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Scheduling workload is a demand response strategy for data centers to reshape electricity usage, which provides an opportunity for them to utilize renewable energy. Enhancing the flexibility of workload scheduling would promote the data center to integrate renewable energy. Considering that the improvement of flexibility in workload scheduling is tightly related to the Quality of Service (QoS) required by IT consumers (ITCs), it becomes desirable for the data center to collaborate with them to further facilitate renewable energy integration in demand response programs. This paper proposes a QoS‐based bi‐level demand response model for the data center, where game theory is adopted to resolve the conflict of interest in the collaboration between the data center and ITCs. At the upper level, the data center is a leader who provides differential monetary incentives to ITCs while dispatching workload to integrate renewable energy. At the lower level, ITCs act as followers who adjust the workload's QoS to enhance the flexibility of workload scheduling. Simulation results show that the proposed model can decrease the operating cost of the data center while increasing the utilization of renewable energy. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study is to describe patient demographic characteristics and estimate annual prevalence and incidence rates of Crohn's disease (CD) in Japan and the United States (US). Methods: Two large employment-based healthcare claims databases (Japan Medical Data Center [JMDC] in Japan and Merative MarketScan [Merative] in the US) were used to identify patients with CD from 2010 to 2019. Cases were confirmed using an algorithm based on diagnostic with/without treatment codes. The Merative population was used for sex and age standardization of annual prevalence and incidence rates estimated from the JMDC. Results: Patients with CD were generally younger in Japan than in the US at diagnosis (mean 33.6 vs. 39.4 years) and 71.5% were male versus 45.1% in the US. Annual prevalence per 100,000 population increased substantially in both countries, from 34.2 in 2010 to 54.5 in 2019 in Japan (standardized) and 163.3 to 224.2 in the US. Prevalence rates increased in both males and females in all age groups between 6 and < 65 years. Annual incidence rate per 100,000 person-years was almost fourfold higher in the US than Japan (21.0 vs. 5.5 [standardized] in 2019) but remained stable in both countries over time in both sexes and in all age groups. Conclusion: The epidemiology of CD differs between Japan and the US. Research to understand the basis of these differences could help to identify at-risk groups in each country, and guide implementation of preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To estimate and compare annual prevalence and incidence, and demographic characteristics of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in Japan and the United States (US). Methods: All patients with UC were identified from large employment-based healthcare claims databases (Japan Medical Data Center [JMDC] in Japan and IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database [CCAE] in the US), from 2010 to 2019. Cases were confirmed using International Classification of Disease-9/10 codes with/without Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes. Annual age-standardized prevalence and incidence rates were estimated for the JMDC by direct standardization using the CCAE as the standard population. Results: Patients with UC were younger in Japan than in the US and men were affected more than women, whereas the reverse was true in the US. Annual prevalence per 100,000 population increased significantly from 5 in 2010 to 98 in 2019 in Japan and from 158 to 233 in the US. Prevalence increased in men more than in women and in all age groups in Japan, whereas increases were observed similarly in men and women, and in the 6 to < 65-year age groups in the US. Annual incidence per 100,000 person-years increased significantly over time in both sexes and in all age groups in Japan, with higher increases in women and in ≥ 18 year-olds. UC incidence rates did not change over time in the US. Conclusion: Ten-year trends in epidemiology of UC differ between Japan and the US. The data point to a growing disease burden in both countries that warrants investigation of measures for prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by recurrent episodes of vomiting. Previous studies have provided reliable data on the prevalence of CVS among children in Japan; however, neither prevalence data nor incidence of CVS is available for adults. Hence, we obtained detailed prevalence and incidence data for CVS and estimated the total number of CVS cases in Japan. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the JMDC (JMDC, Inc.; formerly known as Japan Medical Data Center Co., Ltd.,) database, which is a de-identified Japanese claims database. Individuals enrolled between January 2017 and December 2017 were included in this study. Longitudinal data for eligible populations were used to identify patients who displayed CVS symptoms throughout the follow-up period. Due to the lack of a specific diagnosis code for CVS in 2017, the Rome IV criteria were applied to identify CVS cases in the pediatric and adult populations. The prevalence was standardized to the 2017 Japanese census and extrapolated to estimate the number of CVS cases. A total of 2,093 patients with CVS were identified from 3,506,144 individuals. The overall age-and-sex-standardized prevalence was 0.32 per 1,000 population (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.34), projected to approximately 49,000 patients with CVS across Japan. The pediatric age-and-sex-standardized prevalence was 2.10 per 1,000 population (95% CI: 2.01–2.19), and the adult prevalence was 0.05 per 1,000 population (95% CI: 0.04–0.06). Marked sex differences were observed before and after 12 years of age. Thus our study provides the first large-population-based estimates of CVS prevalence and incidence in Japan, and currently, the only estimates for adult CVS in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data center operator has diverse options to sell redundant energy generated by its on‐site renewable generators to obtain payoff, where options include the grid and surrounding consumers. Different options and combinations of options mean different transaction modes for the data center operator. However, current works mainly investigate the selling of renewable energy in a fixed transaction mode, which will lead to payoff loss of data center operator. To heighten the payoff of data center operator, this paper designs two frameworks to model two transaction modes (i.e., single‐channel transaction mode and dual‐channel transaction mode) based on the Stackelberg game, where the Stackelberg game is used to address the conflict of interest between data center operator and electric utility company. The Stackelberg equilibrium, the optimal payoff of the data center operator, in two transaction modes is derived. Based on the difference of calculated optimal payoff in two transaction modes, an algorithm is proposed to adaptively choose the transaction mode that can bring more payoff. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is able to increase the payoff of the data center operator compared with that in fixed mode. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As countries worldwide seek to reach net zero emissions within the coming decades, data center sustainability measures are becoming increasingly important as these facilities consume substantial amounts of electricity to support globally expanding digital infrastructure. Yet, local renewable energy production and waste heat utilization are still rarely used in data centers, even though recent high electricity prices have considerably increased the economic value of self-generation and energy efficiency investments. The benefits and cost-effectiveness of data center sustainability measures have also not yet been thoroughly researched in cold-climate regions, where the data center industry is currently growing rapidly. Thus, this paper assesses how solar photovoltaics (PV) and waste heat utilization can effectively be integrated into different cold climate data centers, with a case study analyzing data centers in Finland and northern Japan. The modelled results indicate that solar PV systems can cost-effectively be used to provide renewable electricity to data centers in both Finland and northern Japan, with electricity prices having the largest influence on economic performance. The use of larger external PV systems is shown to be cost-effective at the higher electricity prices seen in 2022, whereas smaller rooftop PV systems and grid electricity provide more economic benefits at 2019 price levels. Selling surplus PV electricity to the grid and using waste heat for district heating is also shown to be effective in data centers located in Finland, whereas battery storage and snow melting are better suited to utilize surplus PV electricity and data center waste heat in northern Japan. [Display omitted] • Solar photovoltaic systems can cost-effectively reduce data center emissions in cold climate countries. • Data center waste heat can provide value in district heating and snow melting applications. • The cost-effectiveness of data center sustainability measures is largely influenced by electricity prices. • The option to sell surplus electricity to the grid incentives larger solar photovoltaic investments in data centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To estimate the nationwide, longitudinal prevalence and incidence rates and assess treatment patterns of non-infectious uveitis (NIU) in Japan. Study design: A retrospective study. Methods: Health insurance claims' data of patients with NIU were extracted from the Japan Medical Data Center (JMDC) database and analyzed descriptively (data extraction period, January 2011 to May 2017). Behçet's disease (BD), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, and sarcoidosis were selected as the primary diseases of NIU. Results: From 2011 to 2016, the mean and median age of patients increased. Most (> 90%) patients were categorized as "undifferentiated NIU" (NIU without specific primary disease information after excluding BD-, VKH disease-, and sarcoidosis-associated NIU). Over 60% of patients with NIU were treated at non-hospital clinics, while the rest were treated at university, public, or other hospitals. The estimated prevalence rate of NIU was 386.5 per 100,000 persons (95% confidence interval [CI], 374.5–398.6) in 2011 and 439.3 per 100,000 persons (95% CI, 432.3–446.3) in 2016; the estimated incidence rate was 189.7 per 100,000 persons (95% CI, 181.2–198.5) in 2012 and 207.8 per 100,000 persons (95% CI, 202.2–213.5) in 2016. Most patients' prescribed uveitis drugs were ophthalmic drops over the first 6 months after patient presentation and entry into the JMDC database, followed by systemic corticosteroids. Conclusion: The estimated prevalence of NIU in Japan in recent years was approximately 400 with incidence of 200 per 100,000 persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe treatment patterns of migraine patients in the Japan Medical Data Center (JMDC) database.Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient migraine diagnoses, ≥1 outpatient diagnosis and ≥1 migraine-specific acute treatment (triptan or ergotamine), or ≥2 migraine-specific acute treatments from 1 May 2011 to 30 April 2014 were identified. Patients were required to be enrolled in a health plan for ≥1 year before and after the index date. The first migraine diagnosis or acute treatment defined the index date. Patients were stratified by the migraine treatments observed after the index date (i.e. migraine-specific acute treatment only [AT], prophylactic with or without migraine-specific acute treatment [PT], or no treatment [NT]) and described regarding the first migraine treatment regimen and subsequent treatment patterns during up to 1 year of follow-up.Results: A total of 16,443 patients met the eligibility criteria (9873 AT, 3022 PT, and 3548 NT). AT patients had mean (SD) 10.3 (20.5) acute treatment days during 1-year follow-up, and 81.9% received triptans. When assessing the first migraine treatment regimen during follow-up in PT patients, 29.2% received prophylactic treatment only and 51.7% received both acute and prophylactic treatment. Calcium-channel blockers with or without concomitant triptans (34.4%) were the most common first regimen. Approximately 62.2% discontinued initial prophylactic treatment after an average of 61.2 days (SD = 65.3) of persistent treatment. Among discontinuers, 15.2% reinitiated original treatment and 7.0% switched treatment post-discontinuation within a year, while the remaining patients did not receive prophylactic therapy following discontinuation.Conclusions: Among Japanese migraine patients, prophylactic use was low and associated with a high rate of discontinuation following a brief treatment period. Many patients reinitiated or switched treatment following discontinuation, while a significant proportion of patients remained discontinued from prophylactic therapy, suggesting a high unmet need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and aims Real-world data on treatment patterns in Japanese hyperlipidemia patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are lacking. Methods This is a retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis of administrative claims data (Japan Medical Data Center [JMDC] and Medical Data Vision [MDV] databases) for patients prescribed a new hyperlipidemia medication between 2014 and 2015. Patients were followed for ≥12 months. Outcomes included prescribing patterns, persistence (discontinuations), and adherence (proportion of days covered). Results Data were analyzed for 11,718 and 27,746 DM, and 4101 and 14,356 ASCVD patients from the JMDC and MDV databases, respectively. Among previously-untreated patients, index prescriptions were primarily for moderate statins in the DM (JMDC: 74.7%, MDV: 77.5%) and ASCVD (JMDC: 75.4%, MDV: 78.5%) sub-cohorts. Combinations were rarely prescribed (≤2.5%). Previously-treated patients were most frequently prescribed combinations in the DM (JMDC: 46.7%, MDV: 53.6%) and ASCVD (JMDC: 49.3%, MDV: 53.3%) sub-cohorts. Intensive statins were rarely used by previously-untreated (≤1%) or previously-treated (≤8%) patients in either sub-cohort. Approximately half of previously-untreated patients discontinued hyperlipidemia therapy within 12 months. Adherence was ≥80% across most drug classes. Conclusions Many Japanese hyperlipidemia patients with DM or ASCVD are prescribed single-agent lipid-lowering therapy. Use of intensive therapy is lower than expected, and is suggestive of under-treatment. The low persistence rates are concerning, and warrant further study. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • This longitudinal cohort study analyzed hyperlipidemia (HL) therapy claims data. • Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease were included. • Adherence was ≥80% across most drug classes in both cohorts. • 12-month persistence rates were low and variable, and warrant further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) specifies that an overall network of at least 40 International Monitoring System (IMS) stations should monitor the presence of radioxenon in the atmosphere upon its entry into force. The measurement of radioxenon concentrations in the air is one of the major techniques to detect underground nuclear explosions. It is, together with radionuclide particulate monitoring, the only component of the network able to confirm whether an event originates from a nuclear test, leaving the final proof to on-site inspection. Correct and accurate interpretation of radioxenon detections by State Signatories is a key parameter of the verification regime of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). In this context, the discrimination between the highly variable radioxenon background generated by normal operations of nuclear facilities and CTBT-relevant events is a challenging, but critical, task. To this end, the radioxenon background that can be expected at IMS noble gas systems must be sufficiently characterized and understood. All activities conducted to study the global radioxenon background are focused on the calibration and performance of the verification system as described in the Treaty. The unique CTBTO noble gas system network is designed to optimally covering the globe. By the end of 2019, 31 systems were put in operation, 25 of which being already certified. It took two decades from the first experimental setup of noble gas system in the field to reach this stage of maturity. In the meantime, it was an urgent need to gain empirical evidence of atmospheric radioxenon concentrations with the full spectrum of characteristics that IMS noble gas systems may be observing. This experience was significantly advanced through temporary measurement campaigns. Their objective was to gain the additional necessary knowledge for a correct understanding and categorization of radioxenon detections. The site selection for these campaigns put emphasis on regions with low coverage by the initially few experimental noble gas systems at IMS locations or where potential interferences with normal background might be observed. Short-term measurements were first initiated in 2008. Sites of potential interest were identified, and campaigns up to few weeks were performed. Based on the findings of these short campaigns, transportable systems were procured by the CTBTO. Longer temporary measurement campaigns were started afterwards and operated by local hosts in different regions of the globe. Site selections were based on purely scientific criteria. Objectives of the measurement campaigns were continually reassessed, and projects were designed to meet the scientific needs for radioxenon background understanding as required for nuclear explosion monitoring. As of today, several thousands of samples have been collected and measured. Spectra of temporary measurement campaigns were (and are still) analysed in the International Data Centre (IDC). As they are not part of the CTBT monitoring system, no IDC product is generated. Analysis results are stored in a non-operational database of the CTBTO and made available, together with raw data, to authorized users of States Signatories through a Secure Web Portal (SWP) and to scientific institutions for approved research projects through a virtual Data Exploitation Centre (vDEC) after signing a cost-free confidentiality agreement (https://www.ctbto.org/specials/vdec). This paper aims at providing an overview of the temporary measurement campaigns conducted by the CTBTO since the very first field measurements. It lays out scientific results in a systematic approach. This overview demonstrates the asset of radioxenon background measurement data that have been collected with a wide variety of characteristics that may be observed at IMS stations. It bears a tremendous opportunity for development, enhancement and validation of methodologies for CTBT monitoring. In 2018, a campaign started in Japan with transportable noble gas systems in the vicinity of the IMS station RN38 in Takasaki. It will be described separately once the measurements are completed. • Monitoring 131mXe, 133Xe, 133mXe and 135Xe as part of the CTBTO verification regime. • Overview of 10 years worldwide radioxenon background measurement campaigns. • Characterization of the background away from/at proximity to nuclear facilities. • Variability of radioxenon observations from routine releases of nuclear facilities. • Challenges in discriminating CTBT-relevant observations from normal releases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]