外部性付きゲームにおける安定な分配と提携構造

早大学位記番号:新8059早稲田大

Numerical and Experimental Simulation of Seismic Site Responses

Prediction of seismic site responses has been one of the most important tasks in geotechnical earthquake engineering. Since Kanai used the multiple wave reflection theory to compute horizontal ground movements against seismic shaking, a number of researchers have extended the basic concept proposed by Kanai. Performance of seismic site response methods, however, has always invited open questions for problems involving extreme seismic shaking and large deformation of soils due, for example, to liquefaction and lateral spreading. A new numerical method SRANG3D (Site Response Analysis of Non-linear Ground in 3 Dimensions) has been developed to improve our prediction capabilities for seismic site responses. SRANG3D computes seismic site responses that involve vertical propagation of two horizontally polarized S waves and one P wave. The most distinct feature of SRANG3D is that the stress-strain relationships of soil can be represented by a combination of various elasto-plastic constitutive soil models and discrete element models. This paper introduces the new site-response analysis method SRANG3D and the paper highlights results obtained from this new method. Our study demonstrated that SRANG3D yields improved predictions of the large-scale experimental data than currently available site-response analysis methods

High glucose level and angiotensin II type 1 receptor stimulation synergistically amplify oxidative stress in renal mesangial cells

Abstract Oxidative stress in renal mesangial cell causes diabetic glomerular changes. High glucose levels and angiotensin II (Ang II) are known to stimulate superoxide production in renal mesangial cells. However, it has been unclear whether Ang II stimulation and pre-conditioning with high glucose affects the same pathway of superoxide production in renal mesangial cells or not. In this study, we examined the levels of oxidative stress under Ang II stimulation in renal mesangial cells preincubated for six hours at various glucose levels. Intracellular levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS) were measured using dihydroethidium or 5′,6′-chloromethyl- 2′,7′ dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate, which facilitates the detection of intracellular ROS under real-time fluorescent microscope. Ang II-induced elevated intracellular ROS levels were detected only when the cells were pre-incubated with high levels of glucose (13.5 mM, 27.8 mM), but was not detected under normal glucose condition (5.5 mM). Production of Ang II-induced intracellular ROS was higher under pre-treatment with 27.8 mM glucose compared to pretreatment with 13.5 mM glucose level. This ROS production in mesangial cells was induced within several minutes of the initiation of Ang II stimulation under high glucose levels. The production of intracellular ROS was significantly reduced in the presence of angiotensin II type1-receptor (AT1R) antagonist, whereas it was augmented in the presence of angiotensin II type2-receptor antagonist. In conclusion, Ang II-induced oxidative stress was augmented by high glucose levels and ROS levels were further alleviated in the presence of AT1R antagonists

Plant Mitochondrial-Targeted Gene Delivery by Peptide/DNA Micelles Quantitatively Surface-Modified with Mitochondrial Targeting and Membrane-Penetrating Peptides

Plant mitochondria play essential roles in metabolism and respiration. Recently, there has been growing interest in mitochondrial transformation for developing crops with commercially valuable traits, such as resistance to environmental stress and shorter fallow periods. Mitochondrial targeting and cell membrane penetration functions are crucial for improving the gene delivery efficiency of mitochondrial transformation. Here, we developed a peptide-based carrier, referred to as Cytcox/KAibA-Mic, that contains multifunctional peptides for efficient transfection into plant mitochondria. We quantified the mitochondrial targeting and cell membrane-penetrating peptide modification rates to control their functions. The modification rates were easily determined from high-performance liquid chromatography chromatograms. Additionally, the gene carrier size remained constant even when the mitochondrial targeting peptide modification rate was altered. Using this gene carrier, we can quantitatively investigate the relationships between various peptide modifications and transfection efficiency and optimize the gene carrier conditions for mitochondrial transfection

Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography Screening Is Effective for Detecting Venous Thromboembolism not Prevented by Prophylaxis after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication occurring after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We investigated the incidence of VTE after TKA using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and assessed the efficacy of VTE prophylaxis (fondaparinux and enoxaparin). At our hospital, 189 patients (225 knees) underwent TKA between April 2007 and October 2011. The 225 knees were divided into a control group with no VTE prophylaxis (31 cases), a fondaparinux group (107 cases), and an enoxaparin group (87 cases). Contrast-enhanced CT screening for VTE was performed in all cases on day 5 or 6 after TKA. D-dimer levels were measured on day 5 after TKA, and were significantly lower in the fondaparinux (9.8±3.8) and enoxaparin groups (9.4±4.9) than in the control group (15.6±9.8) (p＜0.001). However, no statistically significant difference in the incidence of VTE was observed among the groups (control, 61.3%;fondaparinux, 49.5%;enoxaparin, 50.6%). Prophylaxis was not effective for the prevention of VTE as detected by contrast-enhanced CT after TKA. CT should be performed after TKA, even when VTE prophylaxis is used

Transient improvement of urticaria induces poor adherence as assessed by Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8.

Poor adherence to medication is a major public health challenge. Here, we aimed to determine the adherence to oral and topical medications and to analyze underlying associated factors using the translated Japanese version of Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 regarding urticaria treatment. Web-based questionnaires were performed for 3096 registered dermatological patients, along with a subanalysis of 751 registered urticaria patients in this study. The adherence to oral medication was significantly associated with the frequency of hospital visits. Variables that affected the adherence to topical medication included age and experience of drug effectiveness. The rate of responses that "It felt like the symptoms had improved" varied significantly among the dermatological diseases treated with oral medications. Dermatologists should be aware that adherence to the treatment of urticaria is quite low. Regular visits and active education for patients with urticaria are mandatory in order to achieve a good therapeutic outcome by increasing the adherence

Research and Development Work on Lithium-ion Batteries for Environmental Vehicles

Interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) has risen dramatically on account of environmental and energy concerns. The biggest issues that must be addressed in order to popularize these advanced vehicles are related to the battery.We have been promoting vigorous R&amp D work on batteries for application to environmental vehicles since the beginning of the 1990s. Attention was focused on lithium-ion batteries early on as a fundamental solution to the critical issue mentioned above. The conclusion was reached that the development of those potentialities to their fullest extent would create completely new forms of value unobtainable with conventional batteries. As a result of extensive theoretical studies and many experimental demonstrations, we successfully showed ahead of others that those potentialities did in fact exist and could be achieved.This paper makes clear the various performance requirements of advanced batteries for EV or HEV application, focusing in particular on the critical aspects of the battery thermal design and construction for system stability. It also explains how the power output of the lithium-ion battery has been substantially improved for application to HEVs. Document type: Articl

Mycotic Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm Following Meningitis after Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgery : Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mycotic intracranial aneurysms (MIAs) are rare infection-mediated arterial wall destructions that result in focal vessel weakness and dilatation. They commonly involve the anterior cerebral circulation, usually following hematogenous embolization from infective cardiac vegetation, and are associated with an elevated risk of rupture. MIAs arising from a posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) are uncommon, and those resulting from contiguous infections are extremely rare. Here, we present a case report and review the literature on rare MIAs involving the distal PICA segment following meningitis after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery. A 75-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of progressive visual impairment of the left eye, for which initial cranial magnetic resonance imaging suggested optic perineuritis ; however, conservative management with high-dose steroid therapy did not improve the patient’s condition. He subsequently had biopsy, which confirmed an optic nerve sheath meningioma, for which optic nerve decompression via the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) and follow-up radiation therapy was done. He developed postoperative meningitis and subsequently had rupture of left PICA mycotic aneurysm (angiography done a month earlier demonstrated normal left PICA). Risk factors for meningitis were invasive cranial intervention, prolonged steroid use, and radiation therapy. Coil embolization was successfully performed ; however, the patient succumbed to irreversible herniation and infection. MIAs arising from the PICA following meningitis are rare, but complications following surgical intervention and rupture are associated with high morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion and early intervention before rupture may prevent poor outcomes.Article信州医学雑誌 71(6) : 415-422, (2023)journal articl