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AIM The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current state and clinical characteristics of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP) in Japan by performing a comprehensive survey. METHODS We reviewed data on pregnant women who developed SHiP during 2013-2017 (for 5 years), and were admitted to any of the perinatal centers in Japan. The survey assessed maternal background and maternal and neonatal prognosis. We divided the cases into two groups, favorable and poor prognosis groups, and made comparisons between the two groups. RESULTS Of the 407 facilities in Japan, 267 (66%) facilities responded to our survey. Overall, 31 cases of SHiP were registered. Maternal death occurred in one case (3%) due to liver bleeding with an unknown cause. Of 23 cases with a SHiP onset during pregnancy, 12 (53%) had been misdiagnosed as placental abruption. The prognosis for the fetuses included miscarriage or stillbirth in three cases (10%) and asphyxia in 12 cases (42%). There was no significant correlation between the amount of intra-abdominal blood loss and neonatal prognosis based on umbilical artery pH. Incidences of preterm birth

To clarify the perinatal outcome of retained products of conception (RPOC) after 22 weeks or more.The retrospective cohort study reviewed medical records of patients with RPOC without placenta previa at 186 Japanese perinatal centers.Of the 323 patients with RPOC, pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology (ART) accounted for 43%. Transfusion at delivery was required in 33% of the patients. Logistic regression analyses revealed that transfusion was significantly required in the following situations: ART pregnancy (aOR: 6.0, 95%CI: 2.3-16, P 0.001), and RPOC length ≥4 cm (aOR: 5.3, 95%CI: 2.1-13, P 0.001). Transarterial embolization (TAE) and/or hysterectomy for subsequent RPOC-related bleeding was performed in 60 patients with RPOC. Logistic regression analysis revealed that additional interventions were significantly required in the following situations: multiparity (aOR: 6.1, 95%CI: 2.1-17.2, P 0.001), and hypervascular RPOC (aOR: 12.8, 95%CI: 3.2-51.1, P 0.001). TAE and/or hysterectomy was also frequently employed in ART pregnancy, although this was not significant (aOR: 2.8, 95%CI: 0.9-8.2, P = 0.063).Patients with RPOC were significantly more likely to require transfusion at delivery in the presence of large RPOC and ART. They were also more likely to require hemostatic procedures for subsequent bleeding in the presence of hypervascular RPOC and ART.

Background Maternal short stature has been observed to increase the risk of preterm birth; however, the aetiology behind this phenomenon is unknown. We investigated whether preeclampsia, an obstetric complication that often leads to preterm delivery and is reported to have an inverse association with women’s height, mediates this association. Methods We studied 218 412 women with no underlying diseases before pregnancy, who delivered singletons from 2005 to 2011 and were included in the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology perinatal database, which is a national multi-centre-based delivery database among tertiary hospitals. We assessed the risk of preterm delivery in relation to height using multivariate analysis, and how the association was mediated by risk of preeclampsia using mediation analysis. Results Each 5-cm decrement in height was associated with significantly higher risk of preterm delivery [relative risk 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 1.27] and shorter gestational age (−0.30; 95% CI: −0.44, −0.16 weeks). Mediation analysis showed that the effect of shorter height on increased risk of preterm delivery, due to an indirect effect mediated through increased risk of preeclampsia, was substantial for shorter gestational age (48%), as well as risk of preterm delivery (28%). When examining the three subtypes of preterm delivery separately, mediated effect was largest for provider-initiated preterm delivery without premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (34%), compared with spontaneous preterm delivery without PROM (17%) or preterm delivery with PROM (0%). Conclusions Preeclampsia partially mediates the association between maternal short stature and preterm delivery.

A lack of social support for pregnant women is associated with depression after childbirth. However, few studies have examined the impact of the partners’ understanding of and support for the women’s aspirations (personal goals in life) on the severity of depression after childbirth. To examine the relationship between a partner’s attitude to his wife’s aspirations and depression after childbirth, a longitudinal study was conducted of 290 primipara women from five university hospitals between October 1997 and March 2000. Three questionnaires were administered to participant women. During their third trimester, they were asked about their aspirations (Aspiration Index) and their perception of their partners’ understanding of and support for their aspirations. At one month and three months after childbirth, they were asked about the severity of their depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Correlation analyses and structural equation modelling showed that the partners’ poor understanding and support predicted the severity of depression after childbirth. Perinatal health professionals should be encouraged to assess the pregnant women’s aspirations and their partners’ understanding and support regarding the women’s goals in life.

Objectives Placental weight (PW) and fetal/placental weight ratio (F/P) have been considered to be useful parameters for understanding the pathophysiology of fetal growth. However, there have been no standard data on PW and F/P in Asian populations. This study was conducted to establish nomograms of PW and F/P in the Japanese population and to clarify characteristics of PW and F/P in this population. Study design Included in the study were 79,590 Japanese cases: 58,871 vaginal and 20,719 cesarean deliveries at obstetrical facilities (2001–2002) and registered to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Database. Multiple pregnancies, stillbirths, and fetal anomalies were excluded. Nomograms of PW and F/P were created by spline methods in groups categorized by fetal sex (male or female) and maternal parity (primipara or multipara). Results Standard curves of PW and F/P were established, which indicated that PW and F/P were lower in cesarean deliveries than vaginal deliveries, especially during preterm period. PW differed depending on fetal sex and maternal parity. F/P differed according to fetal sex. Conclusion We for the first time established standard curves of PW and F/P in the Japanese population with statistically sufficient data, which showed that PW and F/P were lower in cesarean deliveries. PW and F/P were also affected by fetal sex. These data might be useful to understand the pathophysiology between the fetus and placenta in utero.

Distribution maps of air dose rates around the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant were constructed using the results of measurement obtained from approximately 6500 locations (at most) per measurement period. The measurements were conducted 1 m above the ground using survey meters in flat and spatially open locations. Spatial distribution and temporal change of the air dose rate in the area were revealed by examining the resultant distribution maps. The observed reduction rate of the air dose rate over the 18 months between June 2011 and December 2012 was greater than that calculated from radioactive decay of radiocesium by 10% in relative percentage except decontaminated sites. This 10% difference in the reduction of the air dose rate can be explained by the mobility of radiocesium in the depth direction. In the region where the air dose rate was lower than 0.25 μSv h −1 on June 2011, the reduction of the air dose rate was observed to be smaller than that of the other dose rate regions, and it was in fact smaller than the reduction rate caused by radioactive decay alone. In contrast, the reduction rate was larger in regions with higher air dose rates. In flat and spatially open locations, no significant difference in the reduction tendency of air dose rates was observed among different land use classifications (rice fields, farmland, forests, and building sites).

BACKGROUND Depression has major negative consequences for individuals and society, and psychological assessment tools for early disease detection are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of an updated Japanese version of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI-J) and set a cut-off score for the detection of depression. METHODS The participants consisted of 465 children and adolescents aged 7-17 years. The control (CON) groups consisted of students recruited from elementary and junior-high school (CONEJ) and children recruited from among hospital staff members (CONRE), while the outpatient clinical (OPC) groups consisted of pediatric psychosomatic outpatients (OPCPD) and adolescent psychiatric outpatients (OPCPS). The CON and OPC CDI-J scores underwent factor analysis using varimax rotation, followed by measurement invariance analysis. The Youth Self-Report (YSR) was administered to assess concurrent validity. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview was administered to the OPC group to diagnose current depressive symptoms. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate case-finding performance and to set cut-off points for the detection of depression. RESULTS The CDI-J was reliable in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.86; mean inter-item correlation, 0.16). Re-test reliability was substantial (mean interval 18 days: γ = 0.59, P < 0.05). The four-factor solution exhibited adequate internal consistency (range, 0.52-0.73) and correspondence (Pearson correlation of 0.65 with the YSR) for both the CON and OPC groups. On ROC analysis the optimal cut-off score was 23/24. CONCLUSION The CDI-J can be used as a reliable and well-validated instrument alongside standard diagnostic procedures.

Background While several studies have demonstrated the increased risk of pregnancy complications for women of advanced age, few studies have focused on women with very advanced age (≥ 45), despite the increasing rate of pregnancy among such women. Furthermore, how such risks of increase in age differ by maternal characteristics are also poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to clarify pregnant outcomes among women with very advanced age and how the effect of age differs by method of conception and parity. Methods We used the national multicenter Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology perinatal database, including 365,417 women aged 30 years or older who delivered a singleton between 2005 and 2011. We divided women into four groups based on age (years): 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, and ≥45, and compared risk of adverse birth outcomes between the groups using Poisson regression. Effect modification by parity and use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) was also evaluated. Results: Compared with women aged 30–34 years, women aged 45 or older had higher risk of emergency cesarean delivery [adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 1.77, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.58–1.99], preeclampsia (aRR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.43–2.42), severe preeclampsia (aRR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.31–3.13), placenta previa (aRR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.60–2.95), and preterm birth (aRR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04–1.39). The effect of older age on risk of emergency cesarean section, preeclampsia, and preterm birth were significantly greater among those who conceived naturally compared to those who conceived by ART. The effect on emergency cesarean section was stronger among primiparous women, whereas the risk of preeclampsia associated with older age was significantly greater among multiparous women. Conclusions Very advanced maternal age (≥ 45) was related to greater risk for adverse birth outcomes compared to younger women, especially for maternal complications including cesarean section, preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, and placenta previa. The magnitude of the influence of age also differed by conception method and by parity.

Although adult height is inversely related with the risk of chronic disease, the association between maternal height and ischaemic placental disease remains unclear.We used the national, multicentre Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology perinatal database to assess the risk of preeclampsia, placental abruption, and small for gestational age (SGA) births (birthweight10th percentile), which together constitute the syndrome 'ischaemic placental disease', in relation to self-reported height in 218 412 women with no underlying diseases before pregnancy, who delivered singletons in 2005-11. Height was categorised into quartiles as well as considered in linear terms, and its effect on each outcome was estimated using multivariable log binomial regression adjusted for the maternal characteristics.The risk of preeclampsia, placental abruption, and SGA birth was inversely related to maternal height. In the adjusted model, mothers in the lowest quartile for height (155 cm) were at higher risk of preeclampsia (relative risk (RR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25, 1.45), placental abruption (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07, 1.34), and SGA (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.90, 2.03) compared with mothers in the highest quartile (162 cm). When the association between height and outcomes was considered in linear terms, each 5 cm decrement in height was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.09, 1.14), placental abruption (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01, 1.09), and SGA birth (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.28, 1.31).Shorter height was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, placental abruption, and SGA birth.

Aim Whether prevalence rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), including gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, is lower for summer delivery than for winter delivery remains to be studied in Japanese women. Methods The prevalence rate of PIH was retrospectively determined according to month of year at delivery and at conception in 301 510 Japanese women who gave birth to singleton infants on or after gestational week 22 between 2005 and 2009. Results The overall prevalence of PIH was 4.6% (13 848/301 510). The prevalence rate of PIH, ranging 3.6–4.6% for women with deliveries in July–August was consistently lowest during the 5-year study period. The mean ± standard deviation prevalence rate of 4.2 ± 0.3% for delivery in July–August was significantly lower than those for any other month (January–February, 4.7 ± 0.4%; March–April, 4.9 ± 0.4%; May–June, 4.6 ± 0.2%; September–October, 4.6 ± 0.1%; and November–December, 4.6 ± 0.2%). The prevalence rate of PIH was highest (4.9%) for women with conception in March and April and lowest (2.9%) for those with conception in November and December. Conclusion The prevalence rate of PIH was higher for delivery in winter and early spring and lowest for summer delivery among Japanese women.

The deposition densities of radiocesium and the air dose rates were repeatedly measured in a large number of undisturbed fields within the 80km zone that surrounds the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant site between 2011 and 2016, and features of their temporal changes were clarified. The average air dose rate excluding background radiation in this zone decreased to about 20\% of the initial value during the period from June 2011 to August 2016, which was essentially a result of the radioactive decay of $^{134}$Cs with a half-life of 2.06y. The air dose rate reduction was faster than that expected from the decay of radiocesium by a factor of about two, with most of this reduction being attributed to the penetration of radiocesium into the soil. The average deposition densities of $^{134}$Cs and $^{137}$Cs in fields that were not decontaminated were found to have decreased nearly according to their expected radioactive decay, which indicated that the movement of radiocesium in the horizontal direction was relatively small. The effect of decontamination was apparently observed in the measurements of air dose rates and deposition densities. Nominally, the average air dose rates in the measurement locations were reduced by about 20\% by decontamination and other human activities, of which accurate quantitative analysis is and continue to be a challenge., 2011年から2016年にかけて福島第一原子力発電所から80km圏内の撹乱のない多数の測定点で放射性セシウムの沈着量と空間線量率を繰り返し測定し、それらの経時変化の特徴を明らかにした。この地域のバックグラウンド放射線量を除いた平均空間線量率は、2011年6月から2016年8月までの期間中に初期の約20\%に減少した。これは主に$^{134}$Cs(半減期2.06y)の壊変の結果である。空間線量率の減少は放射性セシウムの壊変から予想されるものよりも約2倍早く、この減少の大部分は放射性セシウムの土壌への浸透によるものである。除染されていない土壌における$^{134}$Csと$^{137}$Csの平均沈着量は、ほぼ放射性壊変から予想されるペースで減少していた。すなわち水平方向の放射性セシウムの移動が比較的小さいことを示した。空間線量率と沈着量の測定結果では除染の効果が明らかに観察された。測定点の平均空間線量率は、その詳細な定量分析は今後の課題だが、除染やその他の人間の活動によって約20\%減少した。

To determine whether the use of uterotonics, including oxytocin and prostaglandins, increases the risk of abruptio placentae and eclampsia. A retrospective analysis was conducted among 260,174 Japanese women at term. Demographic characteristics were studied as possible candidates for risk factors of abruptio placentae and eclampsia using multivariate logistic regression analyses. A total of 1,058 (0.41 %) and 147 (0.06 %) women developed abruptio placentae and eclampsia, respectively. Abruptio placentae and eclampsia occurred in 177 (0.29 %) and 42 (0.07 %) of the 61,857 women treated with uterotonics, respectively. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that uterotonics did not increase risk of developing either abruptio placentae or eclampsia. Primiparity [odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) 1.41 (1.24–1.60)], age ≥35 years [1.17 (1.03–1.33)], and presence of hypertension [2.42 (1.93–3.03)] were significant independent risk factors for abruptio placentae, while advancing gestation [0.67 (0.63–0.71)] decreased risk of abruptio placentae. Primiparity [odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) 4.06 (2.49–6.63)], age

Aim The aim of this study was to better characterize the nature of abruptio placentae (AP) with regard to the timing of onset. Material and Methods Prevalence and prospective risk of AP according to gestational week (GW) were determined among 293 899 women who gave birth to singleton infants at and after GW 30. The prospective risk of AP at gestational week N was defined as the number of all women who experienced an AP at ≥GW N divided by the number of all women who gave birth at ≥GW N. Results AP developed in 2649 (0.90%) women. The prevalence of AP (6.7% among women who gave birth at GW 30–33) sharply decreased with advancing GW at delivery to 0.9% for GW 37 and 0.1% for ≥GW 42. The highest prospective risk of AP, 9 per 1000 women at GW 30, decreased linearly with advancing gestation to 1 per 1000 women at ≥GW 42. AP accounted for 4.7% (1591/33 725) of all preterm births at GW

Objective To review clinical features and short-term outcomes of triplet pregnancies among Japanese women. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out among 320 Japanese women with triplet pregnancies (8 monochorionic, 75 dichorionic, and 150 trichorionic triplets; 87 with unknown placental chorionicity) who delivered at 22 gestational weeks or more between January 2005 and December 2008. Results Delivery was by cesarean for 315 (98%) women. Gestational age at delivery was 32.3 ± 2.8 weeks (mean ± SD) and 33.2 weeks (median), and 97%, 61%, and 14% of women delivered at less than 37, less than 34, and less than 30 gestational weeks, respectively. For live-born infants, mean birth weight was 1762 ± 437 g, 1608 ± 396 g, and 1406 ± 380 g for the heaviest, middle, and lightest triplet, respectively. Eighteen (5.6%) women experienced perinatal mortality (3 triplets for 1 woman, 2 triplets for 4 women, and 1 triplet for 13 women). Perinatal mortality was 25 deaths per 1000 deliveries, and decreased with increasing number of chorionic membranes (125, 44, and 20 per 1000 mono-, di-, and trichorionic triplet deliveries, respectively). Conclusion Short-term outcomes were good among triplet pregnancies in Japan. The data may be useful for counseling Japanese women with triplet pregnancies.

Aim It is unknown how to reduce the number of macrosomic neonates among women without hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to determine clinically useful risk factors for macrosomic neonates among women without hyperglycemia. Material and Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in 117 680 Japanese women without hyperglycemia who gave birth to singleton infants at 37 weeks of gestation or later. Maternal age, parity, fetal sex, pregnancy length, and maternal body composition were studied as possible candidates for risk factors of macrosomic neonates using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Outcome measures were clinically available independent risk factors for macrosomic neonates weighing 4000 g or more. Results A total of 1037 (0.9%) women gave birth to macrosomic neonates. A male fetus (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.99 [1.75–2.27]), multiparity (1.75 [1.53–1.99]), pregnancy length of 41 weeks or more (4.28 [3.73–4.91]) and six characteristics at or above the 90th percentile values consisting of body height (≥1.65 m: 1.70 [1.45–1.99]), pre-pregnancy body weight (≥65 kg: 1.47 [1.12–1.93]), pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (≥25 kg/m2: 1.49 [1.16–1.91]), weight gain during pregnancy (≥15 kg: 2.32 [1.78–3.03]), BMI gain during pregnancy (≥6.0 kg/m2: 1.52 [1.16–2.00]), and body weight at delivery (≥75 kg: 2.57 [2.08–3.17]) were identified as independent risk factors for macrosomia. Conclusion Intervention, such as a counseling on dietary habits leading to a lesser net weight gain may be considered among women suspected of having fetal overgrowth.

This study was conducted to review the overall short-term outcome of monoamniotic twins in Japan and to determine the prospective risk of fetal death so as to adequately counsel parents with monoamniotic twins. Study subjects were 101 women with monoamniotic twins who were registered with the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Successive Pregnancy Birth Registry System and who had given birth at ≥22 weeks of gestation during 2002–2009. The gestational week at delivery (mean ± SD) was 31.8 ± 3.7. Fourteen women experienced intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Short-term outcomes of co-twins born to the 14 women included 8 IUFDs, one early neonatal death within 7 days of life (END), and 5 survivors. Four other women experienced 5 ENDs. Thus, 13.9% (28/202) of infants died perinatally (22 IUFDs and 6 ENDs), 13.9% (14/101) of women experienced IUFD, and 82.2% (83/101) of women experienced neither IUFD nor END. Structural anomalies and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome explained 17.9% (five infants) and 10.7% (three infants) of the 28 perinatal deaths, respectively. The prospective risk of IUFD was 13.9% (14/101) for women who reached gestational week 22−0/7, gradually decreasing thereafter but remaining at between 4.5% and 8.0% between gestational week 30−0/7 and 36−0/7.

To assess the prevalence of hyperglycemia according to maternal age and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) among Japanese women before introduction of the current diagnostic criteria.In a retrospective study, data were analyzed from women with singleton pregnancies who were registered with the JSOG Successive Pregnancy Birth Registry System and who gave birth at 22 weeks of gestation or more between January 2007 and December 2009.Among 138530 women, 3667 (2.6%) were diagnosed with hyperglycemia including gestational diabetes and diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of hyperglycemia increased with advancing maternal age and increasing BMI. Among women aged ≤ 24, 25-34, 35-39, and ≥40 years, the prevalence was 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.5%, and 4.0%, respectively, in lean women (BMI18.5); 1.0%, 1.6%, 2.3%, and 3.1%, respectively, in normal weight women (BMI 18.5-24.9); and 5.7%, 9.2%, 12.9%, and 15.2%, respectively, in obese women (BMI ≥25.0). Of the 1181 newborns with a birth weight of 4000 g or more, 1046 (88.6%) were born to women not diagnosed with hyperglycemia.The results may reflect the baseline prevalence of hyperglycemia and macrosomic neonates (birth weight ≥4000 g) during the era of the old diagnostic criteria in Japan.

Aims: To determine reliably the risk of stillbirth among twin pregnancies. Methods: A data analysis of 3241 and 6581 women with monochorionic diamniotic (MD) and dichorionic (DD) twins, respectively, who gave birth at ≥22 weeks of gestation. Results: The prospective risk (per 1000 women) of stillbirth, 25.3 and 11.5 at gestational week 22, decreased to in utero or within 7 days of life more frequently among MD twins than among DD twins [42.7% (35/82) vs. 2.6% (2/76); relative risk, 16.2; 95% confidence interval, 4.0–65.1]. Conclusion: Women with MD twins were 2.2-fold more likely to experience stillbirth than women with DD twins. The prospective risks of stillbirth were

大伏在静脈本幹硬化療法の高位結紮を併用する方法，高位結紮をしない方法の両者において，術後1年の経過を報告する．【方法】HL+法48例：高位結紮およびGSV根部を部分切除し，GSV断端から末梢側へ硬化剤を注入した．HL－法43例：下腿のGSV分枝から硬化剤を注入し，エコーでフォームをGSV本幹内，SFJまで誘導した．硬化剤は3%または1%POL：CO2=1 : 3，Tessari法で作製した．術後1，3，6，12カ月後に超音波検査にて経過を追った．【結果】大腿部の閉塞率はHL+法：6カ月後80.4%，12カ月後75.5%，HL－法：6カ月後63.4%，12カ月後52.8%であった．深部静脈血栓症などの有害事象は認めなかった．【結語】フォーム硬化療法は大伏在静脈不全に対する治療として，安全に施行できる．HL－法はHL+法に比べ，閉塞率は劣るが，治療としての有用性が示唆された．

本研究の目的は, 小学校3年生を対象とした集団社会的スキル訓練（集団SST）の実施による進級後の抑うつ症状への効果を検討することであった。本研究では, ウェイティングリストコントロールデザインが採用された。対象児童は, 先に集団SSTを実施する群（SST群114名）と, SST群の介入終了後, 同一の介入がなされるウェイティングリスト群（WL群75名）に割り付けられた。集団SSTは, 学級単位で実施され, 上手な聞き方, あたたかい言葉かけ, 上手な頼み方, 上手な断り方, 教師に対するスキルの全5回（1回45分）から構成された。加えて, 獲得された社会的スキルの維持促進の手続きとして, 終了後に集団SSTのポイントが記述された下敷きを配布し, 進級後には教室内でのポイントの掲示, ワンポイントセッション, ブースターセッションといった手続きが採用された。その結果, SST群とWL群において, 訓練直後に社会的スキルの上昇がみられ, 進級後もその効果が維持されていることが示された。さらに, 訓練群とWL群は, 1年後の抑うつ症状が有意に低減していることが示された。以上の結果を踏まえ, 早期の抑うつ予防における集団SSTの有効性と有用性に加え, 今後の課題について議論がなされた。

The preparation of large-scale YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor samples was investigated. This method is based on plastic forming using a slurry consisting of YBa2Cu3O7−x particles and a sol solution made up of multimetallic hydroxide particles (YBa2Cu3(OH)x colloidal particles) and poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA). The effects of adding PVA on the product, the crystallinity, and the superconducting properties of the sample were investigated. It was found that PVA acted as a protective colloid in the sol solution and stabilized YBa2Cu3(OH)x colloidal particles, and that the role of PVA changed from a thickener to a flocculant during drying so that the formability/workability of the green sheet sample was improved and large samples (about 80 mm × 80 mm × 3 mm) without large cracks were obtained after firing. The samples became superconducting at 91.5±0.5 K (Tcon) and the full transition temperature (Tcoff) was 88.5±1.5 K. The critical current density (Jc) of the sample prepared from the slurry containing 1 wt% PVA was 713±150 A/cm2 at 77 K. This Jc value was improved to 2300 A/cm2 by heat treatment at 773 K under an oxygen atmosphere.

In order to estimate the environmental radiation dose rate level, measurements of the terrestrial gamma ray dose rates and cosmic ray ionizing components were conducted in public places such as park, street and train in Tokyo area. Measurements for 10 s with a NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer were repeatedly carried out with walking. Terrestrial gamma ray dose rate ranges from 10 nSv/h in a train to 80 nSv/h on the stone road. Although cosmic ray ionizing component was constantly 30 nSv/h in the outdoor, reductions by shielding effect were observed at underground and in the concrete building. Influence of radiopharmaceutical was measured in the stations where so many people exist. This shows that the same effect may occur in the environmental radiation monitoring.

The purpose of this study is to verify the effect on a sun-room for improving indoor climate of detached houses along the Pacific Coast of eastern Hokkaido. A convenient sun-room furnished with ‘insulated roof’ and ‘exposed ground’ was built in front of the south wall of a one-storied house that has two dwellings. We measured changes of temperature and humidity in the sun-room and two dwellings. In this report, the concepts to obtain thermal advantages by using the convenient sun-room were discussed through results of the measurement and simple unsteady numerical analyses. Stable environment for absolute humidity can be obtained by using humidity barrier and diatomite on the humidity barrier works to release moisture in the daytime. So from such results, it seems that a planning method of appropriate sun-rooms can be proposed for cool and foggy regions in summer.

In-doped n-CdTe thin films have been electrodeposited at −0.35 V versus Ag/AgCl from a nitric acid solution of pH 1 containing 0.05 mol/dm3(M)Cd(NO3)2, 0.5 mM TeO2, and various concentrations of In(NO3)3. Deposited films were annealed at 350°C under N2 flow. The films were characterized with X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and a reflectance meter. The conductivity and the carrier concentration of the films were measured using the van der Pauw method and Hall effect measurement at room temperature. This is the first study to investigate the effect of the In(NO3)3 concentration on the composition, the crystallinity, and the electric properties of In-doped CdTe films prepared by electrodeposition. The conductivity of the CdTe films linearly increases from 9.3 to 27.4 S/cm and the electron concentration [log(n/cm3)] increases from 3.9×1018 to 2.8×1019cm−3 as the In(NO3)3 concentration rises from 1×10−2 to 1×10−1M. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(3): 12– 18, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20673

Background: It was unknown whether risk of perinatal mortality rate (PMR) was higher in weekend than week days births in Japan and how Japanese obstetricians attempted to reduce numbers of weekend births. Methods and Findings: Retrospective observational study on 301510 women registered in the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology registry system who gave birth to singleton infants at gestational week ≥ 22 between 2005 and 2009. The proportion of women giving birth vaginally vs. by caesarean section with and without uterotonics was determined according to day of the week. Perinatal mortality included stillbirth and early neonatal death within one week after live birth occurring on and after gestational week 22. The PMR was similar between weekdays and weekend births (2.0% [4898/240455] vs. 2.0% [1217/61055], respectively). The fractions of Sunday and Thursday births were smallest and largest, respective; the mean ± SD fractions of Saturday and Sunday births were 10.4 ± 0.2% and 9.9 ± 0.3%, respectively, while those of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday births were 14.6 ± 0.3%, 16.5 ± 0.2%, 15.9% ± 0.4%, 17.1% ± 0.4%, and 15.6% ± 0.3% of all 301510 births, respectively. The numbers of vaginal births with uterotonics and of caesarean births per day were approximately double and ~3.6-fold greater for weekdays than for those for weekend, respectively. Conclusions: The PMR did not differ between births that occurred on weekdays and weekend. Frequent uterotonic use and caesarean delivery on weekdays explained the disproportionately reduced number of weekend births.

A slurry containing YBa2Cu3O7−x particles and a fine YBa2Cu3(OH)x colloid solution was prepared, and a large-scale bulk YBa2Cu3O7−x superconductor (about 50 mm × 35 mm × 2 mm) was produced by plastic forming without high-pressure molding. The samples molded from the slurry were dried and then fired at 1223 K in air. X-ray diffraction data indicated that the samples had the characteristic orthorhombic YBa2Cu3O7−x structure. Measurements of electrical resistance were carried out between 300 and 50 K by the standard four-probe DC electrical measurement. The samples began superconducting at an onset temperature around 92 K, and the full-transition temperature (critical temperature) (Tc) was 88.7±1.4 K. The critical current density (Jc) measured at 77 K was about 440 A/cm2, the value of Jc was improved by the heat treatment under an oxygen atmosphere, and Jc=1.6 × 103 A/cm2 was observed. Under the magnetic field (B=1 T), the sample held its superconductivity, and demonstrated that this method can be used to produce the magnetic shielding used in magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of two laser wavelengths and fiber types in endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of saphenous varicose veins of the lower limb. Design: Multi-center prospective randomized non-blind clinical trial. Patients and Methods: From January 2007 to December 2011, 113 patients (113 limbs) with primary varicose veins were randomized into two groups. They were treated with radial 2ring fiber and 1470 nm laser in Group I (57 limbs) and bare-tip fiber and 980 nm laser in Group E (56 limbs) in order to ablate the saphenous vein. Vein occlusion rates at 12 weeks and pain in treated region were recorded as primary endpoint. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for assessment of pain, rates of bruising, complications and equipment failure were recorded as secondary endpoint of safety. Results: Occlusion rates at 12 weeks were 100% in both groups. Rates of pain (0% vs. 25.0%) and bruising (7.0% vs. 57.1%) were significantly lower in Group I (p

Erbium (Er3+) doped lithium niobate (LiNbO3) thick films were deposited on z-cut congruent LiNbO3 (LN) substrate by the sol–gel method from the 0.20 mol/dm3 precursor solution containing various Er3+ concentration and 0.10 mol/dm3 poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and their crystal characteristics were evaluated. The Er3+ concentration in the LN film was controlled by the Er3+ concentration in the starting solution. The orientation relationships between Er doped LN films and substrates were determined by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, and (006) oriented Er doped LN epitaxial layers with parallel epitaxial relationships could be grown on the z-cut LN wafer. Moreover, it was made clear from the electron beam diffraction measurements that the film came to be polycrystalline, when the Er concentration was over 3 mol %. The refractive index of Er-doped LN films decreased with increasing Er concentration. 1.5 mol % Ti:1.0 mol % Er LN films, which acted as a waveguide, were prepared by our sol–gel method. It showed the 1530 nm emission by 980 nm excitation, which was considered to be due to the Er3+ corresponding to the 4I13/2 →4I15/2 transition.

We investigated the relationships among the deposition potential, the electric properties, and the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 films electrodeposited from a solution containing 1.00mM TeO2 and 0.86mM Bi-EDTA complex. From the results of the Hall-effect measurements, the films formed at >−0.27V vs Ag∕AgCl were Te-rich n-Bi2Te3, and the carrier concentration increased with more negative deposition potential. The films formed at

Field measurements of the cosmic-ray neutron dose rate on the ground using the neutron dose-equivalent counter developed by Nakamura were conducted in order to allow an understanding of neutron dose rate distribution in Japan. The effects of altitude, geomagnetic latitude, snowfall and rainfall on the neutron dose rate were confirmed from the results of the field measurements. Altitude variation can be fitted to an exponential function (eαZ), where Z is altitude (km). The α value for the neutron dose rate increased with increasing geomagnetic latitude, 0.6-0.8(km-1) at latitudes 20°-40°. Roughly, α=0.01×L+0.4 (for Z under 2km), where L is the geomagnetic latitude(°). The effect of geomagnetic latitude on the neutron dose rate was approximately 2% per degree(°) at latitudes 20°-40° Reductions in neutron dose rate due to snowfall and rainfall are caused by a decrease in component backscattering from wet ground surfaces. The neutron dose rate (H*(10)) at sea level at a geomagnetic latitude near 25° in 2002 was approximately 4nSv/h, and the neutron dose rate obtained from the neutron energy spectrum up to 400MeV with the Bonner sphere counter developed by Uwamino was 5.7nSv/h. This difference may by due to the low sensitivity of the dose-equivalent counter to neutrons with energies above 15MeV.