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This study examines the effects of different types of wood chips on the characteristics of the unconfined compression (UC) of geomaterials composed of wood chips and converter steelmaking slag. Thr...

In our previous study, the brain activity of areas related to social dominance [dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC)] and reward [ventral striatum (VS)] was compared before and after providing information (cue) indicating that an applied cream was luxury. Both the DMPFC and VS showed significantly higher activation after this cue, and the cue also facilitated the connection between the DMPFC and VS

Field fill materials often contain gravel particles larger than the allowable limit for standard laboratory compaction tests. In such cases, the maximum dry density (ρd)max of a material containing large gravels is obtained by correcting laboratory test results for specimens without large gravels. Usually, the Walker–Holtz (WH) method is used for this correction, but there are many materials whose gravel ratio (P) is 0.3 − 0.4, which is usually considered to be the application limit. Moreover, accurate stress-strain properties under field compaction conditions are necessary for relevant stability analysis of soil structures including embankments. However, with unbound granular materials, it is difficult to obtain undisturbed samples for laboratory tests or to carry out field shear tests. Also, large-scale triaxial compression tests on specimens containing large gravels are difficult to perform in ordinary engineering practices. In this study, a series of laboratory compaction tests were performed changing the maximum particle size (Dmax), compaction energy level (CEL) and P to examine the validity of the WH method and a series of drained triaxial compression tests were performed varying the Dmax and the degree of compaction. Based on the test results, a method to modify the WH method is proposed to properly estimate the (ρd)max value after adding or removing gravel particles when compacted at a certain CEL. Also, a method is proposed to correct the strength for a given gravel ratio to estimate the in-situ strength from the strength obtained from laboratory tests.

Coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean suffered extensive damage owing to the 2011 tsunami due to the Tohoku earthquake. Hence, reinforcement methods against tsunamis need to be developed for existing caisson type breakwaters. This study proposes installing a row of piles behind the caisson using backfilling, with rubble in the space between, as reinforcement against tsunamis. To determine the cross-section and embedment length of the pile used in this structure, understanding the load condition acting on the pile is necessary. Model experiments were conducted based on bending moment distribution to estimate the external force acting as distributed load on the pile’s offshore side. The subgrade reaction acting on the pile from the onshore side was assumed by correcting the coefficient of the subgrade reaction and its depth direction in the Winkler–Spring type subgrade reaction model. There are insufficient points in the external force distribution estimated in this method owing to insufficient evaluation of the subgrade reaction. The impact of the subgrade reaction on a pile’s horizontal resistance characteristics depends on its deformation mode. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the subgrade reaction in the pile deformation mode under distributed load along the perpendicular pile axis direction. This study conducted loading experiments on the piles using different ground conditions and loading methods to examine the difference in horizontal resistance of the piles. The deformation mode of the piles was found to cause changes in the coefficient value of the subgrade reaction and its changing behavior along the depth direction.

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the similarities in the attachment toward individual's favorite cosmetics and beloved person, both of which are reinforced by touch-driven behaviors. We conducted 2 (visual and visual with tactile) × 2 (preferred and non-preferred cosmetics) experiments. Thereafter, we set regions of interest as per previous studies of human relationship attachment and tested their significance. The hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), putamen, periaqueductal gray (PAG), dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), and ventral tegmental area were activated in the visual with tactile session, but not in the visual session, revealing that common brain regions are activated in human relationship attachment and attachment to cosmetics, and that tactile cue is important for attachment to cosmetics. Moreover, the PAG showed an interactive effect between tactile cue and preference, and the DRN positively correlated with "security" feeling associated with attachment. Activity in these regions was positively correlated with activity of the PCC and primary somatosensory cortex. This suggests that tactile discriminative cues induce the individual's autobiographical memories of using the cosmetics daily, and the DRN and PAG are activated in association with these memories. These serotonergic and oxytocinergic activities may be critical for the maintenance of attachment to cosmetics.

Under-sieve residue is a sediment containing large amounts of wood chips generated by natural disaster. The mechanical properties of this residue have not been well understood, and thus, it has usually been landfilled. The development of a method for effective utilization of under-sieve residue is believed to facilitate quick recovery and reconstruction during disasters. Accordingly, this study aimed to devise an effective approach to convert under-sieve residue into a geological material. Consolidated-drained triaxial compression (CD) tests were performed using mixtures of coconut fiber, which closely resembles under-sieve residue, with steelmaking slag and blast furnace slag fine powder to understand the effect of the mixing ratio of coconut fiber and curing periods. The results indicated that the maximum shear strength of the slag mixed with coconut fiber at 5% (coco5) by volume was higher than that of a “slag only” specimen regardless of curing periods. The maximum shear strength of the slag mixed with coconut fiber at 10% (coco10) or 33% (coco33) by volume was higher than that of “slag only” without curing. However, the maximum shear strength of coco10 or coco33 did not increase with curing.

We investigated whether observation of hand movements of people with hemiplegia by healthy individuals from the first-person perspective (FPP), compared to that from the third-person perspective (TPP), enables better understanding of disability-associated distress. We measured the neural activity of healthy individuals using functional magnetic resonance imaging while they observed hemiplegic movements from the FPP or TPP. Subjective assessment of the movements was determined with questionnaires. Compared to the TPP, the FPP elicited stronger activation in the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), right temporoparietal junction, and anterior cingulate cortex, which are associated with body representation, mentalization, and empathy, respectively. Enhanced IPL activity correlated positively with personal empathic traits. Observing movements of hemiplegic individuals from the FPP provided precise subjective understanding of the physically distressing aspects of their movements. These findings suggest that observing hemiplegic individuals from the FPP effectively improved observers' understanding of disability-associated distress via body representation, mentalization, and empathy systems.

Luxury skin care products have emotional value because of their texture and accompanying product information. The influence of these factors appears to be linked. Here, we investigated the influence of information on brain activity during hand massages with skin care creams in healthy female volunteers. In the first session, participants received hand massages using two skin care creams (luxury and basic). In the second session, participants were shown information which indicated whether each cream was a luxury or basic product during the massage. In the third session, they received a hand massage as per the first session. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were recorded during massages. Differential activity in the ventral striatum (VS), the caudate nucleus, and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) was significantly higher in the third session than in the first session. Moreover, differential activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was positively correlated with differential activity in both the VS and the DMPFC in the third session. These results suggest that the neural substrate of the effects is based on both the dopamine reward system and the self-other distinction system involved in social dominance and that the right DLPFC plays a critical role in the association between these systems.

Attachment security is a critical resource for individuals to preserve relationship quality. Insecure attachment reduces relationship quality and can seriously influence mental and physical health. Adult attachment style is thought to develop through relationships with a caregiver during childhood and social interactions during adolescence according to epigenetic modification and reinforcement learning mechanisms, and is an important factor for developing and maintaining relationship quality. The neurochemicals such as oxytocin (OXT), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) have been shown to be critical for pair-bond formation and maintenance by animal experiments. However, the neural basis underlying the human adult attachment has not yet been clarified. We investigated whether the brain regions involved in these neurochemicals are correlated with adult attachment style in healthy male participants using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Significantly activated brain regions, while they were viewing their partner compared to unknown females included the hypothalamus, substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA), dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and locus coeruleus (LC), in which each of these regions is involved in OXT, DA, 5-HT and norepinephrine, respectively. Moreover, higher activity in these brainstem regions was associated with less attachment anxiety. These brainstem regions are primarily important for basic survival functions and well-being. Based on these results, in humans, neurochemicals such as OXT, DA, and 5-HT may be also critical for developing and maintaining relationships, and adult attachment style may be developed based on the epigenetic modification and reinforcement learning mechanisms through relationships with a caregiver during childhood.

Imitative stimuli presented from a first-person perspective (FPP) produce stronger visuomotor effects than those presented from a third-person perspective (TPP) due to the relatively greater response of the mirror neuron system (MNS) to FPP stimuli. Some previous studies utilizing TPP stimuli have reported no differences in MNS activity between moving and static bodies’ stimuli. However, few studies have compared visuomotor effects of such stimuli when presented in the FPP. To clarify this issue, we measured cortical activation in 17 participants during a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imitation task involving three conditions: moving (a lifting finger was presented), static (an “X” appeared on a static finger), and control (an “X” appeared on a button). All stimuli were presented from the FPP or TPP. Participants were asked to lift the finger corresponding to the imitative stimulus. In the FPP condition, moving stimuli elicited greater MNS activation than static stimuli. Furthermore, such movement effects were stronger in the MNS and insula (a region associated with body-ownership) for FPP stimuli than for TPP stimuli. Psychophysiological interaction analysis revealed increased connectivity between the MNS and insula for moving stimuli in the FPP condition. These findings suggest that bodily movements presented in the FPP elicit a greater visuomotor response than static body presented in the FPP, and that the visuomotor effects of bodily movements were greater in the FPP condition than in the TPP condition. Our analyses further indicated that such responses are processed via the neural system underlying body-ownership. Hum Brain Mapp, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gate-all-around (GAA) transistors based on vertically stacked horizontal nanowires are promising candidates to replace FinFETs in future CMOS technology nodes. First of all, GAA devices provide optimal electrostatic control over semiconducting nanowire channels, which enables downscaling of the gate length to below the FinFET limit, while maintaining low off-state leakage [1]. Besides, horizontally oriented nanowires are an evolutionary extension of FinFETs, as opposed to vertical nanowires which require more disruptive technology and design changes [2]. Finally, stacking of nanowires is relevant for enhancing the drive current per footprint. Based on these considerations, GAA transistors made of vertically stacked horizontal nanowires have been included in the ITRS roadmap to reduce the contacted gate pitch, which is a key figure of merit for CMOS device density, to below ~40 nm in 2019-2021 [3]. In the context of the industrial relevance described above, we present the fabrication of Si GAA devices on bulk Si substrates. Multiple processing aspects that are relevant for bulk CMOS technology definition are addressed, including stacking of 8-nm-diameter Si wires at 45-nm lateral pitch and 20-nm vertical pitch [4], and nanowire-compatible replacement metal gate processing in combination with threshold voltage tuning by dual work function metal integration [5]. Temperature restrictions for the formation of shallow trench isolation, and the interaction between N- and P-type junction formation on one hand and nanowire release processes on the other hand are discussed as well. [1] K. J. Kuhn, IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, vol. 59 (7), p.1813, (2012). [2] L. Liebmann et al., VLSI Tech. Dig., p.112 (2016). [3] The International Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) 2.0, http://www.itrs2.net/ (2015). [4] H. Mertens et al., VLSI Tech. Dig., p.158 (2016). [5] H. Mertens et al., IEDM Tech. Dig., p.524 (2016). Figure 1

The horizontal resistance characteristics of piles in elastic media have been studied based on the beam theory. Various methods have been proposed as subgrade reaction models, which demonstrate the response of the ground. However, sufficient understanding is still lacking. The impact of the subgrade reactions on the horizontal resistance characteristics of a pile depends on the deformation mode of the pile. In this study, the relationship between the pile deformation mode and subgrade reaction development behavior was investigated through horizontal loading experiments of the piles. The results considered the influence of the difference in the deformation mode of the pile due to the difference in the horizontal loading position. Based on the above observations, it was suggested that the PHRI method of the type S model, assuming the Winkler-Spring model, is applicable only to the limited deformation mode.

In port structures using a pile foundation, with an enlargement of the facility and a change in the type of structure, a large bearing capacity is expected for the pile. However, an estimation of the bearing capacity of deeply embedded piles with a large diameter has complex problems such as an increased bearing capacity owing to a deep embedment, and the plugging effect is decreased when using large-diameter piles. In this study, a double-pipe model of an open-ended pile and a closed-ended pile that can be used to measure the resistance acting on each part of the pile toe, and the degree of plugging on the bearing capacity distribution of a pile toe was examined. As the results indicate, the difference in resistance acting on each part of the open-ended pile decreased with the occurrence of plugging.

Field fill material often contains gravel particles larger than the allowable limit for standard laboratory compaction tests. In such cases, the maximum dry density (ρd)max of the fill material compacted at a specified compaction energy level (CEL) must be estimated from the (ρd)max value via compaction tests at the same CEL on the sample obtained by removing large gravel particles. When the gravel mass ratio P is lower than 0.3 or 0.4, this estimate is usually made by the Walker-Holtz (WH) method, which assumes that the same CEL that was applied to the whole sample is transmitted to the portion other than gravel particles inside the whole sample. Research on this estimate for P higher than 0.3 or 0.4 validated by experimental data is rather limited. In this study, a series of laboratory compaction tests were performed changing the maximum particle size, CEL, P, and soil type to examine the validity of the WH method. Based on the test results, a method to modify the WH method is proposed to estimate the (ρd)max value more properly after adding or removing gravel particles compacted at a certain CEL.

Under-sieve residue, a type of disaster waste generated by earthquakes and tsunamis, contain large amounts of wood chips. This residue cannot be used as ground material mainly because its bearing capacity is insufficient and the decay process of wood chips has not been well understood. In this study, unconfined compression (UC) tests were performed using two types of wood chips (fibrous cocopeat and granular hinoki), which closely resemble the under-sieve residue, with slag and Iwaki sands. The test results indicated that the UC strength of the slag mixed with cocopeat or hinoki at 10% by volume was higher than that of only slag. In addition, they indicated that the UC strength and deformation modulus of Iwaki sand mixed with cocopeat were higher than those of just Iwaki sand for cocopeat mixing ratios of less than 20% by volume.

Fabrication cost reduction and performance improvements of state-of-the-art complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) are driving force of device size scaling as well as chip size scaling. To enable continuous device scaling, the device structure was changed from planar field-effect transistors (FETs) to FinFETs shown in Fig. 1 [1] . The FinFETs have the 3D channel shown in Fig. 1 , and it increases on-state current (I on ) per footprint, and suppresses short-channel effects (SCEs) and off-state current (I off ).

Many mothers are adaptive, deploying successful coping strategies that mitigate the deleterious effects of parenting stress on caregiving, nevertheless, the neural mechanisms underlying these adaptive responses remain unclear. We utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain activity in 28 healthy mothers of typically developing, 2-to-3-year-old children in response to the feeding behavior of their own children versus that of other children. We then examined the correlation between maternal brain activation and subjective feelings of parenting stress. Brain regions associated with maternal motivation including the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), ventral pallidum, periaqueductal gray (PAG), dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), and anterior insular cortex (AIC)—as well as those associated with the recognition of one’s own child’s state (e.g., cerebellum)—exhibited significant activation in response to their own children. While mothers with higher activation in the OFC showed less parenting stress related to one’s sense of competence in the parental role, mothers with higher co-activation of the OFC with both of the AIC and PAG/DRN, and with the cerebellum showed less parenting stress caused by child characteristics. Our findings suggest that well-balanced maternal brain mechanisms integrated by the OFC may provide effective adaptive responses in daily parenting scenarios.

Self-touch is an act of coping with harmful or stressful situations based on suppression of somatosensory perception, somatosensory cortex activity, and sympathetic activity; however, the detailed neural mechanism remains unknown. Several studies have shown that the descending pain modulatory system (DPMS) plays critical roles in painful situations and that intrinsic functional connectivity in the DPMS is observed in even non-painful situations. Therefore, we hypothesized that the neural system consisting of the anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) would play a basic role in self-touch. We thus investigated the interactive effects of these regions in a pain-free self-touch situation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate brain activity induced by mere self-touch (rubbing the left hand with the right), and the physio-physiological interaction analysis was performed to investigate the modulatory effects of brain activity. Physio-physiological interaction analysis showed that the rostral anterior cingulate cortex modulated neural activity in the RVM and left cerebellum (CB) via the right amygdala, and the modulation linearly suppressed the RVM and left CB activity. Furthermore, the left CB activity was positively correlated with the right primary somatosensory cortex activity. Moreover, our study showed that coherent activity in the bilateral secondary somatosensory cortex modulated the activity of the left temporoparietal junction and RVM, and the RVM was suppressed in a linear manner. These results suggest that self-touch is a kind of passive avoidance automatically realized in the human brain to protect the self.

In open-ended piles, inner friction is developed between inner pile shaft and the inner soil. Inner frictional resistance depends largely on the degree of soil plugging, which is influenced by many factors including pile diameter, relative density and end conditions of piles. In this paper, effects of inner sleeves on inner frictional resistance are discussed. The experiments were conducted on a medium-dense sandy ground using laboratory-scale piles. It was observed that the piles penetrated under partially-plugged or unplugged state. The results suggest that inner frictional resistance, Qin increases with sleeve height, l linearly and requires 2D (D is pile outer diameter) of l to produce a large as 50% of Qt by Qin (Qt is total resistance). The results also indicate that bearing capacity increases with wall thickness at the pile tip, which can be attributed to the increase in annular area. The results also indicate that soil plug height is independent of sleeve height. The results also reveal that the penetration of straight piles is closer to unplugged state than the sleeved piles. The results of incremental filling ratio and plug length ratio also indicate that the degree of soil plugging is affected by the sleeve height.