Analysis of the phenomenon of speculative trading in one of its basic manifestations: postage stamp bubbles

We document and analyze the empirical facts concerning one of the clearest evidence of speculation in financial trading as observed in the postage collection stamp market. We unravel some of the mechanisms of speculative behavior which emphasize the role of fancy and collective behavior. In our conclusion, we propose a classification of speculative markets based on two parameters, namely the amplitude of the price peak and a second parameter that measures its ``sharpness''. This study is offered to anchor modeling efforts to realistic market constraints and observations.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures and 2 tables, in press in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

X-ray and Neutron Study on the Structure of Hydrous SiO2 Glass up to 10 GPa

The structure of hydrous amorphous SiO2 is fundamental in order to investigate the effects of water on the physicochemical properties of oxide glasses and magma. The hydrous SiO2 glass with 13 wt.% D2O was synthesized under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions and its structure was investigated by small angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction experiments at pressures of up to 10 GPa and room temperature. This hydrous glass is separated into two phases: a major phase rich in SiO2 and a minor phase rich in D2O molecules distributed as small domains with dimensions of less than 100 angstrom. Medium-range order of the hydrous glass shrinks compared to the anhydrous SiO2 glass by disruption of SiO4 linkage due to the formation of Si-OD deuterioxyl, while the response of its structure to pressure is almost the same as that of the anhydrous SiO2 glass. Most of D2O molecules are in the small domains and hardly penetrate into the void space in the ring consisting of SiO4 tetrahedra

Risk Factors for Infection in Patients with Remitted Rheumatic Diseases Treated with Glucocorticoids

It is well known that infection is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in rheumatic disease patients treated with high-dose glucocorticoids, especially in the early phase after achievement of disease remission. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for infection, with a focus on the dose of glucocorticoids administered, following the achievement of disease remission in rheumatic diseases patients. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of rheumatic disease patients who had been treated with glucocorticoids. The primary endpoint was the incidence rate of infection during a period from 1 to 2 months after the commencement of treatment. From April 2006 to March 2010, 19 of 92 patients suffered from infection during the observation period. Age≧65 yrs, presence of interstitial pneumonia, diagnosis of systemic vasculitis and serum creatinine level≧2.0mg/dl were found to be univariate predictors for infection. However, only the presence of interstitial pneumonia was an independent risk factor for infection (HR＝4.50, 95%CI＝1.65 to 14.44) by the Cox proportional hazard model. Even after achievement of clinical remission, careful observation is needed for patients with interstitial pneumonia, more so than for those receiving high-dose glucocorticoids

Functional Overload Enhances Satellite Cell Properties in Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle represents a plentiful and accessible source of adult stem cells. Skeletal-muscle-derived stem cells, termed satellite cells, play essential roles in postnatal growth, maintenance, repair, and regeneration of skeletal muscle. Although it is well known that the number of satellite cells increases following physical exercise, functional alterations in satellite cells such as proliferative capacity and differentiation efficiency following exercise and their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that functional overload, which is widely used to model resistance exercise, causes skeletal muscle hypertrophy and converts satellite cells from quiescent state to activated state. Our analysis showed that functional overload induces the expression of MyoD in satellite cells and enhances the proliferative capacity and differentiation potential of these cells. The changes in satellite cell properties coincided with the inactivation of Notch signaling and the activation of Wnt signaling and likely involve modulation by transcription factors of the Sox family. These results indicate the effects of resistance exercise on the regulation of satellite cells and provide insight into the molecular mechanism of satellite cell activation following physical exercise

Alternative to Rituximab Therapy for a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis Who Was Unable to Continue Anti-TNF Therapy

We herein present a case of a 38-year-old man who had bamboo spine and severe sacroiliitis and who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Infliximab (IFX) markedly improved the axial symptom but was discontinued due to the side effect of peripheral neuropathy. Switching from IFX to etanercept worsened the side effect. Rituximab (RTX) administration elicited a good response without side effects. RTX might be a suitable option for AS therapy when TNF inhibitors are difficult to use

沖縄県におけるひとり親世帯の就業・保育・住宅問題

本研究は沖縄県におけるひとり親世帯の生活問題を就業，子育て，住宅という視点から分析することを目的とし，「ひとり親世帯等実態調査報告書」の分析と，ひとり親世帯の生活に関するアンケートおよびインタビュー調査を実施した。,沖縄県におけるひとり親世帯の多くは，乳幼児を抱える母子世帯であり，離婚を機に世帯主として家計を支えながら子育てを両立しなければならないなど就業と保育の両立に関する問題が深刻であった。子の成長段階によって，ひとり親世帯が抱える生活問題は変化した。小学校低学年以下の子を抱える場合には，平日昼に勤務する職業を得ようとする傾向があるものの，希望する職に就くことが困難である例も多く，希望する職を得られた場合でも，親族のサポートを利用しながら就業と保育を両立させていた。子が高学年になると，親の就業時間はより柔軟になり，より良い就業機会を得るために資格取得講座に通う親も確認された。This study comprehensively analyzed the daily problems for single-parent families in Okinawa. First, we analyzed a survey of single-parent families in Okinawa published by the prefectural government. Then, we showed the results from questionnaires and interview surveys of singleparent families, which focused on the relationship between child age and daily problems of singleparent families. Finally, we adopted the life-course perspectives to understand why and how the daily problems of these families occurred over time. In Okinawa, single-father families have troubles mainly in childcare and education because of the fathers\u27 poor skills at housekeeping or childcare. In contrast, about half the single-mother families have troubles as a result of their poor economic condition: limited job opportunities, inadequate childcare services, and difficulties in finding affordable housing were the most important problems. As children grew up, the daily problems of single-parent families changed gradually. When children were small infants, most of the single mothers worried about difficulties in finding jobs because of the age of their children and the care required. When children entered nursery school, most single mothers started thinking about future education for their children: there was a problem funding that education. In the same period, the balance between job opportunities and use of childcare service became a serious problem for single mothers. As children enter elementary school, the problems of single mothers became more complex than before: difficulties in 1） finding jobs suited to their childcare schedule, 2） balancing locations of jobs, residences, and after-school childcare services, and 3） gaining a stable income so that children can afford higher education. In order to solve these problems, total care in matters of employment, childcare, and housing was required. Support from local government, groups like the association for single-mother support, and relatives must contribute to filling these needs for single-parent families

沖縄県におけるひとり親世帯の就業・保育・住宅問題

本研究は沖縄県におけるひとり親世帯の生活問題を就業，子育て，住宅という視点から分析することを目的とし，「ひとり親世帯等実態調査報告書」の分析と，ひとり親世帯の生活に関するアンケートおよびインタビュー調査を実施した。,沖縄県におけるひとり親世帯の多くは，乳幼児を抱える母子世帯であり，離婚を機に世帯主として家計を支えながら子育てを両立しなければならないなど就業と保育の両立に関する問題が深刻であった。子の成長段階によって，ひとり親世帯が抱える生活問題は変化した。小学校低学年以下の子を抱える場合には，平日昼に勤務する職業を得ようとする傾向があるものの，希望する職に就くことが困難である例も多く，希望する職を得られた場合でも，親族のサポートを利用しながら就業と保育を両立させていた。子が高学年になると，親の就業時間はより柔軟になり，より良い就業機会を得るために資格取得講座に通う親も確認された。This study comprehensively analyzed the daily problems for single-parent families in Okinawa. First, we analyzed a survey of single-parent families in Okinawa published by the prefectural government. Then, we showed the results from questionnaires and interview surveys of singleparent families, which focused on the relationship between child age and daily problems of singleparent families. Finally, we adopted the life-course perspectives to understand why and how the daily problems of these families occurred over time. In Okinawa, single-father families have troubles mainly in childcare and education because of the fathers\u27 poor skills at housekeeping or childcare. In contrast, about half the single-mother families have troubles as a result of their poor economic condition: limited job opportunities, inadequate childcare services, and difficulties in finding affordable housing were the most important problems. As children grew up, the daily problems of single-parent families changed gradually. When children were small infants, most of the single mothers worried about difficulties in finding jobs because of the age of their children and the care required. When children entered nursery school, most single mothers started thinking about future education for their children: there was a problem funding that education. In the same period, the balance between job opportunities and use of childcare service became a serious problem for single mothers. As children enter elementary school, the problems of single mothers became more complex than before: difficulties in 1） finding jobs suited to their childcare schedule, 2） balancing locations of jobs, residences, and after-school childcare services, and 3） gaining a stable income so that children can afford higher education. In order to solve these problems, total care in matters of employment, childcare, and housing was required. Support from local government, groups like the association for single-mother support, and relatives must contribute to filling these needs for single-parent families

Raising root zone temperature improves plant productivity and metabolites in hydroponic lettuce production

While it is commonly understood that air temperature can greatly affect the process of photosynthesis and the growth of higher plants, the impact of root zone temperature (RZT) on plant growth, metabolism, essential elements, as well as key metabolites like chlorophyll and carotenoids, remains an area that necessitates extensive research. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of raising the RZT on the growth, metabolites, elements, and proteins of red leaf lettuce. Lettuce was hydroponically grown in a plant factory with artificial light at four different air temperatures (17, 22, 27, and 30°C) and two treatments with different RZTs. The RZT was raised 3°C above the air temperature in one group, while it was not in the other group. Increasing the RZT 3°C above the air temperature improved plant growth and metabolites, including carotenoids, ascorbic acids, and chlorophyll, in all four air temperature treatments. Moreover, raising the RZT increased Mg, K, Fe, Cu, Se, Rb, amino acids, and total soluble proteins in the leaf tissue at all four air temperatures. These results showed that raising the RZT by 3°C improved plant productivity and the metabolites of the hydroponic lettuce by enhancing nutrient uptake and activating the metabolism in the roots at all four air temperatures. Overall, this research demonstrates that plant growth and metabolites can be improved simultaneously with an increased RZT relative to air temperature. This study serves as a foundation for future research on optimizing RZT in relation to air temperature. Further recommended studies include investigating the differential effects of multiple RZT variations relative to air temperature for increased optimization, examining the effects of RZT during nighttime versus daytime, and exploring the impact of stem heating. This research has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the ongoing growth and progress of the plant factory industry and fundamental advancements in root zone physiology. Overall, this research demonstrates that plant growth and metabolites can be improved simultaneously with an increased RZT relative to air temperature. This study serves as a foundation for future research on optimizing RZT in relation to air temperature. Further recommended studies include investigating the differential effects of multiple RZT variations relative to air temperature for increased optimization, examining the effects of RZT during nighttime versus daytime, and exploring the impact of stem heating. This research has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the ongoing growth and progress of the plant factory industry and fundamental advancements in root zone physiology