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One effective measure to achieve carbon neutrality is to shift away from coal. Wet torrefied biomass (WTB) can be the promising solid biofuels to replace coal, when high moisture content biomass is used as feedstock. To utilize WTB for industrial use, WTB with predetermined energy properties such as higher heating value (HHV) and solid mass yield (SMY) has to be produced to meet the requirement in coal-fired power plants and industrial boilers. In this study, the analytical approach to estimate SMY and HHV of WTB for given wet torrefaction (WT) process parameters, temperature and residence time is investigated for Japanese cedar and rice straw. The Van Krevelen diagram shows that dehydration is considered as a main reaction of WTB, which is the same result as the previous studies on dry torrefied biomass (DTB). HHVs of WTB as well as DTB are well correlated with its SMY, and the experimental correlations of HHV are proposed as a function of SMY. The difference in HHV of rice straw between WTB and DTB and the difference in HHV between Japanese cedar and rice straw are closely related to the difference in ash content and the ash removal effect in WT process. The WT reaction based on volatile release is modeled as the single reaction with only one reaction rate constant of volatiles evolved. It is found that the solid-state reaction function codes F12 and D1 are the most suitable for Japanese cedar and rice straw, and kinetic parameters in WT process are determined. The estimation method of SMY and HHV is proposed based on the WT kinetic model and the HHV experimental correlation. It is found that the WT temperature and residence time to produce WTB with predetermined SMY and HHV can be provided by the proposed estimation method within an accuracy of about 10%.

Purpose: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may induce training-specific physiological adaptations such as improved respiratory and cardiovascular adjustments before and after the onset of high-intensity exercise, leading to improved exercise performance during high-intensity exercise. The present study investigated the effects of HIIT on time-dependent cardiorespiratory adjustment during maximal exercise and before and after initiation of high-intensity exercise, as well as on maximal exercise performance.Methods: 21 healthy male college students were randomly assigned to HIIT group (n = 11) or control group (n = 10). HIIT group performed training on a cycle ergometer once a week for 8 weeks. The training consisted of three bouts of exercise at 95% maximal work rate (WRmax) until exhaustion. Before and after the HIIT program, dynamic cardiorespiratory function was investigated by ramp and step exercise tests, and HIIT-induced cardiac morphological changes were assessed using echocardiography.Results: HIIT significantly improved not only maximal oxygen uptake and minute ventilation, but also maximal heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and time to exhaustion in both exercise tests (p < 0.05). Time-dependent increases in minute ventilation (VE) and HR before and at the start of exercise were significantly enhanced after HIIT. During high-intensity exercise, there was a strong correlation between percent change (from before to after HIIT program) in time to exhaustion and percent change in HRmax (r = 0.932, p < 0.001). Furthermore, HIIT-induced cardiac morphological changes such as ventricular wall hypertrophy was observed (p < 0.001).Conclusion: We have demonstrated that HIIT at 95% WRmax induces training-specific adaptations such as improved cardiorespiratory adjustments, not only during maximal exercise but also before and after the onset of high-intensity exercise, improvement of exercise performance mainly associated with circulatory systems.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are produced by Gram-negative bacteria and deliver microbial molecules to distant target cells in a host. OMVs secreted by probiotic probiotic strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) have been reported to induce an immune response. In this study, we aimed to increase the OMV production of EcN. The double gene knockout of mlaE and nlpI was conducted in EcN because the ΔmlaEΔnlpI of experimental strain E. coli K12 showed the highest OMV production in our previous report. The ΔmlaEΔnlpI of EcN showed approximately 8 times higher OMV production compared with the parental (wild-type) strain. Quick-freeze, deep-etch replica electron microscopy revealed that plasmolysis occurred in the elongated ΔmlaEΔnlpI cells and the peptidoglycan (PG) had numerous holes. While these phenomena are similar to the findings for the ΔmlaEΔnlpI of K12, there were more PG holes in the ΔmlaEΔnlpI of EcN than the K12 strain, which were observed not only at the tip of the long axis but also in the whole PG structure. Further analysis clarified that the viability of ΔmlaEΔnlpI of EcN decreased compared with that of the wild-type. Although the amount of PG in ΔmlaEΔnlpI cells was about half of that in wild-type, the components of amino acids in PG did not change in ΔmlaEΔnlpI. Although the viability decreased compared to the wild-type, the ΔmlaEΔnlpI grew in normal culture conditions. The hypervesiculation strain constructed here is expected to be used as an enhanced probiotic strain.

Background: The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) is commonly used in screening for major postpartum depression (PPD). We explored the clinical factors associated with score changes. Methods: Mothers (n=1,287) who delivered a single live-born infant in Kokura Medical Center in Japan during 2018–2019 were analyzed. The EPDS-Japanese version was conducted at the first and fourth weeks after childbirth. Scores of ≥9 were considered to indicate an increased risk of PPD. Results: The scores improved during the four-week period (5.03±0.12 to 3.79±0.10). Primiparity, Cesarean section (CS), and a low Apgar score were identified as initial risk factors, however, primiparity remained in the multivariate analysis (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.37–2.97). Age ≥35 years was associated with worsened scores (aOR 1.88, 95%CI 1.01–3.51), but CS improved (aOR 0.38, 95%CI 0.21–0.70). Primiparity, CS, and neonatal respiratory support were the initial risk factors, while infant anomaly was a late risk factor in mothers whose infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (aOR 3.35, 95%CI 1.31–8.56). In mothers of infants with an NICU stay of ≥4 weeks, infant anomaly was associated with worsened scores (aOR 6.61, 95%CI 1.11–39.3), while respiratory support was associated with improved scores (aOR 0.09, 95%CI 0.01–0.65). Twenty-six mothrs with worsened scores received psychiatric support; three developed PPD. Two of the three were ≥35 years of age, neither of their infants had anomalies. Conclusion: Maternal aging and infant anomaly were risk factors for PPD. PPD occurred in mothers with worsened EPDS scores after mental care. Puerperants with worsening risk factors should be targeted to control PPD.

Abstract This study focussed on determining the electric field distribution formed by asymmetric agglomerates in order to elucidate the mechanism by which large agglomerates reduce the dielectric breakdown strength of nanocomposites. Epoxy nanocomposite sample was prepared by adding 2.5 vol% of TiO2 nanoparticles with a primary particle size ranging from 30 to 50 nm. The three‐dimensional (3D) structure of the epoxy nanocomposites with a thickness of 5 μm was analysed via focussed ion beam and scanning electron microscopy. The 3D reconstruction was performed using 250 observation images, and a 3D model of the particle in the observational range was obtained. The electric field distribution for the 3D model of the agglomerate with the largest size was determined using the finite element method. In addition, we constructed a calculation model that effectively accommodate changes in the direction of the applied electric field. Subsequently, we examined the changes in the maximum electric field intensity around the agglomerate.

Abstract Background The prognosis of thymoma with cardiac tamponade is generally poor. Most of the reported thymomas with cardiac tamponade were type B or type AB (mixed thymoma), and cardiac tamponade due to type A thymoma, which has a better prognosis compared to type B thymoma, is extremely rare. Case presentation We encountered a case of cardiac tamponade in a 71-year-old male. He visited our emergency department due to exacerbation of fatigue and dyspnea on exertion that lasted for two weeks. Chest imaging revealed a large amount of pericardial fluid and a contrast-enhanced tumor with calcification in the anterior mediastinum. The patient underwent thoracoscopic tumor biopsy and pathological examinations revealed type A thymoma. In this case, long-term disease-free survival (7.5 years) was achieved by multidisciplinary treatment (preoperative chemotherapy, surgical excision, and postoperative radiation therapy), in accordance with the histological type. Conclusions This case indicates that neoplastic cardiac tamponade, even in elderly patients, should not necessarily be regarded as a terminal cancer and requires a systematic investigation for underlying causes.

In 2021, more than 40 countries have agreed with "de-coal" statement at the COP26. The torrefied solid biofuels have come to attract attention as promising alternative fuels to coal in coal-fired power plants and industrial boilers. However, the energy property such as higher heating value (HHV) and energy yield of torrefied biomass, which is one of the most important fuel properties, has been evaluated by means of experiments for various biomass species so far. That is, the torrefaction conditions to produce torrefied solid biofuel with predetermined HHV have been provided only empirically. In this study, a generalized HHV estimation method applicable to any torrefied woody biomass is investigated based on pyrolysis kinetics of primary constituent polymers of woody biomass, cellulose, lignin and xylan. Analyses of pyrolysis kinetics of constituent polymers are conducted by assuming that the process in non-isothermal pyrolysis experiments is modeled as the single reaction. The HHVs of torrefied constituent polymers are obtained by isothermal torrefaction experiments, and the experimental correlations of HHV of torrefied constituent polymers are proposed as a function of solid mass yield. For a given woody biomass whose mass fractions of three constituent polymers are known, HHV of torrefied woody biomass produced with any torrefaction condition can be estimated by applying pyrolysis kinetic models and experimental correlations of HHV for three constituent polymers to the torrefaction process of woody biomass. From the comparison between estimated HHV of torrefied woody biomass and experimental data, it is concluded that the generalized HHV estimation method can be useful for evaluating HHV of torrefied woody biomass with about 10% accuracy, although the HHV is somewhat underestimated.

One of the effective solutions to reduce CO2 emission derived from fossil fuels is the suppression of coal consumption in industrial boilers and power plants. Torrefaction is one of the promising treatments for reforming conventional solid biofuels, and torrefied solid biofuels have come to attract attention as an alternative to coal. When torrefied solid biofuels are utilized or produced, energy properties such as higher heating value (HHV) and energy yield of torrefied solid biofuels are quite important. In this study, to evaluate the energy properties for a given pyrolysis condition analytically, evaluation methods of HHV and mass yield of torrefied biomass based on isothermal pyrolysis kinetics are investigated for three biomass species, i) softwood; Japanese cedar, ii) hardwood; castanopsis and iii) herbaceous biomass; rice straw. There are two aims of the study. One is to present the HHV evaluation method by lumped-parameter pyrolysis kinetic models with high evaluation accuracy. The reduction in the mass yield due to torrefaction can be evaluated by the two-step pyrolysis kinetic model, and the HHV is provided with the mass fractions and heating values for constituent substances included in torrefied biomass of the two-step pyrolysis kinetic model. The other is to present the simple correlation to evaluate HHV without depending on three biomass species. From the comparison between the HHV evaluation method and experimental data, it is clarified that the proposed HHV evaluation method based on the two-step pyrolysis kinetic model can be useful to evaluate the HHV of torrefied biomass for three biomass samples with high evaluation accuracy, 5% or less. The linear correlation between HHV enhancement factor and mass yield of torrefied biomass is found regardless of three biomass species in the range of torrefaction mass yield larger than 0.6.

Background/Objective Few studies have addressed the type of time course regression that can predict changes in functional ability in inpatients with schizophrenia. This study investigated the possibility of predicting changes in functional ability by logarithmic and linear regression modelling when treating schizophrenia. Methods This longitudinal study included two analysis rounds. Analysis 1 comprised 40 inpatients (male/female: 16/24, mean age: 39.7 ± 13.5 years) for the identification of the time course of changes in functional ability based on the Activity Profile Scale for Patients with Psychiatric Disorders score from the group data. Analysis 2 comprised 17 inpatients (male/female: 9/8, mean age: 38.5 ± 9.4 years) to ensure correlation of the group data with the prediction of each individual’s degree of functional ability. Results In Analysis 1, Activity Profile Scale for Patients with Psychiatric Disorders score was assessed at the initial occupational therapy visit, one week and one month thereafter, and at discharge; logarithmic modelling using the scores at the initial visit, one month later and at discharge was more suitable (R 2 = .506, p

Noticing the color variation of torrefied woody biomass with pyrolysis process, a non-invasive method to estimate energy properties such as elemental contents, higher heating value and energy yield is investigated. When the torrefied biofuel is produced and utilized, the quality control concerning energy properties is indispensable. The energy properties of torrefied woody biomass are correlated with its mass yield, and the relationship between mass yields and colorimetric values defined by CIELAB is experimentally examined. The results obtained for torrefied Japanese cedar are as follows. (1) The energy properties of torrefied Japanese cedar are expressed by simple relations of mass yield. The optimum torrefaction condition to produce torrefied biofuel can be evaluated by the mass yield. (2) To estimate the mass yield of torrefied Japanese cedar, the experimental correlations with colorimetric values are proposed. In the case of the sap-wood and heart-wood samples for brightness, L* above 45, the mass yield is correlated with L*, and in the case of the sap-wood, heart-wood and bark samples for L* below 45, the mass yield is correlated with color coordinate, a*. From the comparison between predicted mass yields and experimental data, it is found that the proposed experimental correlations can estimate the mass yield within an accuracy of ±10%. Therefore, the energy properties of torrefied Japanese cedar is easy to be checked by using the present non-invasive estimation method with colorimetric values.

Purpose. Docetaxel/5-FU/CDDP (DFP) therapy is a useful treatment for advanced esophageal cancer. However, adverse reactions such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) interfere often with continuation of the chemotherapy. We investigated the efficacy of rikkunshito (TJ-43) on CINV. Methods. Nineteen patients who were going to undergo DFP therapy were enrolled. They were assigned to the following two groups: a TJ-43-treated group and -nontreated group. The following parameters were compared between the 2 groups: (1) the frequency of symptoms occurred, (2) vomiting, nausea, and anorexia score, and (3) QOL score. Results. The incidence of symptoms was lower in the TJ-43-treated group than that in the control group. The nausea score of the TJ-43-treated group was significantly lower than that of the control group. In the QOL score, the mood score and the ADL score decreased significantly in the control group. Conclusion. We recommend TJ-43 administration in patients undergoing DFP chemotherapy.