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Considering the importance of self-disclosure in building relationships, it is vital to investigate how self-disclosure is affected via avatars in virtual environments, as they are likely to become increasingly popular. Previous work has shown that using avatars increases friendliness and honesty. However, issues such as how and what types of avatars affect self-disclosure and reciprocity have not been fully explored. We conducted a study with 108 participants (54 dyads) discussing a personal topic using one of three communication media: videoconferencing, avatars with avatar-self appearance similarity, or avatars without avatar-self appearance similarity. The results showed that self-disclosure is most encouraged via the avatars without similarity. Reciprocity was formed via both types of avatars but not videoconferencing. Interestingly, although the participants disclosed more about themselves via avatars than via videoconferencing, there was no difference in their subjective experiences. It means that avatar users can disclose more about themselves without being particularly aware that they are using avatars, which suggests the usefulness of avatars to understand people's candid thoughts and feelings. Finally, we discuss the design implications for applications requiring self-disclosure.

Although rare, right coronary artery (RCA) injury is a serious complication of tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) and warrants close attention. We report a case of ST elevation myocardial infarction secondary to iatrogenic RCA occlusion during minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). Electrocardiography (ECG) revealed ST segment elevation in lead II. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed inferior wall hypokinesis after cardiopulmonary bypass, and coronary angiography revealed peripheral RCA occlusion. Intraoperatively, we detected an atrioventricular groove deformity during the second surgical procedure. Wall motion and ECG abnormalities showed normalization after TAP was reestablished. Vigilant monitoring using TEE and ECG is important to detect intraoperative myocardial ischemia during MICS-TAP.

Bone loss and bone-related disease are associated with the deregulation of osteoclast function, and therefore agents that affect osteoclastogenesis have attracted attention. The purpose of the present study was to discover modified kavalactone analogs as potential anti-osteoclastogenic agents. We assessed the effect of 26 analogs on osteoclast differentiation in vitro. The most potent compound, (E)-6-(2-fluorostyryl)-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one (22), suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenic differentiation of RAW264 cells with IC50 values of 4.3 µM. A partial structure-activity relationship study revealed the importance of fluorine and its position within the 5,6-dehydrokawain skeleton. The results of a pit formation assay suggested that compound 22 prevents osteoclastic bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, compound 22 downregulated mRNA expression levels of RANKL-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) and osteoclastogenesis-related genes. These results suggest that (E)-6-(2-fluorostyryl)-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one scaffold could lead to the identification of new anti-resorptive agents.

Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and is related to the rising morbidity and mortality. Discovery of agents targeting adipogenesis, especially from natural sources, is important for the treatment of obesity. Here, we aimed to identify anti-adipogenic substances in methanol extracts of Physalis peruviana and to investigate their effect, along with underlying mechanisms. Activity-guided fractionation of the extract revealed 4β-hydroxywithanolide E (HWE) and withanolide E (WE) as the adipogenesis inhibitors. Both compounds suppressed mRNA expression of central adipogenic transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α in the early stage of adipocyte differentiation. The inhibitory action of these two withanolides on adipogenesis was largely limited to this stage. The proliferation of preadipocytes was markedly suppressed by treatment with HWE and WE for 24 and 48 h in the differentiation medium, and cell-cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase was observed. Therefore, our results suggested that withanolides from P. peruviana to be novel anti-adipogenic compounds that modulate mitotic clonal expansion.

As a Japanese folk medicine, Tithonia diversifolia is used for cardiovascular disease prevention and health maintenance. We isolated T. diversifolia-derived orizabin based on the nitric oxide production inhibitory effect. This study aimed to consider orizabin as a novel functional compound with anti-atherosclerotic activity. Orizabin significantly inhibited the adhesion of THP-1 cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and suppressed the mRNA expression of adhesion molecules in HUVECs. In Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulated THP-1 cells, orizabin suppressed macrophage differentiation, CD36 expression (1% at 10 μM), and NFκB transcriptional activity. Furthermore, orizabin suppressed oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) uptake in macrophages and the Akt phosphorylation. On the contrary, we revealed that phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase (PTEN) mRNA and protein expression were promoted significantly by orizabin (mRNA, 270-fold at 10 μM). Our study presented the possibility that T. diversifolia-derived orizabin is novel anti-atherosclerotic compound via the suppression of Akt phosphorylation, and T. diversifolia may be effective as a new crop for vascular health maintenance. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this study, the differentiation of monocytes was suppressed without any toxicity, it was obvious in the image, and the oxLDL uptake in monocytes was clearly suppressed by orizabin. Our findings presented that T. diversifolia-derived compound orizabin specifically contributes to the promotion of PTEN expression and suppression of Akt signal in cells, and acts to suppress inflammation by suppression of NFκB transcriptional activity. As a component derived from food, it has a strong function and can be used to maintain the health for blood vessels. It is also a finding that deserves to expand production currently being carried out on a small scale. Furthermore, the promoting effect of PTEN known as a cancer suppressor in orizabin may result in further use for pharmaceuticals research. Orizabin can be safely used as a food-derived compound for maintaining human health.

Some β-glucans have attracted attention due to their functionality as an immunostimulant and have been used in processed foods. However, accurately measuring the β-glucan content of processed foods using existing methods is difficult. We demonstrate a new method, the Sodium hypochlorite Extracting and Enzymatic Digesting (SEED) assay, in which β-glucan is extracted using sodium hypochlorite, dimethyl sulfoxide, and 5 mol/L sodium hydroxide and then digested into β-glucan fragments using Westase which is an enzyme having β-1,6- and β-1,3 glucanase activity. The β-glucan fragments are further digested into glucose using exo-1,3-β-d-glucanase and β-glucosidase. We measured β-glucan comprising β-1,3-, -1,6-, and -1,(3),4- bonds in various polysaccharide reagents and processed foods using our novel method. The SEED assay was able to quantify β-glucan with good reproducibility, and the recovery rate was90% for food containing β-glucan. Therefore, the SEED assay is capable of accurately measuring the β-glucan content of processed foods.

Investigating the degradation mechanism of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is indispensable for realizing a longer-lasting fuel cell. This report describes the research results that the cathode catalyst after a 9000 h cell operation has been removed to evaluate the O2 reduction reaction (ORR) and H2O2 generation amount during the ORR. First, the power generation performance of the prepared PEFC single cell was measured vs. the elapsed time of the long-term test operated at 80 °C at the constant current density of 200 mA cm−2. After the 9000 h operation, the power generation performance was confirmed to decrease. Subsequently, the cathode material containing the Pt–Co/C and the ionomer was removed from the cell and packed into the microcavity of the porous microelectrode (PME). By using the PME, ex situ electrochemical measurements were done in a sulfuric acid solution. The background cyclic voltammogram current of the 9000 h sample was one order of magnitude lower than that of the 0 h sample, suggesting that the electrochemical surface area had decreased. The diffusion-limiting ORR current decreased after the endurance test, however, the Tafel slopes were the same between the two in the same electrode potential region. This revealed that the endurance test does not affect the electron transfer mechanism of the ORR. By using the scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), the H2O2 yield assessed for the 9000 h sample at 0–0.7 V vs. RHE during the ORR was found to be 3–4 times higher than that for the 0 h sample. Based on the TEM observation, the high H2O2 yield after the 9000 h operation was considered to be due to the degradation of the ionomer incorporated in the cathode layer with the Pt–Co/C catalyst.

An imbalance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts can cause bone loss and bone-related disease. In a previous search for natural products that increase osteogenic activity, we found that 5,6-dehydrokawain (1) from Alpinia zerumbet promotes osteoblastogenesis. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated series of 5,6-dehydrokawain analogs. Our structure-activity relationships revealed that alkylation of para or meta position of aromatic ring of 1 promote osteogenic activity. Among the potential analogs we synthesized, (E)-6-(4-Ethylstyryl)-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one (14) and (E)-6-(4-Butylstyryl)-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one (21) both significantly up-regulated Runx2 and Osterix mRNA expression at 10µM. These osteogenic activities could be mediated by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Compounds 14 and 21 also inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW264 cells. These results indicated that novel 5,6-dehydrokawain analogs not only increase osteogenic activity but also inhibit osteoclast differentiation, and could be potential lead compounds for the development of anti-osteoporosis agents.

Intrapulmonary or intracardiac thrombosis is a rare but catastrophic event following complex cardiothoracic surgery. Although there have been multiple cases reported in the literature, the causes of these events are largely unknown. In this retrospective review, we attempt to identify risk factors and propose possible mechanisms of thromboses after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE with these keywords: (intra)pulmonary thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, lung embolism, (intra)cardiac thrombosis, cardiac thrombi, in combination with CPB, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, or cardiac surgery. Putative risk factors were compiled from reported cases.We identified 34 cases of massive intrapulmonary and/or intracardiac thromboses. All but 2 cases (94.1%) were fatal. Clinical presentations were systemic hypotension and/or pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and cardiogenic shock in 32 (94.1%) cases. The timing was immediate (10 min) following hemostatic intervention in 16 cases (47.1%), within 45 min in 8 cases (23.5%), and not reported in the rest. Putative risk factors included antifibrinolytic use (88.2%), congestive heart failure (55.9%), prolonged CPB use (2 h) (41.1%), and low activated clotting time (400 s) after initial heparinization (20.6%). The administration of tissue plasminogen activator in 5 cases was ineffective.Massive thrombosis following cardiac surgery is a highly lethal event with limited treatment options. Particular attention should be paid to the status of thrombin regulatory proteins before protamine and other hemostatic interventions in patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery with antifibrinolytic agents.

A long-term operation test of PEFCs was conducted for single cells having an effective area of 25 cm2. The decay rate of the cell voltage was relatively large in the beginning, decreased to about 4 µV h−1 from 3000 to 6000 h, and about 7 µV h−1 in the later stage from 9000 to 12000 h. In order to clarify the cause of the voltage decay, materials composing membrane electrode assembly (MEA) were analyzed by disassembling a cell every 3000 h. After operation, changes of materials, such as particle size change of Pt-Co cathode catalyst, loss of ionomer layers on Pt-Co/C, decrease in thickness of the polymer electrolyte membrane, pore size changes of the cathode, were observed. Electrochemical active surface area of the electrode showed a decreasing tendency. Based on these results, we focused on the improvement of cathode, and developed a “four-layer electrode catalyst” which consisted of Pt-Co alloy particle, carbon support, ionomer and fluorocarbon resin. A test cell using this new type cathode exhibited better performances than a cell using conventional cathode in the durability test under low humidity or low temperature conditions.

Antifibrinolytic agents have been prophylactically administered to patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to reduce postoperative bleeding due to plasmin-mediated coagulation disturbances. After the recent market withdrawal of aprotinin, a potent bovine-derived plasmin inhibitor, two lysine analogs, epsilon-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are currently available for clinical use. Although the use of aprotinin recently raised major concerns about postoperative thrombosis and organ dysfunctions, there is a paucity of information on the potential complications related to lysine analogs. Using the available preclinical and clinical data, we present current perspectives on the hemostatic mechanism and potential harms of antifbirnolytic therapy related to cardiac surgery. Fibrin formation is the critical step for hemostasis at the site of vascular injury, and localized fibrinolytic activity counterbalances excess fibrin formation which might result in vascular occlusion. Inhibition of the endogenous fibrinolytic system may be associated with thrombotic complications in susceptible organs. It is thus important to understand CPB-related changes in endogenous fibrinolytic proteins (e.g., tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen) and antifibrinolytic proteins (e.g., alpha(2)-antiplasmin).

Apicoaortic bypass (AAB), or apicoaortic conduit insertion, is a conventional surgical method that has been regaining attention due to the aging population and the increasing number of repeat surgeries. The indication for the procedure has been extended as an alternative for aortic stenosis when the usual sternotomy or aortic clamping is considered to be difficult, e.g., in patients with severe calcification of the ascending aorta (porcelain aorta), or in patients with a patent coronary artery bypass graft located adjacent to the posterior surface of the sternum. Herein, we report our recent anesthetic management of three patients undergoing AAB. Once the apicoaortic conduit is inserted, blood from the left ventricle is ejected via two routes, the narrowed native aortic valve and the apicoaortic conduit. Thus, it is necessary to elucidate any change in blood flow after the withdrawal of the extracorporeal circulation, by using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. Furthermore, if a rigid apical connector is not used, anastomosis of the cardiac apex and conduit is conducted under ventricular fibrillation without the infusion of cardioplegic solution; thus, patients are deemed likely to suffer increased myocardial damage. As a rigid apical connector was not used in the three present patients, the administraction of adequate catecholamines was needed for the withdrawal of the extracorporeal circulation. In addition, because those undergoing AAB often have extremely poor cardiac reserve preoperatively owing to the administration of adequate catecholamines was needed for the withdrawal of the extracorporeal circulation. In the three present patients, anesthetic management was successful, and there were no intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications.

Water management of the catalyst layer in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell was improved by focusing on the three-phase boundary. To fabricate the cathode catalyst layer, carbon-support with catalyst and fluorine resin were mixed and heat-treated at the melting temperature of fluorine resin. The transmission electron microscopy images of this electrode catalyst showed that the surfaces of the catalyst particle and of the carbon-support were partly coated by thin film of melted fluorine resin. Ionomer electrolyte material was added to this electrode catalyst, and an electrode catalyst with a four-layer structure was fabricated. The durability at 50°C of a single cell using the four-layer electrode catalyst as the cathode was examined. The deterioration rate was lower than that using the conventional three-layer electrode catalyst. In addition, a load change test at 50°C, an OCV test at 50°C, and a durability test at room temperature gave good results.

術中経食道心エコー (IOTEE) は心臓大血管手術において必要不可欠な診断機器としてだけではなく, 心臓大血管手術麻酔の管理においても大変有用性の高いモニターであり, 拡張機能を含めたリアルタイムでの心機能や心室内容量の評価が可能である. 従来, 左心室容量の評価に肺動脈カテーテルが利用されていたが, その解析や治療方法の選択にばらつきが多いため, 近年, IOTEEが心臓大血管麻酔管理における血行動態モニターとして日常的に利用されるようになった. さらに, IOTEEの情報を心臓外科医と共有することで, 体外循環離脱時の薬剤の適切な選択や麻酔管理の戦略に応用することも可能である. IOTEEは比較的安全な機器ではあるが, 適切に使用することがIOTEEに関連する合併症の防止には肝要である. IOTEEの技術や知識を効率的に蓄積し, 実践できるようなトレーニングシステムを構築し, 客観的な評価を通して, 心臓外科医や集中治療医とこれらの情報を共有すれば, 循環器疾患に対する包括的な理解とともに, 心臓大血管手術患者に対する周術期管理の質をさらに向上させることができると考えられる.

This uncontrolled intervention study explored the effects of sauna bathing utilizing residual heat from charcoal kilns (charcoal kiln saunas) on psychological states. Forty-five volunteers (24 males and 21 females; mean age 51.9 years (S.D. 15.7) visiting a bamboo charcoal kiln in Japan participated in the study. They completed a shortened version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after charcoal kiln sauna bathing in order to determine mood and anxiety states. Six factors relating to mood were measured using the POMS: Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Dejection, Anger-Hostility, Vigor, Fatigue, and Confusion. The two anxiety concepts of state anxiety and trait anxiety were also measured. Changes in psychological states before and after sauna bathing were then determined. All mood scales and both manifest anxiety measures were improved after sauna bathing. Charcoal kiln sauna bathing appears to improve mood and decrease anxiety. It is a limitation of this study that this was a descriptive prospective and an uncontrolled intervention study. Further investigation of the improvement of trait anxiety is required.

We propose a lean design methodology for business models, which repeatedly design business-model hypotheses in researching manner, moreover, with which corporate businesses can create new business value utilizing IT. Both analyzing business value that IT creates, and designing business models which repeatedly provide the business value will be possible. We applied the proposed method onto IoT utilizing sensing technology and GPS, and evaluated its effectiveness.

The gravity model of interregional trade coefficients is regarded as an economically meaningful behavioral model. However, several important problems remain in the process of specifying a stochastic model which is appropriate id its substance. We focus our concentration on logit type formulations of these models. This paper aims to clarify the importance of the links between the model specifications and the distributive characteristics peculiar to the data concerned, and, simultaneously, to investigate the validity of our model empirically using the pooling data from interregional and intertemporal input-output tables.

非体外循環下冠動脈バイパス術(off-pump coronary-artery bypass grafting, off-pump CABG)術後に原因不明の強い全身性炎症を示し多臓器障害を呈したが,大量のコルチコステロイド投与により劇的に改善した症例を経験したので報告する。症例は72歳男性,既往症は高血圧,59歳時にCABG,70歳時に腹部大動脈瘤に対して人工血管置換術を受けた。今回増悪する狭心症に対してoff-pump CABGを受けたが,術後3日目より高熱,白血球増多,CRP高値を呈し,ショック,腎不全,高ビリルビン血症を合併した。アレルギー性疾患,感染症は否定的であった。術後12日目に,炎症の治療目的で,メチルプレドニゾロン500mgを3日間投与したところ,発熱,高炎症,多臓器障害は速やかに改善した。メチルプレドニゾロンの投与期間は25日間,その後,術後42日目に無事転棟となった。敗血症,ARDSなどの重症患者に対する高用量ステロイド投与による予後改善は現在否定されているが,今回のように全身性炎症状態のみが病態をなしている場合には有効でありうると考えた。

Purpose. The study was done to determine the characteristics and prevalence of myocardial ischemia with inverted T waves after noncardiac surgery. Methods. A list of patients who developed electrocardiogram (ECG) T-wave inversion associated with wall-motion abnormalities observed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) following noncardiac surgery was generated from the intensive care unit (ICU) medical records database between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2000. The hospital records of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results. Among 4219 patients (2187 men and 2032 women) who were admitted to the ICU after noncardiac surgery, 13 developed myocardial ischemia with inverted T waves postoperatively. All of the patients were middle-aged or elderly women with no history of coronary artery disease; nine of them had undergone intraabdominal surgery. Characteristic ECG findings included inverted T waves in the left precordial leads, which subsequently became prominent with QT prolongation. In all of these patients, wall-motion abnormalities were observed on the anterior wall, but these resolved within 60 days of the episode. Myocardial ischemia was asymptomatic, with neither hemodynamic changes nor adverse cardiac events. Conclusion. Newly developed giant negative T waves with QT prolongation in the ECG may indicate myocardial stunning, but do not in themselves imply a poor prognosis. The marked preponderance of middle-aged and elderly women with this type of myocardial ischemia remains to be explained.

“Rotary Press” which is a new rotary pressure dehydrator with an unconventional dewatering mechanism, has been developed by Fournier Industries Inc, in Canada, and is going to be imported and marketed by Tomoe Engineering Co., Ltd, in technical cooperation with the Fournier Industries, The Rotary Press, which is a well-balanced machine with high dewaterability for less operating and maintenance costs including energy consumption, has recently been finding increasingly wider applications including sewage treatment in Canada, This paper describes dewatering principles, features, and dewatering performance of the Rotary Press.

We propose a design methodology of IT-driven business architecture to realize the business model utilizing information technology. As a component technology, they propose a business architecture design method using the goal model. A business goal to be met in business and a system goal to be met by system for business goal meet are defined. This study proposes a design methodology of business architecture and system architecture to meet business goal. The authors apply the proposed method to the case of mobile music delivery business and evaluate its effectiveness.

IT has changed business model and business process, and has become an essential ingredient for the competitive advantage. Under such circumstances, a conventional requirements engineering methodology is not sufficient. We propose an IT-driven business model design methodology in order to take advantage of innovative information technologies. The proposed methodology includes XBMC (eXtended BMC), an extension of BMC (Business Model Canvas) of BMG (Business Model Generation) as a framework to visualize a business architecture with a holistic view, and SMC (System Model Canvas) as a new model to visualize overall system architecture, correspondingly. In addition, we propose BSTM (Business-System Translation Meta-model) to align business architecture and system architecture based on the business meta-model and goal model. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology by applying it to the case of a mobile music delivery business.

パラチオンを服毒した慢性透析患者において,持続的血液透析(continuous venovenous hemodialysis,CVVHD)下におけるpralidoxime(2-PAM)薬物動態を検討しえた。症例は67歳の男性で,週3回の血液透析を受けていた。自殺企図にてパラチオン15mlを服毒し,アトロピン,2-PAMを併用した心肺蘇生に成功の後,ICUに収容した。筋攣縮や縮瞳などの症状の改善を目安にCVVHD施行下で2-PAM0.1g・hr-1を約20時間持続投与し,血中ならびに透析廃液中の2-PAM濃度を経時的に測定してCVVHDによる排泄と薬物動態を検討した。その結果,持続投与中の血中濃度は22～23mg・ml-1と高値であり,CVVHDによるクリアランスは約8.1ml・min-1と極めて小さく,半減期が健常人の1.1時間に比べ40時間と著明に延長することが判明した。有機リン中毒に対しCVVHD施行下で2-PAMを投与する場合,体外排泄の遅延による過剰投与に十分注意する必要があると考えられた。

Three-body ionic-recombination reactions of Xe+/Br−/He leading to XeBr* excimers and their predissociation products (Xe* and Br*) have been studied by observing emission spectra in a He flowing afterglow. The branching ratios of XeBr(B):XeBr(D):Xe(6s 3P1,6p 1D2):Br(5p) in the Xe+(2P1/2)/Br−/He reaction are 0.65:0.077:0.087:0.19, while those of XeBr(B):XeBr(C):XeBr(D):Xe(6s 3P1):Br(5s) in the Xe+(2P3/2)/Br−/He reaction are 0.87:0.12:0.0040:0.0014:0.0067, respectively. The large relative formation rate of XeBr(B) in the Xe+(2P1/2)/Br−/He reaction indicated that a breakdown of the ion configuration of Xe+ occurs significantly in the Xe+(2P1/2) reaction. The XeBr(B) state is probably formed through multiple collisions with third-body He atoms, which cause a trajectory change from the entrance V[Xe+(2P1/2),Br−] potential to exit V[Xe+(2P3/2),Br−] ionic potentials via predissociation V(Xe*,Br) potentials. The large relative formation rates of XeBr(B,C) in the Xe+(2P3/2)/Br−/He reaction indicated that the ion co...

We propose a business requirements engineering methodology in order to rapidly generate a business requirements and its supporting business architecture centered around the IT (Information Technology). As a high-level representation of business requirements along with the business value chain, we propose XBMC, an extension of BMC (Business Model Canvas) of the Business Model Generation. To align the business requirements onto an enterprise information system, we propose a new framework of the SMC (System Model Canvas) and a bidirectional mapping between XBMC and SMC governed by a business meta-model. Based on the mapping, we propose a technique of incrementally aligning business requirements represented in XBMC to and from ITA (IT Architecture) in SMC, which is intended to effectively utilize IT capabilities and resources. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology by applying it to the development of a mobile music delivery business.

Today, many developers try to create a new scripting language to provide scripting features to their own application domain. We proposed The DeSugar parser that provides a flexible means of extending the user-defined syntax by scripting. The goal of the DeSugar parser is to make it easier for users to adopt the language syntax to their own application domain. This paper presents Konoha, which is fully integrated with the DeSugar parser, and which allows users to extend its own syntax through the DeSugar parser scripting interfaces.

Thermochromism was observed for an aqueous solution containing zinc(II) and mercury( II) cations and N-p-nitrobenzyl-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin anion (NO2Bz(Htpps)4-) in the temperature range 10 to 70 °C. The equilibrium constants and the thermodynamic parameters of Zn(NO2Bztpps)3- and Hg(NO2Bztpps)3- have been determined spectrophotometrically to elucidate the thermochromism at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C in 0.1 mol dm-3 NaNO3. The protonation and metalation constants of NO2Bz(Htpps)4- are defined as K2 = [H2P][H+]-1[HP]-1, K3 = [H3P][H+]-1[H2P]-1 and KMP = [M P][H+][M2+]-1[HP]-1, where HP and MP denote the free base form of the prophyrin and the metalloporphyrins of zinc(II) and mercury(II), respectively. Charges of the prophyrin and metalloporphyrins are omitted for simplicity. The following values were found: logK2 = 7.75 ±0.02 (25 °C), ΔH°/kJmol-1 = -21.2±0.5 and ΔS°/Jmol-1K-1 = 77±1, logK3 = 2.55±0.02 (25 °C), ΔH°/kJmol-1 = -25±0.8 and ΔS°/Jmol-1K-1 = -35±3 and log KZnP = 0.63±0.03 (25 °C), ΔH°/kJmol-1 = 31.0±0.8 and ΔS°/Jmol-1K-1 = 116±3, logKHgP = 6.22±0.03 (25 °C), ΔH°/kJmol-1 = 4.5±0.7 and ΔS°/Jmol-1K-1 = 134±2. The distribution curve calculated from the thermodynamic parameters sufficiently agrees with the observed metal exchange reaction between the metalloporphyrins.

Transesophageal echocardiography is an invaluable hemodynamic monitoring modality. Extended and anatomically based evaluation of cardiac function with transesophageal echocardiography is essential to prompt and accurate decision-making in anesthetic management during cardiac surgery. Fractional shortening and fractional area changes are indices widely used to assess the global systolic performance of the left ventricle. Monitoring regional function using semi-quantitative scoring has been demonstrated to be a more sensitive indicator of myocardial ischemia. Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function should be performed in a systematic way, measuring transmitral flow, pulmonary venous flow, transmitral color M-mode flow propagation velocity, and mitral annulus tissue Doppler imaging. The unique anatomical features of the right ventricle make echocardiographic evaluation complicated and therefore less frequently employed. Right ventricular fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, maximal systolic tricuspid annular velocity with tissue Doppler imaging, and myocardial performance index are indices successfully incorporated into intraoperative right ventricular assessment. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve may develop after cardiac procedures. Transesophageal echocardiography plays a central role in prevention as well as diagnosis of systolic anterior motion. Transesophageal echocardiography is extremely useful not only for detecting and locating intracardiac air, but also for guiding and evaluating the procedures to remove air. Air is likely to persist in the right and left superior pulmonary vein, left ventricular apex, left atrium, right coronary sinus of Valsalva, and ascending aorta. Accurate evaluation of cardiac function depends on performing TEE examination properly and obtaining optimal images.

We are studying a dependable scripting language in JST/DEOS project. We think that we can realize a dependable scripting language when it has ability to manage the risk of a program written by using it. We are developing a scripting language, which can customize its syntax by minimum language components and language extensions. However, to manage the risk of a program, the criterion for choosing the language extensions is needed. We estimated the programming risk of syntax from the frequency and impact of the failure that occur when using it. In this paper, we discuss a possibility of reducing the programming risk by syntax level restriction of a programming language.

Nascent vibrational distributions of KrF(B) and XeCl(B) resulting from Kr+(2P3/2)+SF−6 and Xe+(2P3/2)+Cl−+He reactions have been determined by a spectral simulation of the bound–free B–X transition. The vibrational distribution of KrF(B) has a maximum at v’=0 and decreases exponentially with increasing v’. It is in reasonable agreement with the statistical prior distribution in which all vibrational and rotational degrees of freedom in the products are taken into consideration. It is therefore concluded that the Kr+(2P3/2)+SF−6 reaction proceeds through a long‐lived [Kr+(2P3/2)SF−6] intermediate. The vibrational distribution of XeCl(B) decreases linearly with increasing v’. It is more vibrationally excited than the prior distribution, indicating that a (Xe+Cl−He) intermediate decomposes before a complete energy randomization. The average fractions of total available energy deposited into vibrational energy of the excimer 〈fv〉 are estimated to be 5.8% for the Kr+(2P3/2)+SF−6 reaction and 16% for the Xe+(2P...

The three‐body ionic‐recombination reaction of Ar+(2P3/2)/Cl−/Ar leading to ArCl(B,C), Ar(3P2), and Cl(4s,4s’,4p,4p’,4d,5p,6s) has been studied spectroscopically in an Ar flowing afterglow. The results obtained are compared with our previous data for the Ar+(2P3/2)/Cl−/He reaction in order to examine the effects of the third‐body atom. The Ar+(2P3/2)/Cl−/Ar reaction populates lower energy states of [Ar+(2P3/2)Cl−] intermediates than the Ar+(2P3/2)/Cl−/He one, so that the branching ratio of excimer becomes large in comparison with those of predissociation channels, the lower ArCl(B) state is preferentially excited than the ArCl(C) state, the ArCl(B) state is populated in lower vibrational levels, and the electronic state distribution of Cl* shifts to lower energy. On the basis of these findings, it is concluded that the heavy Ar atom is a more efficient acceptor of the excess energy than the light He atom in the Ar+(2P3/2)/Cl−/Rg (Rg=rare gas) system.

We have long observed the changes of the Dalian areas using remotely sensed image time series from the point of view of human activities. We employ Landsat TM and ETM+ data to evaluate quantitatively the rate of progress due to its modernization in connection with weather and geographical conditions since such a research is still in an early stage of its development. The analysis by unsupervised classification techniques indicates a steady increase of land area and a steady decrease of vegetation in the Dalian areas irrespective of the difference of the methods. These facts show that the present approach gives us a measure of human activities.

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An epidemiological survey on anorexia nervosa was performed in Japanese hospitals in 1985 and 1992 using a questionnaire. The reported number of patients with anorexia nervosa was 2391 from 732 institutions. From these data, the total number of anorexia nervosa patients treated in 1985 in Japanese hospitals was estimated to be about 3500–4500. In 1992, the reported number of patients with AN was 2247. The total number of AN patients treated in 1992 was estimated to be about 4500–4600, which is a little higher than that in 1985 (3500–4500). The prevalence was 3.6–4.5 per 100000 among the general population, 6.3–9.7 per 10 5 among the female population, and 25.2–30.7 per 10 5 among the 13–29 year-old female population.

When the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is operated for a long period of time, there is a change in the material composition of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that coincides with progressive deterioration of the cell. Therefore, it is important to analyze the change in MEA composition. In this study, the durability of a fuel cell was examined during a period of 12 000 h. These test cells were disassembled one after another, approximately every 3000 h, and the change in the constituent was analyzed in detail on the view point of the material and structure. The change in the constituent with MEA in relation with the operating time was also analyzed in detail. The relationship between the changes in the constituent and the operating time was examined and clarified. These changes were in the porosity of the electrode, in the pore distribution of the electrode, and in the surface area of the electrode. Moreover, the change in the thickness of the electrolyte membrane and the change in the materi...

Water management of the catalyst layer in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell was improved by focusing on the three-phase boundary. To fabricate the cathode catalyst layer, carbon-support with catalyst and fluorocarbon resin were mixed and heat-treated at the melting temperature of fluorocarbon resin. The transmission electron microscopy images of this electrode catalyst showed that the surfaces of the catalyst particle and of the carbon-support were partly coated by thin film of melted fluorocarbon resin. Ionomer electrolyte material was added to this electrode catalyst, and an electrode catalyst with a four-layer structure was fabricated. The durability at 50{degree sign}C of a single cell using the four-layer electrode catalyst as the cathode was examined. The deterioration rate was lower than that using the conventional three-layer electrode catalyst. In addition, a load change test at 50{degree sign}C, and a durability test at room temperature gave good results.

The use of auxiliary power and the cost of using main power decrease when the reactive gas is applied at low humidity for the operation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The electrolyte membrane and the three-phase boundary of the electrode need to be improved to maintain this low humidity. We carried out a study of the electrode catalyst at low humidity in order to improve the cathode catalyst. Carbon support with a catalyst and fluorocarbon resin were mixed and then were treated at the melting temperature of fluorocarbon resin to fabricate the cathode-electrode catalyst layer. The transmission electron microscopy images of this electrode catalyst revealed that the surfaces of the catalyst particle and the carbon support were partly coated with a thin film of melted fluorocarbon resin. Ionomer electrolyte material was added to this electrode catalyst, and an electrode catalyst with a four-layer structure was fabricated. The durability of this four-layer electrode catalyst being operated at low ...