It is very important to estimate a macrospatial correlation of seismic ground motion intensities for earthquake damage predictions, building portfolio analyses etc., whereby damage in different locations has to be taken into account simultaneously. This study focuses on spatial correlation of the residual value between an observed and a predicted ground motion intensity, which is estimated by an empirical mean attenuation relationship. The residual value is modeled in such a way that the joint probability density function (PDF) of seismic ground-motion intensity can be characterized by the spatial correlation model as well as an empirical mean attenuation relationship, assuming that it constitutes a homogeneous two-dimensional stochastic field. Using the dense observation data of earthquakes that occurred in Japan and Taiwan in recent years, the macrospatial correlation model is proposed and the assumption of homogeneity is verified in this paper.

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IntroductionBTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) is a transcriptional repressor of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is cytoprotective through its antioxidant effects. The objective of this study was to define the role of Bach1 in cartilage homeostasis and osteoarthritis (OA) development using in vitro models and Bach1-/- mice.MethodsHO-1 expression in Bach1-/- mice was analyzed by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Knee joints from Bach1-/- and wild-type mice with age-related OA and surgically-induced OA were evaluated by OA scoring systems. Levels of autophagy proteins and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were determined by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between HO-1 and the protective effects for OA was determined in chondrocytes treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HO-1 gene.ResultsHO-1 expression decreased with aging in articular cartilages and menisci of mouse knees. Bach1-/- mice showed reduced severity of age-related OA and surgically-induced OA compared with wild-type mice. Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), autophagy marker, and SOD2 were increased in articular cartilage of Bach1-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced a significant increase in Adamts-5 in wild-type chondrocytes but not in Bach1-/- chondrocytes. The expression of SOD2 and the suppression of apoptosis in Bach1-/- chondrocytes were mediated by HO-1.ConclusionsBach1 deficiency reduces the severity of OA-like changes. This may be due to maintenance of cartilage homeostasis and joint health by antioxidant effects through HO-1 and downregulation of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes. These results suggest that inactivation of Bach1 is a novel target and signaling pathway in OA prevention.

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Aims Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is characterized by multiple co‐morbidities, including chronic kidney disease that is one of the prognostic risks for these patients. This study was performed to evaluate the value of determination of albuminuria using a urine dipstick test (UDT), combined with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), for predicition of mortality in HFpEF. Methods and results We enrolled 2465 consecutive patients with overt HF with EF ≥50% in our Chronic Heart Failure Analysis and Registry in the Tohoku District 2 (CHART‐2) study (NCT00418041). We defined trace or more UDT as positive. We divided the patients into the following four groups based on eGFR and UDT; group 1 (G1) (eGFR ≥60, negative UDT), G2 (eGFR ≥60, positive UDT), G3 (eGFR <60, negative UDT), and G4 (eGFR <60, positive UDT). In total, 29.5% of the HFpEF patients had a positive UDT. HFpEF patients with a positive UDT were characterized by higher brain natriuretic peptide levels and frequent histories of hypertension or diabetes. During a mean follow‐up of 2.5 years, HFpEF patients with a positive UDT showed higher mortality in each stratum of eGFR levels. A multivariable adjusted Cox model showed that when compared with G1 (reference), the hazard ratio of all‐cause death for G2, G3, and G4 was 2.44 (95% confidence interval 1.47–4.05, P=0.001), 1.43 (0.92–2.23, P=0.12), and 2.71 (1.72–4.27, P<0.001), respectively. Furthermore, the prognostic value of a positive UDT was robust for both cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular deaths. Conclusions These results indicate that measurement of albuminuria in addition to eGFR is useful for appropriate risk stratification in HFpEF patients.

Aims It is still controversial whether elevated baseline heart rate (HR) is associated with higher mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We compared the impacts of baseline HR on mortality in patients with HFpEF and those with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods and results We enrolled consecutive 2688 patients in Stage C or D HF with sinus rhythm from our Chronic Heart Failure Analysis and Registry in the Tohoku District 2 (CHART‐2) Study (n = 10 219). The prognostic impact of HR increase was compared between the two groups, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction of < 50% (HFrEF) and > 50% (HFpEF). Cox regression analysis revealed that elevated baseline HR was associated with increased all‐cause mortality in both groups [hazard ratio for the highest tertile (HH) 1.77 in HFrEF, P = 0.008; HH1.82 in HFpEF, P = 0.001]. However, as for mode of death, elevated HR was associated with cardiovascular (CV) death in HFpEF (HH 2.17, P = 0.012), but the association was modest in HFrEF (HH1.49, P = 0.14): in particular, impact on HF death was different between HFpEF (HH 3.79, P = 0.020) and HFrEF (HH 1.07, P = 0.864). In contrast, the prognostic impact of baseline HR on non‐CV death was noted only in patients with HFrEF. β‐Blocker therapy was associated with reduced HF mortality in HFrEF (hazard ratio 0.49, P = 0.038) but not in HFpEF (hazard ratio 0.64, P = 0.321). Conclusions Elevated HR was associated with increased CV death in HFpEF compared with HFrEF, although its impact on all‐cause mortality was comparable between the two groups.