Stability Analysis of Seismically Damaged Embankments

This paper describes a pseudo-static stability analysis of seismically damaged embankments during the 1983 Nihonkai-chubu earthquake (Japan). It places a great emphasis on the discussion of a dynamic shear strength of soils to be used in a seismic stability analysis of embankments. Several existing concepts of a dynamic strength are reviewed, which vary from each other with respect to loading patterns, drainage conditions and strength criteria in soil element tests. The main part of this paper is to apply some of the dynamic soil strengths discussed above to seismic stability analyses of three embankment sections, laid on loose sandy deposits which were damaged by the 1983 Nihonkai-chubu earthquake in Japan, and to evaluate the applicability of those strengths. Dynamic response analyses and pseudo-static stability analyses were performed on the basis of field and laboratory soil test data, such as SPT, shear wave logging, CPT, VCPT (vibratory cone penetration test) and cyclic triaxial compression test. The safety factors obtained from the analyses were compared with the settlements of respective embankment sections which would have possibly occurred during the earthquake. It was concluded that the dynamic shear strength, which is defined as a sum of static and dynamic shear stresses that can produce a certain value of cumulative shear strain in a certain number of stress cycles, is the most reasonable of them

Distribution of diffuse plexiform neurofibroma on the body surface in patients with neurofibromatosis 1

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a genetic disease characterized by cutaneous, neurological and osseous abnormalities. Approximately 20% of patients develop plexiform neurofibroma (PN), resulting in impaired quality of life. To evaluate distribution of diffuse PN on the body surface, a retrospective study was conducted for 354 patients with NF1 from 2007 to 2018 in Japan. We investigated a total of 40 patients with clinically apparent superficial diffuse PN. In the cases evaluated, 57.4% of the diffuse PN were located on the trunk, 19.2% the head and neck, 12.8% the lower limbs and 10.6% the upper limbs. Remarkably, 75.0% of the diffuse PN were located on the dorsal side. The frequency was significantly higher on the trunk than on the head and neck (P = 0.026). Our findings provide useful information for giving attention to the high possibility of diffuse PN on the dorsal side before progression in childhood and for future treatment in NF1

Epidemiological Analysis of Major Complications Requiring Medical Intervention in Patients with Neurofibromatosis 1

Neurofibromatosis 1 has various complications. To elucidate the frequency of neurofibromatosis 1-related major complications requiring medical intervention, a nationwide retrospective study was conducted of 3,530 patients with neurofibromatosis 1 registered from 2001 to 2014 in Japan. The ratio of certified patients requiring medical intervention (>stage 3) was 82%. Patients classified in the most severe grade experienced dermatological complications (71.8% of patients), neurological complications (38.1%) and bone complications (33.3%). In patients with dermatological manifestations, medical treatment was needed for cutaneous neurofibromas (58%), diffuse plexiform neurofibromas (31%) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (10%). Patients with neurological manifestations needed medical treatment mainly for brain tumours (53%) and intellectual disability (26%). Patients with bone manifestations needed medical treatment for pseudoarthrosis (9%), scoliosis (55%) and bone defects (16%). It is necessary for physicians to be aware of neurofibromatosis 1-related complications requiring medical intervention in order to provide appropriate care for patients with neurofibromatosis 1

Application of Transfer Matrix Method with Signal Flow-Chart to Analyze Optical Multi-Path Ring-Resonator

A multi-path ring-resonator (MPRR) was proposed to extend FSR of ring resonator. However, it is complicated to analyze the MPRR by using well-known analysis techniques such as scattering matrix or other numerical methods. This paper describes procedure for deriving transfer matrix by means of signal flow-chart to analyze the MPRR. We do not need complicated calculation for steady state analysis because transfer matrix elements are formulated clearly. As a result, The calcultaion time in this method can be reduced 1/3 to 1/20 times compared with using scattering matirx method. Furthermore, a transmittance characteristics of the MPRR at FSR extension-factor of 10 will also be shown. This suggests that analysis of other types of the MPRR by using this method can be performed simply and take a shorter time

High-speed simulation of PCB emission and immunity with frequency-domain IC/LSI source models

Some recent results from research conducted in the EMC group at Okayama University are reviewed. A scheme for power-bus modeling with an analytical method is introduced. A linear macro-model for ICs/LSIs, called the LECCS model, has been developed for EMI and EMS simulation. This model has a very simple structure and is sufficiently accurate. Combining the LECCS model with analytical simulation techniques for power-bus resonance simulation provides a method for high-speed EMI simulation and decoupling evaluation related to PCB and LSI design. A useful explanation of the common-mode excitation mechanism, which utilizes the imbalance factor of a transmission line, is also presented. Some of the results were investigated by implementing prototypes of a high-speed EMI simulator, HISES. </p

Application of Transfer Matrix Method with Signal Flow-Chart to Analyze Optical Multi-Path Ring-Resonator

A multi-path ring-resonator (MPRR) was proposed to extend FSR of ring resonator. However, it is complicated to analyze the MPRR by using well-known analysis techniques such as scattering matrix or other numerical methods. This paper describes procedure for deriving transfer matrix by means of signal flow-chart to analyze the MPRR. We do not need complicated calculation for steady state analysis because transfer matrix elements are formulated clearly. As a result, The calcultaion time in this method can be reduced 1/3 to 1/20 times compared with using scattering matirx method. Furthermore, a transmittance characteristics of the MPRR at FSR extension-factor of 10 will also be shown. This suggests that analysis of other types of the MPRR by using this method can be performed simply and take a shorter time

死別体験における悲嘆の回復過程に関する要因の分析

スマトラ沖大地震・インド洋津波によって，突然肉親と死別体験をもった２遺族に面接調査を行った．死別による悲嘆から回復する過程に，どのような要因が関連しているのかについて分析した．その結果，この地域が敬虔な仏教徒であったことから，対象となった２遺族は，信仰が悲しみを緩和する要因として働いていた．さらに近隣の人びとの精神的な支援や，新たな生命の誕生は将来への希望につながり，悲嘆から回復する要因の一つとなっていることが明らかとなった．Two families that experienced the sudden death of relatives in the Sumatra earthquake and Indian Ocean tsunami were interviewed, and the kinds of factors in the process of healing that sadness were analysed. As a result, it was discovered that, given the devoutly Buddhist nature of the area, the two families’ faith worked to relieve their sadness. There was also psychological support from neighbours and hope for the future embodied in the birth of children, which were also factors in healing their sadness

Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P) in the Peritoneal Fluid Skews M2 Macrophage and Contributes to the Development of Endometriosis

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), an inflammatory mediator, is abundantly contained in red blood cells and platelets. We hypothesized that the S1P concentration in the peritoneal cavity would increase especially during the menstrual phase due to the reflux of menstrual blood, and investigated the S1P concentration in the human peritoneal fluid (PF) from 14 non-endometriosis and 19 endometriosis patients. Although the relatively small number of samples requires caution in interpreting the results, S1P concentration in the PF during the menstrual phase was predominantly increased compared to the non-menstrual phase, regardless of the presence or absence of endometriosis. During the non-menstrual phase, patients with endometriosis showed a significant increase in S1P concentration compared to controls. In vitro experiments using human intra-peritoneal macrophages (MΦ) showed that S1P stimulation biased them toward an M2MΦ-dominant condition and increased the expression of IL-6 and COX-2. An in vivo study showed that administration of S1P increased the size of the endometriotic-like lesion in a mouse model of endometriosis