State-of-Arts Views on Response Control Technologies on Metal Space Structures

p. 277-288Recently various kinds of passive response control techniques are taken into practice for buildings in seismic areas, and they start affecting on the architectural design itself. These trend affects also on spatial structures, and application of such techniques to domes, truss structures, or tension structures are recently increasing. Folllowing previous descussions [1], this paper firstly present the recent varieties of architectural expressions using seismic response controll technologies in buildings. Then, several important progresses in the application of passive control technology for metal spatial structures are introduced by refering recently realized projects, followed by discussions on their response characteristics and easy response evaluation methods.Takeuchi, T.; Ogawa, T.; Kumagai, T. (2009). State-of-Arts Views on Response Control Technologies on Metal Space Structures. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/650

Dynamic responses of cyclindrical lattice shell roofs under horizontal earthquake motions with arbitrary direction by shaking table test

p. 409-419This paper is intended as an investigation of the seismic response behavior of cylindrical lattice shell structures by shaking table tests. The seismic vibration tests are carried out using small scale models with shell span of 60 cm of cylindrical lattice shell roofs with substructure under horizontal motions in arbitrary direction. From the experimental results, the effects of difference of earthquake input direction and relationship between mechanical properties of roofs and substructures on response behavior of shell roofs are made clear. In addition, it is confirmed that the seismic response evaluation methods proposed in previous papers (Takeuchi et al. [1] ~ Takeuchi et al. [3]) apply to the responses subjected to earthquake motions with arbitrary direction.Kumagai, T.; Takeuchi, T.; Susuki, I.; Ogawa, T. (2009). Dynamic responses of cyclindrical lattice shell roofs under horizontal earthquake motions with arbitrary direction by shaking table test. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/653

Response Evaluation of Seismically Isolated Lattice Domes using Amplification Factors

p. 355-365Seismic responses of raised lattice domes with substructures are known to be very complicated, and it is known that not only horizontal response but also vertical response is excited under horizontal seismic input. Such action causes damage on structures and nonstructural elements such as ceiling and suspended lightning equipments. A seismic isolation system is known to be effective to reduce such responses. In this paper, simple response evaluation methods for lattice domes supported by substructures with seismic isolation bearings are proposed using response amplification factors and linearization techniques with the same concept proposed by authors. Their validities are discussed against the results of time history analyses.Takamatsu, K.; Takeuchi, T.; Kumagai, T.; Ogawa, T. (2009). Response Evaluation of Seismically Isolated Lattice Domes using Amplification Factors. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/652

IL-10 Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-ß-Induction of Type I Collagen mRNA Expression via Both JNK and p38 Pathways in Human Lung Fibroblasts

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a key factor for understanding the pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We have demonstrated that interleukin-10 (IL-10) suppresses TGF-ß-induced expression of type I collagen (COL1) mRNA in a human lung fibroblast cell line (WI-38). However, the inhibitory mechanism has not yet been clearly elucidated. Thus, in the current study, we investigate the effects of IL-10 blockade of TGF-ß signaling which regulates COL1 mRNA expression. In WI-38 cells, IL-10 inhibits TGF-ß-mediated phosphorylation of both, c-Jun HN2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, but does not suppress TGF-ß- mediated phosphorylation of Smad2 or affect TGF-ß-upregulation of Smad7 mRNA expression. In addition, SP600125 and SB203580, specific inhibitors of JNK and p38, respectively, attenuate TGF-ß-induced COL1 mRNA expression in WI-38 cells. These results suggest that IL-10 inhibits TGF-ß-induced COL1 mRNA expression via both JNK and p38 pathways but not Smad pathways in WI-38 cells. This inhibitory mechanism may provide a novel insight into therapeutic strategies for fibrotic disorders such as IPF

Anti-fibrotic Effects of ONO-EF-345, a Specific Phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor, on Lung Fibroblasts

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) IV inhibitors have been shown to inhibit various inflammatory reactions in pulmonary diseases such as bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD). However, there have been no studies evaluating the effect of PDE IV inhibitors on airway fibrosis, which is a critical feature of airway remodeling in asthma and COPD. We therefore examined whether ONO-EF-345 (ONO), a PDE IV inhibitor, affected the function of lung fibroblasts. ONO suppressed TGF-ß-induced type I collagen (COL1) mRNA expression in lung fibroblasts and also inhibited TGF-ß-induced a- smooth muscle actin (SMA) protein expression. ONO did not affect Smad2 phosphorylation or Smad7 expression. However, ONO reduced JNK and p38 activation, which regulates TGF-ß-induced COL1 expression. These results indicate that PDE IV inhibitors exert anti-fibrotic effects through the JNK and/or p38 pathways

Sexual Function Is an Indicator of Central Arterial Stiffness and Arterial Stiffness Gradient in Japanese Adult Men

BackgroundAs arterial stiffness increases in the absence of subjective symptoms, a personal indicator that reflects increased risk of cardiovascular disease is necessary. Penile erection is regulated by vascular function, and atherosclerosis affects the penile artery earlier than it affects the coronary and carotid arteries. Therefore, we hypothesized that deterioration of erectile function could be a marker of increased risk for cardiovascular disease. To test our hypothesis, we assessed erectile function and arterial stiffness in a cross‐sectional study.Methods and ResultsCarotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), brachial‐ankle PWV, femoral‐ankle PWV, and arterial stiffness gradient (PWV ratio: carotid‐femoral PWV/femoral‐ankle PWV) were measured as indexes of central, systemic, and peripheral arterial stiffness and peripheral organ damage, respectively, in 317 adult men. In addition, erectile function was assessed by using the questionnaire International Index of Erectile Function 5 (a descending score indicates worsening of erectile function). The scores of male sexual function were inversely correlated with carotid‐femoral PWV (rs=−0.41), brachial‐ankle PWV (rs=−0.35), femoral‐ankle PWV (rs=−0.19), and PWV ratio (rs=−0.33). Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that International Index of Erectile Function 5 scores were significantly associated with carotid‐femoral PWV (β=−0.22) and PWV ratio (β=−0.25), but not with brachial‐ankle PWV and femoral‐ankle PWV.ConclusionsOur results indicated that erectile function is independently associated with central arterial stiffness and peripheral organ damage. These findings suggest that male sexual function could be an easily identifiable and independent marker of increased central arterial stiffness and peripheral organ damage

Size and Shape Distributions of Primary Crystallites in Titania Aggregates

The primary crystallite size of titania powder relates to its properties in a number of applications. Transmission electron microscopy was used in this interlaboratory comparison (ILC) to measure primary crystallite size and shape distributions for a commercial aggregated titania powder. Data of four size descriptors and two shape descriptors were evaluated across nine laboratories. Data repeatability and reproducibility was evaluated by analysis of variance. One-third of the laboratory pairs had similar size descriptor data, but 83% of the pairs had similar aspect ratio data. Scale descriptor distributions were generally unimodal and were well-described by lognormal reference models. Shape descriptor distributions were multi-modal but data visualization plots demonstrated that the Weibull distribution was preferred to the normal distribution. For the equivalent circular diameter size descriptor, measurement uncertainties of the lognormal distribution scale and width parameters were 9.5% and 22%, respectively. For the aspect ratio shape descriptor, the measurement uncertainties of the Weibull distribution scale and width parameters were 7.0% and 26%, respectively. Both measurement uncertainty estimates and data visualizations should be used to analyze size and shape distributions of particles on the nanoscale

A case of thoracic disc herniation characterized by marked posture-related dynamic changes in neurological symptoms

Thoracic disc herniation is less common than lumbar and cervical disc herniations. It is usually accompanied by severe myelopathy, which often leads to surgery. Because the thoracic spine is less mobile, thoracic disc herniation is considered to be minimally affected by dynamic spine factors in cases with myelopathy. We experienced a case of thoracic disc herniation (T4/5 and T6/7) characterized by posture-related dynamic changes in neurological symptoms; that is, numbness extending from the trunk to the entire lower limbs was deteriorated in the standing and sitting positions, was relieved in the supine position, and disappeared in the prone position. In addition, the patient reported dysuria with a delay when attempting to urinate in the standing position. Computed tomographic myelography revealed diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis extending from T3 to T11, and the kyphosis angles at T1 to T11 levels were 68 degrees in the half-sitting position and 58 degrees in the prone position, showing posture-related changes. The patient underwent the posterior fusion in the prone position, by which symptoms disappeared, without undergoing disc herniotomy or laminectomy, and favorable outcomes were achieved. Thoracic disc herniation with marked posture-related neurological symptoms is extremely rare. Here we report a case presentation and literature review of pathophysiology observed in our patient