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In this study, we established basic guidelines for the design of compression running tights (Cp-type tights) with low physiological load. Three types of trial Cp-type tights which were the standing, knee-bending and taping patterns were tested with seven female participants in their 20s. Bare feet were used as a control. They were asked to run at a speed of 7 km/h on a treadmill for 30 min. Electromyogram (EMG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) were measured during the experiment. EMG analysis involved the assessment of integrated EMG (iEMG). The iEMG decreased and the mean power frequency of EMG increased when wearing the Cp-type tights with the knee-bending (sample K) and taping (sample T) patterns. The sympathetic nervous activity obtained from ECG also tended to be low when wearing sample K. In subjective feeling, sample T was evaluated to suppress vibration in the thigh and lower leg muscles, and sample K was easier to put on and enabled easy bending of knees. These results suggest that it is important to apply the knee-bending pattern as well as local pressure to the legs by using taping for the design of Cp-type tights for a body load reducing effect. However, it is necessary to design the clothing such that the pressure around the inside of the lower legs is not high enough to interrupt muscle contraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flowability of resin and fibers during forming process of short fiber-reinforced plastics was evaluated by Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) particle-simulation. For injection molding of short fiber-reinforced plastics, there are several design parameters. It is inefficient in terms of time and cost to optimize the parameters based on experimental procedures. In this study, a numerical prediction using M P S particle-simulation was applied. In particular, a new analysis method of local flow accompanied by change of time and analysis area was developed to solve discrepancies of the distribution of velocity between global injection area and local flow area. As the numerical results, resin flow and fiber orientation in injection molding had same tendency with global injection molding analysis and the proposed M P S analysis. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed method contributed to evaluate resin flow and fibers in injection molding process of short fiber-reinforced plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In the present experiment we investigate the behavior of 4 - month - old transgenic APP/PS-1/tau mice model with Alzheimer's disease (3 x Tg⋅AD mice) to evaluate their abilities of spatial learning and memory. We observe the changes of synaptic plasticity and soluble amyloid-β protein 42 (A β42) expression in the CA1 region of hippocampus to explore the mechanism of early cognitive impairment of 3 x Tg⋅AD mice. Methods Ten 4-month-old male 3 X Tg⋅AD mice and matched ten 129/ C57BL/6 hybrid wild type (WT) mice were enrolled. The open field test and Morris water maze test were conducted to observe emotion disorder and ability of spatial learning and memory. Field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) were recorded in CA1 region of hippocampus. The expression changes of soluble A β42 in hippocampus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The open field test showed that there was no significant differences between 3 x Tg⋅AD group and control group, which indicated that there was no obvious anxiety tendency in 4-month-old 3 x Tg⋅AD mice. Compared with control group, 3 x Tg⋅AD group mice had significantly longer escape latency from the 3rd to 5th day (P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.001) and lower percentage of time through the platform area (P = 0.000). LTP induced by TBS in CA1 region of hippocampus of 3 x Tg⋅AD group decreased significantly (P < 0.01, for all) compared with that of control group. In contrast to control group, the expression of soluble Aβ42 in the hippocampus of 3 x Tg⋅AD mice group increased significantly (P = 0.000). Conclusions The expression of soluble Aβ42 in the hippocampus of 4-month-old 3 x Tg⋅AD mice increased significantly, which impaired synaptic plasticity in CA1 region of hippocampus and led to a significant decline in spatial learning and memory ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since WWII, Japanese Americans (JAs) have been generally praised for rising up from being plantation laborers to respected professionals, despite the many hardships they faced in white-dominant American society. However, recent scholarship, especially influenced by the theory of settler colonialism, argues for the need to reevaluate the "success" of JA history. The history of JAs in Hawai'i needs to be understood in relation to the US project of expanding its political and economic powers in the Pacific. What did JAs do and how did they identify themselves in relation to other ethnic minorities and white settlers? To provide a more diverse perspective on JA history, this paper focuses on the life of a relatively unknown businessman, Watson Yoshimoto. I show how his life can be understood from the perspective of ongoing American domination of Hawai'i and JAs' involvement in its structure. JAs like Yoshimoto willingly embraced the value of American presence and power in the Pacific, so to assimilate themselves into "mainstream" American society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] This study was conducted to clarify the immediate effects of Whole-body vibration (WBV) training on gait disturbance and balance of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). [Subjects] Subjects were 14 patients with PD in our hospital who were able to walk. [Method] We measured 10m walking time, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and static standing balance before and after carrying out the 25Hz WBV training with three sets of exercise for 2 min, with 2-min rest between sets in the standing position. Evaluation of static standing balance was carried out through the path length of the center of the gravity (LNG) and the rectangular area surrounding the path (REC) which was recorded using a force plate. [Result] 10m walking time and TUG significantly improved after WBV training. LNG and REC also improved significantly. [Conclusion] These results indicate that WBV training might have immediate effects on gait disturbance and stand up and turn of patients with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] This study investigated thoracic and abdominal skin movement during respiration. [Subject] Ten male subjects volunteered to participate in this study. [Method] Motion of the subjects in the supine position was captured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Markers were attached to the thoracic and abdominal areas. The measured area was divided by horizontal lines into the upper thoracic, lower thoracic, upper abdominal, and lower abdominal subareas, and longitudinally into the center, lateral [L,R], and middle [L,R]. Data were analyzed at maximum deep inspiration and deep expiration relative to the average coordinates of respiration. [Result] Skin movement of the upper abdominal region showed maximal skin movement during deep breathing with subsequent movement of the lower thoracic region, the upper thoracic region, in order. Regarding the skin movement direction of each part, the upper thoracic movement was vertical, the lower thoracic movement was vertical and sagittal, and the upper abdominal movement was greater in all directions. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that the skin movement direction reflects the physiological movement of the thorax during respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a low-intensity exercise program through measurement of the physiological indices. [Methods] Seventeen community dwelling elderly persons (mean age 76 years) participated in this study. We instructed the subjects to practice a low-intensity exercise program twice a week for 3 months. The exercise program consisted of low intensity muscle training such as walking, stretching and recreation sports for 90 minutes. We assessed the physiological performance both before and after the exercise period. Aortic stiffness was measured using the cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI), body muscle and fat amounts were measured with a body composition analyzer, and respiratory functions with an autospirometer. [Results] After the exercise period, the CAVI data had significantly decreased, but HR, blood pressure, total muscle and fat amounts did not change significantly. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0) had increased, although the forced vital capacity (FVC) did not change. [Conclusions] The low intensity exercise improved physiological function and was effective at reducing aortic stiffness in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the essence and formation of the Monthly Archives of the Eight Banners and the connection between the Monthly Archives and the Veritable Records of early emperors/Khans in the Qing dynasty. Evidences show that the compilations of Monthly Archives by two Banners of the same major colors were officially formed at least in the beginning of Hong Taiji's reign. As a sample archive of 1631 reveals, Monthly Archives recorded various events of the later Jin dynasty by focusing on the speeches and actions of Grand Khans on a daily basis. These archives were officially preserved in the Literate Institute, and were compiled together in different subjects by Manchu literati officials. Together with inter-state documents, these archives became original sources of the later Veritable Records and other official history compilations. Although the Monthly Archives had long been considered missing, these archives could be closely related to the three early Veritable Records compiled in 1636 and Shunzhi reign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between foot arch ratio and centre of foot pressure in the mediolateral direction (CFP). Twenty women were divided into three groups with four, eight and eight participants, respectively, according to their foot arch ratio. Group 1 had an arch ratio of less than 11%, group 2 between 11% and 15%, and group 3 larger than 15%. The mean (SD) arch ratio of group I was 10.7 (0.2)%, group 2 11.8 (0.5)%, and group 3 16.7 (1.2)%, with the latter being significantly higher than that of the other two groups. CFPs of groups I and 2 were found to be significantly displaced to the medial side of the foot compared to that of group 3. These findings suggest that CFP in the mediolateral direction can be used as an assessment tool for persons with flat feet. The arch ratio may also be considered as a useful parameter when measuring for an arch support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In the present experiment we investigate the behavior of 4-month-old transgenic APP/PS-1/tau mice model with Alzheimer's disease (3 × Tg-AD mice) to evaluate their abilities of spatial learning and memory. We observe the changes of synaptic plasticity and soluble amyloid-β protein 42 (Aβ42) expression in the CA1 region of hippocampus to explore the mechanism of early cognitive impairment of 3 × Tg-AD mice. Methods Ten 4-month-old male 3 × Tg-AD mice and matched ten 129/C57BL/6 hybrid wild type (WT) mice were enrolled. The open field test and Morris water maze test were conducted to observe emotion disorder and ability of spatial learning and memory. Field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) were recorded in CA1 region of hippocampus. The expression changes of soluble Aβ42 in hippocampus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The open field test showed that there was no significant differences between 3 × Tg-AD group and control group, which indicated that there was no obvious anxiety tendency in 4-month-old 3 × Tg-AD mice. Compared with control group, 3 × Tg-AD group mice had significantly longer escape latency from the 3rd to 5th day (P = 0.001, 0.003, 0.001) and lower percentage of time through the platform area (P = 0.000). LTP induced by TBS in CA1 region of hippocampus of 3 × Tg-AD group decreased significantly (P < 0.01, for all) compared with that of control group. In contrast to control group, the expression of soluble Aβ42 in the hippocampus of 3 × Tg-AD mice group increased significantly (P = 0.000). Conclusions The expression of soluble Aβ42 in the hippocampus of 4-month-old 3 × Tg-AD mice increased significantly, which impaired synaptic plasticity in CA1 region of hippocampus and led to a significant decline in spatial learning and memory ability. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2015.05.012