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The magneto-optical (MO) imaging is one of the methods for visualizing the magnetization distribution corresponding to the leakage magnetic fields. In general, the MO imaging requires high-spatial resolution and high-contrast imaging. The spatial resolution of the MO imaging depends on the magnetic domain size. In this study, we used the polycrystalline garnet films with a domain size of about 50 nm for the high-resolution imaging. We also demonstrated MO imaging using the magnetophotonic crystal (MPC) with polycrystalline garnet films in order to improve the MO image contrast. The MO images of a carbon steel surface can be observed by means of the MPC. As a result, the high-spatial resolution and high-contrast MO image was obtained by MPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the Mn 3d partial density of states in SrTiO3(STO)/La0.6Sr0.4MnO3(LSMO) heterointerfaces as well as of LSMO films using Mn 2p-3d resonant photoemission spectroscopy. The strong enhancement of the Mn 3d spectra at the Mn 2p-3d threshold enables us to extract the Mn 3d spectra of LSMO layers in the vicinity of the interface with the STO overlayers. We have found that the spectral intensity of eg↑ states near the Fermi level is drastically reduced when the LSMO film is capped with STO overlayers. The close similarity in reduction of the intensity of the eg↑ states between the STO/LSMO interface and hole-doped LSMO films suggests that the hole doping into the LSMO layer close to the STO layer originates from the chemical carrier-concentration modulation at the valence-mismatched interface composed of the stacking sequence -TiO2-SrO-MnO2-La0.6Sr0.4O-, which is inevitable for multilayers based on perovskite oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total cross section has been measured for ω meson photoproduction on the proton for the center-of-mass energy $${\sqrt{s}}$$ ranging from 1.69 to 1.75 GeV. Including the subthreshold region of ω photoproduction, a set of about 40 data points has been obtained with a fine energy step of 1-2 MeV. The data set enables us to deduce the ω- N scattering length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the plasma levels of VEGF and FGF-2, important factors for regulation of neuroplasticity such as neurogenesis, in patients in remission from major depressive disorders (MDD). The plasma VEGF levels were significantly higher in the MDD patients than in the matched control subjects, while no significant difference in plasma FGF-2 levels was found. In particular, the MDD patients with family history of psychiatric disorders, but not patients without such a family history, showed significantly higher values of plasma VEGF than the controls. Although this is a preliminary study, altered VEGF levels might be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) gene acts as a cellular survival factor in response to several environmental and psychosocial stresses. The expression level of CHI3L1 was increased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex regions of patients with schizophrenia. Genetic variants of the CHI3L1 gene have been significantly associated with schizophrenia in two distinct ethnic groups, the Chinese and Irish populations. The aims of this study are to confirm the association between the CHI3L1 gene and schizophrenia in a Japanese population using the largest sample size to date (1463 cases and 1795 controls) and perform a meta-analysis of the combined samples (3005 cases, 3825 controls and 601 trios). We found significant associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 4/rs4950928 (p=0.009), which is located in the promoter region of the CHI3L1 gene, and haplotypes including this SNP and schizophrenia (the most significant global p<0.001). As the meta-analysis of the combined samples showed significant heterogeneity among studies of SNP3/rs10399805 (p=0.026) and SNP4 (p<0.001), we performed meta-analyses separately in the Japanese (2033 cases and 2365 controls) and Chinese populations (412 cases, 464 controls and 601 trios), the major groups analyzed in association studies of the CHI3L1 gene. The meta-analysis in Japanese populations showed stronger evidence for the association of schizophrenia with SNP4 (p=0.003), while the meta-analysis in Chinese populations showed an association with a different variant (SNP3) (p=0.003). We conclude that the genetic variants in the CHI3L1 gene have ethnic heterogeneity and confer a susceptibility to schizophrenia in Asian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia is a common polygenic disease in distinct populations, while spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder. Both diseases involve psychotic symptoms. SCA17 is caused by an expanded polyglutamine tract in the TATA box-binding protein ( TBP) gene. In the present study, we investigated the association between schizophrenia and CAG repeat length in common TBP alleles with fewer than 42 CAG repeats in a Japanese population (326 patients with schizophrenia and 116 healthy controls). We found that higher frequency of alleles with greater than 35 CAG repeats in patients with schizophrenia compared with that in controls ( p = 0.042). We also examined the correlation between CAG repeats length and age at onset of schizophrenia. We observed a negative correlation between the number of CAG repeats in the chromosome with longer CAG repeats out of two chromosomes and age at onset of schizophrenia ( p = 0.020). We further provided evidence that TBP genotypes with greater than 35 CAG repeats, which were enriched in patients with schizophrenia, were significantly associated with hypoactivation of the prefrontal cortex measured by near-infrared spectroscopy during the tower of Hanoi, a task of executive function (right PFC; p = 0.015, left PFC; p = 0.010). These findings suggest possible associations of the genetic variations of the TBP gene with risk for schizophrenia, age at onset and prefrontal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic factors, such as apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphisms, are thought to play an important role in the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent association studies have suggested that the Val66Met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) gene could play a role in the development of AD. To identify genotypic effects of the BDNF and the ApoE genes on disease progression in preclinical AD, we assessed morphological changes using serial magnetic resonance imaging during the preclinical period of AD in 35 individuals. When all subjects were analyzed as one group, progressive atrophy was noted in the limbic, paralimbic and neocortical areas. Individuals of the BDNF Val/Val genotype showed progressive atrophy in the left medial temporal areas, whereas the BDNF Met allele carriers showed additional changes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the precuneus. An interaction between the BDNF genotype and progressive morphological changes was found in the PCC. The noncarriers for the ApoE ℇ4 allele showed progressive atrophy in the bilateral medial temporal areas. In addition to changes in the medial temporal areas, ℇ4 carriers showed progressive atrophy in the PCC, ACC and precuneus. An interaction between the ApoE genotype and progressive morphological change was noted in the right medial temporal area. The present preliminary study indicates that polymorphisms of the ApoE and the BDNF genes could affect disease progression in preclinical AD and implies that the Met-BDNF polymorphism could be an additional risk factor for rapid disease progression in preclinical AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP, ADCYAP1: adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 1), a neuropeptide with neurotransmission modulating activity, is a promising schizophrenia candidate gene. Here, we provide evidence that genetic variants of the genes encoding PACAP and its receptor, PAC1, are associated with schizophrenia. We studied the effects of the associated polymorphism in the PACAP gene on neurobiological traits related to risk for schizophrenia. This allele of the PACAP gene, which is overrepresented in schizophrenia patients, was associated with reduced hippocampal volume and poorer memory performance. Abnormal behaviors in PACAP knockout mice, including elevated locomotor activity and deficits in prepulse inhibition of the startle response, were reversed by treatment with an atypical antipsychotic, risperidone. These convergent data suggest that alterations in PACAP signaling might contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.Molecular Psychiatry (2007) 12, 1026–1032; doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001982; published online 27 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To evaluate the fracture toughness of Dy123 with X mol% Dy211 (X =15, 20 and 25) bulks, bending tests on V-notched specimens were carried out at room temperature. The average value of the fracture toughness for X =25, 1.47MPam1/2, was higher than those for X =15 and 20, 1.24 and 1.17MPam1/2, respectively. The porosity of specimens cut from the top region for X =25 was extraordinarily low and the fracture toughness was high. According to the relation between the fracture toughness and the porosity, the fracture toughness of the material of no pore was estimated to be 1.75MPam1/2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We examined, for the first time, the possible association between schizophrenia and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene which plays an important role in neurodevelopment. When two nonsynonymous polymorphisms (Arg1491Lys and Glu1529Asp) were examined, there were significant differences in genotype and allele distributions between patients and controls. Individuals homozygous for the minor allele (1491Lys–1529Asp) were more common in patients than in controls (p = 0.0064, odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.6). These results suggest that genetic variations of the ALK gene might confer susceptibility to schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered expression of Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) and dysbindin (DTNBP1), susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, in schizophrenic brain has been reported; however, the possible effect of antipsychotics on the expression levels of these genes has not yet been studied. We measured the mRNA expression levels of these genes in frontal cortex and hippocampus of mice chronically treated with typical and atypical antipsychotics by a real-time quantitative RT-PCR method. We found that atypical antipsychotics, olanzapine and risperidone, in a clinically relevant dose increased DISC1 expression levels in frontal cortex, while a typical antipsychotic, haloperidol, did not. No significant effect on dysbindin expression levels was observed in either brain region. These data suggest that prior evidence of decreased expression of dysbindin in postmortem brain of schizophrenics is not likely to be a simple artifact of antemortem drug treatment. Our results also suggest a potential role of DISC1 in the therapeutic mechanisms of certain atypical antipsychotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have suggested that genetic variations in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene may be associated with several neuropsychiatric diseases including bipolar disorder. The present study examined a microsatellite polymorphism located approximately 1.0 kb upstream of the translation initiation site of the BDNF gene for novel sequence variations, association with bipolar disorder, and effects on transcriptional activity. Detailed sequencing analysis revealed that this polymorphism is not a simple dinucleotide repeat, but it is highly polymorphic with a complex structure containing three types of dinucleotide repeats, insertion/deletion, and nucleotide substitutions that gives rise to a total of 23 novel allelic variants. We obtained evidence supporting the association between this polymorphic region (designated as BDNF-linked complex polymorphic region (BDNF-LCPR)) and bipolar disorder. One of the major alleles (‘A1’ allele) was significantly more common in patients than in controls (odds ratio 2.8, 95% confidential interval 1.5–5.3, P=0.001). Furthermore, a luciferase reporter gene assay in rat primary cultured neurons suggests that this risk allele (A1) has a lower-transcription activity, compared to the other alleles. Our results suggest that the BDNF-LCPR is a functional variation that confers susceptibility to bipolar disorder and affects transcriptional activity of the BDNF gene.Molecular Psychiatry (2006) 11, 695–703. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001822; published online 28 March 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The chemical properties and electronic structures of atomically flat SrTiO3 (001) substrates with various surface treatments have been investigated by high-resolution synchrotron-radiation photoemission spectroscopy. We have found that an annealing process causes the segregation of Sr oxides at the TiO2-terminated surface. We demonstrate that the use of water-cleaning process is effective as a removal technique for Sr oxides segregated on TiO2-terminated surfaces with preserving the surface morphology and chemical bonding states of the topmost TiO2-terminated surfaces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two research groups have recently reported a significant association between schizophrenia and genetic variants of Frizzled-3 (FZD3) gene. We examined a possible association in a Japanese sample of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression and controls with four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), tested in previous reports. We failed to find significant association in the four SNPs or haplotype analysis. The FZD3 gene might not play a role in conferring susceptibility to major psychosis in our sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence has implicated the possible involvement of neurotrophins in the pathogenesis of functional psychoses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Previous studies reported a significant association of a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism of the neurotrophin-3 (NTF3) gene with schizophrenia. The aims of the present study were to examine whether this polymorphism is associated with bipolar disorder and whether the polymorphic region has an enhancer/silencer effect on transcriptional activity in an allele-dependent manner. In an association analysis between the polymorphism and bipolar disorder in a Japanese sample of 88 patients and 98 controls matched for age, sex, and ethnicity, the distribution of alleles did not differ significantly between the two groups. pGL3-promoter luciferase reporter vectors containing the polymorphic region increased luciferase activity relative to empty pGL3-promoter vector in HeLa, IMR-32 (neuroblastoma) and Hs683 (glioma) cell lines; however, no significant difference was detected between alleles for either cell line. Our results suggest that the examined polymorphism has no major role in giving susceptibility to bipolar disorder. Although the polymorphic region may have an enhancer-like effect on transcriptional activity, we obtained no evidence for allele-dependent differential effects. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic linkage and association have implicated neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene. We measured mRNA expression levels of the three major isoforms of NRG-1 (ie type I, type II, and type III) in the postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from matched patients and controls using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Expression levels of three internal controls-GAPDH, cyclophilin, and ß-actin-were unchanged in schizophrenia, and there were no changes in the absolute levels of the NRG-1 isoforms. However, type I expression normalized by GAPDH levels was significantly increased in schizophrenia DLPFC (by 23%) and positively correlated with antipsychotic medication dosage. Type II/type I and type II/type III ratios were significantly decreased (18 and 23% respectively). There was no effect on the NRG-1 mRNA levels of genotype at two SNPs previously associated with schizophrenia, suggesting that these alleles are not functionally responsible for abnormal NRG-1 expression patterns in patients. Subtle abnormalities in the expression patterns of NRG-1 mRNA isoforms in DLPFC may be associated with schizophrenia.Molecular Psychiatry (2004) 9, 299-307. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001434 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. Two research groups have thus far reported a significant association between schizophrenia and a promoter polymorphism (-308G > A) of the gene encoding tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), while contradictive negative results have also been reported. We examined the possible association in a Japanese sample of 297 schizophrenia cases and 458 controls. Allele frequencies of both the patients and controls were very low (1.5% and 0.8%, respectively), and the difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that the effect of the -308G > A polymorphism on the development of schizophrenia is, if any, weak and the majority of Japanese schizophrenics are unrelated to the -308G > A polymorphism of the TNF-α gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of neurons in the brain is controlled by production of new neurons and neuronal death. Neural progenitor proliferation in the developing and adult brain plays a prominent role in the production of new neurons. Here, we examined the effects of lithium, a mood-stabilizing drug, on neuronal proliferation in rat primary neuronal cultures. The incorporation of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) into replicating DNA was used to label proliferating cells. BrdU incorporation was detected by immunocytochemistry in cerebellar granule cells prepared from postnatal rats and cerebral cortical cultures prepared from embryonic rats. Quantification of BrdU incorporation into cultures was performed by counting BrdU-positive cells and BrdU-coupled enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both methods revealed that lithium increased BrdU incorporation in cerebellar granule cells and cerebral cortical cultures. Most BrdU-positive cells colocalized with nestin, a neuroblast cell marker, in cerebral cortical cultures. Blockade of DNA replication by cytosine arabinoside almost completely abolished BrdU incorporation, suggesting that lithium-induced BrdU incorporation was mainly due to enhanced DNA replication. Glutamate, glucocorticoids and haloperidol were found to markedly reduce neural progenitor proliferation in cerebellar granule cells. The presence of lithium prevented the loss of proliferation induced by these agents. Lithium-induced neural progenitor proliferation in vitro suggests that similar effects might occur in vivo and this action could also be related to its clinical efficacy. Cultured brain neurons may provide a valuable model for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying lithium-induced up-regulation of neural proliferation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The therapeutic mechanisms of lithium for treating bipolar mood disorder remain poorly understood. Recent studies demonstrate that lithium has neuroprotective actions against a variety of insults. Here, we studied neuroprotective effects of lithium against excitotoxicity in cultured cerebral cortical neurons. Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in cortical neurons was exclusively mediated by NMDA receptors. Pre-treatment of cortical neurons with LiCl time-dependently suppressed excitotoxicity with maximal protection after 6 days of pre-treatment. Significant protection was observed at the therapeutic and subtherapeutic concentration of 0.2–1.6 mm LiCl with almost complete protection at 1 mm. Neuroprotection was␣also elicited by valproate, another major mood-stabilizer. The neuroprotective effects of lithium coincided with inhibition␣of␣NMDA receptor-mediated calcium influx. Lithium pre-treatment did not alter total protein levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits of NMDA receptors. However, it did markedly reduce the level of NR2B phosphorylation at Tyr1472 and this was temporally associated with its neuroprotective effect. Because NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation has been positively correlated with NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic activity and excitotoxicity, the suppression of NR2B phosphorylation by lithium is likely to result in the inactivation of NMDA receptors and contributes to neuroprotection against excitotoxicity. This action could also be relevant to its clinical efficacy for bipolar patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antifungal agents used for the treatment of Candida species are mainly Fluconazole (FLCZ) and amphotericin-B (AMPH-B) and so on. We investigated MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), MBIC (minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration), Biofilm formation (BF) ability and Time-kill (TK) assay (6h, 12h, 24h, 48h). However, magnolol showed no antifungal activity in MBIC like other antifungal agents. [Extracted from the article]

The effect of additionally presented visual stimuli on the subjective impression of the vehicle pass-by sound transmitted into a low-rise residential building was investigated based on the environmental simulation method combining the binaural sound auralization technieque and the three-dimensional spatial visualization technique. The exterior scenery seen from inside a residential room largely depends on the spatial relationship with the neighborring buildings and driveways around the evaluated site. In addition, the exterior scenery generally includes the pass-by vehicles running on the neighborring driveways, which are often the main source of the sound environment around the site. In this study, the variation of subjective impression of a vehicle pass-by sound caused by presenting various kinds of visual stimuli seen from the window of a residential room was discussed. As a basic study, the vehicle pass-by sound transmitted into the room via the façade was simulated by using the geometrical acoustic simulation. To increase the presence of the reproduced sounds, the auralized sounds were reproduced by dynamically changing the binaural room impulse response (BRIR) depending on the head rotation of the subjects. In contrast, the visual condition inside the evaluated rooms was simulated by using three-dimensional modeling software. Then, the effect of the auditory and visual stimuli on the impression of the environments inside a residential room was investigated by performing the subjective evaluation experiment based on the audiovisual simulation scheme. The obtained results indicated that the sound impression of the pass-by noise transmitted into the room was influenced by the additionally presented visual stimuli, but the extent of the influence on the impression differs depending on the detailed information included in the auditory and visual stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have performed Ti 2p core-level photoemission and X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) studies on the insulating barrier (STO) layer sandwiched by (LSMO) layers. The elemental selectivity of the techniques enabled us to extract the electronic structure of the constituent layers in the vicinity of the heterointerfaces. The Ti 2p core-level and XAS spectra clearly showed states and did not exhibit any indication of states. This result indicates that the Ti ions in the atomic layers preserve their tetravalent states even in the vicinity of the valence-mismatched interface between LSMO and STO, reflecting the chemical stability of the states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have investigated the electronic structure of a La0.6Sr0.4FeO3 (LSFO)/La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 (LSMO) heterointerface using Mn 2p-3d resonant photoemission spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We have found that the spectral intensity of eg↑ states near the Fermi level is gradually reduced with increasing LSFO overlayer thickness. The spectral behavior is quite similar to that of hole-doped LSMO films, indicating hole-doping in LSMO layers. We have also found that Fe 2p X-ray absorption spectrum of a LSMO/LSFO/LSMO trilayer shows the spectral evidence for electron doping in the corresponding LSFO layer. These results indicate the occurrence of charge transfer at interfaces between LSMO and LSFO layers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Curtobacterium, a bright flash-yellow color-producing bacterium, has been isolated from the body fluid of the pupae of Graphium sarpedon. Several experiments were conducted to identify three mechanisms by which this bacterium expresses a vibrant color. The first is caused by yellow pigmentation; the second is due to a substance that absorbs blue light and emits green fluorescence; and the third is a process that excludes brownish colors by inhibiting melanin synthesis. In particular, we focused on melanin synthesis inhibition and used the water-soluble fraction of Curtobacterium and the melanin synthase in vitro human tyrosinase activity assay to examine its inhibitory effects on monophenolase activity, which converts Tyr to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), and diphenolase activity, which uses L-DOPA as a substrate to produce L-dopaquinone. The results demonstrated that the water-soluble fraction of bacterial secretion inhibited monophenolase activity but not diphenolase activity. Additionally, we discovered a compound with the molecular weight of approximately 379.2 Da and the tyrosinase inhibitory effect in which two protons were bound in the absence of copper ions and copper ions were bound instead when they were present in the water-soluble fraction of the bacterial secretion. Since the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase is copper ion-dependent, Curtobacterium may be able to suppress the browning caused by the copper-binding compound-induced oxidation of phenols, such as Tyr, allowing it to express a bright flash-yellow color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article present a case study of a 73-year-old male with recurrent hematochezia. It mentions contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a dilated vessel of one of the branches of the superior mesenteric artery and contrast extravasation in the jejunum; and also mentions the double-balloon enteroscopy revealed a pulsating exposed vessel, with 3 mm in size, within a submucosal tumor-like protrusion in the jejunum.

The article presents a case study of a 64-year-old man with history of diarrhea, blood testing revealing hypoalbuminemia.

Introduction: Recent reports show that psychological functions such as working memory, attention and intention produce overlapping functional activation in the inferior parietal region. Task activation related to attention shifting, theory of mind and agency also overlaps in the inferior parietal and posterior superior temporal regions. We hypothesized that schizophrenic symptoms may stem from abnormal activity in these regions. Objectives: To understand the relationship between brain abnormalities and symptoms in schizophrenia. Aims: To show that abnormal activity in the inferior parietal and posterior superior temporal regions during working memory is related to certain schizophrenic symptoms. Methods: 14 schizophrenic and 14 normal control subjects were tested using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in conjunction with a verbal working memory paradigm. Symptoms were assessed using the SAPS and SANS scales. Results: As hypothesized, activity in the posterior superior temporal sulcus during working memory was correlated with levels of delusions in schizophrenic subjects. Connectivity strength between regions in the inferior parietal and anterior insula language related regions was related to levels of auditory hallucinations. Conclusions: These regions are part of speech and voice perception and production networks. Voice perception during conversation also involves gesture processing, working memory and dynamic shifting of attention, as well as social cognition (e.g. theory of mind) and self/other (agency) representation. Overactivation of this social communication system could result in the symptoms of schizophrenia. We will present the results in the context of a framework implicating these regions in the generation of most of the symptoms of schizophrenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A performance test has been made for an electro-magnetic calorimeter prototype comprised four identical BSO crystals arranged in a 2×2 matrix by utilizing a positron beam in the energy range from 100 to 800MeV. The size of each crystal is 40×40×210mm3. This is the world''s largest BSO single crystal ever used as a photon detector. The obtained energy resolution is at room temperature, where E is the incident positron energy given in GeV. A BGO calorimeter having the same geometry has been employed in the performance test for comparison. The basic scintillation characteristics of BSO crystals measured without the beam are also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although the developers of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) grouped items into three subscales, factor analyses indicate that a five-factor model better characterizes PANSS data. However, lack of consensus on which model to use limits the comparability of PANSS variables across studies. We counted “votes” from published factor analyses to derive consensus models. One of these combined superior fit in our Caucasian sample (n=458, CFI=.970), and in distinct Japanese sample (n=164, CFI=.964), relative to the original three-subscale model, with a sorting of items into factors that was highly consistent across the studies reviewed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Oculomotor ophthalmoplegic migraine (O-OPM) occurs in many children, and in some cases MRI shows a small mass in the root exit zone (REZ) of the oculomotor nerve. This mass is considered to result from nerve hypertrophy caused by repeated demyelination.Case Results: A 51-year-old man has been on oral medication for O-OPM, which he had from 6 years of age. However, the frequency and intensity of his migraine attacks have gradually increased. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a small nodular mass in the REZ of the oculomotor nerve. The mass was initially diagnosed as oculomotor schwannoma and tumor resection was attempted. However, as the mass was tightly adhered to the oculomotor nerve and hemorrhagic, biopsy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was neuromuscular hamartoma.Conclusion: The small nodular mass in the REZ of the oculomotor nerve may be a hamartoma associated with congenital factors and may possibly be the primary pathology of O-OPM in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The second GeV bremsstrahlung photon beamline has been constructed for meson photo-production experiments at Research Center for Electron Photon Science, Tohoku University, where a 1200MeV electron synchrotron called STretcher Booster (STB) has been in operation primarily for Quark Nuclear Physics. An internal radiator is employed to produce the bremsstrahlung photon beam out of circulating electrons in the STB ring. A photon tagging system is placed inside one of the bending magnets of the ring. The tagged energy of the photon beam ranges from 740 to 1150MeV for 1200MeV operation of the STB synchrotron. The details of the tagging system and the characteristics of the photon beam are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mechanical properties of low porosity Dy123 (DyBa2Cu3O x ) bulks with different Dy211 (Dy2BaCuO5) content were evaluated through bending tests and Vickers indentation tests of specimens cut from the bulks. The bending strength and the Young’s modulus of the low porosity bulks were higher than those of porous Dy123 bulks evaluated in the previous study. The bending strength of the low porosity bulks, which was decreased by the oxygen annealing, increased with increase of the Dy211 content. The fracture toughness of the area with uniform dispersion of the Dy211 particles was superior to that with low density of the Dy211 particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A large solid angle γ-ray detector system, FOREST, has been constructed at LNS-Sendai to study the π0 and η photo-production reactions. The FOREST detector consists of three electro-magnetic calorimeters: pure CsI crystals, Lead/SciFi blocks and Lead Glass Cherenkov counters. It covers about 90% of the total solid angle. A new data acquisition system for the FOREST detector has been developed to handle high rate trigger events with a high efficiency. To investigate performances of FOREST and the DAQ system, a test experiment has been conducted. The π0 and η mesons are clearly observed. A DAQ efficiency of 76% has been obtained at a 2 kHz trigger request. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bending tests of the as-grown and the annealed specimens cut from Dy123 bulk samples were carried out. The Young’s modulus of the annealed specimen was lower than that of the as-grown specimen. On the other hand, the fracture strength of the annealed specimen was slightly higher than that of the as-grown specimen. The fracture toughness of the annealed specimen was also higher. The smaller bulk showed excellent mechanical properties in comparison with the larger bulk. The mechanical properties of these bulks are discussed in terms of the porosity and the mechanical properties of the matrix evaluated by Vickers indentation tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three-point bending tests on specimens cut from Dy123 bulks with X wt.% Ag (X =5, 7.5 and 10) were carried out at room temperature. Bending test specimens with 2.8×2.1×24mm3 were cut from the bulk samples and then annealed in O2 atmosphere at 723K for 100h. The Young’s modulus decreased with increase of the Ag content, 136, 128 and 124GPa for X =5, 7.5 and 10, respectively. On the other hand, the fracture strength increased, 86, 89 and 91MPa. The Ag content dependences of the Young’s modulus and the fracture strength are analyzed through the area fraction of the pores and Ag particles in each bending test specimen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Photodecomposition of K-shell excited CF3SF5 was investigated by means of photoelectron–photoion coincidence (PEPICO) and photoion–photoion coincidence (PIPICO) spectroscopy. In PEPICO mode to study site-selective fragmentation, the yield of was high at the excitation and that of was considerable at the excitation into . When the F K-shell of SF5 was selectively excited, the formation of was prominent. The atomic ions of S+ and F+ were overwhelmingly produced with some amounts of S2+ and S3+ ions at the S K-shell excitation. Formation of highly charged ions was confirmed by PIPICO spectroscopy. The yields of were low at the excitation. Breakdown pathways of the ions were discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study developed a seven-compartment model for predicting the fate of selenium (Se) in an aquatic environment containing a water–sediment boundary. Speciation of Se in water–sediment microcosms under microaerobic conditions was measured to evaluate first-order kinetics of Se transportation and transformation. The microcosm consisted of a 10-ml solution containing 1mM soluble Se as selenate (Se6+) or selenite (Se4+) and 8g wet sediment that was free from Se contamination, sampled from the Senri, Yamato, or Yodo Rivers in Osaka, Japan. Stepwise reaction coefficients describing transportation and transformation were determined using an inverse method on this model which includes: selenate and selenite () in ponded water; selenate and selenite , elemental Se (Se0), organic Se (Se2−) in sediment; and gaseous Se (DMSe). During this 1-month experiment, soluble Se was transported from ponded water to the sediment and Se was transformed sequentially to other Se species through biochemical reactions. Experimental and kinetic analyses indicated quantitatively that the Yamato River microcosm, with its high organic matter content, had a high adsorption rate of soluble Se. The Yodo River microcosm had a low adsorption rate for Se6+ and a low Se reduction rate. The Senri River microcosm had an apparent high volatilization rate of DMSe. The model developed in this study is extremely useful for predicting fate of Se in aquatic environment in the field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have investigated the interfacial electronic structure of La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 (LSMO)/SrTiO3 (STO)/LSMO heterojunctions utilizing the elemental selectivity of photoemission spectroscopy. The Ti 2p core-level spectra clearly show Ti4+ states and do not exhibit any indication of Ti3+ states in TiO2 layers irrespective of a different kind of adjacent atomic layer with different chemical carrier concentration. This result indicates that the Ti ions in the TiO2 atomic layers preserve their tetravalent states even in the vicinity of the valence-mismatched interface between LSMO and STO, reflecting the chemical stability of the Ti4+ states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the Mn 3d spectral function in La0.6Sr0.4FeO3(LSFO)/ La0.6Sr0.4MnO3(LSMO) heterointerfaces as well as of La1-xSrxMnO3 films using Mn 2p-3d resonant photoemission spectroscopy. The strong enhancement of the Mn 3d spectra at the Mn 2p-3d threshold enables us to extract the Mn 3d spectra of LSMO layers in the vicinity of the interface with the LSFO overlayers. We have found that the spectral intensity of eg↑ states near the Fermi level is gradually reduced with increasing LSFO overlayer thickness and is finally saturated at 5–7 ML. The close similarity in reduction of the intensity of the eg↑ states between the LSFO/LSMO interface and hole-doped LSMO films indicates the occurrence of charge transfer at the interface between the LSMO and LSFO layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the γd → π0π0d reaction to study dibaryon resonances. The total cross section as a function of the d center-of-mass energy shows resonance-like behavior peaked at around 2.47 and 2.63 GeV. The measured angular distribution of deuteron emission is rather flat, which cannot be reproduced by kinematics for quasi-free π0π0 production with deuteron coalescence. A clear peak is observed at 2.14 GeV in the π0d invariant-mass distributions. The present work shows a sequential process γd → RIS → π0RIV → π0π0d is dominant with two 2.47- and 2.63-GeV isoscalar dibaryons (RIS) and a 2.14-GeV isovector dibaryon (RIV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two physics programs, determination of low-energy scattering parameters between the eta meson (η) and nucleon (N), and search for a possible bound state between the eta prime meson (η') and deuteron, using η photo-production from the deuteron target are conducted at the Research Center for Electron Photon Science (ELPH), Tohoku University. Among the twobody dynamics of the meson-nucleon systems, the ηN interaction is not well-known although it has been found attractive. An experiment is carried out to determine the low-energy ηN scattering parameters using a special kinematics. The energy and momentum of the emitted proton (p) are measured at 0 degrees for η photoproduction on the deuteron (d) at incident energies around 0.94 GeV, which gives the low relative momentum between η and neutron (n) in the final state. Low-energy ηn scattering is likely to take place in this condition, and the scattering parameters can be determined from the differential cross section as a function of the ηn invariant mass. The measurement is currently in progress to determine the real part of the ηn scattering length. A possible η'd bound state is theoretically predicted, and a structure corresponding to the state can be observed via the γd → ηd reaction at incident energies around 1.2 GeV. In the case of backward η emission, the structure becomes prominent because a background contribution coming from quasi-free single-step η emission is highly suppressed. The γd → ηd reaction has been also studied at ELPH below the incident energy of 1.15 GeV. The angular differential cross sections are determined at backward η emission angles. The tail of the corresponding peak is not observed, and the background level is much higher than predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Coherent double neutral-pion photoproduction on the deuteron, γ d → π 0 π 0 d , has been experimentally studied at incident photon energies ranging from 0.75 to 1.15 GeV. The total cross section as a function of the γd center-of-mass energy shows resonance-like behavior, which peaks at approximately 2.47 and 2.63 GeV. The measured angular distribution of deuteron emission is rather flat, which cannot be reproduced by the kinematics of quasi-free π 0 π 0 production with deuteron coalescence. In π 0 d invariant-mass distributions, a clear peak is observed at 2.14 ± 0.01 GeV / c 2 with a width of 0.09 ± 0.01 GeV / c 2. The spin-parity of this state is restricted to 1 + , 2 + or 3 − from the angular distributions of the two π 0 s. The present work shows strong evidence for the existence of an isovector dibaryon resonance with a mass of 2.14 GeV / c 2. The 2 + assignment is consistent with the theoretically predicted D 12 state, and also with the energy dependence of the πd partial-wave amplitude P 2 3 for the π ± d → π ± d and π + d → p p reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total cross sections were measured for coherent double neutral-pion photoproduction on the deuteron at incident energies below 0.9 GeV for the first time. No clear resonance-like behavior is observed in the excitation function for W γ d = 2.38 – 2.61 GeV , where the d ⁎ ( 2380 ) dibaryon resonance observed at COSY is expected to appear. The measured excitation function is consistent with the existing theoretical calculation for this reaction. The upper limit of the total cross section is found to be 0.034 μb for the dibaryon resonance at W γ d = 2.37 GeV (90% confidence level) in the γ d → π 0 π 0 d reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIt has been demonstrated that negatively distorted self-referential processing, in which individuals evaluate one's own self, is a pathogenic mechanism in subthreshold depression that has a considerable impact on the quality of life and carries an elevated risk of developing major depression. Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective intervention for depression, including subthreshold depression. However, brain mechanisms underlying BA are not fully understood. We sought to examine the effect of BA on neural activation during other perspective self-referential processing in subthreshold depression.MethodA total of 56 subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans during a self-referential task with two viewpoints (self/other) and two emotional valences (positive/negative) on two occasions. Between scans, while the intervention group (n = 27) received BA therapy, the control group (n = 29) did not.ResultsThe intervention group showed improvement in depressive symptoms, increased activation in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), and increased reaction times during other perspective self-referential processing for positive words after the intervention. Also, there was a positive correlation between increased activation in the dmPFC and improvement of depressive symptoms. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between improvement of depressive symptoms and increased reaction times.ConclusionsBA increased dmPFC activation during other perspective self-referential processing with improvement of depressive symptoms and increased reaction times which were associated with improvement of self-monitoring function. Our results suggest that BA improved depressive symptoms and objective monitoring function for subthreshold depression. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]