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Abstract: In atopic dermatitis, scratching of the skin as a reaction to itching causes injury to the skin, which, in turn, further increases the itching resulting in the establishment of the so-called itch–scratch circle. We have shown that prostaglandin (PG) D2 plays an inhibitory role against pruritus in mice with atopic-like dermatitis; therefore, we examined the relationship between scratching and the cutaneous PGD2 level using an artificial scratching model with a wire brush. Mechanical scratching induced a temporary increase of the skin PGs levels (PGE2, PGD2, 6-ketoPGF1 α , PGF2 α ). The skin PGD2 level and the ability of PGD2 production decreased at 48h after repeated scratch, compared to that of normal skin, not so after single scratch. Immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting revealed a decrease in the levels of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and hematopoietic PGD synthase in mechanically scratched skin. The reduced ability of the skin for PGD2 production following mechanical scratching could be caused by this decrease in the expression levels of COX-1 and PGD2 synthase. The results suggest that repeated scratching in mice decreases the ability of the skin to produce PGD2, which is an endogenous mediator that inhibits pruritus, resulting in the establishment of the itch–scratch circle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent years, handheld devices have been playing an important role in children's learning. How to utilize mobile devices such as handheld devices to support collaborative learning has been an important research topic of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). Educators in Japan are seeking an educational system structure that supports “integrated courses,” which have been introduced due to the revision of National Curriculum Standards. We focused on a museum as one of the appropriate locations where “integrated courses” are held and constructed a system named Musex for supporting children's learning with two personal digital assistants (PDAs). Musex provides children with opportunities to answer questions related to exhibitions collaboratively. We performed an experiment on Musex in a science museum and discuss the results in this paper. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(14): 54–63, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10696 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have used sensing boards based on RFID technology to construct a face-to-face group learning support system integrating the physical world and the virtual world. The system is shown to be useful through performance in that a learner without sufficient skill in using a computer can easily participate in learning, and knowledge acquired through textbooks and the like can be tested in the physical world. On the other hand, some problems have been pointed out: the utterances depend more strongly on the leader, and learning support with a higher degree of realism is desired. Consequently, in the system proposed in this paper, multiple sensing boards are placed at different sites so that the learner groups can communicate face-to-face. The sensing boards are connected through a network so that the operations on the board can influence each other. The learners in the group gather around the board and try to solve the problem face-to-face. They also interact with the learners in another group through a chat system. The learners in a primary school classroom used the system to study city design and environmental problems, and the effectiveness of the proposed system was demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(9): 39–50, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10502 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a group learning support system that promotes the externalization of thinking and sharing of understanding. The proposed system has the following two features. (1) Game characteristics are introduced in order to motivate the participation of the learners. (2) By combining a board game with computer simulation, externalization of thinking and sharing of understanding are supported. The effectiveness of the proposed system was evaluated experimentally in a primary school. The results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 33(6): 93–100, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1136 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the ultrasound application through the Internet and wireless communication with personal computer based on the survey conducted by the University of Tokyo in Japan. It states that ultrasonic communications as a form of sound and quite voice between rooms and sound level of short range of reachability and inherent slowness of radio waves and responses. Moreover, the ultrasonic communications or ultrasonic distance measure sender to transfer the timing of the node to make sonic measurement with high resolution and the global positioning system in automobile.