawaki en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaRyusuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Ryusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=postingestive effects kn-keyword=postingestive effects en-keyword=galactose kn-keyword=galactose en-keyword=lactose kn-keyword=lactose en-keyword=oligosaccharides kn-keyword=oligosaccharides en-keyword=lactic acid kn-keyword=lactic acid END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=1128 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230223 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Shear Bond Strength of Resin Luting Materials to Lithium Disilicate Ceramic: Correlation between Flexural Strength and Modulus of Elasticity en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study investigates the effect of the curing mode (dual-cure vs. self-cure) of resin cements (four self-adhesive and seven conventional cements) on their flexural strength and flexural modulus of elasticity, alongside their shear bond strength to lithium disilicate ceramics (LDS). The study aims to determine the relationship between the bond strength and LDS, and the flexural strength and flexural modulus of elasticity of resin cements. Twelve conventional or adhesive and self-adhesive resin cements were tested. The manufacturer's recommended pretreating agents were used where indicated. The shear bond strengths to LDS and the flexural strength and flexural modulus of elasticity of the cement were measured immediately after setting, after one day of storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C, and after 20,000 thermocycles (TC 20k). The relationship between the bond strength to LDS, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of elasticity of resin cements was investigated using a multiple linear regression analysis. For all resin cements, the shear bond strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of elasticity were lowest immediately after setting. A clear and significant difference between dual-curing and self-curing modes was observed in all resin cements immediately after setting, except for ResiCem EX. Regardless of the difference of the core-mode condition of all resin cements, flexural strengths were correlated with the LDS surface upon shear bond strengths (R-2 = 0.24, n = 69, p < 0.001) and the flexural modulus of elasticity was correlated with them (R-2 = 0.14, n = 69, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the shear bond strength was 17.877 + 0.166, the flexural strength was 0.643, and the flexural modulus was (R-2 = 0.51, n = 69, p < 0.001). The flexural strength or flexural modulus of elasticity may be used to predict the bond strength of resin cements to LDS. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IrieMasao en-aut-sei=Irie en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruoYukinori en-aut-sei=Maruo en-aut-mei=Yukinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigawaGoro en-aut-sei=Nishigawa en-aut-mei=Goro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoTakuya en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Prosthodontics, Division of Dentistry, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=shear bond strength kn-keyword=shear bond strength en-keyword=flexural strength kn-keyword=flexural strength en-keyword=flexural modulus of elasticity kn-keyword=flexural modulus of elasticity en-keyword=resin luting materials kn-keyword=resin luting materials en-keyword=durability kn-keyword=durability en-keyword=dual-cure vs kn-keyword=dual-cure vs en-keyword=self-cure kn-keyword=self-cure END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2023 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=013D02 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230110 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Detection of the 4.4-MeV gamma rays from 16O(ν, ν′)16O(12.97 MeV, 2−) with a water Cherenkov detector in supernova neutrino bursts en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We first discuss and determine the isospin mixing of the two 2− states (12.53 MeV and 12.97 MeV) of the16O nucleus using inelastic electron scattering data. We then evaluate the cross section of 4.4-MeV γ rays produced in the neutrino neutral-current (NC) reaction 16O(ν, ν′)16O(12.97 MeV, 2−) in a water Cherenkov detector at a low energy, below 100 MeV. The detection of γ rays for Eγ > 5 MeV from the NC reaction 16O(ν, ν′)16O(Ex > 16 MeV, T = 1) with a water Cherenkov detector in supernova neutrino bursts has been proposed and discussed by several authors previously. In this article, we discuss a new NC reaction channel from 16O(12.97 MeV, 2−) producing a 4.4-MeV γ ray, the cross section of which is more robust and even larger at low energy (Eν < 25 MeV) than the NC cross section from 16O(Ex > 16 MeV, T = 1). We also evaluate the number of such events induced by neutrinos from supernova explosion which can be observed by the Super-Kamiokande, an Earth-based 32-kton water Cherenkov detector. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SakudaMakoto en-aut-sei=Sakuda en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiToshio en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ReenMandeep Singh en-aut-sei=Reen en-aut-mei=Mandeep Singh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakazatoKen'Ichiro en-aut-sei=Nakazato en-aut-mei=Ken'Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiHideyuki en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Physics Department, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Physics, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Physics, Akal University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=54 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=17 end-page=35 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230320 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Transnational Interregional Water Inducement Analysis between Japan and Mainland China and South Korea: The Analysis of Transnational Interregional Input-Output Table between Japan and Mainland China kn-title=日中韓の地域間国際間の水誘発構造　―日中韓地域間国際産業連関表による分析― en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=　When we analyze the international and interregional relation we need the Transnational Interregional Input-Output Table based on International Input-Output Table. At the moment Transnational Interregional Input-Output Table between Japan and China （TIIOT） made by IDE-JETRO provide the most useful information about these research. However, the regional classification of Japan in the table is not classified in detail such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto and so on. Therefore, the author divide Kanto area of TIIOT into 11 regions by information based on author's study （Ishiro （2011））. Furthermore, we divide the South Korea into 6 regions to expand our study and database. We analyze water footprint between Japan and mainland China and South Korea （Ishiro and Hasebe （2013））. Additionally, we expand our database to divide 7 region of mainland China into 30 regions by information of China multi-regional input-output table（ Ishiro and Yu（2016））. In this study we analyze the water inducement structures between Japan's Tokyo and Kanagawa and China's Beijing and Shanghai and South Koreaʼs Sudogwon by the database of Ishiro and Yu（2016） en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IshiroTaku en-aut-sei=Ishiro en-aut-mei=Taku kn-aut-name=居城琢 kn-aut-sei=居城 kn-aut-mei=琢 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=横浜国立大学国際社会科学研究院 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=464 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109815 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220228 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Quantifying the GCM-related uncertainty for climate change impact assessment of rainfed rice production in Cambodia by a combined hydrologic - rice growth model en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The effects of climate change on agriculture are a major concern for global food security. In this study, the impacts of climate change on rainfed rice production in the granary of Cambodia were examined on a basin scale by developing and applying a combined model consisting of a crop model and a basin-scale distributed hydrological model. The response of rice production to soil-water availability was simulated for past (1981–2000) and future (2041–2060, 2081–2100) periods. From 34 general circulation models (GCMs) that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), 5 GCMs were selected by evaluating monthly rainfall in the past. Although annual rainfall was projected to increase by all five selected GCMs, notable decreases in rainfed rice production were projected with 3 GCMs, while small changes were projected with the other 2 GCMs. The main factor restricting future rice production was soil water availability, brought by the projected change in the seasonal distribution of rainfall and the projected more severe dry spells in the early monsoon season. The results suggest the importance of the selection and bias correction of GCMs to force rice crop models and of the simulation of soil water flow on a basin scale for the assessment of rain-fed rice production. In particular, improvements in projections of rainfall amounts over shorter periods rather than annual or seasonal periods, which fit within the time scales of rice plant growth, were suggested to be important. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TsujimotoK. en-aut-sei=Tsujimoto en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuriyaN. en-aut-sei=Kuriya en-aut-mei=N. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtaT. en-aut-sei=Ohta en-aut-mei=T. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HommaK. en-aut-sei=Homma en-aut-mei=K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImM.So en-aut-sei=Im en-aut-mei=M.So kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Environmental Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Assistance Unit for Research and Engineering Development (U-PRIMO) kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) of Cambodia kn-affil= en-keyword=Climate change impact assessment kn-keyword=Climate change impact assessment en-keyword=Soil moisture kn-keyword=Soil moisture en-keyword=Crop model kn-keyword=Crop model en-keyword=Rice production kn-keyword=Rice production en-keyword=Rainfed paddy kn-keyword=Rainfed paddy en-keyword=GCM kn-keyword=GCM END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=84 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221227 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Formation of a Stable Co-Amorphous System for a Brick Dust Molecule by Utilizing Sodium Taurocholate with High Glass Transition Temperature en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Brick dust molecules are usually poorly soluble in water and lipoidal components, making it difficult to formulate them in dosage forms that provide efficient pharmacological effects. A co-amorphous system is an effective strategy to resolve these issues. However, their glass transition temperatures (Tg) are relatively lower than those of polymeric amorphous solid dispersions, suggesting the instability of the co-amorphous system. This study aimed to formulate a stable co-amorphous system for brick dust molecules by utilizing sodium taurocholate (NaTC) with a higher Tg. A novel neuropeptide Y-5 receptor antagonist (AntiY(5)R) and NaTC with Tg of 155 degrees C were used as the brick dust model and coformer, respectively. Ball milling formed a co-amorphous system for AntiY(5)R and NaTC (AntiY(5)R-NaTC) at various molar ratios. Deviation from the theoretical Tg value and peak shifts in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated intermolecular interactions between AntiY(5)R and NaTC. AntiY(5)R-NaTC at equal molar ratios resulting in an 8.5-fold increase in AntiY(5)R solubility over its crystalline form. The co-amorphous system remained amorphous for 1 month at 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C. These results suggest that the co-amorphous system formed by utilizing NaTC as a coformer could stably maintain the amorphous state and enhance the solubility of brick dust molecules. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AikawaShohei en-aut-sei=Aikawa en-aut-mei=Shohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaHironori en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Hironori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UedaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ueda en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruyamaMasato en-aut-sei=Maruyama en-aut-mei=Masato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigakiKazutaka en-aut-sei=Higaki en-aut-mei=Kazutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Formulation Research Department, Formulation R&D Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Bioanalytical, Analysis and Evaluation Laboratory, Shionogi & Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=amorphous kn-keyword=amorphous en-keyword=co-amorphous kn-keyword=co-amorphous en-keyword=crystallization kn-keyword=crystallization en-keyword=sodium taurocholate kn-keyword=sodium taurocholate en-keyword=glass transition temperature kn-keyword=glass transition temperature en-keyword=intermolecular interaction kn-keyword=intermolecular interaction en-keyword=dissolution testing kn-keyword=dissolution testing END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=e2022MS003046 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Too Frequent and Too Light Arctic Snowfall With Incorrect Precipitation Phase Partitioning in the MIROC6 GCM en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cloud-phase partitioning has been studied in the context of cloud feedback and climate sensitivity; however, precipitation-phase partitioning also has a significant role in controlling the energy budget and sea ice extent. Although some global models have introduced a more sophisticated precipitation parameterization to reproduce realistic cloud and precipitation processes, the effects on the process representation of mixed- and ice-phase precipitation are poorly understood. Here, we evaluate how different precipitation modeling (i.e., diagnostic [DIAG] vs. prognostic [PROG] schemes) affects the simulated precipitation phase and occurrence frequency. Two versions of MIROC6 were used with the satellite simulator COSP2. Although the PROG scheme significantly improves the simulated cloud amount and snowfall rates, the phase partitioning, frequency, and intensity of precipitation with the PROG scheme are still biased, and are even worse than with the DIAG scheme. We found a "too frequent and too light" Arctic snowfall bias in the PROG, which cannot be eliminated by model tuning. The cloud-phase partitioning is also affected by the different approaches used to consider precipitation. The ratio of supercooled liquid water is underrepresented by switching from the DIAG to PROG scheme, because some snowflakes are regarded to be cloud ice. Given that the PROG precipitation retains more snow in the atmosphere, the underestimation becomes apparent when other models incorporate the PROG scheme. This depends on how much precipitation is within the clouds in the model. Our findings emphasize the importance of correctly reproducing the phase partitioning of cloud and precipitation, which ultimately affects the simulated climate sensitivity. Plain Language Summary This study examined cloud and precipitation phase partitioning (i.e., the ratio between liquid and ice) in the Arctic using the MIROC6 global climate model (GCM). Despite recent advances in precipitation modeling by GCMs, the associations between the macrostructures (i.e., cloud coverage and precipitation rate) and phase partitioning have been little studied. Prognostic treatment of precipitation, which is a more sophisticated parameterization, yields seasonal and annual cloud cover and snowfall that are in better agreement with satellite observations. However, it tends to generate snowfall too frequently and too lightly, resulting in the misrepresentation of precipitation phase partitioning. In addition, there is a risk of overestimating the ratio of cloud ice to cloud liquid by including prognostic precipitation. The bias is difficult to remove by model tuning alone. If the models misrepresent the precipitation phase partitioning, then the bias will further influence feedback processes in a future warming scenario through the snow-to-rain phase change, similar to the cloud phase feedback. Our findings emphasize the importance of conducting process-oriented model evaluations on a regional scale. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ImuraYuki en-aut-sei=Imura en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MichibataTakuro en-aut-sei=Michibata en-aut-mei=Takuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cloud phase partitioning kn-keyword=cloud phase partitioning en-keyword=precipitation microphysics kn-keyword=precipitation microphysics en-keyword=climate kn-keyword=climate END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=e0277968 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221207 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Behavioural osmoregulation during land invasion in fish: Prandial drinking and wetting of the dry skin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Osmoregulatory behaviours should have evolutionarily modified for terrestrialisation of vertebrates. In mammals, sensations of buccal food and drying have immediate effects on postprandial thirst to prevent future systemic dehydration, and is thereby considered to be 'anticipatory thirst'. However, it remains unclear whether such an anticipatory response has been acquired in the non-tetrapod lineage. Using the mudskipper goby (Periophthalmus modestus) as a semi-terrestrial ray-finned fish, we herein investigated postprandial drinking and other unique features like full-body 'rolling' over on the back although these behaviours had not been considered to have osmoregulatory functions. In our observations on tidal flats, mudskippers migrated into water areas within a minute after terrestrial eating, and exhibited rolling behaviour with accompanying pectoral-fin movements. In aquarium experiments, frequency of migration into a water area for drinking increased within a few minutes after eating onset, without systemic dehydration. During their low humidity exposure, frequency of the rolling behaviour and pectoral-fin movements increased by more than five times to moisten the skin before systemic dehydration. These findings suggest anticipatory responses which arise from oral/gastrointestinal and cutaneous sensation in the goby. These sensation and motivation seem to have evolved in distantly related species in order to solve osmoregulatory challenges during terrestrialisation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatayamaYukitoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Yukitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukadaTakehiro en-aut-sei=Tsukada en-aut-mei=Takehiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HyodoSusumu en-aut-sei=Hyodo en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoHirotaka en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Hirotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Biomolecular Science, Toho University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=112 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=7 end-page=12 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=20230201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effect of seed cold PEG–priming concentration and period followed by re–drying on germination, growth and flowering of Eustoma grandiflorum （Raf.） Shinn ʻExe Lavenderʼ en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study aimed to investigate whether seed cold priming by PEG‒6000, followed by re‒drying would affect the germination, growth, and flowering of Eustoma ‘Exe Lavender’ raised seedling under high temperatures. Seeds of control treatment were not treated with cold‒priming or re‒drying. In experiment 1, seeds were cold‒primed with water and PEG‒6000 at ‒0.75 and ‒1.5 MPa for 5 weeks at 10°C in the dark and then subjected to re‒dried and storage for 30 days at 10°C. The results showed that cold‒primed seeds germinated earlier than those of the control. Compared to water treatment, plants grown from PEG‒6000 treatments and re‒drying showed similar germination rate, bolting rate, days to bolting, bolting node and flowering rate. In experiment 2, cold priming periods by water and ‒1.5 MPa PEG‒6000 were investigated for 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks. ‘Exe Lavender’ seeds treated with cold water and in the dark for longer than 5 weeks increased their percentage of radicle emergence and decreased germination rate after 30 days of re‒drying and storage. Meanwhile, those treated with cold-PEG did not protrude the radicle even for 8 weeks of priming and maintained the germination rate after re‒drying and storage. Days to bolting and days to flowering tended to decrease when the priming period decreased. The results suggest that the seed cold priming treatment by ‒1.5 MPa PEG‒6000 and subsequent re‒drying improved germination rate and maintained bolting rate and flowering rate in Eustoma compared to cold priming treatment by water raised seedling under high temperature conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Thao Thu Phan en-aut-sei=Thao Thu Phan en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukushimaKeigo en-aut-sei=Fukushima en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaYoshiyuki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Yoshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasubaKen-ichiro en-aut-sei=Yasuba en-aut-mei=Ken-ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaYuichi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=GotoTanjuro en-aut-sei=Goto en-aut-mei=Tanjuro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Hiroshima Prefectural Technology Research Institute, Agricultural Technology Research Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=bolting kn-keyword=bolting en-keyword=chilling kn-keyword=chilling en-keyword=dehydrate kn-keyword=dehydrate en-keyword=PEG-6000 kn-keyword=PEG-6000 en-keyword=storage kn-keyword=storage END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=15 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=497 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221228 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Interspecific Variability in Growth Characteristics and Phytoremediation of Cu by Free-Floating Azolla Macrophytes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The phytoremediation potential of aquatic plants, particularly for Cu, is scarcely reported in the pertinent literature. In this regard, differential growth behavior and phytoaccumulation ability of three free-floating Azolla species (A. japonica, A. pinnata, and A. hybrid) were evaluated in a climatically controlled (a temperature of 25/20 degrees C, light/dark 16/8 h, a light intensity of 60 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), and a relative humidity of 65%) microcosm study. Azolla plants were exposed to solutions having three Cu concentrations (0, 3, and 6 mg L-1) under two incubation periods (4 and 8 days). Different Cu treatments significantly reduced Azolla biomass during both incubation periods and A. pinnata was the most sensitive species. Azolla plants grown in aqueous solutions showed substantial variations in Cu removal capacity. Higher bioconcentration values displayed by Azolla plants indicated that these plants can be deployed as potential plants for Cu removal from Cu contaminated water. Nevertheless, the plants exposed to higher Cu concentrations displayed color changes and root detachment due to Cu phytotoxic effects which may also ultimately lead to plant death. Significant correlations between Cu removed from the aqueous solutions and Cu contents of plant biomass indicated that Cu phytoremediation by Azolla plants was due to the phytoaccumulation mechanism because the removed Cu from aqueous solutions was accumulated in plant biomass. Introduced Azolla species, i.e., A. hybrid, displayed comparable Cu removal efficiency with naturally grown Azolla species, i.e., A. japonica and A. pinnata. Tested Azolla species proved to be suitable candidates to remediate Cu contaminated water and can be deployed for phytoremediation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkhtarMuhammad Shahbaz en-aut-sei=Akhtar en-aut-mei=Muhammad Shahbaz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AslamSohaib en-aut-sei=Aslam en-aut-mei=Sohaib kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DittaAllah en-aut-sei=Ditta en-aut-mei=Allah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AlbalawiBedur Faleh A. en-aut-sei=Albalawi en-aut-mei=Bedur Faleh A. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkiYoko en-aut-sei=Oki en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Environmental Sciences, Forman Christian College University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Environmental Sciences, Forman Christian College University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Biology, University of Tabuk kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Environmental Management Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Environmental Management Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Azolla biomass kn-keyword=Azolla biomass en-keyword=bioconcentration factor kn-keyword=bioconcentration factor en-keyword=Cu removal efficiency kn-keyword=Cu removal efficiency en-keyword=Cu toxicity kn-keyword=Cu toxicity en-keyword=translocation factor kn-keyword=translocation factor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=380 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221229 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Thickness Measurement at High Lift-Off for Underwater Corroded Iron-Steel Structures Using a Magnetic Sensor Probe en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Infrastructure facilities that were built approximately half a century ago have rapidly aged. Steel sheet piles, the inspection object in this study, are severely corroded, resulting in cave-in damages at wharfs. To solve such a problem, non-destructive inspection techniques are required. We previously demonstrated plate thickness measurement using extremely low-frequency eddy current testing. However, when the steel sheet piles are located in water, shellfish adhere to their surface, causing a lift-off of several tens of millimeters. Therefore, this large lift-off hinders the thickness measurement owing to fluctuations of magnetic signals. In this study, sensor probes with different coil diameters were prototyped and the optimum size for measuring steel sheet piles at high lift-off was investigated. Using the probes, the magnetic field was applied with a lift-off range from 0 to 80 mm, and the intensity and phase of the detected magnetic field were analyzed. Subsequently, by increasing the probe diameter, a good sensitivity was obtained for the thickness estimation with a lift-off of up to 60 mm. Moreover, these probes were used to measure the thickness of actual steel sheet piles, and measurements were successfully obtained at a high lift-off. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AdachiShoya en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Shoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayashiMinoru en-aut-sei=Hayashi en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawakamiTaisei en-aut-sei=Kawakami en-aut-mei=Taisei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AndoYuto en-aut-sei=Ando en-aut-mei=Yuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WangJin en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Jin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaiKenji en-aut-sei=Sakai en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiwaToshihiko en-aut-sei=Kiwa en-aut-mei=Toshihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshikawaToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Ishikawa en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsukadaKeiji en-aut-sei=Tsukada en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Civil, Environmental and Applied System Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Kansai University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=eddy current testing kn-keyword=eddy current testing en-keyword=high lift-off thickness measurement kn-keyword=high lift-off thickness measurement en-keyword=magnetic sensor kn-keyword=magnetic sensor en-keyword=corrosion kn-keyword=corrosion en-keyword=underwater steel structure kn-keyword=underwater steel structure END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=298 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=102668 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Crystal structures of photosystem II from a cyanobacterium expressing psbA2 in comparison to psbA3 reveal differences in the D1 subunit en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Three psbA genes (psbA1, psbA2, and psbA3) encoding the D1 subunit of photosystem II (PSII) are present in the ther-mophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus and are expressed differently in response to changes in the growth environment. To clarify the functional differences of the D1 protein expressed from these psbA genes, PSII dimers from two strains, each expressing only one psbA gene (psbA2 or psbA3), were crystallized, and we analyzed their structures at resolu-tions comparable to previously studied PsbA1-PSII. Our results showed that the hydrogen bond between pheophytin/D1 (PheoD1) and D1-130 became stronger in PsbA2-and PsbA3-PSII due to change of Gln to Glu, which partially explains the increase in the redox potential of PheoD1 observed in PsbA3. In PsbA2, one hydrogen bond was lost in PheoD1 due to the change of D1-Y147F, which may explain the decrease in stability of PheoD1 in PsbA2. Two water molecules in the Cl-1 channel were lost in PsbA2 due to the change of D1-P173M, leading to the narrowing of the channel, which may explain the lower efficiency of the S-state transition beyond S2 in PsbA2-PSII. In PsbA3-PSII, a hydrogen bond between D1-Ser270 and a sulfoquinovosyl-diacylglycerol molecule near QB dis-appeared due to the change of D1-Ser270 in PsbA1 and PsbA2 to D1-Ala270. This may result in an easier exchange of bound QB with free plastoquinone, hence an enhancement of oxygen evolution in PsbA3-PSII due to its high QB exchange efficiency. These results provide a structural basis for further functional examination of the three PsbA variants. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Ugai-AmoNatsumi en-aut-sei=Ugai-Amo en-aut-mei=Natsumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ToneNaoki en-aut-sei=Tone en-aut-mei=Naoki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaAkiko en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Akiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwaiMasako en-aut-sei=Iwai en-aut-mei=Masako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkeuchiMasahiko en-aut-sei=Ikeuchi en-aut-mei=Masahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiuraMiwa en-aut-sei=Sugiura en-aut-mei=Miwa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=Jian-RenShen en-aut-sei=Jian-Ren en-aut-mei=Shen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Proteo-Science Research Center, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School and College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School and College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Proteo-Science Research Center, Ehime University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=15412 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221206 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Alterations in UPR Signaling by Methylmercury Trigger Neuronal Cell Death in the Mouse Brain en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Methylmercury (MeHg), an environmental toxicant, induces neuronal cell death and injures specific areas of the brain. MeHg is known to induce oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway has a dual nature in that it regulates and protects cells from an overload of improperly folded proteins in the ER, whereas excessively stressed cells are eliminated by apoptosis. Oxidative stress/ER stress induced by methylmercury exposure may tilt the UPR toward apoptosis, but there is little in vivo evidence of a direct link to actual neuronal cell death. Here, by using the ER stress-activated indicator (ERAI) system, we investigated the time course signaling alterations of UPR in vivo in the most affected areas, the somatosensory cortex and striatum. In the ERAI-Venus transgenic mice exposed to MeHg (30 or 50 ppm in drinking water), the ERAI signal, which indicates the activation of the cytoprotective pathway of the UPR, was only transiently enhanced, whereas the apoptotic pathway of the UPR was persistently enhanced. Furthermore, detailed analysis following the time course showed that MeHg-induced apoptosis is strongly associated with alterations in UPR signaling. Our results suggest that UPR modulation could be a therapeutic target for treating neuropathy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NomuraRyosuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasugiNobumasa en-aut-sei=Takasugi en-aut-mei=Nobumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiraokaHideki en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IijimaYuta en-aut-sei=Iijima en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwawakiTakao en-aut-sei=Iwawaki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumagaiYoshito en-aut-sei=Kumagai en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraMasatake en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Masatake kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Cell Medicine, Department of Life Science, Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Environmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Basic Medical Science, National Institute for Minamata Disease kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=methylmercury kn-keyword=methylmercury en-keyword=neuronal cell death kn-keyword=neuronal cell death en-keyword=endoplasmic reticulum stress kn-keyword=endoplasmic reticulum stress en-keyword=unfolded protein response kn-keyword=unfolded protein response en-keyword=ERAI system kn-keyword=ERAI system END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=44 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=26 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20221209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Chemopreventive effects and anti-tumorigenic mechanisms of Actinidia arguta, known as sarunashi in Japan toward 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)- induced lung tumorigenesis in a/J mouse en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background
Previously, we reported the inhibitory effect of Actinidia arguta juice, known as sarunashi juice (sar-j) in Japan, on mutagenesis, inflammation, and mouse skin tumorigenesis. The components of A. arguta responsible for the anti-mutagenic effects were identified to be water-soluble, heat-labile phenolic compounds. We proposed isoquercetin (isoQ) as a candidate anticarcinogenic component. In this study, we sought to investigate the chemopreventive effects of A. arguta juice and isoQ on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice, and identify the possible mechanisms underlying the anti-tumorigenic effects of A. arguta.

Results
The number of tumor nodules per mouse lung in the group injected with NNK and administered A. arguta juice orally was significantly lower than that in the group injected with NNK only. Oral administration of isoQ also reduced the number of nodules in the mouse lungs. As expected, the mutagenicity of NNK and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) detected using S. typhimurium TA1535 decreased in the presence of sar-j. However, NNK and MNNG mutagenicity detected using S. typhimurium YG7108, a strain lacking the O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferases (ogtST and adaST) did not decrease in the presence of sar-j suggesting that sar-j may mediate its antimutagenic effect by enhancing the DNA damage repair by ogtST and adaST. Phosphorylation of Akt, with or without epidermal growth factor stimulation, in A549 cells was significantly decreased following sar-j and isoQ treatment, indicating that components in sar-j including isoQ suppressed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Conclusions
Sar-j and isoQ reduced NNK-induced lung tumorigenesis. Sar-j targets both the initiation and growth/progression steps during carcinogenesis, specifically via anti-mutagenesis, stimulation of alkyl DNA adduct repair, and suppression of Akt-mediated growth signaling. IsoQ might contribute in part to the biological effects of sar-j via suppression of Akt phosphorylation, but it may not be the main active ingredient. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakataJun en-aut-sei=Takata en-aut-mei=Jun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeNaoko en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Naoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaikiYusuke en-aut-sei=Saiki en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaMisako en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Misako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SasakiKensuke en-aut-sei=Sasaki en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboToshio en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KiuraKatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Kiura en-aut-mei=Katsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=Arimoto-KobayashiSakae en-aut-sei=Arimoto-Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Akt signal transduction kn-keyword=Akt signal transduction en-keyword=Lung tumorigenesis kn-keyword=Lung tumorigenesis en-keyword=Anti-mutagenesis kn-keyword=Anti-mutagenesis en-keyword=DNA methylation kn-keyword=DNA methylation en-keyword=Tobacco-specific nitrosamine kn-keyword=Tobacco-specific nitrosamine en-keyword=Isoquercetin kn-keyword=Isoquercetin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=471 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=214742 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202211 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Geometric, electronic and spin structures of the CaMn4O5 catalyst for water oxidation in oxygen-evolving photosystem II. Interplay between experiments and theoretical computations en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aim of this review is to elucidate geometric structures of the catalytic CaMn4Ox (x = 5, 6) cluster in the Kok cycle for water oxidation in the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) based on the high-resolution (HR) X-ray diffraction (XRD) and serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) experiments using the X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL). Quantum mechanics (QM) and QM/molecular mechanics (MM) computations are performed to elucidate the electronic and spin structures of the CaMn4Ox (x = 5, 6) cluster in five states S-i (i = 0 similar to 4) on the basis of the X-ray spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and related experiments. Interplay between the experiments and theoretical computations has been effective to elucidate the coordination structures of the CaMn4Ox (x = 5, 6) cluster ligated by amino acid residues of the protein matrix of PSII, valence states of the four Mn ions and total spin states by their exchange-couplings, and proton-shifted isomers of the CaMn4Ox (x = 5, 6) cluster. The HR XRD and SFX XFEL experiments have also elucidated the biomolecular systems structure of OEC of PSII and the hydrogen bonding networks consisting of water molecules, chloride anions, etc., for water inlet and proton release pathways in PSII. Large-scale QM/MM computations have been performed for elucidation of the hydrogen bonding distances and angles by adding invisible hydrogen atoms to the HR XRD structure. Full geometry optimizations by the QM and QM/MM methods have been effective for elucidation of the molecular systems structure around the CaMn4Ox (x = 5, 6) cluster in OEC. DLPNO-CCSD(T-0) method has been applied to elucidate relative energies of possible intermediates in each state of the Kok cycle for water oxidation. Implications of these results are discussed in relation to the blueprint for developments of artificial catalysts for water oxidation. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamaguchiKizashi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Kizashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShojiMitsuo en-aut-sei=Shoji en-aut-mei=Mitsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeHiroshi en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawakamiTakashi en-aut-sei=Kawakami en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyagawaKoichi en-aut-sei=Miyagawa en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkitaFusamichi en-aut-sei=Akita en-aut-mei=Fusamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center of Computational Sciences, Tsukuba University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=RIKEN Center for Computational Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Center of Computational Sciences, Tsukuba University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Water oxidation kn-keyword=Water oxidation en-keyword=Oxygen evolution kn-keyword=Oxygen evolution en-keyword=Photosystem II kn-keyword=Photosystem II en-keyword=HR XRD kn-keyword=HR XRD en-keyword=SFX XFEL kn-keyword=SFX XFEL en-keyword=QM/MM calculation kn-keyword=QM/MM calculation en-keyword=DLPNO CCSD(T-0) computations, Oxyl radical character kn-keyword=DLPNO CCSD(T-0) computations, Oxyl radical character END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=25 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=101999 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Longevity of Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) used as pollinator en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pollinators play an important role in the production of many agricultural products. Honeybees, Apis mellifera L., are leading pollinators, but the number of honeybees in the world is declining. Finding alternatives is beginning to be important. In the present study, we compared the longevity of Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826), which is used as a pollinator, in cages in the laboratory and in a vinyl greenhouse under controlled feeding conditions. First, we showed that the longevity of the flies was significantly extended (c.a. 40 days) in the laboratory when water and sugar were supplied compared to the cases without sugar and/or water. Second, we found that the average longevity was 20 days with water and sugar in cages kept in a vinyl greenhouse during the summer. Finally, we released marked flies into a vinyl greenhouse where strawberries were cultivated without feeding water or sugar in the spring. As a result, fewer than 10% of the flies survived 10 days after release. Based on the result, we discuss the use of this species as a pollinator in the context of its survival rate. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShimomaeKoichi en-aut-sei=Shimomae en-aut-mei=Koichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SatoTakuya en-aut-sei=Sato en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaYuichi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaingShine Shane en-aut-sei=Naing en-aut-mei=Shine Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyatakeTakahisa en-aut-sei=Miyatake en-aut-mei=Takahisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Japan Maggot Company, Co. Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Diptera kn-keyword=Diptera en-keyword=Lifespan kn-keyword=Lifespan en-keyword=Pollination kn-keyword=Pollination en-keyword=Quality control kn-keyword=Quality control END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=126 cd-vols= no-issue=38 article-no= start-page=7212 end-page=7228 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220915 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Roles of the Flexible Primary Coordination Sphere of the Mn4CaOx Cluster: What Are the Immediate Decay Products of the S-3 State? en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The primary coordination sphere of the multinuclear cofactor (Mn4CaOx) in the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II is absolutely conserved to maintain its structure and function. Recent time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography identified large reorganization of the primary coordination sphere in the S-2 to S-3 transition, which elicits a cascade of events involving Mn oxidation and water molecule binding to a putative catalytic Mn site. We examined how the crystallographic fields, created by transient conformational states of the OEC at various time points, affect the thermodynamics of various isomers of the Mn cluster using DFT calculations, with an aim of comprehending the functional roles of the flexible primary coordination sphere in the S-2 to S-3 transition and in the recovery of the S-2 state. The results show that the relative movements of surrounding residues change the size and shape of the cavity of the cluster and thereby affect the thermodynamics of various catalytic intermediates as well as the ability to capture a new water molecule at a coordinatively unsaturated site. The implication of these findings is that the protein dynamics may serve to gate the catalytic reaction efficiently by controlling the sequence of Mn oxidation/reduction and water binding/release. This interpretation is consistent with EPR experiments; g similar to 5 and g similar to 3 signals obtained after near-infrared (NIR) excitation of the S-3 state at 4 K and a g similar to 5 only signal produced after prolonged incubation of the S-3 state at 77 K can be best explained as originating from water-bound S-2 clusters (S-total = 7/2) under a S-3 ligand field, i.e., the immediate one-electron reduction products of the oxyl-oxo (S-total = 6) and hydroxo-oxo (S-total = 3) species in the S-3 state. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IsobeHiroshi en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShojiMitsuo en-aut-sei=Shoji en-aut-mei=Mitsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiKizashi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Kizashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Computational Science, University of Tsukuba, kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute for NanoScience Design, Osaka University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220922 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=ベトナム中部高原セサン川上流域の水資源に対する干ばつ，土地利用政策，人為的活動の影響評価 kn-title=The impacts of droughts, local land-use policies, and anthropogenic activities against water resources in the upstream Sesan river basin, Central Highlands of Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=VO NGOC QUYNH TRAM en-aut-sei=VO NGOC QUYNH TRAM en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220922 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=吉井川及び旭川の汽水域における干潟造成に向けた物理環境特性の検討 kn-title=Investigation of the physical environmental characteristics for tidal flat creation in brackish water areas of the Yoshii river and the Asahi river en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AL-BAGHDADI Mohammed Baqer Naji en-aut-sei=AL-BAGHDADI Mohammed Baqer Naji en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=44 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=101225 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202212 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of local land-use policies and anthropogenic activities on water quality in the upstream Sesan River Basin, Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Study region: This study focuses on the upstream Sesan River Basin in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Study focus: Local land-use policies and human activities can significantly affect hydrology and increase the magnitude of erosion and nutrients in downstream areas. The effects in terrestrial regions on water quality of the target area were evaluated during the 2000-2018 period using the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) with updated land-use conditions following the local policy decisions and agricultural practices in different periods. New hydrological insights for the regions: This study indicates that the implementation of the local land-use policies, along with extensive anthropogenic activities, has had significant effects on the downstream aquatic environment as compared with the period before the implementation of the land-use policies. Higher annual sediment, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) load-ings were found upstream from the Poko Watershed, where range land predominated, and in southern and southwestern Dakbla Watershed, where arable land and permanent cropland pre-dominated. Arable land had the highest proportion of sediment and nutrient loadings into the reach, especially in the 2005-2009 period (conducting afforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization) and in the 2010-2014 period (applying crop conversion policy involving a shift from mixed forests to rubber forests). Understanding the watershed characteristics along with the combination of spatial land use, local land-use policies, and agricultural practices will support the implementation of regional land use and water resources management strategies more comprehensively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TramVo Ngoc Quynh en-aut-sei=Tram en-aut-mei=Vo Ngoc Quynh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaedaMorihiro en-aut-sei=Maeda en-aut-mei=Morihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Land-use policies kn-keyword=Land-use policies en-keyword=Land-use changes kn-keyword=Land-use changes en-keyword=Agricultural practices kn-keyword=Agricultural practices en-keyword=Water resources management kn-keyword=Water resources management en-keyword=Hilly areas kn-keyword=Hilly areas END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=629 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=238 end-page=244 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2023 dt-pub=202301 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Acidic layer-enhanced nanoconfinement of anions in cylindrical pore of single-walled carbon nanotube en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The adsorption of the nitrate ion by the cylindrical pore of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) was found to be aided by an acidic adsorbed layer. Adsorbed water in the vicinity of the pore wall can supply protons through ionization, forming the acidic layer, according to Raman spectra and results of solution pH fluctuations caused by ion species adsorption. Such an acidic adsorbed layer leads to surplus adsorption of anionic species where the adsorbed amount of nitrate ions is much larger than that of cations. Also, we could observe the Raman bands being assignable to the symmetrical stretching mode at an extremely highfrequency region for nano-restricted nitrate ions compared to any other bulk phases. The abnormal band shift of adsorbed nitrate ions indicates that the nitrate ions are confined in the pore under the effects of nanoconfinement by the pore and the strong interaction with the acidic layer in the pore. Our results warn that we have to construct the adsorption model of aqueous electrolytes confined in carbon pores by deliberating the acid layer formed by the adsorbed water. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhkuboTakahiro en-aut-sei=Ohkubo en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakayasuHiroki en-aut-sei=Nakayasu en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiYuki en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeyasuNobuyuki en-aut-sei=Takeyasu en-aut-mei=Nobuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaYasushige en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Yasushige kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Proton kn-keyword=Proton en-keyword=Nitrate ion kn-keyword=Nitrate ion en-keyword=Adsorption kn-keyword=Adsorption en-keyword=Confinement kn-keyword=Confinement en-keyword=Micropore kn-keyword=Micropore en-keyword=Nanospace kn-keyword=Nanospace END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=17 article-no= start-page=6436 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220826 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Design and Implementation of SEMAR IoT Server Platform with Applications en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Nowadays, rapid developments of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have increased possibilities of realizing smart cities where collaborations and integrations of various IoT application systems are essential. However, IoT application systems have often been designed and deployed independently without considering the standards of devices, logics, and data communications. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of the IoT server platform called Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytical in Real-Time (SEMAR) for integrating IoT application systems using standards. SEMAR offers Big Data environments with built-in functions for data aggregations, synchronizations, and classifications with machine learning. Moreover, plug-in functions can be easily implemented. Data from devices for different sensors can be accepted directly and through network connections, which will be used in real-time for user interfaces, text files, and access to other systems through Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (REST API) services. For evaluations of SEMAR, we implemented the platform and integrated five IoT application systems, namely, the air-conditioning guidance system, the fingerprint-based indoor localization system, the water quality monitoring system, the environment monitoring system, and the air quality monitoring system. When compared with existing research on IoT platforms, the proposed SEMAR IoT application server platform offers higher flexibility and interoperability with the functions for IoT device managements, data communications, decision making, synchronizations, and filters that can be easily integrated with external programs or IoT applications without changing the codes. The results confirm the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposal. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PandumanYohanes Yohanie Fridelin en-aut-sei=Panduman en-aut-mei=Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FunabikiNobuo en-aut-sei=Funabiki en-aut-mei=Nobuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=PuspitaningayuPradini en-aut-sei=Puspitaningayu en-aut-mei=Pradini kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuribayashiMinoru en-aut-sei=Kuribayashi en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SukaridhotoSritrusta en-aut-sei=Sukaridhoto en-aut-mei=Sritrusta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaoWen-Chung en-aut-sei=Kao en-aut-mei=Wen-Chung kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Informatic and Computer, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University kn-affil= en-keyword=Internet of Things kn-keyword=Internet of Things en-keyword=server platform kn-keyword=server platform en-keyword=SEMAR kn-keyword=SEMAR en-keyword=IoT application system kn-keyword=IoT application system en-keyword=sensor kn-keyword=sensor en-keyword=MQTT kn-keyword=MQTT en-keyword=REST API kn-keyword=REST API END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=76 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=423 end-page=428 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202208 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Effects of Exercise Therapy and Nutrition Therapy on Patients with Possible Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in a Recovery Rehabilitation Ward en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We compared the effects of an exercise intervention with that of exercise combined with nutrition therapy in patients with possible malnutrition and sarcopenia admitted to a recovery rehabilitation ward, and we examined the differences in the patients’ physical function and activities of daily living (ADLs). There were 16 patients in the Exercise group with exercise therapy and ADL exercises, and 14 patients in the Combined intervention group with exercise therapy, ADL exercises, and nutrition therapy. The survey items were body weight, body mass index, grip strength, lower-leg circumference, gait speed, and ADLs, each of which was measured at the baseline and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and at discharge. Significant improvements in grip strength were observed in the Combined intervention group as follows: at 4 weeks>at 2 weeks (p<0.05), and at discharge>baseline and 2 weeks (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in the Exercise group, and an interaction was recognized in both groups. Comprehensive rehabilitation including nutrition therapy is necessary for patients with possible malnutrition and/or sarcopenia, as our results indicate that nutrition therapy in addition to exercise therapy has the effect of promoting improvements of physical function in such patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KushibeTakuya en-aut-sei=Kushibe en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkezakiYoshiteru en-aut-sei=Akezaki en-aut-mei=Yoshiteru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoriikeNorio en-aut-sei=Horiike en-aut-mei=Norio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Saiseikai Imabari Daini Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Saiseikai Imabari Daini Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Physical Therapy, Kochi Professional University of Rehabilitation kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Internal Medicine, Saiseikai Imabari Daini Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=sarcopenia kn-keyword=sarcopenia en-keyword=rehabilitation kn-keyword=rehabilitation en-keyword=exercise therapy kn-keyword=exercise therapy en-keyword=nutrition therapy kn-keyword=nutrition therapy en-keyword=grip strength kn-keyword=grip strength END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=156 cd-vols= no-issue=22 article-no= start-page=221104 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220614 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Osmotic second virial coefficients for hydrophobic interactions as a function of solute size en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=To gain quantitative insight into how the overall strength of the hydrophobic interaction varies with the molecular size, we calculate osmotic second virial coefficients B for hydrophobic spherical molecules of different diameters σ in water based on molecular simulation with corrections to the finite-size and finite-concentration effects. It is shown that B (<0) changes by two orders of magnitude greater as σ increases twofold and its solute-size dependence is best fit by a power law B ∝ σ α with the exponent α ≃ 6, which contrasts with the cubic power law that the second virial coefficients of gases obey. It is also found that values of B for the solutes in a nonpolar solvent are positive but they obey the same power law as in water. A thermodynamic identity for B derived earlier [K. Koga, V. Holten, and B. Widom, J. Phys. Chem. B 119, 13391 (2015)] indicates that if B is asymptotically proportional to a power of σ, the exponent α must be equal to or greater than 6. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NaitoHidefumi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hidefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoRyuichi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=864225 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220629 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Nutrient Condition in the Microenvironment Determines Essential Metabolisms of CD8(+) T Cells for Enhanced IFN gamma Production by Metformin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Metformin (Met), a first-line drug for type 2 diabetes, lowers blood glucose levels by suppressing gluconeogenesis in the liver, presumably through the liver kinase B1-dependent activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) after inhibiting respiratory chain complex I. Met is also implicated as a drug to be repurposed for cancers; its mechanism is believed identical to that of gluconeogenesis inhibition. However, AMPK activation requires high Met concentrations at more than 1 mM, which are unachievable in vivo. The immune-mediated antitumor response might be the case in a low dose Met. Thus, we proposed activating or expanding tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells (CD8TILs) in a mouse model by orally administering Met in free drinking water. Here we showed that Met, at around 10 mu M and a physiologically relevant concentration, enhanced production of IFN gamma,TNF alpha and expression of CD25 of CD8(+) T cells upon TCR stimulation. Under a glucose-rich condition, glycolysis was exclusively involved in enhancing IFN gamma production. Under a low-glucose condition, fatty acid oxidation or autophagy-dependent glutaminolysis, or both, was also involved. Moreover, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), converting oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate, became essential. Importantly, the enhanced IFN gamma production was blocked by a mitochondrial ROS scavenger and not by an inhibitor of AMPK. In addition, IFN gamma production by CD8TILs relied on pyruvate translocation to the mitochondria and PCK1. Our results revealed a direct effect of Met on IFN gamma production of CD8(+) T cells that was dependent on differential metabolic pathways and determined by nutrient conditions in the microenvironment. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ChaoRuoyu en-aut-sei=Chao en-aut-mei=Ruoyu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishidaMikako en-aut-sei=Nishida en-aut-mei=Mikako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaNahoko en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Nahoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokumasuMiho en-aut-sei=Tokumasu en-aut-mei=Miho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZhaoWeiyang en-aut-sei=Zhao en-aut-mei=Weiyang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KudoIkuru en-aut-sei=Kudo en-aut-mei=Ikuru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=UdonoHeiichiro en-aut-sei=Udono en-aut-mei=Heiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=CD8+T lymphocytes kn-keyword=CD8+T lymphocytes en-keyword=glycolysis kn-keyword=glycolysis en-keyword=FAO kn-keyword=FAO en-keyword=glutaminolysis kn-keyword=glutaminolysis en-keyword=IFNg kn-keyword=IFNg en-keyword=autophagy plus T kn-keyword=autophagy plus T en-keyword=metformin kn-keyword=metformin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220713 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Differences in extracellular fluid volume between acute heart failure patients with and without high systolic blood pressure en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Aims Some reports have suggested that hypertensive acute heart failure (AHF) is caused by intravascular congestion, not interstitial congestion. We evaluated the differences in extracellular fluid volume assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) between AHF patients with and without high systolic blood pressure (sBP).
Methods This prospective single-centre study (UMIN000030266) included 178 patients hospitalized due to AHF between September 2017 and August 2018. We calculated extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), total body water (TBW), and ECW-to-TBW ratio (oedema index: EI) by BIA and evaluated conventional parameters as follows: weight, N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide values, and echocardiography parameters on admission and before discharge. One-year outcomes included all-cause death and re-admission due to heart failure. We compared patients with sBP > 140 mmHg on admission [clinical scenario 1 (CS1) group] and with sBP of <= 140 mmHg on admission (non-CS1 group).
Results The mean age of the patients was 79.5 +/- 11.1 years, and 48.9% of the patients were female. EI on admission of 83 patients in the CS1 group was lower than that of 95 patients in the non-CS1 group. The change in EI from admission to before discharge was no significant in the CS1 group but was significant in the non-CS1 group. Comparing the changes from admission to before discharge between the CS1 and the non-CS1 group, delta ECW, delta ICW, delta TBW, and delta EI of the CS1 group were significantly smaller than those of the non-CS1 group. During the 1-year follow-up period after discharge of the 178 patients, the numbers of deaths and re-admissions due to acute HF were 26 (15%) and 49 (28%), respectively. Patients with high EI before discharge [> 0.408 (median)] had significantly more cardiac events than patients with low EI [hazard ratio (HR): 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30-3.55]. Cox regression analysis revealed that higher EI as a continuous variable was significantly associated with worse outcome in non-CS1 group (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.13-1.87), but not significantly associated with worse outcome in CS1 group (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 0.98-1.69).
Conclusions EI on admission in patients with high sBP was not elevated, and changes in ECW, ICW, TBW, and EI in patients with high sBP were smaller than those in patients without high sBP. EI measured by BIA could distinguish AHF with interstitial or intravascular congestion. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NambaYusuke en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YunokiKei en-aut-sei=Yunoki en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjiriKentaro en-aut-sei=Ejiri en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Acute heart failure kn-keyword=Acute heart failure en-keyword=High systolic blood pressure kn-keyword=High systolic blood pressure en-keyword=Fluid volume kn-keyword=Fluid volume en-keyword=Oedema index kn-keyword=Oedema index END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=13 article-no= start-page=1980 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220621 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Backwater Effect of Clogging of Aquatic Plants at Fine-Particle Screens on Inland Flooding in Okayama en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In low-lying Okayama city, Japan, the heavy rainfall frequency and intensity have recently increased, subjecting the city to inland flooding. Another factor increasing the inland flooding risk is fine-particle screen clogging by aquatic plants at drainage pump stations, which obstructs drainage and causes backwater. In this study, water level simulations were conducted in drainage pump station channels to clarify the inland flooding risks with and without aquatic plant clogging-induced backwater at fine-particle screens. In the Urayasu West Drainage Pump Station channels, without backwater, no inland flooding occurred under an initial water level of 70% of the channel depth and a 40 m(3)/s discharge. However, when backwater deeper than 0.2 m occurred under the same conditions, inland flooding occurred, indicating an increased inland flooding risk associated with backwater. Additionally, we conducted an aquatic plant distribution survey in the main Okayama city channels and proposed six priority control sections based on sections with thriving aquatic plants. Although no previous inland flooding studies have considered aquatic plant clogging-induced backwater at fine-particle screens, aquatic plants cause clogging problems and drainage obstructions at water control facilities worldwide. Therefore, this study reveals the importance of conducting water level simulations and distribution surveys in areas other than Okayama city. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=InabaTakumi en-aut-sei=Inaba en-aut-mei=Takumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsujimotoKumiko en-aut-sei=Tsujimoto en-aut-mei=Kumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakashimaYoshitaka en-aut-sei=Nakashima en-aut-mei=Yoshitaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fragments of aquatic plants kn-keyword=fragments of aquatic plants en-keyword=fine-particle screens kn-keyword=fine-particle screens en-keyword=inland flooding kn-keyword=inland flooding END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=76 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=297 end-page=305 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202206 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of Fast Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging Using New Software Designed for Widespread Clinical Use en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Clinical research using restricted diffusion-weighted imaging, especially diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging, has been progressing, with reports on its effectiveness in the diagnostic imaging of cerebral infarctions, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumors, among others. However, the application of DK imaging in daily clinical practice has not spread because of the long imaging time required and the use of specific software for image creation. Herein, with the aim of promoting clinical research using DK imaging at any medical facility, we evaluated fast DK imaging using a new software program. We developed a new macro program that produces DK images using general-purpose, inexpensive software (Microsoft Excel and ImageJ), and we evaluated fast DK imaging using bio-phantoms and a healthy volunteer in clinical trials. The DK images created by the new software with diffusion-weighted images captured with short-time imaging sequences were similar to the original DK images captured with long-time imaging sequences. The DK images using three b-values, which can reduce the imaging time by 43%, were equivalent to the DK images using five b-values. The DK imaging technique developed herein might allow any medical facility to increase its daily clinical use of DK imaging and easily conduct clinical research. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonishiKohei en-aut-sei=Konishi en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshimuraYuuki en-aut-sei=Yoshimura en-aut-mei=Yuuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaKentaro en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KhasawnehcAbdullah en-aut-sei=Khasawnehc en-aut-mei=Abdullah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiantoIrfan en-aut-sei=Sugianto en-aut-mei=Irfan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=BamgboseBabatunde O. en-aut-sei=Bamgbose en-aut-mei=Babatunde O. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshizakaHinata en-aut-sei=Ishizaka en-aut-mei=Hinata kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuYudai en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamitsuYuki en-aut-sei=Nakamitsu en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamizakiRyo en-aut-sei=Kamizaki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurozumiAkira en-aut-sei=Kurozumi en-aut-mei=Akira kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsushitaToshi en-aut-sei=Matsushita en-aut-mei=Toshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhnoSeiichiro en-aut-sei=Ohno en-aut-mei=Seiichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanazawaSusumu en-aut-sei=Kanazawa en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=Central Division of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=Central Division of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=Central Division of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=fast diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=fast diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=mean kurtosis kn-keyword=mean kurtosis en-keyword=restricted diffusion kn-keyword=restricted diffusion en-keyword=Excel kn-keyword=Excel en-keyword=ImageJ kn-keyword=ImageJ END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=33 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=2511 end-page=2518 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220426 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Preparation of cellulose nanocrystals coated with polymer crystals and their application in composite films en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Increasing the dispersibility of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a reinforcing material is highly desirable to obtain composites with enhanced mechanical properties. To this aim, nanocomposite fibers (NCF(CNC/polymer)) were fabricated by coating CNCs with polymer crystals. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (EVOH) were crystallized from a dilute solution in the presence of CNCs, which acted as nucleating agents for polymer crystal growth on the CNC surface. NCF consisting of CNCs coated with PVA crystals (NCF(CNC/PVA)) and CNCs coated with EVOH crystals (NCF(CNC/EVOH)) were successfully obtained. Both NCF(CNC/polymer) showed good dispersibility in water, even after drying, and were used to prepare composite films with improved mechanical properties. The reinforcement effect of NCF(CNC/PVA) was greater than that of pure CNCs and NCF(CNC/EVOH). The PVA composite films exhibited optical transmittance above 99% compared with additive-free PVA films. No agglomerates appeared even under the optical microscopic observation of the PVA composite film, and NCF(CNC/PVA) dispersibility was extremely good. NCF(CNC/PVA)-added PVA composite films exhibited increased glass transition temperature compared with additive-free PVA films, and the crystallinity of the PVA film increased. The highly dispersed CNCs in the PVA matrix and the increase in the glass transition temperature and crystallinity caused an increase in the mechanical modulus of the PVA composite film at low NCF(CNC/PVA) content. Furthermore, the effect of the morphologies of cellulose nanofibers and CNCs on the mechanical properties of the composite films prepared using the respective NCFs was investigated. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=UchidaTetsuya en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiokaRyohei en-aut-sei=Nishioka en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YanaiRisa en-aut-sei=Yanai en-aut-mei=Risa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cellulose nanocrystals kn-keyword=cellulose nanocrystals en-keyword=composite kn-keyword=composite en-keyword=dispersibility kn-keyword=dispersibility en-keyword=mechanical properties kn-keyword=mechanical properties en-keyword=surface treatment kn-keyword=surface treatment END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=1194 end-page=1200 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=2022411 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dip-and-Read, Organic Solvent-Compatible, Paper-Based Analytical Devices Equipped with Chromatographic Separation for Indole Analysis in Shrimp en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We developed an organic solvent-compatible paper-based analytical device (PAD) for the quantitative analysis of indole, which is an indicator of shrimp freshness. Although indole is insoluble in water, ethyl acetate is a suitable solvent to dissolve and extract indole from shrimp. The PADs are fabricated using a cutting method that allows the use of an organic solvent because no hydrophobic barrier is needed to form fluidic channels. Ehrlich's reagent consists of 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde and p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and was deposited onto the reaction zone of the PAD followed by lamination to prevent evaporation of the ethyl acetate. Samples are introduced into the PAD via immersion in organic sample solutions. When the PAD is immersed into an indole solution of ethyl acetate in a closed bottle, the sample solution penetrates the channel of the PAD and successively flows into the detection zone to form a hydrophilic colored product. The PADs provide a linear relationship between the logarithm of the indole concentration and the color intensity within a range of 1.0-20 ppm with correlation coefficients of r2 > 0.99. The limits of detection and quantification are 0.36 and 0.71 ppm, respectively. Relative standard deviations for both the intraday (n = 2) and interday (n = 3) precision were less than 2.5%. In the indole analysis of shrimp, the PADs separated the interfering orange-colored astaxanthin in the extract from the colored product of indole via the paper chromatographic principle. We used the PADs to investigate the degradation of shrimp, and the results showed a rapid increase in the indole level after 7 days. High-performance liquid chromatography verified the accuracy of the PADs by showing good agreement with the obtained indole levels. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SeetasangSasikarn en-aut-sei=Seetasang en-aut-mei=Sasikarn kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ehrlich’s reagent kn-keyword=Ehrlich’s reagent en-keyword=astaxanthin kn-keyword=astaxanthin en-keyword=chromatography kn-keyword=chromatography en-keyword=indole kn-keyword=indole en-keyword=paper-based device kn-keyword=paper-based device en-keyword=shrimp kn-keyword=shrimp END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=2021 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Devices Coupled with Coprecipitation Enrichment Show Improved Trace Analysis of Copper Ions in Water Samples en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The present study was focused on improving sensitivity to trace levels of Cu(II) by subjecting microfluidic paper based analytical devices (μ PADs) to a preconcentration process via coprecipitation using aluminum hydroxide. The experimental conditions were optimized for the pH of the coprecipitation, centrifugation, and amounts of reagents that were deposited onto µ PADs for Cu(II) assay. The resultant limit of detection reached as low as 0.003 mg L 1 with a linear range of 0.01 2.00 mg L 1 . The relative standard deviations for intra and inter day precision were 3.2 and 4.6%, respectively (n = 9). Spiked water samples were analyzed using the μ PADs after coprecipitation preconcentration. The results were verified by comparing them with thos e of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Recoveries ranged from 97.1 104% and from 98.7 105% using the present method and ICP OES, respectively. These results suggest that the simple, highly sensitive, and inexpensive propos ed method would be helpful for analyzing trace levels of Cu(II) in water samples in poorly equipped laboratories. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MUHAMMEDAbdellah en-aut-sei=MUHAMMED en-aut-mei=Abdellah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HUSSENAhmed en-aut-sei=HUSSEN en-aut-mei=Ahmed kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidic paper based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper based analytical device en-keyword=Coprecipitation kn-keyword=Coprecipitation en-keyword=Preconcentration kn-keyword=Preconcentration en-keyword=Aluminum hydroxide kn-keyword=Aluminum hydroxide en-keyword=Copperion kn-keyword=Copperion en-keyword=bathocuproine kn-keyword=bathocuproine END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=869393 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220504 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Engineering Cancer/Testis Antigens With Reversible S-Cationization to Evaluate Antigen Spreading en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Serum autoantibody to cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) is a critical biomarker that reflects the antitumor immune response. Quantitative and multiplexed anti-CTA detection arrays can assess the immune status in tumors and monitor therapy-induced antitumor immune reactions. Most full-length recombinant CTA proteins tend to aggregate. Cysteine residue-specific S-cationization techniques facilitate the preparation of water-soluble and full-length CTAs. Combined with Luminex technology, we designed a multiple S-cationized antigen-immobilized bead array (MUSCAT) assay system to evaluate multiple serum antibodies to CTAs. Reducible S-alkyl-disulfide-cationized antigens in cytosolic conditions were employed to develop rabbit polyclonal antibodies as positive controls. These control antibodies sensitively detected immobilized antigens on beads and endogenous antigens in human lung cancer-derived cell lines. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies successfully confirmed the dynamic ranges and quantitative MUSCAT assay results. An immune monitoring study was conducted using the serum samples on an adenovirus-mediated REIC/Dkk-3 gene therapy clinical trial that showed a successful clinical response in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Autoantibody responses were closely related to clinical outcomes. Notably, upregulation of anti-CTA responses was monitored before tumor regression. Thus, quantitative monitoring of anti-CTA antibody biomarkers can be used to evaluate the cancer-immunity cycle. A quality-certified serum autoantibody monitoring system is a powerful tool for developing and evaluating cancer immunotherapy. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MiyamotoAi en-aut-sei=Miyamoto en-aut-mei=Ai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HonjoTomoko en-aut-sei=Honjo en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuiMirei en-aut-sei=Masui en-aut-mei=Mirei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KinoshitaRie en-aut-sei=Kinoshita en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumonHiromi en-aut-sei=Kumon en-aut-mei=Hiromi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KakimiKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Kakimi en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FutamiJunichiro en-aut-sei=Futami en-aut-mei=Junichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Innovation Center Okayama for Nanobio-targeted Therapy, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Immunotherapeutics, The University of Tokyo Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=autoantibody kn-keyword=autoantibody en-keyword=biomarker kn-keyword=biomarker en-keyword=protein engineering kn-keyword=protein engineering en-keyword=cancer-immunity cycle kn-keyword=cancer-immunity cycle en-keyword=immune monitoring kn-keyword=immune monitoring en-keyword=cancer kn-keyword=cancer en-keyword=testis antigens kn-keyword=testis antigens END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=e2019JB019143 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202010 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Feedback of Slab Distortion on Volcanic Arc Evolution: Geochemical Perspective From Late Cenozoic Volcanism in SW Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Southwest Japan is an island arc formed by subduction of the Philippine Sea (PHS) plate. The Quaternary magmatism in this region is characterized by eruptions of high-Sr andesites and dacites, considered to have been derived by melting of the PHS plate. The loci of these volcanoes spatially coincide with seismic discontinuities of the subducted PHS plate. Thus, the magmatism is interpreted as the result of slab melting at the plate tears. However, the processes that promote slab tearing remain unclear. In this study, we applied geochronological and geochemical analyses to late Cenozoic volcanic rocks in southwest Japan as tracers of slab morphology. Two different magma types, ocean-island basalt (OIB) and island-arc basalt (IAB), have occurred over 12 million years (Myr). These two magmas are attributed to different integrations of melts extracted from an originally fertile mantle; the OIBs from high temperature melt (1,300–1,400°C) were extracted at a depth of 40–80 km, whereas the IABs were extracted from a shallower, lower temperature region (30–60 km, 1,200–1,350°C). Secular change in Sr enrichment of IAB likely arose due to a transition of slab-derived fluids, incorporated into magmas as they formed, from water- to melt-dominant one. Progressive shallowing of the subducted PHS plate is responsible for secular change in the properties of slab-derived fluids as well as rollback of OIB volcanoes. Production of chemically variable magmas in the Chugoku district is the surface expression of distorting slab morphology by interaction between mantle and the subducting plate. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NguyenTai Truong en-aut-sei=Nguyen en-aut-mei=Tai Truong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitagawaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Pineda‐VelascoIvan en-aut-sei=Pineda‐Velasco en-aut-mei=Ivan kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraEizo en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=subduction zone kn-keyword=subduction zone en-keyword=volcanism kn-keyword=volcanism en-keyword=mantle kn-keyword=mantle en-keyword=basalt kn-keyword=basalt en-keyword=slab kn-keyword=slab END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=eabk0331 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202234 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Vasopressin-oxytocin–type signaling is ancient and has a conserved water homeostasis role in euryhaline marine planarians en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vasopressin/oxytocin (VP/OT)–related peptides are essential for mammalian antidiuresis, sociosexual behavior, and reproduction. However, the evolutionary origin of this peptide system is still uncertain. Here, we identify orthologous genes to those for VP/OT in Platyhelminthes, intertidal planarians that have a simple bilaterian body structure but lack a coelom and body-fluid circulatory system. We report a comprehensive characterization of the neuropeptide derived from this VP/OT-type gene, identifying its functional receptor, and name it the “platytocin” system. Our experiments with these euryhaline planarians, living where environmental salinities fluctuate due to evaporation and rainfall, suggest that platytocin functions as an “antidiuretic hormone” and also organizes diverse actions including reproduction and chemosensory-associated behavior. We propose that bilaterians acquired physiological adaptations to amphibious lives by such regulation of the body fluids. This neuropeptide-secreting system clearly became indispensable for life even without the development of a vascular circulatory system or relevant synapses. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KobayashiAoshi en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Aoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaMayuko en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasa-aki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masa-aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiYasuhisa en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Yasuhisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TsutsuiNaoaki en-aut-sei=Tsutsui en-aut-mei=Naoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekiguchiToshio en-aut-sei=Sekiguchi en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsukawaYuta en-aut-sei=Matsukawa en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaejimaSho en-aut-sei=Maejima en-aut-mei=Sho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=GingellJoseph J. en-aut-sei=Gingell en-aut-mei=Joseph J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SekiguchiShoko en-aut-sei=Sekiguchi en-aut-mei=Shoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamamotoAyumu en-aut-sei=Hamamoto en-aut-mei=Ayumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayDebbie L. en-aut-sei=Hay en-aut-mei=Debbie L. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorrisJohn F. en-aut-sei=Morris en-aut-mei=John F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoHirotaka en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Hirotaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Oki Marine Biological Station, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Kanazawa University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Europe) Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=School of Biological Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetic, Le Gros Clark Building, University of Oxford kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Ushimado kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=5738 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220508 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cholera Outbreaks in India, 2011-2020: A Systematic Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Fecal contamination of water sources and open defecation have been linked to cholera outbreaks in India. However, a systematic review on the drivers responsible for these outbreaks has yet to be published. Here, we systematically review the published literature on cholera outbreaks in India between 2011 and 2020. We searched studies in English in three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program that tracks cholera outbreaks throughout India. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. Quantitative data on the modes of transmission reviewed in this study were assessed for any change over time between 2011-2015 and 2016-2020. Our search retrieved 10823 records initially, out of which 81 full-text studies were assessed for eligibility. Among these 81 studies, 20 were eligible for inclusion in this review. There were 565 reported outbreaks between 2011 and 2020 that led to 45,759 cases and 263 deaths. Outbreaks occurred throughout the year; however, they exploded with monsoons (June through September). In Tamil Nadu, a typical peak of cholera outbreaks was observed from December to January. Seventy-two percent (33,089/45,759) of outbreak-related cases were reported in five states, namely Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. Analysis of these outbreaks highlighted the main drivers of cholera including contaminated drinking water and food, inadequate sanitation and hygiene (including open defecation), and direct contact between households. The comparison between 2011-2015 and 2016-2020 showed a decreasing trend in the outbreaks that arose due to damaged water pipelines. Many Indians still struggle with open defecation, sanitation, and clean water access. These issues should be addressed critically. In addition, it is essential to interrupt cholera short-cycle transmission (mediated by households, stored drinking water and foodstuffs) during an outbreak. As cholera is associated with deprivation, socio-economic development is the only long-term solution. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MuzemboBasilua Andre en-aut-sei=Muzembo en-aut-mei=Basilua Andre kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=DebnathAnusuya en-aut-sei=Debnath en-aut-mei=Anusuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhnoAyumu en-aut-sei=Ohno en-aut-mei=Ayumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-Ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=cholera kn-keyword=cholera en-keyword=outbreak kn-keyword=outbreak en-keyword=water supply kn-keyword=water supply en-keyword=open defecation kn-keyword=open defecation en-keyword=sewage kn-keyword=sewage en-keyword=household kn-keyword=household en-keyword=food kn-keyword=food en-keyword=close contact kn-keyword=close contact en-keyword=behavioral changes kn-keyword=behavioral changes en-keyword=India kn-keyword=India END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=4714 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220413 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Misconceptions and Rumors about Ebola Virus Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We sought to summarize knowledge, misconceptions, beliefs, and practices about Ebola that might impede the control of Ebola outbreaks in Africa. We searched Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar (through May 2019) for publications reporting on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to Ebola in Africa. In total, 14 of 433 articles were included. Knowledge was evaluated in all 14 articles, and they all highlighted that there are misconceptions and risk behaviors during an Ebola outbreak. Some communities believed that Ebola spreads through the air, mosquito bites, malice from foreign doctors, witchcraft, and houseflies. Because patients believe that Ebola was caused by witchcraft, they sought help from traditional healers. Some people believed that Ebola could be prevented by bathing with salt or hot water. Burial practices where people touch Ebola-infected corpses were common, especially among Muslims. Discriminatory attitudes towards Ebola survivors or their families were also prevalent. Some Ebola survivors were not accepted back in their communities; the possibility of being ostracized from their neighborhoods was high and Ebola survivors had to lead a difficult social life. Most communities affected by Ebola need more comprehensive knowledge on Ebola. Efforts are needed to address misconceptions and risk behaviors surrounding Ebola for future outbreak preparedness in Africa. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MuzemboBasilua Andre en-aut-sei=Muzembo en-aut-mei=Basilua Andre kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NtontoloNgangu Patrick en-aut-sei=Ntontolo en-aut-mei=Ngangu Patrick kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NgatuNlandu Roger en-aut-sei=Ngatu en-aut-mei=Nlandu Roger kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KhatiwadaJanuka en-aut-sei=Khatiwada en-aut-mei=Januka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTomoko en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Tomoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaKoji en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitaharaKei en-aut-sei=Kitahara en-aut-mei=Kei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaShunya en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Shunya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-Ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health, Protestant University of Congo kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Public Health, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Social Work Institute kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Ebola kn-keyword=Ebola en-keyword=knowledge kn-keyword=knowledge en-keyword=attitudes kn-keyword=attitudes en-keyword=practices kn-keyword=practices en-keyword=beliefs kn-keyword=beliefs en-keyword=misperceptions kn-keyword=misperceptions en-keyword=rumors kn-keyword=rumors en-keyword=sub-Saharan Africa kn-keyword=sub-Saharan Africa END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=98 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220408 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Association between timing of speech and language therapy initiation and outcomes among post-extubation dysphagia patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background Post-extubation dysphagia (PED) is recognized as a common complication in the intensive care unit (ICU). Speech and language therapy (SLT) can potentially help improve PED; however, the impact of the timing of SLT initiation on persistent PED has not been well investigated. This study aimed to examine the timing of SLT initiation and its effect on patient outcomes after extubation in the ICU. Methods We conducted this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study, collecting data from eight ICUs in Japan. Patients aged >= 20 years with orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation for longer than 48 h, and those who received SLT due to PED, defined as patients with modified water swallowing test scores of 3 or lower, were included. The primary outcome was dysphagia at hospital discharge, defined as functional oral intake scale score < 5 or death after extubation. Secondary outcomes included dysphagia or death at the seventh, 14th, or 28th day after extubation, aspiration pneumonia, and in-hospital mortality. Associations between the timing of SLT initiation and outcomes were determined using multivariable logistic regression. Results A total of 272 patients were included. Of them, 82 (30.1%) patients exhibited dysphagia or death at hospital discharge, and their time spans from extubation to SLT initiation were 1.0 days. The primary outcome revealed that every day of delay in SLT initiation post-extubation was associated with dysphagia or death at hospital discharge (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.18). Similarly, secondary outcomes showed associations between this per day delay in SLT initiation and dysphagia or death at the seventh day (AOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.05-1.55), 14th day (AOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13-1.58), or 28th day (AOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.07-1.36) after extubation and occurrence of aspiration pneumonia (AOR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17), while per day delay in post-extubation SLT initiation did not affect in-hospital mortality (AOR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97-1.12). Conclusions Delayed initiation of SLT in PED patients was associated with persistent dysphagia or death. Early initiation of SLT may prevent this complication post-extubation. A randomized controlled study is needed to validate these results. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HongoTakashi en-aut-sei=Hongo en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoRyohei en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Ryohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=LiuKeibun en-aut-sei=Liu en-aut-mei=Keibun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YaguchiTakahiko en-aut-sei=Yaguchi en-aut-mei=Takahiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoteHisashi en-aut-sei=Dote en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoRyusuke en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Ryusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasuyamaTomoyuki en-aut-sei=Masuyama en-aut-mei=Tomoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakatsukaKosuke en-aut-sei=Nakatsuka en-aut-mei=Kosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeShinichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Shinichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanayaTakahiro en-aut-sei=Kanaya en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiTomoya en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=YumotoTetsuya en-aut-sei=Yumoto en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitoHiromichi en-aut-sei=Naito en-aut-mei=Hiromichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaoAtsunori en-aut-sei=Nakao en-aut-mei=Atsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Healthcare Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Critical Care Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, The Prince Charles Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Kameda Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil= Department of Emergency, Misato Kenwa Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Anesthesiology, Okayama Rosai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Rehabilitation, Nagoya Medical Center, NHO kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Rehabilitation, Hokkaido Medical Center, NHO kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Division of Critical Care Medicine, Nara Prefecture General Medical Center kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=Post-extubation dysphagia kn-keyword=Post-extubation dysphagia en-keyword=Speech and language therapy kn-keyword=Speech and language therapy en-keyword=Intensive care kn-keyword=Intensive care en-keyword=Dysphagia kn-keyword=Dysphagia en-keyword=Aspiration pneumonia kn-keyword=Aspiration pneumonia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202228 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Efficacy and safety of spot heating and ultrasound irradiation on in vitro and in vivo thrombolysis models en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= The feasibility of transcranial sonothrombolysis has been demonstrated, although little is known about the relationships between thermal or mechanical mechanisms and thrombolytic outcomes. Therefore, the present study aims to reveal the effect and safety of temperature and ultrasound through in vitro and in vivo thrombolysis models. Artificial clots in microtubes were heated in a water bath or sonicated by ultrasound irradiation, and then clots weight decrease with rising temperature and sonication time was confirmed. In the in vitro thrombotic occlusion model, based on spot heating, clot volume was reduced and clots moved to the distal side, followed by recanalization of the occlusion. In the in vivo study, the common carotid artery of rats was exposed to a spot heater or to sonication. No brain infarct or brain blood barrier disruption was shown, but endothelial junctional dysintegrity and an inflammatory response in the carotid artery were detected. The present spot heating and ultrasound irradiation models seem to be effective for disintegrating clots in vitro, but the safety of the in vivo model was not fully supported by the data. However, the data indicates that a shorter time exposure could be less invasive than a longer exposure. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoriharaRyuta en-aut-sei=Morihara en-aut-mei=Ryuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashitaToru en-aut-sei=Yamashita en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OsakadaYosuke en-aut-sei=Osakada en-aut-mei=Yosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=FengTian en-aut-sei=Feng en-aut-mei=Tian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HuXinran en-aut-sei=Hu en-aut-mei=Xinran kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=FukuiYusuke en-aut-sei=Fukui en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadokoroKoh en-aut-sei=Tadokoro en-aut-mei=Koh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakemotoMami en-aut-sei=Takemoto en-aut-mei=Mami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=AbeKoji en-aut-sei=Abe en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=39 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=157 end-page=165 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220128 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Observing Phylum-Level Metazoan Diversity by Environmental DNA Analysis at the Ushimado Area in the Seto Inland Sea en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The dynamics of microscopic marine plankton in coastal areas is a fundamental theme in marine biodiversity research, but studies have been limited because the only available methodology was collection of plankton using plankton-nets and microscopic observation. In recent years, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has exhibited potential for conducting comprehensive surveys of marine plankton diversity in water at fixed points and depths in the ocean. However, few studies have examined how eDNA analysis reflects the actual distribution and dynamics of organisms in the field, and further investigation is needed to determine whether it can detect distinct differences in plankton density in the field. To address this, we analyzed eDNA in seawater samples collected at 1 km intervals at three depths over a linear distance of approximately 3.0 km in the Seto Inland Sea. The survey area included a location with a high density of Acoela (Praesagittifera naikaiensis). However, the eDNA signal for this was little to none, and its presence would not have been noticed if we did not have this information beforehand. Meanwhile, eDNA analysis enabled us to confirm the presence of a species of Placozoa that was previously undiscovered in the area. In summary, our results suggest that the number of sequence reads generated from eDNA samples in our project was not sufficient to predict the density of a particular species. However, eDNA can be useful for detecting organisms that have been overlooked using other methods. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawashimaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Kawashima en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasa-aki en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masa-aki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazawaHideyuki en-aut-sei=Miyazawa en-aut-mei=Hideyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoHiroaki en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakanoNatumi en-aut-sei=Nakano en-aut-mei=Natumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaMayuko en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Mayuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=National Institute of Genetics kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Marine Biological Science Section, Education and Research Center Biological Resources, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Institute of Genetics kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biology, Nara Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=eDNA kn-keyword=eDNA en-keyword=marine invertebrate kn-keyword=marine invertebrate en-keyword=Xenacoelomorpha kn-keyword=Xenacoelomorpha en-keyword=Acoela kn-keyword=Acoela en-keyword=Praesagittifera naikaiensis kn-keyword=Praesagittifera naikaiensis en-keyword=Placozoa kn-keyword=Placozoa en-keyword=Trichoplax adhaerens kn-keyword=Trichoplax adhaerens END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue=46 article-no= start-page=12820 end-page=12831 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20211110 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Theory of Gas Solubility and Hydrophobic Interaction in Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Ion-specific effects on the solubility of nonpolar solutes and on the solute–solute hydrophobic interaction in aqueous electrolyte solutions are studied on the basis of a continuum theory that incorporates the excluded volume of the molecules using the four-component (water, cations, anions, and solutes) Boublı́k–Mansoori–Carnahan–Starling–Leland model and ion hydration (electrostriction) using the Born model. We examine how the ordering of ions in the salt effect on the solubility as measured by the Sechenov coefficient KS changes with varying sizes of ions and solutes. Our calculation reproduces the general trend of experimentally measured KS and also provides insight into the irregular behavior of KS for lithium ion. The correlation between KS and the salt effect on the hydrophobic interaction that has been pointed out earlier is accounted for by an explicit connection between KS and the salt-enhanced-association coefficient CI in the expansion of the second osmotic virial coefficient B(ns) = B(0) – CIns + ··· in powers of the salt density ns at fixed pressure and temperature. The quadratic relation is derived for ions and solutes that are not very large. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkamotoRyuichi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=76 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=25 end-page=32 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Development and Evaluation of a Short-time Imaging Method for the Clinical Study of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Subtraction Method en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The apparent diffusion coefficient subtraction method (ASM) was developed as a new restricted diffusionweighted imaging technique for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The usefulness of the ASM has been established by in vitro basic research using a bio-phantom, and clinical research on the application of the ASM for the human body is needed. Herein, we developed a short-time sequence for ASM imaging of the heads of healthy volunteers (n=2), and we investigated the similarity between the obtained ASM images and diffusion kurtosis (DK) images to determine the utility of the ASM for clinical uses. This study appears to be the first to report ASM images of the human head. We observed that the short-time sequence for the ASM imaging of the head can be scanned in approx. 3 min at 1.5T MRI. The noise reduction effect of median filter processing was confirmed on the ASM images scanned by this sequence. The obtained ASM images showed a weak correlation with the DK images, indicating that the ASM images are restricted diffusion-weighted images. The new shorttime imaging sequence could thus be used in clinical studies applying the ASM. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SugimotoKohei en-aut-sei=Sugimoto en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KurodaMasahiro en-aut-sei=Kuroda en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshimuraYuuki en-aut-sei=Yoshimura en-aut-mei=Yuuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamadaKentaro en-aut-sei=Hamada en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KhasawnehAbdullah en-aut-sei=Khasawneh en-aut-mei=Abdullah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=BarhamMajd en-aut-sei=Barham en-aut-mei=Majd kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TekikiNouha en-aut-sei=Tekiki en-aut-mei=Nouha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KonishiKohei en-aut-sei=Konishi en-aut-mei=Kohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshizakaHinata en-aut-sei=Ishizaka en-aut-mei=Hinata kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimizuYudai en-aut-sei=Shimizu en-aut-mei=Yudai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamitsuYuki en-aut-sei=Nakamitsu en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=Al-HammadWlla E. en-aut-sei=Al-Hammad en-aut-mei=Wlla E. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamizakiRyo en-aut-sei=Kamizaki en-aut-mei=Ryo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanazawaSusumu en-aut-sei=Kanazawa en-aut-mei=Susumu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsaumiJunichi en-aut-sei=Asaumi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient kn-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient en-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient subtraction method kn-keyword=apparent diffusion coefficient subtraction method en-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging kn-keyword=diffusion kurtosis imaging en-keyword=restricted diffusion kn-keyword=restricted diffusion en-keyword=short-time imaging kn-keyword=short-time imaging END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=30 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220207 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mitigation of groundwater iron-induced clogging by low-cost bioadsorbent in open loop geothermal heat pump systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Green energy production from natural resources can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants from burning of fossil fuels in power plants. Recently, groundwater geothermal energy (GGE) is harnessed by deploying closed- and open-loop heat systems. In open-loop geothermal heat pump systems (OLGHPS), groundwater is reinjected into aquifer after harnessing GGE. Nevertheless, OLGHPS face noxious clogging issue because of elusive chemistry (corrosion or precipitation) of chemical species, principally of iron (Fe), in pipes and aquifers during reinjection process via oxidation reactions. Plethora of filtering materials are available for removal of ions, but these are quite expensive and environmentally unsafe. More recently, low-cost, eco-friendly, green filtering materials gain much interest. These materials can remove ions from groundwater that can minimize clogging in heat exchange systems, injection wells, and aquifer. In the present study, three filtering materials, i.e., wooden charcoal (biomaterial), yamazuna fine sand, and volcanic ash, were tested to estimate their Fe removal capacity. In upward flow mode with minimum oxygen-water contact, serial column (each with 6 ports) experiments were conducted under constant pressure head and constant velocity conditions. Columns were connected to well water having dissolved Fe concentration of 10.85 mg L-1. Sampling was done at the well, column inlets, column's six sampling ports and column outlets, and samples were analyzed for Fe by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Related tested parameters include pH, EC, temperature, turbidity, porosity, particle diameter, and dissolved oxygen. Volcanic ash showed less Fe removal, while sand filter showed substantial reduction in velocity. Biomaterial (wooden charcoal) displayed higher Fe adsorption capacity compared to other materials that can be ascribed to its surface chemistry and functional groups. Under different flow rates, maximum Fe content of 3.5 g Fe kg(-1) dry charcoal was obtained. By considering a safety factor and influence of groundwater composition, it is possible to design a biomaterial-based iron filter system to minimize Fe-induced chemical clogging in OLGHPS which is an eco-friendly, green energy source. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujitaClaudia en-aut-sei=Fujita en-aut-mei=Claudia kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkhtarM. Shahbaz en-aut-sei=Akhtar en-aut-mei=M. Shahbaz kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HidakaRay en-aut-sei=Hidaka en-aut-mei=Ray kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigakiMakoto en-aut-sei=Nishigaki en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Geo‑Environmental Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Design and Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Geo‑Environmental Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Design and Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Geo‑Environmental Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Design and Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Geo‑Environmental Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Environmental Design and Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Dissolved iron removal kn-keyword=Dissolved iron removal en-keyword=Chemical clogging kn-keyword=Chemical clogging en-keyword=Open-loop geothermal systems kn-keyword=Open-loop geothermal systems en-keyword=Retention potential kn-keyword=Retention potential en-keyword=Wooden charcoal kn-keyword=Wooden charcoal END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=111 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=7 end-page=14 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Studies on antitumor enzyme l-lysine α-oxidase from Trichoderma viride kn-title=糸状菌Trichoderma viride由来の抗腫瘍性酵素L-リシン α-オキシダーゼに関する研究 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=L-Lysine α-oxidase (LysOX) from Trichoderma viride is a homodimeric flavoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of L-Lysine to produce α-keto-ε-aminocaproate with ammonia and hydrogen per-oxide. LysOX inhibited the growth of cancer cells but showed relatively low toxicity for normal cells. The full-length cDNA consists of 2,119 bp, and encodes a long N-terminal propeptide composed of 77 resi-dues (Met1-Arg77) and the mature protein (Ala78-Ile617). The LysOX gene was heterologously expressed in Streptomyces lividans TK24 or Escherichia coli SoluBL21. The enzymatic properties of the purified recombinant LysOX, such as substrate specificity, kinetic parameters and thermal stability, are the same as those of the native LysOX. The LysOX precursor (prLysOX) expressed in E. coli shows weak enzymatic activity and is activated by proteolytic processing. The crystal structure of prLysOX revealed that the propeptide of prLysOX indirectly changes the active site structure to inhibit enzyme activity. Moreover, the crystal structures of LysOX and its L-Lysine complex revealed that the hydrogen bonding network formed by Asp212, Asp315 and Ala440 with two water molecules is responsible for the recogni-tion of the ε-amino group of L-Lysine. In addition, a narrow substrate-binding site and acidic surface at the active site entrance both contribute to strict substrate specificity. Mutational analysis demonstrated that Asp212 and Asp315 are essential for substrate recognition, and the D212A/D315A LysOX prefers aromatic amino acids. Furthermore, the structural basis of the substrate specificity change has also been revealed by the structural analysis of the D212A/D315A LysOX and its substrate complexes. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SaitoMasaya en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Masaya kn-aut-name=齋藤雅哉 kn-aut-sei=齋藤 kn-aut-mei=雅哉 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=InagakiKenji en-aut-sei=Inagaki en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name=稲垣賢二 kn-aut-sei=稲垣 kn-aut-mei=賢二 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Course of Agrochemical Bioscience kn-affil=岡山大学農学部農芸化学コース affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=学術研究院環境生命科学学域 en-keyword=L-lysine α-oxidase kn-keyword=L-lysine α-oxidase en-keyword=antitumor enzyme kn-keyword=antitumor enzyme en-keyword=substrate recognition kn-keyword=substrate recognition en-keyword=X-ray crystallography kn-keyword=X-ray crystallography en-keyword=enzyme activity regulation kn-keyword=enzyme activity regulation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=89 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=301 end-page=306 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=2021 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Environmental Impact of Anthropogenic Mercury Release in China en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=There is increasing public concern regarding the potential risks posed by mercury and mercury compounds. Knowledge of the mercury emission and release inventory, and determination of the main factors that ameliorate the environmental impact of anthropogenic activities, will contribute to environmentally sound mercury management. This study used a life cycle impact assessment to identify the major factors contributing to the overall environmental burden imposed by elemental mercury releases. The environmental impact of the business-as-usual scenario (total impacts = 5.13 GPt) was greater than that of the accelerated technology transformation (ACR) scenario (total impacts = 4.51 GPt), especially in terms of the impact on human health (HH). ACR mainly reduces mercury emissions to air, which affects HH. ompared to its effects on HH, mercury release to the environment has less impact on ecosystem diversity (ED). Mercury release to land had the largest impact on ED, followed by mercury emissions to air and discharge to water. ACR can reduce the harm to HH and marine ecosystems by 12 %. This study provides quantitative information on the environmental impact of mercury release, facilitating strategic management of mercury emissions in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury (implemented in China in 2017). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaokaMasaki en-aut-sei=Takaoka en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Kyoto University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=89 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=265 end-page=270 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=2021 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Life Cycle Impact Analysis of Anthropogenic Mercury Release in Malaysia en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Anthropogenic activities have aroused great concern in terms of the negative impact on ecosystems and human health. With rapid industrial development, Malaysia has experienced problems with regard to mercury pollution. Knowledge of the mercury emission and release inventory, and the main factors that ameliorate the environmental impact of anthropogenic activities, will contribute to environmentally sound mercury management, which is becoming increasingly urgent in Malaysia. In this study, inventories for total mercury emission and release in 2019 were devised to understand pollution sources. A life cycle impact assessment was used to identify the major factors contributing to the overall environmental burden. The environmental impact of anthropogenic mercury releases was compared between (sub)source categories. The total mercury input in 2019 was 36.4 t, of which 30.4 t were released to the natural environment under the output scenario of mercury release with no emission control. The respective amounts of 12.7, 1.8, and 15.9 t of mercury were released to air, water, and land. The environmental burden to terrestrial ecosystem imposed by mercury release was higher than that to freshwater and marine ecosystems. The harm to human health was 4,785 DALY, and harm to ecosystem was 0.85 species/y. The category of coal combustion was the largest contributor to the harms of human health (44 % of total impact), followed by cement production (11 % of total impact), and natural gas extraction and combustion (11 % of total impact). The category of gold mining (no amalgamation) was the largest contributor to the harms to ecosystems (76 % of total impact), followed by coal combustion (11 % of total impact). The result of this study can provide a scientific information to policymaker for strategic management of mercury in Malaysia. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=Muhamad Nabil Fikri bin Abdul Hamid en-aut-sei=Muhamad Nabil Fikri bin Abdul Hamid en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=20220101 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Airborne LiDAR-assisted deep learning methodology for riparian land cover classification using aerial photographs and its application for flood modelling en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In response to challenges in land cover classification (LCC), many researchers have experimented recently with classification methods based on artificial intelligence techniques. For LCC mapping of the vegetated Asahi River in Japan, the current study uses deep learning (DL)-based DeepLabV3+ module for image segmentation of aerial photographs. We modified the existing model by concatenating data on its resultant output port to access the airborne laser bathymetry (ALB) dataset, including voxel-based laser points and vegetation height (i.e. digital surface model data minus digital terrain model data). Findings revealed that the modified approach improved the accuracy of LCC greatly compared to our earlier unsupervised ALB-based method, with 25 and 35% improvement, respectively, in overall accuracy and the macro F1-score for November 2017 dataset (no-leaf condition). Finally, by estimating flow-resistance parameters in flood modelling using LCC mapping-derived data, we conclude that the upgraded DL methodology produces better fit between numerically analyzed and observed peak water levels. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YoshidaKeisuke en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=PanShijun en-aut-sei=Pan en-aut-mei=Shijun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniguchiJunichi en-aut-sei=Taniguchi en-aut-mei=Junichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiyamaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Nishiyama en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KojimaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kojima en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IslamTouhidul en-aut-sei=Islam en-aut-mei=Touhidul kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=TOKEN C.E.E. Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=TOKEN C.E.E. Consultants Co., Ltd. kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=airborne laser bathymetry kn-keyword=airborne laser bathymetry en-keyword=deep learning kn-keyword=deep learning en-keyword=flow-resistance parameterization kn-keyword=flow-resistance parameterization en-keyword=riparian land cover classification kn-keyword=riparian land cover classification en-keyword=semantic segmentation kn-keyword=semantic segmentation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=573 cd-vols= no-issue=30 article-no= start-page=151483 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2022 dt-pub=202201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Uniform coating of magnesium oxide crystal with reduced graphene oxide achieves moisture barrier performance en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Magnesium oxide (MgO) has high thermal conductivity while keeping insulation; thus, MgO is attractive material as a filler for thermosetting or thermoplastic resins. However, MgO readily hydrates with water or moisture. Thus, the surface of MgO is coated with organic or inorganic substances.
We focused on graphene oxide (GO) as a surface coating agent. It has a 2-dimensional thin sheet structure, oxygen functional groups on the surface, and negative zeta-potential. Typically, GO has been used as a support material for metal nanoparticles. In this research, GO was coated on MgO micro-crystal surface to improve the surface character of MgO. The negatively charged GO and the positively charged MgO were combined with strong interaction. 0.5wt% GO coated MgO showed excellent moisture resistance compared to organic substances coating. Coating of MgO with GO or rGO is effective to overcome the weaknesses of MgO. Due to the hydrophilicity and high thermal conductivity of rGO, MgO/rGO composite can be a filler for high moisture resistance and thermal conductivity. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SaitoAkinori en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Akinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ObataSeiji en-aut-sei=Obata en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishinaYuta en-aut-sei=Nishina en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Tateho chemical industries co. ltd kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=magnesium oxide kn-keyword=magnesium oxide en-keyword=graphene oxide kn-keyword=graphene oxide en-keyword=surface coating kn-keyword=surface coating en-keyword=moisture resistance kn-keyword=moisture resistance END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=348 end-page=356 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20211222 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Multilayer Poly(ionic liquid) Microcapsules Prepared by Sequential Phase Separation and Subsequent Photopolymerization in Ternary Emulsion Droplets en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report a simple microfluidic process to prepare multilayer poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) microcapsules via sequential liquid-liquid phase separation within ternary emulsion droplets followed by the photopolymerization of ionic liquid (IL) monomerrich phases. The emulsion droplets, consisting of a hydrophobic IL monomer, water, and　N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) are first formed in a microfluidic device, and the droplets are then carried by a continuous aqueous phase. Subsequently, DMF diffuses from the droplets into the continuous aqueous phase, resulting in the sequential internal phase separation of the IL-rich and water-rich phases, generating multilayer emulsion droplets comprising alternating IL-rich and water-rich phases. The number of droplet layers was controlled from one to five by varying the initial composition of the dispersed phase. Furthermore, in the conditions where higher-order emulsion droplets were formed, the time scale between the onset of phase separation and the formation of each layer became shorter. Additionally, the IL-rich phases in the multilayer emulsion droplets were easily solidified via photopolymerization, resulting in PILs microcapsules with multilayer structures. Anion exchange of the obtained PILs microcapsules effectuated their transition from a hydrophobic to a hydrophilic nature, resulting in PILs microcapsules with diverse swelling properties and PILs layers permeability across various solvents. We believe that the sequential phase separation system observed in the ternary emulsion droplets can pave the way for the design of PILs-based colloidal materials with thermodynamically non-equilibrium structures, thereby extending their application in functional materials. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuharaYuka en-aut-sei=Yasuhara en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 3-1-1, Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidics kn-keyword=Microfluidics en-keyword=Multiple emulsion kn-keyword=Multiple emulsion en-keyword=Poly(ionic liquid) kn-keyword=Poly(ionic liquid) en-keyword=Phase separation kn-keyword=Phase separation en-keyword=Non-equilibrium structure kn-keyword=Non-equilibrium structure END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=17 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=014010 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20211229 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of nitrogen loading in the last 80 years in an urbanized Asian coastal catchment through the reconstruction of severe contamination period en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Most semi-enclosed seas have experienced severe eutrophication owing to high nutrient loading from rivers during rapid population growth periods. In Japan, the coastal areas of some megacities (e.g. Tokyo and Osaka) experienced considerable economic growth during the 1960s-1970s. Therefore, determining the amount of nutrient loading during this period is essential to undertake measures for the conservation of coastal environments. However, determining the nutrient loading that occurred several decades ago is generally difficult owing to lacking water quality records. In this study, the nitrogen loading in the Yamato River catchment, an urbanized coastal catchment in Asia, for 80 years from the 1940s to the 2010s is reconstructed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool. We considered factors such as population growth, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) construction, and changes in land and fertilizer usage in different urbanization stages. Results show that the total nitrogen loading in the catchment peaked in the 1970s at 6616 tons yr(-1) owing to untreated wastewater discharge and rapid increase in population growth. By reducing 57% of the nitrogen loading in the 2010s from the catchment, WWTPs have been instrumental in improving the water environment. The decrease in and integration of agricultural land has reduced nitrogen loading attributed to nonpoint sources; however, this reduction was not obvious because of the high fertilizer usage before the 2000s. Overall, the findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of rapid urbanization in an Asian coastal catchment on nitrogen loading during the high economic growth period in the past. This study will be useful for the long-term assessment of nutrient loading in other. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WangKunyang en-aut-sei=Wang en-aut-mei=Kunyang kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoderaShin-Ichi en-aut-sei=Onodera en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoMitsuyo en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Mitsuyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=long-term kn-keyword=long-term en-keyword=nitrogen loading kn-keyword=nitrogen loading en-keyword=rapid urbanization kn-keyword=rapid urbanization en-keyword=popilation growth kn-keyword=popilation growth en-keyword=land use change kn-keyword=land use change en-keyword=wastewater treatment plant kn-keyword=wastewater treatment plant END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210924 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=マクロポア構造が農地土壌の水浸透と温室効果ガス発生に及ぼす影響 kn-title=The Effects of Soil Macropore Structures on Water Infiltration and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agricultural Soils en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BUI THANH LONG en-aut-sei=BUI THANH LONG en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=57 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=63 end-page=70 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20211023 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Characteristics of channel pores formed by Bacillus thuringiensis mosquito-larvicidal Cry4Aa toxin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cry4Aa toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis exhibits specific toxicity to larvae of medically-important mosquito genera. In the present study, we analyzed the characteristics of channel-pores formed by recombinant Cry4Aa in a solvent-free planar lipid bilayer. Stable channel-currents were observed in electrophysiologic measurements, and the single-channel conductance was 187 ± 10 pS in symmetrical buffer containing 150 mM KCl. The channel-pores formed by Cry4Aa were cation selective, with an estimated PK/PCl permeability ratio of 4.9. In addition, Cry4Aa channel-pores exhibited apparent cation preference in the order Na+ > K+, Na+ > Ca2+, and K+ > Ca2+. Although the effect was limited, the cation preference of Cry4Aa channel-pores seemed to be correlated with toxicity. Culex pipiens mosquito larvae reared in NaCl solution exhibited greater sensitivity to Cry4Aa, particularly early period after exposure. The presence of cations that preferentially translocate through Cry4Aa channel-pores may facilitate excessive influx of water into the midgut cells, leading to colloid-osmotic lysis. Whereas CaCl2 had some effect on the mosquito-larvicidal activity of Cry4Aa, KCl had no effect. The effect of some cations may be mitigated by the variety of ion channels present on the midgut cell membrane. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ShiraishiYuri en-aut-sei=Shiraishi en-aut-mei=Yuri kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiozakiTomoya en-aut-sei=Shiozaki en-aut-mei=Tomoya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AsakuraMami en-aut-sei=Asakura en-aut-mei=Mami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=IdeToru en-aut-sei=Ide en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HayakawaTohru en-aut-sei=Hayakawa en-aut-mei=Tohru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Aa toxin kn-keyword=Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Aa toxin en-keyword=Culex pipiens mosquito larvae kn-keyword=Culex pipiens mosquito larvae en-keyword=electrophysiologic analysis of channel-pores kn-keyword=electrophysiologic analysis of channel-pores END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=83 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=7 end-page=12 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Anthropogenic Mercury Release Flow in China en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=China is the largest emitter of anthropogenic mercury worldwide. Implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury will significantly impact the development, use, and management of mercury resources. Chinese mercury management policies require significant adjustment. There is an urgent need to develop a current national mercury inventory to estimate mercury inputs and outputs by source category, and to clarify the distributions to various environmental scenarios. Here, the mercury releases are quantitatively analysed to facilitate the implementation of strategic mercury management policies in China. First, the mercury inputs and outputs by source categories in 2016 are quantified and then the mercury distributions to various environmental and intermediate sinks are estimated. The total mercury input was 5,116 t in 2016, of which 77% was attributable to mineral production. In total, 3,083 t were released into various environmental and intermediate reservoirs. Of this total, 53.8 % was intentional uses, followed by extraction and combustion (26.5%), and mineral production (19.6 %); 1,501 t were released into air, water, and land, of which extraction and combustion accounted for 48.6 % followed by mineral production (25.7 %) and intentional uses (25.6 %). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaokaMasaki en-aut-sei=Takaoka en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Kyoto University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=323 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=129089 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20211110 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The response of anthropogenic mercury release in China to the Minamata Convention on Mercury: A hypothetical expectation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The combination of anthropogenic activities and long-term atmospheric transport has resulted in a sustained increase in global mercury concentrations in air, in water and on land. The Minamata Convention on Mercury (MCM), is a global treaty with the goal of protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic releases of mercury. This study aimed to quantify the mercury inputs and outputs in China in 2016–2019 according to five source categories and investigate the effect of an accelerated scenario/technology transformation required by the MCM on the subsequent distribution of mercury among environmental and intermediate reservoirs. Mercury releases to natural environment decreased dramatically after the MCM, such that around 840 t of mercury was released to those reservoirs in 2019, which is less than 21% of that in 2016 (1,063 t) when an accelerated scenario/technology transformation (STranf) was taken into consideration. Applying the accelerated STranf can hardly change the total release amount to the natural environment, also can reduce 53 t and 58 t of atmospheric emission in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Atmospheric emission was most sensitive to STranf, followed by emissions to land and water. This is the first attempt to provide a systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of the MCM based on the hypothetical expectations. As the MCM moves into the implementation phase, further information from scientific data and studies is critically needed to support decision-making and management. The results of this study can provide such information, facilitating the creation of strategic management policies for mercury as the MCM is implemented in China. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Habuer en-aut-sei=Habuer en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiwaraTakeshi en-aut-sei=Fujiwara en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaokaMasaki en-aut-sei=Takaoka en-aut-mei=Masaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University kn-affil= en-keyword=Mercury kn-keyword=Mercury en-keyword=Anthropogenic release kn-keyword=Anthropogenic release en-keyword=Distribution flow kn-keyword=Distribution flow en-keyword=Substance flow analysis kn-keyword=Substance flow analysis en-keyword=Minamata Convention on Mercury kn-keyword=Minamata Convention on Mercury en-keyword=China kn-keyword=China END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=75 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=557 end-page=565 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202110 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Relationship between Pressure Ulcers in Elderly People and Physiological Indices of the Skin en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This study examined the relationship between skin physiological indices and pressure ulcers in elderly people. The subjects were 55 bedridden elderly Japanese patients with a median age of 85 years. The following parame-ters were measured using non-invasive devices: skin surface temperature, moisture content in the stratum corneum, moisture content in the dermis, transepidermal water loss as an index of skin barrier function, skin erythema and skin elasticity. The sacral and 2 heel areas were observed as sites predisposed to pressure ulcers. Within one month after measuring the skin physiological indices, we confirmed pressure ulcers of National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification Stage II or worse based on medical records. Among the 55 patients, 4 (7.3%) prospectively developed a total of 5 pressure ulcers within 16 days. Only the skin erythema score was significantly higher with than without pressure ulcers (p < 0.001). We performed a binary logistic regression analysis and confirmed a significant relationship between pressure-ulcer development and the level of erythema (odds ratio = 1.026; 95% confidence interval: 1.011-1.042). Skin erythema increased before the development of pressure ulcers. Taken together, our results show that the high skin erythema score can be a predictive indicator of pressure ulcers. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Takeshima KoharaHiroko en-aut-sei=Takeshima Kohara en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=IkedaMitsunori en-aut-sei=Ikeda en-aut-mei=Mitsunori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkawaMasami en-aut-sei=Okawa en-aut-mei=Masami kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Nursing, University of Kochi kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Nursing, University of Kochi kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Shiragikuen Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=elderly people kn-keyword=elderly people en-keyword=erythema kn-keyword=erythema en-keyword=pressure ulcer kn-keyword=pressure ulcer en-keyword=skin kn-keyword=skin END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=726273 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210820 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Virulence of Cholera Toxin Gene-Positive Vibrio cholerae Non-O1/non-O139 Strains Isolated From Environmental Water in Kolkata, India en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Cholera toxin (CT)-producing Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139 cause acute diarrheal disease and are proven etiological agents of cholera epidemics and pandemics. On the other hand, V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 are designated as non-agglutinable (NAG) vibrios and are not associated with epidemic cholera. The majority of NAG vibrios do not possess the gene for CT (ctx). In this study, we isolated three NAG strains (strains No. 1, 2, and 3) with ctx from pond water in Kolkata, India, and examined their pathogenic properties. The enterotoxicity of the three NAG strains in vivo was examined using the rabbit ileal intestinal loop test. Strain No. 1 induced the accumulation of fluid in the loop, and the volume of fluid was reduced by simultaneous administration of anti-CT antiserum into the loop. The volume of fluid in the loop caused by strains No. 2 and 3 was small and undetectable, respectively. Then, we cultured these three strains in liquid medium in vitro at two temperatures, 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C, and examined the amount of CT accumulated in the culture supernatant. CT was accumulated in the culture supernatant of strain No.1 when the strain was cultured at 25 degrees C, but that was low when cultured at 37 degrees C. The CT amount accumulated in the culture supernatants of the No. 2 and No. 3 strains was extremely low at both temperature under culture conditions examined. In order to clarify the virulence properties of these strains, genome sequences of the three strains were analyzed. The analysis showed that there was no noticeable difference among three isolates both in the genes for virulence factors and regulatory genes of ctx. However, vibrio seventh pandemic island-II (VSP-II) was retained in strain No. 1, but not in strains No. 2 or 3. Furthermore, it was revealed that the genotype of the B subunit of CT in strain No. 1 was type 1 and those of strains No. 2 and 3 were type 8. Histopathological examination showed the disappearance of villi in intestinal tissue exposed to strain No. 1. In addition, fluid accumulated in the loop due to the action of strain No. 1 had hemolytic activity. This indicated that strain No. 1 may possesses virulence factors to induce severe syndrome when the strain infects humans, and that some strains of NAG vibrio inhabiting pond water in Kolkata have already acquired virulence, which can cause illness in humans. There is a possibility that these virulent NAG vibrios, which have acquired genes encoding factors involved in virulence of V. cholerae O1, may emerge in various parts of the world and cause epidemics in the future. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TakahashiEizo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OchiSadayuki en-aut-sei=Ochi en-aut-mei=Sadayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoTamaki en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Tamaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaDaichi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Daichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaMasatomo en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Masatomo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhnishiMakoto en-aut-sei=Ohnishi en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KoleyHemanta en-aut-sei=Koley en-aut-mei=Hemanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaMoumita en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Moumita kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChowdhuryGoutam en-aut-sei=Chowdhury en-aut-mei=Goutam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaShanta en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Shanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-Ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-Ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Health Pharmacy, Yokohama University of Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae en-keyword=NAG Vibrio kn-keyword=NAG Vibrio en-keyword=cholera toxin kn-keyword=cholera toxin en-keyword=virulence kn-keyword=virulence en-keyword=environmental water kn-keyword=environmental water en-keyword=gene analysis kn-keyword=gene analysis END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=36 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=100843 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202108 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Environmental flow sustainability in the Lower Limpopo River Basin, Mozambique en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Study region: This study focuses on the Lower Limpopo River basin (LLRB) in Mozambique, Africa. Study focus: Maintaining environmental flows necessary for ecosystem sustainability represents a significant challenge to water resource management. In this study the sustainability of LLRB was evaluated by comparing hydrologic availability with ecological and anthropogenic needs. Current river ecological status was scored with a habitat integrity index verified through ground-truthing field surveys and aerial imagery data. Local stakeholder interviews were used to further evaluate the habitat index scores. Deficiencies between water availability and ecological-human requirements were assessed with a water scarcity index.
New Hydrological Insights for the Region: Four environmental flow categories defined as "Excellent", "Fair", "Poor", and "Degraded" coincided to approximately 50 %, 39 %, 27 %, and 14 % of the natural mean annual flow, respectively. Stakeholder interview responses indicated annual water shortages currently occur between August and November and coincide with "Poor" and "Degraded" environmental flow conditions. Water supplies appear to meet consumption needs when calculated on an annual basis with the water scarcity index. However, when calculated monthly, there is not enough to meet human water demand between August and October. This deficit period will likely expand from June to November due to projected increases in future water demands. As the greatest water use in the basin is agricultural irrigation, long-term environmental flows sustainability will likely depend upon effective irrigation management. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Zefanias NhassengoOsvaldo Silva en-aut-sei=Zefanias Nhassengo en-aut-mei=Osvaldo Silva kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=WolfeJune III en-aut-sei=Wolfe en-aut-mei=June III kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Escola Superior de Neg´ocios e Empreendedorismo de Chibuto, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Texas A&M AgriLife, Blackland Research & Extension Center kn-affil= en-keyword=Ecosystem sustainability kn-keyword=Ecosystem sustainability en-keyword=Environmental flow requirement kn-keyword=Environmental flow requirement en-keyword=Small scale irrigation kn-keyword=Small scale irrigation en-keyword=Water demand kn-keyword=Water demand en-keyword=Water scarcity kn-keyword=Water scarcity END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=29 article-no= start-page=35079 end-page=35085 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=2021714 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Wettability Difference Induced Out-of-Plane Unidirectional Droplet Transport for Efficient Fog Harvesting en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Securing freshwater resources is a global issue for ensuring sustainable development. Fog harvesting is attracting great attention as a method to collect water without any energy input. Previous reports that were inspired by insects and plants have given insights such as the effectiveness of in-plane wettability and structural differences for droplet transport, which might enhance artificial water harvesting efficiency. However, further efforts to transfer droplets while maintaining performance are needed because droplet motion owing to these effects is limited to the in-plane direction. In this study, we report droplet transport between three-dimensional copper wire structures with nanostructured hydrophobic and superhydrophilic features. This mechanism enhanced the fog harvesting capability by more than 20% compared with the cumulative value of individual wires. In addition, the relationship between the droplet height and spacing of wires affected the performance. Our results show the importance of out-of-plane directional droplet transport from the wire surface assisted by differences in wire wettability, which minimizes limiting factors of fog harvesting including clogging and droplet shedding. Furthermore, the proposed arrangement reduces the overall system width compared with that of a two-dimensional arrangement while maintaining the amount of harvested water. These results provide a promising approach to designing large-scale and highly efficient fog harvesters. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamadaYutaka en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Yutaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakataEiji en-aut-sei=Sakata en-aut-mei=Eiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IsobeKazuma en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Kazuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HoribeAkihiko en-aut-sei=Horibe en-aut-mei=Akihiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=fog harvesting kn-keyword=fog harvesting en-keyword=wettability difference kn-keyword=wettability difference en-keyword=unidirectional droplet transport kn-keyword=unidirectional droplet transport en-keyword=projected area kn-keyword=projected area en-keyword=vertical copper wires kn-keyword=vertical copper wires END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue=23 article-no= start-page=6296 end-page=6305 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202168 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Ion Size Dependences of the Salting-Out Effect: Reversed Order of Sodium and Lithium Ions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A general trend of the salting-out effect on hydrophobic solutes in aqueous solution is that the smaller the size of a dissolved ion, the larger the effect of reducing the solubility of a hydrophobe. An exception is that Li+, the smallest in alkali metal ions, has a notably weaker effect than Na+. To understand the reversed order in the cation series, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of aqueous solutions of salt ions and calculated the Setschenow coefficient of methane with the ionic radius of either a cation or an anion varied in a wide range. It is confirmed that the Setschenow coefficient is correlated with the packing fraction of salt solution, as observed in earlier studies, and also correlated with the partial molar volume of an ion. Analyses of correlation function integrals, packing fractions of solvation spheres, and orientations of water molecules surrounding an ion reveal the key differences in microscopic properties between the cation and anion series, which give rise to the reversed order in the cation series of the partial molar volumes of ions and ultimately that of the Setschenow coefficients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatsutoHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Katsuto en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoRyuichi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Ryuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=11 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=5231 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210604 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of the Water Shielding Performance of a Capillary Barrier System through a Small-Scale Model Test en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Capillary barrier (CB) systems consisting of a fine-grained soil layer placed over a coarse-grained soil layer can generally provide a water-shielding effect, increasing the slope stability of soil structures during rainfall. In order to improve the water-shielding performance of CB systems, laboratory model tests have been previously conducted under various conditions; notably, large-scale model tests are especially required. The inefficiency in increasing the production time of CB models until now explains their high cost. In this paper, we propose a laboratory small-scale CB (SSCB) model test for a quick and efficient evaluation of the function of a CB system. In this model test, differently from previous studies, a side drainage flow in the direction of the inclined sand layer was set as the no-flow condition; moreover, the laboratory SSCB model tests were performed by considering three rainfall intensities (i.e., 20, 50, and 100 mm/h) under the lateral no-flow condition. The results showed that the larger the rainfall intensity, the shorter the diversion length was of the CB system. To evaluate the effectiveness of the SSCB model test proposed in this study, the diversion length was estimated by an empirical equation under the lateral flow condition based on hydraulic conductivity functions and the soil water characteristic curves of sand and gravel and then compared to the results of the SSCB model tests. It was hence demonstrated that the water-shielding performance of the CB system can be efficiently evaluated through SSCB model tests under the lateral no-flow condition, rather than through large-scale model tests. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KimByeong-Su en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Byeong-Su kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=small-scale capillary barrier kn-keyword=small-scale capillary barrier en-keyword=lateral no-flow condition kn-keyword=lateral no-flow condition en-keyword=diversion length kn-keyword=diversion length en-keyword=water-shielding kn-keyword=water-shielding en-keyword=water retention characteristics kn-keyword=water retention characteristics END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=75 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=381 end-page=384 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202106 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Presence of Microplastics in Four Types of Shellfish Purchased at Fish Markets in Okayama City, Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The worldwide microplastic pollution in our environment is a matter of great concern. Harmful effects of plastics have been reported in various types of organisms including murine animals. We examined the presence of microplastics in four types of shellfish purchased from fish markets in Okayama, Japan and served to the public: short-neck clam (Ruditapes philippinarum, asari in Japanese), hard-shell clam (Meretrix lusoria, hamaguri), brackishwater clam (Cyrenidae, shijimi), and oyster (Crassostrea gigas, kaki). Our analyses demonstrated that approx. 3 pieces of microplastics were present per single shellfish, based on the division of the total number of pieces of microplastic obtained from all 4 types of shellfish by the total number of shellfish examined. Since health problems in humans due to microplastics have not yet been confirmed, further examinations of the effects of ingested microplastics are needed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamamotoKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OshikiToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Oshiki en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaHiroko en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NambaMasayoshi en-aut-sei=Namba en-aut-mei=Masayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaguchiMasakiyo en-aut-sei=Sakaguchi en-aut-mei=Masakiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=microplastics, kn-keyword=microplastics, en-keyword=shellfish kn-keyword=shellfish en-keyword=Japan kn-keyword=Japan en-keyword= health effect kn-keyword= health effect en-keyword=pollution kn-keyword=pollution END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=22 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=5582 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210525 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Management of Cirrhotic Ascites under the Add-on Administration of Tolvaptan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Tolvaptan is a recently available diuretic that blocks arginine vasopressin receptor 2 in the renal collecting duct. Its diuretic mechanism involves selective water reabsorption by affecting the water reabsorption receptor aquaporin 2. Given that liver cirrhosis patients exhibit hyponatremia due to their pseudo-aldosteronism and usage of natriuretic agents, a sodium maintaining agent, such as tolvaptan, is physiologically preferable. However, large scale studies indicating the patients for whom this would be effective and describing management under its use have been insufficient. The appropriate management of cirrhosis patients treated with tolvaptan should be investigated. In the present review, we collected articles investigating the effectiveness of tolvaptan and factors associated with survival and summarized their management reports. Earlier administration of tolvaptan before increasing the doses of natriuretic agents is recommended because this may preserve effective arterial blood volume. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AdachiTakuya en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeuchiYasuto en-aut-sei=Takeuchi en-aut-mei=Yasuto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakiAkinobu en-aut-sei=Takaki en-aut-mei=Akinobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OyamaAtsushi en-aut-sei=Oyama en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=WadaNozomu en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Nozomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnishiHideki en-aut-sei=Onishi en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShirahaHidenori en-aut-sei=Shiraha en-aut-mei=Hidenori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkadaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Okada en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=tolvaptan kn-keyword=tolvaptan en-keyword=liver cirrhosis kn-keyword=liver cirrhosis en-keyword=ascites kn-keyword=ascites END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=1169 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210423 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Pinhole Multistep Centrifuge Outflow Method for Estimating Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties with Small Volume Soil Samples en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=If soil hydraulic conductivity or water holding capacity could be measured with a small volume of samples, it would benefit international fields where researchers can only carry a limited amount of soils out of particular regions. We performed a pinhole multistep centrifuge outflow method on three types of soil, which included granite decomposed soil (Masa soil), volcanic ash soil (Andisol soil), and alluvial clayey soil (paddy soil). The experiment was conducted using 2 mL and 15 mL centrifuge tubes in which pinholes were created on the top and bottom for air intrusion and outflow, respectively. Water content was measured at 5, 15, and 30 min after applying the centrifuge to examine the equilibrium time. The results showed that pinhole drainage worked well for outflow, and 15 or 30 min was sufficient to obtain data for each step. Compared with equilibrium data, the retention curve was successfully optimized. Although the curve shape was similar, unsaturated hydraulic conductivities deviated largely, which implied that K-s caused convergence issues. When K-s was set as a measured constant, the unsaturated hydraulic properties converged well and gave excellent results. This method can provide soil hydraulic properties of regions where soil sampling is limited and lacks soil data. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=BuiLong Thanh en-aut-sei=Bui en-aut-mei=Long Thanh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=unsaturated hydraulic conductivity kn-keyword=unsaturated hydraulic conductivity en-keyword=retention curve kn-keyword=retention curve en-keyword=multistep outflow kn-keyword=multistep outflow en-keyword=centrifuge method kn-keyword=centrifuge method en-keyword=HYDRUS kn-keyword=HYDRUS en-keyword=inverse solution kn-keyword=inverse solution END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=431 end-page=443 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202105 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Capturing structural changes of the S-1 to S-2 transition of photosystem II using time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes light-induced water oxidation through an S-i-state cycle, leading to the generation of di-oxygen, protons and electrons. Pumpprobe time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography (TR-SFX) has been used to capture structural dynamics of light-sensitive proteins. In this approach, it is crucial to avoid light contamination in the samples when analyzing a particular reaction intermediate. Here, a method for determining a condition that avoids light contamination of the PSII microcrystals while minimizing sample consumption in TR-SFX is described. By swapping the pump and probe pulses with a very short delay between them, the structural changes that occur during the S-1-to-S-2 transition were examined and a boundary of the excitation region was accurately determined. With the sample flow rate and concomitant illumination conditions determined, the S-2-state structure of PSII could be analyzed at room temperature, revealing the structural changes that occur during the S-1-to-S-2 transition at ambient temperature. Though the structure of the manganese cluster was similar to previous studies, the behaviors of the water molecules in the two channels (O1 and O4 channels) were found to be different. By comparing with the previous studies performed at low temperature or with a different delay time, the possible channels for water inlet and structural changes important for the water-splitting reaction were revealed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LiHongjie en-aut-sei=Li en-aut-mei=Hongjie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomuraTakashi en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaharaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Sugahara en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonekuraShinichiro en-aut-sei=Yonekura en-aut-mei=Shinichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChanSiu Kit en-aut-sei=Chan en-aut-mei=Siu Kit kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakaneTakanori en-aut-sei=Nakane en-aut-mei=Takanori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaneTakahiro en-aut-sei=Yamane en-aut-mei=Takahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UmenaYasufumi en-aut-sei=Umena en-aut-mei=Yasufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiMamoru en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Mamoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MasudaTetsuya en-aut-sei=Masuda en-aut-mei=Tetsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=MotomuraTaiki en-aut-sei=Motomura en-aut-mei=Taiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaitowHisashi en-aut-sei=Naitow en-aut-mei=Hisashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsuuraYoshinori en-aut-sei=Matsuura en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimuraTetsunari en-aut-sei=Kimura en-aut-mei=Tetsunari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=15 ORCID= en-aut-name=TonoKensuke en-aut-sei=Tono en-aut-mei=Kensuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=16 ORCID= en-aut-name=OwadaShigeki en-aut-sei=Owada en-aut-mei=Shigeki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=17 ORCID= en-aut-name=JotiYasumasa en-aut-sei=Joti en-aut-mei=Yasumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=18 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaRie en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Rie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=19 ORCID= en-aut-name=NangoEriko en-aut-sei=Nango en-aut-mei=Eriko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=20 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkitaFusamichi en-aut-sei=Akita en-aut-mei=Fusamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=21 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuboMinoru en-aut-sei=Kubo en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=22 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwataSo en-aut-sei=Iwata en-aut-mei=So kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=23 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=24 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugaMichihiro en-aut-sei=Suga en-aut-mei=Michihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=25 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=13 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=14 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=15 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University kn-affil= affil-num=16 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=17 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=18 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=19 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=20 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=21 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=22 en-affil=Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo kn-affil= affil-num=23 en-affil=RIKEN SPring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=24 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=25 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=time-resolved serial crystallography kn-keyword=time-resolved serial crystallography en-keyword=X-ray free-electron lasers kn-keyword=X-ray free-electron lasers en-keyword=membrane proteins kn-keyword=membrane proteins en-keyword=photosystem II kn-keyword=photosystem II en-keyword=serial crystallography kn-keyword=serial crystallography en-keyword=molecular movies kn-keyword=molecular movies en-keyword=protein structures kn-keyword=protein structures END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=75 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=205 end-page=212 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202104 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Camouflage Treatment for Skeletal Maxillary Protrusion and Lateral Deviation with Classic-Type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We herein report the case of a 19-year-old female with a transverse discrepancy, skeletal Class II malocclusion, severe crowding with concerns of classic-type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), aesthetics problems and functional problems. The main characteristics of classic EDS are loose-jointedness and fragile, easily bruised skin that heals with peculiar “cigarette-paper” scars. The anteroposterior and transverse skeletal discrepancies can generally be resolved by maxilla repositioning and mandibular advancement surgery following pre-surgical orthodontic treatment. However, this patient was treated with orthodontic camouflage but not orthognathic surgery because of the risks of skin bruising, poor healing and a temporomandibular disorder. A satisfactory dental appearance and occlusion were achieved after camouflage treatment with orthodontic anchor screws and the use of Class II elastics, including the preservation of the stomatognathic functions. Acceptable occlusion and dentition were maintained after a two-year retention period. This treatment strategy of orthodontic camouflage using temporary anchorage, such as anchor screws and Class II elastics, may be a viable treatment option for skeletal malocclusion patients with EDS. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HoshijimaMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Hoshijima en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawanabeNoriaki en-aut-sei=Kawanabe en-aut-mei=Noriaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=IidaSeiji en-aut-sei=Iida en-aut-mei=Seiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamashiroTakashi en-aut-sei=Yamashiro en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamiokaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Kamioka en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=asymmetry kn-keyword=asymmetry en-keyword=Class II kn-keyword=Class II en-keyword=camouflage kn-keyword=camouflage en-keyword=orthodontic anchor screw kn-keyword=orthodontic anchor screw en-keyword=Ehlers-Danlos syndrome kn-keyword=Ehlers-Danlos syndrome END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=13 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=627 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210227 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Impacts of Land-Use Input Conditions on Flow and Sediment Discharge in the Dakbla Watershed, Central Highlands of Vietnam en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The main objective of this study was to evaluate various land-use input conditions in terms of the performance improvement found in consequent flow and sediment simulations. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) was applied to the Dakbla watershed from 2000 to 2018. After the calibration and validation processes, dissimilar effects between the input conditions on the flow and sediment simulations were confirmed. It was recognized that the impact of the land use on the sediment simulation was more sensitive than with the flow simulation. Additionally, through monthly evaluation, the effects against the flow and sediment in the rainy season were larger than those in the dry season, especially for sediment simulation in the last three months from October to December. Changing land-use conditions could improve flow and sediment simulation performance better than the performance found with static land-use conditions. Updated land-use inputs should be considered in simulations if the given land-use condition changes in a relatively short period because of frequent land-use policy changes by a local government. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TramVo Ngoc Quynh en-aut-sei=Tram en-aut-mei=Vo Ngoc Quynh kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoroizumiToshitsugu en-aut-sei=Moroizumi en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=land-use conversion kn-keyword=land-use conversion en-keyword=afforestation kn-keyword=afforestation en-keyword=deforestation kn-keyword=deforestation en-keyword=agricultural expansion kn-keyword=agricultural expansion en-keyword=urbanization kn-keyword=urbanization en-keyword=mountainous areas kn-keyword=mountainous areas en-keyword=watershed modeling kn-keyword=watershed modeling END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=413 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=3339 end-page=3347 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210313 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Speciation of chromium in water samples using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices with online oxidation of trivalent chromium en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Speciation of chromium (Cr) was demonstrated using microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μ-PADs) that permit the colorimetric determination of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) via online oxidation. The μ-PADs consist of left and right channels that allow the simultaneous measurements of Cr(VI) and total Cr based on the colorimetric reaction of Cr(VI) with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC). For the determination of Cr(VI), a sample solution was directly reacted with DPC in the left channels whereas total Cr was determined in the right channels, which permitted online oxidation in the pretreatment zone containing cerium (IV) (Ce(IV)) followed by a colorimetric reaction with DPC. We found that the online oxidation of Cr(III) proceeded 100% whereas Ce(IV) inhibited the reaction of Cr(VI) with DPC. Therefore, speciation can be achieved by measuring the Cr(VI) and total Cr in the left and right channels followed by the subtraction of Cr(VI) from total Cr. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.008 and 0.02 mg L−1 for Cr(VI) and 0.07 and 0.1 mg L−1 for Cr(III) or total Cr, respectively. The linear dynamic ranges were 0.02–100 mg L−1 and 0.1–60 mg L−1 for Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively. The RSDs were less than 7.5%. The results obtained using μ-PADs were in good agreement with those obtained via ICP-OES with recoveries of 92–108% for Cr(III) and 108–110% for Cr (VI) using μ-PADs, and 106–110% for total Cr using ICP-OES. Thus, the μ-PADs could potentially be utilized for the speciation of chromium in developing countries where environmental pollution and the availability of sophisticated instruments are significant problems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MuhammedAbdellah en-aut-sei=Muhammed en-aut-mei=Abdellah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HussenAhmed en-aut-sei=Hussen en-aut-mei=Ahmed kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Center for Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device kn-keyword=Microfluidic paper-based analytical device en-keyword=Chromium kn-keyword=Chromium en-keyword=Cr(III) kn-keyword=Cr(III) en-keyword=Cr(VI) kn-keyword=Cr(VI) en-keyword=Online oxidation kn-keyword=Online oxidation en-keyword=Speciation kn-keyword=Speciation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=23 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=5760 end-page=5772 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210323 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Two different regimes in alcohol-induced coil–helix transition: effects of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol on proteins being either independent of or enhanced by solvent structural fluctuations en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Inhomogeneous distribution of constituent molecules in a mixed solvent has been known to give remarkable effects on the solute, e.g., conformational changes of biomolecules in an alcohol-water mixture. We investigated the general effects of 2,2,2-trifiuoroethanoE (TFE) on proteins/peptides in a mixture of water and TFE using melittin as a model protein. Fluctuations and Kirkwood-Buff integrals (KBIs) in the TFE-H2O mixture, quantitative descriptions of inhomogeneity, were determined by smallangle X-ray scattering investigation and compared with those in the aqueous solutions of other alcohols. The concentration fluctuation for the mixtures ranks as methanol < ethanol << TFE < tert-butanol < 1-propanol, indicating that the inhomogeneity of molecular distribution in the TFE-H2O mixture is unexpectedly comparable to those in the series of mono-ok. On the basis of the concentration dependence of KBIs between the TFE molecules, it was found that a strong attraction between the TFE molecules is not necessarily important to induce helix conformation, which is inconsistent with the previously proposed mechanism. To address this issue, by combining the KBIs and the helix contents reported by the experimental spectroscopic studies, we quantitatively evaluated the change in the preferential binding parameter of TFE to melittin attributed to the coil-helix transition. As a result, we found two different regimes on TFE-induced helix formation. In the dilute concentration region of TFE below similar to 2 M, where the TFE molecules are not aggregated among themselves, the excess preferential binding of TFE to the helix occurs due to the direct interaction between them, namely independent of the solvent fluctuation. In the higher concentration region above similar to 2 M, in addition to the former effect, the excess preferential binding is significantly enhanced by the solvent fluctuation. This scheme should be held as general cosoEvent effects of TFE on proteins/peptides. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OhgiHiroyo en-aut-sei=Ohgi en-aut-mei=Hiroyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraHiroshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishikawaKeiko en-aut-sei=Nishikawa en-aut-mei=Keiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaYoshikata en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Yoshikata kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=WesthPeter en-aut-sei=Westh en-aut-mei=Peter kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=1303 end-page=1310 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210122 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Unveiling the Interaction Potential Surface between Drug-Entrapped Polymeric Micelles Clarifying the High Drug Nanocarrier Efficiency en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= Polymeric micelles are invaluable media as drug nanocarriers. Although knowledge of an interaction between the micelles is a key to understanding the mechanisms and developing the superior functions, the interaction potential surface between drug-incorporated polymeric micelles has not yet been quantitatively evaluated due to the extremely complex structure. Here, the interaction potential surface between drug-entrapped polymeric micelles was unveiled by combining a small-angle scattering experiment and a model-potential-free liquid-state theory. Triblock copolymer composed of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) was investigated over a wide concentration range (0.5–10.0 wt %). Effects of the entrapment of a water-insoluble hydrophobic drug, cyclosporin A, on the interaction were explored by comparing the interactions with and without the drug. The results directly clarified the high drug carrier efficiency in terms of the interaction between the micelles. In addition, an investigation based on density functional theory provided a deeper insight into the monomer contribution to the extremely stable dispersion of the nanocarrier. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MoritaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukaideSayaka en-aut-sei=Mukaide en-aut-mei=Sayaka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChenZiqiao en-aut-sei=Chen en-aut-mei=Ziqiao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HigashiKenjirou en-aut-sei=Higashi en-aut-mei=Kenjirou kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraHiroshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoribeKunikazu en-aut-sei=Moribe en-aut-mei=Kunikazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SumiTomonari en-aut-sei=Sumi en-aut-mei=Tomonari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Science, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=polymeric micelle kn-keyword=polymeric micelle en-keyword=drug entrapment kn-keyword=drug entrapment en-keyword=nanocarrier kn-keyword=nanocarrier en-keyword=interaction potential surface kn-keyword=interaction potential surface en-keyword=small-angle X-ray scattering kn-keyword=small-angle X-ray scattering en-keyword=model-potential-free liquid-state theory kn-keyword=model-potential-free liquid-state theory END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=55 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210309 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Core-Shell Droplet Generation Device Using a Flexural Bolt-Clamped Langevin-Type Ultrasonic Transducer en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Droplets with a core-shell structure formed from two immiscible liquids are used in various industrial field owing to their useful physical and chemical characteristics. Efficient generation of uniform core-shell droplets plays an important role in terms of productivity. In this study, monodisperse core-shell droplets were efficiently generated using a flexural bolt-clamped Langevin-type transducer and two micropore plates. Water and silicone oil were used as core and shell phases, respectively, to form core-shell droplets in air. When the applied pressure of the core phase, the applied pressure of the shell phase, and the vibration velocity in the micropore were 200 kPa, 150 kPa, and 8.2 mm/s, respectively, the average diameter and coefficient of variation of the droplets were 207.7 mu m and 1.6%, respectively. A production rate of 29,000 core-shell droplets per second was achieved. This result shows that the developed device is effective for generating monodisperse core-shell droplets. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OmoriKentaro en-aut-sei=Omori en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimotoNozomu en-aut-sei=Fujimoto en-aut-mei=Nozomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KandaTakefumi en-aut-sei=Kanda en-aut-mei=Takefumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WakimotoShuichi en-aut-sei=Wakimoto en-aut-mei=Shuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SenoNorihisa en-aut-sei=Seno en-aut-mei=Norihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=core-shell droplet kn-keyword=core-shell droplet en-keyword=microfluidic device kn-keyword=microfluidic device en-keyword=ultrasonic transducer kn-keyword=ultrasonic transducer END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=7 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=52 end-page=62 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20211231 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dioxin sources to the aquatic environment: Re-assessing dioxins in industrial processes and possible emissions to the aquatic en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Releases of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) from industrial or thermal processes to the aquatic environment are considered small compared to emissions to air today. However, industrial processes have occasionally released PCDD/PCDFs into local aquatic environments. . PCDD/PCDF formation and releases were re-examined based on investigations conducted before the introduction of water quality regulations in Japan. Emphasis was given to PCDD/PCDF formation in various industrial processes such as the manufacture of acetylene and caprolactam.In acetylene production, PCDD/PCDFs are formed in the oxidative process using chlorine to remove impurities, with PCDFs formed with the particular chlorine pattern with 1,2,7,8-TetraCDF, 2,3,7,8-TetraCDFs and 1,2,3,4,7,8-HexaCDF as maker congeners and low PCDDs levels. This indicates that acetylene production residues contain organochlorines.In caprolactam production, formation of PCDD/PCDFs in the cyclohexane photonitrosation process has been confirmed and the emission factor for PCDD/PCDF releases to water from for caprolactam manufacture was estimated with an emission factor for releases to the aquatic environment of 0.25 ± 0.04 μg-TEQ/t.A range of additional processes with PCDD/PCDF release were also found during the Japanese survey. Overall, the formation processes were placed in two categories: A) chemical synthesis processes and B) flue gas treatment of high temperature processes. The final effluent water met the PCDD/PCDF limits by applying advanced treatment for PCDD/PCDF removal such as activated carbon treatment. The survey shows that industrial processes involving elemental chlorine or other processes that facilitate chlorination or use chlorinating chemicals should be assessed and controlled for PCDD/PCDFs and other unintentional POPs releases to water. In such surveys, chemicals from the chlorine and organochlorine industry should also be assessed for PCDD/PCDFs and other unintentional POPs contamination as proposed by the UNEP Toolkit. The current study can contribute to the Stockholm Convention implementation of Article 5 of the Stockholm Convention to take measures to reduce the release of UPOPs from anthropogenic sources with the goal of their continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KawamotoKatsuya en-aut-sei=Kawamoto en-aut-mei=Katsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=WeberRoland en-aut-sei=Weber en-aut-mei=Roland kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=POPs Environmental Consulting, kn-affil= en-keyword=PCDD/PCDF kn-keyword=PCDD/PCDF en-keyword=Water pollutionIndustrial sources kn-keyword=Water pollutionIndustrial sources en-keyword=Acetylene manufacturing kn-keyword=Acetylene manufacturing en-keyword=Caprolactam manufacturing kn-keyword=Caprolactam manufacturing en-keyword=Pattern kn-keyword=Pattern en-keyword=Unintentional POPs kn-keyword=Unintentional POPs END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=154 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=094502 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210301 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Formation of hot ice caused by carbon nanobrushes. II. Dependency on the radius of nanotubes en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Stable crystalline structures of confined water can be different from bulk ice. In Paper I [T. Yagasaki et al., J. Chem. Phys. 151, 064702 (2019)] of this study, it was shown, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, that a zeolite-like ice structure forms in nanobrushes consisting of (6,6) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) when the CNTs are located in a triangle arrangement. The melting temperature of the zeolite-like ice structure is much higher than the melting temperature of ice Ih when the distance between the surfaces of CNTs is ∼0.94 nm, which is the best spacing for the bilayer structure of water. In this paper, we perform MD simulations of nanobrushes of CNTs that are different from (6,6) CNTs in radius. Several new porous ice structures form spontaneously in the MD simulations. A stable porous ice forms when the radius of its cavities matches the radius of the CNTs well. All cylindrical porous ice structures found in this study can be decomposed into a small number of structural blocks. We provide a new protocol to classify cylindrical porous ice crystals on the basis of this decomposition. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MatsumotoMasakazu en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Masakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YagasakiTakuma en-aut-sei=Yagasaki en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaHideki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=4 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=382 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210322 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=High-resolution cryo-EM structure of photosystem II reveals damage from high-dose electron beams en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosystem II (PSII) plays a key role in water-splitting and oxygen evolution. X-ray crystallography has revealed its atomic structure and some intermediate structures. However, these structures are in the crystalline state and its final state structure has not been solved. Here we analyzed the structure of PSII in solution at 1.95 Å resolution by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The structure obtained is similar to the crystal structure, but a PsbY subunit was visible in the cryo-EM structure, indicating that it represents its physiological state more closely. Electron beam damage was observed at a high-dose in the regions that were easily affected by redox states, and reducing the beam dosage by reducing frames from 50 to 2 yielded a similar resolution but reduced the damage remarkably. This study will serve as a good indicator for determining damage-free cryo-EM structures of not only PSII but also all biological samples, especially redox-active metalloproteins. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatoKoji en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyazakiNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Miyazaki en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HamaguchiTasuku en-aut-sei=Hamaguchi en-aut-mei=Tasuku kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakajimaYoshiki en-aut-sei=Nakajima en-aut-mei=Yoshiki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkitaFusamichi en-aut-sei=Akita en-aut-mei=Fusamichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=YonekuraKoji en-aut-sei=Yonekura en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Biostructural Mechanism Laboratory, RIKEN Spring-8 Center kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=26 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=7 end-page=10 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202103 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Mitigation Effect of Thermal Environment on the Asphalt by Sprayed Water kn-title=散水によるアスファルト上の暑熱環境緩和効果 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=In this study, water was sprinkled on the asphalt surface during the hottest hours of the day using a sprinkler, and the effect was experimentally verified. An air temperature, a humidity, a ground surface temperature, and a globe temperature which is radiant heat from the ground were measured, and using these measurements, WBGT (Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature), which is an index of thermal stress on the human body, was calculated. In this way, we investigated not only the climate mitigation effect but also the mitigation effect of the thermal environment felt by the human body.
As a result, the following points were clarified in this study: 1) During sprinkling, the air temperature, the black globe temperature, and the WBGT were lower in the sprinkled area than in the controlled area, and the wet-bulb temperature hardly changed. 2) Focusing on the amount of change after watering compared to before watering, the air temperature, the globe temperature, and the WBGT decreased, and the wet-bulb temperature hardly changed. 3) In the sprinkled area, when the WBGT value just before watering is higher than that of the strict caution (WBGT is 28°C or higher), it drops to a level one rank lower, and when the WBGT value just before watering is warning (WBGT value is 25°C or higher), it was almost no change. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MOROIZUMIToshitsugu en-aut-sei=MOROIZUMI en-aut-mei=Toshitsugu kn-aut-name=諸泉利嗣 kn-aut-sei=諸泉 kn-aut-mei=利嗣 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ITONaoya en-aut-sei=ITO en-aut-mei=Naoya kn-aut-name=伊藤尚也 kn-aut-sei=伊藤 kn-aut-mei=尚也 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MIURATakeshi en-aut-sei=MIURA en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name=三浦健志 kn-aut-sei=三浦 kn-aut-mei=健志 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=前田道路㈱ affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科（名誉教授） en-keyword=WBGT kn-keyword=WBGT en-keyword=Air temperature kn-keyword=Air temperature en-keyword=Globe Temperature kn-keyword=Globe Temperature en-keyword=Thermal environment kn-keyword=Thermal environment en-keyword=Sprayed water kn-keyword=Sprayed water END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=14 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=143 end-page=149 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=2020 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Estimation of long-term external nutrient loading from watersheds to Lake Biwa by a combined rainfall-runoff model and loading-discharge curve approach en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=External nutrient loadings to Lake Biwa were estimated using a combined tank model and loading-discharge curve approach. The model was applied to collective drainage basins of the lake’s Imazu (northwest), Hikone (northeast), and Otsu (south) areas. The hourly model was conducted using particular discharges from Kita (Ado) river, Takatoki (Ane) river, and Yasu River to obtain loading curves for phosphate (PO4) and silica (SiO2) by assimilating measured concentrations (2002–2003). The tank model was updated by adding an evapotranspiration routine and direct paths of groundwater discharges to the lake floor. The daily model was calibrated through analysis of water budget among the basin, inflow, lake and outflow, and then validated. The model was established and combined into a loading-discharge curve to determine the long-term external nutrient loadings entering the lake (1980–2017). Seasonal variation in nutrient loadings increased during spring and summer and decreased during winter. Annual phosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P) loading ranged from 217 to 296 tons yr–1 in the North Basin and 45 to 76 tons yr–1 in the South Basin, while SiO2 loading fluctuated from 16,027 to 32,655 tons yr–1 and 2,518 to 5,490 tons yr–1 in the North and South Basins, respectively. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Le TienHuu en-aut-sei=Le Tien en-aut-mei=Huu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkuboKenji en-aut-sei=Okubo en-aut-mei=Kenji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=Ho ThiPhuong en-aut-sei=Ho Thi en-aut-mei=Phuong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoMitsuyo en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Mitsuyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Technologies, Vinh University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=9 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=15929 end-page=15938 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210120 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Capacity Loss From Localization Error in MIMO Channel Using Leaky Coaxial Cable en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Leaky coaxial (LCX) cable has been employed as antennas for wireless traffic over many linear-cell scenarios such as railway station, tunnels and shopping malls. In addition, LCX can be used for user localization and wireless power transfer (WPT). Compared with the equal power allocation method, the power allocation method for LCX system using positional information (PI) can improve its capacity with the same level of computational complexity. In this paper, we will investigate the level of capacity loss on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band for the conventional equal power (EP) allocation method, the water-filling (WF) based power allocation, and our proposed low-complexity power allocation method for LCX system with PI. The results show that LCX system with our proposed method using PI can reduce the capacity loss due to localization error than that of others. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ZhuJunjie en-aut-sei=Zhu en-aut-mei=Junjie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HouYafei en-aut-sei=Hou en-aut-mei=Yafei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagayamaKenta en-aut-sei=Nagayama en-aut-mei=Kenta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=DennoSatoshi en-aut-sei=Denno en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Leaky coaxial cable (LCX) kn-keyword=Leaky coaxial cable (LCX) en-keyword=LCX-MIMO kn-keyword=LCX-MIMO en-keyword=positional information kn-keyword=positional information en-keyword=channel capacity kn-keyword=channel capacity en-keyword=power allocation kn-keyword=power allocation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=95 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=1241 end-page=1250 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210116 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Spatiotemporal analysis of the UPR transition induced by methylmercury in the mouse brain en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Methylmercury (MeHg), an environmental toxicant, induces neuronal cell death and injures a specific area of the brain. MeHg-mediated neurotoxicity is believed to be caused by oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress but the mechanism by which those stresses lead to neuronal loss is unclear. Here, by utilizing the ER stress-activated indicator (ERAI) system, we investigated the signaling alterations in the unfolded protein response (UPR) prior to neuronal apoptosis in the mouse brain. In ERAI transgenic mice exposed to MeHg (25 mg/kg, S.C.), the ERAI signal, which indicates activation of the cytoprotective pathway of the UPR, was detected in the brain. Interestingly, detailed ex vivo analysis showed that the ERAI signal was localized predominantly in neurons. Time course analysis of MeHg exposure (30 ppm in drinking water) showed that whereas the ERAI signal was gradually attenuated at the late phase after increasing at the early phase, activation of the apoptotic pathway of the UPR was enhanced in proportion to the exposure time. These results suggest that MeHg induces not only ER stress but also neuronal cell death via a UPR shift. UPR modulation could be a therapeutic target for treating neuropathy caused by electrophiles similar to MeHg. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HiraokaHideki en-aut-sei=Hiraoka en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NomuraRyosuke en-aut-sei=Nomura en-aut-mei=Ryosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakasugiNobumasa en-aut-sei=Takasugi en-aut-mei=Nobumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkaiRyoko en-aut-sei=Akai en-aut-mei=Ryoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwawakiTakao en-aut-sei=Iwawaki en-aut-mei=Takao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KumagaiYoshito en-aut-sei=Kumagai en-aut-mei=Yoshito kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujimuraMasatake en-aut-sei=Fujimura en-aut-mei=Masatake kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeharaTakashi en-aut-sei=Uehara en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Cell Medicine, Department of Life Science, Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Cell Medicine, Department of Life Science, Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Environmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Basic Medical Science, National Institute for Minamata Disease kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Methylmercury kn-keyword=Methylmercury en-keyword=Neuronal cell death kn-keyword=Neuronal cell death en-keyword=ER stress kn-keyword=ER stress en-keyword=UPR kn-keyword=UPR en-keyword=ERAI gene kn-keyword=ERAI gene END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=110 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=7 end-page=13 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210201 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Studies for stabilization of flower color and cut flower longevity kn-title=花色の安定化と切り花の延命に関する研究 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=　My research interest is in the physiology and ecology of ornamental plants. Here, I introduce my research subjects on the stabilization of flower color and cut flower longevity. Seasonal color change of dahlia (Dahlia variabilis) is studied as practical study for improving the stable dahlia cut flower production during autumn and winter. The results obtained from pigment analysis and clone selection are presented. Research on cut flower longevity is presented from two aspects. Firstly, study on the structure of conductive tissues that contribute to water transport is presented. Secondly, study on the floral organs that contribute to transpiration from cut flowers is presented. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitamuraYoshikuni en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Yoshikuni kn-aut-name=北村嘉邦 kn-aut-sei=北村 kn-aut-mei=嘉邦 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院環境生命科学研究科 en-keyword=cut flower kn-keyword=cut flower en-keyword=flower color kn-keyword=flower color en-keyword=transpiration kn-keyword=transpiration END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=1 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=80 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20201217 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=On the Occurrence of Clathrate Hydrates in Extreme Conditions: Dissociation Pressures and Occupancies at Cryogenic Temperatures with Application to Planetary Systems en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We investigate the thermodynamic stability of clathrate hydrates at cryogenic temperatures from the 0 K limit to 200 K in a wide range of pressures, covering the thermodynamic conditions of interstellar space and the surface of the hydrosphere in satellites. Our evaluation of the phase behaviors is performed by setting up quantum partition functions with variable pressures on the basis of a rigorous statistical mechanics theory that requires only the intermolecular interactions as input. Noble gases, hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and oxygen are chosen as the guest species, which are key components of the volatiles in such satellites. We explore the hydrate/water two-phase boundary of those clathrate hydrates in water-rich conditions and the hydrate/guest two-phase boundary in guest-rich conditions, either of which occurs on the surface or subsurface of icy satellites. The obtained phase diagrams indicate that clathrate hydrates can be in equilibrium with either water or the guest species over a wide range far distant from the three-phase coexistence condition and that the stable pressure zone of each clathrate hydrate expands significantly on intense cooling. The implication of our findings for the stable form of water in Titan is that water on the surface exists only as clathrate hydrate with the atmosphere down to a shallow region of the crust, but clathrate hydrate in the remaining part of the crust can coexist with water ice. This is in sharp contrast to the surfaces of Europa and Ganymede, where the thin oxygen air coexists exclusively with pure ice. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TanakaHideki en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Hideki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YagasakiTakuma en-aut-sei=Yagasaki en-aut-mei=Takuma kn-aut-name=琢 kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei=琢 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoMasakazu en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Masakazu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=232 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=17 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210106 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Enhancement of Zinc Ion Removal from Water by Physically Mixed Particles of Iron/Iron Sulfide en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Zinc (Zn) removal by physically mixed particles of zero-valent iron (Fe) and iron sulfide (FeS) was investigated as one technology for Zn removal from waste groundwater. The effects of the Fe/FeS mass ratio, including a single Fe and FeS particles, and pH on changes in the concentrations of Zn, Fe, and S were examined by a batch test and column tests, and the mechanism of Zn elimination was discussed. Among all the mixing fractions of Fe and FeS, Zn was eliminated most effectively by 3Fe/7FeS (mass ratio of Fe/FeS = 3/7). The Zn removal rate decreased in the order of 3Fe/7FeS, FeS, and Fe, whereas the Fe concentration decreased in the order of Fe, FeS, and 3Fe/7FeS. The S concentration of FeS was larger than that of 3Fe/7FeS. The Zn removal rate by physically mixed 3Fe/7FeS particles was enhanced by a local cell reaction between the Fe and FeS particles. The electrons caused by Fe corrosion moved to the FeS surface and reduced the dissolved oxygen in the solution. Zn2+, Fe2+, and OH− ions in the solution were then coprecipitated on the particles as ZnFe2(OH)6 and oxidized to ZnFe2O4. Moreover, Zn2+ was sulfurized as ZnS by both the Fe/FeS mixture and the simple FeS particles. The Zn removal rate increased with increasing pH in the range from pH 3 to 7. From a kinetic analysis of Zn removal, the rate constant of anode (Fe)/cathode (FeS) reaction was almost the same as that of ZnS formation and slightly larger than that of Fe alone. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KambaYuya en-aut-sei=Kamba en-aut-mei=Yuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=UetaMiharu en-aut-sei=Ueta en-aut-mei=Miharu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UddinMd. Azhar en-aut-sei=Uddin en-aut-mei=Md. Azhar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatoYoshiei en-aut-sei=Kato en-aut-mei=Yoshiei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Material and Energy Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Material and Energy Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Material and Energy Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Material and Energy Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Zero-valent iron kn-keyword=Zero-valent iron en-keyword=Iron sulfide kn-keyword=Iron sulfide en-keyword=Zinc ion kn-keyword=Zinc ion en-keyword=Zinc removal kn-keyword=Zinc removal en-keyword=Groundwater treatment kn-keyword=Groundwater treatment END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=292 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=110325 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=202103 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Crystallization characteristics of amorphous trehalose dried from alcohol en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Trehalose forms a glass that can be used to preserve labile substances under desiccation. The crystallization characteristics, namely crystallization temperature (Tcry) and isothermal crystallization behavior of amorphous trehalose, dried from alcohol (methanol, ethanol), was analyzed and the results were compared with those for the amorphous trehalose freeze-dried from water. The use of alcohol as a solvent lowered the Tcry from 184 ± 6 °C for the case of an aqueous solvent to 103 ± 5 °C/methanol and 120 ± 8 °C/ethanol. The formation of multiple forms of crystals and partial melting were suggested by the thermal analysis. Isothermal crystallization experiments showed that the alcohol-originated amorphous trehalose was eventually exclusively converted into β-form crystals. The induction period (tind) before the start of isothermal crystallization was markedly shortened when alcohol was used as the solvent compared to water. The tind values for various amorphous sugar samples including the alcohol-originated ones could be correlated with difference between Tcry and the sample temperature. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SekitohTakanari en-aut-sei=Sekitoh en-aut-mei=Takanari kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoTakashi en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujiokaAkiho en-aut-sei=Fujioka en-aut-mei=Akiho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiokaTomohiko en-aut-sei=Yoshioka en-aut-mei=Tomohiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeruiShinji en-aut-sei=Terui en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImanakaHiroyuki en-aut-sei=Imanaka en-aut-mei=Hiroyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IshidaNaoyuki en-aut-sei=Ishida en-aut-mei=Naoyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImamuraKoreyoshi en-aut-sei=Imamura en-aut-mei=Koreyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Trehalose kn-keyword=Trehalose en-keyword=Crystallization kn-keyword=Crystallization en-keyword=Anhydrous crystal kn-keyword=Anhydrous crystal en-keyword=Methanol kn-keyword=Methanol en-keyword=Vacuum foam drying kn-keyword=Vacuum foam drying END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=20 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page=916 end-page=921 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200708 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The Albedo of Ryugu: Evidence for a High Organic Abundance, as Inferred from the Hayabusa2 Touchdown Maneuver en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The Hayabusa2 mission successfully collected samples from the asteroid Ryugu last year and will return these to Earth in December 2020. It is anticipated that the samples will enable the analysis of terrestrially uncontaminated organic matter and minerals. Such analyses are in turn expected to elucidate the evolution of organic matter through Solar System history, including the origination and processing of biogenically important molecules, which could have been utilized by the first organisms on Earth. In anticipation, studies have made predictions concerning the properties of Ryugu, including its composition. The spectral characteristics of Ryugu, such as albedo, have been employed to relate the asteroid to members of the carbonaceous chondrite group that have been identified on Earth. However, the recent Hayabusa2 touchdown highlights a disparity between the color of surfaces of displaced platy fragments, indicating a brightening trend for the surface exposed to space compared to that facing into the body. Here we present a mass balance calculation with reference to data from the literature, which indicates that Ryugu may contain a significantly higher abundance of organic matter (likely >50%) than the currently most accepted meteorite analogues. A high organic content may result in high levels of extractable organic matter for the second touchdown site, where the spacecraft sampled freshly exposed material. However, high abundances of insoluble aromatic/graphitic rich organic matter may be present in the first touchdown site, which sampled the surface of Ryugu that had been exposed to space. Moreover, we suggest that the potentially high organic abundance and the rubble-pile nature of Ryugu may originate from the capture of rocky debris by a comet nucleus and subsequent water-organic-mineral interactions and sublimation of water ice. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PotiszilChristian en-aut-sei=Potiszil en-aut-mei=Christian kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanakaRyoji en-aut-sei=Tanaka en-aut-mei=Ryoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiKatsura en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Katsura kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunihiroTak en-aut-sei=Kunihiro en-aut-mei=Tak kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraEizo en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Hayabusa2 kn-keyword=Hayabusa2 en-keyword=Ryugu kn-keyword=Ryugu en-keyword=Sample return kn-keyword=Sample return en-keyword=Organic matter kn-keyword=Organic matter en-keyword=Albedo. Astrobiology 20, 916–921 kn-keyword=Albedo. Astrobiology 20, 916–921 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=12 article-no= start-page=2947 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20201209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Flexural Strength of Resin Core Build-Up Materials: Correlation to Root Dentin Shear Bond Strength and Pull-Out Force en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of root dentin shear bond strength and pull-out force of resin core build-up materials on flexural strength immediately after setting, after one-day water storage, and after 20,000 thermocycles. Eight core build-up and three luting materials were investigated, using 10 specimens (n = 10) per subgroup. At three time periods-immediately after setting, after one-day water storage, and after 20,000 thermocycles, shear bond strengths to root dentin and pull-out forces were measured. Flexural strengths were measured using a 3-point bending test. For all core build-up and luting materials, the mean data of flexural strength, shear bond strength and pull-out force were the lowest immediately after setting. After one-day storage, almost all the materials yielded their highest results. A weak, but statistically significant, correlation was found between flexural strength and shear bond strength (r = 0.508, p = 0.0026, n = 33). As the pull-out force increased, the flexural strength of core build-up materials also increased (r = 0.398, p = 0.0218, n = 33). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using these three independent factors of flexural strength, pull-out force and root dentin shear bond strength, which showed this relationship: Flexural strength = 3.264 x Shear bond strength + 1.533 x Pull out force + 10.870, p = 0.002). For all the 11 core build-up and luting materials investigated immediately after setting, after one-day storage and after 20,000 thermocycles, their shear bond strengths to root dentin and pull-out forces were correlated to the flexural strength in core build-up materials. It was concluded that the flexural strength results of the core build-up material be used in research and quality control for the predictor of the shear bond strength to the root dentin and the retentive force of the post. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IrieMasao en-aut-sei=Irie en-aut-mei=Masao kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaruoYukinori en-aut-sei=Maruo en-aut-mei=Yukinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishigawaGoro en-aut-sei=Nishigawa en-aut-mei=Goro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshiharaKumiko en-aut-sei=Yoshihara en-aut-mei=Kumiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsumotoTakuya en-aut-sei=Matsumoto en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Occlusion and Removable Prosthodontics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Occlusion and Removable Prosthodontics, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Health and Medical Research Institute kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=flexural strength kn-keyword=flexural strength en-keyword=resin core build-up materials kn-keyword=resin core build-up materials en-keyword=durability kn-keyword=durability en-keyword=pull-out force kn-keyword=pull-out force en-keyword=bond strength kn-keyword=bond strength END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=12 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=3158 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20201112 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Organic Matter Clogging Results in Undeveloped Hardpan and Soil Mineral Leakage in the Rice Terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Rice terraces in Cordillera, Philippines, a world cultural heritage site, are threatened by the risk of collapse. It is crucial to manage these rice terraces for their conservation, while simultaneously practicing traditional farming. We examined the soil environment and investigated its effects on rice terrace conservation, by focusing on the hardpan condition; infiltration process, which is related to the collapse of rice terraces; and soil nutrition conditions in these sites. Field survey and soil analysis revealed that in areas where the hardpan was not sufficiently developed and water infiltration was effectively suppressed, organic matter content was significantly high, suggesting organic matter clogging. In these rice terraces, the amounts of P, K, Ca, and Mn were significantly low, showing the mineral leaching under reductive soil conditions. Therefore, hardpan formation, rather than organic matter clogging, is essential for the suppression of infiltration and prevention of potential terrace collapse. Because hardpan formation or organic matter clogging cannot be identified from the surface of flooded rice paddies, it is difficult to identify the influencing factor. Thus, we suggest that the hard soil layer should be checked before the planting season and drainage is allowed after the cropping season in the rainy season. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KurozumiTomoyo en-aut-sei=Kurozumi en-aut-mei=Tomoyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoriYasushi en-aut-sei=Mori en-aut-mei=Yasushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SomuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Somura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=O-HowMilagros en-aut-sei=O-How en-aut-mei=Milagros kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Universal Harvester Inc. kn-affil= en-keyword=rice terrace kn-keyword=rice terrace en-keyword=hardpan kn-keyword=hardpan en-keyword=infiltration kn-keyword=infiltration en-keyword=organic matter kn-keyword=organic matter en-keyword=clogging kn-keyword=clogging en-keyword=Philippine Cordillera kn-keyword=Philippine Cordillera END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=304 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=109402 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202009 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Mineralogical alterations in calcite powder flooded with MgCl2 to study Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) mechanisms at pore scale en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Seawater injection into chalk-reservoirs on the Norwegian Continental Shelf has increased the oil recovery and reduced seabed subsidence, but not eliminated it. Therefore, understanding rock–fluid interactions is paramount to optimize water injection, predict and control water-induced compaction.
Laboratory experiments on onshore and reservoir chalks have shown the need to simplify the aqueous chemistry of the brine, and also the importance of studying the effect of primary mineralogy of chalk to understand which ions interact with the minerals present. In this study, the mineralogy of the samples tested, are simplified. These experiments are carried out on pure calcite powder (99.95%), compressed to cylinders, flooded with MgCl2, at 130 °C and 0.5 MPa effective stress, for 27 and 289 days.
The tested material was analysed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, along with whole-rock geochemistry. The results show dissolution of calcite followed by precipitation of magnesite. The occurrence and shape of new-grown crystals depend on flooding time and distance from the flooding inlet of the cylinder. Crystals vary in shape and size, from a few nanometres up to 2 μm after 27 days, and to over 10 μm after 289 days of flooding and may crystallize as a single grain or in clusters.
The population and distribution of new-grown minerals are found to be controlled by nucleation- and growth-rates along with advection of the injected fluid through the cores. Our findings are compared with in-house experiments on chalks, and allow for insight of where, when, and how crystals preferentially grow. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MindeMona W. en-aut-sei=Minde en-aut-mei=Mona W. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MadlandMerete V. en-aut-sei=Madland en-aut-mei=Merete V. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ZimmermannUdo en-aut-sei=Zimmermann en-aut-mei=Udo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=EgelandNina en-aut-sei=Egeland en-aut-mei=Nina kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KorsnesReidar I. en-aut-sei=Korsnes en-aut-mei=Reidar I. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraEizo en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=KobayashiKatsura en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Katsura kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OtaTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ota en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=The National IOR Centre of Norway kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=The National IOR Centre of Norway kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=The National IOR Centre of Norway kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=The National IOR Centre of Norway kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=The National IOR Centre of Norway kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Mineral replacement reactions kn-keyword=Mineral replacement reactions en-keyword=EOR kn-keyword=EOR en-keyword=Calcite kn-keyword=Calcite en-keyword=FE-SEM kn-keyword=FE-SEM en-keyword=FE-TEM kn-keyword=FE-TEM END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=269 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=115934 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20201109 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cadmium transfer in contaminated soil-rice systems: Insights from solid-state speciation analysis and stable isotope fractionation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Initial Cadmium (Cd) isotope fractionation studies in cereals ascribed the retention of Cd and its light isotopes to the binding of Cd to sulfur (S). To better understand the relation of Cd binding to S and Cd isotope fractionation in soils and plants, we combined isotope and XAS speciation analyses in soil-rice systems that were rich in Cd and S. The systems included distinct water management (flooded vs. non-flooded) and rice accessions with (excluder) and without (non-excluder) functional membrane transporter OsHMA3 that transports Cd into root vacuoles. Initially, 13% of Cd in the soil was bound to S. Through soil flooding, the proportion of Cd bound to S increased to 100%. Soil flooding enriched the rice plants towards heavy isotopes (δ114/110Cd = −0.37 to −0.39%) compared to the plants that grew on non-flooded soils (δ114/110Cd = −0.45 to −0.56%) suggesting that preferentially light Cd isotopes precipitated into Cd sulfides. Isotope compositions in CaCl2 root extracts indicated that the root surface contributed to the isotope shift between soil and plant during soil flooding. In rice roots, Cd was fully bound to S in all treatments. The roots in the excluder rice strongly retained Cd and its lights isotopes while heavy isotopes were transported to the shoots (Δ114/110Cdshoot-root 0.16–0.19‰). The non-excluder rice accumulated Cd in shoots and the apparent difference in isotope composition between roots and shoots was smaller than that of the excluder rice (Δ114/110Cdshoot-root −0.02 to 0.08‰). We ascribe the retention of light Cd isotopes in the roots of the excluder rice to the membrane transport of Cd by OsHMA3 and/or chelating Cd–S complexes in the vacuole. Cd–S was the major binding form in flooded soils and rice roots and partly contributed to the immobilization of Cd and its light isotopes in soil-rice systems. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WiggenhauserMatthias en-aut-sei=Wiggenhauser en-aut-mei=Matthias kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=AucourAnne-Marie en-aut-sei=Aucour en-aut-mei=Anne-Marie kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=BureauSarah en-aut-sei=Bureau en-aut-mei=Sarah kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=CampilloSylvain en-aut-sei=Campillo en-aut-mei=Sylvain kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TeloukPhilippe en-aut-sei=Telouk en-aut-mei=Philippe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=RomaniMarco en-aut-sei=Romani en-aut-mei=Marco kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaJian Feng en-aut-sei=Ma en-aut-mei=Jian Feng kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=LandrotGautier en-aut-sei=Landrot en-aut-mei=Gautier kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SarretGéraldine en-aut-sei=Sarret en-aut-mei=Géraldine kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Univ. Grenoble Alpes kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Université de Lyon kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Univ. Grenoble Alpes kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Univ. Grenoble Alpes kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Université de Lyon kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Centro Ricerche sul Riso, Ente Nazionale Risi, Strada per Ceretto kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=nstitute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Ormes des Merisiers kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Univ. Grenoble Alpes kn-affil= en-keyword=Cadmium kn-keyword=Cadmium en-keyword=Rice kn-keyword=Rice en-keyword=Isotopes kn-keyword=Isotopes en-keyword=Speciation kn-keyword=Speciation en-keyword=Membrane transporter kn-keyword=Membrane transporter en-keyword=Vacuole kn-keyword=Vacuole en-keyword=Sulfur kn-keyword=Sulfur en-keyword=Redox kn-keyword=Redox END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=6 cd-vols= no-issue=Suppl. 7 article-no= start-page=248 end-page=254 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20201204 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Self-assembly of Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide at room temperature for oxygen evolution reaction en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Active and stable electrocatalysts are the key to water electrolysis for hydrogen production. This paper reports a facile direct growth method to synthesize NiFe-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) on nickel foil as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. The NiFe-LDH is synthesized by a galvanic process at room temperature without any additional energy for synthesis. The synthesized NiFe-LDH is a karst landform with abundant active sites and efficient mass diffusion. The NiFe-LDH with an oxygen defect show excellent electrocatalytic performance for the OER, with a low overpotential (272 mV at 10 mA/cm2), a small Tafel slope (43 mV/dec), and superior durability. Direct growth synthesis provide excellent electrical conductivity as well as strong bonding between the catalyst layer and the substrate. In addition, this synthesis process is simple to apply in the fabrication of a large size electrode and is believed to be applicable to commercialized alkaline water electrolysis. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KimSeong Hyun en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Seong Hyun kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ParkYoo Sei en-aut-sei=Park en-aut-mei=Yoo Sei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimChiho en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Chiho kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KwonIl Yeong en-aut-sei=Kwon en-aut-mei=Il Yeong kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeJooyoung en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Jooyoung kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=JinHyunsoo en-aut-sei=Jin en-aut-mei=Hyunsoo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=LeeYoon-Seok en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Yoon-Seok kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChoiSung Mook en-aut-sei=Choi en-aut-mei=Sung Mook kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KimYangdo en-aut-sei=Kim en-aut-mei=Yangdo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Materials Center for Energy Department, Surface Technology Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science, kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Materials Center for Energy Department, Surface Technology Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University kn-affil= en-keyword=Water electrolysis kn-keyword=Water electrolysis en-keyword=Oxygen evolution reaction kn-keyword=Oxygen evolution reaction en-keyword=NiFe layered double hydroxide kn-keyword=NiFe layered double hydroxide en-keyword=Room temperature synthesis kn-keyword=Room temperature synthesis en-keyword=Electrocatalyst kn-keyword=Electrocatalyst END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=19 article-no= start-page=7135 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200927 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Survey of Barley PIP Aquaporin Ionic Conductance Reveals Ca2+-Sensitive HvPIP2;8 Na+ and K+ Conductance en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Some plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) aquaporins can facilitate ion transport. Here we report that one of the 12 barley PIPs (PIP1 and PIP2) tested, HvPIP2;8, facilitated cation transport when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. HvPIP2;8-associated ion currents were detected with Na+ and K+, but not Cs+, Rb+, or Li+, and was inhibited by Ba2+, Ca2+, and Cd2+ and to a lesser extent Mg2+, which also interacted with Ca2+. Currents were reduced in the presence of K+, Cs+, Rb+, or Li+ relative to Na+ alone. Five HvPIP1 isoforms co-expressed with HvPIP2;8 inhibited the ion conductance relative to HvPIP2;8 alone but HvPIP1;3 and HvPIP1;4 with HvPIP2;8 maintained the ion conductance at a lower level. HvPIP2;8 water permeability was similar to that of a C-terminal phosphorylation mimic mutant HvPIP2;8 S285D, but HvPIP2;8 S285D showed a negative linear correlation between water permeability and ion conductance that was modified by a kinase inhibitor treatment. HvPIP2;8 transcript abundance increased in barley shoot tissues following salt treatments in a salt-tolerant cultivar Haruna-Nijo, but not in salt-sensitive I743. There is potential for HvPIP2;8 to be involved in barley salt-stress responses, and HvPIP2;8 could facilitate both water and Na+/K+ transport activity, depending on the phosphorylation status. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Sen Thi HuongTran en-aut-sei=Sen Thi Huong en-aut-mei=Tran kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorieTomoaki en-aut-sei=Horie en-aut-mei=Tomoaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImranShahin en-aut-sei=Imran en-aut-mei=Shahin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=QiuJiaen en-aut-sei=Qiu en-aut-mei=Jiaen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=McGaugheySamantha en-aut-sei=McGaughey en-aut-mei=Samantha kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ByrtCaitlin S. en-aut-sei=Byrt en-aut-mei=Caitlin S. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TyermanStephen D. en-aut-sei=Tyerman en-aut-mei=Stephen D. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KatsuharaMaki en-aut-sei=Katsuhara en-aut-mei=Maki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Waite Research Institute and School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research School of Biology, Australian National University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Waite Research Institute and School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Waite Research Institute and School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=aquaporins kn-keyword=aquaporins en-keyword=barley kn-keyword=barley en-keyword=ion transport kn-keyword=ion transport en-keyword=oocytes kn-keyword=oocytes en-keyword=plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) kn-keyword=plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=カーボンナノホーン - セルロースシート水蒸気センサーおよびナノメタルの作製と特性 kn-title=Synthesis and properties of water vapor sensing carbon nanohorn - cellulose sheets and nanometals en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KarthikPanner Selvam en-aut-sei=Karthik en-aut-mei=Panner Selvam kn-aut-name=KARTHIKPANEER SELVAM kn-aut-sei=KARTHIK kn-aut-mei=PANEER SELVAM aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200925 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=水分子挿入されたヨウ化鉛メチルアンモニウムペロブスカイト結晶粒界の第一原理解析 kn-title=First Principles Study on Water Intercalated Grain Boundary of Methyl Ammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=Md. Abdullah Al Asad en-aut-sei=Md. Abdullah Al Asad en-aut-mei= kn-aut-name=MD. ABDULLAH AL ASAD kn-aut-sei=MD. ABDULLAH AL ASAD kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil=岡山大学大学院自然科学研究科 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=405 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=112905 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2021 dt-pub=20210115 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Exploring reaction pathways for the structural rearrangements of the Mn cluster induced by water binding in the S3 state of the oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Photosynthetic oxidation of water to dioxygen is catalyzed by the Mn4CaO5 cluster in the protein-cofactor complex photosystem II. The light-driven catalytic cycle consists of four observable intermediates (S0, S1, S2, and S3) and one transient S4 state. Recently, using X-ray free-electron laser crystallography, two experimental groups independently observed incorporation of one additional oxygen into the cluster during the S2 to S3 transition, which is likely to represent a substrate. The present study implicates two competing reaction routes encountered during the structural rearrangement of the catalyst induced by the water binding and immediately preceding the formation of final stable forms in the S3 state. This mutually exclusive competition involves concerted versus stepwise conformational changes between two isomers, called open and closed cubane structures, which have different consequences on the immediate product in the S3 state. The concerted pathway involves a one-step conversion between two isomeric hydroxo forms without changes to the metal oxidation and total spin (Stotal = 3) states. Alternatively, in the stepwise process, the bound waters are oxidized and transformed into an oxyl–oxo form in a higher spin (Stotal = 6) state. Here, density functional calculations are used to characterize all relevant intermediates and transition structures and demonstrate that the stepwise pathway to the substrate activation is substantially favored over the concerted one, as evidenced by comparison of the activation barriers (11.1 and 20.9 kcal mol−1, respectively). Only after formation of the oxyl–oxo precursor can the hydroxo species be generated; this occurs with a slow kinetics and an activation barrier of 17.8 kcal mol−1. The overall thermodynamic driving force is likely to be controlled by the movements of two glutamate ligands, D1-Glu189 and CP43-Glu354, in the active site and ranges from very weak (+0.4 kcal mol−1) to very strong (–23.5 kcal mol−1). en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=IsobeHiroshi en-aut-sei=Isobe en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShojiMitsuo en-aut-sei=Shoji en-aut-mei=Mitsuo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiTakayoshi en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Takayoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShenJian-Ren en-aut-sei=Shen en-aut-mei=Jian-Ren kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiKizashi en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Kizashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Computational Science, University of Tsukuba kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Institute for NanoScience Design, Osaka University kn-affil= en-keyword=Photosynthesis kn-keyword=Photosynthesis en-keyword=Water oxidation kn-keyword=Water oxidation en-keyword=Photosystem II kn-keyword=Photosystem II en-keyword=Oxygen evolving complex kn-keyword=Oxygen evolving complex en-keyword=Mn4CaO6 cluster kn-keyword=Mn4CaO6 cluster en-keyword=Ligand environment kn-keyword=Ligand environment END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=505 end-page=511 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202012 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=New Vascular-Access Intervention Assistance Plate Provides Good Operability and Safety by Preventing Accidental Falls: First Experience of 1,872 Cases en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Vascular-access interventions are necessary for the continuation of hemodialysis, and they are performed under X-ray guidance. During interventions, patients’ accidental falls from the bed are a serious problem, and spe-cialized fixation systems for hemodialysis patients to prevent their falls from the bed have been lacking. We developed a new fixation plate made of polypropylene homopolymer and tested its ability to prevent such falls retrospectively. This plate, which we named the ‘vascular-access intervention assistance plate,’ offers functional features such as the concurrent fixation of the body and either arm and an arm space with serrations for fixing a forearm strap. We performed computer simulations to examine the strength of the plate, and we evaluated the efficacy of fall prevention by reviewing patients’ medical records. The results demonstrated that the functional design of the plate provides good operability via accurate concurrent fixations of the body and arm. The com-puter simulation analysis results indicated the plate’s sufficient strength. The medical records analysis revealed three accidental falls before the plate’s introduction (401 patients, 1,437 interventions), and none after plate introduction (683 patients, 1,872 interventions). Accidental falls were significantly prevented by use of the plate (p < 0.05). The dementia rate and type of procedure were not significantly different between the patients who fell and those who did not. This vascular-access intervention assisted plate provides good operability and safety by preventing accidental falls among hemodialysis patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OharaToshiaki en-aut-sei=Ohara en-aut-mei=Toshiaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakuramaKazufumi en-aut-sei=Sakurama en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=HiramatsuSatoshi en-aut-sei=Hiramatsu en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathology & Experimental Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Dialysis Access Center, Shigei Medical Research Hospital kn-affil= en-keyword=hemodialysis kn-keyword=hemodialysis en-keyword=fall accident kn-keyword=fall accident en-keyword=incident kn-keyword=incident en-keyword=vascular access kn-keyword=vascular access END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=18 article-no= start-page=6748 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200914 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Introducing the Amphibious Mudskipper Goby as a Unique Model to Evaluate Neuro/Endocrine Regulation of Behaviors Mediated by Buccal Sensation and Corticosteroids en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Some fish have acquired the ability to breathe air, but these fish can no longer flush their gills effectively when out of water. Hence, they have developed characteristic means for defense against external stressors, including thirst (osmolarity/ions) and toxicity. Amphibious fish, extant air-breathing fish emerged from water, may serve as models to examine physiological responses to these stressors. Some of these fish, including mudskipper gobies such asPeriophthalmodon schlosseri,Boleophthalmus boddartiand ourPeriophthalmus modestus, display distinct adaptational behaviors to these factors compared with fully aquatic fish. In this review, we introduce the mudskipper goby as a unique model to study the behaviors and the neuro/endocrine mechanisms of behavioral responses to the stressors. Our studies have shown that a local sensation of thirst in the buccal cavity-this being induced by dipsogenic hormones-motivates these fish to move to water through a forebrain response. The corticosteroid system, which is responsive to various stressors, also stimulates migration, possibly via the receptors in the brain. We suggest that such fish are an important model to deepen insights into the stress-related neuro/endocrine-behavioral effects. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KatayamaYukitoshi en-aut-sei=Katayama en-aut-mei=Yukitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SaitoKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Saito en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakamotoTatsuya en-aut-sei=Sakamoto en-aut-mei=Tatsuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Ushimado Marine Institute, Faculty of Science, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=stressors kn-keyword=stressors en-keyword=thirst kn-keyword=thirst en-keyword=angiotensin II kn-keyword=angiotensin II en-keyword=corticosteroids kn-keyword=corticosteroids en-keyword=amphibious fish kn-keyword=amphibious fish END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=435 end-page=441 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202010 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Disseminated Fusarium fujikuroi Species Complex Infection Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A 53-year-old man was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which was refractory to chemotherapies. Systemic papules appeared afterward. The skin biopsies revealed filamentous fungal infection including fusariosis. Despite antifungal therapy, the infection did not resolve, because neutropenia persisted with the leukemia. He underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to overcome the leukemia and restore normal hematopoiesis but died from fusariosis just before engraftment. Fusarium fujikuroi species complex was detected in blood cultures with poor antifungal susceptibility. Because restoring normal hematopoiesis is important in the treatment of fusariosis, HSCT might be considered for patients with persistent pancytopenia. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=FujishitaKeigo en-aut-sei=Fujishita en-aut-mei=Keigo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Oka en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KameiKatsuhiko en-aut-sei=Kamei en-aut-mei=Katsuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaniKatsuma en-aut-sei=Tani en-aut-mei=Katsuma kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=FujisawaYuka en-aut-sei=Fujisawa en-aut-mei=Yuka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraWataru en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Wataru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=MachidaTakuya en-aut-sei=Machida en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImaiToshi en-aut-sei=Imai en-aut-mei=Toshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Kochi Health Sciences Center kn-affil= en-keyword=disseminated fusariosis kn-keyword=disseminated fusariosis en-keyword=Fusarium fujikuroi species complex kn-keyword=Fusarium fujikuroi species complex en-keyword=allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation kn-keyword=allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation en-keyword=acute myeloid leukemia kn-keyword=acute myeloid leukemia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=391 end-page=399 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202010 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Three-dimensional Evaluation of Abnormal Gait in Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Indexes for objectively evaluating abnormal gait in hip osteoarthritis (OA) patients and determining effective interventions are unclear. We analyzed the abnormal gait of hip OA patients by focusing on movements of the trunk and pelvis to establish an effective evaluation index for each direction of motion. We studied 28 patients with secondary hip OA due to developmental dysplasia of the hip and 16 controls. The trunk and pelvic movements during gait were measured in the medial-lateral (x), vertical (y), and back-and-forth (z) directions by a triaxial angular accelerometer. Gait speed, steps, step length, muscle strength, range of motion, and timed up-and-go (TUG) test performance were measured. We determined the correlations between physical function and the index of abnormal gait in the hip OA patients. Movements other than trunk and pelvic motions in the y-direction indicated abnormal gait in the patients. Significant correlations were found between abnormal gait and range of motions (extension, internal rotation), TUG score, stride length, and steps. The TUG test, stride length and steps were important for evaluating abnormal gait in hip OA patients. Individual interventions for each movement direction are required. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=HommaDaisuke en-aut-sei=Homma en-aut-mei=Daisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MinatoIzumi en-aut-sei=Minato en-aut-mei=Izumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ImaiNorio en-aut-sei=Imai en-aut-mei=Norio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyasakaDai en-aut-sei=Miyasaka en-aut-mei=Dai kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaifYoshinori en-aut-sei=Sakaif en-aut-mei=Yoshinori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HorigomeYoji en-aut-sei=Horigome en-aut-mei=Yoji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SuzukiHayato en-aut-sei=Suzuki en-aut-mei=Hayato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShimadaHayato en-aut-sei=Shimada en-aut-mei=Hayato kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=DohmaeYoichiro en-aut-sei=Dohmae en-aut-mei=Yoichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=EndoNaoto en-aut-sei=Endo en-aut-mei=Naoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata Rinko Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Comprehensive Geriatrics in Community, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata Bandai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Mito Saiseikai General Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata Bandai Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=hip osteoarthritis kn-keyword=hip osteoarthritis en-keyword=three-dimensional gait analysis kn-keyword=three-dimensional gait analysis en-keyword=abnormal gait kn-keyword=abnormal gait en-keyword=timed up and go test kn-keyword=timed up and go test en-keyword=range of motion kn-keyword=range of motion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=153 cd-vols= no-issue=11 article-no= start-page=114501 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200916 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Structure and phase behavior of high-density ice from molecular-dynamics simulations with the ReaxFF potential en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We report a molecular dynamics simulation study of dense ice modeled by the reactive force field (ReaxFF) potential, focusing on the possibility of phase changes between crystalline and plastic phases as observed in earlier simulation studies with rigid water models. It is demonstrated that the present model system exhibits phase transitions, or crossovers, among ice VII and two plastic ices with face-centered cubic (fcc) and body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice structures. The phase diagram derived from the ReaxFF potential is different from those of the rigid water models in that the bcc plastic phase lies on the high-pressure side of ice VII and does the fcc plastic phase on the low-pressure side of ice VII. The phase boundary between the fcc and bcc plastic phases on the pressure, temperature plane extends to the high-temperature region from the triple point of ice VII, fcc plastic, and bcc plastic phases. Proton hopping, i.e., delocalization of a proton, along between two neighboring oxygen atoms in dense ice is observed for the ReaxFF potential but only at pressures and temperatures both much higher than those at which ice VII–plastic ice transitions are observed. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AdachiYuji en-aut-sei=Adachi en-aut-mei=Yuji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KogaKenichiro en-aut-sei=Koga en-aut-mei=Kenichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=2Department of Chemistry, Okayama University kn-affil= END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=43 cd-vols= no-issue=8 article-no= start-page=1288 end-page=1291 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202008 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Low Viability of Cholera Toxin-Producing Vibrio cholerae O1 in the Artificial Low Ionic Strength Aquatic Solution en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=It has been well known that Vibrio cholerae inhabit in environmental water. As many patients infected with cholera toxin-producing V. cholerae O1 (toxigenic V. cholerae O1) emerge in Kolkata, India, it has been thought that toxigenic V. cholerae O1 is easily detected in environmental water in Kolkata. However, we could not isolate toxigenic V. cholerae O1 from environmental water in Kolkata, though NAG Vibrio (generic name of V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139) is constantly detected. To clear the reason for the non-isolation of toxigenic V. cholerae O1, we examined the viability of V. cholera O1 and NAG Vibrios in the artificial low ionic strength aquatic solution. We found that the viability of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in the solution is low, but that of NAG Vibrios is high. Subsequently, we examined the viability of NAG Vibrios possessing cholera toxin gene (ctx) in the same condition and found that the viability of these NAG Vibrios is low. These results indicate that the existence of ctx in V. cholerae affects the viability of V. cholerae in the aquatic solution used in this experiment. We thought that there was closely relation between the low viability of toxigenic V. cholerae O1 in the artificial low ionic strength aquatic solution and the low frequency of isolation of the strain from environmental water. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=PaulSubha Sankar en-aut-sei=Paul en-aut-mei=Subha Sankar kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakahashiEizo en-aut-sei=Takahashi en-aut-mei=Eizo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ChowdhuryGoutam en-aut-sei=Chowdhury en-aut-mei=Goutam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiShin-ichi en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Shin-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizunoTamaki en-aut-sei=Mizuno en-aut-mei=Tamaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MukhopadhyayAsish K. en-aut-sei=Mukhopadhyay en-aut-mei=Asish K. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DuttaShanta en-aut-sei=Dutta en-aut-mei=Shanta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKeinosuke en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Keinosuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Health Pharmacy, Yokohama University of Pharmacy kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India kn-affil= en-keyword=Vibrio cholerae kn-keyword=Vibrio cholerae en-keyword=cholera toxin kn-keyword=cholera toxin en-keyword=aquatic solution kn-keyword=aquatic solution en-keyword=viability kn-keyword=viability END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=6 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=e04132 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Evaluation of the simulator with automatic irrigation control system designed for countermeasures of internal contamination in dental unit water lines en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The prevention of nosocomial infections is an imperative task. The dental chair unit (DCU) is an indispensable device used in dental treatment. However, it is known that the dental unit water line (DUWL) can become contaminated with biofilm, consisting mainly of heterotrophic bacteria (HB). Recently, the International Organization for Standardization specified the methods for testing DUWL contamination management. On these grounds, a simulator reproducing DUWL was prepared to standardize the examination method of the DUWL contamination.
Objectives
To evaluate the reproducibility of the DUWL simulator, monitor the DUWL contamination states, and test the efficacy of a commercial decontaminant for DUWL.
Methods
The DUWL simulator was assembled by a DCU manufacturing company. The simulator's DUWL was filled with tap water (TW), and left for approximately one year. Neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) was used as a decontaminant for DUWL. Both TW and NEW were passed through DUWL in a timely manner simulating daily dental treatment. Water was sampled from the air turbine hand piece weekly for 4 weeks and used for HB culture. Contamination status was evaluated by measuring bacterial adenosine triphosphate release and by culturing on Reasoner's 2A medium.
Results
The DUWL released contaminated water had a bacterial count of over 6 × 104 cfu/mL. After passing NEW through DUWL for 1 week, the count drastically decreased to its basal level and remained steady for 4 weeks. However, TW showed no effect on DUWL decontamination throughout the examination periods.
Conclusions
The DUWL simulator could be useful to examine the efficacy of the decontaminant for DUWL and development of new methods in DUWL contamination management. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=OkuboKeisuke en-aut-sei=Okubo en-aut-mei=Keisuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoTakashi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkamotoKentaro en-aut-sei=Okamoto en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoIchiro en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Ichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MizutaniHajime en-aut-sei=Mizutani en-aut-mei=Hajime kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawataYusuke en-aut-sei=Kawata en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ShiotaYasuyoshi en-aut-sei=Shiota en-aut-mei=Yasuyoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoMasahiro en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Masahiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraShin en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Shin kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaiMasako en-aut-sei=Tai en-aut-mei=Masako kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamamotoTadashi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakashibaShogo en-aut-sei=Takashiba en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Dental Department Marketing Division, TAKARA BELMONT Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Research and Development Department, TAKARA BELMONT Corporation kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=11 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=12 en-affil=Department of Pathophysiology - Periodontal Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=Microbiology kn-keyword=Microbiology en-keyword=Biomedical devices kn-keyword=Biomedical devices en-keyword=Safety engineering kn-keyword=Safety engineering en-keyword=Microorganism kn-keyword=Microorganism en-keyword=Biofilms kn-keyword=Biofilms en-keyword=Dentistry kn-keyword=Dentistry en-keyword=Dental chair unit water line (DUWL) kn-keyword=Dental chair unit water line (DUWL) en-keyword=Automated simulator kn-keyword=Automated simulator en-keyword=Water decontamination kn-keyword=Water decontamination END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=1135 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page=99 end-page=106 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200827 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=On-site analysis of paraquat using a completely portable photometric detector operated with small, rechargeable batteries en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This work describes a methodology that can be used to achieve on-site analysis of paraquat in water samples by using a miniaturized portable photometer consisting of a couple of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Paraquat produces a colored radical via a redox reaction with sodium dithionite, which is unstable against oxygen in solution. The steps taken to stabilize the reagent solution included control of the pH and the addition of organic solvents, but the most effective was the formation of an oil layer. Together, these steps stabilized the reagent solution for two days. An increase in the duration of reagent stability, however, is necessary in order to transport the reagent for on-site applications in remote locales. For the time being, an excess amount of solid sodium dithionite can be added directly to sample solutions because the unreacted dithionite shows no influence on absorbance of the paraquat radical. Orange LEDs with a maximum emission wavelength of 609 nm were employed in the portable photometer to measure the absorbance of paraquat radical produced by a redox reaction that has an absorption maximum of 603 nm. The developed photometer showed excellent performance with a linear range of from 2.0 mg L−1 to 40.0 mg L−1 and a linear regression (r2 = 1). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.5 mg L−1 and 1.5 mg L−1, respectively, intra-day precision (n = 3) and inter-day precision (n = 5) were both less than 5%, and accuracy based on the percentage of sample recovery ranged from 89 ± 0 to 105 ± 0% (n = 3). The proposed method was applied to the analysis of paraquat in water samples taken from rice fields. The results showed no paraquat in all thirteen samples, which could have been due to strong adsorption of paraquat by soil particles and/or to complications with the sampling conditions. To confirm the adsorption onto soil of paraquat contained in water, we constructed an artificial rice field where water containing paraquat was impounded above the soil layer. The results showed that paraquat in water gradually decreased within three days and could be measured in the soil on the fourth day. These results were confirmed by HPLC analysis, which underscores the utility of this portable photometer for the on-site monitoring of paraquat in water samples. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=SeetasangSasikarn en-aut-sei=Seetasang en-aut-mei=Sasikarn kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KanetaTakashi en-aut-sei=Kaneta en-aut-mei=Takashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Light-emitting diode kn-keyword=Light-emitting diode en-keyword=Paraquat kn-keyword=Paraquat en-keyword=Portable photometric detector kn-keyword=Portable photometric detector en-keyword=Rice field kn-keyword=Rice field en-keyword=Sodium dithionite kn-keyword=Sodium dithionite en-keyword=Thailand kn-keyword=Thailand END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=327 end-page=334 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202008 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Cytotoxic Effects of Alcohol Extracts from a Plastic Wrap (Polyvinylidene Chloride) on Human Cultured Liver Cells and Mouse Primary Cultured Liver Cells en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=An increasing accumulation of microplastics and further degraded nanoplastics in our environment is suspected to have harmful effects on humans and animals. To clarify this problem, we tested the cytotoxicity of two types of plastic wrap on human cultured liver cells and mouse primary cultured liver cells. Alcohol extracts from plastic wrap, i.e., polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), showed cytotoxic effects on the cells. Alcohol extracts of polyethylene (PE) wrap were not toxic. The commercially available PVDC wrap consists of vinylidene chloride, epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized linseed oil as a stiffener and stabilizer; we sought to identify which component(s) are toxic. The epoxidized soybean oil and epoxidized linseed oil exerted strong cytotoxicity, but the plastic raw material itself, vinylidene chloride, did not. Our findings indicate that plastic wraps should be used with caution in order to prevent health risks. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=YamamotoKen-ichi en-aut-sei=Yamamoto en-aut-mei=Ken-ichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KagawaHiroko en-aut-sei=Kagawa en-aut-mei=Hiroko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=ArimotoSakae en-aut-sei=Arimoto en-aut-mei=Sakae kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TanXian Wen en-aut-sei=Tan en-aut-mei=Xian Wen kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=YasuiKento en-aut-sei=Yasui en-aut-mei=Kento kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OshikiToshiyuki en-aut-sei=Oshiki en-aut-mei=Toshiyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SakaguchiMasakiyo en-aut-sei=Sakaguchi en-aut-mei=Masakiyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cell Chemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences kn-affil= en-keyword=plastic wrap kn-keyword=plastic wrap en-keyword=plasticizer, kn-keyword=plasticizer, en-keyword=cytotoxicity, kn-keyword=cytotoxicity, en-keyword=liver cells kn-keyword=liver cells en-keyword=in vitro kn-keyword=in vitro END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=74 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=307 end-page=317 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=202008 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=D-Tagatose Effectively Reduces the Number of Streptococcus mutans and Oral Bacteria in Healthy Adult Subjects: A Chewing Gum Pilot Study and Randomized Clinical Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=We examined the effect of D-Tagatose on the growth of oral bacteria including Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Saliva collected from 10 healthy volunteers was plated on BHI medium (to culture total oral bacteria) and MBS medium (to culture S. mutans, specifically). Agar plates of BHI or MBS containing xylitol or D-Tagatose were cultured under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. We then counted the number of colonies. In BHI plates containing D-Tagatose, a complete and significant reduction of bacteria occurred under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In MSB medium, significant reduction of S. mutans was also observed. We then performed a doubleblind parallel randomized trial with 19 healthy volunteers. They chewed gum containing xylitol, D-Tagatose, or both for 4 weeks, and their saliva was collected weekly and plated on BHI and MSB media. These plates were cultured under anaerobic conditions. Total bacteria and S. mutans were not effectively reduced in either the D-Tagatose or xylitol gum group. However, S. mutans was significantly reduced in volunteers chewing gum containing both D-Tagatose and xylitol. Thus, D-Tagatose inhibited the growth of S. mutans and many types of oral bacteria, indicating that D-Tagatose intake may help prevent dental caries, periodontitis, and many oral diseases. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NagamineYuichi en-aut-sei=Nagamine en-aut-mei=Yuichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=HasibulKhaleque en-aut-sei=Hasibul en-aut-mei=Khaleque kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaTakaaki en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Takaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaAyano en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Ayano kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KamitoriKazuyo en-aut-sei=Kamitori en-aut-mei=Kazuyo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=HossainAkram en-aut-sei=Hossain en-aut-mei=Akram kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamaguchiFuminori en-aut-sei=Yamaguchi en-aut-mei=Fuminori kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=TokudaMasaaki en-aut-sei=Tokuda en-aut-mei=Masaaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KuwaharaTomomi en-aut-sei=Kuwahara en-aut-mei=Tomomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyakeMinoru en-aut-sei=Miyake en-aut-mei=Minoru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=dDepartment of Medical Technology, Division of Fundamental Medical Technology, Ehime Prefectural University of Health Sciences kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=eInternational Office, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University kn-affil= en-keyword=D-Tagatose kn-keyword=D-Tagatose en-keyword=xylitol kn-keyword=xylitol en-keyword=Streptococcus mutans kn-keyword=Streptococcus mutans en-keyword=oral bacteria kn-keyword=oral bacteria en-keyword=chewing gum kn-keyword=chewing gum END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=10 cd-vols= no-issue=6 article-no= start-page=743 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2020 dt-pub=20200603 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Friction-Induced Martensitic Transformation and Wear Properties of Stainless Steel under Dry and Wet Conditions en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The wear characteristics of SUS304 and SUS316 stainless steels were evaluated at the rotation speeds of 100 m/s, 200 m/s, and 300 m/s under dry and wet conditions. The transition of friction-induced martensite occurred in wear-affected regions of two materials, regardless of the wear test conditions. The specific wear rates (W-s) of both stainless steels increase with increasing rotation speeds, regardless of the circumstances. Moreover,W(s)of SUS304 and SUS316, obtained under dry conditions, is significantly higher than that of SUS304 and SUS316 obtained under wet conditions, respectively. This is because that the water film on the wet ring can act as a liquid lubricant between the ring and the block during the tests. After the wear tests, the hardness changes of both SUS304 and SUS316 are much higher under dry conditions, compared to those under wet conditions. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=LeeYoon-Seok en-aut-sei=Lee en-aut-mei=Yoon-Seok kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KondoYuta en-aut-sei=Kondo en-aut-mei=Yuta kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=OkayasuMitsuhiro en-aut-sei=Okayasu en-aut-mei=Mitsuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=stainless steels kn-keyword=stainless steels en-keyword=friction-induced transformation kn-keyword=friction-induced transformation en-keyword=lubricant kn-keyword=lubricant en-keyword=wear kn-keyword=wear en-keyword=martensite kn-keyword=martensite END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=220 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=1900021 end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2019 dt-pub=20190403 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Rapid Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Particles with High Molecular Weight by Soap‐Free Emulsion Polymerization Using Water‐in‐Oil Slug Flow en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= flow process for the production of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles is proposed by soap‐free emulsion polymerization using a water‐in‐oil (W/O) slug flow in a microreactor. Thin oil films generated around the dispersed aqueous phase of the W/O slug prevent the prepared particles from adhesion to the microchannel wall, enabling the continuous production of PMMA particles without clogging. The effects of the linear flow rate of the slug flow and the addition of ethanol in the dispersed aqueous phase on the polymerization are evaluated. It is found that increasing the linear flow rate of the slug flow or the addition of ethanol in the dispersed aqueous phase results in PMMA particles with high molecular weight (≈1500 kg mol−1) in 20 min reaction time. It is believed that this process would be a promising way to prepare polymer particles with high molecular weight in a short reaction time. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeTakaichi en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Takaichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KaritaKengo en-aut-sei=Karita en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TawaraKoki en-aut-sei=Tawara en-aut-mei=Koki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=SogaTakuya en-aut-sei=Soga en-aut-mei=Takuya kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=OnoTsutomu en-aut-sei=Ono en-aut-mei=Tsutomu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Material and Energy Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=heterogeneous polymerization kn-keyword=heterogeneous polymerization en-keyword=internal circulation kn-keyword=internal circulation en-keyword=microreactors kn-keyword=microreactors en-keyword=microspheres kn-keyword=microspheres END