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This paper outlines our practice to enhance the findability and searchability of research data through metadata conversion from the Space Physics Archive Search and Extract (SPASE) schema to a more generic schema, the Japan Consortium for Open Access Repository (JPCOAR) schema, and its registration in institutional repositories. Traditionally, earth and space science research data have been organized using the SPASE schema. Although the SPASE schema is comprehensive, its usage has been restricted to highly professional databases, limiting broader accessibility and impeding cross-disciplinary research. We discuss a case study at Nagoya University where 284 metadata records were converted from SPASE to JPCOAR, and illustrate the process and benefits of this conversion. This approach significantly improved the visibility and usability of metadata across various platforms like the Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB), the Data Catalog Cross-Search System, and Google Dataset Search, extending access to a wider range of users beyond the highly professional scientific community. This approach also aligns with national policies in Japan on research data management and simplifies metadata handling for researchers. Future direction includes expanding this conversion and registration model to other universities and institutions by leveraging the ubiquity of the SPASE schema in the earth and space science fields. Our practice may be useful in other research fields. This initiative aims to improve the overall findability of research data, to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and to enhance the value of research data itself and of creators and managers of the data.

Background and Objectives: In this study, our objective was to assess and compare the changes in visual and structural outcomes among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were switched from intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) to either intravitreal brolucizumab (IVBr) or intravitreal faricimab (IVF) injections in a clinical setting. Materials and Methods: This observational clinical study included 20 eyes of 20 patients switched to brolucizumab and 15 eyes of 14 patients switched to faricimab from aflibercept in eyes with nAMD. We measured the structural outcome (central macular thickness (CMT)) and the visual outcome (best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); logMAR) as follows: just before the most recent IVA injection (B0), one month after the most recent IVA injection (B1), just before the first IVBr or IVF injection (A0), one month after (A1) and three months after (A3) the first IVBr or IVF injection. Results: BCVA showed significant improvement at A1 (0.25 ± 0.34) and at A3 (0.19 ± 0.24) compared to A0 (0.38 ± 0.35) in the IVBr group (p = 0.0156, p = 0.0166, respectively). CMT (μm) was significantly thinner at A1 (IVBr: 240.55 ± 51.82, IVF: 234.91 ± 47.29) and at A3 (IVBr: 243.21 ± 76.15, IVF: 250.50 ± 72.61) compared to at A0 (IVBr: 303.55 ± 79.18, IVF: 270.33 ± 77.62) in the IVBr group (A1: p = 0.0093, A3: p = 0.0026) and in the IVF group (A1: p = 0.0161, A3: p = 0.0093). There was no significant difference in BCVA and CMT improvement observed between two groups at any time point (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Switching from aflibercept to either brolucizumab or faricimab has a significant anatomical effect in eyes with nAMD and both treatments appear to be effective short-term treatment options. There is a trend towards greater visual improvements and reductions in CMT with brolucizumab.

Abstract This paper presents tools that help researchers implement the processes of data‐led studies of upper‐atmospheric phenomena. These tools were developed as a part of the activities of the Inter‐university Upper atmosphere Global Observation NETwork (IUGONET) of Japan, which is a project to develop infrastructure for upper‐atmospheric research data. This paper focuses on the data service named IUGONET Type‐A, which was launched in October 2016 and has since evolved. In addition to being a conventional metadata catalogue, it has many other useful functions: an easy cross‐searching system, a quick‐look data‐plotting procedure, an interactive data visualization system named UDAS web, and strong linkage with analysis software. Users can pick up relevant data from a huge number of data sets using either lists categorized by instruments/projects, observed regions and special campaigns or a world map of observatories. Users can quickly find the time, location and nature of phenomena that occurred by comparing the quick‐look plots of various data displayed by the browser. UDAS web allows researchers to interactively create stacked plots of various data types that can facilitate the understanding of the relationships among phenomena observed in different regions. Furthermore, it presents a command list for software dedicated to data analysis that can smoothly lead users to perform detailed analyses. IUGONET Type‐A provides a one‐stop data service that can assist users in searching, examining and comprehending data for advanced analysis. It is also capable of handling old data, including analogue data and written paper documents. Thus, it will provide useful support for innovative interdisciplinary scientific research on solar–terrestrial phenomena.

Spectropolarimetric observation of a quiescent prominence was performed in He i 1083 nm. With the slit of the spectrograph fixed on the prominence, we obtained a time series of Stokes profiles for a duration of 108 minutes with a cadence of 8 s. Also using imaging spectroscopic data in H α and extreme-ultraviolet images at 193 Å, we obtained the following results: (1) The prominence harbors persistent waves propagating across its body. (2) The waves are conspicuous in the line-of-sight (LOS) velocity with an amplitude of about 2 km s ^−1 but not detectable in the intensity of emission lines or magnetic field. (3) Noticeable periods are about 4 minutes (220 and 260 s) and 15 minutes (910 s), and they propagate with phase speeds of 140 ∼ 200 and ∼24 km s ^−1 preferentially in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. (4) Magnetic field strength was estimated to be about 2.5 G with its LOS component of 0 ± 1 G on average. We interpret the 4 minute oscillation as Alfvénic waves propagating in the corona containing the prominence threads, and it is not a resonant wave trapped in the prominence body but excited by an external source. On the other hand, a 15 minute oscillation is interpreted as Alfvénic waves propagating upward in the prominence body. The prominence was evolving in its height during our observation, and there is a hint that the 15 minute period gradually gets longer during the observation. These waves are thought to be taking place in layers with different field directions and strength superposed in the LOS.

Both coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and heat stroke have symptoms of fever or hyperthermia and the difficulty in distinguishing them could lead to a strain on emergency medical care. To mitigate the potential confusion that could arise from actions for preventing both COVID‐19 spread and heat stroke, particularly in the context of record‐breaking summer season temperatures, this work offers new knowledge and evidence that address concerns regarding indoor ventilation and indoor temperatures, mask wearing and heat stroke risk, and the isolation of older adults. Specifically, the current work is the second edition to the previously published guidance for handling heat stroke during the COVID‐19 pandemic, prepared by the “Working group on heat stroke medical care during the COVID‐19 epidemic,” composed of members from four organizations in different medical and related fields. The group was established by the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine Heatstroke and Hypothermia Surveillance Committee. This second edition includes new knowledge, and conventional evidence gleaned from a primary selection of 60 articles from MEDLINE, one article from Cochrane, 13 articles from Ichushi, and a secondary/final selection of 56 articles. This work summarizes the contents that have been clarified in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and heat stroke to provide guidance for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heat stroke during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Abstract Although solar activity may significantly impact the global environment and socioeconomic systems, the mechanisms for solar eruptions and the subsequent processes have not yet been fully understood. Thus, modern society supported by advanced information systems is at risk from severe space weather disturbances. Project for solar–terrestrial environment prediction (PSTEP) was launched to improve this situation through synergy between basic science research and operational forecast. The PSTEP is a nationwide research collaboration in Japan and was conducted from April 2015 to March 2020, supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. By this project, we sought to answer the fundamental questions concerning the solar–terrestrial environment and aimed to build a next-generation space weather forecast system to prepare for severe space weather disasters. The PSTEP consists of four research groups and proposal-based research units. It has made a significant progress in space weather research and operational forecasts, publishing over 500 refereed journal papers and organizing four international symposiums, various workshops and seminars, and summer school for graduate students at Rikubetsu in 2017. This paper is a summary report of the PSTEP and describes the major research achievements it produced.

Abstract Background Thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of clothing are the physical parameters to quantify heat transfer and evaporative dissipation from the human body to the environment, respectively. Wind and body movement decrease thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of clothing, which is represented as correction factors for dynamic total thermal insulation (CFi) and evaporative resistance (CFe), respectively. Then, CFi and CFe are parts of the key parameters to predict heat strain of workers by computer simulation. The objective of this study was to elucidate the difference of CFi and CFe between ISO 7933 and ISO 9920 and compare the difference of predicted rectal temperature, water loss, and exposure time limit calculated by using each correction factor. Methods CFi of ISO 7933 (CFi7933) and ISO 9920 (CFi9920), and CFe of ISO 7933 (CFe7933) and two kinds of CFe of ISO 9920 (CFe9920a, CFe9920b) were compared in terms of relative air velocity, walking speed for three kinds of thermal insulation of clothing. Next, two modified predicted heat strain (PHS) models were developed: modified PHS integrated with CFi9920 and CFe9920a (PHSmA) and modified PHS integrated with CFi9920 and CFe9920b (PHSmB). We calculated the rectal temperature, water loss, and exposure time limit by PHS, PHSmA, and PHSmB and compared the results. Results CFi7933 and CFi9920 were almost similar in terms of Var and walking speed, while CFe9920a and CFe9920b were larger than CFe7933 when Var was more than 1.0 m·s−1. Intrinsic clothing insulation (Icl) diminished the effects of Var on CFi7933, CFi9920, CFe7933, and CFe9920b. However, CFe9920a was not influenced by Icl. The predicted rectal temperature and water loss difference were larger between PHS and PHSmA as CFe difference got larger. The duration time when limit of rectal temperature of 38 °C was reached (DlimTre38) calculated by PHS was significantly longer than PHSmA, PHSmB at higher Var. Conclusions Precise correction factors for evaporative resistance are required to predict rectal temperature, water loss, and work-time limits.

Abstract Background The utility of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) corneal tissue specimens for retrospective diagnosis of microsporidial keratitis was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and the possible second case of microsporidial keratitis after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) was described. Case presentation A 68-year-old man presented with multiple crystalline opacities in the corneal stroma that progressed extremely slowly after DSAEK. Fungiflora Y staining of corneal scrapings from the affected regions revealed an oval microorganism. Topical voriconazole administration was ineffective and penetrating keratoplasty was performed. Histological and molecular analyses were carried out on the excised cornea. Ziehl–Neelsen staining revealed an acid-fast, oval organism that was visible by ultraviolet illumination after Fungiflora Y and Uvitex 2B staining, whereas periodic acid-Schiff and Grocott’s staining did not yield any significant findings. Microsporidium was detected by TEM of FFPE tissue. Nosema or Vittaforma sp. was suspected as the causative microorganism by PCR of FFPE tissue and by the fact that those species are known to cause eye infection. The corneal graft has maintained transparency at 1 year and half postoperatively. Conclusions This is the first known case of microsporidial keratitis diagnosed retrospectively by molecular and ultrastructural study of FFPE tissue, and the possible second case of microsporidial keratitis after DSAEK. Microsporidial keratitis should be considered when corneal opacity refractory to conventionally known therapy would occur after DSAEK. Our findings suggest that more microsporidial keratitis cases than have been reported to date can be identified by TEM or PCR examination of FFPE corneal specimens.

Elevation of intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma development, which causes the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) is upregulated in glaucomatous retinae; however, whether Lcn2 is directly involved in glaucoma is debated. In this study, retinal explant cultures were subjected to increased water pressure using a two-chamber culture device, and Lcn2 protein levels were examined by immunoblotting. In situ TdT-mediated dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemical assays were performed to assess apoptosis and gliosis, respectively. The neurotoxicity of Lcn2 in the retinal explant culture was determined with exogenous administration of recombinant Lcn2. The Lcn2 protein levels, percentage of TUNEL-positive cells, and GFAP-positive area were significantly higher in retinae cultured under 50 cm H2O pressure loads compared to those cultured under 20 cm H2O. We found that Lcn2 exhibited neurotoxicity in retinae at dose of 1 μg/ml. The negative effects of increased hydrostatic pressure were attenuated by the iron chelator deferoxamine. This is the first report demonstrating the direct upregulation of Lcn2 by elevating hydrostatic pressure. Modulating Lcn2 and iron levels may be a promising therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration.

Background: This prospective observational study elucidated the usefulness of hormonal therapy for localized prostate cancer. Background factors and the health-related quality of life in patients who initially underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) or primary androgen deprivation therapy (PADT) for localized prostate cancer are summarized. Materials and methods: Patients aged 67–76 years with clinical stage T1c or T2 localized prostate cancer treated with PADT or RP, a prostate-specific antigen concentration of

The crystallization behavior of the metastable α form of triacylglycerols (TAGs) plays a critical role as a precursor for the crystallization of more stable β′ and β forms for various applications in food and pharmaceutical products. However, precise analysis of the crystallization kinetics of α has not been performed, likely due to its rapid and complex behavior. This paper presents the observation results of the initial stages of the isothermal crystallization kinetics of α forms of 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (POP), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol (rac-PPO), and molecular compound (MC) crystals of a POP/rac-PPO (1/1) mixture (MCPOP/PPO) using synchrotron radiation time-resolved X-ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy. In all the TAGs, α crystals with a worm-like morphology started to grow rapidly in the first stage. Then, the α crystals slowly transformed into more stable forms in different manners for different TAG samples. In POP, the conversion was simple, as the α-2 form transformed into γ-3, whereas in rac-PPO, the lamellar distance values of the α-2 form continuously decreased with time and changed into the α-3 form. In the MCPOP/PPO crystals, in contrast, separate crystallization of α-2 of a rac-PPO fraction initially occurred, followed by the crystallization of α-2 of POP, and the two α forms merged into α-2 of MCPOP/PPO. This separate crystallization was caused by large differences in the crystallization kinetics of the α forms of POP and rac-PPO.

Owing to the increasing reports of the harmful effects of trans and saturated fatty acids, the demand for trans- and saturated-fatty-acid-free oil and fat products is increasing among consumers. However, it is difficult to maintain the product stability and shape retention of such oil and fat products. As a result, there is a high demand in the processed oil and fat industry to develop solutions to such problems. Herein, we used molecular compound (MC) crystals in an attempt to find alternatives to trans and saturated fatty acids. The MCs used were 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol (OPO) and 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (POP)—the main components of lard and palm oil, respectively. We believe that OPO and POP can be used to obtain no-trans, low-saturation, and high-oleic-acid oil and fat products. Optimal conditions for efficient MC crystallization were examined by changing the oil and fat composition under rapid cooling conditions assuming industrial cooling process by using differential scanning calorimetry and synchrotron radiation time-resolved X-ray diffraction methods. It was concluded that the increase in OPO concentration destabilized MC formation, while the increase in POP concentration stabilized it under rapid cooling conditions. As a result, it was shown that MC crystals can be efficiently obtained by reducing the degree of POP supercooling.

We have investigated the polymorphism of triacylglycerol (TAG) crystals as they affect the qualities such as shelf life, mouth feel, and texture of chocolate and other products. Saturated monoacid TAGs, like trilaurin, are considered as models for TAG crystallization; however, there is still debate about the number of their polymorphs that exist. In this study, we characterized a set of novel polymorphs, β forms of saturated monoacid TAGs, which were obtained via different pathways depending on the crystallization history, by polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Saturated monoacid TAGs were crystallized as the unstable polymorphs, the α or β’ forms first, and then they were transformed into β forms by solid–solid transformations. The β form that had transformed from β’ changed its morphology by a polymorphic transformation, while the β form made from the α form kept its spherulite morphology. The β forms obtained showed different melting points. Additional heat treatment promoted further polymorphic transformation. Four novel β forms were found for each of the saturated monoacid TAGs, trilaurin, trimyristin, tripalmitin, and tristearin. They showed similar polymorphism with the same subcell packing.

To clarify the recent trends in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) distribution in men in Japan, we analyzed the PSA distributions of men undergoing PSA-based population screening. We summarized the annual individual data of PSA-based population screening in Kanazawa, Japan, from 2000 to 2011, and analyzed baseline serum PSA values of the participants at the first population screening. Serum PSA distributions were estimated in all participants and those excluding prostate cancer patients according to age. From 2000 to 2011, 19 620 men participated aged 54-69 years old in this screening program. Mean baseline serum PSA level of all participants at the first screening was 2.64 ng ml−1 in 2000, and gradually decreased to approximately 1.30 ng ml−1 in 2006. That of participants excluding prostate cancer patients was 1.46 ng ml−1 in 2000, and there was no remarkable change during the study period. The 95 th percentiles in the participants excluding prostate cancer patients detected at the first population screening of men aged 54-59, 60-64, and 65-69 years old were 2.90, 3.60, and 4.50 ng ml−1 , respectively. After the commencement of population screening, the proportion of prostate cancer patients with high serum PSA levels decreased. However, there were no changes in serum PSA levels in men without prostate cancer. Age-specific PSA reference level of men without prostate cancer in Japan was similar to that in China and Korea.

To evaluate the effects of four different prostate cancer treatments on quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction. Methods: Ninety-six prostate cancer patients were treated with hormone therapy, radical retropubic prostatectomy, high dose rate brachytherapy, or low dose rate brachytherapy. We assessed general, cancer-specific, and prostate disease-specific QoL. More than one year since commencement of treatment, the patients were asked the following questions: 1) How do you feel about your treatment? 2) Would you undergo the same treatment again? Results: The comparison of baseline and 12-month results showed that general and cancer-specific QoL had changed little in all groups. At baseline, the general and cancer-specific QoL tended to be lower in the hormone therapy patients. In the radical the retropubic prostatectomy patients, all scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form were worse than the baseline scores at three months. Scores for the International Index of Erectile Function-5 had also worsened, with no recovery. In the low-dose rate brachytherapy patients, the prostate disease-specific QoL at baseline tended to improve. However, the satisfaction levels for each treatment were reasonably good, and most patients would choose the same treatment again. Conclusions: The results of each of the four treatments differed in assessments of QoL. In the radical retropubic prostatectomy patients, the decrease in the International Index of Erectile Function-5 scores was especially remarkable and did not show recovery. In contrast, both brachy therapy groups had attained superior sexual function. However, regardless of the quality of life evaluations, most patients surveyed were satisfied with their treatments and would choose the same treatment again.

A 42-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C and ulcerative colitis (UC) was referred to our hospital in August 2004 because of bloody diarrhea. He was clinically and endoscopically diagnosed with flare of UC. After informed consent had been obtained, he was treated with PEG-IFN-α-2a. Four weeks after initiation of PEG-IFN therapy, his abdominal symptoms gradually subsided. Intracellular cytokine assay revealed that the ratio of T-helper (Th) 1 (IFN-γ)/Th 2 (IL-4) increased after IFN therapy. Three months after starting IFN therapy, colonoscopy revealed a normal mucosal pattern. He was uneventfully treated with PEG-IFN-α-2a for one year. When last seen in November 2006, he was still in remission of UC. Our intracellular cytokine data suggested that alteration of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance by IFN is one possible mechanisms of reducing intestinal inflammation in patients with UC. In this regard, IFN therapy could be useful for some patients with UC refractory to other conventional therapies.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional protein expressed in a variety of tissues and cells. Recent studies revealed increased OPN expression in the inflamed intestinal tissues of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The role of OPN in the pathophysiology of IBD, however, remains unclear.To investigate the role of OPN in the development of intestinal inflammation using a murine model of IBD, interleukin-10 knock out (IL-10 KO) mice.We compared the development of colitis between IL-10 KO and OPN/IL-10 double KO (DKO) mice. OPN expression in the colonic tissues of IL-10 KO mice was examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Enteric microbiota were compared between IL-10 KO and OPN/IL-10 DKO mice by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The effect of OPN on macrophage phagocytic function was evaluated by phagocytosis assay.OPN/IL-10 DKO mice had an accelerated onset of colitis compared to IL-10 KO mice. FISH analysis revealed enhanced OPN synthesis in the colonic epithelial cells of IL-10 KO mice. OPN/IL-10 DKO mice had a distinctly different enteric bacterial profile with a significantly lower abundance of Clostridium subcluster XIVa and a greater abundance of Clostridium cluster XVIII compared to IL-10 KO mice. Intracellular OPN deletion in macrophages impaired phagocytosis of fluorescence particle-conjugated Escherichia coli in vitro. Exogenous OPN enhanced phagocytosis by OPN-deleted macrophages when administered at doses of 1 to 100 ng/ml, but not 1000 ng/ml.OPN deficiency accelerated the spontaneous development of colitis in mice with disrupted gut microbiota and macrophage phagocytic activity.

Oleofoams have garnered significant attention in many personal care applications because of their favorable physicochemical properties, including texture and detergency. To explore the potential use of mixtures of high-melting-point fat crystals (tribehenoyl-glycerol [BBB]) and edible oils as low-cost and stable aeration systems, we created oleofoams composed of olive oil and BBB. By whipping the BBB/olive oil oleogels after rapid cooling and subsequent heating, we successfully prepared oleofoams without emulsifier additives. Mixtures of the BBB/olive oil formed oleofoams at BBB concentrations of 4.0-20.0 wt.%. The resultant oleofoams maintained their overrun rates and did not coalesce, even with additional whipping after the overrun rate was maximized. More closely packed bubbles, concentrated bubble size distributions, and stronger interfacial elasticity were attributed to the increasing BBB concentrations, and the thermal results revealed that further heating was required to damage the foam structure. The characteristics of these new oleofoams are closely related to their BBB concentrations, and the observed effects are attributed to the network structure of the thickened crystal layer and enhanced gelling in the oil phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]