Nomura Holdings (Japan)

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of simultaneous consumption of vegetables and bread on postprandial serum glucose concentration. In total, 15 healthy men were given meals (bread vs. bread with vegetable salad) after a night of fasting. At 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min following the consumption of the test meal, blood samples were collected to determine the serum levels of glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and triglycerides. Results Results revealed that serum glucose and insulin levels were significantly lower after 45 and 60 min in participants who consumed bread with vegetable salad than in those who only consumed bread. This emphasizes the potential benefit of simultaneously consuming vegetables and bread as an effective dietary strategy for preventing postprandial blood glucose elevation. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000053931, registered on March 22, 2024.

Effects of two kinds of electroless Ni-P plating and a baking treatment after plating on the temperature-dependent hydrogen desorption behavior, tensile properties, and fatigue properties of 6061-T6 aluminum alloys were investigated, and the results were discussed. Thermal desorption analysis (TDA) revealed that each plating causes hydrogen absorption into the substrate, which was found to reduce the mechanical properties. After plating, the baking treatment significantly reduced the hydrogen amount in the substrate and improved the mechanical properties. The fatigue strength of the low-phosphorus type plated specimen was increased to 160 MPa by the baking treatment, and a fatigue ratio of over 50% was obtained.

Digital therapeutics (DTx) for hypertension are among the most promising treatment options, demonstrating proven antihypertensive effects. This study investigates the determinants of the home blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of DTx, using prospectively collected daily data. The B-INDEX study (Behavioral Modification Index) is a multicenter intervention study in patients with hypertension, involving a 6-month DTx period, followed by an additional 6 months without it. Home BP, body weight and composition, physical activity, and sleep patterns were monitored daily using digital devices. This first report on B-INDEX analyzed data collected during a 6-month DTx treatment period. A total of 198 patients with hypertension (mean age, 54.9±10.6 years; 57.1% male; mean body mass index, 26.7±5.3 kg/m2; 57.6% taking antihypertensives) were included in the analysis. A marked reduction in BP was observed in the first 4 weeks (morning home BP, -6.2/-2.6 mm Hg). Mixed model analysis demonstrated that baseline home BP, older age, self-efficacy score, reduction in self-reported salt intake, and mild initial weight loss (-0.5 kg at week 4) were significant determinants of home BP reduction at 6 months. Older age, salt reduction, and initial weight loss were predictive factors for effective BP reduction through DTx, independent of baseline BP values. We propose that the first 4 weeks are the key period for hypertension treatment with DTx. URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/; Unique identifier: UMIN000050479.

To investigate the influence of rice husk ash (RHA) prepared at different incineration temperatures on its properties and the performance of its modified asphalt, the amorphous SiO2 content in RHA was determined using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, the microstructure of RHA was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RHA obtained at different incineration temperatures was utilized into the base asphalt as an additive to produce rice husk ash modified asphalt (RHAMA), and the high and low temperature performance, temperature sensitivity and creep recovery of RHAMA were evaluated by the dynamic shear rheology (DSR) test, the bending beam rheology (BBR) test, and the multi-stress creep recovery (MSCR) test. These results were combined with microscopic analyses of RHA to assess the impact of incineration temperature on the performance of RHAMA. The findings reveal that when the calcination temperature exceeds 600 ℃, the amorphous SiO2 in RHA transitions to a crystalline phase. The incorporation of RHA enhances the high temperature performance and creep recovery of the base asphalt but reduces its temperature sensitivity and low temperature performance. As the incineration temperature of RHA increases, the high temperature performance and creep recovery of RHAMA decline, while temperature sensitivity and low temperature performance improve. The optimal calcination temperature for RHA is 600 ℃, at which the amorphous SiO2 content is maximized, resulting in the most significant improvement in the performance of the base asphalt.

In recent years, indoor advertisement has increased in some areas. This study aims to clarify the effectiveness and actual usage of indoor advertisement regulations and explore the state of it. As a result, 6.0% of municipalities regulate indoor advertisement through outdoor advertisement ordinance, and the ratio is increasing. The effects of regulating indoor advertisement are that they allow indoor activities to be expressed and that they can guide the integrated landscape of outdoor and indoor areas. It is considered important to continuously inform the public and create an environment that does not allow violating advertisement to be displayed.

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at high risk of developing steatotic liver disease (SLD). Weight loss has proven effective in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors showing promising results. However, lean MASLD is more prevalent in Japan, necessitating alternative approaches to body weight reduction. We used the J-STEP/LT dataset including up to 3-year treatment data to analyze the effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor tofogliflozin on liver function and treatment safety and conducted a subgroup analysis based on body mass index (BMI; kg/m2, <20, 20-<23, 23-<25, 25-<30, and ≥30). This study included 4,208 participants. Tofogliflozin significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in participants with baseline ALT levels >30 U/L across all BMI groups, with median changes of -12, -16, -13, -15, and -15 U/L, respectively (P = 0.9291 for trends). However, median changes in body weight with tofogliflozin were -2.00, -2.75, -2.00, -3.00, and -3.80 kg, respectively (P < 0.0001 for trends), with no significant weight loss observed in the BMI <20 group. ALT levels were also significantly decreased in participants who did not lose weight. Safety assessments according to BMI and age categories revealed no clear differences in the frequency of adverse events. Tofogliflozin reduced ALT levels without substantial body weight reduction among lean participants. These findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may be a viable treatment option for non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes and SLD.

The year 2024 has marked the advent of the CCS industry and the hydrogen and ammonia industry in Japan. On 17 May 2024, the Japanese Diet (parliament) passed two legislations, namely, the Carbon Dioxide Storage Business Act ("CCS Act") and the Act on Promoting the Supply and Utilization of Low-Carbon Hydrogen, Etc, for a Smooth Transition to a Decarbonized Growth Economic Structure ("Hydrogen Society Promotion Act"). These legislations were promulgated on 24 May 2024. The CCS Act is principally a domestic law governing the conduct of CCS activities within the territory of Japan, covering exploration and prospecting of reservoirs, storing CO2 in reservoirs, and pipeline transport of CO2 for storing CO2 in reservoirs (including reservoirs in foreign countries). The Hydrogen Society Promotion Act establishes a plan certification system for low-carbon hydrogen/ammonia supply and use projects, provides support measures and special regulatory measures for hydrogen/ammonia supply or use businesses that have received plan certification, and takes other measures to expand the supply and demand of low-carbon hydrogen/ammonia. These legislations are expected to promote the nascent CCS and hydrogen/ammonia industries in Japan. In this paper, we will focus on the aspects of the regulatory regime under the CCS Act that are relevant to a cross-boarder CCS project in which CO2 captured in Japan is exported to and geologically stored in a reservoir abroad, and the aspects of the Hydrogen Society Promotion Act that are relevant to the procurement of low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia from abroad by Japanese users.

The objective of this research is to develop an effective marketing strategy for USLS Law Firm, a local Indonesian law firm, aiming to penetrate multinational and foreign markets. As the legal industry in Indonesia becomes increasingly competitive, with numerous local law firms establishing international affiliations, USLS Law Firm faces the challenge of enhancing its global presence. This study adopts a comprehensive research methodology, including VRIO, STP Model, Marketing Mix, Business Model Canvas, Competitor Analysis, Customer Analysis, PESTEL, and Porter 5 Forces, and in-depth interviews with USLS Law Firm’s clients and multinational companies. The research proposes several marketing strategies recommendations for USLS Law Firm. These include forming strategic partnerships with reputable international law firms, enhancing training and development programs for junior lawyers, adopting advanced technologies, targeting specific international markets, revising pricing strategies, improving office infrastructure, and strengthening marketing channels through Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC). Additionally, the importance of cultural sensitivity training is emphasized to improve client relationships and service delivery. By implementing these strategies, USLS Law Firm can achieve sustainable growth and maintain its reputation for delivering high-quality legal services, not only for local market, but also multinational and foreign markets.