Deposition and Deformation of Modern Accretionary-Type Forearc Basins: Linking Basin Formation and Accretionary Wedge Growth

Since a comprehensive review of forearc basins was published by Dickinson more than 20 years ago, a significant amount of new data about them have been published. These recent studies revealed details of depositional and deformation styles in the forearc basins, suggesting the formation processes were not unique. In this chapter, we reviewed modern forearc basins to understand how is the basin stratigraphy related with growth of accretionary wedges. The results indicate forearc basin can be classified into two (single‐ and two‐wedge models) plus one (strike‐slip model): (1) the single‐wedge model which is characterized by landward tilting of the basin strata ascribed to asymmetrical doubly vergent (single‐vergent) uplift of the outer arc high with forethrusts (seaward‐vergent thrusts in the pro‐wedge); (2) the two‐wedge model which is marked by contractional deformation caused by symmetrical doubly vergent uplift of the wedge with forethrusts in the prowedge and back‐thrusts (landward‐vergent thrusts) in the retro‐wedge; and (3) the strike‐slip model which is an additional one being represented by transpressional and/or transtensional deformations due to oblique subduction. We speculate that these models spatially and temporally depend on material fluxes at the plate interfaces that affect geometry and mechanical strength of backstops

Micro-patterned culture of iPSC-derived alveolar and airway cells distinguishes SARS-CoV-2 variants.

iPS細胞から作った肺胞や気道の細胞によりSARS-CoV-2変異株の病原性を比較評価する. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2024-03-29.Micro-patterning a new system to induce alveolar and airway epithelial cells. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2024-03-29.The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants necessitated a rapid evaluation system for their pathogenesis. Lung epithelial cells are their entry points; however, in addition to their limited source, the culture of human alveolar epithelial cells is especially complicated. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an alternative source of human primary stem cells. Here, we report a model for distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 variants at high resolution, using separately induced iPSC-derived alveolar and airway cells in micro-patterned culture plates. The position-specific signals induced the apical-out alveolar type 2 and multiciliated airway cells at the periphery and center of the colonies, respectively. The infection studies in each lineage enabled profiling of the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 variants: infection efficiency, tropism to alveolar and airway lineages, and their responses. These results indicate that this culture system is suitable for predicting the pathogenesis of emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants

Effect of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment on preoperative and postoperative retinal sensitivities

This retrospective study investigated foveal and perifoveal retinal sensitivities using microperimetry before and after surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Consecutive patients with RRD who underwent vitrectomy or scleral buckling were included. Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations, including microperimetry and swept-source optical coherence tomography, were performed before and 6 months after surgery. Pre- and postoperative retinal sensitivities at the fovea and 4 perifoveal measurement points farthest from the fixation point, both vertically and horizontally (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) were examined. A total of 34 foveal and 136 perifoveal measurement points in 34 eyes of 34 patients were evaluated. The postoperative retinal sensitivity was significantly higher than the preoperative value at foveal and perifoveal points with (P<0.001 for both) and without (fovea: P=0.005, perifovea: P<0.001) RRD. The postoperative retinal sensitivity was significantly lower at foveal (P<0.01) and perifoveal (P<0.001) points with preoperative RRD than at points without preoperative RRD; furthermore, it was significantly better at points with ellipsoid zone (Ez) continuity than at points with Ez discontinuity (fovea: P<0.01, perifovea: P<0.001). RRD deteriorates retinal sensitivity, regardless of its presence or absence at the measurement point before surgery. Postoperative Ez continuity is important for good postoperative retinal sensitivity

Ion Transport in Pendant and Backbone Polymerized Ionic Liquids

Polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) are single-ion conductors in which one of the ionic species is tethered to the polymer chain while the other is free to be transported. The ionic species can either be directly incorporated into the polymeric backbone (backbone PILs) or placed as pendant groups to the chain (pendant PILs). Here, we examined the morphology, conductivity, and rheology of imidazolium-based pendant and backbone PILs. We found that pendant PILs yielded higher ionic conductivity when scaled to Tg, but backbone PILs exhibited higher ionic conductivity on an absolute temperature scale, likely because of differences in the Tgs of the two systems. We also found that ion transport for backbone PILs was coupled to the segmental dynamics below Tg, where the decoupling of ionic conductivity from segmental relaxation was observed for pendant PILs. The results of this study will help the community to better understand the role of the PIL structure on conductivity to work toward the ultimate goal of designing high-performance solid polymer electrolytes

Impact of population aging on trends in diabetes prevalence : A meta-regression analysis of 160,000 Japanese adults

Aims/IntroductionTo provide age- and sex-specific trends, age-standardized trends, and projections of diabetes prevalence through the year 2030 in the Japanese adult population. Materials and MethodsIn the present meta-regression analysis, we included 161,087 adults from six studies and nine national health surveys carried out between 1988 and 2011 in Japan. We assessed the prevalence of diabetes using a recorded history of diabetes or, for the population of individuals without known diabetes, either a glycated hemoglobin level of 6.5% (48mmol/mol) or the 1999 World Health Organization criteria (i.e., a fasting plasma glucose level of 126mg/dL and/or 2-h glucose level of 200mg/dL in the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test). ResultsFor both sexes, prevalence appeared to remain unchanged over the years in all age categories except for men aged 70years or older, in whom a significant increase in prevalence with time was observed. Age-standardized diabetes prevalence estimates based on the Japanese population of the corresponding year showed marked increasing trends: diabetes prevalence was 6.1% among women (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5-6.7), 9.9% (95% CI 9.2-10.6) among men, and 7.9% (95% CI 7.5-8.4) among the total population in 2010, and was expected to rise by 2030 to 6.7% (95% CI 5.2-9.2), 13.1% (95% CI 10.9-16.7) and 9.8% (95% CI 8.5-12.0), respectively. In contrast, the age-standardized diabetes prevalence using a fixed population appeared to remain unchanged. ConclusionsThis large-scale meta-regression analysis shows that a substantial increase in diabetes prevalence is expected in Japan during the next few decades, mainly as a result of the aging of the adult population.Peer reviewe