Numerical Simulation of Multicrack Propagation Behaviour in Steel Structure

This paper describes the numerical simulation method of the multi-crack propagation behaviour which appear in a part of civil engineering structures with complex geometrical configuration like steel bridges. Proposed method can treat the interaction of several cracks which locate in a short distance each other, and the process of their growth can be grasped. The method is based on the finite element method, and the linear fracture mechanics is assumed. Proposed method includes following tools for the simulation of the crack propagation behaviour: Automatic Mesh Generators for 3-D, 2-D structural analysis, and 2-D crack propagation analysis, Multi-level Structural Analysis Technique, Estimation Method of the crack growth and the angle of cracks and the modelling method of traffic loadings. The validity of the method is investigated by comparing the result to the experimental one

Percentage body fat and results of a periodic health examination

肥満や栄養過剰は多くの慢性疾患、とりわけ成人病と関連が強いことが従来から指摘されている。肥満の判定には体脂肪率を測定することが重要であるが、その方法の一つとして、集団検診に使用しやすい生体電気インピーダンス法（bioelectrical impedance analysis）がある。今回、1ビール製造工場の定期健康診断において、対象者男235人および女137人の体脂肪率をこの方法により測定した。まずこの体脂肪率とBMIおよび肥満度との相関関係を求め、男性より女性において相関が高いことを認めた。ついで肥満群と正常群に分けて、血圧および血液検査の異常率の出現頻度を統計的に比較したところ、肥満群では男女共に総コレステロールで、また男性では尿酸、γGTP、SGPTの各値で、異常者が高率であることを認めた。またSGPTは30才台から、γGTP及びTchは40才台からその傾向が見られた。しかし、肥満指数とこれらの検査値との相関係数は高くはなかった。Data from periodic health examinations such as ALP, UA, RBC, Hb, SGOT, SGPT, Tch(total choresterol), TG(triglyceride), blood pressure, body length, body weight and also percentage body fat(% Fat) as measured by bioelectrical impedance mehtod were obtained from 235 male and 137 female workers at a brewery factory in Okayama Prefecture and results were analyzed. The correlation coefficients for % Fat and Body Mass Index values(BMI) are found to be 0.678 for males and 0.803 for females. Examinees were then devided into normal and obesity groups respectively, and the frequency of values over normal ranges (classified by obesity indicators such as % Fat, BMI and obesity rate calculated from standard weight) were statistically compared. Results showed that % Fat and BMI were more sensitive than obesity rate and that the obesity group had statistically high frequencies of abnormality in some of the data as in the case of SGPT, γGTP and TG compared to the control group. Furthermore this tendency was found to be more significant among male workers than female ones

Measuring Japanese mothers' perception of child abuse: development of a Japanese version of the child abuse blame scale – physical abuse (CABS-PA-J)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Child Abuse Blame Scale – Physical Abuse (CABS-PA) was translated into Japanese and its subscale items modified by the authors according to the Japanese cultural context. The aim of the current study was to investigate the appropriateness, reliability, and clinical applicability of the CABS-PA Japanese version (CABS-PA-J). Modifications were made to enable the determination of child abuse recognition in a Japanese cultural setting and early clinical intervention in child abuse cases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The CABS-PA text was translated into Japanese, then back translated. The appropriateness of scale item translations was verified based on e-mail discussions with the original CABS-PA author. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to examine the validity of CABS-PA-J responses and to confirm the validity of factor structure. Criterion-related validity was also confirmed. The Japanese scale was used to examine the characteristic differences between mothers of premature infants (< 1500 g) and those of other infants (≧ 1500 g).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses found the factor structure to be similar between the original scale and the translated CABS-PA-J, suggesting adequate factor validity. There was a statistically significant correlation between social support from a spouse or third party and the abuse score on a subscale, partially demonstrating criterion-referenced validity. Similarities and differences were found in the stress reactions of the mothers of premature infants (< 1500 g) and those of other infants (≧ 1500 g).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>CABS-PA-J was shown to be appropriate and reliable. It is an effective tool for determining the recognition of child abuse among Japanese mothers.</p

The reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (J-DRSP) and Development of a Short-Form version (J-DRSP (SF)) to assess symptoms of premenstrual syndrome among Japanese women

PURPOSE: To assess the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (J-DRSP, 24 items) for evaluating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and to develop a short form version of the J-DRSP. METHODS: Using the "DRSP-JAPAN" smartphone app, we collected daily J-DRSP records from cycle day - 6 (CD - 6) to CD 10, with CD 1 representing the menstruation onset date. Factorial validity (exploratory factor analysis: EFA, confirmatory factor analysis: CFA) and criterion validity were examined, and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation: ICC) evaluated. The short-form version of the J-DRSP was developed using classical test theory. RESULTS: In total, 304 women participated and 243 recorded symptoms on at least 4 days spanning the week of the luteal phase (CD - 6 to CD 0) and 4 days spanning the week of the follicular phase (CD 4 to CD 10), with CD 0 set as the day before menstruation started. The EFA revealed a two-factor structure. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin was 0.992, and Bartlett's test of sphericity chi-square was 3653.89 (P < 0.001). However, the model fitness of CFA was found to be suboptimal (comparative fit index (CFI): 0.83, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA): 0.12). Total scores for J-DRSP and the sum scores for each subscale were higher on CD 0 than on CD 10 (p < 0.001), suggesting validity for some criteria. ICC values for the total J-DRSP score from CD 0 to CD - 1, and between CD 9 to CD 10, were 0.60 (95% CI: 0.48-0.72) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69-0.82), respectively. Having eliminated some original items after considering factor loading for each item, we developed an 8-item Short-Form J-DRSP (J-DRSP (SF)) comprising 2 factors (S-Psychological and S-Physical, 4 items for each). CFA showed a better model fit (CFI: 0.99, RMSEA: 0.048), and ICC values in the luteal and follicular phases were 0.61 (95%CI: 0.51-0.68) and 0.70 (95%CI: 0.62-0.77), respectively. CONCLUSION: The J-DRSP has moderate to good reliability and a certain level of validity. The 8-item J-DRSP (SF) has a two-factor structure and can be used effectively among Japanese women to assess their PMS symptoms

Singlet Boson in Supersymmetric Model as a Mimic of the Standard Model Higgs at the LHC

We show that the gauge singlet scalar boson in low-energy supersymmetric model may behave as the standard model (SM) Higgs boson if the singlet couples to (heavy) vector-like colored particles. In this case, the SM-Higgs-like signal at the LHC can be mimicked by the singlet production process for wide range of the singlet mass.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Association between a Polymorphism of Aminolevulinate Dehydrogenase (ALAD) Gene and Blood Lead Levels in Japanese Subjects

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the aminolevulinate dehydrogenase (ALAD) genotype and blood lead levels among 101 Japanese workers. Blood lead concentration measurement, biomarkers, and genotyping were performed. The minor allele frequency (MAF) for ALAD (ALAD2) was 0.08. Although the blood lead level in the subjects with heterozygous GC genotype was significantly higher than those with homozygous GG genotype, there were no significant differences for hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum and urinary ALA levels among genotypes. ALAD2 genotype was significantly associated with the blood lead concentration, even in the environmental lead exposed subjects. Further confirmation with a large sample size is needed

Hydrogen Sensing Properties of an Anodized TiO2 Film Equipped with a Pd-Pt Electrode

An anodized TiO2 sensor equipped with a Pd-Pt electrode was subjected to heat treatment in air (air-treated) and additionally in N2 (N2-treated), and then its responses to H2 balanced with air or N2 were investigated under dry and wet conditions. Among the conditions tested, the N2-treated sensor showed the largest H2 response in dry N2 atmosphere. But, H2 response of the air-treated sensor increased with the existence of water vapor, while that of the N2-treated sensor decreased with the existence of water vapor. As a result, H2 response of the air-treated sensor in wet air was quite comparable with that of the N2-treated sensor in wet N2. Thus, it was revealed that the existence of water vapor reduced the pretreatment- and measurement atmosphere-dependent H2 response of the sensor.214th ECS Meeting : Honolulu, HI, October 12 - October 17, 200