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A bacterial culture of milk is the most common test to determine the presence of mastitis-causing pathogens, which informs appropriate treatment. However, a certain proportion of clinical mastitis milk shows no growth of any mastitis-causing pathogens. We hypothesized that bacterial culture-negative clinical mastitis milk is associated with the activity of antimicrobial components contained in the milk. In this study, the differences in antimicrobial components (lactoferrin, transferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, and lingual antimicrobial peptide [LAP]) between bacterial culture-positive and culture-negative bovine clinical mastitis milk were investigated using Holstein cows. Our results showed that 37 out of 71 samples of clinical mastitis milk had negative bacterial cultures. The LAP concentration in bacterial culture-negative milk was lower than that in positive milk (31.95 ± 1.64 nM vs. 42.85 ± 4.01 nM). In contrast, the lysozyme concentration in bacterial culture-negative milk was higher than that in positive milk (0.76 ± 0.15 μg/ml vs. 0.42 ± 0.06 μg/ml). In conclusion, the concentration of antimicrobial components was different between bacterial culture-positive and culture-negative bovine clinical mastitis milk, which suggests that antimicrobial components are related to bacterial culture results.

We investigated the origin of n-type thermoelectric properties in single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films with anionic surfactants via experimental analyses and first-principles calculations. Several types of anionic surfactants were employed to fabricate SWCNT films via drop-casting, followed by heat treatment at various temperatures. In particular, SWCNT films with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant heated to 350°C exhibited a longer retention period, wherein the n-type Seebeck coefficient lasted for a maximum of 35 days. In the color mapping of atomic distribution, SWCNT films with SDBS surfactant exhibited a larger amount of sodium than oxygen on the SWCNT surface. The electronic band structure and density of states of SWCNTs with oxygen atoms, oxygen molecules, water molecules, sulfur atoms, and sodium atoms were analyzed using first-principles calculations. The calculations showed that sodium atoms and oxygen molecules moved the Fermi level closer to the conduction and valence bands, respectively. The water molecules, oxygen, and sulfur atoms did not affect the Fermi level. Therefore, SWCNT films exhibited n-type thermoelectric properties when the interaction between the sodium atoms and the SWCNTs was larger than that between the oxygen molecules and the SWCNTs.

We investigated the origin of n-type thermoelectric properties in single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films with anionic surfactants via experimental analyses and first-principles calculations. Several types of anionic surfactants were employed to fabricate SWCNT films via drop-casting, followed by heat treatment at various temperatures. In particular, SWCNT films with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant heated to 350 °C exhibited a longer retention period, wherein the n-type Seebeck coefficient lasted for a maximum of 35 days. In x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, SWCNT films with SDBS surfactant exhibited a larger amount of sodium than oxygen on the SWCNT surface. The electronic band structure and density of states of SWCNTs with oxygen atoms, oxygen molecules, water molecules, sulfur atoms, and sodium atoms were analyzed using first-principles calculations. The calculations showed that sodium atoms and oxygen molecules moved the Fermi level closer to the conduction and valence bands, respectively. The water molecules, oxygen, and sulfur atoms did not affect the Fermi level. Therefore, SWCNT films exhibited n-type thermoelectric properties when the interaction between the sodium atoms and the SWCNTs was larger than that between the oxygen molecules and the SWCNTs.

In this study, hetero-interface-structured Bi2Te3-nanoplate/Bi2Se3-electrodeposited films were prepared using all solution processes. Single-crystalline Bi2Te3 nanoplates were synthesized using a solvothermal method, and Bi2Te3 nanoplate films were prepared by drop-casting followed by thermal annealing. The electrodeposition time of the Bi2Se3 layer was tuned to obtain hetero-interface-structured films, wherein the gap between the Bi2Te3 nanoplates was filled. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy showed that the heterointerface structured films had a boundary between the composite layer and the Bi2Te3-nanoplate film. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the hetero-interface-structured films without thermal annealing exhibited peaks arising from Bi2Te3, as well as Bi2Se3 with and without antisite defects (SeBi), while those of the annealed film exhibited peaks from Bi2Te3, Bi2Se3, and the ternary alloys due to mutual diffusion. The annealed hetero-interface-structured film with an electrodeposition time of 40 min exhibited the highest power factor of 1.70 μW/(cm∙K2), which is 12-fold and 30% higher than that of the Bi2Te3-nanoplate and homo-interface-structured films (Bi2Te3-nanoplate/Bi2Te3-electrodeposited film), respectively. This enhancement was observed due to (a) increased electrical conductivity arising from the improved crystallinity of the Bi2Se3 electrodeposited layer and (b) increased Seebeck coefficient, resulting presumably from the combined effect of the heterostructured interface, decrease in the number of antisite defects, and formation of ternary alloys. Our findings provide a route for fabricating high-performance thermoelectric materials with low manufacturing costs.

The semiconducting property and air-stability of n-type single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) are important for manufacturing all-carbon thermoelectric generators. We fabricated n-type SWCNT films with different anionic surfactants via drop-casting followed by heat treatment. Among the surfactants used (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium cholate (SC), and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS)), the SWCNT films with SDBS surfactants exhibited an n-type Seebeck coefficient for 35 days. Structural analyses of the films showed that the SWCNT bundles and SDBS surfactants were homogeneously mixed. To investigate the mechanism behind the air-stability of the n-type property in SWCNT films, molecular dynamics (MD) calculations were performed. The MD calculations revealed that the adsorbability of SDBS molecules to SWCNT was higher than that of the other surfactants, which was consistent with the results of structural analyses. The sodium atoms in the vicinity of the SWCNT surface were vital in imparting n-type properties to the SWCNT. The SWCNT films with SDBS surfactants exhibited n-type properties for a long period of time because the surfactant molecules homogeneously covered the SWCNT surface, which enhanced the transfer of electrons from the sodium atoms to the SWCNT. The findings will aid toward further improving the air-stability of n-type SWCNT films using new surfactants.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are promising thermoelectric materials for use as sustainable power sources for the Internet of Things technology due to their flexibility and excellent thermoelectric properties near 300 K. One of the most important challenges in the development of SWCNTs is achieving n-type thermoelectric properties with long air stability. Here, we investigated the correlation between the air stability of the n-type property and the defects of SWCNTs using two types of SWCNTs with different defect densities. SWCNT films with anionic surfactants were prepared using drop-casting, followed by heat treatment. Both types of SWCNT films exhibited approximately the same n-type Seebeck coefficient values at appropriate heat treatment temperatures. The SWCNT films with low defect density exhibited high electrical conductivity, but the n-type Seebeck coefficient was converted into a p-type one at 14 d. Conversely, the SWCNT films with high defect density exhibited low electrical conductivities but maintained the n-type Seebeck coefficient for 35 d. Therefore, the defect density of SWCNTs impacted the air-stability of the thermoelectric properties. This phenomenon possibly indicates that SWCNT films with high defect density were homogeneously coated with surfactants, thus preventing oxygen atoms from adhering to the film.

We deposited Bi2Te3 thin films on different substrates under various heat treatment conditions to improve the thermoelectric properties of these films by changing the crystal orientation and crystallite size. The films were deposited through direct-current magnetron sputtering. We used four substrates (glass, alumina, sapphire, and polyimide) and three heat treatment conditions; these conditions included non-substrate heating, substrate heating during film deposition, and thermal annealing after film deposition. The in-plane electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient were measured near 300 K, and in-plane thermal conductivity was calculated using models to estimate the power factor (PF) and dimensionless figure of merit (ZT). Among the heat treatment conditions, the most noticeable difference in the substrates appeared during thermal annealing after film deposition. In particular, the Bi2Te3 film deposited on the glass substrate obtained an almost perfect crystal orientation with an average crystallite size of 50 nm; thus, it exhibited a relatively high electrical conductivity of 1025 S/cm, Seebeck coefficient of −163 μV/K, and thermal conductivity of 1.2 W/(m·K). Consequently, the PF and estimated dimensionless ZT were 27.3 μW/(cm·K2) and 0.70, respectively. Therefore, we successfully deposited Bi2Te3 thin films with high thermoelectric properties by selecting the appropriate substrate and heat treatment conditions.

The online version of the original article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10103-016-2004-x .

デイサービスの支援効果について、利用者インタビューを行いグランデッドセオリー法を用いて、利用者が認知する支援効果15項目を導き出した。次に、その支援効果を生み出している因子について「物理的環境誘因」「人的環境誘因」「運営システム環境誘因」の3側面から誘因分析を行い、デイサービスにおいて実践されている職員の支援技能の体系と構造について考察した。障害が不利にならずに活動に参加できる環境整備や人々と交流を促す多様なコーナー作りなどの物理的環境づくり、職員による対人援助技術と当事者間の相互支援、利用システムや職員体制などの運営システムのあり方の3側面の支援環境が相乗的に作用しあって、デイサービスの支援効果をうみだしている構造を明らかにした。, We researched the support effect of day service by interview to user. We used Grounded Theory approach and got 15 categories of the effect that user recognized about day service. We analyzed factors that brought effects of day service, by "environment" "staff's skill" "group dynamics" "management". We found the system and structure of support skill in day service. Environment-factor meant, for example, making barrier-free environment for user with handicaps to participate in many programs and making various corners to join members. Support skill-factor meant, for example, rapport between stuff and user and intervention in a group to develop their membership. Member has Self-help ability and it was an important factor. Management-factor meant, for example, the system of admission and teamwork. We found out that 3 factors, environment, support by stuff and member, management, operated mutually and made effects of day service.

To determine the effect of the chain length of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) on VLDL secretion, the media of chicken hepatocyte cultures were supplemented with hexanoate (6:0), octanoate (8:0), decanoate (10:0), or dodecanoate (12:0). The supplementation of palmitate (16:0) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) alone in media was used as the positive control or the control, respectively. Palmitate significantly increased intracellular triacylglycerol (TG) accumulation and VLDL-TG, -cholesterol, and -apolipoprotein (apo)B secretion. On the other hand, the addition of hexanoate did not affect these variables relative to control cultures supplemented with BSA alone, whereas octanoate, decanoate, and dodecanoate decreased apoB secretion from the chicken hepatocytes. ApoB secretion from hepatocytes cultured with 1.0 mmol/L MCFA, in particular decanoate and dodecanoate, in the presence of 0.2 mmol/L palmitate was significantly lower than that obtained with 0.2 mmol/L palmitate alone. Decanoate at 0.25-1.0 mmol/L dose dependently reduced apoB mRNA expression compared with the control (BSA alone). The levels of 3-hydroxy-3-metylglutaryl-CoA reductase and apoA-I mRNA were significantly lower in cultures supplemented with hexanoate, octanoate, and decanoate than in cultures with dodecanoate and palmitate. These changes did not correspond to the reduction in VLDL-apoB secretion. We suggest that MCFAs with different chain lengths differentially affect apoB secretion and mRNA expression, with decanoate being the most effective at decreasing VLDL-apoB secretion by regulating apoB mRNA expression at the transcriptional level.

Somatic cell counts (SCC) measurements are typically performed using quantitative methods, such as the Breed method (Breed) and the Fossomatic method (FSCC). The DeLaval cell counter (DCC) developed recently is a quantitative somatic cell counter with a low initial cost and superior portability. However, since the DCC was specifically developed for measuring SCC of ≤ 4 × 10(6) cells/mL milk from bulk tanks or individual cows, its reliability for estimating SCC that exceed this concentration has not yet been clarified. This study therefore examined whether it is possible to accurately measure SCC by diluting milk samples with initial SCC of 4 × 10(6) cells/mL, as seen in clinical mastitis milk. We collected milk samples from 99 quarters of 99 Holstein cows with clinical mastitis. These milk samples were diluted 10-fold with saline and thoroughly mixed before performing SCC measurement with the DCC. The correlation coefficients of SCC measured by the FSCC, Breed and DCC methods indicated strong correlations between each pair of methods. The findings showed that DCC can be used to identify bovine clinical mastitis milk and is useful as a quantitative SCC measurement device on farm sites.

Recreational sports are very useful in the scene of lifelong learning. Soft-volleyball has become popular as recreation sport in Iwate Prefecture. I think that it is important to research the actual conditions of a soft-volleyball for its dffusions. There are many people who have experienced volleyball established in the survey at this time, and the number of those men and women over 40 years old is large. There are many people who practice at game conditions. Regularly they will practive at 90 minutes or more each practice for at least once a month. There are many people who do soft-volleyball for health. There are many people who think that soft-volleyball is easy to do readily. On the other hand, there is the person who is having trouble with the activity, because it the difference in power and, experience in men and women. I need to continue is survey because soft-volleyball is still a new recreation sports.

Melibiose (6-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucose) is a disaccharide, a small amount of which is contained in honey and soybeans. It was reported that raffinose, which is a trisaccharide built from melibiose and D-fructose, improved symptoms of atopic dermatitis. A 3-month open clinical study was performed using 31 patients with adolescent or adult-type atopic dermatitis to investigate whether melibiose is also useful for atopic dermatitis or not. In the study, 24 (77%) out of 31 patients showed improvement in subjective symptoms. Nineteen (61%) patients showed improvement in objective skin lesions after the treatment. Moreover, the extent of lesions and SCORAD Index were significantly decreased. In the clinical test, the number of eosinophil was significantly decreased after the treatment. No adverse event was observed. These results indicate that melibiose may be useful for atopic dermatitis.

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) containing lipoproteins are major lipoproteins in blood and the elevated concentration in plasma may lead to increased transport of lipoproteins into adipose tissues resulting in the excessive fat deposition. Aims of the present study were to prepare monoclonal antibodies against chicken apoB and to development enzyme linked mmunosolvent assay (ELISA) methods with the antibody which would be provided for studies on lipoprotein metabolism in chickens. A monoclonal antibody, CAB4, was prepared using a purified chicken apoB and specific reactivity of the antibody was verified by Western blot analysis and immuno-precipitation of apoB in plasma and primary hepatocyte cultures in chickens. ELISA method with monoclonal anti-chicken apoB antibody developed in this study was applicable to measure apoB concentration in plasma and cell cultures within the range of 0 to 500ng/ml with the intra- and inter-assay variation of less than 10.6%. Using the present ELISA method, plasma apoB concentrations in broiler chickens starved for 8h were shown to be 0.44mg/ml against 1.02mg/ml in fed chicken counterparts. The monoclonal antibodies against chicken apoB and ELISA method developed in the present study could be potentially used for studies on the lipoprotein metabolism focusing on the optimization of lipid metabolism in chickens.

Febrifugine (1) and isofebrifugine (2), isolated from the roots of Dichroa febrifuga Lour. (Chinese name: Cháng Shan), are active principles against malaria. Adducts of 1 and 2 with acetone, Df-1 (3) and Df-2 (4), respectively, were obtained using silica gel and acetone. They showed high activity against P. falciparum malaria in vitro. Compound 3 was found to be equally effective against P. berghei in vivo as the clinically used drug chloroquine, whereas 4 showed only 1/24 of the activity of 3. Metabolism studies of these compounds revealed that compound 4 is readily metabolized in mouse liver. Accordingly, the dose of 4 must be higher than that of 3 to attain blood levels sufficient for a favorable therapeutic effect.

Somatic cell counts (SCC) measurements are typically performed using quantitative methods, such as the Breed method (Breed) and the Fossomatic method (FSCC). The DeLaval cell counter (DCC) developed recently is a quantitative somatic cell counter with a low initial cost and superior portability. However, since the DCC was specifically developed for measuring SCC of ≤ 4 × 10(6) cells/mL milk from bulk tanks or individual cows, its reliability for estimating SCC that exceed this concentration has not yet been clarified. This study therefore examined whether it is possible to accurately measure SCC by diluting milk samples with initial SCC of 4 × 10(6) cells/mL, as seen in clinical mastitis milk. We collected milk samples from 99 quarters of 99 Holstein cows with clinical mastitis. These milk samples were diluted 10-fold with saline and thoroughly mixed before performing SCC measurement with the DCC. The correlation coefficients of SCC measured by the FSCC, Breed and DCC methods indicated strong correlations between each pair of methods. The findings showed that DCC can be used to identify bovine clinical mastitis milk and is useful as a quantitative SCC measurement device on farm sites.

Febrifugine (1) and isofebrifugine (2), isolated from the roots of Dichroa febrifuga Lour. (Chinese name: Chang Shan), are active principles against malaria. Adducts of 1 and 2 with acetone, Df-1 (3) and Df-2 (4), respectively, were obtained using silica gel and acetone. They showed high activity against P. falciparum malaria in vitro. Compound 3 was found to be equally effective against P. berghei in vivo as the clinically used drug chloroquine, whereas 4 showed only 1/24 of the activity of 3. Metabolism studies of these compounds revealed that compound 4 is readily metabolized in mouse liver. Accordingly, the dose of 4 must be higher than that of 3 to attain blood levels sufficient for a favorable therapeutic effect.

Cyclic voltammetry was applied to the detection of human leucocytes and the monitoring of allergic reactions. A basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode with attached leucocytes on a porous nitrocellulose membrane filter was employed as a working electrode. An anodic peak current appeared at 0·33 V versus the saturated calomel electrode (SCE) when the potential of the working electrode was scanned in the range of 0–1·0 V versus SCE. This peak current was attributed to the electrochemical oxidation of serotonin. When egg white was added to leucocytes obtained from patients who were allergic to egg, the peak current decreased owing to degranulation of leucocytes leading to serotonin release. The peak current decreased with increasing allergen concentration in the range of 5–50 μg ml −1 . Leucocytes did not respond to other allergens such as soybean, milk and dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA).

Children with cyclic vomiting had high blood ADH, ACTH, cortisol and plasma renin activity (PRA) during vomiting, and urinary excretion of 170HCS, 17KGS, 17KS, norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), normetanephrine (NMN), metanephrine (MN) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) was increased. After disappearance of the vomiting, the levels fell to within the normal range. Variation was not observed in blood prolactin (PRL), Na, osmotic pressure or urine dopamine (DA). Normal findings were obtained in the intravenous water loading test, response of anterior pituitary hormones and cortisol to the insulin, TRH and LH-RH loading, the metopirone test and the dexamethasone suppression test which were performed 1 week after the vomiting.