How does error correction occur during lexical learning?

We examined two theories of the mechanisms that enable error correction via corrective feedback. One theory focuses on enhancing the encoding of corrective feedback (corrective feedback-encoding facilitation account). The other is the recursive reminding theory, which considers memory integration between an initial event with error generation and a subsequent event involving correct answer feedback. The Japanese idiom pronunciation task was used in two experiments, in which it was manipulated whether the generated errors were visually presented, as well as corrective feedback. In an immediate retest after a five-minute retention interval, participants recalled their errors in the initial test and their correct answers. In addition, error trials fell into three ordinal confidence categories (low, medium, and high). First, a typical hypercorrection was replicated in which higher-confidence errors are more likely to be corrected. However, this was not observed when errors from the initial test were not recalled in the final test, which does not align with the corrective feedback-encoding facilitation account. The second issue was whether additional experience with the generated errors would enhance the error correction. Given the recursive reminding theory, the additional experience of errors should reinforce the mutual dependence between an error and the correct answer provided by feedback, improving cued recall performance later. This prediction is supported. The present findings suggest that the recursive reminding theory can explain the benefits of generating errors when learning through corrective feedback and can also be expanded to understand the hypercorrection effect.

Short-Chain Mono-Alkyl ß-D-Glucoside Crystals-Do They Form a Cubic Crystal Structure?

Three-dimensional liquid crystal (LC) phases, cubic LC phases, have been extensively studied as fascinating molecular assembled systems formed by amphiphilic compounds. However, similar structures have only been seen in rare instances in lipid crystal states in glycolipid crystal studies. In this study, we prepared short-chain n-alkyl ß-D-glucosides (CnG) with an alkyl chain length n ranging from 4 to 6 and investigated their crystal structures. First, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) measurements showed the formation of hydrated crystals for C4G and C5G, respectively. Second, the crystal structures of CnG (n = 4, 5, 6) in both anhydrous and hydrated states were examined using a temperature-controlled powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurement. Both hydrate and anhydrous crystals of C4G and C5G with critical packing parameters (CPPs) less than 0.33 formed cubic crystal phases. Bilayer lengths, calculated from the main diffraction peaks in each PXRD profile, depended on crystalline moisture for C5G, but no significant change was confirmed for C4G, indicating that the properties of each hydrophilic layer differ. However, C6G with a CPP of 0.42 formed a crystal structure with a modulated lamellar structure similar to C7G and C8G with similar CPP values. Thus, a glycolipid motif concept with a cubic crystal structure was demonstrated.

Structural Insights into Solid-to-Solid Phase Transition and Modulated Crystal Formation in Octyl-ß-d-Galactoside Crystals.

Despite the significance of synthetic monotailed ß-linked galactolipids, for a detailed understanding of natural galactolipids, many aspects of these ß-linked galactolipids' crystal structures such as temperature-dependence and hydration characteristics remain inadequately understood. In this manuscript, we demonstrated detailed insight of crystal characteristics of one of the simplest monotailed galactolipids, octyl-ß-d-galactoside (MOß-Gal), using thermal analyses, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements and grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray diffraction (GI-WAXD) analysis. As a result, it was revealed that the MOß-Gal anhydrous crystal showed a continuous structural change from the high-symmetry structure to low-symmetry crystal lattice via the strengthened hydrogen bonding interaction as the temperature decreased. In addition, the hemihydrate crystal was found to be in the modulated "ribbon phase". These insights strongly suggest that ß-linked galactolipids possess intrinsic characteristics necessary to form a modulated structure even in the crystal state and demonstrate the importance of the presence of tiny amounts of water as cushioning media for preventing order parameter evolution.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of N-C Axially Chiral Phenanthridin-6-one Derivatives.

N-C axially chiral phenanthridin-6-one derivatives bearing various ortho-substituted phenyl groups on the nitrogen atom were enantioselectively prepared through (R)-DTBM-SEGPHOS-Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed intramolecular Buchwald-Hartwig amination. The enantioselectivity strongly depended on solvents, bases, and reaction temperature as well as on the bulkiness of ortho-substituents.

Development of Ca2+-release mechanisms during oocyte maturation of the starfish Asterina pectinifera.

An important step for successful fertilization and further development is the increase in intracellular Ca2+ in the activated oocyte. It has been known that starfish oocytes become increasingly sensitive to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) during meiotic maturation to exhibit highly efficient IP3-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) by the time of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). However, we noted that the peak level of intracellular Ca2+ increase after insemination is already high in the maturing oocytes before GVBD. Using maturing oocytes before GVBD, we investigated Ca2+ release mechanisms other than IICR. We report here that Ca2+-release mechanisms dependent on nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADP), the precursor of NAADP, became functional prior to the development of IICR mechanisms. As with IP3, but unlike NAADP, the Ca2+ stores responsive to NADP are sensitized during the meiotic maturation induced by 1-methyladenine (1-MA). This suggests that the process may represent a physiological response to the maturation hormone. NADP-dependent Ca2+ release in immature oocytes, however, did not induce oocyte maturation by itself, but was enhanced by the conditions mimicking the increases of intracellular Ca2+ and pH that take place in the maturing oocytes of starfish.

Management of apple orchards to conserve generalist phytoseiid mites suppresses two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).

To improve the success of integrated pest management (IPM) in apple orchards, we investigated whether generalist phytoseiid mites have suppressed the occurrence of Tetranychus urticae. In Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, in 2012 and 2013, two types of experimental plot were compared. Conservation plots had been managed for the conservation of generalist phytoseiid mites by selective chemical spraying without mowing since 2009. Conventional plots were managed by non-selective chemical spraying with regular mowing. The conservation plots had significantly fewer T. urticae adult females per tree in both years. Two species of generalist phytoseiid mites-Typhlodromus vulgaris and Amblyseius tsugawai-were continuously present in the conservation plots, with only a few T. urticae. The conservation plots had significantly more A. tsugawai adult females in the undergrowth in both years, and significantly more T. vulgaris adult females on apple leaves in 2012. Typhlodromus vulgaris was continuously present in the conservation plots but was scarce from late May to early August in the conventional plots. In the presence of T. vulgaris, low numbers of T. urticae did not increase on apple leaves. These results indicate that the generalist phytoseiid mites serve as important biological control agents in IPM in apple orchards.

Controlling X-ray beam trajectory with a flexible hollow glass fibre.

A metre-length flexible hollow glass fibre with 20 µm-bore and 1.5 mm-cladding diameters for transporting a synchrotron X-ray beam and controlling the trajectory has been examined. The large cladding diameter maintains a moderate curvature to satisfy the shallow glancing angle of total reflection. The observed transmission efficiency was more than 20% at 12.4 keV. As a demonstration, a wide-area scan of a synchrotron radiation beam was performed to identify the elements for a fixed metal film through its absorption spectra.

Structure evolution of poly(3-hexylthiophene) on Si wafer and poly(vinylphenol) sublayer.

The structure evolution of P3HT thin films on Si wafer and PVPh covered Si wafer during heating, thermal annealing, and melt recrystallization processes has been studied in detail using X-ray analysis techniques. The effect of substrate on the crystallization behavior and interface structure of P3HT films was explored. For the P3HT films deposited on the Si substrate, it was found that the stability of P3HT crystals is orientation dependent. The crystals oriented with b-axis normal to the substrate, that is, a face-on molecular orientation, are less stable than those with the a-axis arranged normal to the substrate (side-on molecular orientation). Thermal annealing temperature plays an important role in the molecular structure of P3HT including crystal structure, film thickness, and surface roughness. After annealing at relatively high temperature, new crystals form during the cooling process accompanied by the shrinking of a-axis. Moreover, the melt recrystallization favors the formation of more stable P3HT crystals with side-on molecular orientation. The PVPh substrate does not affect the crystallization behavior of solution cast P3HT significantly but inhibits the formation of P3HT crystal with face-on molecular orientation. However, the interfacial morphology of P3HT and PVPh changes by annealing at elevated temperature. The P3HT/PVPh interface changes from a sharply defined one into a diffused one at around 160 °C. The PVPh sublayer inhibits the melt recrystallization of P3HT to some extent, leading to a slight expansion of the a-axis.

Hemostasis during the early stages of trauma: comparison with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

INTRODUCTION: We tested two hypotheses that disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and acute coagulopathy of trauma-shock (ACOTS) in the early phase of trauma are similar disease entities and that the DIC score on admission can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with coagulopathy of trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 562 trauma patients, including 338 patients whose data were obtained immediately after admission to the emergency department. We collected serial data for the platelet counts, global markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis, and antithrombin levels. DIC was diagnosed according to the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) DIC scoring system, and ACOTS was defined as a prothrombin-time ratio of >1.2. RESULTS: The higher levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer and greater FDP/D-dimer ratios in the DIC patients suggested DIC with the fibrinolytic phenotype. The DIC patients with the fibrinolytic phenotype exhibited persistently lower platelet counts and fibrinogen levels, increased prothrombin time ratios, higher FDP and D-dimer levels, and lower antithrombin levels compared with the non-DIC patients on arrival to the emergency department and during the early stage of trauma. Almost all ACOTS patients met the criteria for a diagnosis of DIC; therefore, the same changes were observed in the platelet counts, global markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis, and antithrombin levels as noted in the DIC patients. The JAAM DIC score obtained immediately after arrival to the emergency department was an independent predictor of massive transfusion and death due to trauma and correlated with the amount of blood transfused. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who develop DIC with the fibrinolytic phenotype during the early stage of trauma exhibit consumption coagulopathy associated with increased fibrin(ogen)olysis and lower levels of antithrombin. The same is true in patients with ACOTS. The JAAM DIC score can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with coagulopathy of trauma.

Splenic injury caused by cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a full stomach with hematoma after hemorrhagic shock due to bleeding duodenal ulcer: A case report.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is essential for cardiopulmonary arrest, but complications from chest compressions warrant monitoring. Although rib and sternal fractures are common, abdominal injuries are rare, and splenic injuries are much rarer. Case Presentation: A 74-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room with a hemorrhagic duodenal ulcer. During hospitalization, the patient went into cardiopulmonary arrest due to hemorrhagic shock. Spontaneous circulation returned after 7 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He underwent transcatheter arterial embolization to stop the bleeding from the duodenal ulcer. The next day, a close examination of the patient's progressive anemia revealed splenic injury; transcatheter arterial embolization was performed to save his life. Conclusion: It is important to consider the complication of splenic injury in patients with cardiopulmonary arrest who have undergone appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A possible mechanism-especially in patients with a full stomach-is the squeezing of the spleen by the diaphragm, abdominal wall, and stomach.

Improving Visualization of In-stent Lumen Using Prototype Photon-counting Detector Computed Tomography with High-resolution Plaque Kernel.

The study aimed to compare the performance of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD CT) with high-resolution (HR)-plaque kernel with that of the energy-integrating detector CT (EID CT) in terms of the visualization of the lumen size and the in-stent stenotic portion at different coronary vessel angles. The lumen sizes in PCD CT and EID CT images were 2.13 and 1.80 mm at 0°, 2.20 and 1.77 mm at 45°, and 2.27 mm and 1.67 mm at 90°, respectively. The lumen sizes in PCD CT with HR-plaque kernel were wider than those in EID CT. The mean degree of the in-stent stenotic portion at 50% was 69.7% for PCD CT and 90.4% for EID CT. PCD CT images with HR-plaque kernel enable improved visualization of lumen size and accurate measurements of the in-stent stenotic portion compared to conventional EID CT images regardless of the stent direction.

Confinement effects on glass transition temperature, transition breadth, and linear expansivity: an ultraslow X-ray reflectivity study on supported ultrathin polystyrene films.

X-ray reflectivity measurements of the glass transition in thin polystyrene films supported on Si substrates were performed at slow cooling rates ranging from 0.62 to 0.01 (°)C/min. At a cooling rate of 0.14 (°)C/min, a depression in the glass transition temperature Tg was clearly observed with decreasing thickness. However, at a cooling rate of 0.62 (°)C/min, only a slight decrease in Tg for a 12-nm-thick film was observed, while at an ultraslow cooling rate of 0.01 °C/min, a significant reduction in the Tg of ultrathin films (12 and 6 nm) was observed. As the thickness decreased, a broadening in the width of the glass transition, w, was found at higher cooling rates (0.62 °C/min and 0.14 °C/min), while narrowing of w was observed at ultraslow cooling rates of 0.01 °C/min and 0.04 °C/min. A narrow distribution of relaxation time in the ultrathin films indicates that most segments are able to relax under the ultraslow cooling process, thus showing an inherent reduction in the Tg of the confined thin polymer films.

Cytochrome c polymerization by successive domain swapping at the C-terminal helix.

Cytochrome c (cyt c) is a stable protein that functions in a monomeric state as an electron donor for cytochrome c oxidase. It is also released to the cytosol when permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane occurs at the early stage of apoptosis. For nearly half a century, it has been known that cyt c forms polymers, but the polymerization mechanism remains unknown. We found that cyt c forms polymers by successive domain swapping, where the C-terminal helix is displaced from its original position in the monomer and Met-heme coordination is perturbed significantly. In the crystal structures of dimeric and trimeric cyt c, the C-terminal helices are replaced by the corresponding domain of other cyt c molecules and Met80 is dissociated from the heme. The solution structures of dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric cyt c were linear based on small-angle X-ray scattering measurements, where the trimeric linear structure shifted toward the cyclic structure by addition of PEG and (NH(4))(2)HPO(4). The absorption and CD spectra of high-order oligomers (approximately 40 mer) were similar to those of dimeric and trimeric cyt c but different from those of monomeric cyt c. For dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric cyt c, the DeltaH of the oligomer dissociation to monomers was estimated to be about -20 kcal/mol per protomer unit, where Met-heme coordination appears to contribute largely to DeltaH. The present results suggest that cyt c polymerization occurs by successive domain swapping, which may be a common mechanism of protein polymerization.

Effects of shorter activated coagulation time on hemorrhage during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used for decades, but optimal anticoagulation control remains unknown. This study aimed to compare shorter target activated coagulation time (ACT) criteria with the usual target ACT criteria in terms of complications. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients who received ECMO between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018 in an acute tertiary care hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: (I) those whose target ACT was 160-180 sec and (II) those whose target ACT was 180-220 sec. Cox proportional hazard models and Fine-Gray models adjusted for propensity score to account for the competing risk of death were used to compare the incidence of hemorrhage during ECMO between the groups. RESULTS: We identified 74 patients, 25 of whom were managed with target ACT 160-180 sec, and 49 of whom were managed with target ACT 180-220 sec. In crude analysis, the proportions of patients with hemorrhage in the under 180-sec group were significantly more than those in the over 180-sec group [60.0% (15/25) vs. 28.6% (14/49), p = 0.009]. Shorter target ACT was not associated with hemorrhage during ECMO in either Cox regression (hazard ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-4.80; p = 0.336) or Fine-Gray model (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-3.91; p = 0.324). CONCLUSIONS: The shorter ACT target was not associated with improved hemorrhage and inappropriate coagulation than the usual target ACT criteria. This study is the first to compare the ACT target of patients with ECMO.

Combined X-ray Reflectivity and Infrared Study of the Effect of Hydrogen Bonding of the OH Group on the Relaxation Behavior in Ultrathin Polyvinylphenol Films on SiO2.

Utilizing X-ray reflectivity and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IR-RAS), we have investigated the thermal expansion and contraction of ultrathin polyvinylphenol (PVPh) films supported on a silicon (100) substrate capped with an amorphous SiO2 layer. Despite being known to form strong interactions with the SiO2 surface, the thin PVPh films showed a reduction in the glass-transition point Tg, similar to the behavior of polystyrene thin films deposited on SiO2. We explored the relationship between thermal expansivity and film thickness using well-annealed films and found that it decreases with film thickness in the range below twice the radius of gyration of a polymer chain (2Rg) in the glassy state. Thickness expansion in the glassy state and contraction in thickness at temperatures higher than Tg bulk (melt state) showed the presence of two competing relaxation processes. The reported negative thermal expansion in PVPh thin films, which was discovered to be one of the inherent properties, may have been caused by the fast relaxations that take place at the free polymer surface. IR-RAS was utilized to investigate the effect of thickness on hydrogen bonding in PVPh, and it was confirmed that with decreasing thickness, hydrogen bonding becomes weak, and the number of free OH groups increases. Therefore, thinner PVPh samples exhibit lower Tgs as an effect of easier molecular motions.

An introduction to photon-counting detector CT (PCD CT) for radiologists.

The basic performance of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD CT) is superior to conventional CT (energy-integrating detector CT: EID CT) because its spatial- and contrast resolution of soft tissues is higher, and artifacts are reduced. Because the X-ray photon energy separation is better with PCD CT than conventional EID-based dual-energy CT, it has the potential to improve virtual monochromatic- and virtual non-contrast images, material decomposition including quantification of the iodine distribution, and K-edge imaging. Therefore, its clinical applicability may be increased. Although the image quality of PCD CT scans is superior to that of EID CT currently, further improvement may be possible. The introduction of iterative image reconstruction and reconstruction with deep convolutional neural networks will be useful.

Amatoxin poisoning caused by Galerina sulciceps, a species with no prior record of identification in Japan: a case report.

A 60-year-old man presented with acute gastroenteritis, hypovolemic shock, acute renal failure (BUN/Cr, 56.7/4.24 mg/dl), and aspiration pneumonia. The previous day, he ingested 30 caps of mushrooms of an unknown species. The patient was treated with a massive intravenous infusion, renal replacement therapy, and antimicrobial agents. Late-onset mild liver injury peaked on day 11 (AST/ALT, 62/67 IU/l). Acute renal failure improved once before worsening, with the worst symptoms on day 19 (BUN/Cr, 99/6.61 mg/dl). Thereafter, the patient showed gradual improvement, and renal replacement therapy was discontinued on day 23. His general condition improved fully and he was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation on day 47. The mushrooms were later identified as Galerina sulciceps by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, and toxicologic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed an average of 85 ppm α-amanitin and 330 ppm ß-amanitin in the tissue of the mushrooms brought in by the patient's family. Galerina sulciceps is distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia and had never been identified before in Japan. The heat of fermentation generated by the thick layer of wood chips on the ground or global warming may have contributed to its growth in Japan. Interestingly, our patient did not have liver dysfunction, which is one main and typical amatoxin poisoning symptom. Variation in clinical presentation may be attributed to the different ratios of α-amanitin to ß-amanitin in different mushroom species.

Segmental arterial mediolysis with a ruptured visceral artery on two consecutive days.

Background: We describe a case of segmental arterial mediolysis in which a vessel ruptured on two consecutive days. Case Presentation: A 69-year-old man presented with sudden-onset abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed a hematoma in the gastric wall. The patient was discharged after the pain was relieved but returned 8 h later with abdominal pain and shock. Repeated computed tomography revealed a massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage without previous aneurysm formation. Emergency angiography and coil embolization were successfully carried out. Segmental arterial mediolysis was diagnosed after irregular vasodilated lesions were observed in multiple arteries. Conclusion: This case suggests that accurately predicting the next vessel rupture is difficult. For patients experiencing intra-abdominal bleeding with segmental arterial mediolysis, we suggest treating only ruptured aneurysms and closely following-up unruptured aneurysms.

Physical properties of lactic acid bacteria influence the level of protection against influenza infection in mice.

We evaluated whether the water dispersibility of lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis KH2) affects their efficacy. When cultured lactic acid bacteria are washed, heat-killed, and powdered, adhesion occurs between results in aggregation (non-treated lactic acid bacteria, n-LAB). However, dispersed lactic acid bacteria (d-LAB) with a lower number of aggregates can be prepared by treating them with a high-pressure homogenizer and adding an excipient during powdering. Mice were administered n-LAB or d-LAB Peyer's patches in the small intestine were observed. Following n-LAB administration, a high amount of aggregated bacteria drifting in the intestinal mucosa was observed; meanwhile, d-LAB reached the Peyer's patches and was absorbed into them. Evaluation in a mouse influenza virus infection model showed that d-LAB was more effective than n-LAB in the influenza yield of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids on day 3 post-infection and neutralizing antibody titers of sera and influenza virus-specific immunoglobulin A in the feces on day 14 post-infection. Therefore, the physical properties of lactic acid bacteria affect their efficacy; controlling their water dispersibility can improve their effectiveness.

Safety and efficacy of cold-water immersion in the treatment of older patients with heat stroke: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Heat stroke treatment focuses on rapid cooling because symptom severity correlates with the duration of hyperthermia (i.e., time during which the core body temperature is sustained above the critical threshold). Several reports have revealed that cold-water immersion is a safe and appropriate therapy for exertional heat stroke in young, otherwise healthy patients. However, few reports have assessed cold-water immersion in older patients. We document three cases of cold-water immersion in older heat stroke patients and evaluate its safety and efficacy. CASE PRESENTATION: Three older patients with severe heat stroke were treated with cold-water immersion. Core body temperatures decreased rapidly, and no complications occurred during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Cold-water immersion can achieve rapid cooling and is effective in treating heat stroke. With special precautions, it can be performed safely for older patients. Further investigation is warranted to establish appropriate cooling methods in older adults.