Furukawa Electric (Japan)

This study examined whether or not the coexistence of smoking and metabolic syndrome synergistically increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) beyond their individual effects. This prospective cohort study included 68,743 workers from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. The participants were categorized into four groups based on their smoking status and metabolic syndrome. Biological interactions were evaluated using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (S). During a mean follow-up of 7.2 (range: 0.1-10.9) years, 346 participants developed CVD. Current smokers with metabolic syndrome had the highest CVD risk (hazard ratio: 6.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.73-8.80). Approximately 35% of CVD cases among individuals exposed to both factors were attributed to their biological interactions (RERI: 2.27, 95% CI: 0.56-3.98; AP: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15-0.55; S: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.16-2.52). An analysis of CVD subtypes revealed a significant biological interaction for myocardial infarction (RERI: 5.14, 95% CI: 0.65-9.62; AP: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.26-0.78; S: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.22-4.62) but not for stroke (RERI: 1.34, 95% CI: -0.46-3.13; AP: 0.25, 95% CI: -0.03-0.53; S: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.89-2.34). Smoking and metabolic syndrome interact synergistically to elevate CVD risk, particularly for myocardial infarction. Targeting both factors is essential for CVD prevention.

<bold>Background:</bold> Emphysema and overinflation are associated with airflow limitation, but their regional distribution within the lungs is less understood. <bold>Objective:</bold> To examine the association between regional emphysema (LAA-950%), overinflation (expiratory/inspiratory volume ratio) and gas trapping (DPM gas trapping) with FEV₁/FVC. <bold>Methods:</bold> Post-bronchodilator spirometry and HRCT (inspiratory and expiratory) scans were collected in TRAIT, a prospective 3-year observational study. Quantitative HRCT metrics were derived by VIDA software in the upper and lower lobes, and their relationship with FEV₁/FVC was tested using ANCOVA (adjusting for age, height and sex). The strength of these associations was expressed as η². <bold>Results:</bold> Subjects with a smoking history included: ACO (n=85; mean age=70 years; FEV₁, 70% predicted; FEV₁/FVC, 0.58) or COPD (n=104; mean age=71 years; FEV₁, 69% predicted; FEV₁/FVC, 0.55). Upper lobar volumes were slightly greater (≤6%) than lower lobar volumes. More gas-trapping, overinflation and a trend for more emphysema were seen in the upper lobes, but a stronger association between these measures and FEV₁/FVC was seen in the lower lobes (<bold>Table</bold>). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> In this cross-sectional analysis, more structural damage was observed in the upper lobes, but damage in the lower lobes was more strongly associated with airflow limitation, regardless of lobar volume. <fig><object-id>erj;66/suppl_69/OA4434/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>

ABSTRACT Considering optimization of the laying route for submarine power cables off the coast of Japan, there are many deepwater areas over depth of 1000 m. In Japan, submarine power cables have been installed at a depth of about 300 m as maximum; however, there is no track record beyond that level. The laying depth is deeper, the laying tension is larger. Therefore, as a result of discussion on the cable structure and material suitable for the laying in deep water, the aluminum conductor with keystone structure was applied for reducing the cable weight since the laying tension is proportional to the product of depth and weight. In this study, the prototype submarine cables of DC 500 kV class (transmission capability of 1 GW) equipped with the double steel wire armor were manufactured, then mechanical and electrical properties were evaluated in accordance with CIGRE TB 496 and TB 623. As a result, the cables of our design, on which the tensile bending test had been carried out in advance, passed the high‐voltage 30 days load cycle test followed by the lightning impulse test without any defect.

W low power consumption, corresponding 20 % reduction of a single port pump at 0.5 W fiber output through polarization combining is demonstrated by Dual-Port Raman Pump with an asymmetric waveguide structure having an GaInAsP/InP electric-field-control layer.

Mobility electrification has been increasing the use of copper in motors, batteries, and other key electric components. This has led to an increased demand for copper processing. Copper has a high optical absorption coefficient in the blue wavelength range. Therefore, a blue laser is a promising candidate as a light source for copper processing due to its high energy efficiency. We have been developing high-power blue laser diode (LD) modules. This module is a fiber-coupled direct diode laser using the techniques of spatial combining and polarization beam combining. We previously reported on the development of an LD module which achieved an output power of over 500W from an optical fiber with a 110&mu;m core diameter. An increase in the number of installed LDs and the output power of each LD helped achieve this high optical output power. To realize high-quality and high-efficiency copper processing and expand the applications of blue laser processing, we have been continuously making progress in the development of high-power blue LD modules. In this paper, we have made further design improvements of both the LDs and the LD module to increase the output power of the LD module. As a result, we have achieved an output power of more than 800W at a 110&mu;m core size. This developed LD module has a brightness of more than 8.4MW/cm² and a BPP of 8.8mm-mrad.

Fusion Splicing is an established technology for jointing Optical Fibers together. Now that Optical Fiber designs have evolved structures different from standard optical fibers, such as Multicore Fiber (MCF) or Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) for Telecommunication or Tapered Fiber and Ultra-Thin Fiber for other applications. Naturally, connecting Optical Fibers with such diverse special structures is not possible using conventional fusion splicing technology alone, and requires the supplementary application of new technologies. This paper introduces the latest Fusion Splicing technology and its effects.

ObjectivesThis study examines the cross-sectional association between relatively lower-intensity physical activity (LIPA) during leisure time and presenteeism, accounting for relatively higher-intensity physical activity (HIPA) during leisure time.MethodsData were derived from 11 438 workers from 6 worksites of large companies in Japan, which participated in a questionnaire survey conducted between fiscal years 2018 and 2020. Frequency and duration per occasion were assessed for leisure-time physical activities at 3 intensities as determined by shortness of breath. LIPA was defined as activity not causing shortness of breath. The participants were divided into 3 groups according to LIPA volume (none, <60 min/wk, or ≥60 min/wk) and into 2 groups according to HIPA volume (none or engaged). A single question assessed the participants’ presenteeism through self-ratings of their work performance. A multivariable Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) of presenteeism and their 95% CIs across the categories for both LIPA and HIPA.ResultsThe prevalence of presenteeism tended to decrease with increasing amounts of LIPA and HIPA (P for trend <.001). Among those who did not engage in HIPA, a significantly lower prevalence of presenteeism was observed among individuals who engaged in LIPA for ≥60 min/wk compared with those who did not (adjusted PR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.68-0.81).ConclusionsThis study supports the protective role of LIPA during leisure time that does not cause shortness of breath against presenteeism among workers who do not engage in HIPA during leisure time.