Prediction of random-regression coefficient for daily milk yield after 305 days in milk by using the regression-coefficient estimates from the first 305 days

Yamazaki, Takeshi,Takeda, Hisato,Hagiya, Koichi,Yamaguchi, Satoshi,Sasaki, Osamu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.10

Objective: Because lactation periods in dairy cows lengthen with increasing total milk production, it is important to predict individual productivities after 305 days in milk (DIM) to determine the optimal lactation period. We therefore examined whether the random regression (RR) coefficient from 306 to 450 DIM (M2) can be predicted from those during the first 305 DIM (M1) by using a RR model. Methods: We analyzed test-day milk records from 85,690 Holstein cows in their first lactations and 131,727 cows in their later (second to fifth) lactations. Data in M1 and M2 were analyzed separately by using different single-trait RR animal models. We then performed a multiple regression analysis of the RR coefficients of M2 on those of M1 during the first and later lactations. Results: The first-order Legendre polynomials were practical covariates of RR for the milk yields of M2. All RR coefficients for the additive genetic (AG) effect and the intercept for the permanent environmental (PE) effect of M2 had moderate to strong correlations with the intercept for the AG effect of M1. The coefficients of determination for multiple regression of the combined intercepts for the AG and PE effects of M2 on the coefficients for the AG effect of M1 were moderate to high. The daily milk yields of M2 predicted by using the RR coefficients for the AG effect of M1 were highly correlated with those obtained by using the coefficients of M2. Conclusion: Milk production after 305 DIM can be predicted by using the RR coefficient estimates of the AG effect during the first 305 DIM.

Flow Characteristics in a V-shaped Region of a Suction Performance Curve in a Double-suction Centrifugal Pump

Donghyuk Kang,Satoshi Yamazaki,Shusaku Kagawa,Byungjin An,Motohiko Nohmi,Kazuhiko Yokota 한국유체기계학회 2019 International journal of fluid machinery and syste Vol.12 No.1

The present study investigated flow characteristics in the V-shaped region of the suction performance curve for a double-suction centrifugal pump based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The V-shaped region in the time-averaged suction performance curve was simulated well. The CFD simulated the fluid oscillations due to cavitation surge and rotating cavitation well. The V-shaped region was observed in the absolute total pressure difference between the impeller inlet and outlet. The time histories showed that the cavity produced vorticity, resulting in an increase in a pressure loss, and a decrease in an impeller torque and an angular momentum flow rate. The time-averaged cavity volume, pressure loss between the impeller inlet and outlet, vorticity in the blade passage and impeller torque were examined. A Λ shape of a cavity volume curve caused a Λ shape of a vorticity curve, resulting in a Λ shape of a pressure loss curve and a V shape of an impeller torque curve. The Λ shape of the pressure loss curve and the V shape of the impeller torque curve caused the V shape of the suction performance curve.

Molecular catalysts for water oxidation toward artificial photosynthesis

Yagi, Masayuki,Syouji, Akinori,Yamada, Satoshi,Komi, Manabu,Yamazaki, Hirosato,Tajima, Syouhei Korean Society of Photoscience 2009 Photochemical & photobiological sciences Vol.8 No.2

Artificial photosynthesis is anticipated as one of the promising clean energy-providing systems for the future. The development of an efficient catalyst for water oxidation to evolve $O_2$ is a key task to yield a breakthrough for construction of artificial photosynthetic devices. Recently, significant progress has been reported in the development of the molecular catalysts for water oxidation based on manganese, ruthenium and iridium. The molecular aspects of the catalysts reported in the last decade were reviewed to provide hints to design an efficient catalyst, as well as to gain clues to reveal the mechanism of $O_2$ evolution at photosynthetic oxygen evolving complex in nature.

Quantum Simulation Using Ultracold Two-electron Atoms in an Optical Lattice

Seiji Sugawa,Shintaro Taie,Yosuke Takasu,Rekishu Yamazaki,Satoshi Uetake,Yoshiro Takahashi 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.59 No.41

Quantum degenerate gases of ytterbium atoms in three-dimensional optical lattices are studied for bosonic isotopes and mixtures of bosonic and fermionic isotopes. A quantum phase transition from a superfluid to a Mott insulating state is observed for bosonic isotopes. In the deep Mott insulating region, we perform one-color photoassociation spectroscopy and investigate the site occupancy. In addition, Bose-Fermi mixtures of Yb isotopes in optical lattices are studied using two different combinations of mixtures.

Postoperative Increase in Occiput–C2 Angle Negatively Impacts Subaxial Lordosis after Occipito–Upper Cervical Posterior Fusion Surgery

Taigo Inada,Takeo Furuya,Koshiro Kamiya,Mitsutoshi Ota,Satoshi Maki,Takane Suzuki,Kazuhisa Takahashi,Masashi Yamazaki,Masaaki Aramomi,Chikato Mannoji,Masao Koda 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Purpose: To elucidate the impact of postoperative occiput–C2 (O–C2) angle change on subaxial cervical alignment. Overview of Literature: In the case of occipito–upper cervical fixation surgery, it is recommended that the O–C2 angle should be set larger than the preoperative value postoperatively. Methods: The present study included 17 patients who underwent occipito–upper cervical spine (above C4) posterior fixation surgery for atlantoaxial subluxation of various etiologies. Plain lateral cervical radiographs in a neutral position at standing were obtained and the O–C2 angle and subaxial lordosis angle (the angle between the endplates of the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) and C7 vertebrae) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively soon after surgery and ambulation and at the final follow-up visit. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between the average postoperative alteration of O–C2 angle (DO–C2) and the average postoperative alteration of subaxial lordosis angle (Dsubaxial lordosis angle) (r =–0.47, p =0.03). Conclusions: There was a negative correlation between DO–C2 and Dsubaxial lordosis angles. This suggests that decrease of midto lower-cervical lordosis acts as a compensatory mechanism for lordotic correction between the occiput and C2. In occipito-cervical fusion surgery, care must be taken to avoid excessive O–C2 angle correction because it might induce mid-to-lower cervical compensatory decrease of lordosis.

Baastrup’s Disease Is Associated with Recurrent of Sciatica after Posterior Lumbar Spinal Decompressions Utilizing Floating Spinous Process Procedures

Masao Koda,Chikato Mannoji,Masazumi Murakami,Tomoaki Kinoshita,Jiro Hirayama,Tomohiro Miyashita,Yawara Eguchi,Masashi Yamazaki,Takane Suzuki,Masaaki Aramomi,Mitsutoshi Ota,Satoshi Maki,Kazuhisa Takaha 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.6

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Purpose: To determine whether kissing spine is a risk factor for recurrence of sciatica after lumbar posterior decompression using a spinous process floating approach. Overview of Literature: Kissing spine is defined by apposition and sclerotic change of the facing spinous processes as shown in X-ray images, and is often accompanied by marked disc degeneration and decrement of disc height. If kissing spine significantly contributes to weight bearing and the stability of the lumbar spine, trauma to the spinous process might induce a breakdown of lumbar spine stability after posterior decompression surgery in cases of kissing spine. Methods: The present study included 161 patients who had undergone posterior decompression surgery for lumbar canal stenosis using a spinous process floating approaches. We defined recurrence of sciatica as that resolved after initial surgery and then recurred. Kissing spine was defined as sclerotic change and the apposition of the spinous process in a plain radiogram. Preoperative foraminal stenosis was determined by the decrease of perineural fat intensity detected by parasagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Preoperative percentage slip, segmental range of motion, and segmental scoliosis were analyzed in preoperative radiographs. Univariate analysis followed by stepwise logistic regression analysis determined factors independently associated with recurrence of sciatica. Results: Stepwise logistic regression revealed kissing spine (p =0.024; odds ratio, 3.80) and foraminal stenosis (p <0.01; odds ratio, 17.89) as independent risk factors for the recurrence of sciatica after posterior lumbar spinal decompression with spinous process floating procedures for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Conclusions: When a patient shows kissing spine and concomitant subclinical foraminal stenosis at the affected level, we should sufficiently discuss the selection of an appropriate surgical procedure.