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This study evaluates the seismic response of conduits considering the aging deterioration of steel-pipe threaded joints for communication. To model the displacement-load characteristics of the aged steel-pipe threaded joint, fracture experiments were conducted using specimens with a burial period of 30 to 50 years. The obtained results showed that the maximum tensile load tended to decrease as the burial period became longer and as the internal corrosion became severe. The deterioration of steel pipe threaded joints was represented by a model in which the yield load and maximum load decrease as the pipe thickness decreases in proportion to the 0.5th power of the burial period t due to corrosion. The seismic response of the system is investigated by modeling the pipe with beam elements and the deteriorated joints as well as the pipe-soil interaction with spring elements. It is shown that joints with a burial period of more than 20 years are plasticized with a ground strain of 0.3%, and joints with a burial period of 50 years are destroyed with a ground strain of 0.5%. As a result, the effect of joint deterioration on the seismic performance of the steel pipe conduits was quantitatively clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismic safety of city gas supply has been the major research topic of the writers in past decades. To avoid earthquake hazards due to leakage of gas from breakage of buried pipes, a real-time safety control system, SUPREME, has been deployed and put into practical use. SUPREME employs 3,800 new spectrum intensity sensors and remote control devices to achieve quick gas supply shut off. It monitors the earthquake motion at a large number of sites on a real-time basis, interprets the data, and assesses gas pipe damage in order to decide whether or not the gas supply should be interrupted. The present paper first describes the philosophy behind this system. Second, it describes the performance of the system during the recent Taiwan earthquakes as well as more significant design earthquakes. This system represents the state-of-the-art of computer-operated safety measures, achieved by advanced geotechnical engineering. CE Database subject headings: Earthquakes; Buried pipes; Damage assessment; Liquefaction; Geology; Control systems.

Amyloid formation and the deposition of the amyloid-β peptide are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Immunotherapies using anti-amyloid-β antibodies have been highlighted as a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease by enhancing microglial clearance of amyloid-β peptide. However, the efficiency of antibody delivery into the brain is limited, and therefore an alternative strategy to facilitate the clearance of brain amyloid is needed. We previously developed an artificial photo-oxygenation system using a low molecular weight catalytic compound. The photocatalyst specifically attached oxygen atoms to amyloids upon irradiation with light, and successfully reduced the neurotoxicity of aggregated amyloid-β via inhibition of amyloid formation. However, the therapeutic effect and mode of actions of the photo-oxygenation system in vivo remained unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that photo-oxygenation facilitates the clearance of aggregated amyloid-β from the brains of living Alzheimer's disease model mice, and enhances the microglial degradation of amyloid-β peptide. These results suggest that photo-oxygenation may represent a novel anti-amyloid-β strategy in Alzheimer's disease, which is compatible with immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3.9′ microLED display prototype with LTPS backplanes has been developed by using a newly‐designed current and PWM hybrid driving technology to lower the color shift, resulting in achieving a higher frame rate. A novel approach for a reflector cavity process for improving outcoupling efficiency was also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tau amyloid formation and deposition are responsible for the onset of Alzheimer's disease. In particular, the seeding activity of the tau protein plays an important role in the spreading of tau pathology via its propagation in the human brain. Here we demonstrate that catalytic photo-oxygenation markedly suppresses tau seeding activity, resulting in the inhibition of amyloid formation, both in vitro and in cultured cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our Micro LED Display achieved PPI the best in class based on LTPS display technologies, such as circuit design on a glass substrate, micro‐fabrication technology, and multi‐layer process. A full color display is realized with rich color reproduction by controlling each independent LED chip of RGB in accordance with chip characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which analyzed the magnetic and crystallographic properties of CrAs[sub1-x]S[subx](O≤x<1). Preparation of the study sample; Patterns of powder x-ray diffraction in the samples; Magnetorestriction in the sample.

Presents information on a study which investigated the magnetic transition of the chromium arsenide compound. Characteristics of the compound; Methodology of the study; Results and discussion.

PV power output mainly depends on solar irradiance, which is affected by various meteorological factors. Thus, it is required to predict solar irradiance in the future for the efficient operation of PV systems. In this paper we develop a novel approach for solar irradiance forecasting, in which we combine the black-box model (JIT modeling) with the physical model (GPV data). We investigate the predictive accuracy of solar irradiance over a wide controlled area of each electric power company by utilizing measured data from 44 observation points throughout Japan provided by JMA and 64 points around Kanto provided by NEDO. Finally, we propose an applied forecasting method of solar irradiance to deal with difficulties in compiling databases. We also consider the influence of different GPV default times on solar irradiance prediction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 182(4): 19-28, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22338 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of lung tumors has become a treatment of choice, especially for unresectable cases. However, RF ablation of small lung lesions located just beneath the rib is difficult. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gantry tilting for the performance of RF ablation of peripheral lesions located beneath the rib. Material and Methods: Our study was based on 18 of 293 lesions in the lung for which RF ablation was performed under CT scan fluoroscopic guidance at our institution between October 2004 and March 2009. For these 18 lesions, RF ablation was performed with gantry tilting because a rib blocked visualization of the RF ablation route even after other attempts had been made to change the relationship between the target and the rib. Results: All RF needles, with only one exception, were successfully advanced to hit the tumor. The commonest complication was a pneumothorax, which occurred in seven procedures. No serious complications occurred. The progression-free rates were 82.4% at 6 months, 62.5% at 12 months, and 30% at 24 months. Mean local progression-free duration was 17.6+/-11.6 months (range 4-36 months). Conclusion: RF ablation under CT scan fluoroscopic guidance with gantry tilt is a useful and safe technique for RF ablation of lung nodules located beneath the rib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The locus coeruleus (LC) neurons send extensive projections to the somatosensory cortex and release noradrenaline (NA) at synaptic terminals, which is thought to regulate the activation of sensory-related cells by acting on three types of receptors (α1, α2 and β). Although previous studies have examined the effects of LC stimulation on single-unit sensory neurons, their impact on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and their temporal variations, as well as the specific roles of NA receptors, remain unclear. Herein, we investigated how SEPs are modulated by tonic LC stimulation at physiological frequencies (0.1, 1 and 4 Hz) and identified the receptors involved in these changes. Forepaw stimulation-induced amplitudes in SEP were enhanced in response to 1 Hz stimulation of the LC but not in response to 0.1 and 4 Hz stimulation. Interestingly, the enhancement of SEPs after LC stimulation persisted for tens of minutes following the cessation of stimulation. Optical imaging using a voltage-sensitive dye showed an increase in the depolarizing response in the somatosensory cortex after 1 Hz stimulation. Prazosin (α1 receptor antagonist) and propranolol (β receptor antagonist) inhibited SEP enhancement following 1 Hz LC stimulation, whereas yohimbine (α2 receptor antagonist) had no effect. This suggests that the enhancement in SEP observed is primarily mediated by the activation of cortical excitatory α1 and β receptors. These findings provide insight into the impact of the NA system on sensory information processing and the pathophysiology of sensory disorders related to the disruption of the NA system., (© 2025 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) into amyloid is the pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. It is widely accepted that α-syn aggregation is associated with neurodegeneration, although the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the inhibition of α-syn aggregation is a potential therapeutic approach against these diseases. This study used the photocatalyst for α-syn photo-oxygenation, which selectively adds oxygen atoms to fibrils. Our findings demonstrate that photo-oxygenation using this photocatalyst successfully inhibits α-syn aggregation, particularly by reducing its seeding ability. Notably, we also discovered that photo-oxygenation of the histidine at the 50th residue in α-syn aggregates is responsible for the inhibitory effect. These findings indicate that photo-oxygenation of the histidine residue in α-syn is a potential therapeutic strategy for synucleinopathies., (© 2023 The Authors. The FASEB Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)