This article deals with the study of polymerdispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films that consisted of microdroplets of liquid crystals (LCs) dispersed in a polymer matrix. The PDLC films were fabricated by the photoinduced phase separation method under room-temperature conditions. To determine the extent of the effects of the molecular structures and their physical properties of different mixtures of monomers and LCs on the morphology and electrooptical properties of the PDLC films, various mixtures were used. A detailed discussion of the obtained results is given.
Background In Japan, there has been no investigation of regional differences in the number or amount of prescriptions of anxiolytics or hypnotics. Attributes related to the high amount of prescriptions for these drugs are unknown. We investigated recent trends and regional differences in the amount of prescriptions of hypnotics and anxiolytics in Japan and identified factors associated with these regional differences. Methods The National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) Open data from 2015 to 2018 were used. We calculated diazepam-equivalent doses (mg) for each drug and the total amount of prescriptions per capita for hypnotics and anxiolytics by sex and age. In addition, we calculated the standardized claim ratio (SCR) of the amount of prescriptions by prefecture. We investigated factors associated with regional differences in the SCRs of hypnotics and anxiolytics using the prefectures’ medical, socioeconomic, and physical characteristics by an ecological study using a linear mixed-effects model. Results The amount of prescriptions of hypnotics and anxiolytics, specifically, the amount of prescriptions of benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs), decreased in many of the adult age groups from 2015 to 2018. The regression analysis revealed that the number of medical clinics per capita, the number of public assistance recipients per capita, the proportion of persons whose HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, and the proportion of persons whose BMI ≥25 kg/m2 were positively and significantly associated with the SCR of hypnosis. In contrast, the number of public assistance recipients per capita and the proportion of persons whose BMI ≥25 kg/m2 were positively and significantly associated with the SCR of anxiolytics. Conclusions Factors associated with prescription amount of hypnotics and anxiolytics were revealed in this study, and a further study is needed for investigating causal relationships between the prescriptions amount and the associated factors using individual data.
This paper presents the optimization of an onboard system that uses a single mixed refrigerant (SMR) to reliquefy boiloff gas (BOG) for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, considering the partial load requirement according to the operational profile. The amount of excess BOG varies depending on fuel consumption, which is determined by the ship's speed. Therefore, the optimization must consider equipment characteristics at partial load as well as at design load. Three operational loads are defined for a 174 000 m 3 LNG carrier that uses an SMR reliquefaction system. Optimization to maximize net present value is performed using a genetic algorithm. The optimal result indicates an energy consumption of 678.1 kWh/(ton LNG) at design load can be achievable, at which the net present value is US$0.76 million for the given operating conditions.
Background Regional differences in road traffic (RT) mortality among municipalities have not been revealed in Japan. Further, the association between RT mortality and regional socioeconomic characteristics has not been investigated. We analyzed geographic differences in RT mortality and its associated factors using the Vital Statistics in Japan. Methods We used data on RT mortality by sex and municipality in Japan from 2013 to 2017. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of RT for each municipality by sex using an Empirical Bayes method. The SMRs were mapped onto a map of Japan to show the geographic differences. In addition, an ecological study investigated the municipal characteristics associated with the SMR using demographic socioeconomic, medical, weather, and vehicular characteristics as explanatory variables. The ecological study used a spatial statistical model. Results The mapping revealed that the number of municipalities with a high SMR of RT (SMR > 2) was larger in men than in women. In addition, SMRs of capital areas (Kanagawa and Tokyo prefectures) tended to be low in men and women. The regression analysis revealed that population density was negatively associated with the SMR in men and women, and the degree of the association was the largest among explanatory variables. In contrast, there was a positive association between the proportion of non-Japanese persons and SMR. The proportions of lower educational level (elementary school or junior high school graduates), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries workers, service workers, and blue-collar workers were positively associated with the SMR in men. The proportion of unemployed persons was negatively associated with the SMR in men. Conclusions Socioeconomic characteristics are associated with geographic differences in RT mortality particularly in men. The results suggested preventive measures targeted at men of low socioeconomic status and non-Japanese persons are needed to decrease RT mortality further.
In Japan, the polypharmacy reduction policy for psychotropic drugs is intended to reduce the reimbursement of medical costs when “three or more types of psychotropic drugs” are prescribed. However, non-polypharmacy patients who need multiple drugs are also comprehensively evaluated. This study demonstrated that the polypharmacy reduction policy for psychotropic drugs is associated with reductions of the amounts of in-hospital prescriptions for patients using antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and benzodiazepines.
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