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An epitaxial Li2MnO3(001) thin film electrode with layered rock-salt structure was tested in an all-solid-state battery configuration for the first time. Using amorphous Li3PO4 solid electrolyte, g...

Proportion compatibility effects, in which task performance for compatible stimuli is improved in blocks consisting of mostly compatible stimuli (MC blocks) and task performance for incompatible stimuli is improved in blocks consisting of mostly incompatible stimuli (MI blocks), are common in interference tasks. This study addressed proportion compatibility effects on visual mismatch negativity (VMMN) in the flanker task, which consisted of compatible, incompatible, and deviant stimuli. Compatible and incompatible stimuli were arrays of five black arrows. Deviant stimuli were created by the black central arrow and red surroundings of equal signs. The flanker task was conducted in MC and MI blocks, and blocks with an equal probability (EP blocks) of compatible, incompatible, and deviant stimuli. The posterior negativity from 200 to 250 ms for deviant stimuli was significantly more negative in the MC than in the EP blocks. However, there was no difference in the posterior negativity from 200 to 250 ms between MI and EP blocks. These results indicate that VMMN for deviant stimuli was observed in the MC blocks but not in the MI blocks. In addition, the posterior negativity for incompatible stimuli was modulated by the probability of incompatible stimuli. In contrast, modulation by the probability was not found in the posterior negativity for compatible stimuli. The results indicate that VMMN was elicited by incompatible stimuli but not by compatible stimuli. These findings suggest that proactive control in the MI blocks may attenuate processing in an irrelevant visual field.

The Zr content of rutile coexisting with zircon and quartz is mainly a function of the temperature condition and is calibrated as Zr-in-rutile geothermometers. Because of their robustness under high-temperature conditions, they have been applied to granulite facies rocks instead of the conventional Fe-Mg exchange type geothermometers to estimate more reliable temperature conditions. However, it is recently pointed out that in order for rutile to retain the primary Zr content, rutile must be chemically isolated from zircon and quartz during cooling. In this context, inclusion rutile separately enclosed in garnet can be considered to retain the primary Zr content at the time of entrapment, only if rutile, zircon, and quartz are all enclosed in a contemporaneous domain of the garnet.In this study, we re-examined the pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions of high-grade pelitic gneisses from selected regions (Akarui Point, Skarvsnes, Skallen, and Rundvågshetta) of the Lützow-Holm Complex (LHC), East Antarctica. The LHC has been divided into the upper-amphibolite facies zone, the transitional zone, and the granulite facies zone, based on matrix mineral assemblages of mafic- to intermediate gneisses. Akarui Point is located in the transitional zone and others in the granulite facies zone.While previous studies commonly applied the conventional Fe-Mg exchange type geothermometers, we applied the Zr-in-rutile geothermometer of Tomkins et al. (2007) to rutile grains enclosed in garnet that also encloses zircon, quartz, and Al2SiO5 minerals. By utilizing the phosphorus zoning in garnet, we defined contemporaneous domains of the garnet and identified coexisting inclusion minerals in each domain. In this way, coexisting Al2SiO5 minerals and rutile grains were utilized to constrain the P-T condition of each domain of the garnet.As a result, samples from Akarui Point, Skarvsnes, and Skallen were shown to have experienced almost the same P-T conditions around the kyanite/sillimanite transition boundary (~ 830-850 °C/~ 11 kbar). This is significantly higher than the previously estimated peak condition of 770-790 °C/7.7-9.8 kbar based on the conventional garnet-biotite geothermometer in the case of Akarui Point. From Rundvågshetta, where ultrahigh-T metamorphism is reported by previous studies, higher-T condition (850 ± 15 °C/0.1 kbar to 927 ± 16 °C/12.5 kbar) than those of other three regions was confirmed from inclusion rutile in garnet enclosing sillimanite. Therefore, the traditional metamorphic zone mapping, which classified Akarui Point as belonging to the transitional zone, does not reflect the highest metamorphic grade attained. It should be noted that the regional P-T conditions estimated from inclusion minerals in this study is that of earlier higher-P metamorphic stage than the regional P-T conditions determined by the metamorphic zone mapping utilizing matrix mineral assemblages. This result indicates that the Zr-in-rutile geothermometer is a powerful tool to reveal the P-T evolution of high-grade metamorphic terrains, when combined with detailed microstructural observations focusing on the relationship between rutile, zircon, and quartz.

We evaluated the structural change of the cathode material Li

Interfacial phenomena of oxide cathode/sulfide electrolytes are crucial for the improvement of energy density and cycle stability of all-solid-state batteries. Thin-film batteries provide a simple reaction field for mechanistic studies. We fabricated a model film battery consisted of LiCoO2 cathode, LiNbO3 buffer layer, amorphous Li3PS4 electrolyte, and Li metal anode by physical vapor deposition. Structural changes at the cathode-side interface were investigated by in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) using Ar etching. The LiCoO2 lattice showed a reversible change under high voltage operation with the upper cutoff voltage of 4.5 V. A cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) layer was formed at the interface by decomposition of LiNbO3 and Li3PS4. The ionic and electronic conductivities of the CEI layer could be crucial to improve the reaction resistance and the cycle stability of the oxide cathode/sulfide electrolyte interface.

Arterial stiffness is increased with increasing age, and pulse pressure (PP), a marker of arterial stiffness, is a predictor of incident cardiovascular disease and mortality. However, the prognostic relevance of PP in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction has not been fully understood. We studied 4796 patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction from the PARAGON-HF trial. All patients underwent sequential run-in phases of valsartan and sacubitril/valsartan before randomization. We categorized patients by PP quartile and evaluated the influence of baseline PP on the PARAGON-HF primary end point (total HF hospitalizations and cardiovascular death). At screening, the median PP was 58 mm Hg (interquartile range, 50–69 mm Hg). There was a nonlinear, J-shaped association between PP and outcomes. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models showed that patients in the highest PP quartile had a higher risk of the primary end point (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.14–1.69]; P =0.001), total HF hospitalizations (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.15–1.79]; P =0.001), and myocardial infarction (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.06–2.23]; P =0.022) compared with those in the second (lowest risk) PP quartile. Reductions in PP during sacubitril/valsartan run-in were associated with a decreased risk of the primary end point and total HF hospitalizations. One year after randomization, PP was significantly lower in the sacubitril/valsartan group compared with the valsartan group (3.0 mm Hg decrease [95% CI, 2.4–3.5]; P

Introduction: Transplantation of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) into myocardial infarcted areas has shown potential in healing myocardial infarction (MI). However, the survival rate of transplanted cells is yet considered limited, restricting the therapeutic effects of the transplantation. We assumed that adding angiogenic agent ONO-1301 could promote early stage angiogenesis between host and graft, and benefit the therapeutic effects of hiPSC-CM transplantation. Methods: This study is based on our former study of Cardiac Tissue-Like Construct (CTLC), where 5 x10e6 of hiPSC-CM was seeded on a 1x1cm poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nano fiber (Figure A). In addition, angiogenic agent ONO-1301 was mixed into the fibers. After 24h culture in vitro, 3 layers of CTLCs were transplanted into Nude rat MI models with or without ONO-1301. The rats were raised for another 4 or 8 weeks before sacrifice. Results: In vitro experiments have shown that supernatant of iPS-CM with ONO-1301 underwent a rise in VEGF during a 3 to 6 day culture (Figure B). The VEGF concentration in ONO-1301 positive group is much higer than ONO-1301 negative group (P=0.022) on day3. This difference narrows down over time. In vivo experiments on nude rat have shown that capillary density on MI border zone of ONO fiber+iPS-CM group is 29.95% higher than that of PLGA fiber+iPS-CM group (P=0.004) (figure C). HE and immunofluorescence staining shows remaining transplanted hiPSC-CMs in ONO fiber+iPS-CM group shows more significant TNT2 and human nuclear antigen(HNA) expression than that of PLGA fiber+iPS-CM group (Figure D and E). Also ONO fiber+iPS-CM group showed functional recovery compared to the sham.

Background Although induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived cardiac constructs may have a potential in cardiomyogenesis of a distressed myocardium , obtaining polarity in cardiac constructs, such as via myocyte alignment, may be crucial to achieve a maximum contractile force for better clinical outcomes. We herein hypothesized that transplantation of an aligned cardiac tissue derived from iPS cells has therapeutic effects in a porcine ischemic cardiomyopathy model as a preclinical trial. Methods Aligned cardiac tissues were developed by culturing high-purity iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes in xeno-free conditions and transplanting them into infarct porcine hearts (iPS-CM group, n = 7; control, n = 6). Three months after treatment, therapeutic efficacy was evaluated functionally and histologically. Results In vitro assessment revealed that the aligned cardiac tissue containing high purity cardiomyocytes contracted homogeneously and had excellent mechanical properties. In the in vivo study, the left ventricular ejection fraction of the iPS-CM group was significantly greater than that of the control group, 3 months after transplantation (37.8% ± 2.3% vs 28.3% ± 2.5%, p interstitial fibrosis , attenuation of hypertrophied cardiomyocytes, and an increased capillary density were also prominent in the iPS-CM group. A limited amount of engraftment of the transplanted tissue maintaining tissue alignment was observed at 2 weeks after transplantation. Conclusions The creation of large-scale functional aligned cardiac tissue was feasible, and the transplantation of the aligned tissue improved cardiac function with angiogenesis and antifibrotic effects in a porcine cardiomyopathy model.

The authors have proposed Network Traversal with Mobility (NTMobile) that achieves both IP mobility and End-to-End connectivity in IPv4/IPv6 networks. In order to achieve end-to-end encrypted communication between IPv4 and IPv6 networks, it is necessary to relay a server in the cloud. This system model includes problems such as increased transmission delays and redundant communication paths. This paper proposes a new NTMobile system model that applies the concept of mobile edge computing. The proposed system model solves problems of the conventional model by deploying NTMobile servers on Virtual Customer Premises Equipment. The results of the verification of the proposed model in a virtual environment show that the communication performance is expected to be improved.

A combination of grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulation studies led to the visualization of the stacking structure of a helical columnar liquid crystal formed by enantiopure octahedral metallomesogens with ΔΛ chirality. The helical structure was elucidated as a hybrid of two major proposed structures.

Adjunctive oral antibiotics following intravenous antibiotics are administered after valve surgery in some patients with active infective endocarditis (IE); however, little is known about their efficacy. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of adjunctive antibiotic oral therapy after IE surgeries. Between 2009 and 2017, 585 patients underwent valve surgery for left-sided active IE at 14 hospitals. Patients who died during hospitalization or transferred with intravenous antibiotics were excluded. Of the remaining 460 patients, 239 were treated with oral antibiotics at discharge (group O) and 221 did not take the oral antibiotic (group N). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were the recurrence of IE and a subset analysis of it. The 2 groups had similar background, postoperative inflammatory responses, and an almost similar duration of postoperative intravenous antibiotics. The overall survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 96% and 88% in group O and 92% and 84% in group N, respectively (P = 0.425). The rates of freedom from the recurrence of endocarditis at 1 and 5 years were 98% and 94% in group O and 97% and 93% in group N, respectively (P = 0.309). In chronic hemodialysis patients, the rates of freedom from the recurrence were significantly higher in group O than in group N (1 year: 100% vs 87.5%; 5 years: 95% vs 69%, P = 0.022). Adjunctive oral antibiotics following intravenous antibiotics in patients with active IE after valve surgery did not affect the overall survival and recurrence of IE, except in chronic hemodialysis patients.

The establishment of three-electrode cells for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries is an important issue to clarify the electrochemical behavior of the battery components and solve problems for the practical applications. Here we prepared an all-solid-state three-electrode cell with a chemically-reduced Li4Ti5O12 reference electrode and investigated electrochemical properties of a LiCoO2 composite electrode in a Li-In|Li10GeP2S12|LiCoO2 cell. Plateau potentials in charge-discharge curves were coincident with reported values. Cell impedance measured with two-electrode configuration agreed well with the sum of the impedances of the positive and the negative electrodes measured with the reference electrode. These results show that chemically-reduced Li4Ti5O12 reference electrode was worked as a Li7Ti5O12|Li4Ti5O12 reference electrode and electrochemical properties of the LiCoO2 electrode and the Li-In electrode were separated. From the temperature and the state of charge dependences of LiCoO2 impedance, resistances related to interface or interphase and charge-transfer reaction were identified. These results show that all-solid-state cells with chemically-reduced Li4Ti5O12 reference electrodes are promising candidates for three-electrode cells for all-solid-state lithium-ion battery systems.

All-solid-state lithium batteries have been proposed as solutions to safety issues associated with conventional lithium batteries; consequently, their development is important. To that end, we conducted a material search of solid electrolytes in the Li4+xAlxSi1−xS4 system. High-temperature (HT) and low-temperature (LT) modifications of novel argyrodite-structured phases were obtained at around x = 0.1 by melt quenching. The HT-argyrodite phase showed the highest ionic conductivity (2.5 × 10−4 S cm−1) at 28 °C, with an activation energy of 40 kJ mol−1; this conductivity value is three orders of magnitude higher than those of Li4+xAlxSi1−xS4 solid solutions. The relationship between ionic conductivity and phase-type was elucidated. An all-solid-state lithium battery using an HT-argyrodite-phase electrolyte exhibited a discharge capacity of over 120 mAh g−1 and an excellent discharge efficiency of about 100% after the second cycle, demonstrating that this material is suitable for use in practical all-solid-state batteries.

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OBJECTIVES Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a leading cause of infective endocarditis (IE), and such cases are on the rise. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical intervention in patients with SA-associated IE and to identify the factors associated with outcomes. METHODS Between 2009 and 2017, 585 patients underwent valve surgery for definitive left-sided IE at 14 affiliated hospitals. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and the preoperative variables and clinical results of patients with (n = 117) or without SA infection (n = 468) were compared. RESULTS The SA group had a more critical preoperative condition with higher rates of chronic haemodialysis, preoperative embolic events and preoperative inflammation levels, as well as worse renal function. In-hospital mortality was 20% and 7% in the patients with or without SA infection, respectively. The overall survival rate at 1 year and 5 years was 72% and 62% in the SA group, and 88% and 81% in the non-SA group, respectively (P CONCLUSIONS The short- and mid-term outcomes after valve surgery for active IE in patients with SA are still challenging. Methicillin-resistant SA infection is an independent predictor of mid-term mortality.

AIMS The prevalence of liver function abnormalities is common in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We assessed the impact of liver function on prognosis and the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on measures of liver function in patients with HFrEF. METHODS AND RESULTS The PARADIGM-HF trial was a randomized, double-blind, active treatment-controlled trial. We included 8232 HFrEF patients with available measures of liver function, including transaminases, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin; the primary endpoint was a composite of HF hospitalization and cardiovascular (CV) death. At screening, 11.6% of study patients had total bilirubin above the upper limit of normal (20.5 μmol/L) and 9.2% had ALP above the upper limit of normal (123 IU/L). Although ALP and albumin were associated with an increased risk of outcomes, among conventional test of liver function, total bilirubin was the strongest predictor for the primary endpoint [hazard ratio (HR) 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.15; P

Magnetic enhancement of Chinese loess‐paleosol sequences has been used extensively as a proxy for East Asian summer monsoon variations. However, the pedogenic magnetic particles contributing to this magnetic enhancement are difficult to extract, so it is not clear how they formed. In this study, we reveal pedogenic magnetite and hematite using electron microscopy, synchrotron radiation X‐ray diffraction, and rock magnetic methods. First‐order reversal curves indicate that superparamagnetic/single domain/vortex state magnetic properties dominated both loess and paleosol samples. Samples of muscovite and chlorite, which are paramagnetic, have weak spontaneous magnetization. The 1‐ to 10‐μm‐sized fraction of host silicatesis responsible for most of the magnetic enhancement of paleosols. In the paleosol fraction, we found weathered phyllosilicates (muscovite/chlorite), including many elongated submicron to a few microns authigenic magnetite and hematite particles between layers; however, few such interlayer particles were found in phyllosilicates of the loess fraction. The concentration of magnetite/hematite particles within paleosol muscovite/chlorite grains and in aggregates of phyllosilicate fragments is much higher than that of the submicron iron oxides found on silicate surfaces. Interlayer magnetite particles are dominantly prism‐shaped with aspect ratios >~4. The authigenic magnetite must be mainly responsible for the spontaneous magnetization of the muscovites and chlorites and the paleosol magnetic properties. The protective silicates account for the low extraction efficiency and also the near absence of surface oxidation of pedogenic magnetite. Based on our results, we suggest that magnetite/hematite in weathered phyllosilicates contribute significantly to the magnetic enhancement of mature paleosols.

Background Family resilience is the process through which family members withstand and rebound from adversity. Aims In this study, we examined the effects of family resilience on the psychological distress of mothers of children with developmental disorders (DD). Methods and Procedures A Family Resilience Elements Questionnaire was developed, which measured the degree to which mothers possess elements of family resilience. The participants were 274 mothers of children with DD. We performed a hierarchical multiple regression analysis to predict maternal psychological distress. Outcomes and Results The analysis revealed that maternal psychological distress was increased by higher severity of children’s DD and decreased by higher family resiliency. Moreover, there was a significant interaction between the severity of children’s DD and family resiliency, where family resiliency moderated the relationship between maternal psychological distress and the severity of children’s DD. Specifically, the slope predicting maternal psychological distress based on the severity of children’s DD was decreased by increasing family resiliency. Conclusions and Implications These findings indicated that family resiliency reduced maternal psychological distress and alleviated the relationship between maternal psychological distress and severity of children’s DD. Thus, we suggest that clinicians need to take account of family resilience in interventions for children with DD and their mothers.

Sodium superionic conductors are highly promising as solid electrolytes for all-solid-state sodium batteries, with the capacity to improve energy and power density of liquid-electrolyte-based batteries and to address their safety issues. However, the ionic conductivity of sodium electrolytes remains roughly one order of magnitude lower than that of lithium systems. Herein, we report a synthesis method for a sodium superionic conductor, tetragonal Na3PS4, with an ionic conductivity of 3.39 × 10−3 Scm−1 at 25 °C—the highest value yet reported among sulfide-type sodium conductors. The high conductivity is achieved through quenching from 700 °C, which introduces sodium vacancies, and annealing at 450 °C, which increases vacancies and expands lattice volume. The phase is comprised of a framework of isolated PS4 tetrahedra, with partial distribution of Na over 3D pathways. The high intrinsic conductivity together with low grain boundary contribution and soft mechanical properties make Na3PS4 a promising candidate for sodium solid electrolytes.

The infaunal clam Ruditapes philippinarum exhibits highly polymorphic shell coloration, but the function of the coloration remains uncertain. Here, a hypothesis that such shell coloration functions to enhance visual crypsis (i.e., background color matching) in juveniles (, Journal of Sea Research, 138, pp.8-18; 2018

Lithium-rich layered rocksalt oxides are promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, owing to their high charge–discharge capacities of over 250 mA h g–1. However, their poor rate capability remains to be addressed. Here, we investigate the effects of surface modification by amorphous Li3PO4 on the structures and electrochemical reactions in the surface region of an epitaxial Li2RuO3(010) film electrode fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. Structural characterization using surface X-ray diffraction (XRD), hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and neutron reflectometry shows that surface modification by 3 nm thick Li3PO4 resulted in the partial substitution of P for Li in the surface region of Li2RuO3. The modified (010) surface exhibits better rate capability at 20 C (41% of the discharge capacity at 0.3 C) compared to the unmodified surface (5% of that at 0.3 C). In situ surface XRD confirmed that highly reversible structural changes occurred at the modified surface during lithium (de)inter...

All-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries were fabricated using composite electrodes incorporating sulfur, carbon replica, and a solid electrolyte. Novel liquid-phase mixing contributed to improving electrochemical properties through solid-electrolyte penetration into the mesopores of the carbon replica. Combined mechanical and liquid-phase mixing realized a solid-state battery with high electrochemical performance comparable to a liquid battery system. A discharge capacity in excess of 1500 mAh g–1 and a high Coulombic efficiency of about 100% were demonstrated at an applied pressure of 213 MPa. The novel sulfur-electrode fabrication method enhances battery performance, since the ionic conduction pathway in the composite electrode is increased.

Objective The right prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays an essential role in active processing within visuospatial working memory (VSWM). The aim of this study was to examine developmental changes in the recruitment patterns of the PFC during visuospatial memory tasks in school-age participants. Methods We recruited 80 school-age children who were classified into three age groups: 7- to 8-year-old, 9- to 10-year-old, and 11- to 12-year-old children. We used near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure PFC activity during visuospatial memory task. Memory stimuli were presented either sequentially or simultaneously. Results In all three groups, right-lateralized PFC activity was observed during sequential presentation, suggesting specialization of the right PFC for VSWM. During simultaneous presentation, right-lateralized PFC activity was not observed in 7- to 8-year-old children or 9- to 10-year-old children. In contrast, PFC activity was right-lateralized in 11- to 12-year-old children. Conclusions We suggest that specialization of the right PFC for VSWM is already present before school-age, but widely distributed activity in response to visuospatial memory tasks changes to more focal activity in VSWM-specific regions during the early school years. Significance Using NIRS, we showed developmental changes in the recruitment patterns of the PFC during visuospatial memory tasks.

本稿は、比婆荒神神楽の伝承者が、明治から第二次大戦終戦までの近代をどのように生き、現在まで神楽を伝えてきたのかを明らかにする論考である。本稿では、政治経済や社会動向など、地域社会の外部から伝承者に与えられた影響に注目して考察を行う。広島県庄原市東城町・西城町の神主と明治以降に農民たちにより結成された神楽社は、比婆荒神神楽を伝承している。神楽の執行に伴う経済的側面に注目して神楽を捉えると、執行者にとって神楽は、祭料やお花など収入を得ることができる稼ぎの手段でもあった。近世期のこの地域では、神職たちが郡毎に神楽組を結成し、独占的に神楽を執行しており、一般家庭出身の者が神楽を舞うことはなかった。こうした状況は、明治新政府が実行した新たな宗教政策により変化し、一般家庭出身の村人たちが新たに神楽団を結成して神楽を舞うことが可能になった。その後、明治の中頃から、国家の宗祀たる神社に奉職する神職は神楽を舞うべきではないという意見が強く主張されるようになる。また、地域の基幹産業であったたたら製鉄の不振という産業構造の変化があり、都市部への住民の流出も始まった。このような状況下で、産業に乏しい山間地域で暮らす農民たちは、冬季の出稼ぎとして積極的に神楽を舞い始めた。その結果、神楽における神事舞を神職、遊興的な能舞を神楽社が担当する近代的な執行体制が構築された。こうした執行体制のなかで、近世まで独占的に神楽を執行してきた神職たちは、明治時代の新たな宗教政策に応じた神楽の組織・規約を構築することで、神職たちが保持していた神楽に関する諸権利の維持を図っていた。また、近代の歴史を見てきた結果判明したのは、神楽の伝承者たちが、自分たちが伝承する神楽を、時代の文脈や価値観に即して意義付け、変化させながら伝えてきた複雑な過程である。比婆荒神神楽は、神職たちから模範的と称賛され、天皇制と結びついた国家の神話を演ずる「神代」の神楽という正当性を得ることが出来た。伝承者たちは、こうした「模範的神代神楽」というブランドイメージを武器に、引率者である神職が有していた人脈や聖蹟顕彰運動などを利用して、出張公演を盛んに行っていた。このような民俗芸能を「資源化」する試みは、すでに戦前から始まっていた。以上の考察より、比婆荒神神楽の地域社会における「民俗的」な側面ばかりを強調してきた先行研究者たちは、地元の外へ積極的に進出を試みていた近代の姿を見てこなかったことが理解されるだろう。本稿は、こうした研究史上の欠落を補うという意義を有している。, This paper discusses the modern performance of the traditional form of entertainment, Hibakojin Kagura, during the period from the Meiji era (1868–1912) through to the end of World War Two. It will focus particularly on influences from outside the community, such as political and economic factors and social trends.Hibakojin Kagura has been passed down through the generations by Shinto priests and villagers in Saijo-cho and Tojo-cho in Shobara-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture. Those performing kagura in a festival context are also financially rewarded, through service fees and flowers made as offerings to the gods. Therefore, it can be said that for performers, these kagura festivals are an occasion for earning money.During the Edo era (1603–1868), only Shinto priests were permitted to perform kagura in this area of the country. This situation changed under the policy of the Meiji government. From that time on, farmers from ordinary families began to perform kagura.Subsequent to this policy change, around the middle of the Meiji period, it came to be commonly believed that Shinto priests should not perform kagura. Furthermore, there were changes in the industrial structure of the area, which contributed to an outflow of residents to urban areas. Under these circumstances, the farmers living in mountainous areas where agricultural possibilities were limited, began travelling to perform kagura as a way of making money during the winter months.As a result, a modern system was created in which the Shinto priests were in charge of ceremonial duties, and farmers were in charge of entertaining. This arrangement was a way of ensuring that the priests, who had held the monopoly over kagura performances until early modern times, continued to maintain the various rights related to kagura.In modern times, the performers of Hibakojin Kagura handed the artform down through generations, while altering it to ensure it remains meaningful according to the context and values of the times. As a result, Hibaku Kagura became praised as ‘exemplary’ by priests, and legitimized as a form of Jindai Kagura, a name reserved for schools of kagura performing national myths associated with the Emperor System. Drawing upon this ‘legitimacy’, Hibakojin Kagura performers began to take frequent trips to other areas of Japan, making the most of the connections which the priests had accumulated and the authorization of the imperial mausoleums. These attempts to utilize folk performing arts as a cultural resource began even before the start of the Second World War.

Introduction Intensive case management is an essential component of community mental health care system for people with severe mental illness. We examined the association of service types with previous and future functioning and hospital admissions using a longitudinal data, to clarify the case managers’ activity. Methods The study included baseline assessment, recording and analysis of services, and follow-up assessment. At the baseline and follow-up assessments, we examined functioning (ie, Personal and Social Performance Scale: PSP) and hospital admission of users for past periods. For recording and analysis of services, we recorded services provided by case managers over 2 months, and five core services were used for the analyses: regular face-to-face contact, outreach services, hospital-based (outpatient) services, and easy contacts and coordination. Results Outreach services were significantly associated with hospital admissions at baseline and follow-up assessments. Hospital-based services were significantly associated with lower PSP scores and hospital admission at follow-up assessment. Easy contacts and coordination were associated with lower PSP scores at follow-up assessment. Conclusion In Japan, most services are provided in the outpatient department of hospital, and outreach services are relatively time consuming for case managers; thus, the indications for providing outreach services need to be carefully considered. Therefore, we suggest that case managers provide flexible services to users according to the circumstances in Japan.

Surface-coated/uncoated epitaxial LiCoO2 film electrodes with (104) orientations were fabricated on SrRuO3(100)/Nb:SrTiO3(100) using pulsed laser deposition. Films with thicknesses of ~18 nm and flat surfaces with roughnesses of less than 1 nm were model systems for clarifying the kinetics of Li-ion transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The Li-ion transfer characteristics at the interface between the LiCoO2 electrode and the electrolyte (LiPF6, ethylene carbonate + diethyl carbonate) were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectrometry. The charge-transfer resistance (Rct) of uncoated LiCoO2 increased from the early cycles when charged/discharged at 3.0–4.2 V. When charged/discharged at 3.0–4.5 V, the Rct of the uncoated LiCoO2 rapidly increased from the first charge. In contrast, the Rct of Li2ZrO3-coated LiCoO2 remained almost constant during the early cycles when charged/discharged either at 3.0–4.2 or at 3.0–4.5 V. The interfacial resistances of the coated and uncoated LiCoO2 electrodes were almost equal (~100 Ω cm2). The activation energy for charge transfer was lower for the coated LiCoO2 electrode compared to that for the uncoated electrode. The current-rate capability was significantly improved by surface coating even at high-voltage charge/discharge at 3.0–4.5 V. The charge transfer process is the rate-determining step of the charge/discharge reaction.

Composite sulfur electrodes are prepared by high-temperature mechanical milling (443 K) for use in all-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries, and their structures and electrochemical properties are investigated. Composites comprising sulfur, acetylene black, and a Li 3.25 Ge 0.25 P 0.75 S 4 solid electrolyte are fabricated by planetary ball milling using a temperature-controlled system. The composite electrode exhibits a high discharge capacity of greater than 1200 mAh g −1 and a good cycle capability. As a result of high-temperature milling, composites are formed, incorporating novel structural units from the reaction between sulfur and the solid electrolyte, along with their intrinsic characteristics. Hence, high-temperature milling demonstrates promise for the fabrication of a composite electrode exhibiting high, reversible electrochemical activities for use in an all-solid-state lithium–sulfur battery.

Near-infrared spectroscopy studies in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have shown excessive prefrontal activity responsible for coping with interference. However, it is possible that the previous results were influenced by verbal, reading, and memory developments. The flanker task is an interference task that does not require a verbal response, reading, or memorization. We examined activity in the superior frontal cortex (SFC) during the flanker task in 12 children with ADHD and 14 children with typical development using near-infrared spectroscopy. SFC activity was significantly greater in children with ADHD than in those with typical development. The results showed excessive interference coping activity in children with ADHD irrespective of verbal, reading, and memory development. Moreover, SFC activity was positively correlated with the inattention subscale score of the ADHD rating scale. We suggest that children with ADHD need greater SFC activation to cope with interference, and the inefficient mechanism is demanding and hard to sustain, which causes inattention symptoms of children with ADHD.

Solid solutions of Sn–Si derivatives with an LGPS (Li10GeP2S12)-type structure are synthesized by a solid-state reaction in the Li3PS4–Li4SnS4–Li4SiS4 quasi-ternary system. The monophasic region of the LGPS-type structure deviates from the tie line between Li10SiP2S12 and Li10SnP2S12, and the composition of the solid solution is determined to be −0.1 ≤ δ ≤ 0.5 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0 in Li10+δ[SnySi1–y]1+δP2−δS12 (0.50 ≤ x ≤ 0.7 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0 in Li4–x[SnySi1–y]1–xPxS4). The solid solution is formed by a double substitution that changes the Sn/Si ratio and the M4+ (Sn4+ and Si4+)/P5+ ratio, which adjusts the sizes of the lithium conduction tunnels and the lithium concentration, and contributes to the optimal conductivity value. The highest ionic conductivity value of 1.1 × 10–2 S cm–1 is achieved for the composition of Li10.35[Sn0.27Si1.08]P1.65S12 (Li3.45[Sn0.09Si0.36]P0.55S4) at 298 K, which is close to the value for the original LGPS compound (1.2 × 10–2 S cm–1). The Ge-free solid electrolyte could be suitabl...

Hara, Kosuke Yano, Taka-Aki Suzuki, Kota Hirayama, Masaaki Hayashi, Tomohiro Kanno, Ryoji Hara, Masahiko eng Japan Anal Sci. 2017;33(7):853-858. doi: 10.2116/analsci.33.853. Local crystalline structures of LiCoO2 nanothin film cathodes in a lithium ion battery have been spectroscopically elucidated through confocal Raman imaging analysis at high spatial resolution of several hundred nanometers. A significant difference in the crystalline structure is found between the nanometric thin films and bulk powders. Thermally induced local decomposition of LiCoO2 into an impurity phase on the films has also been revealed along with the mechanism of the temperature-triggered decomposition process. Moreover, frequency-based Raman imaging enables us to locally probe spatial separation between stoichiometric (LiCoO2) and non-stoichiometric (Li1-xCoO2, 0 < x < 1) crystal phases on the thin films. Such local crystalline analysis is a promising approach to provide new insights into the degradation mechanism of lithium-ion batteries, which would result in improving the performance of thin film-based lithium ion batteries.

民俗芸能は、いかにして継続的に執行され続けられるのだろうか。本稿では、こうした命題を、芸能が伝承される地域社会の変動に応じ、従来の祭祀組織、信仰、儀礼を変容させて民俗芸能の存続を図ってきた、地域の人々の工夫に注目して考察を行っていく。事例としては、広島県庄原市東城町・西城町に伝承される「比婆荒神神楽」を扱う。この地域には、「本山三宝荒神」を祀るための「名」という組織があり、「名」は神職と神楽社を招き、「名」毎に異なる七年・一三年・一七年・三三年に一度の式年で、四日四夜にわたる「大神楽」を行ってきた。大規模な式年の「大神楽」は、多大な資金や人足が必要であり、「名」中の力を結集して行われる大事業である。そのため「大神楽」の存続には、「名」が経済的・労務的な負担などを負えるかどうかが、大きな影響を与えた。生業・生活の変化や人口流出といった、近現代における地域社会の大きな変化による伝承の危機に直面した時、「名」は、どのような工夫・変化をして、荒神祭祀を続けてきたのだろうか。東城町・西城町におけるいくつかの事例を見てきた結果、「大神楽」を続けていくために地域が選んだ工夫には、「名」の【合同】・【合祀】・【再編】という三つの方法があった。まず、数軒から一〇数軒の家によって構成される小規模な「名」が、いくつか【合同】し、共同で「大神楽」を執行する方法がある。また、村内の小規模な「名」それぞれで祀られていた「本山三宝荒神」を、すべて村氏神社の境内に【合祀】する地区もあった。さらに、西城町八鳥地区では、「組」という組織を基礎単位にして、村を代表する一つの大きな「名」と「本山三宝荒神」が新たに創出された。その過程では、もともと関係のない村氏神社の祭祀に、「本山三宝荒神」の祭祀を組み込むなど、地域の祭祀体系と「名」の【再編】が行われた。以上の【合同】・【合祀】・【再編】という工夫に共通していたのは、従来の小規模な「名」から、より大きい「地区（村）」へ荒神祭祀の執行主体を変更させることで、「大神楽」に参加する軒数を増やし、一軒当たりの費用・労務負担の軽減を図るということである。村全体で「平等」に、負担を「少なく」して「大神楽」を実施するという原則は、祭場の変化や費用負担の方式など、「大神楽」の執行形態を変更させることにもつながった。この変化により、高度経済成長期以降の生業の変化、人口流出といった大きな危機にも対応できた。その一方、平等化を推し進めた結果、かつて「大神楽」が持っていた村落内身分の再生産、富の再分配の場という機能は、失われることとなった。How are folk performing arts passed down from generation to generation? In this paper, I will consider this question with reference to the various strategies used by people from the local community in response to social change.This paper will take as a case study of the Hibakojin Kagura, a kind of o-kagura performed in the towns of Saijo and Tojo in Shobara, Hiroshima Prefecture. In this region of Japan, there are religious service organizations called myo, responsible for putting on huge festivals called o-kagura. These o-kagura engender a significant economic burden for the myo, and recent social changes have made this burden harder and harder to bear. In this paper, I ask how, with the o-kagura threatened in this way, they managed to ensure its continuation.From the cases observed in this study, it seems that the strategies employed for keeping up the o-kagura fall into three types, namely: mergers of religious organizations, collective enshrinement, and the restructuring of ritual organizations.First, with the mergers, some religious service organizations or myo merged with one another, enabling them to perform the religious festivals together.The second measure observed is that of collective enshrinement. In order to ensure the o-kagura continues, the individual deities of each myo were all enshrined together in a common local tutelary shrine.The third way identified was the restructuring of the religious organization. First of all, a greater organization was created to unify the smaller units that had existed before, and a restructuring of the local festival system carried out simultaneously. As a result of these changes, the village had for the first time a deity which all its people worshipped.What the above three methods all have in common is creating an increase in the number of participants in the o-kagura festivals, thus reducing the cost and burden per house. The principle on display here of putting on o-kagura with an emphasis on “equality” across the whole village and creating the “minimum possible” burden also led a change to the form that the festivals took. This change meant the villages were able to continue holding the festivals in spite of major obstacles such as people’s changes in occupation and the outflow of population from the region, both the results of advanced economic development. Meanwhile, as a result of increasing emphasis on equality, some of the original functions of o-kagura, such as reconfirming the statuses of people within the village and redistributing wealth, were lost.

Early detection and treatment promote positive outcomes in mental health problems among infants. This study developed a simple and reliable screening inventory for infants’ mental health. Participants were 579 primary caregivers who had Japanese infants aged 2–6 years. Participants evaluated their children using the Mental Health Inventory for Infants (MHII; developed in this study), which contains 24 items. Exploratory factorial analysis identified the MHII factor structure; confirmatory factorial analysis examined its factorial validity. Internal consistency and criterion-related validity were also examined. Irritability (8 items), somatic symptoms (6 items), and signs of insecurity (4 items) were identified as factors in the MHII; each of these factors measures a critical aspect of infants’ mental health. The MHII’s internal consistency and scale homogeneity were acceptable; its criterion-related validity was supported. In this study, male infants exhibited greater irritability and less insecurity than females. The present results support the MHII’s reliability and validity; additionally, they indicate that caregivers may use the MHII to quickly screen for three critical aspects of infants’ mental health. We expect that the MHII will be used for early detection of mental health difficulties in infants to facilitate treatment.

Deterioration mechanism of Li(Ni, Co, Mn)O 2 and Zr-O surface modified electrodes has been elucidated using epitaxial thin films synthesized by pulsed laser deposition. The electrodes comprise a mixture of layered rock-salt and spinel phases. The deterioration mechanism is analyzed using cyclic voltammetry, in situ X-ray diffraction measurements, and in situ neutron reflectometry. The spinel phase in the electrodes has low electrochemical activity and is not involved in Li insertion/extraction. The amount of Li participating in the charge-discharge reactions in the layered rock-salt phase increases with cycling, inducing a phase change at the electrode surface, lowering the reversibility. In contrast, in the Zr-O surface modified electrode, the spinel phase does not increase on charging/discharging. Thus, the Zr-O modification stabilizes the surface of layered rock-salt structure, thereby improving the cycling characteristics. Also, after the Zr-O modification, the Li concentration in the liquid electrolyte near the electrode/electrolyte interface increases during charging/discharging. The Zr-O surface modification not only stabilizes the electrode surface but also causes changes on the electrolyte side. Using the mixed model electrodes, we elucidate the mechanism of electrode deterioration and the origin of the improvement in cycling characteristics occurring on surface modification.

This paper reports concomitant septal myectomy during minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through a right mini-thoracotomy. A 76-year-old woman was diagnosed as having aortic stenosis with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. The bulging septum was exposed by pulling up a traction suture placed at the annulus of the right coronary cusp; the anomalous chordae and muscle bundles attached to the septum were also resected. By setting an adequate intercostal thoracotomy and placing a traction suture, concomitant myectomy was safely performed even through a right mini-thoracotomy.

Nogo-N2 is associated with the premotor cognitive process that precedes motor response (e.g., conflict monitoring), whereas Nogo-P3 is related to the inhibition of the actual motor response. We examined the influence of motor clumsiness of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) on components of the event-related potential in a Go/Nogo task. Participants were healthy adults (N = 81) that were classified into control and DCD groups based on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children Second Edition. We manipulated the difficulty in stopping a response by varying the frequency of Nogo stimuli in a response task into rare (20%) and frequent (80%) conditions, and Nogo-N2 and Nogo-P3 were calculated from electroencephalograms (EEGs) during the Go/Nogo tasks. The commission error rate in the rare condition was significantly higher in the DCD group than in the control group, indicating that motor clumsiness decreases task performance. There were no differences in Nogo-N2 between DCD and control groups. However, Nogo-P3 in the rare condition was reduced in the DCD group compared to the control group. These results suggest that the influence of motor clumsiness is limited to the cognitive process after the initiation of the actual motor response.

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Ordinary sessions: [OG] Polar Geosciences, Wed. 4 Dec. / 3F Seminar room, National Institute of Polar Research

This study reveals that the abundance of the filament Kouleothrix (Eikelboom type 1851) correlated positively with poor settleability of activated sludge biomass in a Japanese full-scale nutrient removal wastewater treatment plant sampled over a one-year period. 16S rRNA amplicon sequence data confirmed that Kouleothrix was the dominant filament in the plant, with a relative abundance of 3.06% positively correlated with sludge volume index (SVI) (R = 0.691). Moreover, Kouleothrix (type 1851) appeared to form interfloc bridges, typical of bulking sludge, regardless of season. Together with earlier studies that indicated the responsibility of Kouleothrix (type 1851) on bulking events, these data suggest that their high relative abundances alone may be responsible for sludge bulking. 16S rRNA qPCR data for this filament showed changes in its relative abundance correlated with changes in several operational parameters, including mixed liquor temperature, sludge retention time, and suspended solids concentration, and it may be that manipulating these may help control Kouleothrix bulking.