An Empirical Analysis of Agglomeration Effect in the Japanese Food Industry -Panel Analysis Using Flexible Translog Production Function-

In this paper, we examine the existence of agglomeration effect on production in the Japanese food industry from 1985 to 2000 using plant-level 4-digit subclassification, panel dataset and new agglomeration index in Akune and Tokunaga (2005), and Tokunaga, Kageyama, and Akune (2005), based on Ellison and Glaeser (1997). This is an improvement on the the conventional indices such as Location Quotient (LQ) or Location Gini Coefficient (L).When we apply a flexible translog production function and cost share equation as suggested by Kim (1992), we find that around 2% of positive agglomeration effect exists in absence of any restriction on homotheticity in the the case of employment based agglomeration (Gamma EG ).Agglomeration, Japanese food industry, Panel data analysis, Flexible translog production functions, Agribusiness, R12, R3, Q59,

Agglomeration Effects and Japanese Food Industry Investment in China: Evidence from the Cities

This paper uses the data from Chugoku Shinshutsu Kigyou Ichiran 2003-2004 (A View of Japanese Enterprises Investments in China 2003-2004) to study 1ocation choice of Japanese food industry investment in 231 Chinese cities from 1992 to 2001, paying a particular attention to agglomeration effects. A negative binominal model indicates that labor cost (WAGE) is the most important factor that deters Japanese food industry investment. Market size (GDP), raw material (MATER), port (PORT) and policy incentives (POLICY), however, have positive effects in Japanese food industry investment location choice in China. As for the three-tier agglomeration effects' test, the agglomeration effects of Japanese manufactures agglomeration (AG2) and Japanese food manufactures agglomeration (AG3) are confirmed, but not for foreign investment agglomeration (AG1).food industry, agglomeration, Japan, China, FDI, Agribusiness, International Relations/Trade, F21, Q13, Q18,

COMPARISON OF PROPERTIES OF A PITCHED-BALL ROTATION MEASURED BY THREE DIFFERENT METHODS

The purpose of this study was to compare the properties of a pitched-ball rotation, such as the spin rate and direction of the spin axis, which were measured by 2D images with a 3D registration method (2DR), the 3D direct linear transformation method (3DLT), and a Doppler radar measurement system (DRS). The pitched baseball was recorded by using two high-speed cameras (2,000 Hz) and DRS (48,000 Hz). For 2DR and 3DLT, some landmarks on the pitched ball were digitized to calculate the location in 2D and 3D space. For DRS, the 3D spin axis was calculated using equations developed by Nathan (2015). We found that the properties of the fastball were comparable among the three methods, but the properties of pitches that were not fastballs were not always comparable with the others

コクミン カクメイキ ノ コッカシュギ ハ オヨビ チュウゴク セイネントウ ノ ドウコウ ニツイテ コッカシュギ キョウイク シソウ セイリュウ ノ イギ オ リカイ スル タメ ニ

論説(Article

A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING ELBOW VARUS TORQUE USING ONLY A BASEBALL WITH AN EMBEDDED SENSOR

Currently, to measure the elbow varus torque during baseball pitching, it is necessary to attach markers and sensors to the body. The purpose of this study is to develop the method for estimating elbow varus torque by only a baseball with an embedded sensor, and examine the accuracy. Eight baseball pitchers threw a four-seam fastball with maximum effort. The varus torque was estimated using one-link-segment model by an accelerometer and gyro sensor placed in the baseball. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficients between the maximum values of the varus torque calculated by the proposed method and the values calculated by the motion capture system was high (ICC(3,1) = 0.73).This result indicates that proof of concept by one-link model is success and warrants future research to potentially develop a system with greater accuracy

Laboratory-based X-ray phase-imaging scanner using Talbot-Lau interferometer for non-destructive testing

An X-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer scanning setup consisting of three transmission gratings, a laboratory-based X-ray source that emits X-rays vertically, and an image detector on the top has been developed for the application of X-ray phase imaging to moving objects that cannot be tested clearly with conventional absorption contrast. The grating-based X-ray phase imaging method usually employs a phase-stepping (or fringe-scanning) technique by displacing one of the gratings step-by-step while the object stays still. Since this approach is not compatible with a scanner-type application for moving objects, we have developed a new algorithm for achieving the function of phase-stepping without grating displacement. By analyzing the movie of the moiré pattern as the object moves across the field of view, we obtain the absorption, differential phase, and visibility images. The feasibility of the X-ray phase imaging scanner has been successfully demonstrated for a long sample moving at 5 mm/s. This achievement is a breakthrough for the practical industrial application of X-ray phase imaging for screening objects carried on belt-conveyers such as those in factories

Dual Targeting of CDK4/6 and cMET in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common cancer of the eye in adults. Up to 50% of UM patients subsequently develop metastases, especially in the liver. It has been reported that the retinoblastoma (RB) pathway is deregulated in more than 90% of UM despite the rarity of mutations in the RB1 gene itself. CDK4/6 inhibition (CDK4/6i) is a rational strategy for treatment of UM. In this report, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor on metastatic UM. A CDK4/6 inhibitor suppressed UM cell lines growth in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) decreased the effect of CDK4/6 inhibitor on metastatic UM cell lines. When CDK4/6i was combined with cMET inhibitor, enhanced growth suppression was observed in metastatic UM tumors grown in human-HGF knock-in xenograft mouse models. HGF is enriched in the liver and the majority of liver metastases from UM express activated forms of cMET; therefore, signaling through cMET could contribute to the resistance mechanisms against CDK4/6i, especially in UM patients with hepatic metastasis. Together, these results provide a rationale for the use of cMET inhibitor in combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic UM

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and the evaluation of volume overload in infants and children with congenital heart disease.

This study was designed to explore whether it was possible to evaluate the severity of VSD, PDA, and ASD by measuring brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. We also investigated normal BNP levels in children to provide a baseline for our study. We measured BNP levels in 253 normal children, including 11 normal neonates, and in 91 VSD patients, 29 PDA patients, and 34 ASD patients. BNP levels showed no age-related differences in normal children (the mean value: 5.3 +/- 3.8 pg/ml). In the healthy neonates, BNP levels rose from 10.4 +/- 11.9 pg/ml in cord blood to 118.8 +/- 83.2 pg/ml on day 0, then fell to 15.3 +/- 7.8 pg/ml by day 7. In VSD and PDA patients, BNP levels correlated significantly with Qp/Qs, LVEDV, and peak RVP/LVP. In ASD patients, BNP levels correlated with Qp/Qs and RVEDV. Especially, in VSD patients, as an index corresponding to 1.5-2.0 of the Qp/Qs ratio, BNP levels of 20-35 pg/ml were found to be best with regard to both sensitivity and specificity. In the healthy neonates, BNP levels changed rapidly after birth. In VSD, PDA, and ASD patients, BNP levels were well-correlated with the severity of the disease. Especially, in VSD patients, it that appears BNP levels may be useful in evaluating surgical indications, with 20-35 pg/ml levels being the appropriate cut-off value.</p

Functional rejuvenation of aged neural stem cells by Plagl2 and anti-Dyrk1a activity

老化神経幹細胞の若返りによるニューロン産生の復活と認知機能の改善. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-12-17.The regenerative potential of neural stem cells (NSCs) declines during aging, leading to cognitive dysfunctions. This decline involves up-regulation of senescence-associated genes, but inactivation of such genes failed to reverse aging of hippocampal NSCs. Because many genes are up-regulated or down-regulated during aging, manipulation of single genes would be insufficient to reverse aging. Here we searched for a gene combination that can rejuvenate NSCs in the aged mouse brain from nuclear factors differentially expressed between embryonic and adult NSCs and their modulators. We found that a combination of inducing the zinc finger transcription factor gene Plagl2 and inhibiting Dyrk1a, a gene associated with Down syndrome (a genetic disorder known to accelerate aging), rejuvenated aged hippocampal NSCs, which already lost proliferative and neurogenic potential. Such rejuvenated NSCs proliferated and produced new neurons continuously at the level observed in juvenile hippocampi, leading to improved cognition. Epigenome, transcriptome, and live-imaging analyses indicated that this gene combination induces up-regulation of embryo-associated genes and down-regulation of age-associated genes by changing their chromatin accessibility, thereby rejuvenating aged dormant NSCs to function like juvenile active NSCs. Thus, aging of NSCs can be reversed to induce functional neurogenesis continuously, offering a way to treat age-related neurological disorders

Correlated Rattling of Sodium‐Chains Suppressing Thermal Conduction in Thermoelectric Stannides

物質の熱伝導率を低減させる新機構を発見 --高性能な熱電材料開発の新たな指針に--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-12-27.Tin-based intermetallics with tunnel frameworks containing zigzag Na chains that excite correlated rattling impinging on the framework phonons are attractive as thermoelectric materials owing to their low lattice thermal conductivity. The correlated rattling of Na atoms in the zigzag chains and the origin of the low thermal conductivity is uncovered via experimental and computational analyses. The Na atoms behave as oscillators along the tunnel, resulting in substantial interactions between Na atoms in the chain and between the chain and framework. In these intermetallic compounds, a shorter inter-rattler distance results in lower thermal conductivity, suggesting that phonon scattering by the correlated rattling Na-chains is enhanced. These results provide new insights into the behavior of thermoelectric materials with low thermal conductivity and suggest strategies for the development of such materials that utilize the correlated rattling