A Basic Developmental Scenario for the Maglev Highway ― Maglev Highway as the Future of Transport ―
A Maglev system, in which cars sit on magnetically levitated pallets, could potentially produce substantial benefits compared to conventional car travel, particularly on long distance routes. This paper describes basic developmental scenarios applied to the future of high-speed ground transportation.
A BASIC STUDY ON THE MOVING HIGHWAY SYSTEM AS A NEW MULTI-MODAL
As a result of climate change caused by global warming (for example, CO2 emission due to mainly car traffic), the development of an alternative vehicle transportation system is necessary. The author considers the new paradigm of the road-vehicle system, and the new integrated way as a new multi-modal transport system. In Japan, motor-operated "moving roads" for pedestrians have already been installed in Yokohama City and Shinjuku in Tokyo. This paper outlines the history and transportation status of motor-operated roads that move people or vehicles or that supply electricity to vehicles, and describes research on the technical and social problems of new multi-modal motor-operated road systems that can be used with vehicles based on ITS technology. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 490001.
Thorium-induced Anatomical and Histopathological Changes in Liver of Swiss Mice
ObjectivePresent study is aimed to investigate the anatomical and histopathological changes in liver tissues of Swiss albino male mice, one month after intravenous administration of thorium (232Th; 4 and 40 mg/kg).MethodsSynchrotron X-ray micro-CT imaging, CD31 immuno-cytochemistry, hematoxylin & eosin staining and Periodic acid-Schiff staining were performed to study changes in liver anatomy, blood vessels/capillaries, histology and glycogen content of liver, respectively.ResultsSynchrotron X-ray micro-CT imaging of liver showed loss of blood vessels in mice treated with thorium (4 mg/kg), which was more prominent at higher dose of thorium (40 mg/kg). These thorium-induced changes in liver were correlated with the decrease in CD31 positive cells and loss of tissue architecture. A dose-dependent increase in glycogen content was also observed in the liver of thorium-treated mice.ConclusionOur results provide novel insight about the effects of thorium on liver, which may have significant implications in understanding the mechanism of thorium thorium-induced hepatotoxicity.