Who Realizes a PSS?: An Organizational Framework for PSS Development

AbstractIn manufacturing, Product-Service Systems (PSS) that create value by coupling a physical product and a service have been attracting attention. According to this background, many researchers have proposed PSS development methods that provide guidance on HOW TO realize a PSS. However, difficulties still remain with regard to constructing an organization for PSS development; i.e., answering the question, WHO realizes a PSS? In order to clarify problems with regard to constructing the organization, this paper proposes an organizational framework for PSS development. Based on this framework, this paper points outsome research challenges with regard to constructing the organization for PSS development, and then, introducing the PSS development methods that can address these challenges

Age-Related Declines in the Ability to Modulate Common Input to Bilateral and Unilateral Plantar Flexors During Forward Postural Lean

Aging can impair an ability to lean the body forward to the edge of the base of support. Here, we investigated, using a coherence analysis, common inputs to bilateral and unilateral plantar flexor muscles to test a hypothesis that the age-related impairment would be related to strong synchronous bilateral activation and reduced cortical control of these muscles. Healthy young (n = 14) and elderly adults (n = 19), who were all right-foot dominant, performed quiet standing task and tasks that required the subjects to lean their body forward to 35 and 75% of the maximum lean distance. The electromyogram was recorded from the bilateral medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SL) muscles. We analyzed delta-band coherence, that reflects comodulation of muscle activity, between the bilateral homologous muscles (MG-MG and SL-SL pairs). The origin of this bilateral comodulation is suggested to be the subcortical system. Also, we examined beta-band coherence, that is related to the corticospinal drive, between the unilateral muscles (MG-SL pair) in the right leg. Results indicated that the bilateral delta-band coherence for the MG-MG pair was significantly smaller in the 75% forward lean than quiet standing and 35% forward lean tasks for the young adults (quiet: p = 0.036; 35%: p = 0.0011). The bilateral delta-band coherence for the SL-SL pair was significantly smaller in the 75% forward lean than 35% forward lean task for the young adults (p = 0.027). Furthermore, the unilateral beta-band coherence was larger in the forward lean than quiet standing task for the young adults (35%: p < 0.001; 75%: p = 0.029). Contrarily, the elderly adults did not demonstrate such changes. These findings suggest the importance of decreasing the synchronous bilateral activation and increasing the unilateral cortical control of the plantar flexor muscles for the successful forward postural lean performance, and that aging impairs this modulatory ability

The effects of transcranial static magnetic fields stimulation over the supplementary motor area on anticipatory postural adjustments

We investigated the influence of transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) over the supplementary motor area (SMA) on anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs), in which the activation of the postural muscles of the legs and trunk that control standing posture precedes the activation of the prime mover muscles during rapid shoulder flexion movement. Eighteen subjects performed a self-paced rapid shoulder flexion task before, during, and after tSMS. Electromyogram (EMG) activity was recorded from the deltoid anterior (AD) as the prime mover muscle and the biceps femoris (BF) as the postural muscle during the task. The EMG latency difference (ΔEMG onset) between the two muscles was calculated by subtracting the EMG burst onset of the BF from that of the AD. The ΔEMG onset was significantly shortened, but center-of-pressure parameters were not affected after tSMS stimulation. These findings suggest that tSMS applied over the SMA could inhibitively modulate APAs function

Tsunami of Great East Japan Earthquake and School’s Obligation of Safety

application/pdfこの小稿は、宮城県石巻市立大川小学校に在籍していた児童が、東日本大震災に伴い発生した大津波に巻き込まれて死亡した学校事故につき、遺族が石巻市及び宮城県を相手取って提起した損害賠償請求訴訟を素材として、そこから将来の防災に向けた示唆を汲み取ろうとするものである。 　とりわけ、その二審判決（仙台高判平成三〇年四月二六日判例時報二三八七号三一頁）は、平時・事前に小学校及び市教育委員会が組織的に児童の安全確保に取り組むべき義務を負うこと、本件では作成されていた「危機管理マニュアル」に不備があることを指摘するとともに、地震発生時に学校側が採るべきであった避難行動を具体的に示した。 　学校教育法及び学校保健安全法の規定を出発点として児童に対する「安全確保義務」を導いた上で、平時・事前の防災体制の整備と避難訓練等の実施、体制の構築に当たっての組織的取組みの必要性、具体的な避難行動のあり方など、将来の同種の問題を予防することに向けた教訓が、多く含まれている。departmental bulletin pape

Successful esophageal bypass surgery in a patient with a large tracheoesophageal fistula following endotracheal stenting and chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer: case report

A 63-year-old man with esophageal achalasia for more than 20 years complained of respiratory distress. He was admitted as an emergency to the referral hospital three months previously. Computed tomography revealed tracheobronchial stenosis due to advanced esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion. He underwent tracheobronchial stenting and chemoradiotherapy. A large tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) developed after irradiation (18 Gy) and chemotherapy, and he was unable to eat. Thereafter, he was referred to our hospital, where we performed esophageal bypass surgery using a gastric conduit. A percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system was prepared due to the risk of airway obstruction during anesthesia. A small-diameter tracheal tube inserted into the stent achieved ordinary respiratory management. No anesthesia-related problems were encountered. Oral intake commenced on postoperative day 9. He was discharged on postoperative day 23 and was able to take in sustenance orally right up to the last moment of his life. Esophageal bypass under general anesthesia can be performed in patients with large TEF with sufficient preparation for anesthetic management