Regionalism in the new globalized economy : politics of scale and the discourse of regionalism--Comparative politics of two Japanese global city-regions.

This study examines the effects of globalization on state restructuring and the status of cities and local governments. I conduct a comparative case study of two Japanese world cities, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. Existing globalization theories offer only partial explanations that fail to grasp the dynamic aspects of such rescaling. To explore the dynamics of government restructuring, this study investigates the relationship between decentralization, regionalization and globalization, highlighting the role of local leaders who employed political rhetoric in their efforts to rescale the city. This research finds that uneven economic effects of globalization are not the direct cause for the political actions of local leaders for government rescaling. Instead, local leaders pursued regionalism as political strategy, including to improve their ability to gain central government aid and to improve independent local economic viability, depending on the conditions of locally specific intergovernmental relations. Regionalism was a function of competition between city-regions over central government aid rather than globalization. The Japanese central government favored directly Tokyo as its strongest city-region for investment under globalization. In response, the leaders of the disadvantaged region Osaka sought decentralization for autonomy and regionalization for economic viability. The consequence is the combination of decentralization and regionalization under globalization. This process observed in Japan can provide insight as to the effects of globalization on government structure and the importance of local politics in the government rescaling. This theoretical approach to globalization and its effects on government does not contradict existing theories in the literature. Rather, this local strategic interactive approach supplements them by weaving them together. By introducing the strategic actions of local actors to the existing theories, it can reconcile competing theories, such as world cities thesis versus the nested scale theory and state globalization versus new localism

Organopalladium catalyst on S-terminated GaAs(001)-(2×6) surface

Organopalladium molecules, such as Pd(CH3COO)2 ({Pd}), immobilized on the S-terminated GaAs(001), termed GaAs–S–{Pd} have high catalytic activity and cycle durability in the Mizoroki–Heck reaction. It is thought that the presence of Ga–S bonds in the single atomic layer S-termination is essential for these catalytic properties despite the much higher thickness (~100 nm) of the {Pd} films. In this study, the authors demonstrate the retention of Ga–S bonds in ultrathin GaAs–S–{Pd} by using reflection high-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The ultrathin GaAs–S–{Pd} was prepared by using a vapor-deposition technique. Deposited {Pd} was observed as ~1 nm dotlike structures with STM. The adsorption rate of {Pd} was also investigated

Two-Group Drift-Flux Model for Dispersed Gas-Liquid Flow in Large-Diameter Pipes

Interfacial Heat and Mass Transfer Are Prevalent in Industrial Processes. the Interfacial Transfer Rate Can Be Obtained by the Product of their Fluxes and Interfacial Area Concentration (IAC) Calculated by the Interfacial Area Transport Equation (IATE). Bubbles Show Different Behavior According to their Sizes. Hence, Bubbles Are Classified into Two Groups. Consequently, Two-Group IATE is Required Causing to Use of Two Gas Momentum Equations Leading to More Complexity. the Present Study Suggests a New Reliable Two-Group Drift-Flux Modeling to Reduce the Two Gas Momentum Equations to One Gas Mixture Momentum Equation for Gas-Liquid Flow in Large-Diameter Pipes. the Model is Developed based on the Drift-Flux Model Concept and Experimental Data. Group-One and Group-Two Distribution Parameters and Drift Velocities Are Validated through Experimental Data. the Results Show that the Proposed Two-Group Drift-Flux Model Can Support the Concept of Drift Velocity from the Bubbly to Beyond the Bubbly Flow and Consistency between the One-Group and Two-Group Drift-Flux Models. Moreover, Steam-Water Data Are Used to Validate the Applicability of the Model in Steam-Water Flows Condition. the Developed Two-Group Drift-Flux Model is Indispensable for Reducing the Two Gas Momentum Equations to One Gas Mixture Momentum Equation When Two-Group IATE is Implemented into Thermal-Hydraulic Codes to Improve the Prediction Accuracy of IAC

The \u3cem\u3edapE\u3c/em\u3e-encoded \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e-Succinyl-l,l-Diaminopimelic Acid Desuccinylase from \u3cem\u3eHaemophilus influenzae\u3c/em\u3e Is a Dinuclear Metallohydrolase

The Zn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra, of the dapE-encoded N-succinyl-l,l-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) from Haemophilus influenzae have been recorded in the presence of one or two equivalents of Zn(II) (i.e. [Zn_(DapE)] and [ZnZn(DapE)]). The Fourier transforms of the Zn EXAFS are dominated by a peak at ca. 2.0 Å, which can be fit for both [Zn_(DapE)] and [ZnZn(DapE)], assuming ca. 5 (N,O) scatterers at 1.96 and 1.98 Å, respectively. A second-shell feature at ca. 3.34 Å appears in the [ZnZn(DapE)] EXAFS spectrum but is significantly diminished in [Zn_(DapE)]. These data show that DapE contains a dinuclear Zn(II) active site. Since no X-ray crystallographic data are available for any DapE enzyme, these data provide the first glimpse at the active site of DapE enzymes. In addition, the EXAFS data for DapE incubated with two competitive inhibitors, 2-carboxyethylphosphonic acid and 5-mercaptopentanoic acid, are also presented

Realization of contact surface geometry by dragging a whisker-type tactile sensor across measuring objects

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科機能開発システム金沢大学工学部Previously we reported a method for displaying the shape of an object by using an array of whisker sensors. The array of whiskers was pressed against the object to be measured and the deflection of each whisker was measured. The measurements were used as inputs to a neural network to recognize the shapes. However, the previous method needed a larger number of whiskers to recognize the wider surface, because the array of whiskers has to be in full contact with the entire surface. Therefore, this study presents a new method in which a much smaller number of whiskers are dragged across the surface of the measured object to distinguish the shapes. The method is performed in the following manner. Firstly, a smaller number of whiskers are dragged across an object and each whisker deflection direction is distinguished at discrete time intervals. Next, the neural network continuously monitors the output from the whiskers and produces a result that characterizes the surface at the current scan position. Lastly, by building up a map of the classification of the entire surface, the geometry of the measured object can be displayed. This study exhibits the hardware and software required for displaying shapes, and shows examples of the results obtained from the measurements of some objects

The Efficacy and Safety of Propiverine Hydrochloride in Patients with Overactive Bladder Symptoms Who Poorly Responded to Previous Anticholinergic Agents

Objectives. To prospectively examine the efficacy and safety of propiverine hydrochloride in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms who poorly responded to previous treatment with solifenacin, tolterodine or imidafenacin. Methods. Patients aged ≥20 with persisting OAB symptoms (≥6 in OAB symptom score (OABSS)) even after at least 4-week treatment using solifenacin, tolterodine or imidafenacin were enrolled. Propiverine 20 mg/day was administered for 12 weeks to 70 patients who desired the further improvement of OAB symptoms and 3 who had intolerable adverse events of previous drugs. The OABSS and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) were determined before and at 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. Results. Of 73 patients enrolled (29 males and 44 females, median age 71 years), 52 completed the protocol treatment. The OABSS was significantly improved by propiverine treatment (9.0 at baseline, 6.2 at 4 weeks, 6.3 at 12 weeks (P < 0.001)). The scores of OAB symptoms (nighttime frequency, urgency and urge incontinence) except daytime frequency also improved significantly. No increase in PVR was observed. The most frequent adverse event was dry mouth (13.7%), followed by constipation (6.8%). Conclusions. Propiverine is useful to improve OAB for patients who poorly respond to solifenacin, tolterodine or imidafenacin

Structural basis for potent inhibition of d-amino acid oxidase by thiophene carboxylic acids

A series of thiophene-2-carboxylic acids and thiophene-3-carboxylic acids were identified as a new class of DAO inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed that small substituents are well-tolerated on the thiophene ring of both the 2-carboxylic acid and 3-carboxylic acid scaffolds. Crystal structures of human DAO in complex with potent thiophene carboxylic acids revealed that Tyr224 was tightly stacked with the thiophene ring of the inhibitors, resulting in the disappearance of the secondary pocket observed with other DAO inhibitors. Molecular dynamics simulations of the complex revealed that Tyr224 preferred the stacked conformation irrespective of whether Tyr224 was stacked or not in the initial state of the simulations. MM/GBSA indicated a substantial hydrophobic interaction between Tyr244 and the thiophene-based inhibitor. In addition, the active site was tightly closed with an extensive network of hydrogen bonds including those from Tyr224 in the stacked conformation. The introduction of a large branched side chain to the thiophene ring markedly decreased potency. These results are in marked contrast to other DAO inhibitors that can gain potency with a branched side chain extending to the secondary pocket due to Tyr224 repositioning. These insights should be of particular importance in future efforts to optimize DAO inhibitors with novel scaffolds

Carcinogenesis in Mouse Stomach by Simultaneous Activation of the Wnt Signaling and Prostaglandin E2 Pathway

金沢大学がん研究所附属がん幹細胞研究センター　Background & Aims: Accumulating evidence indicates that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a downstream product of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), plays a key role in gastric tumorigenesis. The Wnt pathway is also suggested to play a causal role in gastric carcinogenesis. However, the molecular mechanism remains poorly understood of how the Wnt and PGE2 pathways contribute to gastric tumorigenesis. To investigate the role of Wnt and PGE2 in gastric cancer, we have generated transgenic mice that activate both pathways and examined their phenotypes. Methods: We constructed K19-Wnt1 transgenic mice expressing Wnt1 in the gastric mucosa using the keratin 19 promoter. We then crossed K19-Wnt1 mice with another transgenic line, K19-C2mE, to obtain K19-Wnt1/C2mE compound transgenic mice. The K19-C2mE mice express COX-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) in the stomach, showing an increased gastric PGE2 level. We examined the gastric phenotypes of both K19-Wnt1 and K19-Wnt1/C2mE mice. Results: K19-Wnt1 mice had a significant suppression of epithelial differentiation and developed small preneoplastic lesions consisting of undifferentiated epithelial cells with macrophage accumulation. Importantly, additional expression of COX-2 and mPGES-1 converted the preneoplastic lesions in the K19-Wnt1 mice into dysplastic gastric tumors by 20 weeks of age. Notably, we found mucous cell metaplasia in the glandular stomach of the K19-Wnt1/C2mE mice as early as 5 weeks of age, before the dysplastic tumor development. Conclusions: Wnt signaling keeps the gastric progenitor cells undifferentiated. Simultaneous activation of both Wnt and PGE2 pathways causes dysplastic gastric tumors through the metaplasia-carcinoma sequence. © 2006 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute