Construction of Mass Concrete Structure Utilizing Ground Settlement from Underpass Construction in the 2nd Phase Kansai International Airport Project

The man-made island of Kansai International Airport is located 5 km offshore in Osaka bay and the water depth at the point is about 20 m. Thickness of the sediments beneath the island is several hundred meters, including 20 m of very soft Holocene clay layer. Huge amount of soil had been reclaimed layer over layer and the total thickness is up to 34 to 45 m. Therefore, large amount of settlement is inevitable and the average settlement forecast in the 2nd phase island over the 60 years period from the start of reclamation work is 18 m. In this paper, design and construction of 2nd phase underpass structure is discussed. The overview of construction of the airport island and settlement prediction is described first, then the idea of constructing the under water level structure while it was still above water level is introduced. The design concept of following the large displacement and method of displacement prediction is described next and verification with survey and evaluation is concluded at last

Transfer of rice mitochondrial ribosomal protein L6 gene to the nucleus: acquisition of the 5'-untranslated region via a transposable element

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mitochondria of contemporary organisms contain fewer genes than the ancestral bacteria are predicted to have contained. Because most of the mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus, the genes would have been transferred from the mitochondrion to the nucleus at some stage of evolution and they must have acquired cis-regulatory elements compatible with eukaryotic gene expression. However, most of such processes remain unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ribosomal protein L6 gene (<it>rpl6</it>) has been lost in presently-known angiosperm mitochondrial genomes. We found that each of the two rice <it>rpl6 </it>genes (<it>OsRpl6-1 </it>and <it>OsRpl6-2</it>) has an intron in an identical position within the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), which suggests a duplication of the <it>rpl6 </it>gene after its transfer to the nucleus. Each of the predicted RPL6 proteins lacks an N-terminal extension as a mitochondrial targeting signal. Transient assays using green fluorescent protein indicated that their mature N-terminal coding regions contain the mitochondrial targeting information. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that <it>OsRpl6-2 </it>expresses considerably fewer transcripts than <it>OsRpl6-1</it>. This might be the result of differences in promoter regions because the 5'-noncoding regions of the two <it>rpl6 </it>genes differ at a point close to the center of the intron. There are several sequences homologous to the region around the 5'-UTR of <it>OsRpl6-1 </it>in the rice genome. These sequences have characteristics similar to those of the transposable elements (TE) belonging to the <it>PIF</it>/Harbinger superfamily.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The above evidences suggest a novel mechanism in which the 5'-UTR of the transferred mitochondrial gene was acquired via a TE. Since the 5'-UTRs and introns within the 5'-UTRs often contain transcriptional and posttranscriptional cis-elements, the transferred rice mitochondrial <it>rpl6 </it>gene may have acquired its cis-element from a TE.</p

A case of biventricular pacing with a spike on T-wave caused by the algorithm maintaining biventricular pacing rate

AbstractCardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves the cardiac function of patients with left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony. Maintenance of the biventricular pacing rate is very important in managing the hemodynamics in patients implanted with CRT devices. A low biventricular pacing rate, for example, in cases with atrial fibrillation or rapid intrinsic atrioventricular (AV) conduction, decreases the benefits of CRT. The LUMAX HF-T 540 device series (BIOTRONIK, Berlin, Germany) has a LV-triggered pace algorithm, which allows biventicular pacing rates to be maintained even during rapid intrinsic rhythms caused by shortened AV conduction and/or premature ventricular contraction (PVC) occurring in the right ventricle. We encountered a case of CRT device implantation with a defibrillator wherein this triggered pace algorithm caused a spike on T-wave due to T-wave oversensing. By remote monitoring, we were also able to determine that the T-wave oversensing was due to a PVC. The LUMAX 540 series allows for changes in the sensing threshold and filter settings of the device, which facilitated the elimination of T-wave oversensing in this case

Impact, absorption and evaporation of raindrops on building facades

In this paper, the impact, absorption and evaporation of raindrops on building facades is investigated by experimental and numerical means. Laboratory experiments were carried out to study the impact of water drops with different diameters, impact speeds and impact angles on a porous building material surface (ceramic brick). The measurements showed that large drops with high impact speeds splash, and that drops with high impact speeds and small impact angles bounce. The measurements, furthermore, allowed measuring the maximum spreading length and width of the drops as a function of drop diameter, impact speed and impact angle. Then, a numerical analysis was performed to study the distribution of impact speed and angle for raindrops hitting the facade of a 4×4×10 m3 tower building. The results demonstrated typical and important tendencies of impact angle and speed across the facade. Finally, the experimental and numerical data were used in a more precise three-dimensional simulation of impact, absorption and evaporation of random and discrete wind-driven raindrops. This was compared with the common one-dimensional simulation of absorption and evaporation at the facade considering a continuous uniform rain load as boundary condition, and significant differences between the two approaches were observed.status: publishe

In vivo tracking transplanted cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells using nuclear medicine imaging

Introduction: Transplantation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) is a promising treatment for heart failure. Information on long-term cell engraftment after transplantation is clinically important. However, clinically applicable evaluation methods have not yet been established. Methods: In this study, to noninvasively assess transplanted cell engraftment, human SLC5A5, which encodes a sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) that transports radioactive tracers such as 125I, 18F-tetrafluoroborate (TFB), and 99mTc-pertechnetate (99mTcO4−), was transduced into human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and nuclear medicine imaging was used to track engrafted human iPSC-CMs. Results: To evaluate the pluripotency of NIS-expressing human iPSCs, they were subcutaneously transplanted into immunodeficient rats. Teratomas were detected by 99mTcO4− single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. NIS expression and the uptake ability of 125I were maintained in purified human iPSC-CMs. NIS-expressing human iPSC-CMs transplanted into immunodeficient rats could be detected over time using 99mTcO4− SPECT/CT imaging. Unexpectedly, NIS expression affected cell proliferation of human iPSCs and iPSC-derived cells. Discussion: Such functionally designed iPSC-CMs have potential clinical applications as a noninvasive method of grafted cell evaluation, but further studies are needed to determine the effects of NIS transduction on cellular characteristics and functions

Measurements of the Wind generated by Desert Environment Wind Tunnel (Constant Speed Wind and Periodically Varying Wind)

Wind characteristics generated by the wind tunnel named Desert Environment Wind Tunnel, which can generate arbitrary pattern of wind speed variation by changing the angle of pitch of the blower blades, were investigated with both of a hot-wire anemometer and a ultrasonic anemometer. Distributions of the wind velocity components (v, w) in a plane perpendicular to the mainstream (u-direction), whose wind speed varies like a sine wave, were measured downstream at x = 1.5m from the exit of wind tunnel nozzle. The experimental results revealed that the flow expands when it accelerates and, in reverse, the flow contracts then slowing down

Survey of imaging dose in HDR brachytherapy

Institutional imaging protocols for the verification of brachytherapy applicator placements were investigated in a survey study of domestic radiotherapy institutions. The survey form designed by a free on-line survey system was distributed via the mailing-list system of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology. Survey data of 75 institutions between August 2019 and October 2019 were collected. The imaging modalities used were dependent on resources available to the institutions. The displacement of a brachytherapy applicator results in significant dosimetric impact. It is essential to verify applicator placements using imaging modalities before treatment. Various imaging modalities used in institutions included a computed tomography (CT) scanner, an angiography X-ray system, a multi-purpose X-ray system and a radiotherapy simulator. The median total exposure time in overall treatment sessions was ≤75 s for gynecological and prostate cancers. Some institutions used fluoroscopy to monitor the brachytherapy source movement. Institutional countermeasures for reducing unwanted imaging dose included minimizing the image area, changing the imaging orientation, reducing the imaging frequency and optimizing the imaging conditions. It is worth noting that half of the institutions did not confirm imaging dose regularly. This study reported on the usage of imaging modalities for brachytherapy in Japan. More caution should be applied with interstitial brachytherapy with many catheters that can lead to potentially substantial increments in imaging doses for monitoring the actual brachytherapy source using fluoroscopy. It is necessary to share imaging techniques, standardize imaging protocols and quality assurance/quality control among institutions, and imaging dose guidelines for optimization of imaging doses delivered in radiotherapy should be developed

Understanding controls on biotic assemblages and ecological status in Zambian rivers for the development of sustainable monitoring protocols

We search for galaxies with a strong Balmer break (Balmer Break Galaxies; BBGs) at $z \sim 6$ over a 0.41 deg$^2$ effective area in the COSMOS field. Based on rich imaging data, including data obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), three candidates are identified by their extremely red $K - [3.6]$ colors as well as by non-detection in X-ray, optical, far-infrared (FIR), and radio bands. The non-detection in the deep ALMA observations suggests that they are not dusty galaxies but BBGs at $z \sim 6$, although contamination from Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) at $z \sim 0$ cannot be completely ruled out for the moment. Our spectral energy distribution (SED) analyses reveal that the BBG candidates at $z \sim 6$ have stellar masses of $\approx 5 \times 10^{10} M_{\odot}$ dominated by old stellar populations with ages of $\gtrsim 700$ Myr. Assuming that all the three candidates are real BBGs at $z \sim 6$, we estimate the stellar mass density (SMD) to be $2.4^{+2.3}_{-1.3} \times 10^{4} M_{\odot}$ Mpc$^{-3}$. This is consistent with an extrapolation from the lower redshift measurements. The onset of star formation in the three BBG candidates is expected to be several hundred million years before the observed epoch of $z \sim 6$. We estimate the star-formation rate density (SFRD) contributed by progenitors of the BBGs to be 2.4 -- 12 $\times 10^{-5} M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$Mpc$^{-3}$ at $z > 14$ (99.7\% confidence range). Our result suggests a smooth evolution of the SFRD beyond $z = 8$.Comment: 29 pages, 16 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Ap

Formation of black hole and accretion disk in a massive high-entropy stellar core collapse

We present the first numerical result of fully general relativistic axisymmetric simulations for the collapse of a rotating high-entropy stellar core to a black hole and an accretion disk. The simulations are performed taking into account the relevant microphysics. We adopt as initial condition a spherical core with constant electron fraction ($Y_e = 0.5$) and entropy per baryon $s$ = 8 $k_B$, and angular velocity is superimposed. In the early phase, the core collapses in a homologous manner. Then, it experiences a weak bounce due to the gas pressure of free nucleons. Because the bounce is weak, the core collapses eventually to a black hole. Subsequent evolution depends on initial angular velocity. When the rotation is not fast, a geometrically thin (but optically thick) accretion disk is formed, and shock waves are formed in the inner part of the disk. For the moderately rotating case, the thin accretion disk expands eventually to be a geometrically thick torus after sufficient accumulation of the thermal energy generated at the shocks. Furthermore, convection occurs inside the torus. Neutrino luminosities vary violently with time because of the convective motion. For the rapidly rotating case, by contrast, a geometrically thick torus is formed soon after the black hole formation, and convective activity is weak due to the presence of epicyclic mode.Comment: 30 pages, 33 figures with low resolution, accepted for publication in Ap

Balmer Break Galaxy Candidates at z ∼ 6: A Potential View on the Star Formation Activity at z ≳ 14

We search for galaxies with a strong Balmer break (Balmer break galaxies; BBGs) at z ~ 6 over a 0.41 deg² effective area in the COSMOS field. Based on rich imaging data, including data obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), three candidates are identified by their extremely red K–[3.6] colors, as well as by nondetection in the X-ray, optical, far-infrared, and radio bands. The nondetection in the deep ALMA observations suggests that they are not dusty galaxies but BBGs at z ~ 6, although contamination from active galactic nuclei at z ~ 0 cannot be completely ruled out for the moment. Our spectral energy distribution analyses reveal that the BBG candidates at z ~ 6 have stellar masses of ≈5 × 10¹⁰ M_⊙ dominated by old stellar populations with ages of ≳ 700 Myr. Assuming that all three candidates are real BBGs at z ~ 6, we estimate the stellar mass density to be 2.4_(-1.3)^(+2.3) x {10⁴ M_⊙ Mpc⁻³. This is consistent with an extrapolation from the lower-redshift measurements. The onset of star formation in the three BBG candidates is expected to be several hundred million yr before the observed epoch of z ~ 6. We estimate the star formation rate density (SFRD) contributed by progenitors of the BBGs to be 2.4–12 × 10⁻⁵ M_⊙ yr⁻¹ Mpc⁻³ at z > 14 (99.7% confidence range). Our result suggests a smooth evolution of the SFRD beyond z = 8