Perceptions of Research Excellence in Thailand and Japan

Kasama Kongsmak,Punchalee Pungpit,Mitsunobu R. Kano,Shoji Komai,Wibool Piyawattanametha,Orakanoke Phanraksa 과학기술정책연구원 2013 STI Policy Review Vol.4 No.2

This paper explores how research excellence is perceived among researchers in Thailand and Japan with an aim to explore whether there are any new indicators that could later be proposed and adopted as criteria of excellence. Based on a questionnaire survey, the findings reflect ideas and viewpoints that could be found among researchers in both countries. Creative researchers are crucial to a strong national research and innovation system. Institutions should provide an environment or incentives based on research performance for their researchers to flourish and be productive. For decades, bibliometrics have been used to evaluate individual research performance for its easy approach and faster speed than a qualitative assessment would warrant. Nonetheless, there have been a number of studies on research performance evaluating systems that point out how a purely bibliometric approach is inadequate in summarizing the quality of the scientific performance. The pressures on researchers today influence their thinking and oppose their creativity. To investigate the perception of research excellence, three key research questions were set in this study: what counts as excellence, how to measure excellence, and how to support excellence. The findings confirm that traditional granting criteria that frames an idea of excellence remain valid, but they also suggest novel criteria be considered and prioritized. This paper argues that the existing evaluating system is insufficient for unleashing the curiosity and creativity of researchers and fostering excellence. In the final section, the paper discusses factors that contribute to scientific creativity that we should not overlook.

Cholangiocarcinoma Patient Outcome in Northeastern Thailand: Single-Center Prospective Study

Luvira, Vor,Nilprapha, Kasama,Bhudhisawasdi, Vajarabhongsa,Pugkhem, Ake,Chamadol, Nittaya,Kamsa-ard, Supot Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.1

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is relatively rare worldwide. Most previous reports collected only patients with pathological diagnosis. In fact, however, many patients coming to hospital are diagnosed by clinical suspicion with radiologic imaging and receive treatment without histological confirmation. Real survival data and outcome of each treatment, especially for patients that do not have histologic confirmation, are lacking. In this study, therefore, we aimed to analyze the survival rates of CCA patients and the proportions of patients receiving different treatments. Materials and Methods: A total of 270 patients clinically suspected of CCA and visiting Srinagarind Hospital in May-July 2010, were prospectively followed until December 2014. After checking their clinical records, 163 of 270 patients were finally diagnosed as having CCA, and the data of this group were analyzed for survival rate and received treatments. Results: Of the 163 patients, 96 (58.9%) had intrahepatic, 56 (34.4%) had perihilar and 11 (6.7%) had distal CCA. The majority [107 (65.6%, 95%CI, 57.8-73.0)] received only supportive care. Overall median survival was 4 months (95%CI, 3.3-4.7), and 2-years survival was only 8.1% (95%CI,4.5-12.9). However, the 4 year survival of the R0 resection group was 100%. Conclusions: The present results show that the prognosis of CCA is very poor in North-east Thailand. Most CCA patients receive only treatment to alleviate symptoms due to their advanced stage of disease. Complete surgical resection at the early stage is the only treatment that significantly improves patient survival.

Effects of excess pore pressure dissipation on liquefaction-induced ground deformation in 1-g shaking table test

Wang, B.,Zen, K.,Chen, G.Q.,Kasama, K. Techno-Press 2012 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.4 No.2

Focusing on the effect of excess pore pressure dissipation on liquefaction-induced ground deformation, a series of 1-g shaking table tests were conducted in a rigid soil container by use of saturated Toyoura sand, the relative density of which was 20-60%. These tests were subjected to the sinusoidal base shaking with step increased accelerations: 100, 200, 300 and 400 Gals for 2-4 seconds. Shaking table tests were done using either water or polymer fluid with more viscous than water, thus varying the sand permeability of model tests. Excess pore pressures, accelerations, settlements and lateral deformations were measured in each test. Test results are presented in this paper and the effect of sand permeability on liquefaction and liquefaction-induced ground deformation was discussed in detail.

Strain imaging of a Cu_2S switching device

Keiji Takata,Ryota Tamura,Toshihiro Kasama,Masataka Fukuyama,Shin Yokoyama,Hiroshi Kajiyama 한국물리학회 2011 Current Applied Physics Vol.11 No.6

Strain imaging of electrochemical behavior of a solid electrolyte Cu_2S in switching devices for nonvolatile memories is presented. The precipitation and dissolution of Cu, and the nonstoichiometry changes cause changes in volume. Strain imaging we have proposed detects the volume changes through the surface displacements using scanning probe microscopy and provides high resolution images. We observed the distributions of the electrochemical reactions in Cu_2S and located the Cu bridges causing switching.

Numerical validation of Multiplex Acceleration Model for earthquake induced landslides

Zheng, Lu,Chen, Guangqi,Zen, Kouki,Kasama, Kiyonobu Techno-Press 2012 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.4 No.1

Due to strong ground motion of earthquake, the material in the landslide can travel a significant distance from the source. A new landslide model called Multiplex Acceleration Model (MAM) has been proposed to interpret the mechanism of long run-out movement of this type of landslide, considering earthquake behaviors on slope and landslide materials. In previous study, this model was verified by a shaking table test. However, there is a scale limitation of shaking table test to investigate MAM in detail. Thus, numerical simulation was carried out in this study to validate MAM under full scale. A huge rock ejected and A truck threw upwards by seismic force during Wenchuan Earthquake (Ms. 8.0) was discussed based on the simulation results. The results indicate that collisions in P-phase of earthquake and trampoline effect are important behaviors to interpret the mechanism of long run-out and high velocity. The results show that MAM is acceptable and applicable.

Reticle CD Latitude for Fabrication of 0.18mm Line Patterns

S. Matsuura,T. Uchiyama,M. Fujimoto,T. Yamazaki,T. Hashimoto,K. Kasama 대한전자공학회 1998 International Conference on Electronics, Informati Vol.- No.-

Electronic structure of Li⁺@C₆₀: Photoelectron spectroscopy of the Li⁺@C₆₀[PF₆ ⁻] salt and STM of the single Li⁺@C₆₀ molecules on Cu(111)

Yamada, Yoichi,Kuklin, Artem V.,Sato, Sho,Esaka, Fumitaka,Sumi, Naoto,Zhang, Chunyang,Sasaki, Masahiro,Kwon, Eunsung,Kasama, Yukihiko,Avramov, Pavel V.,Sakai, Seiji Elsevier 2018 Carbon Vol.133 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>We report the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) observation of the Li<SUP>+</SUP> ion endohedral C<SUB>60</SUB> on Cu(111), prepared by means of evaporation of a high-purity Li<SUP>+</SUP>@C<SUB>60</SUB>[PF<SUB>6</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP>] salt. The electronic state of Li<SUP>+</SUP>@C<SUB>60</SUB> in the Li<SUP>+</SUP>@C<SUB>60</SUB>[PF<SUB>6</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP>] salt was also determined using photoemission and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, along with the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In the salt, Li and PF<SUB>6</SUB> had nearly single positive and negative charge, respectively; thus the C<SUB>60</SUB> cage was practically neutral. The salt decomposed under ultra-high vacuum while heating at 400 °C. This allowed the selective deposition of Li<SUP>+</SUP>@C<SUB>60</SUB> on Cu(111). Although secondary-ion mass spectroscopy of the deposited Li<SUP>+</SUP>@C<SUB>60</SUB> film showed a decrease in the Li-content during evaporation, Li<SUP>+</SUP>@C<SUB>60</SUB> was successfully identified using STM. The DFT calculations of Li<SUP>+</SUP>@C<SUB>60</SUB> on Cu(111) suggested that the Li<SUP>+</SUP> ion was singly charged and the location of the Li<SUP>+</SUP> ion was displaced in an upward direction, which altered the local density of states in an upper section of C<SUB>60</SUB>, especially for LUMO+2. The calculated results were mostly in agreement with the bias-dependent STM and dI/dV images. However, an inconsistency was observed between the calculation and experiments in case of empty state imaging where tip-induced displacement of the Li<SUP>+</SUP> ion may occur.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Reflux-related Extraesophageal Symptoms Until Proven Otherwise: A Direct Measurement of Abnormal Proximal Exposure Based on Hypopharyngeal Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance as a Reliable Indicator for Successful Treatment Outcomes

( Takeshi Suzuki ),( Yosuke Seki ),( Tomoaki Matsumura ),( Makoto Arai ),( Toyoyuki Hanazawa ),( Yoshitaka Okamoto ),( Haruhiko Suzuki ),( Kazunori Kasama ),( Akiko Umezawa ),( Yoshimoti Kurokawa ),( 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2022 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.28 No.1

Background/Aims The Lyon Consensus defined parameters based on upper endoscopy and 24-hour combined multichannel intraluminal impedancepH (MII-pH), that conclusively establish the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the true role of upper endoscopy and MII-pH to evaluate patients with extraesophageal symptoms (EES) has not been well established. Hypopharyngeal MII (HMII), which directly measures laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) events, has been utilized to evaluate patients with EES suggestive of LPR. Methods This was a retrospective study involving patients with EES for > 12 weeks despite proton pump inhibitor therapy, and had no endoscopic confirmatory evidence for GERD and negative MII-pH. All patients were subsequently referred for further evaluation of EES with “unknown” etiology and underwent laryngoscopy and HMII. Based on HMII, abnormal proximal exposure (APE) was defined as LPR ≥ 1/day and/or full column reflux (reflux 2 cm distal to the upper esophageal sphincter) > 4/day. Patients with APE were offered antireflux surgery (ARS) and the outcome of ARS was objectively assessed using Reflux Symptom Index. Results Of 21 patients with EES which was thought to be GERD-unrelated based on endoscopy and MII-pH, 17 patients (81%) had APE. Eight patients with APE who had undergone ARS had significant symptomatic improvement in the Reflux Symptom Index score (19.6 ± 4.9 pre-ARS to 5.8 ± 1.4 post-ARS, P = 0.008). Conclusions A conventional diagnostic approach using endoscopy and MII-pH may not be sufficient to evaluate patients with EES suggestive of LPR. HMII is essential to evaluate patients with EES, and APE could be a reliable indicator for successful treatment outcomes. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022;28:69-77)

Teriparatide and etelcalcetide improve bone, fibrosis, and fat parameters in chronic kidney disease model rats

Shun Igarashi,Yuji Kasukawa,Koji Nozaka,Hiroyuki Tsuchie,Kazunobu Abe,Hikaru Saito,Ryo Shoji,Fumihito Kasama,Shuntaro Harata,Kento Okamoto,Keita Oya,Naohisa Miyakoshi 대한골다공증학회 2023 Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia Vol.9 No.4

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicated by secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. Etelcalcetide (EC) is a treatment for SHPT that reduces serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. However, the effects of combined treatment with osteoporosis drugs such as teriparatide (TPTD) remain unclear. This study investigates the combined effects of EC and TPTD on bone in CKD model rats. Methods: The CKD model was established in 8-week-old male Wistar rats by feeding them a 0.75% adenine diet for 4 weeks. At 20 weeks of age, the rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 9–10 in each group): CKD group (vehicle administration), TPTD group (30 μg/kg, 3 times/week), EC group (0.6 mg/kg, daily), and Comb group (TPTD and EC combined). EC was injected for 12 weeks starting at 20 weeks of age, and TPTD was injected for 8 weeks starting at 24 weeks of age. After treatment, the followings were evaluated: bone mineral density, bone strength, biochemical tests, bone and fat histomorphometry, and micro-computed tomography. Results: In CKD model rats, the combination of EC and TPTD was more effective in increasing cortical bone thickness and bone strength and inhibiting porosity. In addition, the combined treatment decreased bone marrow adiposity and fibrosis, and it increased bone mass and improved bone microstructure in trabecular bone. Conclusions: With the observed benefits such as improved bone mass, bone strength, structural properties, and bone marrow adiposity, combination therapy may be a potential way to improve bone fragility in CKD.