Search

Background: Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) provides a high rate of curative resection, the remaining gastric mucosa after ESD is at risk for metachronous superficial gastric epithelial neoplasms (MSGENs). It leaves room for risk factors for developing MSGENs after ESD. This study aimed to identify clinicopathological risk factors for the occurrence of MSGENs, and to evaluate the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with the MSGENs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 369 patients with 382 lesions that underwent ESD for adenoma/early gastric cancer. Results: Twenty-seven MSGENs occurred. The subjects were divided into MSGEN and not-MSGEN groups. There was a significantly higher frequency of histological intestinal metaplasia (HIM) and initial neoplasm location in the upper or middle parts (INUM) in the MSGEN group. The HIM and INUM groups had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of MSGENs. We compared 27 patients from the MSGEN group and 27 patients from the not-MSGEN group that were matched to the MSGEN group for variables including HIM and INUM. There was a significantly higher frequency of the spontaneous disappearance of H. pylori in the MSGEN group. Conclusions: HIM, INUM, and the spontaneous disappearance of H. pylori may be clinicopathological risk factors for developing MSGENs after ESD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Small gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) are sometimes encountered in daily esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) practice, but whether once-annual or twice-annual endoscopy can provide sufficient follow-up remains unclear. Because follow-up based on small-SEL characteristics is important, this study clarified the natural history of gastric SELs less than 20 mm. Methods: This retrospective multicenter observation study conducted at 24 Japanese hospitals during April 2000 to March 2020 examined small gastric SELs of ≤20 mm diameter. The primary outcome was the rate of size increase of those SELs detected using EGD, with growth times assessed irrespective of SEL pathological diagnoses. Results: We examined 824 cases with tumors of 1–5 mm diameter in 298 (36.2%) cases, 6–10 mm in 344 (41.7%) cases, 11–15 mm in 112 (13.6%) cases, and 16–20 mm in 70 (8.50%) cases. An increase of small gastric SELs was observed in 70/824 patients (8.5%). The SELs larger than 6 mm increased, even after 10 years. No-change and increasing groups had no significantly different malignant findings at diagnosis. In cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), internal cystic change in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a risk factor for an increased tumor size. The predictive tumor growth cutoff size at initial diagnosis was 13.5 mm. Conclusions: Small gastric SELs less than 20 mm have an approximately 8.5% chance of increase. Predictive markers for GIST growth are tumor size ≥13.5 mm and internal cystic change in EUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced endoscopy (AVE) techniques include image-enhanced endoscopy methods, such as narrow-band imaging (NBI), and types of microscopic endoscopy, such as endocytoscopy. In the esophagus, AVE first showed diagnostic utility in the diagnosis of superficial esophageal cancer and was then applied to inflammatory disease. This review focuses on non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which sometimes show no abnormal findings on standard white light endoscopy alone. Studies have demonstrated that advanced endoscopy, including NBI magnification endoscopy and endocytoscopy, improved the diagnostic performance of white-light endoscopy alone for NERD and EoE. In this review, we explain why advanced endoscopy is needed for the diagnosis of these esophageal inflammatory diseases, summarize the study results, and discuss future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hematochezia is observed frequently in daily practice. However, natural hemostasis often prevents identification of the bleeding source during observations. This study was conducted to clarify risk factors related to rebleeding in hematochezia patients without an identified cause of bleeding. Methods: We analyzed patients who were admitted to Dokkyo Medical University Hospital during April 1, 2009, through March 31, 2015, with the chief complaint of hematochezia. Main outcome measures included the rebleeding rate and the period until rebleeding in hematochezia patients without an identified bleeding source. Results: We selected 159 patients for analyses. Rebleeding was observed in 46 (28.9%) of 159 patients. The median period until first rebleeding was 166 days (2–3,046 days). Univariate analysis indicated that risk factors for rebleeding were male gender (p = 0.029), higher age (p = 0.023), antithrombotic medicines (p = 0.047), lower hemoglobin on admission (p = 0.024), and the presence of diverticula (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis indicated the presence of diverticula (p = 0.023) and male gender (p = 0.043) as rebleeding risk factors. Discussion/Conclusion: In patients with hematochezia of unknown origin, risk factors for rebleeding indicated in this study, especially the presence of diverticula and male gender, should be given particular attention by physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global and regional sources and sinks of carbon across the earth's surface have been studied extensively using atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2) observations and atmospheric chemistry-transport model (ACTM) simulations (top-down/inversion method). However, the uncertainties in the regional flux distributions remain unconstrained due to the lack of high-quality measurements, uncertainties in model simulations, and representation of data and flux errors in the inversion systems. Here, we assess the representation of data and flux errors using a suite of 16 inversion cases derived from a single transport model (MIROC4-ACTM) but different sets of a priori (bottom-up) terrestrial biosphere and oceanic fluxes, as well as prior flux and observational data uncertainties (50 sites) to estimate CO 2 fluxes for 84 regions over the period 2000–2020. The inversion ensembles provide a mean flux field that is consistent with the global CO 2 growth rate, land and ocean sink partitioning of - 2.9 ± 0.3 (± 1 σ uncertainty on the ensemble mean) and - 1.6 ± 0.2 PgC yr -1 , respectively, for the period 2011–2020 (without riverine export correction), offsetting about 22 %–33 % and 16 %–18 % of global fossil fuel CO 2 emissions. The rivers carry about 0.6 PgC yr -1 of land sink into the deep ocean, and thus the effective land and ocean partitioning is - 2.3 ± 0.3 and - 2.2 ± 0.3, respectively. Aggregated fluxes for 15 land regions compare reasonably well with the best estimations for the 2000s (∼ 2000–2009), given by the REgional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes (RECCAP), and all regions appeared as a carbon sink over 2011–2020. Interannual variability and seasonal cycle in CO 2 fluxes are more consistently derived for two distinct prior fluxes when a greater degree of freedom (increased prior flux uncertainty) is given to the inversion system. We have further evaluated the inversion fluxes using meridional CO 2 distributions from independent (not used in the inversions) aircraft and surface measurements, suggesting that the ensemble mean flux (model–observation mean ± 1 σ standard deviation = - 0.3 ± 3 ppm) is best suited for global and regional CO 2 flux budgets than an individual inversion (model–observation 1 σ standard deviation = - 0.35 ± 3.3 ppm). Using the ensemble mean fluxes and uncertainties for 15 land and 11 ocean regions at 5-year intervals, we show promise in the capability to track flux changes toward supporting the ongoing and future CO 2 emission mitigation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeast Asia is a region known for active land‐use changes (LUC) over the past 60 years; yet, how trends in net CO2 uptake and release resulting from LUC activities (net LUC flux) have changed through past decades remains uncertain. The level of uncertainty in net LUC flux from process‐based models is so high that it cannot be concluded that newer estimates are necessarily more reliable than older ones. Here, we examined net LUC flux estimates of Southeast Asia for the 1980s−2010s from older and newer sets of Dynamic Global Vegetation Model simulations (TRENDY v2 and v7, respectively), and forcing data used for running those simulations, along with two book‐keeping estimates (H&N and BLUE). These estimates yielded two contrasting historical LUC transitions, such that TRENDY v2 and H&N showed a transition from increased emissions from the 1980s to 1990s to declining emissions in the 2000s, while TRENDY v7 and BLUE showed the opposite transition. We found that these contrasting transitions originated in the update of LUC forcing data, which reduced the loss of forest area during the 1990s. Further evaluation of remote sensing studies, atmospheric inversions, and the history of forestry and environmental policies in Southeast Asia supported the occurrence of peak emissions in the 1990s and declining thereafter. However, whether LUC emissions continue to decline in Southeast Asia remains uncertain as key processes in recent years, such as conversion of peat forest to oil‐palm plantation, are yet to be represented in the forcing data, suggesting a need for further revision. Key Points: Uncertainty remains in historical trends of CO2 fluxes from land‐use changes (LUC) of Southeast AsiaExisting process‐based models and book‐keeping models yielded two contrasting historical LUC transitions of Southeast AsiaIndependent data evaluations are supportive of the occurrence of peak emissions in the 1990s and declining thereafter [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated recording at densities higher than 4.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] in tape systems using spin-valve heads. We report the signal-to-noise ratio at areal recording densities of 4.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] and 11.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] on low-noise obliquely metal evaporated (ME) tapes. Also, we studied an electrostatic discharge failure of giant magnetoresistive heads on ME tape. The results indicate the feasibility of an areal density of 11.5 Gb/[in.sup.2] in a helical-scan tape system. Index Terms--Areal recording density, metal evaporated tape, spin-valve head.

We have investigated the wear and recession of the shielded spin-valve head in a helical-scan tape system. We report the wear caused by rubbing by metal evaporated tape optimized for the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) head. We have also studied the recession of the GMR head in an accelerated dust environment, taking into consideration the actual operating conditions. The results confirm the feasibility of the practical use of shielded spin-valve GMR heads in helical-scan tape systems at a high recording density. Index Terms--Advanced ME tape, GMR head, head wear, helical-scan tape system, recession.

Regional land carbon budgets provide insights on the spatial distribution of the land uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and can be used to evaluate carbon cycle models and to define baselines for land-based additional mitigation efforts. The scientific community has been involved in providing observation-based estimates of regional carbon budgets either by downscaling atmospheric CO2 observations into surface fluxes with atmospheric inversions, by using inventories of carbon stock changes in terrestrial ecosystems, by upscaling local field observations such as flux towers with gridded climate and remote sensing fields or by integrating data-driven or process-oriented terrestrial carbon cycle models. The first coordinated attempt to collect regional carbon budgets for nine regions covering the entire globe in the RECCAP-1 project has delivered estimates for the decade 2000-2009, but these budgets were not comparable between regions, due to different definitions and component fluxes reported or omitted. The recent recognition of lateral fluxes of carbon by human activities and rivers, that connect CO2 uptake in one area with its release in another also requires better definition and protocols to reach harmonized regional budgets that can be summed up to the globe and compared with the atmospheric CO2 growth rate and inversion results. In this study, for the international initiative RECCAP-2 coordinated by the Global Carbon Project, which aims as an update of regional carbon budgets over the last two decades based on observations, for 10 regions covering the globe, with a better harmonization that the precursor project, we provide recommendations for using atmospheric inversions results to match bottom-up carbon accounting and models, and we define the different component fluxes of the net land atmosphere carbon exchange that should be reported by each research group in charge of each region. Special attention is given to lateral fluxes, inland water fluxes and land use fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust estimates of CO2 budget, CO2 exchanged between the atmosphere and terrestrial biosphere, are necessary to better understand the role of the terrestrial biosphere in mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Over the past decade, this field of research has advanced through understanding of the differences and similarities of two fundamentally different approaches: "top‐down" atmospheric inversions and "bottom‐up" biosphere models. Since the first studies were undertaken, these approaches have shown an increasing level of agreement, but disagreements in some regions still persist, in part because they do not estimate the same quantity of atmosphere–biosphere CO2 exchange. Here, we conducted a thorough comparison of CO2 budgets at multiple scales and from multiple methods to assess the current state of the science in estimating CO2 budgets. Our set of atmospheric inversions and biosphere models, which were adjusted for a consistent flux definition, showed a high level of agreement for global and hemispheric CO2 budgets in the 2000s. Regionally, improved agreement in CO2 budgets was notable for North America and Southeast Asia. However, large gaps between the two methods remained in East Asia and South America. In other regions, Europe, boreal Asia, Africa, South Asia, and Oceania, it was difficult to determine whether those regions act as a net sink or source because of the large spread in estimates from atmospheric inversions. These results highlight two research directions to improve the robustness of CO2 budgets: (a) to increase representation of processes in biosphere models that could contribute to fill the budget gaps, such as forest regrowth and forest degradation; and (b) to reduce sink–source compensation between regions (dipoles) in atmospheric inversion so that their estimates become more comparable. Advancements on both research areas will increase the level of agreement between the top‐down and bottom‐up approaches and yield more robust knowledge of regional CO2 budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Masayuki Kondo The paper discusses the university-industry relation in Japan. After presenting a model of university-industry collaboration and discussing the necessity of university-industry collaboration, two Japanese historical experiences are presented to better understand a current university-industry relation. One is that Japan was the first country that established an engineering department in a university structure in the world. The other is that a public research institute led a large number of companies to commercialise its research results. Then, after Japanese university-industry-collaboration policies are discussed comparing with the situation in the USA, Japanese recent movements in university-industry relation are discussed. Joint research increased first. Then, licensing university technologies to companies increased. Recently, university spin-offs have been established in a large number. The university-industry relation in Japan is changing from the collaboration between the university sector and the industry sector to the cross-over of the two sectors as seen in other countries as well.

Byline: Keizo Sakurai, Masayuki Kondo This paper clarifies the action patterns of Japanese companies in developing successfully marketed products. These action patterns depend on the character of technology development processes, research-based or improvement and machinery technology or material technology. The action patterns also depend on whether managers are customer conscious or not and whether managers are competitor conscious or not. The analysis of the paper has found several action patterns. For example, material technology development always images existing markets, whereas machinery technology development sometimes images new markets or no clear markets. Research-based development and highly customer conscious development tend to image new markets or no clear markets.

In a helical-scan tape system, the MR head is brought into contact with the tape surface at high speed and is exposed to the atmosphere without a protective coating. In this paper, we study the contact resistance between the MR head and tape in terms of tape surface resistance and voltage applied to the head. The electrostatic charge that accumulates on the tape surface as a result of running the tape was measured and found to be less than a few volts. Corrosion tests were found to cause no electrical damage and no visual change, and the block error rate remained constant after storage for 1 year and 5 months. We conclude that helical scan tape systems using the MR head are reliable [1], [2]. Index Terms--Contact resistance, corrosion test, helical scan tape system, MR head.

Stain is serious consideration in a system with low head wear, such as any system using an MR head. We investigate the stain in a helical-scan system employing ME tape and metal head. We examined the accumulation of clear stains in different modes and found that the rewind mode plays a crucial role in inhibiting staining and a hard layer of DLC on the tape helps to limit staining. Clear stains accumulating on the metal part of the head are affected by combination of the metals used in the head. Index Terms--Stain, head wear, helical scan, ME tape, DLC.

In high-density recording in helical-scanning tape systems, MR head-wear caused by contact between the head and the tape is a critical item. We examine a method of measuring MR head-wear which can be calculated in terms of MR head resistance. We then compare wear as determined by the micro-indentation technique and this method. We then use this measuring method to investigate MR head-wear and gap recession depth using a variety of tapes. We found that by optimizing the asperity of advanced ME tape with a protective layer, MR head-wear can be reduced. Index Terms--Helical scanning tape system, MR head, Head wear, Head recession

Abstract: The increasing strength of land CO2 uptake in the 2000s has been attributed to a stimulating effect of rising atmospheric CO2 on photosynthesis (CO2 fertilization). Using terrestrial biosphere models, we show that enhanced CO2 uptake is induced not only by CO2 fertilization but also an increasing uptake by plant regrowth (accounting for 0.33 ± 0.10 Pg C/year increase of CO2 uptake in the 2000s compared with the 1960s–1990s) with its effect most pronounced in eastern North America, southern‐eastern Europe, and southeastern temperate Eurasia. Our analysis indicates that ecosystems in North America and Europe have established the current productive state through regrowth since the 1960s, and those in temperate Eurasia are still in a stage from regrowth following active afforestation in the 1980s–1990s. As the strength of model representation of CO2 fertilization is still in debate, plant regrowth might have a greater potential to sequester carbon than indicated by this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on 11 March 2011 led to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The Japanese government subsequently outlined an evacuation zone around the power plant, and all residents were evacuated. In the absence of cropland or urban vegetation management, land cover was expected to change. The changes in vegetation cover following the nuclear disaster are presented using long-term time series data obtained from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors. Utilizing MODIS 250 m spatial resolution observations, clear signals of vegetation changes were detected following the disaster in 2011. The areas affected were non-forest regions (mostly paddy fields) within the 20 km radius evacuation zone around the power plant. Multi-year comparisons of vegetation seasonality indicated that the changes can be explained by the natural succession of abandoned cropland. The affected area within the 20 km radius is equivalent to about 20% of the total area affected by the tsunami. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify how university-industry (U-I) collaboration differs by technology fields in Japan. Design/methodology/approach – An analysis of the research resource allocation in the Japanese national universities in the Japanese national innovation system is followed by the analysis of U-I collaboration by technology fields. The fields analyzed are life science, information and communication technology (ICT), environment science, nanotechnology and material science, which have been designated as strategically important fields by the Second Japanese Science and Technology Basic Plan. The analysis was conducted in a quantitative way using government data of R&D expenditure, researchers, patent application, joint research, contract research and university spin-offs. Findings – Some characteristics of U-I collaboration have been quantitatively found by technology fields. Though the national universities occupy large R&D expenditure shares in life science and nanotechnology/material science in the Japanese national innovation system, their joint research and contract research are fairly active in environment science as well as in life science and in nanotechnology/material science. For university spin-offs, the national universities are active in life science and ICT. Originality/value – This paper quantitatively clarifies U-I collaboration by technology fields showing relative importance of U-I collaboration by technology fields. The results provide information input to policy makers when they formulate policies to promote U-I collaboration by technology fields and to corporate managers when they make U-I collaboration strategies by technology fields as a part of open innovation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)