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We examined cytotoxicity of replication-competent type 5 adenoviruses (Ad5) in human pancreatic carcinoma cells with a p53-defective genotype. The replication-competent Ad5 of which E1A gene was activated by exogenous transcriptional regulatory sequences, derived from the midkine and survivin genes, achieved cytotoxicity to the pancreatic carcinoma. These cells were susceptible to replication-incompetent Ad5 expressing the wild-type p53 gene. We also produced the replication-competent Ad5 bearing the same exogenous regulatory sequences and the type 35 Ad-derived fiber-knob region, and showed that the cytotoxicity was comparable to that of the replication-competent Ad5 prototype. We then investigated possible combinatory effects of the fiber-modified replication-competent Ad and Ad5 expressing the wild-type p53 gene, both of which did not interfere respective infections. The combination produced synergistic cytotoxic effects with enhanced cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP molecules, and with increased sub-G1 fractions and annexin V-positive populations although the viral production of the replication-competent Ad was rather suppressed by expressed p53. Pancreatic cells infected with both Ad showed increase of p53 and decrease of MDM2 and p21 levels, compared with those infected with Ad expressing the p53 gene. These data collectively indicated that replication-competent Ad augmented susceptibility of pancreatic cells to apoptosis through upregulated p53 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) systems with baseband feedback for TES X-ray microcalorimeter arrays for use with the DIOS mission. To meet the requirement of limited cooling capacity at cryogenic temperatures, we developed low-power and FDM-optmized dc-SQUIDs. To make maximum use of the SQUIDs, we also developed digital electronics using FPGA evaluation boards and ADC/DAC FMC daughter cards, and evaluated signal-to-noise ratios and gain-bandwidth products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Debate on how to manage paediatric patients with cutaneous melanoma continues, particularly in those with sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases who are at higher risk of poor outcomes. Management is often based on adult algorithms, although differences in clinical outcomes between paediatric and adult patients suggest that melanoma in paediatric patients differs biologically. Yet, there are no molecular prognostic studies identifying these differences. Objectives We investigated the epigenetic (methylation) regulation of several tumour-related genes (TRGs) known to be significant in adult melanoma progression in histopathology(+) SLN metastases ( n = 17) and primary tumours ( n = 20) of paediatric patients with melanoma to determine their clinical relevance. Methods Paediatric patients ( n = 37; ≤ 21 years at diagnosis) with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I-III cutaneous melanoma were analysed. Gene promoter methylation of the TRGs RASSF1A, RARβ2, WIF1 and APC was evaluated. Results Hypermethylation of RASSF1A, RARβ2, WIF1 and APC was found in 29% (5/17), 25% (4/16), 25% (4/16) and 19% (3/16) of histopathology(+) SLNs, respectively. When matched to adult cutaneous melanomas by Breslow thickness and ulceration, hypermethylation of all four TRGs in SLN(+) paediatric patients with melanoma was equivalent to or less than in adults. With a median follow-up of 55 months, SLN(+) paediatric patients with melanoma with hypermethylation of > 1 TRG vs. ≤ 1 TRG had worse disease-free ( P = 0·02) and overall survival ( P = 0·02). Conclusions Differences in the methylation status of these TRGs in SLN(+) paediatric and adult patients with melanoma may account for why SLN(+) paediatric patients have different clinical outcomes. SLN biopsy should continue to be performed; within SLN(+) paediatric patients with melanoma, hypermethylation of TRGs can be used to identify a subpopulation at highest risk for poor outcomes who warrant vigilant clinical follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Glass dosimeter utilizing radiophotoluminescence (RPL) is one of accumulation type solid state dosimeters, which is based on luminescence phenomenon of silver (Ag+ ions)-doped phosphate glass exposed to ionizing radiation. In this study, to clarify the emission mechanism of yellow and blue RPL peaks, optical properties of Ag+-doped glass, such as optical absorption spectrum, RPL excitation spectrum before and after X-ray irradiation as well as the lifetime of both RPL peaks are measured. From the results, we discuss the emission mechanism of yellow (peaked at 2.21 eV) and blue (peaked at 2.70 eV) RPL using a proposed energy band diagram for RPL emission and excitation in Ag+-doped phosphate glass. It is found that the radiative lifetime of blue RPL is three orders of magnitude faster than that of yellow RPL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Life style-related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity are reported to be a great risk of dementia. Adipocytokines released from adipose tissue are thought to modulate some brain functions including memory and cognition. We here analysed adiponectin, one of the most important adipocytokines, in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from cognitive normal controls (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects, and patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and discussed if/how adiponectin could relate to the pathogenesis of AD. Normal controls ( n = 28), MCI ( n = 18), and AD ( n = 27) subjects were recruited at Tohoku University Hospital. The diagnosis of AD was based on NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. All the blood and CSF samples were obtained from each fasted subject. Adiponectin was assayed using a sandwich ELISA system. The levels of adiponectin between in plasma and in CSF showed a positive correlation. Plasma adiponectin was significantly higher in MCI and AD compared to NC, whereas CSF adiponectin was significantly higher in MCI compared to NC. It is possible that the level of adiponectin in plasma reflects its level in CSF. The tendency to have higher adiponectin in plasma and CSF from MCI and AD suggests that this molecule plays a critical role in the onset of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess the possibility of detecting the warm-hot intergalactic medium in emission and characterizing its physical conditions and spatial distribution through spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy, in the framework of the recently proposed DIOS, EDGE, Xenia, and ORIGIN missions, all of which are equipped with microcalorimeter-based detectors. For this purpose, we analyze a large set of mock emission spectra, extracted from a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation. These mock X-ray spectra are searched for emission features showing both the O VII Kα triplet and O VIII Lyα line, which constitute a typical signature of the warm-hot gas. Our analysis shows that 1 Ms long exposures and energy resolution of 2.5 eV will allow us to detect about 400 such features per deg2 with a significance ≥5σ and reveals that these emission systems are typically associated with density ∼100 above the mean. The temperature can be estimated from the line ratio with a precision of ∼20%. The combined effect of contamination from other lines, variation in the level of the continuum, and degradation of the energy resolution reduces these estimates. Yet, with an energy resolution of 7 eV and all these effects taken into account, one still expects about 160 detections per deg2. These line systems are sufficient for tracing the spatial distribution of the line-emitting gas, which constitute an additional information, independent from line statistics, to constrain the poorly known cosmic chemical enrichment history and the stellar feedback processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We develop a new experimental method to estimate viscoelastic properties of a sample by ultrasonic wave transmission. Viscoelastic properties are generally described by the frequency dependent phase velocity and the quality factor . In order to estimate and from waveform data obtained by the ultrasonic wave transmission method, it is necessary to correct the data for the effects of dynamic response of the source and receiver transducers and of the wave diffraction caused by finite size source. A practical method to perform these corrections based on the theoretical models is developed. The validity of the present method is demonstrated by applying it to the experimental data for stainless steel sample (), acrylic plastic sample (), and partially molten organic polycrystal sample (). In comparison with the other existing methods, the present method has the advantage of not requiring any reference waveform. Using the results of this study, we discuss the validity of the reference method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Electronic structures of edge dislocations in InN films are studied using the first-principles calculation. We found that dangling-bond states of In atoms localized in the dislocation core are located above the conduction-band bottom and thus supplies the electron carriers to the conduction band of bulk InN, in agreement with the experimental suggestion by Wang et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 90 (2007) 151901]. Moreover, it is shown that the Fermi energy in the conduction band has the tendency to be pinned at the energy positions of N-related dangling-bond states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article summarizes presentations at the 2004 International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism held in Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany. The organizers and chairpersons were Yoshiyuki Takei and Gavin E Arteel. The presentations were on 1) Kupffer cell-derived mediators involved in alcoholic liver disease: reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, by Gavin E. Arteel; 2) Kupffer cell-derived mediators in alcoholic liver disease: tumor necrosis factor- alpha , by Laura E. Nagy; 3) metformin prevents acute alcohol-induced fat accumulation in mouse liver, by Ina Bergheim; 4) gender difference in alcoholic liver disease, by Nobuyuki Enomoto; and 5) Kupffer cells as a therapeutic target of alcoholic liver disease, by Yoshiyuki Takei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple thermodynamic method to estimate the solid–liquid interfacial energy (or interfacial tension) is proposed, based on the Cahn–Hilliard theory. In the model, the liquid is treated as a regular solution, and the interfacial layers are assumed to have liquid-like thermodynamic properties. In eutectic systems, interfacial adsorption occurs within a few atomic layers, and interfacial energy monotonously increases with decreasing concentration of the solid species in the liquid phase. If non-ideal atomic interaction is strong and the liquid immiscibility region appears in the phase diagrams (this is the case of monotectic systems), the interfacial thickness drastically increases and the interfacial energy is reduced around the immiscibility gap. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The solid–liquid interfacial energy (or interfacial tension) was investigated by the lattice-liquid statistical calculation and by the Cahn–Hilliard theory of interface. Interfacial energies in binary metallic systems were estimated from a few bulk thermodynamic properties, i.e., melting temperature, entropy of fusion, and the critical temperature of the liquid phase. In eutectic systems, interfacial energy gradually increases with decreasing concentration of the solid species in the liquid. In monotectic systems, interfacial thickening occurs and interfacial energy is reduced around the liquid immiscibility gap. The results of calculation explain the experimental data of dihedral angles fairly well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fully utilizing the benefit of strong electrothermal feedback, we achieved the energy resolution of 6.6 eV (FWHM) at 5.9 keV and a fast response time of 74 μs with our bridge-type Ti/Au transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter. The energy resolution of this device was limited by a noise that was larger than the intrinsic noise and the readout noise. This noise only appeared when the current through the TES was large (≳10 μA), and its level, defined as a fluctuation amplitude of the current through the TES, was in proportion to the inverse of the TES resistance. We also found that the TES sensitivity depended on the current through the TES, normalized with the critical current of the TES. When the current exceeded about 1% of the critical current, the TES sensitivity was significantly degraded. The critical current clearly correlated with the TES sensitivity, and hence the signal-to-noise ratio at the optimal operating point, among devices with different TES size and thickness. Thus, the critical current is one of the key parameters to determine the performance of the TES microcalorimeter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We are developing transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter arrays for future Japanese astronomy missions. Although 6.6 eV energy resolution for 5.9 keV and 74 μs decay time are achieved, our energy resolution was limited by the excess noise of unknown origin. The dominant noise showed 1/R dependence and it only appeared when the current through the TES, I, is larger than 10 μA. This is explained if we assume a constant voltage noise source with a level of ∼2(4kTCRn)1/2. We also investigated the influence of I on the TES performance and found the TES sensitivity α is reduced when the ratio of current to the critical current I/IC is large. It can explain the reduction of α observed when operated without a magnetic shield. We also found a strong correlation between IC and α or the baseline width. Thus, we conclude that IC is an essential parameter for the TES performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the osmotic and volaemic effects on drinking rate of Scyliorhinus canicula and Triakis scyllia. Increase in plasma osmolality; Elevation of sodium and chlorine concentrations; Impact of sodium chloride on the drinking rate.

Presents information on study on cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain (cDHC) which contributes go the motion of membranous organelles and chromosomes, with emphasis on mice lacking cDHC. Function of cytoplasmic dynein; Targeting of the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain gene; Growth abnormalities of cDHC cells; Distribution of endosomes and the dynactin components altered in cDHC cells; Results of the study.

Abstract: In a magnetic summation method, TES and SQUID driving circuits are isolated and thus small crosstalk and stray impedance are expected. Since a FLL circuit with a large bandwidth and a small noise level is required for a SQUID, we designed and produced an electronics to meet our design of multiplexing with an 8-input SQUID. The FLL circuit achieved an open loop-gain bandwidth product of with wire length, which is enough for a TES to be operated with a bias current of , and a noise level of . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We demonstrate broadband focusing of multiple high-order harmonics of intense femtosecond laser pulses using an ellipsoidal mirror. The ellipsoidal mirror, with a high numerical aperture and a highly accurate surface, was fabricated using a replication process. The multiple high-order harmonics in the wavelength range between 10 and 20 nm were focused to the nearly diffraction-limited size of 350 × 380 nm2. According to Rayleigh's quarter wavelength criteria, the wavefront aberration of the focused beam was estimated to be less than 5 nm, which corresponds to a temporal dispersion of 16 as. The developed focusing system is suited for producing an intense attosecond laser field with negligible wavefront aberration, with which nonlinear light-matter interactions in the attosecond time domain can be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature detectors often use mechanical coolers as part of the cooling chain in order to reach sub-Kelvin operating temperatures. The microphonic noise caused by the mechanical coolers is a general and inherent issue for these detectors. We have observed this effect in the ground test data obtained with the Resolve instrument to be flown on the XRISM satellite. Resolve is a cryogenic X-ray microcalorimeter spectrometer with a required energy resolution of 7 eV at 6 keV. Five mechanical coolers are used to cool from ambient temperature to ∼ 4 K: four two-stage Stirling coolers (STC) driven nominally at 15 Hz and a Joule–Thomson cooler (JTC) driven nominally at 52 Hz. In 2019, we operated the flight-model instrument for two weeks, in which we also obtained accelerometer data inside the cryostat at a low-temperature stage (He tank). X-ray detector and accelerometer data were obtained continuously while changing the JTC drive frequency, which produced a unique data set for investigating how the vibration from the cryocoolers propagates to the detector. In the detector noise spectra, we observed harmonics of both STCs and JTC. More interestingly, we also observed the low ( < 20 Hz) frequency beat between the 4th JTC and 14th STC harmonics and the 7th JTC and the 23–24th STC harmonics. We present here a description and interpretation of these measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing the frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) readout system aimed to realize the 400-pixel transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter array for the DIOS mission as well as large-format arrays with more than a thousand of TES for future space missions such as the ATHENA mission. The developed system consists of the low-power superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), the digital FDM electronics, and the analog front-end to bridge the SQUID and the digital electronics. Using the developed readout system, we performed a TES readout experiment and succeeded to multiplex four TES signals with the single-staged cryogenic setup. We have experienced two issues during the experiment: an excess noise and crosstalk. The brief overview of the developed system and the details, results, and issues of the TES multiplexing readout experiment is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The JAXA Hayabusa2 mission accomplished the formation of an artificial crater on the asteroid Ryugu. The aim of this work is to analyse the area surrounding the artificial crater and reveal spectral variability compared to the same region before the crater formation, to mineralogically and physically characterize the subsurface exposed material. The crater's investigation focused on the analysis of two regions corresponding to the inner part of crater (the pit and the crater wall/floor), two areas related to ejecta deposited close to the crater, two areas of ejecta moved far from the crater, and two external areas. Each area was investigated both before and after the crater formation, by the study of the photometrically corrected spectral parameters: the 1.9  |$\mu$| m reflectance, the near-infrared spectral slope, and the depth of the bands at 2.7 and 2.8  |$\mu$| m. The subsurface material of the post-crater areas shows deeper absorption bands, a decrease in reflectance, and a reddening in spectral slope with respect to the surface material of pre-crater areas. The subsurface regolith could have experienced a lower OH devolatilization due to space weathering and/or could be composed of finer dark grains than the surface layer. The ejecta reached distances of |$\sim $| 20 m from the impact point, mainly moving in the northern direction; nevertheless, a few ejecta also reached the south-eastern part of crater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was designed to investigate the acoustic characteristics of voluntary expiratory sounds after swallow for detecting dysphagia. Forty-nine patients with complaints of swallow difficulty received a videofluorographic ( VF) examination. They were divided into three groups: nine who did not have any apparent disease ( Group N), 22 patients with head and neck cancer ( Group H&N) and 18 patients with other diseases including cerebrovascular disease ( Group OD). After liquid barium swallows, they exhaled voluntarily without voicing. Videofluorographic findings were classified into four groups: normal ( Normal), acceptable swallow (Acceptable), swallow with residue (Resid) and swallows with penetration or aspiration (Pen/Asp). The duration of expiratory sounds was measured on the time waveform. Frequency characteristics of expiratory sounds were obtained using one-third octave band analysis ranging from 62·5 to 2000·0 Hz of central frequency. The averaged level of the 1000·0-Hz band was chosen as the reference band level ( RB level). The revised averaged level of each band was obtained by subtracting the RB level from the averaged level of each band. Zero decibel of the revised magnitude of the 125·0-Hz band was set as the critical value to differentiate dysphagia ( Resid or Pen/Asp) from no dysphagia ( Normal or Acceptable). Comparison of this assessment with VF findings showed a significant percentage agreement (85·4%). These results suggest that frequency characteristics of post-swallow expiratory sounds can differentiate dysphagia from no dysphagia among multiple dysphagic patient groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency division multiplexing (FDM) is a promising approach to read out a large format transition-edge sensor (TES) array for future astrophysical missions. We constructed a four channel FDM readout system using baseband feedback in the MHz band. We demonstrated the principle of our FDM method with an actual TES array, a multiplexing SQUID and LC band-pass filters under 100 mK. The resonant frequencies of LC filters were consistent with the design value with an accuracy of better than 3 %. We successfully obtained X-ray pulses from two TESs simultaneously but the energy resolution was degraded to about 100 eV at 5.9 keV and crosstalk effects were observed. The origin of the crosstalk effects is investigated by modified setups. Based on comparative experiments and numerical calculations, we conclude that the non-linearity of the SQUID is the cause of some of the crosstalk effects. Unlike the regular crosstalk effect from the adjoining channels, the crosstalk effect due to non-linearity observed in this paper occurs in all channels. Solving these problems will help us to obtain FDM readout with sufficient energy resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Radical hysterectomy is recommended for endometrial adenocarcinoma patients with suspected gross cervical involvement. However, the efficacy of operative procedure has not been confirmed.Methods:The patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma who had suspected gross cervical involvement and underwent hysterectomy between 1995 and 2009 at seven institutions were retrospectively analysed (Gynecologic Oncology Trial and Investigation Consortium of North Kanto: GOTIC-005). Primary endpoint was overall survival, and secondary endpoints were progression-free survival and adverse effects.Results:A total of 300 patients who underwent primary surgery were identified: 74 cases with radical hysterectomy (RH), 112 patients with modified radical hysterectomy (mRH), and 114 cases with simple hysterectomy (SH). Median age was 47 years, and median duration of follow-up was 47 months. There were no significant differences of age, performance status, body mass index, stage distribution, and adjuvant therapy among three groups. Multi-regression analysis revealed that age, grade, peritoneal cytology status, and lymph node involvement were identified as prognostic factors for OS; however, type of hysterectomy was not selected as independent prognostic factor for local recurrence-free survival, PFS, and OS. Additionally, patients treated with RH had longer operative time, higher rates of blood transfusion and severe urinary tract dysfunction.Conclusion:Type of hysterectomy was not identified as a prognostic factor in endometrial cancer patients with suspected gross cervical involvement. Perioperative and late adverse events were more frequent in patients treated with RH. The present study could not find any survival benefit from RH for endometrial cancer patients with suspected gross cervical involvement. Surgical treatment in these patients should be further evaluated in prospective clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We prove Borel summability in nonsingular directions of solutions of partial differential equations of the form where is a quartic polynomial and the initial condition is analytic. In the special case we obtain the detailed resurgent structure; even in such a simple case, the structure of the singular manifolds is quite intricate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eukaryotic cells undergo rapid regulatory processes to maintain cellular homeostasis upon osmotic stress. In fishes, gill epithelial cells play main roles in these processes. Although osmoregulatory functions of fish gills have been well studied, little is known about the underlying mechanisms, particularly the hypertonic-induced signalling pathways during osmotic stress. This study reports for the first time on the osmo-sensing signal cascade that related to the medaka osmotic stress transcription factor 1 (Ostf1), a hypertonic induced immediate early gene, under hypertonic stress. Quantitative real-time PCR showed the rapid increase of Ostf1 in gill after transfer of medaka from fresh water to 50% seawater; particularly Ostf1b whose mRNA expression increased to 4 folds at 0.5h and reached to 10 folds at 6h after the transfer. The in vivo knockdown of Ostf1b profoundly inhibited SEK and JNK phosphorylation, but not p38 and ERK phosphorylation in the medaka gill tissue. To further investigate the possible role of Ostf1b in the JNK pathway, Ostf1b was ectopically expressed in HEK293 cells. Results indicated that Ostf1b is a downstream target of SEK and JNK and exerts a positive feedback loop on the JNK signalling pathway via activation of GCK and/or MLK3 proteins. Additionally, MAPK inhibitors experiments suggested that activation of the JNK pathway by hypertonicity is involved in the maintenance of Ostf1b stability, which in turn provides continuous stimulation of GCK for JNK phosphorylation. Lastly, changes in transcription levels of different water/ion transporters were found in knockdown or ecoptic over-expression of Ostf1b in medaka gills and human embryonic kidney cells, suggesting the role of Ostf1b in modulation of critical water channel/ion transporters during osmotic stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since the first report of their natriuretic effect on mammalian kidneys the relative influences of natriuretic peptides (NPs) on volume and salt regulation in vertebrates have been debated. As marine osmoconformers, with plasma ionic concentrations similar to seawater, the actions of NPs on hagfishes may provide information on their primordial role. A synthetic natriuretic peptide derived from Eptatretus burgeri (hNP) increased urine production rates in E. cirrhatus at 3×10−8 M. It also contracted afferent branchial and segmental arteries at low concentrations (1×10−10 M) and relaxed them at 3×10−8 M. Thus, hNP has a renal effect and at higher concentrations causes vascular relaxation suggesting a role in volume regulation and the prevention of cardiac overloading. Rat ANP (rANP) stimulated sodium efflux from both isolated, perfused gill pouches and the whole animal. rANP also reduced subcutaneous sinus haematocrit relative to that in the ventral aorta, which is consistent with a vasodilatory role. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Hayabusa2 plans its extended mission to rendezvous with 1998 KY26 in 2031. • We show science assessments to select the final two candidates, 1998 KY26 and 2001 AV43. • The mission will explore the origin and evolution of small bodies and planetary defense. Hayabusa2 is the Japanese Asteroid Return Mission and targeted the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu, conducted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The goal of this mission was to conduct proximity operations including remote sensing observations, material sampling, and a Small Carry-On Impact experiment, as well as sample analyses. As of September 2020, the spacecraft is on the way back to Earth with samples from Ryugu with no critical issues after the successful departure in November 2019. Here, we propose an extended mission in which the spacecraft will rendezvous with a small asteroid with ~30 m - ~40 m in diameter that is rotating at a spin period of ~10 min after an additional ~10-year cruise phase. We introduce that two scenarios are suitable for the extended mission. In the first scenario, the spacecraft will perform swing-by maneuvers at Venus once and Earth twice to arrive at asteroid 2001 AV43. In the second scenario, it will perform swing-by maneuvers at Earth twice to reach asteroid 1998 KY26. In both scenarios, the mission will continue until the early 2030s. JAXA recently released the decision that the spacecraft will rendezvous with 1998 KY26. This paper focuses on our scientific assessments of the two scenarios but leaves the decision process to go to 1998 KY26 for future reports. Rendezvous operations will be planned to detail the physical properties and surrounding environments of the target, one of the smallest elements of small planetary bodies. By achieving the planned operations, the mission will provide critical hints on the violent histories of collisions and accumulations of small bodies in the solar system. Furthermore, the established scientific knowledge and techniques will advance key technologies for planetary defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intense optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) was observed, for the first time, in x-ray irradiated x SnO–(25− x )SrO–75B 2 O 3 glass. It was found that the peak wavelength of OSL emission spectrum and its stimulation spectrum is about 400 nm and 600 nm, respectively. The OSL intensity is depended on the SnO contents ( x =0.05–1.5 ) and the most intense OSL was observed in 1.0 mol% SnO doped glass. It was found that the OSL intensity is increased with increasing x-ray absorbed dose. Fairly good fading characteristics were observed in the x-ray irradiated glass, showing that this glass is useful as a candidate for OSL sensor materials for ionizing radiation monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, liver transplantation has been used to treat patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP).Objective: To describe the clinical course of patients with FAP who received partial-liver transplantation from living donors.Design: Case series.Setting: University hospital in Matsumoto, Japan.Patients: 11 patients with FAP who underwent partial-liver transplantation. The transthyretin gene abnormality in all 11 patients was the substitution of methionine for valine at position 30.Intervention: Partial liver transplantation from living donors.Measurements: Preoperative and follow-up (3 to 64 months) clinical data, including routine laboratory data, nerve conduction velocity tests, and sural nerve histology.Results: All 7 patients who had severe gastrointestinal autonomic disorders or polyneuropathy localized to the lower limbs for less than 4 years showed improvement. Three of 4 patients with polyneuropathy involving both the upper and lower limbs had adverse outcomes, including two deaths. The preoperative duration of their illness was more than 6 years. These 3 patients also had marked decreases in creatinine clearance and nerve conduction velocities and severe loss of myelinated fibers in sural nerves.Conclusion: Preoperative clinical severity and duration of illness are associated with outcomes after liver transplantation for FAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate the emission mechanism of radiophotoluminescence (RPL) in the Ag+-doped phosphate glass (glass dosimeter), which is now used as individual radiation dosimeter, because the emission mechanism of RPL in glass dosimeter has been not fully understood. We have investigated the assignments and characteristics of the X-ray induced colour centres in the Ag+-doped phosphate glass up to now (Miyamoto et al., 2010). Optical properties such as optical absorption spectra related with X-ray and α-particles irradiation were measured for commercially available glass dosimeter. In this study optical properties such as optical absorption spectrum as a function of X-rays and α-particles irradiation were measured for commercially available glass dosimeter. Comparison of the RPL in Ag+-doped phosphate glass irradiated with X-rays and α-particles is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We describe a patient with typical hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) in whom pancytopenia was refractory to steroid pulse therapy. He was successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine (CyA), which is known to be effective for aplastic anemia (AA). Activation of histiocytes occurs in HPS as a response to several cytokines produced by activated T lymphocytes, while apoptosis of hematopoietic stem cells in AA is caused by T lymphocyte-derived cytokines. The response of this patient indicated that both diseases may have some similar immune-mediated conditions involving the activation of T lymphocytes and that intensive immunosuppressive therapy with ATG and CyA might be a useful strategy for steroid-resistant HPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray Astronomy Recovery Mission (XARM) is a recovery mission of ASTRO-H/Hitomi, which is expected to be launched in Japanese Fiscal Year of 2020 at the earliest. The Resolve instrument on XARM consists of an array of 6 × 6 silicon-thermistor microcalorimeters cooled down to 50 mK and a high-throughput X-ray mirror assembly with the focal length of 5.6 m. Hitomi was launched into orbit in February 2016 and observed several celestial objects, although the operation of Hitomi was terminated in April 2016. The soft X-ray spectrometer (SXS) on Hitomi demonstrated high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of ~ 5 eV FWHM in orbit for most of the pixels. The Resolve instrument is planned to mostly be a copy of the Hitomi SXS and soft X-ray telescope designs, though several changes are planned based on the lessons learned from Hitomi. We report a brief summary of the SXS performance and the status of the Resolve instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Abnormally invasive placenta - prevalence, risk factors and antenatal suspicion: results from a large population-based pregnancy cohort study in the Nordic countries," by L. Thurn and colleagues in the 2015 issue.

The HIMAC clinical study has been conducted with a carbon-ion beam since June 1994. Since 2006, as a new treatment research project, NIRS has developed both the accelerator and beam-delivery technologies for the sophisticated heavy-ion radiotherapy, which brings a pencil-beam 3D rescanning technology for both the static and moving-tumor treatments. In this technology, the depth-scanning technique was improved to the full-energy depth scanning by realizing a variable-energy operation of the HIMAC synchrotron itself. At present, a heavy-ion rotating gantry has been developed with the superconducting technology and is in a beam-commissioning stage. As a future plan, we just start a study of a multi-ions irradiation for more sophisticated LET-painting and a design study of a superconducting synchrotron for more compact heavy-ion radiotherapy facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hitomi Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) was a pioneering non-dispersive imaging x-ray spectrometer with 5 eV FWHM energy resolution, consisting of an array of 36 silicon-thermistor microcalorimeters at the focus of a high-throughput soft x-ray telescope. The instrument enabled astrophysical plasma diagnostics in the 0.3-12 keV band. We introduce the SXS calibration strategy and corresponding ground calibration measurements that took place from 2012-2015, including both the characterization of the microcalorimeter array and measurements of the x-ray transmission of optical blocking filters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about the pathogenesis of cap polyposis.

Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES), or acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures (AERRPS), is an epileptic encephalopathy beginning with fever-mediated seizures. The etiology remains unclear. To elucidate the genetic background of FIRES/AERRPS (hereafter FIRES), we recruited 19 Japanese patients, genotyped polymorphisms of the IL1B , IL6 , IL10 , TNFA , IL1RN , SCN1A and SCN2A genes, and compared their frequency between the patients and controls. For IL1RN , the frequency of a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) allele, RN2, was significantly higher in the patients than in controls ( p = 0.0067), and A allele at rs4251981 in 5′ upstream of IL1RN with borderline significance (p = 0.015). Haplotype containing RN2 was associated with an increased risk of FIRES (OR 3.88, 95%CI 1.40–10.8, p = 0.0057). For SCN1A , no polymorphisms showed a significant association, whereas a missense mutation, R1575C, was found in two patients. For SCN2A , the minor allele frequency of G allele at rs1864885 was higher in patients with borderline significance ( p = 0.011). We demonstrated the association of IL1RN haplotype containing RN2 with FIRES, and showed a possible association of IL1RN rs4251981 G > A and SCN2A rs1864885 A > G, in Japanese patients. These preliminary findings suggest the involvement of multiple genetic factors in FIRES, which needs to be confirmed by future studies in a larger number of FIRES cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the latest update and progress on the future Japanese X-ray satellite mission Diffuse Intergalactic Oxygen Surveyor (DIOS). DIOS is proposed to JAXA as a small satellite mission, and would be launched with an Epsilon rocket. DIOS would carry on the legacy of ASTRO-H, which carries semiconductor-based microcalorimeters and is scheduled to be launched in 2016, in high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. A 400-pixel array of transition-edge sensors (TESs) would be employed, so DIOS would also provide valuable lessons for the next ESA X-ray mission ATHENA on TES operation and cryogen-free cooling in space. We have been sophisticating the entire design of the satellite to meet the requirement for the Epsilon payload for the next call. The primary goal of the mission is to search for warm-hot intergalactic medium with high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy by detecting redshifted emission lines from OVII and OVIII ions. The results would have significant impacts on our understanding of the nature of 'dark baryons,' their total amount and spatial distribution, as well as their evolution over cosmological timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calorimetric X-ray detectors are very sensitive to their environment. The boundary conditions can have a profound effect on the gain including heat sink temperature, the local radiation temperature, bias, and the temperature of the readout electronics. Any variation in the boundary conditions can cause temporal variations in the gain of the detector and compromise both the energy scale and the resolving power of the spectrometer. Most production X-ray calorimeter spectrometers, both on the ground and in space, have some means of tracking the gain as a function of time, often using a calibration spectral line. For small gain changes, a linear stretch correction is often sufficient. However, the detectors are intrinsically non-linear and often the event analysis, i.e., shaping, optimal filters etc., add additional non-linearity. Thus for large gain variations or when the best possible precision is required, a linear stretch correction is not sufficient. Here, we discuss a new correction technique based on non-linear interpolation of the energy-scale functions. Using Astro-H/SXS calibration data, we demonstrate that the correction can recover the X-ray energy to better than 1 part in 10 $$^{4}$$ over the entire spectral band to above 12 keV even for large-scale gain variations. This method will be used to correct any temporal drift of the on-orbit per-pixel gain using on-board calibration sources for the SXS instrument on the Astro-H observatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter array as an X-ray sensor for a scanning transmission electron microscope system is being developed. The technical challenge of this system is a high count rate of $$\sim $$ 5000 counts/second/array. We adopted a 64 pixel array with a parallel readout. Common SQUID bias, and common TES bias are planned to reduce the number of wires and the resources of a room temperature circuit. The reduction rate of wires is 44 % when a 64 pixel array is read out by a common bias of 8 channels. The possible degradation of the energy resolution has been investigated by simulations and experiments. The bias fluctuation effects of a series connection are less than those of a parallel connection. Simple calculations expect that the fluctuations of the common SQUID bias and common TES bias in a series connection are $$10^{-7}$$ and $$10^{-3}$$ , respectively. We constructed 8 SQUIDs which are connected to 8 TES outputs and a room temperature circuit for common bias readout and evaluated experimentally. Our simulation of crosstalk indicates that at an X-ray event rate of 500 cps/pixel, crosstalk will broaden a monochromatic line by about 0.01 %, or about 1.5 eV at 15 keV. Thus, our design goal of 10 eV energy resolution across the 0.5-15 keV band should be achievable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a focusing system for extreme ultraviolet light produced by high-order harmonic generation. An ellipsoidal mirror with a precise surface shape was fabricated and installed into the focusing system. A rigid mirror manipulator and a beam profiler were employed to perform precise and stable mirror alignment. As a demonstration of the focusing performance, high-order harmonics in the wavelength range of 13.5-19.5 nm were successfully focused into a 2.4 × 2.3 μm2 spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction For the patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related diseases, hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) should be administered to prevent reinfection. Because HBIG is highly expensive and a blood product, an alternative strategy using HBV vaccination has been made in an attempt to discontinue use of HBIG. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of long-term HBV vaccination for discontinuation of HBIG, paying attention to the status of active immunization using T-cell proliferation assay. Patients and Methods Among the 144 recipients who underwent liver transplantation in our hospital, 16 had HBV-related liver diseases; the 14 patients who had received vaccination were subjects in our study. To evaluate the status of active immunization, T-cell proliferation was examined by counting the number of T cells after adding HBV vaccine to the culture supernatant of T cells, and tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ were measured in the culture supernatant. Results The ratio of male/female was 13/1 (median age: 55 years; range: 37 years to 67 years). The median follow-up time was 102 months (range: approximately 14 months to 148 months). All 14 patients were free of HBV recurrence. HBIG-free status could be achieved in 9 patients (64.3%) during the treatment period for more than 50 months after beginning of HBV vaccination, of whom 5 (35.7%) became HBV vaccine–free. T-cell proliferation was confirmed by fact that the stimulation index ranged from 2.34 to 5.2 in the patients who were HBIG-free. Conclusion Long-term HBV vaccination after LT is a useful and effective treatment in preventing HBV recurrence, allowing the discontinuation of HBIG treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]