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Plasma-Metal Inert Gas (MIG) hybrid welding was employed to carry out bead on plate welding of an aluminum alloy A5052. The plasma arc was ignited to form a keyhole, and a series of welding systems were developed starting with MIG welding. The convective patterns within the weld pool were meticulously analyzed. In addition, we conducted experimental observations of the flow inside and on the surface of the pool, and we were able to visualize the flow in some areas. The results indicated that the plasma welding side formed a pool that seamlessly integrated the plasma side and the MIG side. At the same time, we observed the formation of a flow pool that integrates both plasma and MIG sides, affecting the formation and behavior of the weld pool. This study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of flow dynamics across the entire pool. This approach is geared towards refining the intricacies of weld pool dynamics for the advancement of welding technologies.

A male patient was scheduled for urgent amputation of his right forearm. His right forearm was stuck inside the insertion slot of a meat grinder, resulting in severe pain to his injured arm. His upper body could not move to sit in a semi-upright position. An endotracheal tube was successfully placed after rapid sequence intubation using a video laryngoscope from behind the patient on the first attempt. This case report is the first documentation of successful anesthetic induction with subsequent endotracheal intubation using a video laryngoscope from behind an injured patient whose upper body was upright with limited positioning.

Abstract Background Persistent descending mesocolon, an anomaly of fixation of the mesentery of the descending colon, can sometimes cause complications such as intestinal obstruction and intussusception. We present the first reported case of sigmoid volvulus with persistent descending mesocolon. Case presentation An 82-year-old Japanese man had intermittent lower abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed dilation and a shift to the right side of the sigmoid colon, but no findings of volvulus. The next day, he presented continuous lower abdominal pain with bloody stool. A second abdominal computed tomography showed strangulation and dilation of the sigmoid colon, with shift from the right side of the abdominal cavity to the pelvic space. This suggested the descending colon was running to the medial side with sigmoid volvulus. Emergency surgery was performed for volvulus with persistent descending mesocolon. Operative findings revealed dilation of the sigmoid colon with a partial poorly colored region and strangulation that caused volvulus. After releasing the strangulation of the sigmoid colon, the descending colon was revealed to be running more to the medial side, with adherence to small intestinal mesentery. There was no Toldt’s fusion fascia at the descending colon. Persistent descending mesocolon was therefore diagnosed due to abnormality of fixation of the descending colon. The sigmoid colon, including the poorly colored region, was resected and reconstructed, while the inferior mesenteric and left colonic arteries were preserved because of the complexity of the vascular system running around the descending and sigmoid colon due to the shortened mesentery. These findings were pathologically compatible with circulatory compromise and intestinal degeneration due to sigmoid volvulus. The patient had no complications after discharge, including in relation to defecation. Conclusion Persistent descending mesocolon can occasionally cause acute abdominal symptoms requiring immediate treatment. A computed tomography finding of the descending colon running more to the medial side than ordinary cases can aid diagnosis of persistent descending mesocolon.

Background: The population affected by colorectal cancer is growing, and there is an increasing need for prevention of functional decline following treatment. We proposed that the Kihon Checklist published by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare would be an appropriate means of frailty assessment for prediction of postoperative complications in older patients with colorectal cancer. This prospective cohort study aims to identify the factors influencing postoperative frailty. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with colorectal cancer and aged ≥65 year (N = 500) between May 2017 and December 2018. Eligible patients were assessed with the Kihon Checklist prior to surgery and 30 days after surgery. The main measures were variables related to postoperative change in view of frail status. Results: According to the Kihon Checklist questionnaire, 164 patients were frail preoperatively and 172 patients were frail postoperatively, whereas 38 patients changed from ''nonfrail'' before surgery to postoperative ''frail.'' Overall complications were counted in 97 patients (19.4%), and 5 patients died. Performance status ≥ 2, history of laparotomy, open surgery, complication, ostomy creation, and delirium were significantly associated with changing postoperative ''frail'' (P = .014, P = .023, P = .006, P < .001, P = .023, and P = .024, respectively). In multivariate analysis, independent related factors of changing postoperative ''frail'' were complication (odds ratio 2.69, 95% confidence interval 1.19–6.09, P = .018) and ostomy creation (odds ratio 2.32, 95% confidence interval 1.01–5.33, P = .047). Conclusion: The Kihon Checklist questionnaire could identify the factors related to postoperative change of frailty status in older patients with colorectal cancer. This cohort concluded that whether postoperative complication occurred or not was closely associated with perioperative change of frailty status.

Tide-embankment walls protecting coastal roads frequently contain numerous windows so that pedestrians and drivers can view the scenery without experiencing reduced sunlight. Tide-embankment windows must withstand extreme climatic conditions. However, the effects of temperature extremes on acrylic boards have rarely been studied. This paper proposes a simple method for constructing a high-temperature environment and a method for measuring strain on an acrylic plate. The deformation and strain of a 40-mm-thick acrylic tide-embankment window were determined experimentally and numerically in this study in a high-temperature environment, obtaining similar results; additionally, the numerical method was subsequently used to simulate a low-temperature environment. Because thermal conductivity was low, the internal temperature of the thick acrylic board did not immediately change with the temperature of the surface, and thermal expansion and contraction of the board were restrained. Temperature-induced deformation effects were low across the entire range of temperatures and heating rates recorded in coastal Japan.

This research presents an analysis of the five-position angle in both single-axis (one-axis tracking) and dual-axis (two-axis tracking) solar tracking systems. The study compares these tracking systems, where four solar panels move simultaneously, with a fixed solar panel system. The findings revealed that the five-position angle Sun-tracking technique resulted in lower energy consumption by the tracking mechanism than in the case of an all-time solar tracking system. The key component of the implemented system is a light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensor for controlling the motion of the motor for five positions on the vertical axis and horizontal axis, processed by a microcontroller to ensure the necessary solar tracking always moves in a perpendicular direction. According to the results, the voltage, current, and power increased with both one-axis and two-axis tracking compared to those of the fixed solar panel system under the same conditions. However, when evaluating the total energy with numerical integration methods, one-axis and two-axis provided 183.12 Wh and 199.79 Wh, respectively. Consequently, the energy production of the one-axis tracking system and the one-axis tracking system was found to be 16.71% and 24.97%, respectively, when compared to the fixed-axis system. Thus, the five-position angles of the sun-tracking technique resulted in lower energy consumption than is the case of an all-time solar tracking system.

Abstract Aims/Introduction The aim of the present study was to clarify the pathophysiologies of hyperglycemic crises in Japanese patients. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study of patients with hyperglycemic crises admitted to Kumamoto Medical Center, Kumamoto, Japan, between 2012 and 2019. Patients were classified as having diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycemic hyperosmotic syndrome (HHS) or a mixed state of the two conditions (MIX), and laboratory data and levels of consciousness at hospital admission, as well as the rates of mortality and coagulation disorders, were compared. Results The diagnostic criteria for hyperglycemic crisis were met in 144 cases, comprising 87 (60.4%), 38 (26.4%) and 19 (13.2%) cases of DKA, HHS and MIX, respectively. Type 1 diabetes was noted in 46.0 and 26.3% of patients in the DKA and MIX groups, respectively. Fibrin degradation product and D‐dimer levels were significantly higher in the HHS group than in the DKA group (DKA and HHS groups: fibrin degradation product 7.94 ± 8.43 and 35.54 ± 51.80 μg/mL, respectively, P

The role of cytoskeleton dynamics in the oxidative stress toward human vasculature has been unclear. The current study examined whether the cytoskeleton-disrupting agent cytochalasin B reduces oxidative stress caused by high glucose in the human arterial smooth muscle. All experiments in the human omental arteries without endothelium or the cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were performed in d-glucose (5.5 mmol/L). The exposure toward d-glucose (20 mmol/L) for 60 min reduced the relaxation or hyperpolarization to an ATP sensitive K+ channel (KATP) opener levcromakalim (10−8 to 3 × 10−6 mol/L and 3 × 10−6 mol/L, respectively). Cytochalasin B and a superoxide inhibitor Tiron, restored them similarly. Cytochalasin B reduced the NADPH oxidase activity, leading to a decrease in superoxide levels of the arteries treated with high d-glucose. Also, cytochalasin B impaired the F-actin constitution and the membrane translocation of an NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox in artery smooth muscle cells treated with high d-glucose. A clinical concentration of cytochalasin B prevented human vascular smooth muscle malfunction via the oxidative stress caused by high glucose. Regulation of the cytoskeleton may be essential to keep the normal vascular function in patients with hyperglycemia.

“Akahoya” is a volcanic soil classified as a special soil deposited in Kyushu, Japan. Many of its properties are not yet clearly understood. We found that Akahoya had the potential to adsorb bacteria in cattle feces, which prompted us to investigate its material properties and perform experiments to comprehensively evaluate its adsorption performance for various fine particles such as acidic and basic dyes, NOx/SOx gas, and phosphoric acid ions, in addition to bacteria. Akahoya had a very high specific surface area owing to the large number of nanometer-sized pores in its structure; it exhibited a high adsorption capacity for both NO2 and SO2. Regarding the zeta potential of Akahoya, the point of zero charge was approximately pH 7.0. The surface potential had a significant effect on the adsorption of acidic and basic dyes. Akahoya had a very high cation exchange capacity when the sample surface was negatively charged and a high anion exchange capacity when the sample surface was positively charged. Akahoya also exhibited a relatively high adsorption capacity for phosphoric acid because of its high level of Al2O3, and the immersion liquid had a very high Al ion concentration. Finally, filtration tests were performed on Escherichia coli suspension using a column filled with Akahoya or another volcanic soil sample. The results confirmed that the Escherichia coli adhered on the Akahoya sample. The results of the Escherichia coli release test, after the filtration test, suggested that this adhesion to Akahoya could be phosphorus-mediated.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) continues to be a cause of significant morbidity and mortality and requires more research to identify the best clinical management practices. Many guidelines have been proposed for the initial management of AP. Although these guidelines have a significant overlap in the recommendations provided for diagnosing and managing AP, there is still some disagreement in aspects of the types and timing of interventions that should be used for the diagnosis and management of both mild and severe AP. A working group consisting of physicians, especially gastroenterologists from various hospitals and universities from the Asia-Pacific region, has led to the development of these evidence-based guidelines and recommendations. Early enteral feedings, performing a cholecystectomy in the case of gallstones if indicated during the initial hospitalisation, treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis using intravenous regular insulin or plasmapheresis if severe, and providing counselling for alcohol avoidance are recommended.

To utilize waste glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP), we have created porous ceramics by mixing crushed GFRP with clay and then firing the resultant mixture. Some GFRP/clay ceramics have great porosity, which allows water to pass through them. In this study, by exploiting the high strength and water permeability of GFRP/clay ceramics, we aimed to develop water-permeable paving blocks that could prevent the inundation of roads by sudden heavy rains in urban areas. Various specimens were made by adjusting the mixing ratio of clay and crushed GFRP (40–60 mass%), the GFRP particle size, and the firing temperature. Bending strength, compressive strength, and permeability tests were then carried out on the samples. The obtained values were compared with those of porous ceramics made by mixing plastic without glass fiber and clay before firing. First, the difference in the porosity and strength of GFRP/clay ceramics and porous ceramics without glass fiber was clarified. Then, the manufacturing conditions of ceramics that satisfy both strength and permeability criteria were clarified for water-permeable paving blocks.

BackgroundThe increase of blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is recognized as an important additional cardiovascular risk factor in both normotensive subjects and hypertensive patients. Aging-induced atherosclerosis and autonomic dysfunction impair the baroreflex and, in turn, augment 24-hour BPV. In small and large animal experiments, impaired baroreflex steepens the slope of the power spectrum density (PSD) of continuous BP in the frequency range of 0.01 to 0.1 Hz. Although the repeated oscillometric BP recording over 24 hours or longer is a prerequisite to quantify BPV in humans, how the very short-term continuous BP recording reflects BPV remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of aging on the very short-term (30-min) BPV in healthy human subjects by frequency analysis.MethodsWe recorded continuous BP tonometrically for 30 min in 56 healthy subjects aged between 28 and 85 years. Considering the frequency-dependence of the baroreflex dynamic function, we estimated the PSD of BP in the frequency range of 0.01 to 0.1 Hz, and compared the characteristics of PSD among four age groups (26-40, 41-55, 56-70 and 71-85 years).ResultsAging did not significantly alter mean and standard deviation (SD) of BP among four age groups. PSD was nearly flat around 0.01 Hz and decreased gradually as the frequency increased. The slope of PSD between 0.01 and 0.1 Hz was steeper in older subjects (71 years or older) than in younger subjects (55 years or younger) (p < 0.05).ConclusionsAging steepened the slope of PSD of BP between 0.01 and 0.1 Hz. This phenomenon may partly be related to the deterioration of the baroreflex in older subjects. Our proposed method to evaluate very short-term continuous BP recordings may contribute to the stratification of BPV.

Dry powder food ingredients imported to Japan contain large amounts of viable bacteria and coliform bacteria, and we need a simple, low-cost, dry nonthermal decontamination method without spoiling nutrients, color, fragrance, and flavor. In this study, it is shown that the decontamination performance against viable bacteria and coliform bacteria is proportional to the plasma irradiation time when OH and O3 radicals are incident on the dry powder food ingredients placed in an atmospheric-pressure nonequilibrium DC pulse discharge Ar + O2 mixture gas plasma jet. Our study revealed that there is a correlation between the plasma irradiation time and DC pulse frequency increase and the decontamination effect on the general bacterial count.

This study used the Area Elimination Method (AEM) of transformer design with transformer characteristic simulation. The multidimensional variable of physical parameters such as magnetic density, current density, voltage and coil turn was performed. This method was used in designing the 8000 kVA 22,000–3300/1905 V oil-type large distribution transformer. The result from a design found that the objective function tries to reduce the material to be used, and less core steel, less conductors, less transformer oil or less transformer tanks may cause an increasing load loss or increasing temperature rise, but we have calculated the temperature in the winding and design the radiator fins at the same time. After designing the transformer with AEM and it being manufactured in the production process, the transformer was tested according to IEC standards. It was confirmed that the power loss tests with no load yielded lower power loss than the standard value. In addition, the transformer passed the satisfaction test and the results of this design were built and tested with IEC 60076 standards. The information from the design using the Area Elimination Method could be a guarantee of standardized accuracy for oil distribution transformers. This also saves time and increases design efficiency for transformer designers.

This study examines the impact of students’ anxiety, due to online learning, in different learning environments: a synchronous (Zoom) and asynchronous learning environment (YouTube) to compare students’ conceptual understanding of electric circuits. Multiple linear regression and factor analyses were conducted to examine the factor of students’ anxiety and conceptual understanding. A sample of 99 vocational students participated in the study, including YouTube (n = 49) and Zoom (n = 50) groups. The DIRECT was used to diagnose test for conceptual understanding in the electric circuits, and OTAI was used to assess anxiety in online learning test. The OTAI consists of three factors: psychological, physiological, and online. The results showed that students’ anxiety, in some factors, affected their conceptual understanding of the electric circuits in both groups. However, there was a significant increase in conceptual understanding in both treatment groups. Although the students’ conceptual understanding had a slight increase, online learning has to improve to reduce the anxiety of learners.

The lifetime of a cast-resin transformer mainly depends on the condition of insulation material. Partial discharge (PD) is an important reason for insulation deterioration in cast-resin transformers. Identifying the position of PD is very necessary for damage assessment while the transformer is still operating, and the transformer is covered by housing. This paper proposes the investigation of a cast-resin transformer using an AE sensor and HFCT sensor to specify the precise source of PD. In this study, four AE sensors were used to find PD sources, and the high-frequency current transducer (HFCT) technique was used to identify the PD source and the criteria level. The experiment, in the first two parts, identified the possibility of PD, which includes the position of PD. The final part of the experiment verified the position of the PD source of a cast-resin transformer and confirmed the inspection results. AE and HFCT sensors can be used to detect the location of PD sources, confirming the position of the PD source by sensor detection. In addition, the evident partial discharge picture on the insulator surface of high voltage side. The process successfully and accurately identifies and locates the PD source.

To reuse waste glass fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRPs), porous ceramics (i.e., GFRP/clay ceramics) were produced by mixing crushed GFRP with clay followed by firing the resulting mixture under different conditions. The possibility of using ceramics fired under a reducing atmosphere as adsorbent materials to remove NOx and SOx from combustion gases of fossil fuels was investigated because of the high porosity, specific surface area, and contents of glass fibers and plastic carbides of the ceramics. NO2 and SO2 adsorption tests were conducted on several types of GFRP/clay ceramic samples, and the gas concentration reduction rates were compared to those of a clay ceramic and a volcanic pumice with high NO2 adsorption. In addition, to clarify the primary factor affecting gas adsorption, adsorption tests were conducted on the glass fibers in the GFRP and GFRP carbides. The reductively fired GFRP/clay ceramics exhibited high adsorption performance for both NO2 and SO2. The primary factor affecting the NO2 adsorption of the ceramics was the plastic carbide content in the clay structure, while that affecting the SO2 adsorption of the ceramics was the glass fiber content.

The effective reuse of waste glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) is desired. We previously produced porous ceramics by firing mixtures of crushed GFRP and clay in a reducing atmosphere and demonstrated their applicability as adsorbents for the removal of basic dyes from dyeing wastewater. However, the primary influencing factors and the dye adsorption mechanism have not been fully elucidated, and the adsorption of acidic and direct dyes has not been clarified. In this study, adsorption tests were conducted, and the effects of the firing atmosphere, specific surface area, type of dye, and individual components were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that reductively fired ceramics containing plastic carbide residue adsorbed basic dye very well but did not adsorb acidic dye well. The clay structure was the primary factor for the dye adsorption rather than the GFRP carbide. The mechanism for the basic dye adsorption appears to have been an increase in specific surface area due to the plastic carbide residue in the ceramic structure, which increased the ion exchange between the clay minerals and the dye. By adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution, the GFRP/clay ceramic also adsorbed considerable amounts of direct dye, so the mechanism was determined to be ion exchange with the calcium component of the glass fibers.

Among reactive oxygen species, superoxide mediates the critical vascular redox signaling, resulting in the regulation of the human cardiovascular system. The reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase, NOX) is the source of superoxide and relates to the crucial intracellular pathology and physiology of vascular smooth muscle cells, including contraction, proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory response. Human vascular smooth muscle cells express NOX1, 2, 4, and 5 in physiological and pathological conditions, and those enzymes play roles in most cardiovascular disorders caused by hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and arteriosclerosis. Various physiologically active substances, including angiotensin II, stimulate NOX via the cytosolic subunits’ translocation toward the vascular smooth muscle cell membrane. As we have shown, some pathological stimuli such as high glucose augment the enzymatic activity mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway, resulting in the membrane translocation of cytosolic subunits of NOXs. This review highlights and details the roles of human vascular smooth muscle NOXs in the pathophysiology and clinical aspects. The regulation of the enzyme expressed in the vascular smooth muscle cells may lead to the prevention and treatment of human cardiovascular diseases.

Joining of plastics and light metals contributes to the reduction of a product weight. In this study, the punching rivet method was applied to joining of an acrylic resin sheet and an aluminum alloy sheet. The punching rivet method can join the sheets without drilling. The riveting process of this method is constituted of the punching process of the sheets using the rivet shank and the fastening process of the sheets using the rivet and the rivet holder. The sheets are fastened by using the plastic deformation of the rivet shank. From the observation of the joints made by the punching rivet method, it was found that the acrylic resin sheet of the joint had no crack and out-of-plane deformation of the joint was small. From the results of the joint strength tests, it was considered that the joint made by the punching rivet method had high strength due to the effect of the pressures on seating faces of the rivet and the rivet holder. As a result, the punching rivet method was effective to join the acrylic resin sheet and the aluminum alloy sheet.

Kynurenine is a potential contributor to hypotension in animal and human sepsis. The present study was designed to examine whether the voltage-dependent K+ channels encoded by the KCNQ gene family (Kv7 channels) mediate vasodilator effects of kynurenine and whether modulation of these channels ameliorates hypotension caused by this compound. Rat aortas and mesenteric arteries or human omental arteries without endothelium were used. Some rings were incubated with the selective Kv7 channel inhibitor linopirdine (10 μM). l-Kynurenine (10 μM–1 mM) induced concentration-dependent relaxation in rat aortas and mesenteric arteries as well as human omental arteries, whereas linopirdine abolished the relaxation. l-Kynurenine (1 mM) produced hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle, which was reversed by linopirdine (10 μM). Wistar rats received l-kynurenine (1 mM) iv and subsequent linopirdine (10 μM) iv under 3% sevoflurane inhalation. l-Kynurenine iv caused hypotension, whereas linopirdine iv partially reversed it. In conclusion, kynurenine dilates arteries from rats as well as humans via Kv7 channels in the vascular smooth muscle. In rats, this tryptophan metabolite causes hypotension, which is partly counteracted by Kv7 channel inhibition. These results suggest that modulation of Kv7 channels may be a novel strategy to treat hypotension induced by the kynurenine.

Aims: The present study to address one of the mechanisms in preeclampsia, examined whether levels of oxidative stress, human serum albumin, and endothelial function correlate in pregnant women and whether human serum albumin reduces levels of superoxide produced by NADPH oxidase activation in the human vascular smooth muscle cells. Materials and methods: Pregnant women with (Preeclampsia group, n = 33) and without preeclampsia (Normal group, n = 37) were recruited to determine levels of reactive oxygen species (serum diacron-reactive oxygen metabolite [d-ROM]), and the flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Human coronary arterial smooth muscle cells or omental arteries were subjected to evaluate isometric force recordings, levels of superoxide, western immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. The superoxide scavenging assay was also performed in a cell-free system. Key findings: Women in the preeclampsia group demonstrated lower FMD and higher serum d-ROM values than those in the normal group. There were the inverse correlations between serum levels of d-ROM and the degree of FMD and between serum levels of albumin and those of d-ROM. D-glucose reduced the levcromakalim-induced dilation of human omental arteries, and it increased levels of superoxide and the recruitment of the NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox in human coronary arterial smooth muscle cells. Human serum albumin (0.05 to 0.5 g/dL) prevented these alterations whereas it exerted no superoxide scavenging effect. Significance: Serum albumin relates to oxidative stress inversely, but to the endothelial function positively, in pregnant women. Human serum albumin appears to reduce oxidative stress via NADPH oxidase inhibition in the human vascular smooth muscle, indicating that the serum level may be a critical determinant of vascular oxidative stress in some human diseases.

We investigated the use of waste glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) to remove dye from industrial wastewater. The dye adsorbent material, based on GFRP/clay ceramics, was produced by mixing crushed GFRP with clay and firing the resulting mixture. Several types of ceramics were produced by adjusting the mixing ratio of clay, crushed 40% GF/GFRP, and firing atmosphere. Adsorption tests with methylene blue (MB) dye were performed by mixing the ceramics into an MB solution while controlling the stirring speed and measuring the decrease in MB dye concentration over time. These results showed that GFRP/clay ceramics reductively fired at 1073 K had a higher MB dye adsorption ability than that of the clay ceramic. The MB dye absorptivity of the reductively fired ceramics increased as we increased the mixing ratio of GFRP. We attribute this result to the high plastic carbide content in the ceramic, which has excellent dye absorbability. Furthermore, these particles had a comparatively high specific surface area and porosity.

This study is aimed at the development of civil engineering materials such as pavement blocks and building tiles that can moderate the heat island phenomenon. This is achieved by exploiting properties such as the material porous structure, high water absorption capacity and high strength of ceramics produced by mixing clay and crushed waste glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) before firing. Fundamental properties, such as pore size distribution, water absorption capacity, solution pH after ceramic immersion, bending strength, freezing resistance performance and thermal conductivity of ceramic specimens with varying ratios of clay and GFRP were clarified. The radiant heat reduction performance of the ceramic was examined by measuring the surface temperatures of a ceramic sample made from clay, a ceramic sample made by mixing 20% GFRP with clay, and a mortar sample in water-saturated and dry states while their surfaces were irradiated with infrared light. To clarify the difference in temperature-reducing ability by evaporation heat on each sample, the amount of water evaporated from a sample that had absorbed water and was irradiated with infrared light was measured. The rate of heat-absorption from the sample by water evaporation was estimated. The temperature-reducing effect by evaporation heat of the sample during water-absorption was verified quantitatively by thermal conductivity analysis using finite element methods. While water-saturated, a 20% GFRP/clay ceramic sample could reduce the increase in temperature caused by radiant heat considerably, and for an extended duration. It is expected that such ceramics could be used in civil engineering materials to counteract the heat island phenomenon.

Sevoflurane exposure impairs the long-term memory in neonates. Whether the exposure to animals in adolescence affects the memory, however, has been unclear. A small hydrolase enzyme of guanosine triphosphate (GTPase) rac1 plays a role in the F-actin dynamics related to the synaptic plasticity, as well as superoxide production via reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activation. The current study was designed to examine whether sevoflurane exposure to mice in early adolescence modifies the long-term learning ability concomitantly with the changes in F-actin constitution as well as superoxide production in the hippocampus according to the levels of rac1 protein expression. Four-week-old mice were subjected to the evaluation of long-term learning ability for three days. On day one, each mouse was allowed to enter a dark chamber for five min to acclimatization. On day two, the procedure was repeated with the addition of an electric shock as soon as a mouse entered the dark chamber. All mice subsequently inhaled 2 L/min air with (Sevoflurane group) and without (Control group) 2.5% sevoflurane for three hours. On day three, each mouse was placed on the platform and retention time, which is the latency to enter the dark chamber, was examined. The brain removed after the behavior test, was used for analyses of immunofluorescence, Western immunoblotting and intracellular levels of superoxide. Sevoflurane exposure significantly prolonged retention time, indicating the enhanced long-term memory. Sevoflurane inhalation augmented F-actin constitution coexisting with the rac1 protein overexpression in the hippocampus whereas it did not alter the levels of superoxide. Sevoflurane exposure to 4-week-old mice accelerates the long-term memory concomitantly with the enhanced F-actin constitution coexisting with the small GTPase rac1 overexpression in the hippocampus. These results suggest that sevoflurane inhalation may amplify long-term memory consolidation via the increased cytoskeleton constitution in the hippocampus of animals in early adolescence.

To recycle silica byproducts and to moderate the heat-island phenomenon, a porous ceramic was prepared by mixing waste silica powder with clay, and then firing the resultant mixture. By exploiting the high water-absorption capacity of the resulting ceramic, a greening material in which the porous ceramic was covered with moss was produced. The suppression effect of the temperature increase caused by solar-radiant heat on the moss-covered ceramic, was investigated quantitatively using the following procedure. First, the surface temperature change of the water-absorbing moss-covered sample during solar-radiant heat reception, and the amount of water that evaporated from the sample were measured simultaneously. Then, the heat of evaporation was estimated from measurements of the rate of water evaporation. Next, to investigate how much the sample temperature was reduced by heat of water evaporation, the temperature change of the sample when the heat of water evaporation was absorbed from the sample, was simulated by performing Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis. The summary of the results was as follows. (1) The primary factor of the temperature-reduction-effects on the moss-covered sample was action of heat of water evaporation. Therefore, the moss-covered sample did not exhibit much of the suppression ability of the temperature increase caused by solar-radiant heat, when the sample did not contain sufficient water. (2) This analytical method enabled us to simulate with a relatively high accuracy, the temperature change of a water-absorbing sample during solar-radiant-heat reception. Especially, the method enabled us to investigate visibly the influence of water evaporation-heat on the sample temperature, in addition to the influences of the emissivity of the sample, and the apparent specific heat and thermal conductivity changes due to water content in the sample.

Abstract.: Propofol is a widely used intravenous general anesthetic. The negative inotropic effect of propofol has been best explained by inhibition of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa). Using guinea-pig cardiac preparations, however, we found that the propofol concentration producing a 50% decrease in force of contraction was more than 10 times higher than that producing a 50% inhibition of ICa, implying that a compensatory mechanism may be present to counteract the negative inotropic effect associated with the ICa inhibition. Consistent with ICa inhibition, propofol produced a shortening of action potential duration (APD) in single cardiomyocytes. Yet, the concentrations necessary to shorten APD were greater than that for 50% inhibition of ICa. This was associated with the potent and effective inhibition of the slowly activating component of the delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs). Thus, the IKs blockade with propofol may counterbalance the APD shortening evoked by its ICa inhibition. Taken together, the negative inotropic effect of propofol is detectable only at supratherapeutic concentrations. At clinically relevant concentrations, the action potential prolongation mechanism due to IKs inhibition appears to alleviate the reduction in transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, which may help to counteract the net negative inotropism of propofol. Keywords:: propofol, cardiac contractility, L-type Ca2+ current, delayed rectifier K+ current, cardiac action potential

We report the pleural fluid values of thyroid hormones and their carrier proteins in a patient who suffered from nephrotic syndrome with renal insufficiency and transient hypothyroidism. The pleural effusion was transudate. The concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA), and albumin (Alb) were approximately 30-50% of the plasma. The concentrations of total triiodothyronine (TT3), total tetraiodothyronine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) were approximately 30-50% of the plasma. Hypothyroidism was associated with the degree of edema. After improving systemic edema, proteinuria remained unchanged but the patient did not require levothyroxine. We speculate that the large amount of transudation of thyroid hormones with their carrier proteins from the blood vessels to the third space (edema and pleural effusion), thereby reducing thyroid hormones in the plasma, was associated with hypothyroidism.