An Equilibrium Model of Commuter Flow in Urbanized Area

Commuter traffic volumes generated and absorbed in urbanized area can be estimated by existing models using some economic indices. But in those methods, equilibrium between areas and correlation between generated and absorbed traffic volumes are not taken into consideration. Furthermore, the effects caused by improvement of traffic facilities cannot be included into estimation. In order to solve these problems, we propose an estimation model composed of additional factors such as generative and attractive potentials in each urbanized area

A Theoretical Model of Rapid Transit System Planning Within a Metropolitan Area

The increasing process of the total population in a metropolitan area is based on economic and sociologic problems. But the variation of the population distribution within each zone of the metropolitan area is, much more effected by the transportation system. The zonal population is the occurrence source of the commuter transportation demand, so the interaction between the commuter transportation system and the zonal population distribution should be analyzed first, in order to establish the transportation system planning. In this theses we have analyzed the interaction by applying the information theory. Consequently, it could be said that the variation of the zonal population distribution maximizes entropy per unit characteristic value. Then we showed that distributed and diverted transportation volume of commutation can be presumed in making the transportation system the endogenous variable and making the employee population and the transit fares policy the exogenous variable. And then we investigated how to evaluate the transportation system planning with measurement. Evidently economic and sociologic research is needed for this problem, but at first we tried to approach it in a physical respect. At the end, utilizing these analyses, we proposed a practical means for transportation system planning in a metropolis. The effect of any projected transportation system, total population in the future, and transit fares policy in the metropolitan area will be measured by computing through this means. We showed the applying process in the flow diagram

CHEMICALLY CROSS-LINKED HYDROGEL HAVING HIGH MECHANICAL STRENGTH

The mechanically tough shape memory gel (SMG) was synthesized. The chemically cross-linked process was applied using a cross-linker named methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA). The SMG was prepared by N, Ndimethyl acrylamide (DMAAm) and stearyl acrylate (SA). The DMAAm is a hydrophilic monomer, whereas SA is a hydrophobic monomer. Due to the transparency, shape memory property, low friction, and high water content, the SMG is suitable for biomedical and optical applications. The physical property such as mechanical strength of most hydrogels is not good enough. However, the properties of these hydrogels are easily controlled by changing the polymer concentration, molecular weight and cross-linker concentrations. It is found that the swelling degree increases with respect to the DMAAm concentration. The mechanical properties of transparent shape memory hydrogel were investigated by the tensile, the compression and the dynamic mechanical analysis. The Young’s modulus gradually decreases with the increase of hydrophilic components. On the other hand, higher Young’s modulus is observed by increasing the high hydrophobic concentration. It is also seen that the mechanical stress decreases with respect to the temperature, indicating the loss of Young’s modulus. The result of dynamic mechanical analysis designates that the water swollen sample has both the elastic and viscous properties

CHEMICALLY CROSS-LINKED HYDROGEL HAVING HIGH MECHANICAL STRENGTH

The mechanically tough shape memory gel (SMG) was synthesized. The chemically cross-linked process was applied using a cross-linker named methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA). The SMG was prepared by N, Ndimethyl acrylamide (DMAAm) and stearyl acrylate (SA). The DMAAm is a hydrophilic monomer, whereas SA is a hydrophobic monomer. Due to the transparency, shape memory property, low friction, and high water content, the SMG is suitable for biomedical and optical applications. The physical property such as mechanical strength of most hydrogels is not good enough. However, the properties of these hydrogels are easily controlled by changing the polymer concentration, molecular weight and cross-linker concentrations. It is found that the swelling degree increases with respect to the DMAAm concentration. The mechanical properties of transparent shape memory hydrogel were investigated by the tensile, the compression and the dynamic mechanical analysis. The Young’s modulus gradually decreases with the increase of hydrophilic components. On the other hand, higher Young’s modulus is observed by increasing the high hydrophobic concentration. It is also seen that the mechanical stress decreases with respect to the temperature, indicating the loss of Young’s modulus. The result of dynamic mechanical analysis designates that the water swollen sample has both the elastic and viscous properties

Fragmentation of Protein Kinase N (PKN) in the Hydrocephalic Rat Brain

PKN (protein kinase N; also called protein kinase C-related kinase (PRK-1)), is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is ubiquitously expressed in several organs, including the brain. PKN has a molecular mass of 120 kDa and has two domains, a regulatory and a catalytic domain, in its amino-terminals and carboxyl-terminus, respectively. Although the role of PKN has not been fully elucidated, previous studies have revealed that PKN is cleaved to a constitutively active catalytic fragment of 55 kDa in response to apoptotic signals. Hydrocephalus is a pathological condition caused by insufficient cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation and subsequent excess of CSF in the brain. In this study, in order to elucidate the role of PKN in the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus, we examined PKN fragmentation in hydrocephalic model rats

Tetrodotoxin functions as a stress relieving substance in juvenile tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes

We tested whether tetrodotoxin (TTX) functions as a stress relieving substance in puffer fish. We orally administered TTX to the juveniles of hatchery-reared non-toxic tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes and measured the effects of TTX on brain corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA expression and plasma cortisol levels in comparison with effects in non-toxic juveniles. Firstly, the reciprocal connections of CRH and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were confirmed by dual-label immunohistochemistry. CRH-immunoreactive (ir) cell bodies were detected in the hypothalamus and CRH-ir fibers were observed to project to ACTH-ir cells in the rostral pars distalis of the pituitary. Next, a TTX-containing diet (2.35 mouse units (517?ng)/g diet) or a non-toxic diet were fed to the fish for 28 days under a recirculating system. Standard length and body weight became significantly larger in the TTX-treated group. The degree of loss of the caudal fin, which is an indicator of the degree of agonistic interactions, where high values show a higher loss of caudal fin of a fish due to nipping by other individuals, was significantly lower in the TTX-treated group. Relative CRH mRNA expression levels in the brain and cortisol levels in the plasma were significantly lower in the TTX-treated group. These results indicate that TTX functions as a stress relieving substance by affecting the CRH-ACTH-cortisol axis and reducing agonistic interactions in tiger puffer juveniles

Localization of three forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the brain and pituitary of the self-fertilizing fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus

The localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the brain and pituitary of the self-fertilizing mangrove killifish Kryptolebias marmoratus was examined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to understand its neuroendocrine system. The genome assembly of K. marmoratus did not have any sequence encoding GnRH1, but sequences encoding GnRH2 (chicken GnRH-II) and GnRH3 (salmon GnRH) were found. Therefore, GnRH1 was identified by in silico cloning. The deduced amino acid sequence of the K. marmoratus GnRH1 (mature peptide) was identical to that of the medaka GnRH. GnRH1 neurons were detected in the ventral part of the preoptic nucleus by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, and GnRH1-immunoreactive (ir) fibers were observed throughout the brain. GnRH1-ir fibers were in close contact with luteinizing hormone (LH)-ir cells in the pituitary using double immunohistochemistry. GnRH2 neurons were detected in the midbrain tegmentum by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Although GnRH2-ir fibers were observed throughout the brain, they were not detected in the pituitary. GnRH3 neurons were detected in the lateral part of the ventral telencephalic area by both methods. GnRH3-ir fibers were observed throughout the brain, and a few GnRH3-ir fibers were in close contact with LH-ir cells in the pituitary. These results indicate that GnRH1 and possibly GnRH3 are responsible for gonadal maturation through LH secretion and that all three forms of GnRH function as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators in the brain of K. marmoratus

Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines for Stage IV NSCLC With EGFR Mutations

Patients with NSCLC in East Asia, including Japan, frequently contain EGFR mutations. In 2018, we published the latest full clinical practice guidelines on the basis of those provided by the Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines Committee. The purpose of this study was to update those recommendations, especially for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent EGFR-mutated NSCLC. We conducted a literature search of systematic reviews of randomized controlled and nonrandomized trials published between 2018 and 2019 that multiple physicians had reviewed independently. On the basis of those studies and the advice from the Japanese Society of Lung Cancer Expert Panel, we developed updated guidelines according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. We also evaluated the benefits of overall and progression-free survival, end points, toxicities, and patients’ reported outcomes. For patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR-activating mutations, the use of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs), especially osimertinib, had the best recommendation as to first-line treatment. We also recommended the combination of EGFR TKI with other agents (platinum-based chemotherapy or antiangiogenic agents); however, it can lead to toxicity. In the presence of EGFR uncommon mutations, except for an exon 20 insertion, we also recommended the EGFR TKI treatment. However, we could not provide recommendations for the treatment of EGFR mutations with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including monotherapy, and its combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, because of the limited evidence present in the literature. The 2020 Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines can help community-based physicians to determine the most appropriate treatments and adequately provide medical care to their patients

The pantograph lift measurement method in overhead catenary system

Condition monitoring technology has advanced remarkably in recent years in various areas, including railways. Since the overhead catenary system and the pantograph in railway does not have enough redundancy, failures of the overhead catenary system or the pantograph will result in long downtime in railway operations. For preventing such failures efficiently, it is effective to apply condition monitoring methods to detect the pantograph failure on the overhead catenary system. To Achieve stable current collection, although the lift characteristic of the pantograph must be maintained within an appropriate range, the monitoring method of lift of pantograph in actual use has been not established so far. Therefore, the authors developed a method to measure the lift of pantographs with sensors on the overhead catenary system. According to this method, the lift is obtained from the sum of hanger forces and vertical components of the tensile force of contact wire. However, this method has some problems to solve in terms of measurement error and easiness of implementation. Therefore, in this paper, the authors focus on the wave equation for each wire of the overhead catenary system to propose new four measurement methods of the pantograph lift. The proposed methods will solve the problems of the previous methods. The methods are verified using dynamic simulation of the overhead catenary system and the pantograph. It also reports that the proposed method is effective even when two pantographs pass continuously