AIM： To examine an association between the cytotoxic Tlymphocyte antigen 4 （CTLA4） gene that plays a role in downregulation of T-cell activation and inflammatory bowel disease consisting of ulcerative colitis （UC...AIM： To examine an association between the cytotoxic Tlymphocyte antigen 4 （CTLA4） gene that plays a role in downregulation of T-cell activation and inflammatory bowel disease consisting of ulcerative colitis （UC） and Crohn＇s disease （CD） in the Japanese.METHODS： We studied 108 patients with UC, 79 patients with CD, and 200 sex-matched healthy controls, with respect to three single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in CTLA4, such as C-318T in the promoter region, A＋49 Gin exon 1 and G＋6230A in the 3＇ untranslated region （3＇-UTR） by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and to an （AT）, repeat polymorphism in 3＇-UTR by fragment analysis with fluorescence-labeling on denaturing sequence gels. Frequency of alleles and genotypes and their distribution were compared statistically between patients and controls and among subgroups of patients, using X^2 and Fisher exact tests.RESULTS： The frequency of ＂A/A＂ genotype at the G＋6230A SNP site was statistically lower in UC patients than in controls （3.7% vs 11.0%, P = 0.047, odds ratio （OR） = 0.311）. Moreover, the frequency of ＂G/G＂ genotype at the A＋49G SNP site was significantly higher in CD patients with fistula （48.6%） than those without it （26.2%）（P = 0.0388, OR=2.67）.CONCLUSION： The results suggest that CTLA4 located at 2q33 is a determinant of UC and responsible for fistula formation in CD in the Japanese.展开更多
Based on the GDEM hydrographic data with a resolution of 0.5°× 0.5°, the current system (Kuroshio south of Japan and Kuroshio Extension east of Japan) is determined by using the P-Vector Method, and its...Based on the GDEM hydrographic data with a resolution of 0.5°× 0.5°, the current system (Kuroshio south of Japan and Kuroshio Extension east of Japan) is determined by using the P-Vector Method, and its seasonal variability is investigated. The Kuroshio Meander south of Japan, the two lee-wave meanders in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension are properly presented. The path of the Kuroshio Meander, the position of the second (east) meander in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension display evident seasonal variation.展开更多
Although the threat of cybercrime is said to expand year by year recently, an actual impact of the threat has not estimated in Japan due to several reasons including inadequate statistics of cybercrime. The purpose of...Although the threat of cybercrime is said to expand year by year recently, an actual impact of the threat has not estimated in Japan due to several reasons including inadequate statistics of cybercrime. The purpose of this study is to estimate the volume of cybercrime in Japan and identify its characteristics based on the result of cybercrime victimization survey conducted by the study group for cybercrime of Nihon University （NU） in 2016. The study group obtained a cybercrime victimization rate of 5.36% and concluded that cybercrime victimization in Japan is quite serious comparing with other survey results and crime statistics. Furthermore, the study group explored how to figure out cybercrime victimization more precisely based on characteristics of cybercrime obtained by this survey and proposed a couple of appropriate measures to cope with cybercrime.展开更多
Purpose： To investigate the link between peak oxygen uptake and regional body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry （DEXA） in Japanese subjects. Methods： A total of 93 men （42.2 ± 12.3 years old） ...Purpose： To investigate the link between peak oxygen uptake and regional body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry （DEXA） in Japanese subjects. Methods： A total of 93 men （42.2 ± 12.3 years old） and 106 women （43.5 ± 12.3 years old） were enrolled in this cross-sectional investigation study. Peak oxygen uptake was measured by the breath-by-breath method. Regional body composition i.e., body fat mass, lean body mass, and body fat percentage was evaluated using DEXA. In addition, metabolic risk parameters were also evaluated. Results： Peak oxygen uptake was 37.6± 8.7 mL/kg/min in men and 31.1 ± 6.4 mL/kg/min in women, and decreased with age in both genders. Peak oxygen uptake was significantly correlated with total body fat percentage （men： r = -0.684, p 〈 0.0001; women： r = -0.681, p 〈 0.0001）. These associations remained even after adjusting for age and total lean body mass. However, peak work rate was positively and significantly correlated with leg lean body mass. Conclusion： Peak oxygen uptake was closely correlated with total body fat percentage in both genders. Aerobic exercise as well as leg resistance training might be useful for improving peak oxygen uptake in Japanese subjects. Copyright展开更多
In accordance with a revision of the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, there is an accelerating trend towards charging for plastic shopping bags （PSBs） in Japan for the purpose of reducing their discharge. The...In accordance with a revision of the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, there is an accelerating trend towards charging for plastic shopping bags （PSBs） in Japan for the purpose of reducing their discharge. The objectives of this research were to gauge, by means of a questionnaire survey, the opinions of retailers with regard to charging for PSBs, and to consider future directions for reducing the quantity of waste discharged. A questionnaire survey on charging for PSBs was conducted for retail stores in Shizuoka City. The survey was carried out in two phases. The results of the first phase （August to October 2008） showed that supermarkets were generally positive, while conversely other retailer types were negative. The results of the second phase （November to December, 2010）, targeting only supermarkets that had introduced charging after the first survey, showed that there was no major confusion and the shift proceeded relatively smoothly. In addition, the number of customers did not decline on account of charging, and the ratio of shoppers bringing their own reusable ＂eco bags＂ jumped dramatically. On these accounts, it is evident that charging for PSBs is an effective means of reducing usage of PSBs. The authors view it as important for the relevant governmental agencies to work towards promoting charging at retailers and simultaneously repeatedly explaining to consumers the necessity for charging.展开更多
The main aim of this qualitative work is to explore the scope, nature of existing doubts, concerns, and objections, which arose in the mentality of selected groups of Japanese Roman Catholics, and to provide the typol...The main aim of this qualitative work is to explore the scope, nature of existing doubts, concerns, and objections, which arose in the mentality of selected groups of Japanese Roman Catholics, and to provide the typology of these findings. The method used in this research was based on specially devised questionnaires. This method aimed to collect qualitative data. The results obtained from questionnaires delivered in selected groups of Japanese Roman Catholics （Hokkaido prefecture） inform that there is a very deep gap between understanding of the concept of euthanasia and its acceptance/rejection. This investigation also reveals the hierarchy of values in the mentioned context. In conclusion, the concept of euthanasia is very often confused with so called ＂death with dignity＂ （Songenshi） and because of this fact it is not clear, what action is consistent with the religious doctrine and what is against. This confusion might be a crucial factor which determines the attitude towards rejection/acceptance/withdrawal from the decision concerning euthanasia in the group of Japanese Roman Catholics.展开更多
Poor power quality is really becoming an increasing phenomenon. Studies revealed that most companies, particularly multinationals in Nigeria, do not pay enough attention to the effects of poor power quality on their p...Poor power quality is really becoming an increasing phenomenon. Studies revealed that most companies, particularly multinationals in Nigeria, do not pay enough attention to the effects of poor power quality on their plant and equipment, and let the economic implications alone. The result is high production and maintenance cost. Findings also revealed that these companies loose an average of $50,000 annually owing to equipment damage （such as variable speed drives） caused by poor power quality. This paper focuses on the need for continuous monitoring and management of poor power quality disturbance parameters and the cost for economic implications of no addressing power quality issues.展开更多
文摘AIM： To examine an association between the cytotoxic Tlymphocyte antigen 4 （CTLA4） gene that plays a role in downregulation of T-cell activation and inflammatory bowel disease consisting of ulcerative colitis （UC） and Crohn＇s disease （CD） in the Japanese.METHODS： We studied 108 patients with UC, 79 patients with CD, and 200 sex-matched healthy controls, with respect to three single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in CTLA4, such as C-318T in the promoter region, A＋49 Gin exon 1 and G＋6230A in the 3＇ untranslated region （3＇-UTR） by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and to an （AT）, repeat polymorphism in 3＇-UTR by fragment analysis with fluorescence-labeling on denaturing sequence gels. Frequency of alleles and genotypes and their distribution were compared statistically between patients and controls and among subgroups of patients, using X^2 and Fisher exact tests.RESULTS： The frequency of ＂A/A＂ genotype at the G＋6230A SNP site was statistically lower in UC patients than in controls （3.7% vs 11.0%, P = 0.047, odds ratio （OR） = 0.311）. Moreover, the frequency of ＂G/G＂ genotype at the A＋49G SNP site was significantly higher in CD patients with fistula （48.6%） than those without it （26.2%）（P = 0.0388, OR=2.67）.CONCLUSION： The results suggest that CTLA4 located at 2q33 is a determinant of UC and responsible for fistula formation in CD in the Japanese.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China under contract(Grant No.2002CCA00200)by the Ministry of Education of China under contract(Grant No.99075).
文摘Based on the GDEM hydrographic data with a resolution of 0.5°× 0.5°, the current system (Kuroshio south of Japan and Kuroshio Extension east of Japan) is determined by using the P-Vector Method, and its seasonal variability is investigated. The Kuroshio Meander south of Japan, the two lee-wave meanders in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension are properly presented. The path of the Kuroshio Meander, the position of the second (east) meander in the Kuroshio Extension and the bifurcation of the Kuroshio Extension display evident seasonal variation.
文摘Although the threat of cybercrime is said to expand year by year recently, an actual impact of the threat has not estimated in Japan due to several reasons including inadequate statistics of cybercrime. The purpose of this study is to estimate the volume of cybercrime in Japan and identify its characteristics based on the result of cybercrime victimization survey conducted by the study group for cybercrime of Nihon University （NU） in 2016. The study group obtained a cybercrime victimization rate of 5.36% and concluded that cybercrime victimization in Japan is quite serious comparing with other survey results and crime statistics. Furthermore, the study group explored how to figure out cybercrime victimization more precisely based on characteristics of cybercrime obtained by this survey and proposed a couple of appropriate measures to cope with cybercrime.
基金supported in part by Research Grants from the Ministry of Health,Labour,and Welfare of Japan
文摘Purpose： To investigate the link between peak oxygen uptake and regional body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry （DEXA） in Japanese subjects. Methods： A total of 93 men （42.2 ± 12.3 years old） and 106 women （43.5 ± 12.3 years old） were enrolled in this cross-sectional investigation study. Peak oxygen uptake was measured by the breath-by-breath method. Regional body composition i.e., body fat mass, lean body mass, and body fat percentage was evaluated using DEXA. In addition, metabolic risk parameters were also evaluated. Results： Peak oxygen uptake was 37.6± 8.7 mL/kg/min in men and 31.1 ± 6.4 mL/kg/min in women, and decreased with age in both genders. Peak oxygen uptake was significantly correlated with total body fat percentage （men： r = -0.684, p 〈 0.0001; women： r = -0.681, p 〈 0.0001）. These associations remained even after adjusting for age and total lean body mass. However, peak work rate was positively and significantly correlated with leg lean body mass. Conclusion： Peak oxygen uptake was closely correlated with total body fat percentage in both genders. Aerobic exercise as well as leg resistance training might be useful for improving peak oxygen uptake in Japanese subjects. Copyright
文摘In accordance with a revision of the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, there is an accelerating trend towards charging for plastic shopping bags （PSBs） in Japan for the purpose of reducing their discharge. The objectives of this research were to gauge, by means of a questionnaire survey, the opinions of retailers with regard to charging for PSBs, and to consider future directions for reducing the quantity of waste discharged. A questionnaire survey on charging for PSBs was conducted for retail stores in Shizuoka City. The survey was carried out in two phases. The results of the first phase （August to October 2008） showed that supermarkets were generally positive, while conversely other retailer types were negative. The results of the second phase （November to December, 2010）, targeting only supermarkets that had introduced charging after the first survey, showed that there was no major confusion and the shift proceeded relatively smoothly. In addition, the number of customers did not decline on account of charging, and the ratio of shoppers bringing their own reusable ＂eco bags＂ jumped dramatically. On these accounts, it is evident that charging for PSBs is an effective means of reducing usage of PSBs. The authors view it as important for the relevant governmental agencies to work towards promoting charging at retailers and simultaneously repeatedly explaining to consumers the necessity for charging.
文摘The main aim of this qualitative work is to explore the scope, nature of existing doubts, concerns, and objections, which arose in the mentality of selected groups of Japanese Roman Catholics, and to provide the typology of these findings. The method used in this research was based on specially devised questionnaires. This method aimed to collect qualitative data. The results obtained from questionnaires delivered in selected groups of Japanese Roman Catholics （Hokkaido prefecture） inform that there is a very deep gap between understanding of the concept of euthanasia and its acceptance/rejection. This investigation also reveals the hierarchy of values in the mentioned context. In conclusion, the concept of euthanasia is very often confused with so called ＂death with dignity＂ （Songenshi） and because of this fact it is not clear, what action is consistent with the religious doctrine and what is against. This confusion might be a crucial factor which determines the attitude towards rejection/acceptance/withdrawal from the decision concerning euthanasia in the group of Japanese Roman Catholics.
文摘Poor power quality is really becoming an increasing phenomenon. Studies revealed that most companies, particularly multinationals in Nigeria, do not pay enough attention to the effects of poor power quality on their plant and equipment, and let the economic implications alone. The result is high production and maintenance cost. Findings also revealed that these companies loose an average of $50,000 annually owing to equipment damage （such as variable speed drives） caused by poor power quality. This paper focuses on the need for continuous monitoring and management of poor power quality disturbance parameters and the cost for economic implications of no addressing power quality issues.
