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Background: Inguinal hernia develops as one of the common complications after robotic or laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RP). TAPP for an inguinal hernia after RP is far from easy to perform due to postoperative severe adhesions in the preperitoneal cavity. We recently devised a high peritoneal incision approach (HPIA) in TAPP for inguinal hernia patients in whom peritoneal dissection is difficult due to severe adhesions after RP. We evaluate the safety and efficacy of TAPP with a high peritoneal incision approach for patients with an inguinal hernia after Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Methods Patients characteristics and surgical outcome were evaluated by a retrospective analysis. Result: From January 2014 to December 2017, 21 consecutive patients underwent TAPP for an inguinal hernia after RARP. Twenty-four lesions were the Type 3b and 3 were Type 3a according to the Nyhus classification. A conventional TAPP was performed for 10 hernia lesions in 8 patients and TAPP with HPIA was utilized for 17 lesions in 13 patients. The mean operation time for the unilateral hernia in the HPIA (137.8±20.7 min) was significantly shorter than that (182.2±42.0 min) in the conventional TAPP (p =0.038). The HPIA was complete in all patients, while the conventional TAPP was converted to IPOM in 5 patients (55.6%, p=0.008) due to dense adhesions with difficult dissection. No recurrent was observed after follow-up period of 24months in both groups. Conclusions: The TAPP with HPIA is feasible and a safe and reliable treatment of choice in patients with an inguinal hernia after RARP.

Objective This study aimed to examine the anatomical features of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) before it diverged from the maxillary artery (MA) and entered the posterior superior alveolar foramen in a cadaveric specimen using computed tomography angiography (CTA). Methods The participants were 15 Japanese cadavers (21 hemi-heads). A contrast medium was injected from the external carotid artery of the specimen, and the CTA of the maxillary region was obtained. The data were processed using measurement software to examine the running pattern of the PSAA and determine the position of the PSAA origin. Results Two branching patterns of the PSAA origin from the MA were identified: joint branching with the infraorbital artery in 10 hemi-heads (47.6 %) and independent branching from the MA in 11 hemi-heads (52.4 %). The vertical distance from the maxillary alveolar crest of the maxillary tuberosity to the origin was 26.1 ± 3.7 mm for the joint branching pattern and 27.1 ± 4.3 mm for the independent branching pattern. The horizontal distance from the infrazygomatic crest to the origin for joint and independent branching was 24.4 ± 3.4 mm and 25.2 ± 2.8 mm, respectively. Conclusions This result will be useful for CTA examination and surgery in the relevant area.

Background: We assessed the relationship between preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and short- and long-term outcomes among gastric cancer patients because the clinical significance of PNI in these patients remains controversial. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 434 consecutive patients who underwent curative laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Results: Patients with postoperative complications had a significantly poorer overall survival (OS) than those without. On multivariate analyses, postoperative complications were independently associated with PNI value and operative procedure type. In the low PNI group (n = 118), those with postoperative complications experienced significantly poorer OS than those without complications. Among the low PNI group with pTNM stage I and II disease, those with postoperative complications experienced significantly worse OS than those without complications. However, among the high PNI group and patients with stage II and III disease in the low PNI group, OS was similar with respect to postoperative complications. Conclusions: The present study confirmed that long-term prognosis was unaffected by postoperative complications in well-nourished gastric cancer patients. In addition, preoperative nutritional status and postoperative complications, may be crucial in determining the prognosis of gastric cancer, especially in early-stage cancer.

We tracked the spawning habitat use of two native stream gobies (Rhinogobius fluviatilis and Rhinogobius nagoyae) before and during the invasion of a non-native goby (Rhinogobius sp. OR) and after its disappearance in the Tani River, Japan. Throughout the three phases, the majority of the two native gobies showed high preference and use for the habitat with medium-fast current velocity and coarse substrates as spawning sites. When the non-native Rhinogobius sp. OR invaded, the majority of them also preferred and used the same habitat as spawning sites, and the spawning habitat use of the three Rhinogobius species substantially overlapped. These results suggest that the invasion by the non-native goby did not significantly change the spawning habitat use of the two native gobies. However, the similar habitat requirement among the three Rhinogobius species may cause competition for the spawning habitat when the availability of their favorite habitat is greatly restricted. The non-native Rhinogobius sp. OR could utilize the spawning space on the undersurface of nest stones more efficiently than the two native gobies. Therefore, in the non-native Rhinogobius sp. OR, the size of nest stones is unlikely to be a limiting factor for reproductive success. Such ecological characteristics on nest stone use may enable Rhinogobius sp. OR to easily acquire nest stones with less competition in the spawning habitat where they coexist, which have also helped Rhinogobius sp. OR to extend its distribution area.

We monitored the abundance of a non-native (Rhinogobius sp. OR) and two native stream gobies (R. fluviatilis and R. nagoyae) over a decade, from 1995 to 2004, in a fixed reach of a tributary of the Kamo River, southwestern Japan. The non-native Rhinogobius sp. OR appeared and reproduced in 1997, when an increased deposition of fine sediments occurred. However, after a severe spate in 1999, the non-native goby almost completely disappeared from the study reach, while the density of the native R. fluviatilis increased. The severe spate is likely to have prevented the establishment of the non-native goby. Our results provide an example of abiotic barriers to invasion.

Estradiol (E2) modulates the central and peripheral thermoregulatory responses to cold. Menthol is an agonist of transient receptor potential melastatin type 8 (TRPM8), which is a peripheral cold receptor. E2 suppresses menthol-induced elevation of body temperature (Tb) in ovariectomized rats, but the mechanism is unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of E2 on uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a thermogenic gene, and TRPM8 mRNA levels in ovariectomized rats applied menthol. A silastic tube was implanted in ovariectomized rats with and without E2 underneath the dorsal skin (E2(+) and E2(-) groups), and data loggers for Tb measurement into peritoneal cavity. After application of 10% L-menthol or vehicle to the skin of the whole trunk of rats, Tb was measured for 2 h. The interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) and spinal ganglia of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar parts were obtained for RT-qPCR assay. In the menthol application, Tb in the E2(+) group was lower than that in the E2(-) group. The UCP1 mRNA in the BAT, TRPM8 mRNA in the BAT and spinal ganglia in all areas did not differ between the E2(+) and E2(-) groups. In conclusion, the UCP1 and TRPM8 expression in the brown fat did not affect the restriction of the menthol-induced hyperthermia by estradiol in ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND Rectal prolapse in young women is rare. Although laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy is the standard procedure because of its lower recurrence rate, postoperative infertility is a concern. Perineal rectosigmoidectomy (Altemeier procedure) is useful for these patients. However, the risk of anastomotic leakage should be considered. Recently, the usefulness of fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) to prevent anastomotic leakage was reported. We report a case of an adolescent woman with complete rectal prolapse who underwent ICG fluorescence imaging-assisted Altemeier rectosigmoidectomy. CASE SUMMARY A 17-year-old woman who had a mental disorder was admitted to our hospital for treatment for water intoxication. The patient also suffered from rectal prolapse, approximately 3 mo before admission. She was referred to our surgical department because recurrent rectal prolapse could worsen her psychiatric disorder. Approximately 10 cm of complete rectal prolapse was observed. However, the mean maximum anal resting and constriction pressures were within normal limits on anorectal manometry. Because she had the desire to bear children in the future, she underwent Altemeier perineal rectosigmoidectomy to prevent surgery-related infertility. We performed ICG fluorescence imaging at the same time as surgery to reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and the rectal prolapse was completely resolved. She continued to do well 18 mo after surgery, without recurrence of the rectal prolapse. CONCLUSION ICG fluorescence imaging-assisted Altemeier perineal rectosigmoidectomy is useful in preventing postoperative anastomotic leakage in young as well as elderly patients.

Background: Inflammation influences cancer progression by increasing catabolism and impairing nutrient absorption. We compared the prognostic ability of three inflammation-based prognostic scoring systems—the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), modified GPS (mGPS), and high-sensitivity mGPS (HS-mGPS)—in gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined 434 curatively resected gastric cancer patients to evaluate the prognostic ability of scoring systems for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: OS analysis identified the following independent prognostic factors: GPS model: pathological stage (pStage, p < 0.001), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, p = 0.004), and GPS 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.929; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.152-3.228; p = 0.013); mGPS model: body mass index (BMI, p = 0.027), pStage (p < 0.001), and CEA (p < 0.001); HS-mGPS model: BMI (p = 0.029), pStage (p < 0.001), and CEA (p = 0.003). mGPS and HS-mGPS were not independent prognostic factors for OS. CSS analysis of the GPS model identified pStage (p < 0.001), CEA (p = 0.015), and GPS 1 (HR; 2.095, 95% CI; 1.025–4.283; p = 0.043) and 2 (HR, 2.812; 95% CI, 1.111–7.116; p = 0.029) as independent prognostic factors; however, mGPS and HS-mGPS were not independent prognostic factors for CSS. Log-rank tests demonstrated significant differences in OS among patients with GPS 0 vs. 1 (p < 0.001) and 0 vs. 2 (p < 0.001) and in CSS among the three GPS (0 vs. 1; p = 0.005, 0 vs. 2; p < 0.001, 1 vs. 2; p = 0.009). Conclusions: GPS most reliably predicts long-term survival of gastric cancer patients.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), in particular, multilayer h-BN, has played an important role in the research of two-dimensional materials by enabling the observation of their intrinsic and excellen...

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is associated with mortality in several malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed whether the GNRI can predict long-term outcomes in 191 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after curative esophagectomies by evaluating their cancer-specific survival (CSS). In multivariate analyses, serum albumin (hazard ratio [HR], 2.498; p = 0.0043), GNRI (HR, 1.941; p = 0.0181), pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stage (HR, 3.884; p < 0.0001), and tumor differentiation (HR, 2.307; p = 0.0066) were independent prognostic factors for CSS. In pTNM stage I, multivariate analysis identified C-reactive protein (HR, 7.172; p = 0.0483) and GNRI (HR, 5.579; p = 0.0291) as independent prognostic factors for CSS. In univariate analyses in pTNM stages II and III, only low GNRI (p = 0.0095) and low serum albumin levels (p = 0.0119), respectively, were significantly associated with worse CSS. In patients with low GNRI, CSS was significantly worse than in those with normal GNRI (p = 0.0011), especially in pTNM stages I (p = 0.0044) and II (p = 0.0036) groups, but not in stage III group (p = 0.5099). Preoperative GNRI may sort patients into low- or high-risk groups for shorter CSS, especially in those with pTNM stage I and II ESCC.

Background The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), integrated by peripheral lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts, is used as an objective biomarker that reflects the balance between host inflammatory and immune response status in cancer patients. Herein, we examined the prognostic significance of SII in gastric cancer patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data of 415 patients who underwent curative laparoscopic gastrectomy using propensity score–matched (PSM) analysis. The prognostic value of SII was compared between two groups based on SII values: low SII group (SII

Background The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) was developed to evaluate the prognosis in elderly hospitalized patients at risk of malnutrition and related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative GNRI and long-term outcomes in elderly gastric cancer patients. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed 297 consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy with R0 resection and evaluated their overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results In the univariate analyses, OS was significantly associated with the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), tumor size, tumor differentiation, pathological stage, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), C-reactive protein, postoperative complications, and GNRI, whereas in the univariate analyses of CSS, ASA-PS, tumor size, tumor differentiation, pathological stage, CEA, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and GNRI were significantly associated with poor prognosis. In the multivariate analysis, ASA-PS, tumor differentiation, pathological stage, and GNRI were significant independent prognostic factors of OS, whereas ASA-PS, pathological stage, and CEA were significant independent prognostic factors of CSS. Conclusions GNRI is significantly associated with OS and CSS in elderly gastric cancer patients and is an independent predictor of OS. It is a simple, cost-effective, and promising nutritional index for predicting OS in elderly patients.

Introduction The overall incidence of port site hernias in laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgeries ranges from 0% to 5.2%. Sufficient port site closure is essential to reduce and prevent the occurrence of port site hernia. However, complete fascial closure of 8-mm robot-port site appears to be difficult. In this study, we propose a safe and reliable robot-assisted port-site closure for robot-assisted gastrectomy. Materials and methods The robotic arm was tilted 60–70° cranially or caudally to create a small gap between the port and the skin margin that was cut open for port insertion. While viewing through the robotic camera and grasping the polydioxanone (PDS) thread, the Lapa-Her-Closure was inserted into the peritoneal cavity through the gap. The Lapa-Her-Closure was removed after the PDS thread was grasped with robotic forceps. Subsequently, the Lapa-Her-Closure was inserted into the abdominal cavity by tilting the arm cranially or caudally, in contrast to the previous step. The PDS thread was inserted into the loop wire using robotic forceps. After tightening the loop wire and grasping the PDS thread, the Lapa-Her-Closure was removed, and the PDS thread was ligated to complete the abdominal wall closure, with total closure of the fascia and peritoneum. Results and conclusions We utilized this port site closure technique in 12 patients who underwent robot-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The procedure was accomplished safely and efficiently in all cases without any technical problems. In conclusion, our port site closure is safe, reliable, and efficient procedure that can be performed using basic surgical techniques., Highlights • This study discusses a new approach in robot-assisted port site closure for robot-assisted gastrectomy. •Our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because it introduces a safe, reliable, and efficient approach of robot-assisted port site closure for robot-assisted gastrectomy to reduce the occurrence of hernias.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel/cisplatin/S-1 (DCS) following S-1 therapy in patients with stage III gastric cancer after curative gastrectomy. Methods Patients with stage III gastric cancer who underwent D2 gastrectomy were enrolled. Adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated within 8 weeks of gastrectomy. The first cycle of chemotherapy consisted of S-1 monotherapy (day 1–14), followed by a 7-day rest period. Cycles 2 and 3 consisted of the following: S-1 (day 1–14) administration, followed by a 14-day rest period, and an intravenous infusion of cisplatin and docetaxel on days 1 and 15. After two cycles, S-1 was administered for up to 1 year. Results Thirty patients were enrolled between 2014 and 2017. Febrile neutropenia of grade 3 or higher was the most common hematological toxicity with 4 patients (13.3%). Other hematological toxicities of grade 3 or higher were as follows: neutropenia in 3 (10.0%), leukopenia in 3 (10.0%), and anemia in 2 (6.7%) patients. Most frequent non-hematological toxicity of grade 3 was anorexia (n = 4, 13.3%) and general fatigue (n = 3, 10.0%); no grade 4 non-hematological toxicities were observed. Twenty-five patients (83.3%) completed two cycles of DCS treatment and 18 (60.0%) completed subsequent S-1 treatment for 1 year. The relative dose intensity of docetaxel and cisplatin was 0.86 and that of S-1 was 0.88. Conclusion The DCS regimen can be acceptable as an adjuvant chemotherapy and offers an effective postoperative treatment option for stage III gastric cancer patients. Trial registration number UMIN000012785. Date of registry 08/01/2014.

The basal body temperature (BBT) in women is biphasic, with high- and low-temperature phases during the menstrual cycle. Biphasic BBT predicts the date of ovulation for contraception and family planning. Although the BBT is measured with a basal thermometer at rest, upon waking up, it is often tedious to measure for women. Additionally, the single measured values are not sufficient to reflect biphasic BBT. To solve these problems, various wearable devices have been developed. In the present review, we introduce these devices, compare them to other available basal thermometers, and discuss possible future devices. Wearable devices used to measure skin temperature, ear canal temperature, and temperature in clothes during nighttime to predict BBT (the type of bracelet, ring, armband, ear, and waist), have been developed. These devices are convenient for users, because they measure and record temperature automatically during the nighttime instead of every morning. The scientific evidence was most documented for the type of bracelet, wherein the wrist skin temperature measured during the nighttime reflected the biphasic BBT and predicted the date of ovulation. The popular wearable device, Fitbit

This study presents a two-class successive generations model with human capital accumulation and the choice to opt out of public education. The model demonstrates the mutual interaction between inequality and education choice and shows that this interaction leads to two locally stable steady-state equilibria. The existence of multiple stable equilibria implies a negative association between inequality and public education enrollment, which is consistent with evidence from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. This study also presents a welfare analysis using data from OECD countries and shows that introducing a compulsory public education system leaves the first generation worse off, although it realizes an equal society and improves welfare for future generations of lower-class individuals.

The influence of high-temperature H2 reduction treatment on Rh and Pd catalysts supported on Al2O3 was studied in relation to thermal aging in air. After air-aging at ≥900 °C, the Rh/Al2O3 catalyst was more strongly deactivated compared with the Pd/Al2O3 catalyst. As has been widely recognized, the solid-state reactions between Rh oxide and Al2O3 decreased the active surface area and stabilized inactive Rh3+ species. The activity was restored by the postreduction treatment with 20% H2/He at 200 °C, whereas a striking enhancement of activity was achieved by the reduction at 800–1100 °C, where substantial deactivation occurred for Pd/Al2O3. A mechanistic interpretation is proposed based on local structural characterization, which explains these contrasting thermal behaviors. The high-temperature reduction treatment produced active and thermostable Rh metal nanoparticles, which were highly dispersed on Al2O3. The observed dispersion (as high as ∼20% after reduction at 1000 °C) is among the highest for suppor...

Japanese menopausal women who feel cold, even in a warm room, are said to be experiencing "hie-sho." We assessed the magnitude of coldness by a "hie-sho" interview score. The association between the magnitude of coldness and female hormones, fat intake, and menopausal symptoms is unknown. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the relationship between the hie-sho interview scores and female hormones, fat intake, Kupperman index in pre- (pre group) and post- (post group) menopausal women. The hie-sho interview scores, Kupperman index questionnaire results, dietary survey to analyze fat intake, and body weight were analyzed, and plasma estradiol, progesterone, and lipid levels were measured in the subjects in the pre (n = 9) and post (n = 11) groups. Plasma female hormones and fat intake were different, but the total Kupperman index was not different between pre and post groups. Plasma progesterone was positively correlated with the hie-sho score only in the post group. Plasma triglyceride was positively correlated with the hie-sho score only in the pre group. Intake of cholesterol, arachidonic acid, and docosapentaenoic acid was negatively correlated with the hie-sho score only in the pre group. The positive correlation between total Kupperman index and hie-sho score was observed only in the pre group. These results indicated that progesterone level was related to coldness in post-menopausal women. Fat intake, plasma triglyceride, and menopausal symptoms may be related to coldness in pre-menopausal women.

Focusing on the scalability of Two-Filter Method, we started to develop a monitor for the concentration of radon and its progeny. In this study, we investigated the influence of a high-humidity environment on measuring radon concentration, and the influence of the decay chamber of the monitor on the measurement. In the high-humidity test, the conversion factor of (Bqm−3)/(cpm) tends to raise with increasing humidity. On the measurement of radon progeny, existence of the decay chamber of the monitor makes measurement sensitivity lower under environments of little aerosols. Radon concentration measurement by the developed monitor could be influenced by environmental humidity, and that counting loss could occur due to deposition of radon progeny inside of the decay chamber. Correction relating these would be needed based on the data of calibration tests.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), an insulating two-dimensional (2D) layered material, has attracted increasing interest due to its electrical screening effect, high-temperature-resistant gas barrier properties, and other unique applications. However, the presence of grain boundaries (GBs) in h-BN is a hindrance to obtain these properties. Here, we demonstrate the epitaxial growth of monolayer h-BN by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on Ni(111) thin films deposited on c-plane sapphire. The Ni(111) films showed higher thermal stability than Cu(111) and Cu-Ni(111) alloy films, allowing us to perform CVD growth at a high temperature of 1100 °C. This resulted in an increase of the h-BN grain sizes to up to 0.5 millimeter, among the highest reported so far, and in a well-defined triangular grain shape. Low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM) revealed the epitaxial relationship between h-BN and the underlying Ni(111) lattice, leading to a preferential alignment of the h-BN grains. Both the large grain size and the alignment are expected to facilitate the synthesis of h-BN with a low density of GBs. We also found that the addition of N2 gas during the CVD improves the crystalline shape of the h-BN grains, changing from an irregular, truncated to a sharp triangle. The growth behavior of monolayer h-BN is further discussed in terms of the dependences on growth temperature and pressure, as well as on the structural evolution of the Ni metal catalyst. Our findings not only help understand the h-BN growth mechanism but also offer a new route to grow high-quality, monolayer h-BN films.

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a member of the IL-1 family and plays an important role in both the innate and acquired immune systems. It is constitutively expressed as an inactive precursor (24 kDa) in various cell types, and the mature IL-18 (18 kDa) cleaved by inflammatory caspase-1/4 binds to the interleukin-18 receptor, thereby activating downstream signaling pathways. We previously generated anti-human IL-18 antibodies that specifically recognize the human IL-18 neoepitope cleaved by inflammatory caspase-1/4. Because the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the neoepitopes are different between human IL-18 and mouse IL-18, the anti-human IL-18 neoepitope antibodies do not recognize mouse mature IL-18. We have now generated novel anti-mouse IL-18 neoepitope antibodies. We also confirmed CXCL2 secretion from P-815 mouse cells by mouse IL-18 stimulation, and established a simple assay to evaluate the activity of mouse IL-18. Using this evaluation system, we confirmed that the anti-mouse IL-18 neoepitope antibodies could inhibit mouse IL-18. By demonstrating the therapeutic efficacy of the anti-mouse IL-18 neoepitope and function-blocking mAbs established in the present study in mouse models, corresponding to human inflammatory diseases in which IL-18 may be involved, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, we can provide the proof-of-concept that the previously established anti-human IL-18 neoepitope and function-blocking mAbs work in human inflammatory disorders corresponding to mouse models.

Background Risk factors for anastomotic leakage include local factors such as excessive tension across anastomosis and increased intraluminal pressure on the gastric conduit; therefore, we consider the placement of a nasogastric tube to be essential in reducing anastomotic leakage. In this study, we devised a safe and simple technique to place an NGT during an end-to-side, automatic circular-stapled esophagogastrostomy. Methods First, a 4-0 nylon thread is fixed in the narrow groove between the plastic and metal parts of the tip of the anvil head. After dissecting the esophagus, the tip of the NGT is guided out of the lumen of the cervical esophageal stump. The connecting nylon thread is applied to the anvil head with the tip of the NGT. The anvil head is inserted into the cervical esophageal stump, and a purse-string suture is performed on the esophageal stump to complete the anvil head placement. The main unit of the automated stapler is inserted through the tip of a reconstructed gastric conduit, and the stapler is subsequently fired and an end-to-side esophagogastrostomy is achieved. The main unit of the automated stapler is then pulled out from the gastric conduit, and the NGT comes out with the anvil head from the tip of the reconstructed gastric conduit. Subsequently, the nylon thread is cut. After creating an α-loop with the NGT outside of the lumen, the tip of the NGT is inserted into the gastric conduit along the lesser curvature toward the caudal side. Finally, the inlet of the automated stapler on the tip of the gastric conduit is closed with an automated linear stapler, and the esophagogastrostomy is completed. Results We utilized this technique in seven patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer; smooth and safe placement of the NGT was accomplished in all cases. Conclusion Our technique of NGT placement is simple, safe, and feasible.

Semi-circular potential sweep voltammetry has recently been proposed as a sensitive method to estimate electrochemical rate constants [J. Electroanal. Chem., 835 (2019) 60–66]. Herein, this approach is experimentally verified using microdisc electrode voltammetry. The reduction of hexaamineruthenium (III) chloride and the oxidation of ferrocenemethanol, both in aqueous solution, at carbon electrodes were studied. The rate constants obtained from semi-circular voltammetry for both investigated redox systems are in agreement with independent values obtained from the conventional Nicholson method at macroelectrodes. The method compares favourably in terms of simplicity and speed as it requires recording only a single voltammogram. This approach provides a novel, fast complementary method for the evaluation of the standard electrochemical rate constant.

This study investigates why portfolio returns of online banking users are higher than those of non-online users. We first demonstrate that households that are eager to improve their level of financial literacy are more likely to use online banking. Second, a marginal increase in risk appetite increases portfolio returns of online users; however, this is not the case for non-online users. Third, online banking promotes debt repayment, and this further encourages risk tolerant investments. In sum, we conclude that financial literacy efforts moderate a positive relationship between use of online banking, risk appetite, and portfolio returns. The positive relationship between use of online banking and debt repayment further increases risk appetite.

International audience; Lunar impact flashes have been observed at collisions of meteoroids against the non-sunlit lunar surface at speeds exceeding 10 km s À1. We detected 13 flash candidates between 6.2 and 9.9 in R-magnitude on December 15, 2018 during the Geminids meteor activity. Two or three observatories confirmed eleven of them. We obtained their spectra in the wavelength range between 400 and 870 nm. They are continuous and red, with best-fitted single blackbody spectra indicating the temperatures of about 2000-4000 K. The temperatures for a few successive movie frames at 16 ms or 25 ms intervals decrease with time. Incandescent ejecta, consisting of melt droplets or dust, and the radiant floor of an impact crater could be the source of these flashes, except for the initial stages. At the beginning of some flashes, we found an excess of fluxes at short wavelengths of less than about 600 nm. The composites of two blackbody spectra may fit the spectra better where their temperatures are about 2000 K and 6000 K. The contribution of a high-temperature vapor plume, generated at the very beginnings of the impact phenomena, could be important.

The purpose of this study was to validate InSAR-derived ground deformation results for study areas with reinforced slopes using field surveys obtained by a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). Three field survey sites in south Chiba prefecture, Japan, were employed in this study. Displacement values related to surface deformation obtained from InSAR analysis and TLS field surveys were compared. Despite the error between TLS measurements and InSAR analysis, this study showed that it is possible to estimate reinforced slope dynamics with high accuracy.

Fasting increases ghrelin that is a peptide hormone with two circulating isoforms, acyl and des-acyl ghrelin. We reported that fasting or des-acyl ghrelin facilitates behavioral thermoregulation in the cold in rats assessed by tail-hiding behavior that was the indicator of rats’ thermoregulatory behavior in the cold; however, the effect of acyl-ghrelin on the same process remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effect of acyl-ghrelin on thermoregulatory behavior in the cold in rats. The animals received an intraperitoneal saline or 24 μg acyl-ghrelin injection and were exposed to 27 °C or 15 °C for 2 h, while their body temperature, tail skin temperature, and tail-hiding behavior were constantly monitored. cFos immunoreactive (cFos-IR) cells in the median preoptic area, medial preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and arcuate nucleus were counted. Body temperature and the duration of thermoregulatory behavior did not show a significant difference between the acyl-ghrelin-treated and control groups at 15 °C; however, tail skin temperature in the acyl-ghrelin-treated group was higher than that in the control group. The number of cFos-IR cells in the PVN was greater in the control group than that in the acyl-ghrelin-treated group at 27 °C. These results indicate that acyl-ghrelin did not affect behavioral thermoregulation but might affect tail skin temperature in rats in the cold.

In situ time-resolved diffuse reflectance spectroscopy provided the redox dynamics of Pd nanoparticles supported on an oxygen storage material CeO2–ZrO2 (CZ) under lean/rich perturbation conditions. Because the reflectance at 450 nm is sensitive to the Pd oxidation state but is not affected by the redox of Ce3+/Ce4+ species of CZ, the real-time Pd redox can be monitored every second during oxygen storage/release in simulated engine combustion exhaust gas (CO–C3H6–NO–O2) corresponding to gasoline air-to-fuel ratios of 14.1 (rich) and 15.0 (lean). Although a large amount of O2 was stored by CZ upon the rich-to-lean switch, the rate of Pd oxidation during this event was found to be much more moderate compared to that with a reference catalyst, Pd/Al2O3. Because rapid oxygen uptake by CZ reduces the local O2 partial pressure near the surface, the oxidation of Pd should be retarded. This can preserve active metallic Pd and thus contribute to longer retention of high NO reduction efficiency even under the lean ...

This study considers the politics of public education policy in an overlapping-generations model with physical and human capital accumulation. In particular, this study examines how debt and tax financing differ in terms of growth and welfare across generations, as well as which fiscal stance voters support. The analysis shows that the growth rate in debt financing is lower than that in tax financing, and that debt financing creates a tradeoff between the present and future generations. The analysis also shows that debt financing attains slower economic growth than that realized by the choice of a social planner who cares about the welfare of all generations.