Niigata Sangyo University

We report a difficult‐to‐diagnose case of Borrmann type IV gastric cancer with poor typical findings and marked colonic stenosis in a 47‐year‐old man and present a literature review.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the recurrence rate of genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) and risk factors for recurrence after antiseizure medication (ASM) withdrawal in adolescent patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with GGE who were included in the registry at the Department of Child Neurology, National Hospital Organization Nishiniigata Chuo Hospital from 2000 through 2020. The eligibility criteria were as follows: onset of epileptic seizures at <15 years of age, treatment with an ASM, and attempted treatment withdrawal at 10‐19 years of age. The rates of seizure recurrence after drug withdrawal were evaluated. Moreover, several variables were evaluated as predictors of recurrence.ResultsIn total, 77 patients with GGE (21, 13, and 43 patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy [JME], juvenile absence epilepsy [JAE], and epilepsy with generalized tonic–clonic seizures alone [EGTCSA], respectively) were included in this study. Recurrence was detected in 68% of patients with GGE (86%, 31%, and 70% of patients with JME, JAE, and EGTCSA, respectively). Recurrence rates for patients who developed epilepsy at ≥13 years of age, those who started dose reduction at ≥16 years of age, those who exhibited a seizure‐free period of <36 months before withdrawal, and those who chose to discontinue treatment at their own discretion were significantly higher than those for their counterparts. Multivariate analysis revealed that initiation of dose reduction at ≥16 years of age was associated with increased recurrence risk. Meanwhile, a diagnosis of JAE was associated with decreased recurrence risk. All patients with JAE were treated with valproic acid.SignificanceAntiseizure medication withdrawal at ≥16 years of age and a diagnosis other than JAE may be independent risk factors for seizure recurrence after drug withdrawal in adolescent patients.

The momentum equilibrium principle reveals the relative character of the spatial momentum equation in floating-base robotics. This work clarifies how to take advantage of this character in motion generation and the design of a multitask controller for a humanoid robot. We focus especially on the angular momentum of the robot and the inherent redundancy resolution problem referred to as the “momentum distribution problem.” It is shown that with a proper momentum distribution, emergent behaviors (motion synergies) can be obtained that resemble those used by humans. A real-time controller for position- and torque-controlled humanoid robots is proposed, which has a simple structure. The performance of the controller is confirmed in a simulated environment with a number of tasks, including reactive motion control to accommodate external disturbances (both continuous-force and impacts), acrobatic tasks such as somersaults and jumps, dynamic walking with various gaits and variable center of mass height, blind stepping on an unknown obstacle, and balancing on a wobble board under external disturbances.

Abstract The decline in local economies has become more serious in recent years, and globalization has resulted in increasing regional disparities. The reason the gap has widened so much lies in the basic principle of a market economy: companies that operate in a market economy seek to maximize profits. There is no doubt that this pursuit of profit will be the engine of economic growth, but it is also true that continuing to increase profits raises various concerns. While it is true that the production structure of global companies is very efficient, social disparities will continue to grow.In this paper, we construct an economic development model for two regions (south and north) and three sectors (agriculture, industry 1, and industry 2). We show that due to labor constraints in industrialized regions, each region specializes in the production of different goods only by increasing wages, and present a model showing the process that achieves endogenous equal development.Initially, even if capital accumulation in the two industries is more advanced in the north than in the south, labor supply will be short in the north, and wages will rise in that region. The competitiveness of the north declines, and in industries where capital accumulation has been relatively slow in the north, the south can also develop. As a result, each region will specialize in one industry. However, this results in a wage gap between the north and south.KeywordsInternational tradeRegional disparitiesCapital accumulationWage differentials

The purpose of this study is to measure and analyze whether or not there is a significant difference in brain activity between individuals in imagery associated with spontaneous thinking using MEG. Specifically, we will compare visual thinking and verbal thinking in human spontaneous thinking, and discuss their relationship to brain activity. In a recent study, we divided subjects into visual and non-visual thinking types by questionnaire, gave them a verbal task and a visual task, and measured them by MEG. The results showed that there were significant differences in brain activation near the primary visual area and near the frontal language area [1]. This suggests that our natural thinking characteristics may be divided into two types: visual and verbal. Thus, by analyzing the diversity of thinking characteristics of individuals, it would be possible to apply the research results to education, career choice and other fields [2].

We tested whether expiratory flow limitation (EFL) occurs in endurance athletes in a moderately hypobaric hypoxic environment equivalent to 2500 m above sea level and, if so, whether EFL inhibits peak ventilation (V˙Epeak), thereby exacerbating the hypoxia‐induced reduction in peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak). Seventeen young male endurance runners performed incremental exhaustive running on separate days under hypobaric hypoxic (560 mmHg) and normobaric normoxic (760 mmHg) conditions. Oxygen uptake (V˙O2), minute ventilation (V˙E), arterial O2 saturation (SpO2), and operating lung volume were measured throughout the incremental exercise. Among the runners tested, 35% exhibited EFL (EFL group, n = 6) in the hypobaric hypoxic condition, whereas the rest did not (Non‐EFL group, n = 11). There were no differences between the EFL and Non‐EFL groups for V˙Epeak and V˙O2peak under either condition. Percent changes in V˙Epeak (4 ± 4 vs. 2 ± 4%) and V˙O2peak (−18 ± 6 vs. −16 ± 6%) from normobaric normoxia to hypobaric hypoxia also did not differ between the EFL and Non‐EFL groups (all P > 0.05). No differences in maximal running velocity, SpO2, or operating lung volume were detected between the two groups under either condition. These results suggest that under the moderate hypobaric hypoxia (2500 m above sea level) frequently used for high‐attitude training, ~35% of endurance athletes may exhibit EFL, but their ventilatory and metabolic responses during maximal exercise are similar to those who do not exhibit EFL.

This paper gives the extension of Newton’s method, and a variety of formulas to compare the convergences for the extension of Newton’s method (Section 4). Section 5 gives the numerical calculations. Section 1 introduces the three formulas obtained from the cubic equation of a hearth by Murase (Ref. [1]). We find that Murase’s three formulas lead to a Horner’s method (Ref. [2]) and extension of a Newton’s method (2009) at the same time. This shows originality of Wasan (mathematics developed in Japan) in the Edo era (1603-1868). Suzuki (Ref. [3]) estimates Murase to be a rare mathematician in not only the history of Wasan but also the history of mathematics in the world. Section 2 gives the relations between Newton’s method, Horner’s method and Murase’s three formulas. Section 3 gives a new function defined such as .

ABSTRACTAimFor the purpose of reducing both the consumption of crude drug resources and patient burden in preparing the decoctions, we developed a new preparation method for the decoctions of Kampo formula: immersion of powdered crude drugs in hot water (IPCD method), inspired by a method of decoction that was widely used in the Song period of China.MethodsEphedra herb (terrestrial stem of Ephedra sinica), scutellaria root (root of Scutellaria baicalensis), and Kampo formulas that contain several crude drugs including ephedra herb and scutellaria root were powdered, and then immersed in hot water to extract the ingredients. The residue was filtered out using a commercially available tea server. The contents of marker compounds in the decoctions were measured.ResultsUsing the IPCD method, the amounts of marker compounds from ephedra herb and scutellaria root transferred to hot water exceeded by 1.3–1.4‐fold that obtained by the standard method of decocting the same amounts of cut crude drugs for &gt;30 min. The amount of transferred marker compounds reached a plateau within 4 min after the beginning of immersion, suggesting that only 4 min of immersion is sufficient for the IPCD method. The sludge residue of powdered crude drug produced by immersion could be easily filtered with a commercially available tea server.ConclusionUsing this method, the same or greater amounts of marker compounds were transferred in the decoctions in a much shorter time with lower consumption of crude drugs than with the usual decoction method.

In 1673, Yoshimasu Murase made a cubic equation to obtain the thickness of a hearth. He introduced two kinds of recurrence formulas of square and the deformation (Ref.[1]). We find that the three formulas lead to the extension of Newton-Raphson’s method and Horner’s method at the same time. This shows originality of Japanese native mathematics (Wasan) in the Edo era (1600- 1867). Suzuki (Ref.[2]) estimates Murase to be a rare mathematician in not only the history of Wasan but also the history of mathematics in the world. Section 1 introduces Murase’s three solutions of the cubic equation of the hearth. Section 2 explains the Horner’s method. We give the generalization of three formulas and the relation between these formulas and Horner’s method. Section 3 gives definitions of Murase-Newton’s method (Tsuchikura-Horiguchi’s method), general recurrence formula of Murase-Newton’s method (Tsuchikura-Horiguchi’s method), and general recurrence formula of the extension of Murase-Newton’s method (the extension of Tsuchikura-Horiguchi’s method) concerning n-degree polynomial equation. Section 4 is contents of the title of this paper.