International Christian University

The goldfish, a member of the Cyprinidae (minnow family) is an important and relevant model for understanding how fish function and reproduce and can be better managed. Here, we review recent studies of this species and its strengths as a model system. First, we review current understanding of how its neuroendocrine system regulates gonadotropin release, and then steroidogenesis and finally gonadal maturation in both males and females. Endocrine determinants of gender and sexual plasticity are described. Effects of the fish androgen, 11-ketotestosterone, on sexual and spawning behavior of males and females are reviewed. We also describe how several hormones (androstenedione, 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregen-3-one, prostaglandin F2α) and their metabolites function as "hormonal pheromones" to synchronize male-female spawning behavior and physiology. Insight provided by the goldfish has enhanced understanding of the neurobiology, toxicology, and comparative physiology of other fishes and provided lessons applicable to the culture of commercial carp and the control of invasive species, as well as conservation.

For learners who find reading easier than listening and struggle to keep up with the speed of native speakers, listening practice that emphasizes linking sounds to written words and adapting to speech rate is essential. This study investigates the effects of deferred multimodal presentation , an input method that temporally separates reading and listening. Unlike simultaneous input (e.g., reading-while-listening), this sequential approach reduces cognitive load by preventing split attention and facilitates auditory decoding by leveraging prior information from another modality. Ninety-nine Japanese EFL learners, including a control group, engaged in five days of structured practice under one of four conditions: (1) normal-rate audio only, (2) fast-rate audio only, (3) transcript reading followed by normal-rate audio, or (4) transcript reading followed by fast-rate audio. Posttest results after the five-day practice sessions showed that transcript-supported listening—particularly when followed by fast-rate audio—led to greater improvements in both listening proficiency and adaptation to fast speech compared to audio-only conditions. These findings suggest that deferred multimodal input enhances predictive coding—the brain's mechanism for inferring incoming information based on prior knowledge—and supports the consolidation of meaning retrieval. Through such practice, learners can form sound–meaning integrated representations, ultimately improving their listening proficiency. • Deferred multimodal input promotes retrieval and sound–meaning mapping during listening. • Prior knowledge makes challenging auditory input more learnable and predictable. • Pre-listening transcript reading supports top-down processing in L2 listening. • Fast-rate listening with transcript reading improves L2 listening and processing speed. • Predictive coding helps store accurate, meaning-linked speech representations for better L2 listening.

The nondestructive detection of metallic lithium (Li) within lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential for both ensuring safety and assessing battery quality prior to reuse. In this study, we demonstrate that elemental analysis with muonic X-rays offers a quantitative approach for identifying metallic Li deposition on graphite anodes in a laminated LIB. The technique leverages the preferential capture of negative muons by metallic Li over Li intercalated in graphite, resulting in detection of metallic Li. By applying this method to laminated LIBs with varying amounts of metallic Li, we established a standard curve correlating the muonic X-ray signal intensity with the areal density of metallic Li. Our approach achieves a detection limit of 0.01 mg/cm2, corresponding to a few percent of the battery's theoretical capacity─well below the threshold relevant for reuse criteria. This technique provides a powerful, nondestructive diagnostic tool for monitoring and quantifying metallic Li in LIBs, offering valuable insights into degradation mechanisms and supporting the development of safer, longer-lasting battery systems.

Some types of Internet security countermeasures require cooperative adoption to effectively defend against cyberattacks, such as authentication mechanisms that prevent spoofing attacks. In these mechanisms, both the information source and the receiver must participate: the source signs the information, and the receiver verifies it. Adoption by only one party is insufficient, creating a social dilemma where cooperative adoption maximizes social welfare, but individual incentives diminish if others do not adopt. Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) is an example of such a mechanism, protecting against spoofing in Internet routing. Its effectiveness depends on the adoption rate across network paths and has been hindered by a low adoption ratio. However, recent trends show a moderate increase in RPKI adoption. This paper investigates the reasons behind this adoption, considering the roles of altruism, bounded rationality, and the influence of network externality. Through multi-agent simulations, we explore how these factors interact. Our findings suggest that while bounded rationality is crucial for overcoming the social dilemma, the effect of altruism is limited, and the underlying network externality also plays a significant role in facilitating spontaneous adoption across the network. These insights have implications for both network operators and policymakers in designing strategies to promote the widespread adoption of security technologies.

Abstract After more than 2 years of intense public debate, controversy, and nationwide protests, the Amendment Bill on Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA) was passed into law by the Japanese Diet in June 2023 and took full effect in June 2024. The Bill contained problematic proposals regarding asylum, detention, and deportation, receiving harsh national and international criticism. The legislative negotiation process saw a real possibility of bipartisan compromise and substantial revisions to reduce the risks for unlawfully staying asylum seekers. Ironically, this possibility was crushed by a few politicians and pro-human rights activists who rejected any compromise and inadvertently allowed the original government-sponsored Bill to be passed by the Diet. Based on my direct involvement in the negotiation process as an independent expert witness who testified before the Japanese Diet, this field reflection underlines the critical importance of political analysis and strategic concessions, particularly on controversial subjects like irregular migration and failed asylum seekers.

This paper comprehensively reports experimental proof of parity violation in the ground and photoexcited states of three mirror-symmetric Si–Si bond polymers in homogeneous solutions of achiral molecules under non-stirring conditions by analyzing 370 chiroptical datasets relating to multiple second-order helix–helix transitions in the circular dichroism (CD) of poly(di-i-butylsilane) (iBS), poly(di-i-pentylsilane) (iPS), and poly(di-i-hexylsilane) (iHS) in achiral alkanols and p-dioxane-h8/-d8. Particularly large (–)-CD of gabs = −3.1 × 10−2 at 290 nm was found for iBS in i-pentanol at 25 °C. Notably, iPS in n-propanol at −5 °C generated (–)-CD with gabs = −0.48 × 10−2 at 300 nm, but (+)-circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with glum = +0.84 × 10−2 at 326 nm. In contrast, iHS in n-octanol at 0 °C showed only very weak (–)-CD of gabs ~−0.03 × 10−2 at 310 nm. The H/D isotopes of p-dioxane-h8/-d8 weakly affected the helix–helix transition characteristics of iBS. (–)-Sign vibrational CD signals assigned to the handed symmetric and asymmetric bending modes of the CH3 and CH2 groups of the solvents and other achiral molecules were observed. We assumed (i) three 1H nuclear-spin-1/2 induced handed motions of CH3 rotors at i-alkyl side chains and achiral alkanols, and (ii) helical main-chain Si atoms (δ+) coordinated by handed lone pairs at oxygen (δ−) in gauche-containing n- and i-alkanols induced by the CH3 rotors. A possible origin of biomolecular handedness is proposed based on the first observation of far-UV CD and UV spectra of zwitterionic glycine bearing H3N+ rotor in neutral H2O.

Abstract In this study, the digital optical phase conjugation method using cameras and spatial light modulators was employed to correct wavefront distortions over a 30 m distance. In the experiment, the system exhibited a delay of 12 ± 3 ms from camera exposure to phase-conjugated light (PCL) generation. The method was tested for its ability to track moving targets. By shifting the target at regular intervals, PCL tracked the target with a movement error of 1.9%, exhibiting a linear response. It compensated for artificial atmospheric disturbances, reducing beam fluctuation by 76% compared with non-PCL. This approach shows great potential for achieving stable optical transmission under real-world conditions.

BackgroundSepsis is a leading cause of death in intensive care units (ICU). Sepsis survivors are often left with significant morbidity, termed post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), impacting post-sepsis life. The aim was to present detailed data on the prognostic and functional long-term outcomes of ICU patients with sepsis in Japan, which is currently lacking and therefore prevents development of targeted solutions.MethodsA multicenter prospective study, involving 21 ICUs in 20 tertiary hospitals in Japan, included all consecutive adult ICU patients between November 2020 and April 2022, and diagnosed with sepsis at ICU admission (Sepsis 3). Follow-ups were performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after hospital discharge by telephone and mail. Primary outcome was death or incidence of PICS, defined by any of physical dysfunction (Barthel Index ≤ 90), cognitive dysfunction (Short Memory Questionnaire < 40), or mental disorder (any subscales for anxiety or depression of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ≥ 8, or Impact of Event Scale-Revised ≥ 25). Secondary outcomes included Quality of Life (QOL), employment, and use of hospital, emergency, rehabilitation, and psychiatric services. A multivariable analysis investigated independent factors associated with each dysfunction at each follow-up.ResultsA total of 339 patients were included (median age 74 [67–82] years, 60% male, 77% septic shock, and a median SOFA of 9 [6–12]). Mortality was 23% at hospital discharge, increasing to 37% at 12 months. The rate of death or those who met PICS Criteria at hospital discharge was 89%, with a death or PICS incidence of 73%, 64%, and 65% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Limited improvements in QOL and return to work (44%), high rates of hospital readmissions (40%), frequent emergency service usage (31%), and low utilization of rehabilitation and psychiatric services (15% and 7%) were identified over the first year. The incidence of any PICS-related dysfunction was consistently an independent factor for the incidence of the same dysfunction at the following follow-ups.ConclusionsThis multicenter study identified the distinct realities of post-sepsis life in Japanese ICU patients, highlighting the unique challenges in improving their functions and returning to daily life.Trial RegistrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network UMIN000041433