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国際英語論としての「リンガ・フランカとしての英語論」(1)―歴史的・学術的展開―
No full textThis study examines the theoretical development of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) within the broader context of international English research, particularly World Englishes (WE) and English as an International Language (EIL). Building on Jenkins' (2015) three-phase framework, the study outlines how ELF research has evolved from the description of linguistic varieties to the analysis of social practice and, more recently, to transcultural and multilingual perspectives. The present article first outlines the preceding phase of ELF research, including theoretical developments in World Englishes (WE) and English as an International Language (EIL), before turning to the first phase (late 1990s‒early 2000s), which sought to describe ELF as a linguistic variety, emphasizing intelligibility, codification, and corpus-based approaches. It examines how early ELF scholars such as Jenkins, Seidlhofer, and Mauranen attempted to establish empirical foundations for ELF as a legitimate research domain, distinguishing it from both World Englishes and EIL. The subsequent articles in this series will address the second and third phases of ELF research, which reconceptualize ELF as a dynamic social practice and as a transcultural, multilingual phenomenon. Together, these studies aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how ELF has evolved from a linguistic variety to a relational and transcultural practice, contributing to the ongoing paradigm shift in global English studies.島田章准教授定年退職記念号In Honour of Associate Prof. Akira Shimada経営と経済, 105(3), pp.79-112; 2025departmental bulletin pape
Annotated Checklist and Biodiversity of Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea) in Indian Waters
No full textHolothuroids play a vital role in nutrient cycling and bioturbation to enhance the marine ecosystem. They enhance the biodiversity for various symbiotic marine organisms by providing essential shelter and spawning grounds. This review focuses on the Class Holothuroidea (Phylum Echinodermata) in Indian waters, encompassing a total of 187 species organized into 7 orders and 21 families. Notably, the order Holothuriida represents the largest proportion of species, accounting for 27%. These species are well-distributed across India, with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands exhibiting the highest level of species richness (107 species), followed by the East Coast (102 species), Lakshadweep (39 species), and the West Coast (34 species). Species diversity was assessed using the Shannon–Weiner diversity index. Results indicate that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (H’ = 2.23) and the West Coast (H’ = 2.14) demonstrate the highest levels of diversity. This review provides a comprehensive and precise inventory of all species of Holothuroidea reported in Indian waters, which is provided to facilitate understanding of the reported species, their systematics, and distribution. In addition, a significant insight for both conservation and management of sea cucumbers in India has also been provided.Oceans, 6(4), art. no. 85; 2025journal articl
Biochar-synergy in anaerobic digestion of animal wastes for total pollution control and bioenergy production: A sustainable integrated perspective
No full textOrganic waste disposal and treatment are key public and environmental health issues contributing to pollution reduction and minimizing the spread of diseases from agricultural setups. Current treatment methods of animal waste often generate odors and greenhouse gases, which become catastrophic downstream, including algae blooms and groundwater contamination. Anaerobic digestion (AD) using bioreactors has been an economic resource utilization strategy for organic waste treatment with ecological integrity for environmental justice. To enhance the effectiveness of AD, the addition of biochar has been shown to improve treatment efficiency by amplifying bacterial activity and aiding in the breakdown of complex organic materials for biofuel production. We reviewed the integration of biochar in the AD of animal waste material as a cost-effective bio-carrier to enhance treatment for environmental protection and bioenergy production. We discussed the current relationship between pyrolysis conditions and feedstock types used in the AD process and evaluated the ecological functions of microbial activities and their interaction with biochar-based biomass in AD engineering designs. A comprehension of the technological advances to improve the AD performances associated with microbial biomass and biochar addition and potential areas for future research and their limitations toward a zero-waste paradigm for sustainable development in farm management systems was reviewed.Cleaner Chemical Engineering, 11, art. no. 100177; 2025journal articl
Biomechanical effect of combined use of mini-screws and aligners in preventing uncontrolled tipping of the incisor and mesial tipping of the molar: a three-dimensional finite element study
No full textBackground: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of external force applied from mini-screws to the aligner during space closure in extraction cases, and to determine the optimal loading conditions to prevent lingual crown tipping of the incisor and mesial tipping of the molar using the finite element (FE) method. Methodology: A three-dimensional FE model of the maxillary dentition with extraction of first premolars was constructed, and three different loading conditions were designed. The aligner was activated for 0.25 mm of incisor retraction without using mini-screws, with application of 0, 100, 200, or 300 cN of distal force through mini-screws placed in the posterior region, or with application of 0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 cN of intrusive force through mini-screws placed in the anterior region, in addition to the application of 300 cN of distal force. Results: As the magnitude of distal force increased, the degree of mesial tipping of the first molar gradually decreased, becoming almost zero with nearly 300 cN of distal force. As the magnitude of intrusive force increased in addition to the application of 300 cN of distal force, the degree of lingual crown tipping of the central incisor gradually decreased, becoming almost zero with nearly 400 cN of intrusive force. Conclusion: Application of 300 cN of distal force to the aligner from mini-screws placed in the posterior region could completely prevent mesial tipping of the molar and anchorage loss during anterior retraction. Application of 400 cN of intrusive force from mini-screws placed in the anterior region could prevent lingual crown tipping of the incisor, thus providing better torque control for the incisors.Progress in Orthodontics, 26(1), art. no. 54; 2025journal articl
Surface-tuning of polyamide nanofiltration membranes via controlled solvent activation and graphene oxide coating
No full textNanofiltration (NF) membranes are known for their higher permeance compared to reverse osmosis membranes and their capability to remove most impurities from water. However, they remain susceptible to fouling. This study aimed to develop a modification method for commercial NF membranes to achieve even higher permeance and reduced fouling propensity. The method involves ethanol-water-NaOH (EWN) activation, followed by graphene oxide (GO) coating through an amide coupling reaction. The two-step modification of a commercial NF membrane (NF270) using EWN and GO, referred to as the GO/EWN/NF270 membrane, resulted in a water permeance of 19 L/m2hbar, which is 31 % higher than that of the NF270 membrane, while maintaining a Na2SO4 rejection rate of over 96 %. Fouling tests conducted at constant transmembrane pressure (TMP) with similar initial permeate flux (40 L/m2h) using sodium alginate and real municipal wastewater showed that GO grafting significantly reduced flux decline, while EWN activation primarily enhanced intrinsic permeance and lowered the required operating TMP. Overall, the two-step strategy improves the permeability-fouling balance of the commercial NF membranes using an immersion-based process compatible with practical implementation.Desalination, 623, art. no. 119799; 2025journal articl
Effect of large-volume intrapleural saline lavage for empyema: a single-center, prospective cohort study
No full textBackground: Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy has emerged as a preferred treatment for empyema, helping to reduce the need for surgery and shorten hospital stays. However, fibrinolytic drugs may not be available in some regions due to distribution challenges. In such situations, intrapleural saline lavage can serve as an effective alternative treatment option. Evidence supporting the use of intrapleural saline lavage remains limited, primarily because previous studies have used low lavage volumes. Methods: We aimed to compare hospital stays, 30-day mortality rates, rates of referral to surgery, length of drainage, and adverse events between two groups of empyema patients: one receiving pleural lavage with urokinase administration; and the other receiving pleural lavage using 500 mL of saline. This was a single-center, prospective cohort study that analyzed patients contracting empyema with positive culture of pleural fluids admitted to our hospital between March 2021 and March 2023. Results: The 33 patients comprised 18 in the urokinase group and 15 in the saline group. No significant differences were seen in 30-day mortality rate (p = 0.08) or referral for surgery (p = 0.618). Although the overall duration of hospital stay appeared comparable between the groups, competing risk analysis accounting for death as a competing event demonstrated a significant difference in time to discharge (p = 0.023), with a longer hospital stay observed in the saline group. Non-inferiority analysis showed significant differences between groups in additional drainage tubes. Conclusions: No significant difference in surgical referrals or mortality was evident between intrapleural saline lavage and urokinase therapy. However, saline lavage in acute empyema may be less effective and result in longer hospital stays, even with larger volumes. Trial registration: This study was performed using data from a prospective epidemiological study for patients with pneumonia (UMIN000004353).Respiratory Investigation, 64(1), art. no. 101354; 2025journal articl
Effect of Pathological Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Long-term Outcomes in Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer: A Japanese Multicenter Study
No full textBackground/Aim: Few studies have examined how the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced colorectal cancer affects prognosis. Patients and Methods: A total of 162 patients who received NAC followed by radical resection with curative intent between April 2016 and December 2024 were included. Patients were classified into two groups: good response (n=43) and poor response (n=119). Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were compared between the groups. Results: The good response group had a lower rate of combined resection of adjacent organs (11.6% vs. 25.2%, p=0.046), higher clinical N status before NAC (93.0% vs. 71.4%, p=0.002), lower pathological T4 rate (2.3% vs. 23.5%, p<0.001), and less lymphovascular invasion (30.2% vs. 68.9%, p<0.001). Median follow-up duration was 41 months (range=1-66 months). Good responders tended to have better relapse-free survival (RFS; 83.7% vs. 70.5%; p=0.092). Overall survival was similar between the groups (88.6% vs. 78.6% p=0.629). In the poor response group, patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy had significantly better RFS than those who did not (67.3% vs. 70.1%, p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with a good response to NAC tended to have a better prognosis. Adjuvant chemotherapy might improve outcomes in patients with poor response to NAC.Anticancer Research, 46(1), pp.327-336; 2025journal articl
戦後復興期の公営RC造集合住宅の更新に関する研究 ―1948年に着工した「48型」を通して―
Get PDFIn this paper, we examine the life cycle of Type 48 housing built at that time. The actual construction status was obtained through interviews. However, the full picture of the year of construction, reasons for site selection, year of demolition, and reasons for rebuilding is not clear. Regarding demolition, we explored the relationship between the timing of demolition and social conditions in Japan. We found that the economic climate and interest in the earthquake resistance of housing had an impact on the rebuilding of public housing. As for the subsequent renewal of Type 48, it is thought that the good location and the urbanization of the surrounding area made the difference between transfer to the private sector and rebuilding to public housing. It is possible that reinforced concrete public housing, which will become obsolete in the future, will be demolished in conjunction with development projects and transferred to the private sector in a gradual increase. Public agencies are required to consider sites in consideration of the selection of locations in the Standards for the development of public housing, etc., while maintaining the number of housing units supplied in relation to the demand for public housing.長崎大学大学院工学研究科研究報告, 55(104), pp.38-44; 2025departmental bulletin pape
Effects of Base Materials (α-Alumina and/or γ-Alumina) on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)-Sensing Properties of Adsorption/Combustion-Type Microsensors
Get PDFThe sensing properties of adsorption/combustion-type microsensors using 5 wt% Pt-loaded aluminas, which consist of two kinds of alumina (α-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3), as sensing (catalytic) materials for ethanol and toluene, were investigated in air, and the mixing effects of α-Al2O3 with γ-Al2O3 on the dynamic and static responses of the sensors were discussed in this study. The mixing of 50 wt% α-Al2O3 with γ-Al2O3 was the most effective in enhancing the dynamic responses to ethanol, which originated from the flash combustion behavior of ethanol and/or their partially decomposed products adsorbed on the sensing films from 150 °C to 450 °C, while further mixing of α-Al2O3 with γ-Al2O3 tended to increase the dynamic responses to toluene. On the other hand, the static responses to both ethanol and toluene, which arise from their catalytic combustion at elevated temperatures (450 °C), mainly increased with an increase in the addition of α-Al2O3 in the 5 wt% Pt-loaded aluminas. These results indicate that the synergistic effects of the catalytic activity and the thermal conductivity of the 5 wt% Pt-loaded aluminas are the most important for the sensing properties of these sensors to ethanol and toluene.Chemosensors, 13(1), art. no. 9; 2025journal articl
Comprehensive cDNA cloning and putative feature analysis of endogenous cellulases possessed by the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas
Get PDFPrevious studies have examined the cellulase activity of Crassostrea gigas (Pacific oyster) and suggested its potential utilization of terrestrial lignocellulose. However, no studies have been conducted to comprehensively assess its endogenous cellulases. Therefore, our objective was to identify the cellulases present in C. gigas through transcriptome and genomic analyses. The results showed that there are 10 cellulase orthologs, seven of which are endogenous. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two of these cellulases belong to the glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 5, four to GHF9, and one to GHF45. An alignment of the amino acid sequences suggested the presence of at least endo-β-1,4-glucanase. Therefore, C. gigas is likely capable of decomposing lignocellulose into glucose. This finding supports the fact that C. gigas, a globally commercial bivalve species, thrives in environments that lack phytoplankton, such as mangroves.PLoS ONE, 20(2), art. no. e0313246; 2025journal articl