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The effect of atmospheric water vapor on the thermal dehydration of sodium carbonate monohydrate (SC-MH), which was characterized as cubic grains of a compacted composite comprising columnar SC-MH crystals and a matrix, was systematically assessed using a humidity-controlled thermogravimetry system at various atmospheric water vapor pressures (

Different reaction pathways of thermal dehydration controlled by the bivariant of temperature and p(H2O) exhibit different kinetic features characterized by different temperature and p(H2O) dependences.

Background: Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion often fails on the first attempt. Risk factors include small vein size and dehydration, causing vein deformation and displacement due to puncture resistance of the vessel. The authors developed a short, thin-tipped bevel needle and compared its puncture performance with needles of four available PIVCs using an ex vivo model. Methods: The PIVC with the thin-tipped short bevel needle was compared to four available PIVCs using an ex vivo model which simulated the cephalic vein of the human forearm. The ex vivo model consisted of a porcine shoulder and porcine internal jugular vein, and was used for evaluation of the rate of vein deformation and vessel displacement during needle insertion. Results: An ex vivo model was created with a vessel diameter of 2.7–3.7 mm and a depth of 2–5 mm. The thin-tipped short bevel PIVC needle was associated with a significantly lower compressive deformation rate and venous displacement compared to the needles of the other four PIVCs. Conclusion: The thin-tipped short bevel needle induced lower compressive deformation and displacement of the vein than the conventional needles. This needle has the potential to improve the first-attempt success rate of peripheral intravenous catheterization in patients with difficult venous access.

The stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) motor execution ability of the lower limb was measured using the rebound jump index (RJ-index) in RJ test; this performance is influenced by the interaction of the forces exerted by the three joints of the lower limb.We aimed to determine RJ performance variables and identify the lower limb kinetic variables that affect them. One hundred two female university students (age, 20.1±1.0 years; height, 164.6±7.2 cm; mass, 58.9±7.3 kg) for whom RJ performance variables (RJ-index, jump height, and contact time) and joint kinetics (torque, power, and work) were measured. Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between the RJ-index and jump height or contact time (r = 0.920, -0.726, p < 0.05) but a weak correlation between the jump height and contact time (r = -0.384, p < 0.05). Furthermore, positive ankle power was the most influential factor for RJ performance variables; additionally, positive knee power and hip work and eccentric knee torque significantly influenced jump height, and positive ankle power, negative work and power, and concentric torque significantly influenced the contact time. The acquisition of the jump height and a shorter contact time requires different kinetic variables. Furthermore, the characteristics of the force exerted by the three joints of the lower limb that compose the RJ-index may be different even if the RJ-index has the same value. Therefore, by assessing not only the RJ-index but also the jump height, contact time, and characteristics of lower limb joint kinetics in the RJ test, it is possible to conduct effective training to improve lower limb SSC motor execution performance according to individual characteristics.

The thermal dehydration of calcium sulfate dihydrate exhibits a complex reaction behavior, in which the reaction pathway and kinetics vary depending on water vapor pressure (p(H2O)) applied as the atmospheric condition and generated in the course of the reaction. Under high p(H2O) conditions, a crystalline hemihydrate is produced as an intermediate, which subsequently dehydrates to form anhydride. In this study, the thermal dehydration of calcium sulfate hemihydrate under different self-generated p(H2O) conditions was investigated to gain further insight into the reactions in the calcium sulfate–water vapor system. The thermal dehydration of the hemihydrate under two sets of sampling conditions, namely, in open and lidded (semi-closed) pans, was systematically investigated via thermogravimetry (TG) in different heating program modes. The experimentally resolved TG curves were analyzed using the formal kinetic calculation methods based on isoconversional and isothermal kinetic relationships. Under both the sampling conditions, the thermal dehydration reaction was significantly influenced by self-generated p(H2O), which regulated the reaction proceeding from the top surface of the sample bed to the bottom. Under higher self-generated p(H2O) conditions in a lidded pan, the thermal dehydration under different heating program modes exhibited an invariant kinetic behavior characterized by a single set of kinetic parameters, whereas in an open pan the kinetic behavior varied between the reactions under isothermal and other heating modes. Based on the results of the formal kinetic analysis, an advanced kinetic modeling based on a physico-geometrical consecutive reaction model was examined to describe in detail the specific kinetic features of the reaction under self-generated p(H2O) conditions.

The development of photovoltaics (PV)-powered vehicles are expected to contribute to reduce CO2 emission of vehicles and create a clean energy society. This paper presents the impact of high-efficiency solar cell modules on reduction in CO2 emission, charging cost reduction for electric vehicles, and reducing storage capacity of PV-powered electric vehicles. In this paper, the effects of solar cell module efficiency upon driving distance of PV-powered vehicles are also shown. Especially, the potential of Si tandem solar cells for PV-powered vehicle applications is discussed. This paper presents that the III-V/Si 3-junction solar cell modules with an efficiency of more than 37% have the potential of longer driving distance of 30 km/day average and more than 50 km/day on a clear day compared to an average 16 km/day driving by vehicles powered by 20% efficiency Si solar cell modules.

The adaptive evolution of visual systems has been observed in many cavefish. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these adaptations, which include regressive changes such as eye degeneration. Here, we analyzed phylogenetic and expression patterns of 6 eye-related genes (crx, foxg1b, opn1sw2, otx2, rho and sox2) in 12 Sinocyclocheilus species from China, including 8 stygobionts and 4 stygophiles, and examined photoreceptor cell morphology of these species. Those eye-degenerated species of Sinocyclocheilus were polyphyletic and showed different degrees of photoreceptor defects in responses to cave environments. The eye loss and degeneration are the result of convergent evolution. Although S. anophthalmus grouped with the eye-normal species, it displayed not only a high degree of eye degeneration but also significant expression differences in eye-related genes compared with the eye-normal species. The gene foxg1b, which was determined to be under positive selection, might play an important role in the process of eye degeneration in S. anophthalmus based on differential expression. Eye-related gene expression and selection may have contributed to the polyphyly of the cave species. We examined gene expression and duplication in 6 eye-related genes and revealed that these genes displayed considerable diversity in relative expression in Sinocyclocheilus fishes. Otx2 and sox2 were significantly up-regulated in individual cave species, while the other 4 genes (crx, foxg1b, opn1sw2 and rho) were significantly down-regulated. These findings provide a valuable resource for elucidating molecular mechanisms associated with visual system evolution in cavefish.

Background: Peripheral intravenous catheter placement is frequently unsuccessful at the first attempt. One suggested risk factor is a small vein size, because of the consequences of mechanical forces generated by the needle tip. We developed short bevel needles with a very thin tip and evaluated their puncture performance in two in vitro models. Methods: Peripheral intravenous catheters with a new needle ground using the lancet method (experimental catheter (L)) or backcut method (experimental catheter (B)) were compared with a conventional peripheral intravenous catheter (Surshield Surflo®) in a penetration force test and a tube puncture test. Penetration forces were measured when peripheral intravenous catheters penetrated a polyethylene sheet. The tube puncture test was used to evaluate whether the peripheral intravenous catheters could puncture a polyvinyl chloride tube at two positions, at the center and at 0.5 mm from the center of the tube. Results: Mean penetration forces at the needle tip produced by experimental catheters (L) (0.05 N) and (B) (0.04 N) were significantly lower than those produced by the conventional catheter (0.09 N) (p < 0.01). At the catheter tip, mean forces produced by experimental catheter (B) and the conventional catheter were 0.16 N and 0.26 N, respectively (p < 0.05). In the tube puncture test, the frequency at which the conventional catheter punctured the center-shifted site on the tube at an angle of 20° and speed of 50 mm/min was low (40%). In contrast, experimental catheters (L) and (B) were 100% successful at puncturing both the center and center-shifted sites at 20°. Conclusion: Puncture performance was comparable between the lancet-ground and backcut-ground needles except for penetration forces at the catheter tip. The experimental catheters produced lower penetration forces and induced puncture without target displacement at smaller angles compared with the conventional catheter. Therefore, optimization of the needle can prevent vein deformation and movement, which may increase the first-attempt success rate.

Objectives The objective of this study was to confirm the validity of a short form of gross motor function measure for Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (GMFM for FCMD). Methods This study is a case series and was conducted at the Tokyo Women’s Medical University. Fifteen patients with FCMD were assessed using both the GMFM for FCMD with 68 items, which was created as a motor function measure for patients with FCMD on the basis of Rasch analysis, and the original GMFM with 88 items. The correlation between the GMFM for FCMD and the Ueda classification was assessed. Time required for each assessment was also evaluated. Results We found significant correlation between the GMFM for FCMD and the Ueda classification (r = 0.935); furthermore, the mean assessment time tended to decrease when using the GMFM for FCMD. Conclusions GMFM for FCMD may be an appropriate motor function scale for patients with FCMD and might help decrease the assessment time.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between transient return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) initiation and outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients, who were resuscitated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).This study was a secondary analysis of the SAVE-J II study, which was a retrospective multicentre registry study involving 36 participating institutions in Japan. We classified patients into two groups according to the presence or absence of transient ROSC before ECMO initiation. Transient ROSC was defined as any palpable pulse of ≥1 min before ECMO initiation. The primary outcome was favourable neurological outcomes (cerebral performance categories 1-2).Of 2,157 patients registered in the SAVE-J II study, 1,501 met the study inclusion criteria; 328 (22%) experienced transient ROSC before ECMO initiation. Patients with transient ROSC had better outcomes than those without ROSC (favourable neurological outcome, 26% vs 12%,In OHCA patients resuscitated with ECPR, transient ROSC before ECMO initiation was associated with favourable outcomes. Hence, transient ROSC is a predictor of improved outcomes after ECPR.

Thermal dehydration of a compacted composite of an inorganic hydrate occurs via a multistep process comprising successive contracting geometry reactions.

With advances in machine learning (ML) techniques, the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approach is becoming popular for evaluating chemicals. However, the QSAR approach requires that the chemical structure of the target compound is known and that it should be convertible to molecular descriptors. These requirements lead to limitations in predicting the properties and toxicities of chemicals distributed in the environment as in the PubChem database; the structural information on only 14% of compounds is available. This study proposes a new ML-based QSAR approach that can predict the properties and toxicities of compounds using analytical descriptors of mass spectrum and retention index obtained via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry without requiring exact structural information. The model was developed based on the XGBoost ML method. The root-mean-square errors (

Background The prevalence of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been increasing rapidly worldwide. However, guidelines or clinical studies do not provide sufficient data on ECPR practice. The aim of this study was to provide real-world data on ECPR for patients with OHCA, including details of complications. Methods We did a retrospective database analysis of observational multicenter cohort study in Japan. Adult patients with OHCA of presumed cardiac etiology who received ECPR between 2013 and 2018 were included. The primary outcome was favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, defined as a cerebral performance category of 1 or 2. Results A total of 1644 patients with OHCA were included in this study. The patient age was 18–93 years (median: 60 years). Shockable rhythm in the initial cardiac rhythm at the scene was 69.4%. The median estimated low flow time was 55 min (interquartile range: 45–66 min). Favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge was observed in 14.1% of patients, and the rate of survival to hospital discharge was 27.2%. The proportions of favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge in terms of shockable rhythm, pulseless electrical activity, and asystole were 16.7%, 9.2%, and 3.9%, respectively. Complications were observed during ECPR in 32.7% of patients, and the most common complication was bleeding, with the rates of cannulation site bleeding and other types of hemorrhage at 16.4% and 8.5%, respectively. Conclusions In this large cohort, data on the ECPR of 1644 patients with OHCA show that the proportion of favorable neurological outcomes at hospital discharge was 14.1%, survival rate at hospital discharge was 27.2%, and complications were observed during ECPR in 32.7%.

Additional file 1: Fig. S1 Distribution of participating institutions in SAVE-J II. Fig. S2 Distribution of participating institutions and ECPR From 6 to 135 cases. Fig. S3 Distribution of age and estimated low flow time. Fig. S4 ECPR cases and neurological outcome and survival to hospital discharge, 2013–2018. Fig. S5 Association between age or estimated low flow time and complications. Table S1. Baseline characteristics according to neurological outcome at hospital discharge (N = 1644). Table S2. Baseline characteristics according to survival to hospital discharge (N = 1644). Table S3. Complications during ECPR according to neurological outcomes and survival to hospital discharge (N = 1644). Table S4. Baseline characteristics between initial cardiac rhythm at the scene (N = 1628). Table S5. Outcome data and complications during ECPR between initial cardiac rhythm at the scene (N = 1628). Table S6. ECMO information

Risk assessment of chemical mixtures isRisk assessment of chemical mixtures is challenging because information about the chemical structure, concentration, properties, and toxicity, down to the individual compounds, is generally not readily accessible. To cope with this challenge, we think Mixture Touch― a web platform that offers a one-window solution, for free, for the risk assessment of complex mixtures that are analyzed with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC). GC × GC is a powerful analytical technique for target and nontarget analysis of complex mixtures. Our web platform allows users to visualize the GC × GC data, conduct spectral identification, estimate properties, and analyze potential risks based on established methods. For illustration purpose, we show how to assess the aquatic bioaccumulation potential of short-chain chlorinated paraffin (SCCP), which is an industrially manufactured mixture. The platform readily demonstrated that most of the SCCP congeners did not have the tendency to accumulate in aquatic organisms but in humans. The platform can bridge the gap between the GC × GC experts, GC × GC users, analytical experts, and risk assessors. It could enhance the level of risk assessments of mixtures utilizing the high performance of the state-of-the-art analytical instruments.

Development of highly-efficient photovoltaic (PV) modules and expanding its application fields are significant for the further development of PV technologies and realization of innovative green energy infrastructure based on PV. Especially, development of solar-powered vehicles as a new application is highly desired and very important for this end. This paper presents the impact of PV cell/module conversion efficiency on reduction in CO2 emission and increase in driving range of the electric based vehicles. Our studies show that the utilization of a highly-efficient (higher than 30%) PV module enables the solar-powered vehicle to drive 30 km/day without charging in the case of light weight cars with electric mileage of 17 km/kWh under solar irradiation of 3.7 kWh/m2/day, which means that the majority of the family cars in Japan can run only by the sunlight without supplying fossil fuels. Thus, it is essential to develop high-efficiency as well as low-cost solar cells and modules for automotive applications. The analytical results developed by the authors for conversion efficiency potential of various solar cells for choosing candidates of the PV modules for automotive applications are shown. Then we overview the conversion efficiency potential and recent progress of various Si tandem solar cells, such as III-V/Si, II-VI/Si, chalcopyrite/Si, and perovskite/Si tandem solar cells. The III-V/Si tandem solar cells are expected to have a high potential for various applications because of its high conversion efficiency of larger than 36% for dual-junction and 42% for triple-junction solar cells under 1-sun AM1.5 G illumination, lightweight and low-cost potentials. The analysis shows that III-V based multi-junction and Si based tandem solar cells are considered to be promising candidates for the automotive application. Finally, we report recent results for our 28.2% efficiency and Sharp’s 33% mechanically stacked InGaP/GaAs/Si triple-junction solar cell. In addition, new approaches which are suitable for automotive applications by using III-V triple-junction, and static low concentrator PV modules are also presented.

Using firm-level labour union data from Japan, this paper investigates the effect of labour unions on firm leverage. We find that as union coverage increases, both the level of and extent of change...

Background: Intravenous catheters are widely used but are often removed due to complications associated with catheter sleeve formation. A catheter sleeve can develop from a thrombus, and catheter-induced vascular endothelium damage may be a critical factor for thrombus formation. We investigated the effect of catheter-induced mechanical stimulation on venous endothelial cells and catheter sleeve formation and the efficacy of anti-thrombogenic technology for preventing catheter sleeve formation in vivo. Methods: We surgically implanted poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate)-coated and uncoated catheters with and without a stylet into the right external jugular vein of a rabbit model for 14 days. Catheter sleeve formation and the ratio of residual venous endothelial cells were compared using histological examination and immunostaining with an anti-CD31 antibody, respectively. Results: Stiffening an uncoated catheter with a stylet induced catheter sleeve formation along more than two-thirds of the length of the catheter. The ratios of residual venous endothelial cells at the tip of uncoated catheters with and without a stylet were 3% and 36%, respectively. While poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) coating also reduced the ratio of venous endothelial cells at the tip of the stiffened catheter (12%), it prevented external thrombus and catheter sleeve formation. Conclusion: High levels of mechanical stimulation can affect catheter-related thrombosis and promote catheter sleeve formation, and anti-thrombogenic technology such as a poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) coating reduces thrombus formation and can prevent catheter sleeve formation on stiffened catheters. Further studies are required to determine the maximum degree of venous endothelial cell damage before catheter sleeve formation and to compare other anti-thrombogenic technologies with poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) for preventing catheter sleeve formation.

In order to demonstrate the three-dimensional chloride ions diffusion in real concrete, the X-ray CT technique was applied to reconstruct the meso- and micro-structure of concrete. An improved threshold method was used to eliminate the noise during X-ray CT images processing. The special distribution of aggregate particles and pores were recognized and analyzed based on the reconstructed meso-structure of real concrete. The reconstructed meso-structure, as well as the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were introduced into a multi-phase model to numerically characterize the three-dimensional diffusion of chloride ions in real concrete. And the simulation results were verified through electron probe technique. A parameter sensitivity analysis was conducted to furtherly assess the influence of ITZ diffusivity on the chloride ions diffusion in concrete. This investigation indicates that aggregate particles tends to deposit at the bottom of the specimen and the pores are likely to concentrate at the top part. Due to the special distribution of aggregate particles and pores, the chlorides ions diffuse more quickly at the bottom of the specimen. The study proves that the aggregate particles, pores and ITZ are of great importance for the three-dimensional chloride ions diffusion in real concrete.

Marine fungal biodiversity remains vastly understudied, and even less is known of their biogeography and the processes responsible for driving these distributions in marine environments. We investigated the fungal communities associated with the seagrass Enhalus acoroides collected from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia to test the hypothesis that fungal communities are homogeneous throughout the study area. Seagrass samples were separated into different structures (leaves, roots, and rhizomes), and a sediment sample was collected next to each plant. Amplicon sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer 1 and subsequent analysis revealed significant differences in fungal communities collected from different locations and different structures. We show a significant pattern of distance decay, with samples collected close to each other having more similar fungal communities in comparison with those that are more distant, indicating dispersal limitations and/or differences in habitat type are contributing to the observed biogeographic patterns. These results add to our understanding of the seagrass ecosystem in an understudied region of the world that is also the global epicenter of seagrass diversity. This work has implications for seagrass management and conservation initiatives, and we recommend that fungal community composition be a consideration for any seagrass transplant or restoration programme., Examining marine fungi associated with the seagrass, Enhalus acoroides.

A method was developed to estimate the properties and assess the potential environmental risk of analytes in a complex mixture by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC). A GC × GC-based estimation model was calibrated for 12 physicochemical properties that were relevant to the environment or to biological organisms, including human beings. Vehicle engine oil that had been contaminated by numerous compounds during its use was investigated as a case study to which the GC × GC model could be applied. Engine-oil samples were collected from a vehicle at intervals over a distance of 11407 km. The carbon and nitrogen contents in the oil remained unchanged at 83%–84% and 2%–5%, respectively, during the run; however, in excess of 100 compounds were present in the oil upon completion of the run. Post analyses of the studied mixture samples were performed with the developed GC × GC model, which links mass spectral information for structural identification. The GC × GC model allows us to classify the detected analytes in complex mixtures in terms of their properties, such as their aquatic bioaccumulation potential. The application of the model showed that the analyzed engine oil contained in excess of 100 compounds that could accumulate in aquatic biota and reach the arctic via long-range transport, which suggests that the components in the complex mixture of engine oil could pose a risk. The newly developed model that was derived in this study shows great potential for use in the mixture assessment.

A large portion of planted forests in Japan have recently reached maturity. These trees have grown larger than previous stands, and are more difficult to log using current techniques. This ...

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant cancer that is responsible for a high mortality rate; it accounts for approximately 90% of the 456,000 esophageal cancer (EC) cases diagnosed annually. Effective natural or synthesized compounds to prevent, treat, and/or inhibit ESCC relapse are desperately needed. The natural di-indole compound 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) is abundant in cruciferous vegetables and shows potent anti-tumor effects in multiple cancers. The synthesized Eflornithine (DFMO) is clinically used to treat African sleeping sickness. We demonstrated that the combination of DIM+DFMO could significantly suppress the ESCC growth in the

Development of high-efficiency solar cell modules and new application fields such as PV (Photovoltaics)-powered vehicles are significant for the further development of PV and the creation of new clean energy infrastructure based on PV. In this paper, analytical results for impact of high-efficiency solar cell modules on increasing driving distance, reducing CO 2 emission and saving charging cost of electric vehicles by PV-powered vehicles. Because the Si tandem solar cells are expected to have significant potential for PV-powered vehicle applications, potentials of high-efficiency and driving distance are also analyzed. The III-V/Si 3-junction solar cell modules have potential of driving distance of 30 km/day average and more than 50 km/day on a clear day.