An Algorithm of Interaction Coordination in Multilevel Control of Nonlinear Systems

This paper proposes a coordination algorithm for a multilevel control of a large-scale dynamical system. The system considered consists of weakly interconnected nonlinear subsystems and the performance index is quadratic in states and controls. According to the variational principle, the optimal control is given by solving a nonlinear two-point boundary-value problem, of which analytical solution is generally impossible. The present technique is to solve the overall problem, first by solving decomposed problems of the subsystems, and secondly by coordinating interactions among the subsystems. Since each subsystem problem is a linear two-point boundary-value problem, it is relatively easy to solve. The present idea of coordination is to adjust directly the interaction variables by an iteration without using the conventional Lagrange multiplier. A sufficient condition for convergence of the iteration algorithm is presented in the paper. The algorithm is computationally simple and the convergence is quite rapid for the problem of weakly coupled systems with small nonlinearities. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated in two examples

An Interaction-Coordination Algorithm with Time- and State-Decompositions for Nonlinear Optimal Control Problems

This paper proposes a computational algorithm for the multilevel control of a composite nonlinear dynamical system with the performance index of a quadratic type. First, for the solution of a linear two-point boundary-value problem (TPBVP), a computational technique, termed time-decomposition, is proposed. The time-decomposition implies decomposition of the system equations along the subintervals of the independent variable. The boundary conditions of each subinterval are determined algebraically in such a way that the continuity condition of the variables at the boundary points is satisfied. This technique plays an important role in the subsequent discussions. Second, a nonlinear optimal control problem is considered. The objective is to minimize the performance index of a quadratic type. For this problem, the authors have previously presented ‘the interaction-coordination algorithm with modified performance index.’ The basic idea of this algorithm is to decompose the overall nonlinear problem into a number of smaller linear subproblems. Here this kind of decomposition is termed state-decomposition. In the present paper, a computational algorithm by use of both the time- and the state-decomposition is proposed. The algorithm essentially constructs a three-level computational structure, and results in a fast convergence even for problems with strong nonlinearities and/or a long control interval

Information-seeking behaviour of community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ecological study

[Objective] To evaluate the information-seeking behaviour of pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic and its relation to COVID-19 and related infections and deaths within the local prefecture. [Design] Ecological study. [Setting] Japan—47 prefectures. [Methods] The number of accesses to a Japanese web page established by the Pharmacy Informatics Group to disseminate information about infection control and the number of infections and deaths in 47 prefectures were investigated from 6 April to 30 September 2020 using the access information on the web page and publicly available information. [Results] During the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the total number of accesses was 226 130 (range: 10 984–138 898 per month), the total number of infections was 78 761 (1738–31 857) and the total number of deaths was 1470 (39–436). The correlation between the total number of accesses and that of infections per 100 000 individuals in 47 prefectures was r=0.72 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.83, p<0.001), and between the total number of accesses and deaths per 100 000 individuals in 47 prefectures was r=0.44 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.65, p=0.002). [Conclusions] The information-seeking behaviour of community pharmacists correlated positively with infection status within the community

Stable Iodine Distribution among Children after the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Disaster in Japan: An Observational Study

福島第一原発事故後の安定ヨウ素剤配布後の実態調査を実施 --安定ヨウ素剤の情報提供・内服指示に関する課題が浮き彫りに--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2019-01-10.Context: Intake of stable iodine helps prevent childhood thyroid cancer in nuclear emergencies but there is limited case information. Objective: We identified the intake rate and the factors associated with no intake among children who did not take stable iodine after the Fukushima disaster. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Data were obtained from thyroid cancer screening performed in August–November 2017. Participants: Children in Miharu Town, Fukushima, Japan. Intervention: No intervention. Main Outcome Measures: We performed multilevel logistic regression analysis at the regional and individual levels. We qualitatively examined the reasons for no intake of stable iodine based on closed- and open-ended questions. Results: The rate of distribution was 94.9%, but the intake rate was only 63.5%. Intake was lower in those aged 0–2 years compared with those aged ≥3 years: odds ratio (OR), 0.21 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11–0.36]. Parents’ intake was positively associated with their children’s intake [OR, 61.0 (95% CI, 37.9–102.9)]. The variance partition coefficient for regions was 0.021, suggesting that the intake of stable iodine was more likely affected by individual than by regional factors. The main reasons for avoiding intake were concern about safety, issues related to distribution, drug information sharing, and instructions for intake. There were no claimed adverse effects. Conclusions: The distribution and consumption of stable iodine occurred without claims of adverse effects after the Fukushima disaster. To prepare for future nuclear emergencies, it is important to explain to both children and parents the need for intake of stable iodine, particularly among young children

Internet-Based Inquiries From Users With the Intention to Overdose With Over-the-Counter Drugs: Qualitative Analysis of Yahoo! Chiebukuro

市販薬乱用に関して投稿された質問の分析 --Yahoo!知恵袋内テキストデータの定性分析--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2023-12-05.[Background:] Public concern with regard to over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse is growing rapidly across countries. OTC drug abuse has serious effects on the mind and body, such as poisoning symptoms, and often requires specialized treatments. In contrast, there is concern about people who potentially abuse OTC drugs whose symptoms are not serious enough to consult medical institutions or drug addiction rehabilitation centers yet are at high risk of becoming drug dependent in the future. [Objective:] Consumer-generated media (CGM), which allows users to disseminate information, is being used by people who abuse (and those who are trying to abuse) OTC drugs to obtain information about OTC drug abuse. This study aims to analyze the content of CGM to explore the questions of people who potentially abuse OTC drugs. [Methods:] The subject of this research was Yahoo! Chiebukuro, the largest question and answer website in Japan. A search was performed using the names of drugs commonly used in OTC drug abuse and the keywords overdose and OD, and the number of questions posted on the content of OTC drug abuse was counted. Furthermore, a thematic analysis was conducted by extracting text data on the most abused antitussive and expectorant drug, BRON. [Results:] The number of questions about the content of overdose medications containing the keyword BRON has increased sharply as compared with other product names. Furthermore, 467 items of question data that met the eligibility criteria were obtained from 528 items of text data on BRON; 26 codes, 6 categories, and 3 themes were generated from the 578 questions contained in these items. Questions were asked about the effects they would gain from abusing OTC drugs and the information they needed to obtain the effects they sought, as well as about the effects of abuse on their bodies. Moreover, there were questions on how to stop abusing and what is needed when seeking help from a health care provider if they become dependent. It has become clear that people who abuse OTC drugs have difficulty in consulting face-to-face with others, and CGM is used as a means to obtain the necessary information anonymously. [Conclusions:] On CGM, people who abused or tried to abuse OTC drugs were asking questions about their abuse expectations and anxieties. In addition, when they became dependent, they sought advice to quit their abuse. CGM was used to exchange information about OTC drug abuse, and many questions on anxieties and hesitations were posted. This study suggests that it is necessary to produce and disseminate information on OTC drug abuse, considering the situation of those who abuse or are willing to abuse OTC drugs. Support from pharmacies and drugstores would also be essential to reduce opportunities for OTC drug abuse

Knowledge and self-efficacy among healthcare providers towards novel tobacco products in Japan

Several new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), have become highly prevalent in Japan. As safety data continues to evolve, healthcare providers are considered important sources for product use, yet little is known about provider knowledge or self-efficacy to counsel patient about novel tobacco product use. This cross-sectional study used data from a Japanese Association of Smoking Control Science (JASCS) online survey of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and public health practitioners (N = 277) to assess provider knowledge of novel tobacco products and self-efficacy to counsel patients about product use. Correlates of knowledge and self-efficacy were also assessed. More than half the sample had received previous training in treating tobacco use, but 62% of respondents had no knowledge of HTPs; 80% of respondents indicated that they occasionally or always provide smoking cessation support. Overall knowledge of HTPs was low (41.4% correct) with higher knowledge for HTPs containing nicotine (89% correct) vs. HTPs emitting no carbon monoxide (25%). Self-efficacy to counsel patients about novel tobacco products was low on a scale ranging from 10 to 70 (Mean = 31.2; Standard Deviation = 16.7). Greater knowledge of HTPs was associated with male gender, higher rates of training at JASCS and previous learning about HTPs at JASCS. (p < 0.05). The results suggested that healthcare providers' knowledge and self-efficacy regarding novel tobacco products remains low in Japan, but additional training may improve it

Structure and Immunosuppresive Activity of Sterols isolated from The Sagami Gulf Hydrozoa Tubularia sp.

Two immunosuppressive sterols, cholesta-5,23E-diene-3β, 25-diol (trans-liagosterol) (A) and cholesta-5,25 (26)-diene-3β, 24ζ-diol (B) were isolated respectively from the Sagami Gulf Hydrozoa Tubularia sp. by the guide of Mitogen bioassey. Structural determination was accomplished mainly by utilizing high-field (400MHz) 2D-NMR experiments, comparing to the spectra of cholesterol. Although these sterols, A and B, were known as the minor components of marine red alga, the presence in marine animal Hydrozoa such as Tubularia sp. was a new discovery. Sterol A inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation which was induced by plant lectins, concanavalin A (Con-A) and phytochemagglutinin (PHA), more than B lymphocyte proliferation which was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The activity of sterol B was more week than that of sterol A. On the other hand, by the Mitogen bioassay with hydrocortisone (HC) as a standard inhibitor and related five steroids, β-sitosterol (C), stigmesterol acetate (D), resibufogenin (E), 14,21-epoxy-3 β-hydroxy-5 β-chola-20 (21), 22-dienoic acid (F) and ergosterol (G), the inhibition of sterol A for PHA response was found to be most strong in them. However, for LPS response, the inhibition of hydrocortisone (HC) was more powerful than that of sterol A. Also, the immunosuppresive activity of related steroids, C, D, E and G was little found

Diploids in the Cryptococcus neoformans Serotype A Population Homozygous for the α Mating Type Originate via Unisexual Mating

The ubiquitous environmental human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is traditionally considered a haploid fungus with a bipolar mating system. In nature, the α mating type is overwhelmingly predominant over a. How genetic diversity is generated and maintained by this heterothallic fungus in a largely unisexual α population is unclear. Recently it was discovered that C. neoformans can undergo same-sex mating under laboratory conditions generating both diploid intermediates and haploid recombinant progeny. Same-sex mating (α-α) also occurs in nature as evidenced by the existence of natural diploid αADα hybrids that arose by fusion between two α cells of different serotypes (A and D). How significantly this novel sexual style contributes to genetic diversity of the Cryptococcus population was unknown. In this study, ∼500 natural C. neoformans isolates were tested for ploidy and close to 8% were found to be diploid by fluorescence flow cytometry analysis. The majority of these diploids were serotype A isolates with two copies of the α MAT locus allele. Among those, several are intra-varietal allodiploid hybrids produced by fusion of two genetically distinct α cells through same-sex mating. The majority, however, are autodiploids that harbor two seemingly identical copies of the genome and arose via either endoreplication or clonal mating. The diploids identified were isolated from different geographic locations and varied genotypically and phenotypically, indicating independent non-clonal origins. The present study demonstrates that unisexual mating produces diploid isolates of C. neoformans in nature, giving rise to populations of hybrids and mixed ploidy. Our findings underscore the importance of same-sex mating in shaping the current population structure of this important human pathogenic fungus, with implications for mechanisms of selfing and inbreeding in other microbial pathogens