To improve productivity of assembly in cell production, a robot is introduced to help operators physically. A moving robot around a human operator however induces much stress on human operators ...because they need to work coexistently and compellingly with the robot. This paper deals with the strain measurement caused by industrial robots, and the discuss design criterions of robot collaboration with a human operator. Several basic strains are experimentally measured: distance from a swinging robot to an operator, speed at robot's movement towards an operator and so on. The results are applied in a novel cell production assembly system.
The freshwater eels of the genus Anguilla, which are catadromous, migrate between freshwater growth habitats and offshore spawning areas. A number of recent studies, however, found examples of the ...temperate species Anguilla anguilla, Anguilla rostrata, Anguilla japonica, Anguilla australis and Anguilla dieffenbachii that have never migrated into fresh water, spending their entire life history in the ocean. Furthermore, those studies found an intermediate type between marine and freshwater residents, which appear to frequently move between different environments during their growth phase. The discovery of marine and brackish‐water residents Anguilla spp. suggests that they do not all have to be catadromous, and it calls into question the generalized classification of diadromous fishes. There has been little available information, however, concerning migration in tropical Anguilla spp. Anguilla marmorata, shows three fluctuation patterns: (1) continuous residence in fresh water, (2) continuous residence in brackish water and (3) residence in fresh water after recruitment, while returning to brackish water. Such migratory patterns were found in other tropical species, Anguilla bicolor bicolor and Anguilla bicolor pacifica. In A. b. bicolor collected in a coastal lagoon of Indonesia, two further patterns of habitat use were found: (1) constantly living in either brackish water or sea water with no freshwater life and (2) habitat shift from fresh water to brackish water or sea water. The wide range of environmental habitat use indicates that migratory behaviour of tropical Anguilla spp. is facultative among fresh, brackish and marine waters during their growth phases after recruitment to the coastal areas. Further, the migratory behaviours of tropical Anguilla spp. appear to differ in each habitat in response to inter and intra‐specific competition. The results suggest that tropical Anguilla spp. have a flexible pattern of migration, with an ability to adapt to various habitats and salinities. The ability of anguillids to reside in environments of various salinities would be a common feature between tropical and temperate species without a latitudinal cline. Thus, the migration of Anguilla spp. into fresh water is clearly not an obligatory behaviour. This evidence of geographical variability among Anguilla spp. suggests that habitat use is determined by environmental conditions in each site.
The near-Earth carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu is thought to have been produced from a parent body that contained water ice and organic molecules. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft has obtained global ...multicolor images of Ryugu. Geomorphological features present include a circum-equatorial ridge, east-west dichotomy, high boulder abundances across the entire surface, and impact craters. Age estimates from the craters indicate a resurfacing age of Formula: see text years for the top 1-meter layer. Ryugu is among the darkest known bodies in the Solar System. The high abundance and spectral properties of boulders are consistent with moderately dehydrated materials, analogous to thermally metamorphosed meteorites found on Earth. The general uniformity in color across Ryugu's surface supports partial dehydration due to internal heating of the asteroid's parent body.
The near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu, the target of the Hayabusa2 sample-return mission, is thought to be a primitive carbonaceous object. We report reflectance spectra of Ryugu's surface acquired ...with the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on Hayabusa2, to provide direct measurements of the surface composition and geological context for the returned samples. A weak, narrow absorption feature centered at 2.72 micrometers was detected across the entire observed surface, indicating that hydroxyl (OH)-bearing minerals are ubiquitous there. The intensity of the OH feature and low albedo are similar to thermally and/or shock-metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. There are few variations in the OH-band position, which is consistent with Ryugu being a compositionally homogeneous rubble-pile object generated from impact fragments of an undifferentiated aqueously altered parent body.
The Hadean history of Earth is shrouded in mystery and it is considered that the planet was born dry with no water or atmosphere.The Earth-Moon system had many features in common during the birth ...stage.Solidification of the dry magma ocean at 4.53 Ga generated primordial continents with komatiite.We speculate that the upper crust was composed of fractionated gabbros and the middle felsic crust by anorthosite at ca.21 km depth boundary,underlain by meta-anorthosite（grossular ＋ kyanite 4 quartz）down to 50-60 km in depth.The thickness of the mafic KREEP basalt in the lower crust,separating it from the underlying upper mantle is not well-constrained and might have been up to ca.100-200 km depending on the degree of fractionation and gravitational stability versus surrounding mantle density.The primordial continents must have been composed of the final residue of dry magma ocean and enriched in several critical elements including Ca,Mg,Fe,Mn,P,K,and Cl which were exposed on the surface of the dry Earth.Around 190 million years after the solidification of the magma ocean, ＂ABEL bombardment＂ delivered volatiles including H_2O,CO_2,N_2 as well as silicate components through the addition of icy asteroids.This event continued for 200 Myr with subordinate bombardments until 3.9 Ga,preparing the Earth for the prebiotic chemical evolution and as the cradle of first life.Due to vigorous convection arising from high mantle potential temperatures,the primordial continents disintegrated and were dragged down to the deep mantle,marking the onset of Hadean plate tectonics.
Background
Although Th2 cells are well known to play important roles in allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis (AR), the factors that induce and sustain the pathogenesis of AR remain unclear. ...The recent development of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is expected to allow changes to the underlying pathogenesis of AR. However, which Th2 cell subsets are important in house dust mite‐induced AR (HDM‐AR), the influence of SLIT on the pathogenic Th2 cells, and the association of Th2 cell subsets with SLIT efficacy have not been clarified.
Methods
The cytokine production and frequency of HDM‐reactive T‐cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated using flow cytometry in 89 HDM‐AR patients (placebo n = 43 and HDM 300 IR n = 46) who participated in a placebo‐controlled study of SLIT with HDM tablets. All patients provided samples both before treatment as a baseline and at the end of the 52‐week study. The PBMCs were stained with CellTrace™ Violet (CTV) before culture with HDM extract, and HDM‐reactive T cells were detected as the proliferated cells with diminished CTV.
Results
HDM‐reactive IL‐5+IL‐13+CD27−CD161+CD4+ cells and ST2+CD45RO+CD4+ cells were observed in the peripheral blood from each patient with HDM‐AR; these cells significantly decreased after SLIT in the group treated with active tablets. HDM‐reactive ST2+CD45RO+CD4+ cells were significantly lower in active‐responders.
Conclusion
Allergen‐reactive ST2+CD45RO+CD4+ cells or those combined with IL‐5+IL‐13+CD27−CD161+CD4+ cells may be useful as markers indicating the successful treatment of SLIT. These cells may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AR as pathogenic memory Th2 cells.
House dust mite (HDM)‐reactive IL‐5+IL‐13+CD27−CD161+CD4+ cells and ST2+CD45RO+CD4+ cells were observed in the peripheral blood from patient with HDM‐induced allergic rhinitis; these cells significantly decreased after sublingual immunotherapy. HDM‐reactive ST2+CD45RO+CD4+ cells were significantly lower after 1 year of sublingual immunotherapy in the responders in active group than those for the nonresponders. Allergen‐reactive ST2+CD45RO+CD4+ cells or those combined with IL‐5+IL‐13+CD27−CD161+CD4+ cells may be useful as markers indicating the successful treatment of sublingual immunotherapy.
Background
Although some retrospective studies have suggested the value of adjuvant therapy, no recommended standard exists in bile duct cancer. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that ...adjuvant gemcitabine chemotherapy would improve survival probability in resected bile duct cancer.
Methods
This was a randomized phase III trial. Patients with resected bile duct cancer were assigned randomly to gemcitabine and observation groups, which were balanced with respect to lymph node status, residual tumour status and tumour location. Gemcitabine was given intravenously at a dose of 1000 mg/m2, administered on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks for six cycles. The primary endpoint was overall survival, and secondary endpoints were relapse‐free survival, subgroup analysis and toxicity.
Results
Some 225 patients were included (117 gemcitabine, 108 observation). Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the gemcitabine and observation groups. There were no significant differences in overall survival (median 62·3 versus 63·8 months respectively; hazard ratio 1·01, 95 per cent c.i. 0·70 to 1·45; P = 0·964) and relapse‐free survival (median 36·0 versus 39·9 months; hazard ratio 0·93, 0·66 to 1·32; P = 0·693). There were no survival differences between the two groups in subsets stratified by lymph node status and margin status. Although haematological toxicity occurred frequently in the gemcitabine group, most toxicities were transient, and grade 3/4 non‐haematological toxicity was rare.
Conclusion
The survival probability in patients with resected bile duct cancer was not significantly different between the gemcitabine adjuvant chemotherapy group and the observation group. Registration number: UMIN 000000820 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/).
No advantage
Background
The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic impact of lymph node metastasis in cholangiocarcinoma using three different classifications.
Methods
Patients who underwent ...pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma in 24 hospitals in Japan between 2001 and 2010 were included. Survival was calculated by means of the Kaplan–Meier method and differences between subgroups were assessed with the log rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent predictors of survival. χ2 scores were calculated to determine the cut‐off value of the number of involved nodes, lymph node ratio (LNR) and total lymph node count (TLNC) for discriminating survival.
Results
Some 370 patients were included. The median (range) TLNC was 19 (3–59). Nodal metastasis occurred in 157 patients (42·4 per cent); the median (range) number of involved nodes and LNR were 2 (1–19) and 0·11 (0·02–0·80) respectively. Four or more involved nodes was associated with a significantly shorter median survival (1·3 versus 2·2 years; P = 0·001), as was a LNR of at least 0·17 (1·4 versus 2·3 years; P = 0·002). Involvement of nodes along the common hepatic artery, present in 21 patients (13·4 per cent), was also associated with a shorter survival (median 1·3 versus 2·1 years; P = 0·046). Multivariable analysis among 157 node‐positive patients identified the number of involved nodes as an independent prognostic factor (risk ratio 1·87; P = 0·002).
Conclusion
The number of involved nodes was a strong predictor of survival in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma.
Number of involved nodes predicts survival after surgery
Abstract The present investigation was aimed to examine the percentage quantity of protein and amino acids in scales and muscles of Pampus argenteus and Parastromateus niger gathered from the local ...fish market of district Quetta of Balochistan. About 80 specimens of these two species, i.e., Pampus argenteus (N=40) and Parastromateus niger (N = 40), were collected from April 2017 to May 2018. In general, crude protein content was high in scales, that is, 71.03% in Parastromateus niger and 52.11% in Pampus argenteus, as well as in muscles of two Pomfret species of fishes i.e., 63.44% in Pampus argenteus and 60.99% in Parastromateus niger on a dry-weight basis, respectively. Likewise, the muscles and scales of Parastromateus niger reveal well compositions of amino acids that include proline was found to be high, and methionine was less than other amino acids, whereas threonine was found high in the scales of Pampus argenteus, but methionine was observed in lesser amount. However, the amino acids found in Pampus argenteus muscles also showed different compositions, such as lysine was found to be high, but histidine was less, respectively. In comparison, amino acids like tryptophan and cysteine were not detected in both scales and muscles of thesePomfret species of fishes. Thus, this study was based on analyzing the utilization of both Pomfret species of scales and meat whether they could have values as good supplements of both protein and certain kinds of essential amino acids in animal diets.
Resumo A presente investigação teve como objetivo examinar a quantidade percentual de proteínas e aminoácidos em escamas e músculos de Pampus argenteus e Parastromateus niger coletados no mercado de peixes local do distrito de Quetta, no Baluchistão. Cerca de 80 exemplares dessas duas espécies, ou seja, Pampus argenteus (N=40) e Parastromateus niger (N=40), foram coletadas de abril de 2017 a maio de 2018. Em geral, o teor de proteína bruta foi alto em escamas, ou seja, 71,03% em Parastromateus niger e 52,11% em Pampus argenteus, bem como em músculos de duas espécies de peixes Pomfret, ou seja, 63,44% em Pampus argenteus e 60,99% em Parastromateus niger em base de peso seco, respectivamente. Da mesma forma, os músculos e escamas de Parastromateus niger revelam que as composições de aminoácidos que incluem prolina são altas, e a metionina é menor do que outros aminoácidos, enquanto a treonina foi encontrada alta nas escamas de Pampus argenteus, mas a metionina foi observada em quantidade menor. No entanto, os aminoácidos encontrados nos músculos de Pampus argenteus também apresentaram composições diferentes, como a lisina foi alta, mas a histidina foi menor, respectivamente. Em comparação, aminoácidos como triptofano e cisteína não foram detectados em ambas as escamas e músculos dessas espécies de peixes Pomfret. Assim, este estudo procurou analisar a utilização de ambas as espécies Pomfret de escamas e carne, e se eles poderiam ter valores como bons suplementos de proteína e certos tipos de aminoácidos essenciais em dietas de animais.
Using all-sky maps obtained from the Cosmic Background Explorer/Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) at 3.5 and 4.9 mu m, we present a reanalysis of diffuse sky emissions such as zodiacal ...light (ZL), diffuse Galactic light (DGL), integrated starlight (ISL), and isotropic residual emission including the extragalactic background light (EBL). Our new analysis, which includes an improved estimate of ISL using the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer data, enabled us to find the DGL signal in a direct linear correlation between diffuse near-infrared and 100 mu m emission at high Galactic latitudes (b> 35degrees). At 3.5 mu m, the high-latitude DGL result is comparable to the low-latitude value derived from the previous DIRBE analysis. In comparison with models of the DGL spectrum assuming a size distribution of dust grains composed of amorphous silicate, graphite, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), the measured DGL values at 3.5 and 4.9 mu m constrain the mass fraction of PAH particles in the total dust species to be more than ~2%. This was consistent with the results of Spitzer/IRAC toward the lower Galactic latitude regions. The derived residual emission of 8.9 + or - 3.4 nWm super(-2) sr super(-1) at 3.5 mu m is marginally consistent with the level of integrated galaxy light and the EBL constraints from the gamma -ray observations. The residual emission at 4.9 mu m is not significantly detected due to the large uncertainty in the ZL subtraction, the same as in previous studies. Combined with our reanalysis of the DIRBE data at 1.25 and 2.2 mu m, the residual emission in the near-infrared exhibits the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum.
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