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Temporal order memory was analyzed using a spontaneous object recognition (SOR) paradigm in rats. In SOR, animals were allowed to explore freely two or five different objects sequentially in the sample phase, and then, two different objects shown in the sample phase were simultaneously presented, and exploration time of object shown earlier compared with that shown later was regarded as a discrimination index. Here we investigated the effects of (1) number of sample items, (2) sample exposure interval, and (3) retention time between the sample and test phases on temporal order memory in SOR. In experiment 1, rats showed significant discrimination between the objects presented earlier and later under five-item, but not two-item, condition. In experiment 2, using the five-item condition, longer retention time (between sample and test phases) induced lower discrimination and longer sample exposure interval produced higher discrimination. In experiment 3, using the two-item condition, longer sample exposure interval produced higher discrimination and longer retention time tended to make rats' discrimination worse. Taken together, these results indicate that rats' performance in this test paradigm was better with more sample items and longer exposure intervals as well as shorter retention time, suggesting that the familiarity to items and the temporal distance from the present to the occurrence of events affect temporal order memory.

Sales surprise, the ratio of actual sales to forecasted sales for a year, is a key determinant of firms' inventory turnover. While the previous literature on empirical inventory management frequently uses Holt's double exponential smoothing method for obtaining future sales forecasts, this method suffers from measurement error. In contrast, we directly use the data on management forecasts publicised by listed companies in manufacturing and retail industries for the fiscal years 1997 through 2014, which are available in Japan, and evaluate the adequacy of the exponential smoothing sales forecasts. Our analysis reveals that sales surprise measured via both means positively relates to inventory turnover in the majority of industries, consistent with previous literature; however, the two variables imply discrepancies, particularly when economic conditions change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental conditions critically affect the expansion behaviour of concrete due to alkali–silica reaction (ASR) and, therefore, must be modelled to predict ASR-induced expansion behaviour. In addition, laboratory tests are important for the provision of useful data for numerical models, since these models often require the calibration of some unknown parameters according to the materials tested. To address this, the authors have developed a testing method for concrete expansion, called the alkali-wrapped concrete prism test (AW-CPT). Predictions using the results of the AW-CPT would be beneficial for the assessment of potential expansion of concrete when exposed to the outdoor environment. In this study, the effects of environmental conditions on ASR-induced expansion behaviours are determined through exposure and laboratory tests. The environmental conditions are modelled and implemented in numerical simulations. The results indicate that solar insolation and rainfall are critical parameters for modelling the environmental conditions as well as ambient temperature and relative humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal order discrimination in rats was analyzed using a radial maze. The task consisted of a study phase in which two to five items (arms) were presented sequentially and, after a delay, a test phase in which two of these were simultaneously presented and the rat had to choose the arm presented earlier in the study phase. Acquisition of the task was better as the number of items in the study phase increased when the total study phase length was constant (4 min). Interval length between items in the study phase did not affect the acquisition regardless of the number of items. Additionally, discrimination performance was better when two items with more intervening items in the study phase (temporal lag) were used for the test. However, this tendency was obtained only when the last item of the study phase was included in the test pair. Results suggest that the number of items presented in the sequence, but not interval length between items, is an important factor in temporal order memory, and that a larger number of intervening items, as well as containing the last item in the study phase, contributes to the occurrence of the temporal lag effect.

Although adverse reactions due to immunoallergic reactions could occur even with Kampo formulas not containing I S. radix i , these severe adverse reactions should be carefully monitored in patients receiving Kampo formulas containing I S. radix i . We could confirm that the most common serious adverse reactions by Kampo formulas that required hospitalizations or funerals in Japan were drug-induced liver injury and interstitial pneumonia, and that most of these adverse reactions were due to the use of Kampo formulas containing I S. radix i . Although most adverse reactions to Kampo formulas are mild, there have been reports of serious adverse reactions, such as interstitial pneumonia caused by Shosaikoto [[1]] and mesenteric phlebosclerosis caused by Kampo preparations containing gardenia fruit ( I Gardeniae fructus i ) [[2]]. [Extracted from the article]