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In this review, we reorganize the concept and highlight the importance of prestige in humans and non-human animals by introducing key characteristics of dominance and prestige and related theories. Previous studies with non-human animals have mainly focused on dominance, presuming prestige as a human-unique social trait. However, to deepen our understanding of the evolution of prestige, comparative studies with non-human animals, especially our evolutionary closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, are essential. We propose the direction of future studies to investigate how prestige has emerged as a viable strategy for gaining social rank while diverging from dominance, which will establish a foundation for investigating the impact of prestige on propensities towards large-scale cooperation and cumulative culture which are still considered unique to humans. Such comparative viewpoints on prestige, along with some hypotheses of species differences, will provide powerful guidance for understanding the evolution of social hierarchies. • Both dominance and prestige are utilized as a viable strategy for acquiring higher social rank in human social hierarchy. • In non-human animals, only dominance, but not prestige, has been assumed as a viable strategy for attaining social rank. • Exploring prestige-like traits in non-human animals may provide insights into the evolution of human social hierarchy. • We propose hypotheses about possible differences in prestige between chimpanzees and bonobos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study proposed an embedded concrete hinge RC column (ECH-RC). • This study proposed an ECH-RC with unbonded bar (ECH-UBRC). • ECH-RC had a Mesnager hinge embedded at the base of an RC column. • The uncertainty in the failure behavior of ECH-RC columns could be minimized. • The high-strength bars in ECH-UBRC can improve the stability of the column. In Japan, since the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, there has been a growing interest in addressing earthquakes that exceed design assumptions. Consequently, the concept of "anti-catastrophe" has been proposed as a new approach to the seismic design of infrastructures. This approach necessitates considering the conditions after significant structural damage, a concept not explicitly addressed in current seismic design codes. This study proposes two types of reinforced concrete (RC) columns: Embedded Concrete Hinge RC column (ECH-RC) and Embedded Concrete Hinge unbonded bar RC column (ECH-UBRC) to minimize the uncertainty of failure behaviors of RC columns during Beyond Design-Basis Events (BDBE) while ensuring high ductility during Design-Basis Events (DBE). ECH-RC features a Mesnager hinge embedded at its base, while ECH-UBRC incorporates unbonded high-strength bars in addition to a Mesnager hinge. ECH-RC and ECH-UBRC are designed for bridge columns subjected to low axial loads. To ensure the stability of the entire bridge structure during BDBE, providing lateral restraints at large displacements is essential. Results from cyclic loading tests revealed that embedded Mesnager hinges effectively prevented the uncontrollable failure of RC columns during BDBE by limiting axial and shear deformation at the plastic hinge, while the unbonded bars enhanced the stability of RC columns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding groundwater dynamics is important for projecting water resources of the Lake Kawaguchi, however, the difficulty of observation and the limited number of geochemical tracers are a problem. In this study, we investigated 14C concentration (Δ14C) of lake water for three years and employed a 14C box model to estimate the groundwater contribution. Seasonal variations of Δ14C were also observed in both 2019 and 2020, confirming that Δ14C in Lake Kawaguchi decreases from summer to fall and increases during winter. Heavy precipitation exceeding 300 mm in a few days because of tropical cyclon HAGIBIS (Typhoon#19) significantly increased Δ14C in the lake for one month and it could caused by temporal changes in the surface water pathway. The 14C box model demonstrated that 14C could semiquantitatively evaluate the groundwater flow in the lake. It is needed to add quantative evaluations inflow from rivers and other factors to understand of groundwater dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To clarify the diagnostic performance of the three-dimensional reconstructed virtual image (3D-RVI) in evaluating RENAL nephrometry score (RENAL-NS).Methods: This study included 130 patients who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography followed by partial nephrectomy for renal tumors suggestive of renal cell carcinoma. RENAL-NS was calculated prior to the surgery, and tumor resection was performed referring to the score. We retrospectively reviewed preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography images. We calculated the inter-observer variability of RENAL-NS using 3D-RVI vs two-dimensional (2D) imaging and compared the ability of RENAL-NS using 3D-RVI vs 2D imaging to predict the risk of opening of the urinary collecting system. We also compared the two modalities for the time required to evaluate RENAL-NS.Results: RENAL-NS evaluated using 3D-RVI showed a higher inter-observer agreement compared to 2D-imaging (rs = 0.85 vs rs = 0.65). The "nearness to sinus" score was more strongly associated with the opening of the urinary collecting system when evaluated using 3D-RVI than 2D-imaging (AUC = 0.71 vs AUC = 0.57, P = .016). RENAL-NS using 2D-imaging required a significantly longer time compared to 3D-RVI (P = .036).Conclusion: Using 3D-RVI improves the accuracy, reliability and efficiency of RENAL-NS evaluation in preoperative assessment and can play an important role in preoperative assessment and intraoperative navigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can occur in travelers returning from mass-gathering events or endemic regions. We present a 60-year-old Argentine traveler to Tokyo who developed IMD by Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup W135 during her stay in Japan. N. meningitidis serogroup W135 infection has become common in Argentina, whereas IMD less commonly occurs in Japan. Considering the prevalence, the patient most likely acquired the infection in Argentina, and it developed in Japan. Air travel enables passengers to reach the four corners of the world within a few days. IMD should be considered in travelers due to its potential to induce rapid clinical deterioration and transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous reports have demonstrated that sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor type 2 (S1P 2) is involved in the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 6. Additionally, the major signaling pathway of S1P 2 is the Rho-Rho kinase pathway. In this study, we examined the role of S1P 2 in STAT6 activation in a macrophage (Mφ) model using THP-1 cells differentiated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We established S1P 2 knockout THP-1 cells using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. The PMA-treated S1P 2 knockout THP-1 Mφs showed decreases in IL-4/IL-13-induced phosphorylation of Janus-activated kinase (JAK) 1, JAK2, and STAT6 as well as mRNA expression of the M2 marker ARG1 compared with wild-type THP-1 Mφs. Pretreatment of PMA-treated THP-1 Mφs with the S1P 2 antagonist JTE-013, the Rho inhibitor Rhosin or the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 inhibited the IL-4/IL-13-induced increase in STAT6 phosphorylation. The expressions of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 in the S1P 2 knockout THP-1 Mφs were higher than those in wild-type THP-1 Mφs. In addition, the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor vanadate enhanced IL-4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation in the S1P 2 knockout THP-1 Mφs, suggesting that S1P 2 -Rho-Rho kinase inhibited the negative regulation of STAT6. These results suggest that the S1P 2 -Rho-Rho kinase pathway is necessary for full activation of STAT6 by IL-4/IL-13 in Mφs. [Display omitted] • We established S1P 2 knockout THP-1 cells using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. • S1P 2 inhibition suppressed IL-4/IL-13-induced phosphorylation of STAT6. • S1P 2 -Rho-Rho kinase pathway is necessary for full activation of STAT6 by IL-4/IL-13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]