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Monotonic compressive loading and bending tests are conducted for solid polypropylene (PP) under constant or time-varying strain-rates and temperatures of 10, 25, 40°C. The observed compressive stress-strain responses under constant conditions have revealed that the inelastic deformation behavior is remarkably dependent on loading rates and temperatures of normal use. The examination of such inelastic behavior has indicated that the strain-rate effects correspond with the temperature effects based on the concept of time-temperature equivalence. The viscoplastic constitutive theory based on overstress (VBO) has successfully reproduced the experimental responses with stress-jumping phenomena using the equivalent time. Four-point bending tests are performed under monotonic loading and holding for PP beams at three different temperatures. The observed deformation behavior has shown that the Bernoulli-Euler hypothesis is valid. The VBO model and beam bending theory has generated the basic equations for PP beams, showing an analogy with the uniaxial one. In the numerical analysis, the equations are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equations with use of Gaussian quadrature for the spatial integrals. The comparison of numerical and experimental results has suggested some modifications for actually loaded moment taking the effect of deflection and friction into consideration. Finally, the numerical calculation has simulated the experimental time-histories of curvatures fairly well., INTRODUCTION The growing use of solid polymers is remarkable in modern society. Especially, the employment of engineering plastics as primary members is expanding to achieve lightweight structures. Therefore, reliable deformation [...]

Bovine lactoferrin was administered orally, in feed, to six bottlenosed dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) before they were transported for approximately six hours; their stress responses were compared with those of five untreated dolphins. During the journey the dolphins had an increased plasma concentration of cortisol, and lymphopenia, eosinopenia and mild neutrophilia, indicating a stress response. The administration of lactoferrin did not affect the function of the dolphins' polymorphonuclear leucocytes, but affected their leucogram by maintaining the number of circulating eosinophils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effects of strain and temperature on polypropylene deformation under monotonic compression and bending. Correlation between stress-strain behavior and temperature; Applications of solid polymers in plastic engineering; Indication of inelastic deformation behavior.

Dogs and cats with fractures, arthrodeses, or corrective osteotomies (282 fixations) stabilized using the ALPS bone plating system between May 2007 and April 2012 were evaluated retrospectively to describe the authors' experience with this system, assess rate of bone union, and evaluate post-operative complications. Cases with follow-up radiographs taken at least 8 weeks postoperatively or cases with bone healing confirmed prior to week 8 were included. Signalment, preoperative infection, fracture location, fracture type, surgical fixation method, implant size, additional fixation, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications were recorded for each patient. Two hundred eighty-two fixations were performed on 266 patients, including 240 fractures, 26 corrective osteotomies, 14 arthrodesis, and 2 additional procedures. All 10 reported intraoperative complications occurred in the first year; each involved screw failure. Postoperative complications were reported in 9 of the 282 procedures (3.2%), of which 7 cases were major complications (2.5%) and 2 cases were minor complications (0.7%). With the exception of two amputations, all treated cases achieved bone union or progression towards bone union (99.3%). This study demonstrated a high rate of bone union (99.3%), accompanied by a low postoperative complication rate (3.2%), when using the ALPS system in small animal orthopedics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: H2 additional effect for crystallization of SnO2 films prepared by the hot-wire CVD method was investigated. The crystallization of SnO2 films starts at 170°C. The selectivity enhancement of the solar cell substrate will contribute to reduce the cost of silicon thin film solar cells. The atomic hydrogen assisted nano-crystallization exists for the depositions of SnO2 films by the hot-wire CVD method. Furthermore, the addition of H2 gas improved the electrical conductivity up to 5.3×100 S/cm. However, these effects are limited in the deposition condition of a small amount of hydrogen. Addition of much higher hydrogen concentration starts an etching effect of oxygen atoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Type II inorganic clathrates consist of cage-like structures with open frameworks, and they are considered promising materials due to their unique properties. However, the difficulty of synthesizing phase-pure and continuous films has hindered their application in practical devices. In this report, we demonstrate the synthesis of type II SiGe clathrate films through the thermal decomposition of a Na-deposited amorphous SiGe film on a sapphire substrate in a high vacuum. The as-prepared films of type II SiGe clathrates showed uniform growth and were evaluated for their structural and optical properties. Morphological studies conducted using a scanning electron microscope showed the presence of cracks on the film surface.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the influence of participatory workplace environmental improvement program on reducing job stress and workers' psychological distress at small enterprises (i.e., less than 10 employees). Furthermore, this study aimed to clarify important factors for success of this program as well., Methods: The model program was tested in a small enterprise with eight employees between October 2014 and January 2017. Moreover, five employees participated in the annual work environment improvement workshops for two consecutive years. During both years, the New Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (80-item version) was used to measure work-related stress before (baseline) and after (post-three months and post-12 months) the workshops. To assess the extent of an intervention effect, the questionnaire data were analyzed using the Friedman test and the multiple comparison test annually. In addition, continuous data were analyzed during the two years. The statistical significance of the differences across time was determined at the p < .10 cutoff value because the number of participants was small. The effect size was also calculated. The participants were interviewed regularly., Results: For both years, the employees implemented action plans within one month of completing the workshops. In the first year, the data for the Friedman test indicated a significant change in role conflict, job resources (workgroup-level), respect for individuals, fair personnel evaluations, work-self balance (positive), workplace social capital, and job satisfaction. In the multiple comparison test, significant changes manifested in role conflict and workplace social capital. In the second year, significant changes were found regarding role conflict and fair personnel evaluations for the Friedman test, demonstrating significant changes in role conflict in the multiple comparison test. As per the two-year survey results, the Friedman test indicated significant changes in role conflict, respect for individuals, and fair personnel evaluations, while the multiple comparison test demonstrated no significant changes. Over time, favorable changes were found regarding role conflict in the first year; however, undesirable changes were found regarding the other statistically significant items. The interviews revealed both positive and negative opinions., Conclusions: This study found the effects of the participatory workplace environment improvement program to be limited. Thus, the program should be improved to reduce its adverse effects as well as the participants' negative opinions.

Background Extracellular matrix, especially laminin-221, may play crucial roles in viability and survival of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs) after in vivo transplant. Then, we hypothesized laminin-221 may have an adjuvant effect on therapeutic efficacy by enhancing cell viability and survival after transplantation of 3-dimensional engineered cardiac tissue (ECT) to a rat model of myocardial infarction. Methods and Results In vitro study indicates the impacts of laminin-221 on hiPS-CMs were analyzed on the basis of mechanical function, mitochondrial function, and tolerance to hypoxia. We constructed 3-dimensional ECT containing hiPS-CMs and fibrin gel conjugated with laminin-221. Heart function and in vivo behavior were assessed after engraftment of 3-dimensional ECT (laminin-conjugated ECT, n=10; ECT, n=10; control, n=10) in a rat model of myocardial infarction. In vitro assessment indicated that laminin-221 improves systolic velocity, diastolic velocity, and maximum capacity of oxidative metabolism of hiPS-CMs. Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase production revealed that laminin-221 improved tolerance to hypoxia. Furthermore, analysis of mRNA expression revealed that antiapoptotic genes were upregulated in the laminin group under hypoxic conditions. Left ventricular ejection fraction of the laminin-conjugated ECT group was significantly better than that of other groups 4 weeks after transplantation. Laminin-conjugated ECT transplantation was associated with significant improvements in expression levels of rat vascular endothelial growth factor. In early assessments, cell survival was also improved in laminin-conjugated ECTs compared with ECT transplantation without laminin-221. Conclusions In vitro laminin-221 enhanced mechanical and metabolic function of hiPS-CMs and improved the therapeutic impact of 3-dimensional ECT in a rat ischemic cardiomyopathy model. These findings suggest that adjuvant laminin-221 may provide a clinical benefit to hiPS-CM constructs.

The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan recommends that an occupational physician (OP) play an important role in implementing the stress-check program since 2015. This study aimed to compare the activities and encountered difficulties of Japanese part-time OPs in 2008 and 2016, and to investigate the effects of the stress-check program. Questionnaires were sent via mail to 946 part-time OPs in Kyoto prefecture in 2016. Completed questionnaires were returned by 181 OPs who were private practitioners or physicians in hospitals, and served as OPs on a part-time basis. In 2016, OPs utilized long hours for activities related to general health examination and to stress-check. Hours for specific health examination, health and hygiene education, health promotion activity, development of a comfortable workplace, and guidance of workers on sick leave reduced from 2008 to 2016. A total of 62% OPs frequently encountered difficulties in the stress-check-related activities in 2016. Many OPs also reported difficulties in the mental health care and the prevention of health hazard due to overwork both in 2008 and 2016. Enforcement of the stress-check program in 2015 changed the activities of part-time OPs in Japan. OPs should be given opportunities to gain more information in this area.

[Purpose] This study examined whether workplace support of an exercise program would increase the workers' engagement. [Participants and Methods] Employees at two facilities of the Kyoto Industrial Health Association (the Uji branch and the headquarters) were recruited. A survey of 238 employees was conducted. A seminar was held, at the facilities, about the "Bipoji" exercise program and afterward the participants underwent different procedures. The Uji branch (the support group) supported the continuation of the program for two months. At the headquarters (the control group), the individual decided whether to continue the program. Data were collected at the time of the seminar (the baseline) and two months later. A questionnaire measured work engagement using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. [Results] At the follow-up, data were collected from 65 people (60.2%) from the support group and 97 people (74.6%) from the control group. The average change in the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale scores was 1.7 and -1.2, for the support group and the control group, respectively. When adjusted for background factors, the change was 1.6 and -1.2, for the support group and the control group, respectively. This indicates a significant increase in work engagement for the support group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that a workplace exercise program can improve work engagement., Competing Interests: Ko Matsudaira is a share holder and an adviser of Trunk Solution Co., Ltd. Ko Matsudaira received the following support: grant support, including an endowed chair from Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. and Okamura Corporation; grant support, including an endowed chair and lecture fees from AYUMI Pharmaceutical Corporation, Nippon Zoki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Astellas Pharma Inc., TOTO Ltd., and Eisai Co., Ltd.; lecture fees from Pfizer Japan Inc., Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Teijin Pharma Limited; and lecture fees and advisory fees from Shionogi & Co., Ltd., outside the submitted work. Hiroyuki Oka received grants from Teijin Pharma Limited, grants from Pfizer Inc., grants from Fujifilm Medical Co., Ltd., grants and personal fees from AYUMI Pharmaceutical Corporation, grants and personal fees from Nippon Zoki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., grants and personal fees from Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., grants from Eli Lilly Japan K.K. and Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. outside the submitted work. Other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2020©by the Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.)