Kobayasi Institute of Physical Research

ABSTRACT Human skin perceives complex external stimuli through the coordinated detection of temperature, static strain, and dynamic strain. However, current skin‐like multimodal sensors are typically limited to dual‐mode sensing or suffer from signal interference and excessive wirings. In this study, a soft, skin‐like tri‐modal sensor capable of independent and simultaneous detection of temperature, static strain, and dynamic strain is reported. The sensor consists of a single, skin‐inspired sensing layer of a soft, piezoelectric and ionic composite film that is sandwiched between stretchable electrodes. It uses distinct frequency‐domain responses: charge relaxation time for temperature, normalized capacitance for static strain, and piezoelectric charge output for dynamic strain—to fully decouple signals without the need for separate sensors. Practical demonstrations include simultaneous detection of skin temperature and pulse waves at the wrist, localized mapping of strain and temperature under shear stress, and texture recognition through dynamic force sensing. This work provides a compact and scalable platform for fully decoupled tri‐modal sensing, paving the way for intelligent prosthetics, on‐skin electronics, and interactive robotics.

In Japan, structural health monitoring (SHM) for building structures has received increased attention since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, particularly regarding business continuity and functional recovery. Most applications are market-driven, and building owners deploy an SHM system at their own expense so that they can promptly assess the condition of their buildings as one of the tags denoted “Green,”“Yellow,” or “Red.” In 2015, the authors’ group began installing such an SHM system, and as of December 2023, 553 privately owned buildings have been equipped with this SHM system. This opinion paper presents the authors’ experiences to date on monitoring, utility of data, and interaction with building owners. It conveys three opinions that the authors believe to be most interesting, particularly in the context of the benefits of the “Caution (Yellow)” tag. The article briefly introduces SHM, followed by the specific system in question and the data accumulated over the years in Japan. The first opinion is that the damage criteria, that is, the boundaries among the three tags, should not be considered permanent but subject to updates based on experience and newly acquired data. The second opinion is that SHM is one of the best means to characterize the damage (and fragility) of major nonstructural elements, while “Caution (Yellow)” has inherent relevance to the nonstructural damage, particularly for initial damage states. The third opinion is that “Caution (Yellow)” is a good message for building owners and managers with a solid contingency plan that includes readily available building maintenance workers and engineers. On the contrary, it tends to frighten building owners and managers when such a contingency plan is absent, discouraging them from installing SHM. Overall, it presents some valuable insights of interest to those wishing to further such SHM systems on a broader scale.

In 2022, authors conducted microphone array measurements at an operating airport to create sound source models for commercial aircraft based on the noise prediction framework J-FRAIN. A similar measurement was also performed by our colleagues in 2019, but it was a trial to establish the concept of the framework and was done using a microphone array in which the number of microphones was reduced to about half. In order to improve the accuracy of the sound source models, the microphone array with a 30-meter diameter consisting of 195 microphones mounted on the ground was used in 2022. Recording-based simultaneous noise measurement using sound level meters was also performed around the airport to validate prediction results in terms of time histories of 1/3 octave band sound pressure levels. This paper describes an overview of the microphone array measurements conducted in 2022 and a case study of noise prediction around the airport using sound source models created from the data of microphone array measurements conducted in 2022. Predicted results are compared with 1/3 octave band data measured using sound level meters mounted at a height of 4 m above the ground at sites of noise monitoring stations around the airport.

The Acoustical Society of Japan (ASJ) has published a new version of road traffic noise prediction model "ASJ RTN-Model 2023" this April. Some case studies of the prediction accuracy, namely the correspondence between the predicted and measured value, using the new model is presented in this paper, as one of the three papers with same main title in this congress. The case study on Japanese highways was examined using the measurement at the straight sections. The LAeq at the measurement point was calculated using obtained traffic data for each lane and the age of pavement. The mean difference between predicted and measured LAeq were less than 3 dB. The case study at the vicinity of roundabouts was also examined using the prediction method newly introduced in the ASJ RTN-Model 2023. The case measurements were conducted at two round abouts in Japan, and the predicted LAeq corresponded to within 3 dB of the measured values.

The Learning Management System (LMS) is a type of online software application or web-based technology used to plan, implement and assess a specific learning process. The use of LMS technology is growing rapidly in higher education, particularly in the areas of distance learning, blended learning and flipped classrooms. This paper presents a systematic literature review of the existing research on the effectiveness of LMS in improving student learning. The objectives of this systematic literature review are to: Identify the existing research on the effectiveness of LMS in improving student learning outcomes. Examine the effects of LMS on student engagement and satisfaction. Analyze the factors that influence the effectiveness of LMS in improving student learning. The review focused on studies that have examined the effects of LMS on student learning outcomes, engagement and satisfaction. This systematic literature review was conducted using a combination of search strategies. The search was conducted using the databases Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus. The keywords used in the search were "Learning Management System", "Student Learning", "Effectiveness" and "Systematic Literature Review". The search was limited to peer-reviewed articles published within the last 10 years (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016). The literature review revealed that an LMS can be beneficial in improving student learning outcomes and increasing student engagement and satisfaction. However, the findings were not consistent, and the effects of LMS on student learning depend on several factors, including the type of instruction, the type of LMS and the level of student engagement.

The organizational environment, prioritizing employee well-being is crucial for boosting productivity and cultivating a positive workplace culture. This research delves into the complex relationships between stress, employee engagement, job satisfaction, and leadership, examining how these factors collectively influence employee well-being within organizations. Utilizing quantitative survey data insights, the study identifies the primary factors affecting employee well-being and explores their interactions in the organizational setting. The results emphasize the importance of supportive leadership, robust stress management programs, and active employee engagement initiatives in enhancing psychological, social, and workplace well-being. Moreover, the study highlights the need for customized interventions and policies aimed at reducing turnover and absenteeism, increasing job satisfaction, and improving overall organizational performance. By offering practical recommendations for organizational leaders and HR professionals, this research aids in the formulation of targeted strategies to cultivate a thriving workforce and maintain a competitive market advantage.

Abstract One of the features of Japanese structural steel design is an economical design option for yielding exposed column bases before first‐story columns, namely weak‐base/strong‐column design, which is unlike the strict capacity design for column bases. This study aims to develop a repair methodology that identifies damage states of the yielding column bases and anchor rods, and selects appropriate repair/retrofit methods. As a standard repair method for damaged exposed‐type column bases, the applicability and effectiveness of the re‐tightening process of anchor rods need to be examined. This study first reviews the literature on standard retrofit techniques for column bases and required deformation capacity of ductile anchor rods. The threaded anchor rod deformation capacity with different steel grades and screw threads commonly used were tested to clarify the required ductility. To clarify the reparability of exposed column bases, numerical models of four‐ and six‐story steel moment resisting frame buildings were developed and validated by shaking table test results. The results show that this simple repair method was proven to be effective through the test program and numerical analysis and it's not always applicable for standard anchor rods assumed for pin or fixed column bases designed to remain elastic. Finlly, a repair methodology and flow chart that identifies the damage states of anchor rods and selects appropriate repair/retrofit methods for the exposed steel column base was suggested and applied to the simulation results.

E-bikes, a rapidly developing hybrid technology, threaten the notion of leisurely, non-motorized riding. This empirical study aims to determine the connection between brand equity, brand value, and electric bike purchase intention in Chennai. The descriptive research strategy was employed to collect the data from 151 respondents via questionnaire using judgment sampling, and hypotheses were tested using multiple regression. The consequences showed that the coefficient for brand loyalty was 0.643, and a one-unit increase in brand loyalty resulted in a 0.643% increase in purchase intent. The study’s results help managers better understand how to create a post-brand equity marketing strategy for long-term success in the market. An improved understanding of brand equity’s effects would help the auto industry gain consumer loyalty and enable long-term partnerships

The feeling of oppressive or vibratory due to low-frequency sound is widely known as a sensation inherent to low-frequency sound. Some previous studies showed the frequency characteristics of sound pressure levels that induced an oppressive or vibratory feeling, finding that these feelings tended to occur prior to others. However, the threshold of the feeling has not been investigated yet. In the present study, we conducted a laboratory experiment and investigated it by the method of adjustment. The participants adjusted the sound pressure level by themselves, at which they started to feel an oppressive or vibratory sensation. The frequencies of the stimuli were 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 50 Hz, 63 Hz, and 80 Hz. The results showed that the higher the frequency was, the lower the threshold it was, in the range of the frequency of the present experiment. Also, the threshold is largely different among the participants, and the higher the frequency, the more pronounced it was. In the future, we will examine the validity of the results using a different method from that in the present study.