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This paper aims to investigate the relationship between locomotive syndrome (LS) and insufficient nutrient intake in young and middle-aged adults, independent of energy intake.

The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of a non-random sample of 219 adults aged 18 to 64 (175 men and 44 women) working in two companies in Japan, between December 2018 and March 2019. LS Stage 0 was classified as No-LS while Stages 1 and 2 were classified as LS. Nutrient intake was assessed using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire and adjusted to the required energy intake for each participant. The criteria for sufficient intake of 22 nutrients were based on the Dietary Reference Intake for Japanese. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between LS and insufficient nutrient intake.

In total, 234 employees participated in the LS examinations while 219 of them completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 93.6%. LS Stages 1 or 2 were present in both men and women in all the age-stratified groups except for the women in their 60s. There was a significant association between LS status and insufficient intake of Vitamin K (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 16.0 [range: 1.1–407]; p = 0.01) in women, but not in men.

The result suggests that attention should be paid to adequate Vitamin K intake in young and middle-aged women with LS. Future studies should be conducted using a larger and more diverse sample.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present paper is the first study to show an association between LS in young and middle-aged adults and nutrients that are independent of energy intake.

A high‐density module for image processing was developed by chip‐on‐wafer technology. A silicon wafer was used as the substrate and the LSI chips were flip‐chip bonded to the silicon wafer by bumps in chip‐on‐wafer technology. A primary benefit of using a silicon wafer is the little induced thermal stress which affects the bumps. The module contained a digital signal processor, SRAMs and other peripheral LSls. A total of sixteen chips were bonded on the wafer. The LSIs were connected to each other by copper/polyimide multilayer interconnections consisting of eight copper conductive layers and polyimide dielectric layers. The characteristic impedance for the signal lines was controlled to 50 ohms. The LSIs were connected to the wafer electrically and mechanically by solder bumps, which were formed on the LSI bonding pads. A 188 pin AIN ceramic package was used for the module in order to obtain high heat radiation and high reliability. The occupied area for the module was reduced to 20%, compared with the size for conventionally assembled DIPs on a PC board.

This paper describes effective thin‐film structure barrier metals for use as eutectic solder bumps. Shear strength and bump interconnection resistance were evaluated. The mutual diffusion in metals was investigated. Barrier metal structures —Cu/Ti,Ni/Ti and Cu/Cr—were evaluated after ageing. The Ni/Ti structure has good reliability according to ageing test results. Pd is used for improvement of solder wettability and as an oxidisation barrier. Consequently, it was concluded that a thin‐film Pd/Ni/ Ti barrier metal is suitable for use as eutectic solder bumps. The broken interfaces of the solder bumps were analysed by scanning auger electron spectrometry. In the thin‐film Cu/Ti structure, decrease in the shear strength is caused by three mechanisms, as determined from the broken interface analysis. The three mechanisms are mixed metal formation, Ti oxidisation and diffusion between barrier metals and Al. Furthermore, TCT and PCT were carried out on these eutectic solder bumps to confirm the interconnection reliability. The TCT and PCT results prove that electrical connection is stable.

Heritability studies attempt to estimate the contribution of genes (vs. environments) to variation in phenotypes (or outcomes of interest) in a given population at a given time. This chapter scrutinizes heritability studies of adverse health phenotypes, emphasizing flaws that have become more glaring in light of recent advances in the life sciences and manifest most visibly in epigenetics.

Drawing on a diverse body of research and critical scholarship, this chapter examines the veracity of methodological and conceptual assumptions of heritability studies.

The chapter argues that heritability studies are futile for two reasons: (1) heritability studies suffer from serious methodological flaws with the overall effect of making estimates inaccurate and likely biased toward inflated heritability, and, more importantly (2) the conceptual (biological) model on which heritability studies depend – that of identifiably separate effects of genes versus the environment on phenotype variance – is unsound. As discussed, contemporary bioscientific work indicates that genes and environments are enmeshed in a complex (bidirectional, interactional), dynamic relationship that defies any attempt to demarcate separate contributions to phenotype variance. Thus, heritability studies attempt the biologically impossible. The emerging research on the importance of microbiota is also discussed, including how the commensal relationship between microbial and human cells further stymies heritability studies.

Understandably, few sociologists have the time or interest to be informed about the methodological and theoretical underpinnings of heritability studies or to keep pace with the incredible advances in genetics and epigenetics over the last several years. The present chapter aims to provide interested scholars with information about heritability and heritability estimates of adverse health outcomes in light of recent advances in the biosciences.

Three Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models involved in the G4 experiment of the Geoengineering Model Inter-comparison Project (GeoMIP) project were used to investigate the impact of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) on the mean surface air temperature and precipitation extremes in Africa.

This impact was examined under G4 and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenarios on the total precipitation, the number of rainy days (RR1) and of days with heavy rainfall (R20 mm), the rainfall intensity (SDII), the maximum length of consecutive wet (CWD) and dry (CDD) days and on the maximum rainfall in five consecutive days (Rx5day) across four regions: Western Africa (WAF), Eastern Africa (EAF), Northern Africa and Southern Africa (SAF).

During the 50 years (2020–2069) of SAI, mean continental warming is −0.40°C lower in G4 than under RCP4.5. During the post-injection period (2070–2090), the temperature continues to increase, but at a lower rate (−0.19°C) than in RCP4.5. During SAI, annual rainfall in G4 is significantly greater than in RCP4.5 over the high latitudes (especially over SAF) and lower over the tropics. The termination of SAI leads to a significant increase of rainfall over Sahel and EAF and a decrease over SAF and Guinea Coast (WAF).

Compared to RCP4.5, SAI will contribute to reducing significantly regional warming but with a significant decrease of rainfall in the tropics where rainfed agriculture account for a large part of the economies. After the SAI period, the risk of drought over the extratropical regions (especially in SAF) will be mitigated, while the risk of floods will be exacerbated in the Central Sahel.

To meet the Paris Agreement, African countries will implement mitigation measures to contribute to keep the surface air temperature below 2°C. Geoengineering with SAI is suggested as an option to meet this challenge, but its implication on the African climate system needs a deep investigation in the aim to understand the impacts on temperature and precipitation extremes. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the potential impact of SAI using the G4 experiment of GeoMIP on temperature and precipitation extremes of the African continent.

Considers the dehumanization and weak service performance in the banking industry as it seeks to increase its efficiency. Argues that since customers are demanding more humanized banking, banks must narrow this gap between supply and demand by evaluating their marketing deficiencies and becoming more proactive. Considers a model for developing a bank′s effectiveness and improving customer satisfaction, thus developing a competitive edge.

Considers the proliferation of products and services in the financial services industry aimed at different market segments. Highlights the affluent and nonaffluent market segments. Employs statistical analysis of survey data to evaluate the financial services needs, attitudes, and information‐seeking behaviour of these segments. Suggests implications for the managers of financial institutions, based on the study findings. Includes appendices on methodology and discriminant analysis used in the study.

Stigmatising attitudes towards persons with mental illness are commonly reported among health professionals. Familiarity with mental illness has been reported to improve these attitudes. Very few studies have compared future medical doctors' attitudes toward types of mental illness, substance use disorders and physical illness. A cross-sectional survey of 5th and 6th year medical students as well as recently graduated medical doctors was conducted in April 2011. The 12-item level of contact report and the Attitude towards Mental Illness Questionnaire were administered. Partici -pants endorsed stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness; with attitudes more adverse for schizophrenia compared to depression. Stigmatising attitudes were similarly endorsed for substance use disorders. Paradoxically, attitudes towards HIV/AIDS were positive and similar to diabetes mellitus. Increasing familiarity with mental illness was weakly associated with better attitudes towards depression and schizophrenia. Stigmatising attitudes towards depression and schizophrenia are common among future doctors. Efforts to combat stigma are urgently needed and should be promoted among medical students and recent medical graduates.

The International Banking Act (IBA) of 1978 sharply restricted the ability of foreign banks to establish offices in more than one state. Yet during the late 1970s and early 1980s barriers to interstate banking with regard to US financial institutions were beginning to fall. The most important fact that contributed to foreign bank involvement in interstate commerce was the grandfather provision, which permitted multistate networks to remain in operation. New interstate banking has been curbed by restrictions on full‐service offices, but it has continued to develop through Edge‐Act Corporations, bank holding companies and the use of non‐bank banks. Interstate banking is likely to benefit the public and will probably continue to expand but at a slower rate and more in line with that of US banks.

The numerical simulation of practical thermal processes is generally complicated because of multiple transport mechanisms and complex phenomena that commonly arise. In addition, the materials encountered are often not easily characterized and typically involve large property changes over the ranges of interest. The boundary conditions may not be properly defined and or may be unknown. However, it is important to obtain accurate and dependable numerical results from the simulation in order to study, design, and optimize most practical thermal processes of current and future interest. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the main challenges that are encountered in obtaining accurate numerical simulation results on practical thermal processes and systems.

A wide range of thermal systems is considered and the challenges faced in the numerical simulation are outlined. The methods that may be used to meet these challenges are presented in terms of grid, solution strategies, multiscale modeling and combined mechanisms. The models employed must be validated and the accuracy of the simulation results established if the simulation is to form the basis for improving existing systems and developing new ones.

Of particular interest are concerns like verification and validation, imposition of appropriate boundary conditions, and modelling of complex, multimode transport phenomena in multiple scales. Additional effects such as viscous dissipation, surface tension, buoyancy and rarefaction that could arise and complicate the modelling are discussed. Uncertainties that arise in material properties and in boundary conditions are also important in design and optimization. Large variations in the geometry and coupled multiple regions are also discussed.

The paper is largely focused on numerical modeling and simulation. Experimental data are considered mainly for validation and for physical insight.

A wide variety of practical systems, ranging from materials processing to energy, cooling, and transportation is considered.

Future needs in this interesting and challenging area are also outlined in the paper.