Towards the “ultimate earthquake-proof” building: Development of an integrated low-damage system

The 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence has highlighted the severe mismatch between societal expectations over the reality of seismic performance of modern buildings. A paradigm shift in performance-based design criteria and objectives towards damage-control or low-damage design philosophy and technologies is urgently required. The increased awareness by the general public, tenants, building owners, territorial authorities as well as (re)insurers, of the severe socio-economic impacts of moderate-strong earthquakes in terms of damage/dollars/ downtime, has indeed stimulated and facilitated the wider acceptance and implementation of cost-efficient damage-control (or low-damage) technologies. The ‘bar’ has been raised significantly with the request to fast-track the development of what the wider general public would hope, and somehow expect, to live in, i.e. an “earthquake-proof” building system, capable of sustaining the shaking of a severe earthquake basically unscathed. The paper provides an overview of recent advances through extensive research, carried out at the University of Canterbury in the past decade towards the development of a low-damage building system as a whole, within an integrated performance-based framework, including the skeleton of the superstructure, the non-structural components and the interaction with the soil/foundation system. Examples of real on site-applications of such technology in New Zealand, using concrete, timber (engineered wood), steel or a combination of these materials, and featuring some of the latest innovative technical solutions developed in the laboratory are presented as examples of successful transfer of performance-based seismic design approach and advanced technology from theory to practice

Resveratrol and Red Wine Improve Healthspan

レスベラトロールはブドウの果皮に多いポリフェノールで、 ブドウを丸ごと使用して作られる赤ワインにも多い。 レスベラトロールは寿命を延ばす遺伝子(サーチュイン)を活性化し、 さらに細胞のエネルギーが減少するとミトコンドリアを活性化するAMPKも活性化、 また細胞の古くなった小器官や成分を分解し細胞内を浄化するオートファジーも活性化させる。 レスベラトロールにより、 酵母や無脊椎動物では寿命が延び、 マウスではインスリン抵抗性や動脈硬化に関連する加齢性徴候が改善される。 また、 適量飲酒の作用として、 血小板の凝集抑制、 HDLコレステロールの増加、 血糖値の低下などがあり、 飲酒そのものにも心筋梗塞や糖尿病の予防効果がみられる。 これらの作用はレスベラトロールにもある。 レスベラトロールは脂溶性物質でアルコールと共に摂取すると体内に吸収されやすい。 赤ワインでのレスベラトロールとアルコールの相乗効果により健康寿命を延ばすことが期待される。Resveratrol is a polyphenol present in grape skin and found in red wine produced from grape with skin. Resveratrol activates the anti-aging gene sirtuin; and AMP-activated protein kinase, which promotes mitochondrial functions if cellular energy is lowered; and autophagy, that is engaged in cleaning of the inside of a cell by degrading older or damaged cellular components. More importantly, resveratrol extends the lifespan of yeast and invertebrates and improves age-related signs in mice, especially those signs connected with insulin resistance and arteriosclerosis. Moderate alcohol consumption inhibits platelet aggregation, increases HDL cholesterol, and lowers blood sugar, meaning that ethanol protects cardiac infarction or diabetes. Further, resveratrol has more such beneficial effects. Since resveratrol is lipophilic, it is absorbed into the body more easily when taken with alcohol. Altogether, red wine, due to its synergistic effect caused by resveratrol and alcohol, could extend healthspan.Review Articledepartmental bulletin pape

今後のライフスタイル：サーチュイン・AMPK・オートファジーを 活性化させる適度な赤ワインと運動

othe

Disrupting Disability: Social Practice Art

Visuality and imagery are two powerful mechanisms embedded within cultures that perpetuate as well as reflect structural violence. Despite the serious harm caused by unchecked cultural violence, it is often overlooked, particularly as it appears or is absent in image. This study examines how images both creates institutional violence exercised through discrimination against aging and disabled populations and how socially engaged art, curation, and performance are being used to disrupt and reverse oppression, discrimination, and exclusion.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ccids_posters/1019/thumbnail.jp

Disability Imagery: A Bastion of Social Change

In the visual and material culture of the 21st century, image is power. This inquiry used thematic analysis to examine the meanings of disability imagery on a continuum from tragedy to an inevitable and celebrated part of human diversity and provocateur of social change. Five themes emerged: disability as tragic (exclusion, isolation, fear); disability as inspiration porn (disabled people are brave or special just for living); close but not quite (some positive imagery segregation and impairment are foregrounded); and celebration of disability as human diversity (the goal for change).https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ccids_posters/1002/thumbnail.jp

Electromagnetic Measurement on Singular Joint Gap of the Rails

applicationThis paper describes the measurement results of a normal joint gap and a singular joint gap of the rails using voltage detecting type rail joint gap sensor. In the case of a singular joint gap, the minimum value of a joint gap is able to be obtained by comparing the output voltage of two detecting coils that placed it toward the rail width and the measurement results of a normal joint gap.departmental bulletin pape

A Legal Analysis of "Promotion of Community-based Social Welfare" in the Social Welfare Act

departmental bulletin pape

Thomas Little

46-2Military AffairsOn the Relief of T. Little. [1935] Service in campaigns against the Sioux in 1867-1868, against the Kiowas and Comanches, and against the Kiowas in 1872.1880-6

日本の知的・文化的国際協力に関する総合戦略その2一日越文化交流の課題と展望を事例として一

東京財団研究推進部research repor