How brain activation changes as one becomes an expert interpreter - an fNIRS study

Taura Hideyuki 한국외국어대학교 통번역연구소 2022 한국외국어대학교 통번역연구소 학술대회 Vol.2022 No.01

This paper presents Phase III of an 11-year longitudinal study on a Japanese-English interpreter, examining what happens to his Lα (Japanese) and Lβ (English) neuro-linguistically (brain activation and structural change). The theoretical framework for this study is based on the Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST, henceforth), which is a combined transdisciplinary label for the Complexity Theory (Larsen-Freeman, 2017) and the Dynamic Systems Theory (de Bot, Lowie, and Verspoor, 2007) and shares the same view that language progression is adaptive, chaotic, complex, dynamic, non-linear, and variable in nature (Mitchell et al., 2019). In comparing the CDST to a static model of language development, Dornyei (2014) argues the importance of including a time scope. This makes straightforward outcomes among variables in the non-dynamic model rather complex because each variable changes over time, impacting the outcome and resulting in an endless chain reaction. The data collected include fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) brain activation data, using a Shimadzu OMM-3000 when the interpreter engaged in a verbal fluency task. The results are presented on whether or not accumulated experiences impacted the existing language connectome in the interpreter's brain.

Genetic Diversity of mtDNA D-loop Polymorphisms in Laotian Native Fowl Populations

Kawabe, K.,Worawut, R.,Taura, S.,Shimogiri, T.,Nishida, T.,Okamoto, S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.1

Here, we studied the genetic diversity of native fowls in Laos by analyzing a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence polymorphism. A 546-bp fragment of the mtDNA D-loop region was sequenced in 129 chickens from the areas of Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse. In total, 29 haplotypes were identified and formed five clades. Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of the native fowls in Laos were $0.85536{\pm}0.0172$ and $0.010158{\pm}0.005555$, respectively. Although the Laotian native fowls were distributed across five clades, most of them were clustered in two main clades (A and B), which were originated in China. The other haplotypes were contained in clades D, F, and I, which originated from continental southeast Asia. These results suggest that multiple maternal lineages were involved in the origin of domestic chicken in Laos. Moreover, there appear to be at least two maternal lineages, one from China and the other from the southeast Asian continent.

An Electrochemical Approach for Fabricating Organic Thin Film Photoelectrodes Consisting of Gold Nanoparticles and Polythiophene

Takahashi, Yukina,Umino, Hidehisa,Taura, Sakiko,Yamada, Sunao Korean Society of Photoscience 2013 Rapid communication in photoscience Vol.2 No.3

A novel method of fabricating polythiophene-gold nanoparticle composite film electrodes for photoelectric conversion is demonstrated. The method includes electrodeposition of gold and electropolymerization of 2,2'-bithiophene onto an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrode. First, electrodeposition of gold onto the ITO electrode was carried out with various repetition times of pulsed applied potential (0.25 s at -2.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl) in an aqueous solution of $HAuCl_4$. Significant progress of the number density of deposited gold nanoparticles was confirmed from scanning electron micrographs, from 4 (1 time) to 25% (15 times). Next, electropolymerization of 2,2'-bithiophene onto the above ITO electrode was performed under controlled charge condition (+1.4 V vs. Ag wire, 15 $mC/cm^2$). Structural characterization of as-fabricated films were carried out by spectroscopic and electron micrographic methods. Photocurrent responses from the sample film electrodes were investigated in the presence of electron acceptors (methyl viologen and oxygen). Photocurrent intensities increased with increasing the density of deposited gold nanoparticles up to ~10%, and tended to decrease above it. It suggests that the surplus gold nanoparticles exhibit quenching effects rather than enhancement effects based on localized electric fields induced by surface plasmon resonance of the deposited gold nanoparticles.

Advancing Nursing Research with Genomic Approaches: Methodological Suggestions

Hyunhwa Lee,Jessica Gill,Taura Barr,Hyungsuk Kim 한국간호과학회 2015 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.10

Malignant mixed tumor in the salivary gland of a cat

김희정,Kazuhito Itamoto,Yasuho Taura,Munekazu Nakaichi 대한수의학회 2008 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.9 No.3

The presence of a malignant mixed tumor, also known as a carcinosarcoma, in the salivary gland is very rare. Such tumors, which are typically aggressive, are characterized by the presence of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. A 9-year-old neutered female domestic short-haired cat presented with swelling in the right mandibular lesion that had rapidly enlarged over the previous 3 weeks. Physical examination revealed a large, fluctuated and painless subcutaneous swelling that was associated with a firm mass. Radiographs of the head revealed a soft-tissue density that involved faint circular calcific opacity. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed that the peripheral capsulated cystic area had a contrast enhanced region without bone lysis. The cat received a total excision of the mass and postoperative radiotherapy. Histopathological analysis of the mass revealed that it was a malignant mixed tumor. Metastasis to the lung was discovered 7 weeks later, at which time treatment was stopped.

Conversion surgical therapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for initially unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus

Etsuro Hatano,Takamichi Ishii,Satoru Seo,Kojiro Taura,Shinji Uemoto 한국간담췌외과학회 2013 한국간담췌외과학회 학술대회지 Vol.2013 No.4

Primary chondrosarcoma in the skull of a dog

Munekazu Nakaichi,김희정,Kazuhito Itamoto,Yasuho Taura 대한수의학회 2007 JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE Vol.8 No.1

Chondrosarcoma of the skull is a rare primary malignant tumor that is slow-growing, but locally aggressive. A 5- year-old, golden retriever was presented to our hospital with a swelling in the left side of her head, and the swelling had slowly enlarged over the previous month. There were no significant changes on the neurological examination. A computed tomography scan revealed a large mass involving bone destruction and prominent matrix mineralization. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed a slightly low-signal intensity area and a T2-weighted image revealed marked, high-signal intensity. There was compression of the adjacent brain parenchyma. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion to be a chondrosarcoma.

LC, Acute : O-055 ; Protection from liver fibrosis by a PPAR agonist

( Keiko Iwaisako ),( Yong Han Paik ),( Michael Haimer ),( Kojiro Taura ),( Yuzo Kodama ),( Claude Sirlin ),( Elizabeth Yu ),( Ruth T Yu ),( Michael Downes ),( Ronald M Evans ),( David A Brenner ),( Be 대한간학회 2012 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2012 No.1

Background: Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor delta (PPAR), a member of the nuclear receptor family, is emerging as a key metabolic regulator with pleiotropic actions on various tissues including fat, skeletal muscle and liver. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of a new and highly selective PPAR agonist KD3010 in experimental mouse models of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injections or bile duct ligation (BDL). Methods: Male adult C57/B6 mice were treated daily with vehicle or KD3010 by oral gavage. Liver fibrosis was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 or BDL. For in vitro study, primary hepatocytes were isolated and incubated with/without KD3010. Results: PPAR agonist KD3010 ameliorates liver injury induced by CCl4 injections. Deposition of extracellular matrix proteins was lower in the KD3010 group as compared to the control group. The hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effect of KD3010 was confirmed in a model of cholestasis-induced liver injury and fibrosis using BDL for three weeks. Primary hepatocytes incubated with KD3010 were protected from serum starvation or CCl4-induced cell death, in part due to reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Conclusions: The PPAR agonist KD3010 has hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects in animal models of liver fibrosis suggesting a new mechanistic and therapeutic approach in treating patients with chronic liver diseases.

Investigation of excitonic states effects on optoelectronic properties of Sb2Se3 crystal for broadband photo-detector by highly accurate first-principles approach

Abdullahi Lawal,A. Shaari,R. Ahmed,L.S. Taura 한국물리학회 2018 Current Applied Physics Vol.18 No.5

The rapid demand of photodetector is increasing day by day due to its versatility of applications that affect our lives. However, it is still very challenging to produce low-cost high-performance broadband photo-detector that can detect light from near infrared to the ultraviolet frequency range for medical diagnosis and visible light communication applications. Regarding this, low-cost antimony selenide (Sb2Se3), with direct energy gap and strong light absorption over a wider range from near infrared to ultraviolet frequency, is considered a promising candidate material for such kind of applications. Therefore, to expose its hidden potential, detailed analysis of its structural, electronic and optical properties is very essential. To accomplish this purpose, different schemes of the first-principles calculations are used in this study. Structural properties of Sb2Se3 are calculated by first-principles methods realized within density functional theory (DFT) framework. Whereas, to compute the quasiparticle (QP) band structure, excitonic and optical properties, many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) based on oneshot GW (G0W0) and Bethe-Salpeter equation (G0W0-BSE) approaches are used. Our DFT calculations show that Wu-Cohen GGA (WC-GGA) reproduces lattice parameters of Sb2Se3 material consistent with the experimental measurements. Similarly, G0W0 calculations confirm the Sb2Se3 a direct bandgap energy material of 1.32 eV and show good agreement with the experimental results. Similarly, the results on the optical properties of Sb2Se3 with the inclusion of electron-hole interaction show that the exciton energy of the material is 1.28eV while its corresponding plasma energy is 10.86 eV. These values show that the investigated material can absorb photons from near infrared to ultraviolet wavelengths. It is, therefore, anticipated that this material will be useful for new-generation optoelectronic applications from near infrared to ultraviolet wavelengths.

Diethyldithiocarbamate Suppresses an NF-κB Dependent Metastatic Pathway in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

Srikoon, Pattaravadee,Kariya, Ryusho,Kudo, Eriko,Goto, Hiroki,Vaeteewoottacharn, Kulthida,Taura, Manabu,Wongkham, Sopit,Okada, Seiji Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a tumor of biliary ducts, which has a high mortality rate and dismal prognosis. Constitutively activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-${\kappa}B$) has been previously demonstrated in CCA. It is therefore a potential target for CCA treatment. Effects of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) on NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent apoptosis induction in cancer have been reported; however, anti-metastasis has never been addressed. Therefore, here the focus was on DDTC effects on CCA migration and adhesiond. Anti-proliferation, anti-migration and anti-adhesion activities were determined in CCA cell lines, along with p65 protein levels and function. NF-${\kappa}B$ target gene expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. DDTC inhibited CCA cell proliferation. Suppression of migration and adhesion were observed prior to anti-CCA proliferation. These effects were related to decreased p65, reduction in NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding, and impaired activity. Moreover, suppression of ICAM-1 expression supported NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent anti-metastatic effects of DDTC. Taken together, DDTC suppression of CCA migration and adhesion through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway is suggested from the current study. This might be a promising treatment choice against CCA metastasis.