Meiji University

Abstract Viscosity is an essential mechanical property of liquid samples for governing the flow behavior. Conversely, the liquid also exhibits an aspect where its viscosity is dependent on the flow state. It is crucial to conduct spectroscopic research that assesses viscosity variations as a function of shear rate and oscillation frequency. When validating physical models of intermolecular interactions based on the analysis of the relaxation strength and time obtained from the viscosity spectrum, the inability to measure the extreme slow limit has been a significant bottleneck. The Electromagnetically spinning (EMS) method, a next-generation viscosity measurement technique the authors are developing, is a promising solution to these challenges, owing to its steadily increasing accuracy. This review paper introduces various methods using the EMS technique for enhancing sensitivity in the low-torque regime and concludes by discussing their potential applications in spectroscopic study of viscosity.

Kernel density estimators with circular data have been studied extensively for decades, as they allow flexible estimation even when the shape of the underlying density is complex. Many recent studies have examined bias correction methods; however, these methods are limited by the order when trying to improve the convergence rate of the bias, even if the true density is sufficiently smooth. To overcome this limitation, the present study considers a new bias correction approach based on the characteristic functions of the underlying circular density. We introduce wrapped flat-top kernels, which are generated by wrapping the standard flat-top kernels defined on the real line onto the circumference of a unit circle. The asymptotic mean squared errors of the wrapped flat-top kernel density estimators are then derived. The results show that the convergence rate of these estimators is faster than that of previously introduced estimators. Furthermore, wrapped flat-top kernel density estimators achieve $$\sqrt{n}$$ -consistency under the characteristic function of finite support, such as the circular uniform and cardioid distributions. We confirm these theoretical results in numerical experiments. In empirical analyses, we also show that wrapped flat-top kernel density estimators effectively capture the shape of data. Therefore, such estimators are expected to allow flexible and accurate estimation in circular data analysis.

Fused in sarcoma (FUS) forms phase-separated condensates implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although millimolar ATP concentrations paradoxically dissolve FUS condensates through hydrotropic activity, condensates nevertheless persist in cells, suggesting active regulatory mechanisms. Here, using a reconstituted system, we show that the AAA+ATPase valosin-containing protein (VCP) counteracts ATP-driven dissolution of FUS condensates. VCP preserved both wild-type and ALS-linked P525L condensates under high ATP conditions, and this protection required catalytic ATPase activity rather than stable partitioning into condensates. The effect was abolished by the D2-specific inhibitor ML240. Our findings establish direct biochemical evidence that VCP ATPase activity maintains FUS condensates under high ATP conditions, highlighting ATPase-driven enzymatic control of liquid-liquid phase separation as a potential general principle with implications for neurodegeneration.

Abstract It has been shown that employees with high affective commitment promote organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) even in the presence of organizational constraint factors, meaning it is necessary to investigate organizational constraint factors’ impact on Japanese employees during a pandemic. As such, this study investigates how the rapid digital transformation and widespread adoption of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic have influenced OCB among employees. Drawing on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with Japanese workers, we explore the nuanced ways in which virtual communication, visibility of effort, and informal support systems have reshaped interpersonal dynamics and discretionary workplace behaviors. Our findings reveal that, while remote work environments can hinder spontaneous acts of citizenship due to reduced physical proximity and visibility, they also foster new forms of digital support and initiative-taking. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting culturally specific expressions of OCB in Japan and offering practical implications for organizational leaders seeking to sustain employee engagement in hybrid or remote settings.

Loneliness is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. It affects individuals across all age groups and geographical regions. To characterise the extent that WHO Member States address loneliness, social isolation and social connection through national policies. We searched government websites using key terms. A matrix was used to extract data, followed by in-depth document analysis. By February 2025, only eight WHO Member States (Denmark, UK (England, Scotland, Wales), Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, USA) had policies directly addressing loneliness, social isolation or social connection. Policymakers validated the findings. Common policy aims included building a more connected society, addressing loneliness as a wider societal challenge rather than just an individual issue, and supporting both individuals and organisations to manage loneliness. Key recommendations in these policies often highlighted the need to increase knowledge through research, raise public awareness to reduce stigma, promote cross-sectoral collaboration, integrate loneliness into government policy and implement community-based approaches. National policies emerged following societal activism, initiatives from government departments or a large-scale research project. Various policies are in place to help address loneliness at the national level. To maximise impact, policies require adequate funding. To date, none of the national policies had undergone rigorous evaluation concerning their effectiveness. This review highlights the growing political focus on loneliness and provides a starting point for those seeking to understand, develop or strengthen national strategies to address loneliness, social isolation or social connection.

Abstract Several empirical studies have attempted to clarify what factors alleviate or exacerbate insurance fraud. However, no one has attempted to clarify whether ethics alleviates insurance fraud because there is a lack of sufficient data. Therefore, we use the responses of Japanese consumers to a questionnaire to analyze the characteristics of those who received insurance payments for COVID-19 infections. Our findings are as follows: First, those with lower ethical standards received COVID-19 insurance payments shortly after purchase that raises suspicions of insurance fraud. Second, those who obtained information from a typical messaging app (X(Twitter) or LINE) tended to receive suspicious insurance payments. Third, those with greater insurance knowledge tended not to receive suspicious insurance payments. Collectively, these results indicate what factors encourage and discourage insurance fraud.

This paper explains the effects of shape of footing on its bearing capacity and settlement of footing on sand. This study involves physical model test of varying footing shapes and numerical simulation of those footings with the same material properties as the model tests. Material model is a isotropically strain hardening elasto-plastic model with non-associated flow rule. The model includes the effects induced as well as inherent anisotropics. It included pressure sensitivity and softening with shear banding. A series of physical model tests were performed using two large footing width B0=23 cm and B0=10 cm resting on sands having different densities and length of footing at PWRI, Tsukuba, Japan. Bearing capacity of a footing increases sharply as the B/L ratio increases from zero. There exists an optimum ratio of B/L for which bearing capacity of a rectangular footing can be maximized. The semi-empirical formula, given by de-Beer (1970) and Meyerhof (1963) are successfully explained. Ce papier explique de effets de forme de pieds à capacité palier et tassement de pied sur le lit à sable. La étude comporte l’épreuve de modèle physique de forme de pieds différent et simulation numérique de les pieds à la même propriété matériel aussi l’épreuve de modèle phyisique. Un modèle matériel est développé âtre adapté le type de analyse que est un analyse à trois dimensions essentiellement. Le modèle matériel est un modèle de strain dureissement élastique plastique avec la règles de écoulement non associé. ‘Le modèle comprendt les effets amené comme anisotropique inhérent. Il comprendé sensibilité à pressionet amollissement avec bande à cisaillement. Une étude expérimental étendu été poursuive à PWRI, Tsukuba, Japan. Des épreuve de modèle physique en série été fait avec deux pieds large à B0=23 cm et B0=10 cm de largeur sur le lit à sable avec densité différent et longueur de pied.

This article studies holomorphic isometric embeddings of arbitrary complex Grassmannians into quadrics. The moduli spaces of these embeddings up to gauge and image equivalence are discussed using a generalization of do Carmo–Wallach theory.