Bunka Gakuen University

Existing XR simulators for enteral feeding rely mainly on self-reported learning outcomes and procedural checklists. As a result, they offer limited opportunities to capture objective behavioral data or to present dynamic patient reactions. This two-stage pilot study evaluated an XR-based gastrostomy tube-feeding simulator (ESTE-TF) that integrates sensor-derived performance metrics and two biological-reaction presentation modalities (projection mapping and tablet display). In Experiment 1, nursing students completed pre- and post-experience questionnaires assessing perceived learning across seven domains, alongside sensor-based measurements of feeding-start timing, dosing-rate characteristics, and total procedure time. Experiment 2 employed a tablet-based version with four learning items assessed for students and post-experience evaluations collected from registered nurses. Participants also compared the two XR presentation methods. Students demonstrated perceived learning gains of small-to-large magnitude across both experiments (Experiment 1: d = 0.455-0.974; Experiment 2: d = 0.014-0.886), with wide 95% confidence intervals reflecting the exploratory nature of this pilot work. Sensor-derived data showed greater dosing-rate variability and longer procedure times among students than nurses. Participants reported that projection mapping offered a more embodied experience, whereas tablet displays provided clearer visibility. These findings indicate the feasibility and preliminary educational potential of integrating sensing technologies with XR-based biological-reaction presentation for gastrostomy-feeding training. Given the small samples and non-validated measures, results should be interpreted as exploratory. Future research will refine sensor accuracy, establish standardized performance metrics, and evaluate learning outcomes using validated instruments and controlled study designs.

Abstract The sensitivity of slow earthquakes to weak tidal stress perturbations suggests that weak external perturbations may be involved in inducing slow earthquakes. Here, we model subsurface rock pressure-stress accumulation and release, suggesting that repetitive pulses of intermittent rockburst energy from moderately divergent Brownian motion resulting from the accumulation of pore pressures and stresses can lead to slow-slip pulsed ruptures and episodic tremors. Sustained weak external perturbations through fault zones/subducted slabs can lead to internal pressure stress accumulation in specific rocks, which is the key to repetitive rockbursts. To validate this theoretical derivation, we developed a time-domain seismic wave decomposition method to extract seismic radiant energy and other components from seismic waves by simulating seismic wave propagation, which is impossible with existing methods. The data of Japan's strong earthquakes from 2001-2021 show that the preseismic events are consistent with the main characteristics of slow earthquakes and that there is a significant positive/negative correlation between seismic peak energy and preseismic moments/subduction periods, which supports the theoretical derivation. The energy pulses emitted by rockbursts show a diurnal cycle consisting of two semidiurnal cycles, which provides evidence that tidal semidiurnal cycles, diurnal temperature differences, diurnal geomagnetic variations, and intermittent dehydrating fluids induce slow earthquakes.

Background and study aims Endoscopic hemostasis is a life-saving procedure for gastrointestinal bleeding; however, training for it is often performed on real patients and during urgent situations that put patients at risk. Reports of simulation-based training models for endoscopic hemostasis are scarce. Herein, we developed a novel simulator called "Medical Rising STAR-Ulcer type" to practice endoscopic hemostasis with hemoclips and coagulation graspers. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of the clinical difficulty of this model and the effectiveness of simulation-based training for clipping hemostasis. Patients and methods This was a prospective educational study. Fifty gastroenterology residents from Japan and Canada were recruited to participate in a simulation-based training program. The primary outcome was the success rate for clipping hemostasis. We measured differences in trainee subjective assessment scores and evaluated the co-occurrence network based on comments after training. Results The hemostasis success rate of the trainees significantly increased after instruction (64% vs. 86%, P < 0.05). The success rate for ulcers in the upper body of the stomach (59%), a high-difficulty site, was significantly lower than that for ulcers in the antrum, even after feedback and instruction. Trainee self-perceived proficiency and confidence significantly improved after simulation-based training ( P < 0.05). Co-occurrence network analysis showed that trainees valued a structured learning approach, acknowledged simulator limitations, and recognized the need for continuous skill refinement. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the potential of our simulation-based training model as a valuable tool for improving technical skills and confidence in trainees learning to perform endoscopic hemostasis.

This study was aimed at expressing stretchability of various fabrics. The stretchability evaluation of various fabrics was quantified. For this, we defined "stretching sensation of fabric (SSF)," which quantifies the elasticity evaluation by humans. We compared the stretchability of fabrics with different fibers, weaves, and yarn thicknesses (test stimuli) and created a stretchability scale based on mechanical property values (comparison stimuli). The SSFs were calculated from the approximate curves created based on the results and compared to examine the tendency of humans to evaluate elasticity and factors that influence the evaluation. Consequently, we successfully calculated the SSFs and quantified the elasticity evaluation by considering human sensation. Furthermore, the relationship between SSF and each fiber indicated a reversed trend for woven and knitted fabrics. The difference between the evaluation trends of woven and knitted fabrics for the same fiber suggested a significant effect of the differences in fibers on the human inference of elasticity.

Since ISO 20471 regulations(2013) were enacted, high-visibility clothing made of fluorescent fabric and retro-reflective materials has been standardized to distinguish the wearers from the surrounding background in a dark place and to protect them. Accordingly, we made high-visibility safety clothing based on the international standards, and examined the positions of the retro-reflective materials on the attached sites to evaluate the suitability of the positions, by 3 types of safety clothing and the body regions when the wearers work or move. Two retro-reflective films of 5cm-horizontal lines were attached to the front/back of the upper-wear, and the lower-wear. Vertical lines were attached from the shoulder to the horizontal waistline. To analyze the motion in 3-dimension, we took pictured infrared-reflective markers on the retro-reflective film covered with yellow-tape on the front-side when 6 subjects wearing experimental garments performed 6 types of motions. According to the metronome tempo, the motions were performed for 30 seconds and repeated 6 motions ①∼⑥ by 3 experimental clothing. Among the 6 motions, significant differences in the appearance rate of the markers by body region during the motions were found in 5 types except for motion ③. Significant differences by the post-hoc test were shown in motions ④ and ⑥ as well. Therefore, for high-visibility safety clothing, it is necessary to anticipate the worker's motion and consider the attaching position of the retro-reflective material. It is considered desirable to attach the retro-reflective materials to several places where the clothing is hard to wrinkle.

The design and quality of the neighbourhood built environment can encourage health-supportive behaviours and support cardiometabolic health. However, despite the relationships between demographic and behavioural risk factors of metabolic syndrome being investigated by many studies, only some studies have directly estimated the associations between the built environment and metabolic syndrome. Using data from Canada, we examined the associations between the neighbourhood built environment and metabolic syndrome. Data from Alberta’s Tomorrow Project participants, conducted in Alberta, Canada, was used (n = 6718). Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of at least three clinical risk factors among lipid levels, blood pressure, and waist circumference. The normalised difference vegetation index was used to quantify the greenness of each participant’s neighbourhood. Built attributes of participants’ neighbourhoods associated with supporting physical activity, including dwelling density, intersection density, and the number of points of interest, were obtained via the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium. Increases in the number of points of interest and total active living environment-friendliness of the neighbourhood were associated with having fewer metabolic syndrome risk factors (b = −0.11, 95% CI −0.16, −0.07 and b = −0.03, 95% CI −0.05, −0.01, respectively) and lower odds of metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.84, 0.094 and OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.95, 0.99, respectively). Furthermore, higher dwelling density was associated with having fewer metabolic syndrome risk factors (b = −0.05, 95% CI −0.09, −0.01). Our findings highlight the importance of urban design to prevent and potentially manage metabolic syndrome and improve population health.

High-quality sleep is an important factor in sustaining health and improving well-being. Previous evidence has demonstrated the positive associations between increased physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviour (SB) with sleep quality. The substitutional relationships between SB, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) need to be considered when examining how a particular behaviour may impact sleep quality. No studies, to our knowledge, have explored these substitutional relationships in middle-aged adulthood. Using an isotemporal substitution approach, this study examined the associations of replacing sedentary time with physical activity on sleep quality measures in a sample of middle-aged adults in Japan. Data from 683 adults aged 40–64 living in Japan were used. The average daily time spent in SB, LPA, and MVPA was objectively assessed by accelerometers. Two self-reported sleep quality measures were obtained using questionnaires, including rest by sleep and sleep quality. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the associations of SB, LPA, and MVPA with the sleep quality measures stratified by gender. We found that each 60 min unit of SB or LPA replaced with MVPA was favourably associated with rest by sleep among women (β = 0.16, 95% CI 0.07, 0.28, p < 0.001; β = 0.18, 95% CI 0.07, 0.32, p < 0.05, respectively). There were no significant associations between SB, LPA, and MVPA with sleep measures in men across all three models. These findings indicate that higher MVPA has a positive association with sleep quality in middle-aged women.

Background and ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the associations between time spent in 6 different domains of sedentary behavior and happiness and whether social capital mediated such associations among adults and older adults living in a rural area of Japan.Research Design and MethodsCross-sectional data from 3,357 participants (mean age: 60 ± 16 years) were used. 6 domains of sedentary behavior, happiness, and social capital were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Age-stratified multivariable linear regression models adjusted for covariates were used to examine the associations between 6 domains of sedentary behavior and happiness. For relationships where the direct effect was significant, we tested the mediating effects of 2 social capital measures.ResultsAmong both adults and older adults, more time spent viewing television was significantly associated with lower happiness scores, and more time spent engaging in other leisure activities was significantly associated with higher happiness scores. In addition, more time spent using cell phones and computers was significantly associated with lower happiness scores among the adults. Engaging in activities with neighbors significantly mediated the relationship between other leisure activities and happiness in the adults and older adults, and between television viewing and happiness in the older adults.Discussion and ImplicationsOur findings indicated that less television viewing and more mentally active sedentary behavior (e.g., talking with others and engaging in hobbies) were associated with greater happiness. One aspect of social capital, engaging in activities with neighbors, acts as a potential mediator for relationships between sedentary behavior and happiness.

Background: The aim of this clinical study was to reveal the relationship between body dehydration and oral mucosa moisture measured by the use of a capacitance sensor for oral epithelial moisture. Methods: The following clinical parameters were recorded from each one of 19 athletes in a one-week period of high-intensity exercise at the U-23 Triathlon Training Camp in summer and winter; body weight, urine specific gravity, oral mucosa moisture, subjective oral thirst, and subjective throat thirst (within 30 min after waking and before breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Day2 and Day6). Results: There were no significant differences in the mean values of body weight, urine specific gravity, oral mucosa moisture, oral thirst, and throat thirst between Day2 and Day6 in both measurements in summer and winter. The oral mucosa moisture had a moderate negative correlation with urine specific gravity (p &lt; 0.05, r = −0.45). Conclusions: This study suggests that oral mucosal moisture determined using an oral moisture-checking device could be a potential index for assessing dehydration during sports activities.

This study examined the influence of interpersonal stressors, and interpersonal stress coping methods, on depression among teachers. Interpersonal stressors include 1) interpersonal conflict; 2) interpersonal blunders; and 3) interpersonal friction. Interpersonal stress coping methods are 1) positive-relationship oriented; 2) negative-relationship oriented; or 3) postponed-solution oriented. Participants were 424 teachers from preschools, elementary/middle/high schools, and special needs schools. All three types of interpersonal stressors, and the negative-relationship oriented coping method, had significant and positive influences on depression. In contrast, the postponed-solution coping method had a significant and negative effect on depression.