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Children’s happiness is an important issue that needs to be addressed around the world; however, limited research has explored how children define happiness. In this study, we conducted a survey of elementary school children living in different countries and clarified the contextual definitions of happiness by a total of 842 children (Mean age = 11.01, SD = 1.05, effective rate = 97.34%) from Grades 4 to 6 living in Japan (n = 474), Mongolia (n = 121), and Finland (n = 247). We investigated the definition of children’s happiness using the stimulus sentence completion test. For Mongolian children, happiness was predominantly characterized by references to family relationships. For Finnish children, happiness appeared to be linked to autonomous involvement with things, personal achievement, and success. Furthermore, the happiness of Japanese children was largely characterized by pleasant versus unpleasant experiences. In addition, Japanese children often referred to “being scolded” and their happiness was not related to school success. Our findings concurred with the elements of Seligman’s (2012) concept of flourishing as a new criterion for judging well-being. It was also suggested that the dominant elements of happiness may differ depending on an individual’s country and culture.

The structure and functions of placentas were examined in 3 species of rorqual whales, common minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Bryde's (B. brydei) and sei (B. borealis) whales, with the aim of confirming the structural characteristics of the chorion, including the presence of the areolar part, and clarifying steroidogenic activities and fetomaternal interactions in the placentas of these whales. Placentas were collected from the second phase of the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the North Pacific (JARPN II). Histological and ultrastructural examinations revealed that these whale placentas were epitheliochorial placentas with the interdigitation of chorionic villi lined by monolayer uninucleate cells (trophoblast cells) and endometrial crypts as well as folded placentation by fold-like chorionic villi. Moreover, well-developed pouch-like areolae were observed in the placentas, and active absorption was suggested in the chorionic epithelial cells of the areolar part (areolar trophoblast cells). Berlin blue staining showed the presence of ferric ions (Fe(3+)) in the uterine glandular epithelial cells and within the stroma of chorionic villi in the areolar part. An immunohistochemical examination revealed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP; known as uteroferrin in uteri) in the cytoplasm of glandular cells and areolar trophoblast cells. This result suggested that, in cetaceans, uteroferrin is used to supply iron to the fetus. Furthermore, immunoreactivity for P450scc and P450arom was detected in trophoblast cells, but not in areolar trophoblast cells, suggesting that trophoblast cells synthesize estrogen in whale placentas. Therefore, we herein immunohistochemically revealed the localization of aromatase and uteroferrin in cetacean placentas during pregnancy for the first time.

In this study, we examined the existence and structure of areolae and the steroidogenesis of areolar trophoblast cells in the Antarctic minke whale placenta morphologically and immunohistochemically. Placentas were collected from the 15th, 16th and 18th Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA) and 1st JARPA II organized by the Institute of Cetacean Research in Tokyo, Japan. The opening and cavity of fetal areolae formed by taller columnar trophoblast cells (areolar trophoblast cells) with long microvilli and a bright cytoplasm, as compared with the trophoblast cells of the chorionic villi interdigitating with the endometrial crypts, were recognized in observations of serial sections. The opening of the areolar cavity was hidden by chorionic villi with areolar trophoblast cells. Furthermore, a closed pouch-like structure lined by tall columnar cells similar to areolar trophoblast cells within the stroma of chorionic villi was noticed and continued to the areolar cavity, with the opening seen on serial sections. In a surface investigation of the chorion and endometrium by SEM, maternal (endometrial) areolae irregularly surrounded by endometrial folds were obvious. Moreover, we distinguished areolar trophoblast cells with long microvilli attached with many blebs from trophoblast cells. In our immunohistochemical observations, a steroidogenic enzyme, cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), was detected with strong immunoreactivity in trophoblast cells. However, areolar trophoblast cells showed weak or no immunoreactivity for P450scc.

There are few reports describing the structure and function of the whale placenta with the advance of pregnancy. In this study, therefore, the placenta and nonpregnant uterus of the Antarctic minke whale were observed morphologically and immunohistochemically. Placentas and nonpregnant uteri were collected from the 15th, 16th and 18th Japanese Whale Research Programme with Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA) and 1st JARPA II organized by the Institute of Cetacean Research in Tokyo, Japan. In the macro- and microscopic observations, the placenta of the Antarctic minke whale was a diffuse and epitheliochorial placenta. The chorion was interdigitated to the endometrium by primary, secondary and tertiary villi, which contained no specialized trophoblast cells such as binucleate cells, and the interdigitation became complicated with the progress of gestation. Furthermore, fetal and maternal blood vessels indented deeply into the trophoblast cells and endometrial epithelium respectively with fetal growth. The minke whale placenta showed a fold-like shape as opposed to a finger-like shape. In both nonpregnant and pregnant uteri, many uterine glands were distributed. The uterine glands in the superficial layer of the pregnant endometrium had a wide lumen and large epithelial cells as compared with those in the deep layer. On the other hand, in the nonpregnant endometrium, the uterine glands had a narrower lumen and smaller epithelial cells than in the pregnant endometrium. In immunohistochemical detection, immunoreactivity for P450scc was detected in most trophoblast cells, but not in nonpregnant uteri, suggesting that trophoblast epithelial cells synthesized and secreted the sex steroid hormones and/or their precursors to maintain the pregnancy in the Antarctic minke whale.

The purpose of this study is to propose a lying location on a gatch bed for bedridden elderly people or patients, in order to decrease pressures around the abdominal region during backrest lifting. A proposed lying location is defined as the location where an ischial tuberosity of the patient is positioned right above the rotational axis of the backrest. A patient dummy has been developed to directly measure the abdominal pressures. Experiments were carried out to verify the effects of the proposed lying location during the backrest lifting and lowering. The pressures and slipping displacements were measured using the developed patient dummy in the conventional and proposed lying location. As a result the pressures and slipping displacements were decreased in the proposed lying location.

To investigate the mid-term effect of uterine artery embolization (UAE) on fertility after bilateral UAE with either tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM) or gelatin particles (GP).Fertility was compared in 6 ewes that underwent UAE with TAGM, 6 ewes that underwent UAE with GP, and 6 control ewes. All ewes were artificially inseminated or naturally bred for 2 consecutive breeding seasons after UAE. Pregnancies in each breeding season were investigated.Overall, 36 lambs, all normal in appearance, were delivered after 2 breeding seasons. All 18 ewes delivered lambs in at least the first or second breeding season, with 13 having lambs in both the first and second breeding seasons. In the first breeding season after UAE, all 12 ewes in the UAE group delivered lambs, while 5 (83.3%) of the 6 ewes in the control group did. In the second breeding season, 9 (90%) of the 10 ewes that were alive in the UAE group delivered lambs, while 5 (83.3%) of 6 ewes in the control group did. There were no significant differences in the rate of ewes delivering in the first and second breeding season between control and UAE groups (P = .3333; first season, P.9999; second season, Fisher exact probability test).The mid-term influence of UAE on reproductive ability in sheep was minimal.

Objective: To investigate the influence of uterine artery embolization (UAE) on fertility after bilateral UAE with either tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM) or gelatin particles (GP). Materials and Methods: Six ewes that underwent UAE with TAGM, 6 ewes that underwent UAE with GP, and 6 control ewes were compared. After hormonal synchronization of the menstrual cycle, artificial insemination (AI) was performed. When pregnancy did not result, ewes were naturally inseminated. Results: After AI, progesterone concentrations in blood increased and were maintained at > 1. 0 ng/mL in 9 ewes (3 pergroup). Three ewes became pregnant after AI. The abortion rate was higher in the UAE group. The remaining 15 sheep were naturally inseminated, with 14 delivering 15 lambs. Mean period of term gestation in UAEgroup ewes was 155.7 versus 158. 6 days in controlgroup ewes. Lambs' body weight, body length, and withers height after birth did not differ between those from UAE group and control group. Lambs from ewes embolized with GP tended to be smaller and had lower body weight than those from othergroups. Conclusion: Uterine artery embolization influenced reproductive ability in sheep and UAE with GP could lead to intrauterine growth retardation.

We propose a novel corundum-structured oxide semiconductor alloy system of α-(Ga2O3)-(Fe2O3)-(Cr2O3) thin films as a potential material with multifunctional properties contributing to future unique devices. In this paper the focus is given on the detailed characterization of α-Fe2O3 thin films grown on c-plane sapphire substrates. α-Fe2O3 is an oxide semiconductor with the optical band gap of 2.2eV, exhibiting a weak ferromagnetic property, and is alloyed with α-Ga2O3 to develop promising potentials toward spintronic applications. The growth has been carried out by the mist chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method which has been developed by our group. In the experiment, we used water solution of iron acetylacetonate [(C5H8O2)3Fe] as a Fe source and air as carrier gas. The growth temperature was set at 500°C. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the successful formation of corundum-structured α-Fe2O3 thin films. The full-width at half maximum of X-ray diffraction rocking curve was as small as 41arcsec. In-plane pole figure measurements indicated that α-Fe2O3 thin films were epitaxially grown on the substrate, but that rotational domains were contained with the volume ratio of about 0.7%. The atomic force microscope surface image showed many grains and the root mean square roughness was 1.26nm. These results showed the successful fabrication of highly-crystalline epitaxial α-Fe2O3 thin films on c-plane sapphire substrates, though further efforts to improve the surface morphology were suggested.

The aim of this study was to confirm the effect of dithiothreitol (DTT)-treated spermatozoa on oocyte activation following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Boar spermatozoa with or without DTT treatment (5 mM, 30 min) were injected into in vitro matured porcine oocytes, and the nuclear phase in presumptive zygotes was observed at 3 h intervals up to 12 h after ICSI. Furthermore, developmental competence of embryos produced by DTT-treated or non-treated spermatozoa was monitored after cultivation in vitro for 144 h. Male and female pronuclear formation rates in the oocytes injected with DTT-treated spermatozoa were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in the oocytes injected with non-treated spermatozoa. Additionally, we observed that female pronuclear formation was linked to male pronuclear formation. Sperm treatment with DTT improved (P < 0.05) subsequent development up to the blastocyst stage. These findings confirm the efficiency of DTT in in vitro porcine embryo production medi...

SummaryThe cumulus–oocyte–complexes (COCs) recovery rates with respect to reproductive status per sei (Balaenoptera borealis) and Bryde's (B. edeni) whales were determined in Experiment 1. The number of COCs recovered ranged from 16.0 to 30.6 and from 6.7 to 26.8 per sei and Bryde's whales, respectively. The effects of COCs grades and protein supplementation in embryo culture medium on development ofin vitrofertilized (IVF) embryos were evaluated in sei and Bryde's whales in Experiment 2. The COCs were classified into either Grade A (COCs with five or more layers of compact cumulus cells) or Grade B (COCs with less than five layers of compact or expanded cumulus cells) before being cultured for IVM. The cleavage (12.0 to 19.5%), 4-cell (8.0 to 12.0%) and 8-cell (4.0 to 8.0%) formation rates in sei whales did not vary significantly between embryos derived from either grade A or B oocytes and between embryos cultured in either fetal whale serum (FWS)- or bovine serum albumin (BSA)-supplemented medium. The cleavage (4.0 to 14.8%), 4-cell (0.0 to 7.5%) and 8-cell (0.0 to 2.6%) formation rates in Bryde's whales did not vary significantly between embryos derived from either grade A or B oocytes and between embryos cultured in either FWS- or BSA-supplemented medium. The grade B oocytes cultured in FWS-supplemented medium developed to morula stage (1.1%) in sei whales. In conclusion, the present study indicates that IVF in sei whales is possible to achieve cleaved embryos developing to morula stage. This is the firstin vitroembryo production attempt in sei and Bryde's whales.

The purpose of the study is to develop an evaluation system for the operations involving forearm torsion, such as screw driving and knob turning, for digital human model. In the previous report, a model was proposed to estimate the rotational range of the object rotated by the hand. The purpose of this report is to propose a decision rule for the working postures of the upper limb for torsion operations. The working postures were measured for various positions of the object. The results demonstrated that the upper limb took the posture so as to decrease slightly the maximum degree of coincidence of the upper limb. A digital human model was developed for evaluation of the operations involving forearm torsion based on the results.

The present study investigated effects of three semen extenders and storage temperatures on post-thaw characteristics of Bryde's whale spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were collected from the vasa deferens of three mature Bryde's whales captured during the Japanese whale research in the north-west Pacific (May to August 2007) after death. The three semen extenders used for freezing were 1) a commercialized synthetic extender (AndroMed: AM), 2) Tris-based + 10% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 3) Tris-based + egg yolk (EY). The sperm samples from the three whales were frozen with the three extenders, and the post-thaw spermatozoa were stored at three different temperatures (35 C; 20-25 C, room temperature; and 5 C) for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h. At each time-point, total and progressive motility (PM), viability (live or dead), the hypo-osmotic test, defective acrosomes and malformation were examined. Immediately after thawing, AM resulted in similar recovery rates (60.4 and 83.3%) in 2 of the 3 whales examined and had comparable post-thaw recovery rates to those obtained using the EY and BSA extenders. Immediately after thawing, the proportion of PM in EY (17.6%) was higher (P

In on-line signature verification, complexity of signature shape can influence the value of the optimal threshold for individual signatures. Writer-dependent threshold selection has been proposed but it requires forgery data. It is not easy to collect such forgery data in practical applications. Therefore, some threshold equalization method using only genuine data is needed. In this letter, we propose three different threshold equalization methods based on the complexity of signature. Their effectiveness is confirmed in experiments using a multi-matcher DWT on-line signature verification system.