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Possible Mechanism of 2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran-induced Oxidative Stress : Enhanced Production of Hydrogen Peroxide and the Liver Injury
No full textThe mechanism of oxidative stress which is one of the major toxicities observed in 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF) -treated mice was studied. Previously, we evaluated the dose-response relationship on the wasting syndrome and oxidative stress elicited with PenCDF (0.3, 1.0, 5.0 and 10 mg/kg, once, p.o.). Of PenCDF doses examined, the wasting syndrome and oxidative stress were most marked in 5 mg/kg. In disagreement with this, the hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity which is a marker of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent induction of cytochrome P450 1a1 (Cyp1a1) was most significantly elevated at 0.3 mg/kg. To clarify this discripancy, in this study, we determined the contents of Cyp1a1 and 1a2 protein. The content of Cyp1a1 was well correlated with the EROD activity up to the PenCDF dose 1.0 mg/kg while the induction profile of Cyp1a2 was not correlated with it. Although, at the PenCDF 5.0 mg/kg, the contents of Cyp1a1 and 1a2 protein were induced consistently, the EROD activity declined to the level far smaller than the PenCDF dose 1.0 mg/kg. Further, the NADPH consumption was comparable among the PenCDF dose examined. Instead, the hydrogen peroxide production was elevated in S9 fraction most markedly by PenCDF dose 5.0 mg/kg. In agreement with this, the marker of hepatic injury, the serumAST and ALT activities were also most elevated at the same dose. Therefore, it is possible that PenCDF elicits oxidative stress and hepatic injury through the production of hydrogen peroxide via the mechanism involving uncoupling of the P450s
The Progress of Excretion Rate of Dioxin-Like-Compounds in Yusho
No full textYusho, the mass food poisoning, occurred in western Japan in 1968. PCBs and dioxin like compounds such as PCDDs and PCDFs were detected as causal chemicals of Yusho. The Yusho Study Group has conducted annual check-ups for Yusho victims for more than 45 years. Measurement of blood concentration of dioxins became possible on 2002. In this paper, we report the latest findings of the Yusho study regarding the half-lives of dioxins, and discuss the prospects for study of dioxin half-lives in Yuhso victims
New Financing for Sustainable Development The Case for NNP- or Inclusive Wealth-Linked Bonds
No full textIntroduction
Literature Review
Bond Design
Strengths and Weaknesses
Example
ConclusionWe propose that national governments could issue bonds whose interest payments are linked to green net national product (gNNP) or, almost equivalently, to inclusive wealth. The main intention of this new financial instrument is to entice investors and the national government to invest in human and natural capital for which the corresponding financial assets currently do not exist. As the concept of wealth expands to include human and natural capital, so should the corresponding assets side in the balance sheet of nations. While the argument for gross national product (GNP)–linked bonds focuses on trimming public debt toward fiscal sustainability, the proposed bonds aim to ensure long-term sustainability. The theoretical link associated with welfare economics is also more plausible. Moreover, it could lead to the virtuous cycle of increased government expenditure directed toward inclusive wealth, expanding tax revenue, increased coupon payment to investors, and increased social well-being
The features of curriculum coordinators in the US Universities : A study using job offers for professional staff
No full textAfter being covered by a policy paper of the Central Council for Education, curriculum coordinators seem to attract attention of many in Japan\u27s higher education sector. Mentioning university provosts and other specialists in the United States, the policy paper describes curriculum coordinators as highly professional administrative staff in the headquarters who support the leaderships ; it also assumes that curriculum coordinator can be and should be trained though staff development. The actual management culture in American universities, however, has been said to be rather decentralized and financially stand-alone, according to previous studies. Our empirical study based on job descriptions demonstrates the following results. Firstly, curriculum coordinators with greater discretionary power are often expected to have a Master\u27s Degree or even a Ph.D., professional experience as a researcher, and academic expertise ; staff development, therefore, may have little effect to equip these experience or capacities. Secondly, curriculum coordinators are often arranged to coordinate educational programs in the lower branches, such as school or centers, rather than to support the decision-making by the leaderships. More attention should paid to the diversity of curriculum coordinators when discussing how to train the specialists
Impact on first-year students\u27 motivation and conception of learning by the class of interdisciplinary collaborative learning of social issues in Kyushu University : A case study of cooperative learning classroom practice
No full textThe purpose of the study was to investigate the impact on first-year students\u27 motivation and conception of learning by the class of Interdisciplinary Collaborative Learning of Social Issues in Kyushu University. The feature of this class were short-term (1term is 4weeks and the class has 3terms), problem-based learning (PBL) inclusing group work and personal practice, and a compulsory course for all of the fist-grade students. In this work, we focused on the impact made by the class in first term. The results of the voluntary learning motivation scale and text-mining analysis concerning learning beliefs clarified that learning motivations about perceived competence and cooperative activity improved and it also led to positive learning behaviors. These results show that this class as first year experience impacts first-year students as they study active learning strategies within a few months after joining the university
Introduction of project based learning in beginners\u27 Chinese classes : Aiming to enhance learning motivation by active learning
No full textIn beginners\u27 Chinese classes, the greatest emphasis is placed on developing pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and simple conversation skills. However, allowing students to perceive and learn about the world and culture within which the Chinese language has taken form is also highly important for enhancing learning motivation. In this article, we analyze a study on project based leaning conducted in beginners\u27 Chinese classes of Kyushu University in 2016, and discuss the problems and future challenges in order to enhance students\u27 learning motivation
Relationships between a change in mental health and life habits of university freshmen students
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of life habits on the change in mental health of university freshmen students. The participants were 136 university freshmen (107 males and 29 females ; 18.40±.67 years). Data were collected on four occasions over the first semester. Survey items included mental health (life satisfaction, life volition, psychological stress, social stress, and fitness stress) and life habits (exercise habits, health condition, breakfast, sleep and fitness condition). The change in mental health was investigated by using a repeated ANOVA. The results revealed that scores for life satisfaction, life volition and fitness stress were higher in the first instance than each of the other three instances. The fourth instance had higher scores in psychological stress than the first and second instances. The second and fourth instances had lower scores in social stress than the first. Next, latent growth modeling was used to examine the influence of the life habits score on the change in mental health score. With the life volition change factor, there were positive effects on breakfast habits (intercept). There were negative effects of health condition (intercept) and exercise habits (slope) on psychological stress and fitness stress. Social stress had a negative effect on exercise habit (intercept). These findings, in spite of a limited sample and statistical method, may suggest that life habits have an effect on the improvement of mental health in university freshmen students
On Local Political Process about Re-adjustment of Disaster Prevention System at the Genkai Nuclear power Plant
No full textはじめに 1 課題設定 本事例研究の位置づけ 2 事例の前提 3 事例の検討 むすびにかえ
Development of a Quality Certification and Maturity Classification Method for Liquid Fertilizer by Measuring the Electrical Conductivity (EC) of Swine Manure
No full textThe increasing need for liquid fertilizers along with the high production and treatment rate of swine manure pose a great concern in regard to the quality control and certification of fertilizers rapidly produced. In this study, 66 liquid manure samples were collected from national livestock manure co–recycling centers. These 66 samples were tested and classified into three categories based on Liquid Fertilizer Germination Index (LFGI). In addition, the physiochemical parameters of manure specimens were tested, including pH, NaCl, total sulfur (TS), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium–nitrogen (NH_4–N), nitrate–nitrogen (NO_3–N), total phosphorus (TP), potassium (K), and electrical conductivity (EC). EC had a positive correlation with TN (0.879), NH_4–N (0.816), K (0.693), and NaCl (0.625) with a significance of p < 0.01 but a negative correlation with LFGI (–0.719). This study demonstrated that EC could be used as an indicator in rapid testing methods for quality control to certify the maturity level of liquid manure fertilizers