Basic Research on the Burden of Dropping off and Picking up Children: Differences by Employment Type and Gender in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area

There is a need to reduce the burden of child drop-off and pick-up for child-rearing generations, but most studies on the actual situation in Japan are based on survey results. In this study, we analyzed differences in child drop-off and pick-up by employment type and gender, utilizing the “Metropolitan Area Person Trip Survey,” which is a statistical data set. The study targeted households in which both spouses were between 30 and 49 years old, had children under the age of 6, and included the following three groups. 1) Dual-income Group 1 (both spouses employed/on contract/temporary);2) Dual-income Group 2 (husband employed/on contract/temporary, wife part-time);3) Full-time housewife group (husband employed, wife unemployed). The analysis revealed that a) wives are almost always responsible for dropping off and picking up their children;b) husbands drop off and pick up their children less frequently in dual-income households;and c) households with children raising within 10 to 30 km of Tokyo Station have longer commuting times and need to reduce the burden of dropping off and picking up their children.

A coastal acoustic tomography experiment in the Tokyo Bay

Eight sets of coastal acoustic tomography (CAT) systems were deployed during November 29 to December 10, 2002 at the coasts on both sides of Tokyo Bay to measure tidal current structures at 15-min interval.Sound transmission across the Tokyo Bay (between Yokohama and Chiba)was successfully traced,even under severe interference from ship generated wakes and bubbles.Tidal current fields changing from northward to southward flow are well reconstructed by the inverse analysis of travel-time difference data for a period with the best sound transmission condition. It is suggested that the CAT is the most powerful tool to continuously map tidal current fields in the coastal seas with heavy shipping traffic and fisheries activity.

Tokyo Arts Festival, 2017, and International Shakespeare Productions

In 2017,the Tokyo Arts Festival invited theatre directors from three geographical locations to direct Shakespeare’s plays:The British director John Caird directed Hamlet,the Romanian director Silviu Purcārete directed Richard III,and the Belgian director Ivo Van Hove directed a Dutch Othello.They approached Shakespeare’s plays from unique perspectives,using their own native or Japanese language,working with Japanese and foreign actors and staff.They were performed in Tokyo and watched by various audiences.This paper examines the interactive effect of international theatre and the Tokyo Arts Festival and argues that Shakespeare,being a common currency in the world,functions as media for the Festival,and vice versa.While the Festival provides opportunities and support for foreign directors and companies,staging of international Shakespeare productions raises the profile of the Festival and promotes artistic and cultural programmes and exchange internationally.The audience also has much to gain:the Festival allows them to experience cultural differences and a reflection of themselves or of the world in works of art.The paper argues that the differences created in the international Shakespearean productions and realized and experienced by the audience are the essence of the theatre and meaning and value of the Festival.

Evaluation of Pollution Sources of Zinc in Tokyo Bay Based on Zinc Isotope Ratio in Sediment Core

This study evaluated the sources of Zn pollution in Tokyo Bay, Japan, on the basis of δ66Zn in a sediment core. The Zn concentration in sediments in the 1980s-2000s was considerably higher than the background concentration, suggesting that there remain important sources of Zn in the bay. The δ66Zn (+0.51‰) of anthropogenic Zn estimated in the core was significantly higher than those (approximately –0.1‰ - +0.2‰) of treated water from sewage treatment plants and vehicle-related sources. A large number of electroplating plants are located in Tokyo areas. It is assumed that Zn in effluents from electroplating operations is isotopically heavier owing to a negative isotopic effect on Zn electroplating. This tends to support the hypothesis that river bottom sediments, which were contaminated with Zn in the untreated effluents from electroplating plants in the past, are the principal sources of anthropogenic Zn in Tokyo Bay in the 1980s-2000s.

Mismatch between Sites of Incidence of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest and Locations of Installed Automated External Defibrillator in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area

Background: Since 2004, the number of installed Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has been increased in Japan annually, the cumulative number of sold AED more than 600,000 units by 2016. Despite there have been about 130,000 out of hospital cardiac arrest annually, there have only 1302 cases delivered defibrillation by bystanders at the scene. Therefore, we investigate that number of AED installation and usage rate for Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) patients. Methods: Retrospective metropolitan wide cohort study. Subject: Total 13,364 OHCA patients in the Tokyo Metropolitan area from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 in 2012 were eligible for theses analyses. Also, OHCA occurrence place and AED usage rate were studied. Results: 82.8% of OHCA occurred at residences, 10% at outdoors, 6.4% at indoors, only 0.7% at schools. In the other hand, highest bystander’s CPR rates were found in sports facilities and schools (71.4%). The installation rate of AEDs in residences was 9.6%, instead of highest incidence for OHCA patients, school and sports institute made up 21.4% of AED installations, but only 1.0% of the incidences of cardiac arrest. We found that there is a mismatch between incidence sites of cardiac arrest and locations of installed AED. Discussion: It is essential to increase the number of AED installations. Furthermore, it is desirable to install AEDs in locations where cardiac arrest is liable to occur following guidelines for the proper placement of AEDs, and important to further spread BLS education among the general citizens.

Determinants of Sexual Awareness among High School Students in Tokyo, Japan—Cross Sectional Analysis in Relation to Social Capital

Purpose: The study aimed to clarify the relationship between cognitive social capital and sexual awareness in high school students in Tokyo, Japan. Method: The self-administered questionnaire survey was administered to 1073 high school junior students in Tokyo in Feb. 2017 (collection rate 94.5%). Final analysis subjects totaled 1011 boys and girls (94.2%). True/false questions on timing to wear condom for sex knowledge, acceptability to sexual behavior of high school students for sexual awareness, sense of community belonging for social capital, existence of sexually experienced peers, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score (binarized with the mean value) were verified. Multiple logistic regression analysis assigning sexual awareness for dependent variable and sex knowledge, sexually experienced peers and Self-Esteem score for independent variable [model 1], including social capital for independent variable [model 2] was performed. The study was approved by Ethical Review Board of sub-organ. Results and Discussion: Out of subjects, 52.6% answered correctly questions on sex knowledge, 33.2% showed tolerance to sexual behavior of high school students, 68.6% had many peers with sex experience, and 75.9% had a sense of community belonging. In model 1, in both genders, having sex knowledge, high Self-Esteem score, and existence of sexually experienced peers was associated with a sense of intolerance to sexual behavior of high school students. In model 2, in both genders, having a sense of community belonging was associated with a sense of intolerance to sexual behavior of high school students [OR (95% CI): boy 1.11 (0.81 - 1.53), girl 1.14 (0.72 - 1.79)]. Persons with high cognitive social capital were likely to have a cautious sense toward sexual behavior. Conclusion: Cognitive social capital was found to be associated with sexual awareness. Cognitive social capital should be emphasized in promoting adolescent reproductive health for the future.

Behavior of Antibiotic-Resistant Fecal Coliforms in the Stream of a Sewage Treatment Plant in Tokyo

We are confronting a new threat in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria followed by epidemic spread in aquatic environments in metropolitan areas because damage from river floods is increasing remarkably in Japan due to global extreme weather. The sewer penetration rate is about 100% in Tokyo and reclaimed water from sewage treatment plants accounts for over 50% of all water in both the down- and mid-stream areas of local rivers. The water quality of these rivers, which contain microflora, seems to be seriously affected by reclaimed water. In this study, we collected water samples on July 17, 2018 and examined the behavior of antibiotic-resistant fecal coliforms in the stream of a sewage treatment plant in Tokyo. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing fecal coliforms with encoding genes were found;the CTX-M-1, CTX-M-9, TEM, and SHV groups were found to have survived in the final effluent to the river after sterilization with sodium hypochlorite.

Determinants of Sexual Awareness among High School Students in Tokyo, Japan―Post-Interventional Comparison Analysis in Relation to Social Capital

Purpose: This study was to clarify the association of sexual awareness of high school students with cognitive social capital (SC) in Tokyo, Japan. Method: In September 2017, we conducted a survey of 1073 third-grade high school students who were the same students who had participated in the same questionnaire survey at the prior academic year when they were second-grade students. A total of 1073 students were surveyed and 956 students responded. From six to eight weeks prior to this September 2017 survey, we implemented an educational intervention in the students. Then we compared the results of this survey with the previous survey of February 2017. We used logistic regression to assess sexual awareness and sex knowledge, sexually experienced surrounding peers and Self-Esteem score. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board. Result/Discussion: Sexual awareness of high school students was significantly associated with SC both before and after the intervention. The higher SC one had, the higher sexual awareness was shown and the greater the sexual caution among both boys and girls was indicated. The study clarified the Determinants of Sexual Awareness of High School Students in Tokyo before and after the educational intervention. Conclusion: SC was found to be significantly associated with sexual awareness. SC should be emphasized in promoting adolescent reproductive health for the future.

Cardiac Arrest Cases and Automated External Defibrillator Use in Railroad Stations in Tokyo

Objective: Nationwide dissemination of public-access defibrillation (PAD) contributed to an increase of survival rate in Japan. We analysed cardiac arrests (CAs) that occurred in railroad stations in Tokyo to evaluate PAD in the metropolis. Methods: We collected Utstein data from the Tokyo Fire Department (TFD) and analysed CA cases that occurred in stations. In total, 245 non-traumatic CAs from January 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 were analysed;CAs in children under 8 years were excluded. Results: The rates of pre-hospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were 41 out of 145 witnessed CA patients (28.3%) and 12 ROSC out of 100 unwitnessed CA patients (12%). Of 245 CA cases, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed in 156 (63.7%), automated external defibrillator (AED) used in 117 (47.8%) and shock delivered in 65 (26.5%). Rates of ROSC were 31.6% (37/117) with AED use significantly higher than those of 12.5% (16/128) without AED use (P < 0.001). Most CAs occurred on platforms;the use of AEDs on platforms increased from 18/31 (58.1%) in 2007 to 32/43 (74.4%) in 2008 and ROSC rates increased from 8 (25.8%) to 14 (32.6%), respectively. On train CAs: ROSC cases were very few, 1 case each year (8.3%;7.7%) while the use of AED increased from 8/12 (66.7%) in 2007 to 10/13 (76.9%) in 2008. Conclusion: Bystander CPR and the use of AED at railroad stations improved ROSC for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. AED location and strategies for dealing with CAs on trains should be re-evaluated.

A Comparative History Partnership From a Historical Institutional Theory View―A Brief Introduction of Three Experiments Beyond Conventional City Planning 1970-1991 in Kotake-Mukaihara District,Tokyo

Institutional development and the substantial governance outcomes have continued to be a big theme in Political Science.This paper focuses on partnership practices in public works construction and decision-making cases in city and urban settings(as a socio-political environment).In these settings,the management of policy regarding space and time should conduct on understandings of the various dimensions of institutional settings.We are going to emphasize institution and coordination in the public policy process.So,this paper attempted to describe chronological restrictions that were generated by long-term interactions and institutional transformation’s patterns from a historical institutional view.As much as possible,we have analyzed the following micro-institutional experiments,participatory governance(Case I)and public works executions(Cases II and III)to show the institutional development patterns precisely.

A Study on Interregional Differences in Elderly Person’s Remote Care in Terms of Traveling Time and Expense:Comparative Consideration in TOKYO Area and OSAKA Area

This study has been carried out to examine the development of an “elderly tele-nursing model” for care provided in-homeby family members and through remote nursing systems in a super-aging society. The time required for elderly tele-nursing wasinfluenced by whether or not the visitor uses the Shinkansen or the Express train. Based on 40 questionnaires, clear differences wereobserved according to whether visits were “every two weeks” or “once per month”. And finally, comparing the trends andcharacteristics of remote care for the elderly in the TMA (Tokyo Main Area) and Kansai region clarified regional characteristic.

An Evaluation of Measures Regarding Road Traffic against the Urban Heat Island in the Tokyo Ward Area, Japan

This study aims to evaluate measures against the Urban Heat Island (UHI) regarding artificial exhaust heat of road traffic using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the Tokyo Ward Area where the degree of UHI is particularly strong. We developed a GIS database that reflected road traffic conditions, and calculated the volume of artificial exhaust heat of road traffic to evaluate measures against the UHI. The findings of this study can be summarized in the following three points. 1) Artificial exhaust heat volume for moving targets was remarkably higher than that of stationary targets and, in particular, artificial exhaust heat volume was high on roads with remarkable numbers of vehicles and running speeds such as expressways and ring roads. 2) In UHI- related policy for moving targets, the suppression of waste heat through choice of fuel burned, improvement of traffic flow by securing space for cyclists and pedestrians, development of bypasses, and upgrading signal control managed to reduce artificial exhaust heat volume, even though there were differences in degree of reduction. 3) In UHI-related policy for stationary targets, special road surfaces and the increase in efficiency of energy consumption equipment achieved a reduction ratio of around 30% in artificial exhaust heat volume, more than moving targets as well as making it possible to expect a reduction in artificial exhaust heat volume on a wide scale.

基于冲能吸能平衡效应的冲击地压巷道分级支护研究

冲击地压是煤炭开采过程中发生的一种动力灾害,主要是由积聚在煤岩中的弹性变形能突然急剧释放造成的,约90%发生在巷道中。巷道冲击破坏不仅与冲击能量直接相关,还与冲击距离远近紧密相关,提出能距比的概念,即冲击震源释放能量与其至巷道距离的比值。根据冲击地压动静载叠加机制和冲能吸能平衡理论,综合考虑冲击震源能距比量级、巷道破坏程度、支护构件吸能、弱结构吸能等特性,建立了巷道围岩冲击矿震稳定性控制模型,分析了冲能、吸能的构成和计算过程,搭建了冲击地压能级与巷道支护强度之间的对应关系,确定了“四高锚网+”为主导技术的煤矿巷道防冲抗震支护体系。根据能距比量级大小,将冲击地压巷道支护安全可靠性分为P1~P4级别,分级对应采取不同支护强度的“四高锚网+”组合支护技术。“四高”锚网支护可对应能距比为102量级的无冲击巷道,“四高锚网+1”(O型钢棚、吸能防冲单元架、围岩弱结构)对应能距比为103量级的冲击地压,“四高锚网+2”对应能距比为104量级的冲击地压,“四高锚网+3”对应能距比为105量级的冲击地压,106及以上量级的冲击危险必须停产、撤人远场处理。结合工程实例进行了巷道防冲支护方案和参数设计,初步验证了理论研究成果的可行性和实用性。研究成果可为我国煤矿冲击地压巷道支护理论研究和工程实践提供一定的参考指导。

强震损伤格栅墙处理地基抗液化性能离心模型试验研究

水泥土格栅墙能有效减缓被围束土体在地震作用下的剪切荷载及变形,已广泛应用为一种高效的抗液化对策。针对其长期服役过程,开展了两组超重力离心模型试验以研究强振历史对水泥土格栅墙内被围束土体液化响应的影响。两组模型均由15 m厚的易液化含黏粒砂土和2.5 m厚的粗砂层组成。其中,一组模型采用水泥土格栅墙对易液化层进行加固;另一组模型则未进行处理,作为自由场地对照组。两组模型均经历振幅为0.15g的振动事件,且在0.15g振动事件前,对两组模型施加振幅为0.4g的振动事件作为强振历史。试验结果表明,格栅墙在强振下主要的损伤模式表现为竖向贯穿型裂缝,并部分伴随有局部斜向裂缝,且外侧格室对于中心格室表现出类似于群桩基础的“遮蔽效应”。强振历史后,格栅墙中心格室内被围束土体的超静孔压显著低于自由场地,损伤后格栅墙仍具有良好的抗液化效果。同时,格栅墙由于强振后整体刚度的削弱,其与下卧粗砂层间的剪切变形显著减小。

深度学习图像重建算法对能谱CT单能量图像质量影响的体模研究

目的 探讨基于深度学习的图像重建算法(DLIR)对能谱CT单能量图像及能谱曲线图像质量的影响。方法 将9支装有不同管径及不同浓度碘造影剂及水和钙溶液的聚丙烯试管放置在1个直径为20 cm的圆柱形聚丙烯体模(QSP)内,采用Revolution APEX CT对体模进行能谱CT成像,利用能谱分析软件重建出40~140 keV单能量图像及能谱曲线,选取碘造影剂浓度为3.75 mgI/mL(可模拟延迟期或实质脏器增强等)、15 mgI/mL(可模拟动脉期的腹主动脉)及Water(可模拟平扫期及囊肿、肌肉等用于图像背景的非增强物质)3支试管进行数据测量,分别在FBP、40%ASIR-V(常规临床检查参数)及True FidelityTM(DLIR-L、DLIR-M、DLIR-H)5组图像测量单能量图像(40 keV、70 keV、100 keV)的CT值,计算图像的信噪比(SNR),对比5组图像质量的差异。结果 低浓度碘造影剂(3.75 mgI/mL)、高浓度碘造影剂(15.00 mgI/mL)及水试管内FBP、40%ASIR-V及True FidelityTM(DLIR-L、DLIR-M、DLIR-H)5组图像40 keV、70 keV、100 keV的CT值比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。40 keV、70 keV、100 keV图像噪声及图像信噪比5组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。True FidelityTM下的噪声值均较FBP及40%ASIR-V降低,图像信噪比提高(P<0.05),True FidelityTM-DLIR-H噪声最小,信噪比最高。结论 在能谱CT成像中,True FidelityTM较FBP及40%ASIR-V在单能量图像噪声降低,信噪比提高。

废旧锂离子电池正极材料回收技术研究现状

为了保护环境和节约化石能源,电动汽车正逐步代替传统的内燃机汽车。锂离子电池具有高能量密度、高工作电压、循环性能好、使用温度范围广等特点,近年来被广泛应用于新能源汽车。随着新能源汽车的快速发展,大量动力电池将陆续进入退役期。退役的锂离子电池若处置不当,其电解液、隔膜等有机物会对环境造成严重污染,同时锂离子电池的正极材料中含有大量的的有价金属没有得到充分利用。本文综述了退役锂离子电池正极材料回收处理技术,主要包括电池的预处理、火法冶金和湿法冶金技术,并对比了各种技术的优缺点。在此基础上,展望了未来锂离子电池正极材料回收技术发展方向。

直拉法单晶硅生长原理、工艺及展望

碳达峰、碳中和理念提出后,太阳能作为一种可再生绿色能源备受关注。单晶硅作为主要的光伏材料,其质量决定着太阳能电池效率的高低,为了降低成本和提高产能,人们对单晶硅提出越来越高的要求。直拉法(CZ法)是单晶硅的主要制备方法,其生产效率高,可实现自动化,直拉单晶硅市场占比超过90%,目前正朝着大尺寸、N型、薄片化、低氧低碳的方向发展。然而随着晶棒尺寸增大,热场变化更加复杂,现有CZ工艺难以满足市场需求。未来降低度电成本仍是晶硅光伏发展的驱动力,应通过技术革新、产业标准化、成本控制等手段推动光伏产业发展。本文介绍了CZ法生长单晶硅的基本原理和生长工艺,分别对缺陷控制、热场优化、氧含量控制等进行了分析,在总结工艺现状和单晶生长特点的基础上对直拉法生长单晶硅的发展方向进行了展望。

适用于非静力大气模式的近似黎曼求解器应用研究

基于多矩非静力大气模式,开展了3类垂向近似黎曼求解器应用研究。多矩非静力大气模式具有高精度与数值守恒特性,其垂向采用守恒的有限差分格式进行数值离散,而网格单元边界通量计算是通过求解黎曼问题来实现的,因此采用合适的近似黎曼求解器对准确模拟非静力大气垂直运动显得十分关键。LLF(Local Lax-Friedrich)、LMARS(Low Mach Approximate Riemann Solver)和HLLC(Harten-Lax-van Leer Contact)为计算流体力学(CFD)中常用的3种近似黎曼求解器,它们的计算代价和复杂程度逐渐增加。一维标准数值试验表明:LLF计算最为经济,但具有较强的耗散;LMARS具有适用于大气流动的假设,对于数值粘性的控制较好且计算量不大;HLLC建立的三波模型可以避免对中间特征场的过度数值耗散。基于LLF近似黎曼求解器计算经济的特点,通过优化LLF近似黎曼求解器各特征波动的粘性系数,能够实现与LMARS、HLLC近似黎曼求解器相同的性能,且计算代价最小。二维非静力数值试验表明,优化的LLF近似黎曼求解器能够规避常规LLF近似黎曼求解器的数值耗散过大问题,正确模拟小尺度非静力垂直运动,达到更复杂的LMARS、HLLC近似黎曼求解器模拟效果且并未增加计算量,这为非静力大气数值模式提供了良好的参考价值。