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Since Marx reported on osteonecrosis of the jaw caused by the injectable bisphosphonates (BPs) pamidronate and zoledronate, there have been numerous reports not only in Western countries, but in Japan as well, of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) as a pathology similar to radiation-related osteonecrosis/osteomyelitis of the jaw, which is accompanied by exposure of the bone. Osteonecrosis of the jaw similar to that occurring with BPs is also produced with the anti-receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) antibody denosumab, a bone resorption inhibitor that has a different mode of action from BPs, and there is also a report of osteonecrosis of the jaw related to bevacizumab, an angiogenic inhibitor. Because of this, in its newest position paper (2014), the AAOMS changed the nomenclature from BRONJ to "medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw" (MRONJ). This article presents an overview of the position paper on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw and the current status of the MRONJ in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This position paper prepared by the Japanese Working Group on Integrated Nutrition for Dysphagic People (JWIND) aims to summarize the need for nutritional management in adult patients with dysphagia, the issues that nutrition professionals should address, and the promising approaches as well as to propose a vision for the future of nutritional care for adult patients with dysphagia. JWIND is a joint certification system recognized by the Japan Dietetic Association and the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation; its members are mostly experts known as "Certified Specialist of Registered Dietitian for Dysphagia Rehabilitation." Malnutrition and dysphagia are associated with each other. Therefore, malnutrition detection and intervention are essential for patients with dysphagia. However, evidence on the usefulness nutritional assessment and intervention to ensure appropriate nutritional care remains insufficient. Here, we present current knowledge of the relationship between primary diseases causing dysphagia and malnutrition, the indicators used for nutritional assessment, and nutritional interventions such as texture-modified diet (TMD) quality improvement, oral nutritional supplementation, and comprehensive intervention. We also discuss the current status and issues in nutritional care for adult patients with dysphagia. Furthermore, we have proposed measures that nutrition professionals should consider based on 3 perspectives: nutritional assessment, TMD, and nutritional intervention. Individualized and specialized nutritional management by registered dietitians (RDs) through appropriate assessment of the nutritional status of adult patients with dysphagia is needed. To maintain and improve swallowing function and nutritional status, RDs should intervene from the state of risk or early dysphagia onset, providing individualized care per their expertise as part of a multidisciplinary team. However, systematic clinical practice and research regarding the association of nutrition with dysphagia are currently insufficient. Therefore, further clinical practice and evidence building, including the verification of the efficacy on nutritional support through intervention research, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travertines are hot spring carbonate deposits that exhibit characteristic fabrics, including a paper-thin raft and a coated bubble formed by the calcification of water and bubble surfaces, respectively. A previous study interpreted that compared with the water surface, the bubble surface displays more active CO 2 degassing and resultant active CaCO 3 precipitation. However, considering the CO 2 partial pressure and the volumes of atmosphere and bubbles, it is possible that more active CO 2 degassing occurs on the water surface. In addition, the surfaces of water and bubbles at the travertine-depositing sites are negatively charged, but it is still unclear whether the CaCO 3 nucleation on these surfaces occurs via amorphous precursors, like the CaCO 3 nucleation on negatively charged organic matter. This study provides a solution to these uncertainties by examining the aragonitic travertines formed in the Nagayu area of Japan. Through field observations, two types of paper-thin rafts were recognized: one with a smooth surface and formed in approximately 1 h, and the other with a rough surface and formed in approximately 3 h. In addition, the bubbles generated on the microbial mat during the daytime were covered with white minerals within an hour, and with ivory-colored minerals over 8 h after sunset, forming firm coated bubbles. Microelectrode measurements revealed that the active CO 2 degassing on the water surface significantly increased the CaCO 3 saturation state to cause active CaCO 3 precipitation. In contrast, less active CO 2 degassing on the bubble surface did not increase the saturation state, and moderate CaCO 3 precipitation occurred due to the moderately high saturation state of the hot spring water. Various microscopic observations revealed that the smooth-surfaced paper-thin raft comprises a micritic layer of approximately 10–20 μm, which represents tightly arranged submicron-sized granular aragonite. At the lower surface of this layer, hemispherical aragonite partially grew toward the hot spring water. In addition, the rough-surfaced paper-thin raft and coated bubble comprise bundled and acicular aragonites arranged along the surfaces of water and bubble, from which hemispherical aragonite grew toward the hot spring water. Neither the paper-thin raft nor the coated bubble contains primary amorphous CaCO 3. These results suggest that the smooth-surfaced paper-thin raft is formed by active CaCO 3 nucleation on the water surface and subsequent crystal growth, and that the water surface is unfavorable for preserving the amorphous precursors potentially involved in the nucleation. The rough-surfaced paper-thin raft and the coated bubble could have been formed by the attachment of externally formed acicular aragonite to the water/bubble surface and subsequent crystal growth. The revealed formation processes of the paper-thin raft and coated bubble provide valuable information for interpreting their formation mechanism in other travertine deposits, including those in the geological past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted an event study on the concealment of the blending ratio of waste paper with virgin pulp in Japan. By investigating 10 companies in the paper industry between May 30, 2007 and January 18, 2008, we clearly show that stock prices of the relevant companies were affected by the news on the concealment of the blending ratio of waste paper. In addition, the impact of the second event was found to be greater than that of the first event. Therefore, the concealment of major companies negatively affects the stock prices of non-major companies, which did not conceal information during this period. Thus, bad news is negatively assessed by the market, and this influence has spread in the paper industry in general. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel carbon paper has been prepared by pyrolysis from traditional Japanese paper called washi in Japan, which is mainly composed of cellulose microfibers. The washi was iodine-treated before pyrolysis. The effect of iodine-treatment on pyrolysis of the washi was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The structural and electrical properties of the carbon papers were also investigated using Raman scattering, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and resistivity measurements. The iodine-treatment prevents cellulose from thermally decomposing and is effective in increasing the carbon yield and retaining its fibrillar structure. Porous carbon papers consisting of many micro and nanofibrils were prepared by the pyrolysis of the iodine-treated washi at 800°C. Those prepared at 800°C and then heat-treated at higher temperatures than 1800°C show electrical conductivities of 3Scm−1 and 24–27Scm−1. The degree of crystallinity and the electrical conductivity of the papers are improved by the heat treatment at higher temperatures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using the Kobe earthquake of 1995 and the Mid-Java earthquake of 2006 as case studies, this paper discusses the process of providing cultural recovery assistance; it also analyses the term ‘civil society’, a term that reflects efforts to make assistance activities sustainable. The Kobe earthquake should be seen as a point of departure for citizen activism by volunteers; because of it, cultural recovery support was vigorously provided. Since people influenced by those support efforts later became involved in providing Mid-Java earthquake recovery assistance, both earthquake recovery support initiatives can be seen as part of an ongoing chain of events. In analysing the Kobe earthquake, it becomes clear that while there are many semantic meanings for and usages of the term ‘civil society’, it was incorporated into policy guidelines for recovery during a period of low economic growth, and a new civil society was envisioned in this period of social transformation. Organisations participating in assistance efforts following the Mid-Java earthquake sought to make ‘civil society’ a reality; this continued after the earthquake recovery was complete, and it comprised an attempt to build the connections within a civil society by looking to overcome many persistent social problems. The power of communication that ‘culture’ holds plays a large role in this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous socio-legal factors make the process of surrogate decision-making for people living in dementia very complicated in Japan. In this discussion paper, we argue that the lack of early consultation between patients, surrogate decision-makers and healthcare providers and the overreliance of patients and their families on doctors to assume the decision-making role lead to healthcare practices that may not align with the patient's wishes. Further, we argue that lack of laws on surrogate decision-making, changing family structure and the liabilities associated with the care of people living with dementia contribute to the complexity of the decision-making process in Japan. Finally, given the rapidly changing social and healthcare norms in Japan, we call for greater involvement of nurses and care workers in the decision-making process to ensure patient-centric treatment and care are adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing presence of e-books (electronic books) has become a major focus in countries around the world. In the United States, e-books represented 28% of the total book sales for 2012. In Japan, the conversion from paper books to e-books is expected to accelerate by the prevalent use of smartphones and tablet PCs. It is therefore important to quantitatively evaluate the environmental load of paper books and e-books for a sustainable society. In this study, paper books are compared to e-books read on different electronic devices (e-ink tablets, tablets, cell phones, smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers and portable music players) through a case study on a 224-page book. The study is based on key primary data such as use time and reading speed for each device and aims to minimize assumptions made in other studies. GHG emissions for paper books are 1.24 kg-CO 2 e/book, and are reduced to 1.11 kg-CO 2 e/book when the effect of paper recycling is taken into consideration. The results for e-books under average use-time conditions range from 0.25 to 0.91 kg-CO 2 e/book with the e-ink tablet having the lowest emissions. When the average use time of each e-book device is applied, the paper book has a higher impact than all the e-books. However, sensitivity analysis shows that the impact of paper books can be lower than that of e-books for larger screen devices such as tablets, laptops and desktops when the reuse of books is considered or the e-book reading device is hardly used during its life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Concentrations of product gases CO, H 2 , and hydrocarbons varied by feedstock. • Concentrations of CH 4 and tar were similar for different feedstocks. • Higher ER showed lower tar concentration. It ranged 2.5–14.0 g/Nm3 -dry. • ER of 0.4 was an optimal gasification condition for a GE power generation. Energy recovery from small and medium scale waste thermal treatment facilities in the municipalities of Japan is challenging, owing to low power generation efficiency and high economic demands. Gas Engine (GE) generation is considered an efficient resource utilization method in these facilities. In this study, new and consistent feedstock, Refuse Paper and Plastic Fuel (RPF), and wood pellets were tested in an air-blown Fluidized Bed Gasifier (FBG) for syngas utilization in a GE. With temperatures ranging from 700 to 940 °C and varying Equivalence Ratios (ER) of 0.3–0.5, some of the most important product gas characteristics were analyzed, including the Lower Heating Value (LHV) and tar concentration levels. Gas composition results revealed that the concentration tendencies varied for the product gases CO, H 2 , and hydrocarbons, depending on the feedstock type, whereas the same tendencies were observed for CH 4 and tar concentrations. Through the ER range, the LHV of product gas for RPF and wood pellets was 3.4–5.9 MJ/Nm3. Tar concentrations decreased to 2.5–14.0 g/Nm3 -dry as the ER was raised. The optimal ER for LHV performance in GE generation was approximately 0.4 for RPF and wood pellets, and remaining tar concentrations were about 5.0 g/Nm3 -dry at the gasifier exit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Paper sludge ash-based stabilizer (PSAS) is a new type of soil stabilizer. • The W ab and PSD of PSAS influence the change in consistency PSAS-treated soil. • The q c of PSAS-treated soil can be estimated based on its liquidity index I L. • Required PSAS amount for a specific q c of PSAS-treated soil can be estimated. Paper sludge ash-based stabilizers (PSASs) have recently been developed in Japan as sustainable construction materials for soil stabilization. PSASs are produced by the in-solubilization of heavy metals in paper sludge (PS), which is generated as a by-product of the de-inking and re-pulping of paper. PSASs can improve the stability of high-water-content clays immediately after mixing owing to their good water absorption and retention performance. However, mixture design methods that consider time variations of the water absorption and retention performance of a PSAS are lacking. Therefore, in this study, the effects of a PSAS on the physical and mechanical properties of the treated clay were experimentally investigated, considering the change in the water absorption and retention performance of the PSAS with curing time. The water absorption and retention rate, W ab , of the PSAS, is defined as the ratio of the mass of water absorbed and retained by the PSAS to its dry mass. Physical tests and cone index tests were conducted on different types of clays treated with different types of PSASs. The test results showed that different W ab values were obtained depending on the type of the PSAS and that the W ab value increased with curing time. From the experiments, it was found that the liquid limits, w L , and plastic limits, w P , of the PSAS-treated clays with different curing times could be evaluated from the W ab values of the PSAS and the particle sizes of the PSAS and untreated clays. A clear correlation was also found between the cone index, q c , and liquidity index, I L , of the treated and untreated clays. Based on the results, a new approach for mixture design was proposed. The applicability of the proposed method was investigated, and the results showed that the measured q c value of the PSAS-treated clay was close to the target q c value. The average measured q c was approximately 1.1 times the corresponding target q c. The maximum error between the measured q c and target q c values was approximately 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper passes through many hands. In the present paper, key parts of this cycle in Japan were examined, using questionnaire surveys of households and paper makers. The study aimed to examine the paper makers' strategy for paper production and their attitude to recycling, in comparison with those of the consumers. The study especially focused on toilet paper because consumers have a lot of freedom in purchasing toilet paper. A total of 1242 consumers and 60 paper makers responded. The major findings were as follows. First, we compared the criteriaof consumers for purchasing toilet paper with the conjectures of paper makers. Brand, advertisements and the appearance of shopping displays received 60% support from paper makers, but less than 12% of consumers selected these criteria even if we exclude those who do not buytoilet paper or do not have any particular criteria. On the other hand, multiple plies and benefit to the earth were selected by moderatenumbers (between 20 and 25%) of consumers, while only 16.77 and 5.69%, respectively of paper makers marked these criteria. Paper makers strongly believe that many retailers sell toilet paper as a loss-leader. By comparing those matters considered important for recycling by consumers with those considered important by makers, it was shown thatmany makers have a clear awareness of the particular problem, the lack of used paper consumption, in the current paper recycling situation in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines consumer factors of paper recycling in Japan. The study specifically focuses on toilet paper as a paper product and attempts to reveal how individuals evaluate recycled toilet paper, howthe evaluation relates to toilet paper consumption, and why people use or do not use recycled toilet paper. The study also examines what factors influence collection recycling behavior, and what people believe as necessary to achieve a society with better recycling. Responses were obtained from 1242 respondents in Japan. Four results were found. (1) People cannot judge the raw material of virgin toilet papers correctly, while people can correctly judge the raw material of recycled toilet paper. The quality and appearance of recycled toilet paperwas not high enough to compete with virgin toilet paper. Furthermore, the image of recycled toilet paper also had negative impact on the willingness to use recycled toilet paper. (2) The primary criterion for purchasing recycled toilet paper was pro-environmental attitude. For the virgin toilet paper, it was brand. As expected, recycled toilet paper users had a positive evaluation and image of recycled toilet paper, while virgin toilet paper users had a negative evaluation and image of it. (3) Actual recycling behavior might not relate directly to consumption behavior of recycled paper. Rather, it was determined by the knowledge of waste collection system and payment system. (4) Most people have not realized that without the consumption of recycledproducts, the recycling system is not completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the recycling attitudes of consumers in Germany and Japan, based on our nationwide questionnaires. We analyzed consumption behavior as well as recycling behavior in narrow sense, becauseit is important to study the former to see how the supply of recycled materials is balanced with the demand, particularly in Japan which exports little recycled materials. Toilet paper was adopted as a specific good for study, because consumers have options of buying virgin products and recycled products. It was found that German households pay for waste collection specifically and have higher recycling rates than Japanese households. On the other hand, similar figures in German and Japanese consumers were observed with regard to consumption of recycled products. Their purchasing criteria and preference on virginand recycled products of toilet paper were examined by self-report and blind test with 2x 2 experimental design for toilet paper (German versus Japanese, virgin versus recycled). Blind test showed that people prefer domestic and virgin products in both countries. Half of respondents rating virgin products guessed that the products contained recycled material. For Japanese, the material of the sample toilet paper, made from virgin pulp, seems to be a more determining factor thanthe nationality of products, i.e. made in Japan. On the other hand, for Germans, the domestic nature seems to be a more dominant factor than the material, i.e. made from virgin material. Canonical discriminant analysis in conjunction with logistic regression based on self-reporting data detected the characters `multiplied', `appearance' and `brand' as major factors making the difference in preference between the two countries. The possible reasons causing the similarity and dissimilarity between the two countries are discussed with reference to the background history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents several papers published in the 2005 issue of the journals "Journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan" and "Powder Science & Engineering." "Effect and Behavior of Liquid Additive Molecules in Dry Ultrafine Grinding of Limestone," by M. Hasegawa et al; "Characteristics and Hydrogen Desorption Property of Nanostructured Graphite Produced by Grinding in Vacuum Atmospheres," by M. Shirahige et al; "Powder Technology and Electrostatics," by Y. Murata.

Objective: To investigate changes in the clinical state of taste disorders between 1990, 2003, and 2019 using the same methodology as that in previous studies.Materials and Methods: In June 2019, we mailed a questionnaire to 1100 otolaryngologists belonging to the Japan Society of Stomato-pharyngology and investigated three question categories: "Institution", "Number of patients for 3 months", and "Treatment". In addition, we analyzed some results by the class of institution.Results: The rate of patients who complained of taste disorders in the 2019 survey (220/100,000 persons/year) was twice that of the 1990 survey (110/100,000 persons/year), and slightly higher than that of the 2003 survey (192/100,000 persons/year). The rate of female patients was higher than that of male patients in all age groups. The number of patients was correlated with age up to 70 years of age in both genders. The rates of performing taste tests to assess taste function in the 2019 survey were significantly decreased compared with a 2003 survey (electrogustometry: p<0.001, filter paper disk method: p<0.05 in university). The rate of examination of the serum zinc in the 2019 survey was increased compared with the 1990 survey (p<0.001). Zinc oral therapy was used for the treatment of taste disorders in 239/299 (79.9%) patients/institutes for 3 months. In addition, 213 institutions (69.6%) answered that zinc oral therapy was efficacious for taste disorders.Conclusion: The patients who complained of taste disorder have increased. The zinc administration is an appropriate clinical treatment for taste disorders in Japan. To enhance treatment for taste disorders, simpler methods for assessing taste function need to be developed, and the pathological mechanisms of taste disorders other than zinc deficiency need to be clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study demonstrates how the environmentally weighted material consumption (EMC) indicator can be used to assess the resource efficiency of bioeconomy policies by calculating thirteen categories of environmental impacts associated with the production and the use of 146 biomass resources in Japan. The total environmental impact, expressed in the Japanese life cycle database in Japanese yen (JPY), decreased from 2,444 × 109 JPY in 1990 to 1,870 × 109 JPY in 2010. Supply chain related emissions (upstream) represented more than 98% of the impacts for all years. Land use, resource consumption, global warming, and urban air pollution were the main impact categories accounting respectively for 45%, 32%, 14% and 8% of the impacts. Ten products were found responsible for more than half of the impacts: rice, raw milk, beef cattle, painted printing paper, broiler, rolls of newsprint, hen egg, squares, common plywood and lumbers. Improvement of the production processes, reduction of consumed amounts and dietary change were identified as potential strategies for reducing the environmental impacts of these materials. Still, finding the best policy option may require the development of a life cycle assessment database able to differentiate organic and conventional agriculture and to better represent the production and environmental specificities of importing countries. • Environmentally weighted material consumption as an indicator of bioeconomy. • Detailed analysis of 146 biomass materials' environmental impacts. • Land use and resource consumption are the main impact categories. • Ten products are responsible for 50% of the total impacts. • Yield increase, diet shift, and paper recycling can reduce biomass related impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents titles of original research papers published in Japanese journals, including the "Journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan" and "Powder Science & Engineering," as of May 2006. "Micro Discharge Welding and Joint Reinforcement by Non-Contact Welding Method," by T. Konno et al; "Evaluation of Glycemia Control in Beagle Dogs by the Administration of Insulin Encapsulated PLGA Nano-Composite Preparations," by H. Tsujimoto et al; "Kinetics of Comminution and the Grinding Probabilities," by T. Tanaka.

Lists several titles of original research papers published in the Japanese journals "Journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan" and "Powder Science & Engineering."

Presents the titles of the research papers published in the 2002 issues of the Japanese journals, 'Powder Science & Engineering' and the 'Journal of the Society of Powder Technology.'

• Human resources development aided the developing space program of the Philippines. • Most of the selected personnel for training came from the academia. • Trainees taken from the industry followed later to support the push for space. • Most of trained personnel opted to stay in the country to support the space program. The Philippines has experienced a shift of interest in space technology development and utilization over the past decade, culminating with the establishment of its national space agency in 2019. In cooperation with different universities in Japan, the Philippines successfully developed and launched two microsatellites, DIWATA-1 and DIWATA-2, and six nanosatellites, MAYA-1 to MAYA-6. By sending personnel to Japan and other space-faring countries, the country was able to rapidly ramp up its satellite development and utilization capabilities. In this paper, we examine and evaluate the complex human resources development efforts conducted by the country to support the creation of a local space ecosystem and ensure its long-term sustainability. Through a careful review, we identify how many people benefited from training programs, studies abroad or other forms of capacity building, and how these skilled individuals were retained in the budding Filipino space sector. Precisely, we looked at the backgrounds of the different people trained by the country, what type of training they received (funding, location, and duration), and how they are supporting the local space ecosystem at the time of writing this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]