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Purpose The methods for detection of post-transplant rejection, especially antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) have been developed for the past three decades and contributed the elucidation of the cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) progression from AMR. However, variation in individual cases is found and it is important to a prediction of the clinical CAV extension to know how various technique is involved on a true clinic. The contribution of alloimmune factors has been increasingly recognized, and thus it is useful to evaluate antibody patterns to prevent CAV. Methods Subjects consisted of 43 patients (10 women; average age at heart transplantation (HTX), 26.1±17.5 years; observation period, 12.1±7.9 years after HTX) who underwent HTX at least 2 years earlier, as well as regular immunological testing, such as panel reactive antibody testing. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results (1) Twelve patients showed significant progression of CAV (more than ISHLT CAV2) during follow-up after transplantation, and eight patients demonstrated positive for HLA Class 1 or Class 2 antibodies. Five of these eight patients showed positive donor-specific antibodies and negative for Class 1 C1q antibodies, but four of these five showed positive for Class 2 C1q antibodies. These four patients demonstrated rapid progression of CAV. (2) Four of the 43 patients had a history of C4d-positive antibody-related rejection (AMR), and two of these four patients showed persistent positive Class 2 C1q antibodies. (3) Nine of 12 patients who showed significant progression of CAV demonstrated positive for Class 1 or Class 2 antibodies, or positive for Class 2 C1q antibodies, or had a history of AMR. Conclusion Alloimmune response is greatly involved in CAV progression, but a difference is found in the extension mechanism in individual cases. Regular immunological evaluations for not only HLA IgG antibodies but also C1q antibodies are useful to better characterize CAV progression.

Introduction Heart failure (HF) is categorized on the basis of the eft ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The European Society of Cardiology has proposed mid-range EF (HFmrEF) as a new category of HF that includes patients with an LVEF of 40–49%. However, the clinical characteristics, change in LVEF following treatment, and outcome of patients with HFmrEF remain clear. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study of Japanese hospitalized HF patients between 2015 and 2018 at a single-center (HIJ-HF III). HFmrEF was defined as 40–49% of LVEF on echocardiography at admission. We followed these patients and performed echocardiography to assess LVEF per year after hospital discharge. Clinical outcome was death from any cause. Methods and results We studied 138 patients with HFmrEF (median age 71 years, 69% male). They had 32% of ischemic heart disease, 9% of New York Heart Association functional class III or IV at discharge. During median follow-up of 20 [13–28] months, we assessed change in LVEF for 110 patients with HFmrEF. One year after hospital discharge, 49 patients (44%) improved LVEF (≥50%) and 21 patients (19%) reduced LVEF ( Conclusions This study demonstrated that 44% of HFmrEF patients improved LVEF following treatment but 19% patients reduced LVEF. Reduced LVEF was associated with poor prognosis.

Purpose Risk stratification and early detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) are essential in heart transplantation patients. CAV is associated with poor outcome in the chronic phase after heart transplantation. CAV presents a diffuse vascular involvement and has been difficult to noninvasively diagnose by the lack of a sensitive method to detect developing vascular pathology in the allograft. The present study investigates the ability of 13N-ammonia PET for detection of CAV in heart transplant patients. Methods Data of adenosine-stress 13N-ammonia PET imaging for thirty-one patients (mean age, 39 years-old) after 11 + 7 years from transplant was analyzed. Five patients had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the remaining 26 patients had no history of definite myocardial ischemia. Myocardial flow was generated from the time activity curve of left ventricle input and myocardial uptake using 3-compartment model and the first 2 minutes' dataset of list-mode acquisition. Global - myocardial flow reserve (MFR) was calculated by stress to rest flow ratio. Patient with global-MFR 2 was identified as those having significant ischemia. Results The mean Global-MFR of our subjects were 2.3 (1.2 to 3.9). MFR using 13N-ammonia PET significantly decreases in one third of heart transplant patients in chronic stage. Eleven patients with Global-MFR 2 (26%) including three patients having a history of PCI. The proportion of patients with a history of PCI tends to be high with SDS >2 (38% vs 9%, p=0.056). Conclusion This modality using 13N ammonia PET is useful for easily detection of CAV before manifestation of symptomatic myocardial ischemia in heart transplant patients.

A rice chitinase cDNA (RCC2) driven by the CaMV 35S promoter was introduced into cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) through Agrobacterium mediation. More than 200 putative transgenic shoots were regenerated and grown on MS medium supplemented with 100 mg/l kanamycin. Sixty elongated shoots were examined for the presence of the integrated RCC2 gene and subsequently confirmed to have it. Of these, 20 were tested for resistance against gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) by infection with the conidia: 15 strains out of the 20 independent shoots exhibited a higher resistance than the control (non-transgenic plants). Three transgenic cucumber strains (designated CR29, CR32 and CR33) showed the highest resistance against B. cinerea: the spread of disease was inhibited completely in these strains. Chitinase gene expression in highly resistant transgenic strains (CR32 and CR33) was compared to that of a susceptible transgenic strain (CR20) and a control. Different responses for disease resistance were observed among the highly resistant strains. CR33 inhibited appressoria formation and penetration of hyphae. Although CR32 permitted penetration of hyphae, invasion of the infection hyphae was restricted. Furthermore, progenies of CR32 showed a segregation ratio of 3:1 (resistant:susceptible). As the disease resistance against gray mold was confirmed to be inheritable, these highly resistant transgenic cucumber strains would serve as good breeding materials for disease resistance.

Purpose We previously reported experimental advantages of new titanium mesh wrapped inflow cannula for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to avoid wedge thrombus formation. There was no thrombus formation in any of the explanted LVAD system and around the outside of the inflow cannula after 2 months from LVAD implantation in calves. We had applied this newly developed inflow cannula into the clinical arena with EVAHEART LVAD since 2013. We had clinically evaluated experience of this inflow cannula and showed the clear induction of autologous neointima avoiding wedge thrombus formation for over 5 years from LVAD implantation. Methods Retrospective data were analyzed from 19 patients who underwent EVAHEART LVAD implantation using newly inflow cannula as a bridge to transplant since September 2013 at Tokyo Women's Medical University. Results All patients achieved hospital discharge on LVAD support. 9 patients underwent heart transplantation and 3 of 9 patients were supported over 5 years (5.12-5.45 years) from LVAD implantation. Thromboembolic complications in these patients included 1 cerebral bleeding event, 1 cerebral infarction and 2 transit ischemic attack. In macroscopically findings were no thrombus formation around the inflow cannula. The titanium mesh was completely enveloped with white neointima tissue that appeared to have grown from the ventricular endocardium (Figure). Conclusion The titanium mesh inflow cannula induces autologous neointima avoiding wedge thrombus formation in clinical experience for over 5 years after LVAD implantation.

Purpose Risk stratification and early detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) are essential in heart transplantation patients. CAV presents a diffuse vascular involvement, and has been difficult to noninvasively diagnose by the lack of a sensitive method to detect developing vascular pathology in the allograft. The present study investigates the ability of 13N-ammonia PET for detection of CAV in heart transplant patients. Methods Data of adenosine-stress 13N-ammonia PET imaging for twenty-seven patients (mean age, 38 years old) after 11 ±8 years from transplant was analyzed. Five patients had underwood percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the remaining 22 patients had no history of definite myocardial ischemia. Myocardial flow was generated from the time activity curve of left ventricle input and myocardial uptake using 3-compartment model and the first 2 minutes’ dataset of list-mode acquisition. Global myocardial flow reserve (MFR) was calculated by stress to rest flow ratio. Patient with global-MFR Results The mean Global-MFR of our subjects was 2.3 (1.2 to 3.9). MFR using 13N-ammonia PET significantly decreases in one third of heart transplant patients in chronic stage. Nine patients with Global-MFR Conclusion The modality using 13N ammonia PET is useful for easily detection of CAV before manifestation of symptomatic myocardial ischemia in heart transplant patients.

Objectives: The Mycoses Forum in Japan has developed management bundles for candidaemia to incorporate into bedside practice. The aim of this study was to investigate nationwide compliance with the bundles and their impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: Non-neutropenic patients treated with antifungals for candidaemia were surveyed. Bundles consist of nine items to complete. Data were sent to the central office between July 2011 and April 2012. Results: Six hundred and eight patients were analysed. The compliance rate for achieving all elements was 6.9%, and it increased to 21.4% when compliance was analysed by the bundle except for oral switch. There was a significant difference in clinical success between patients with and without compliance [92.9% versus 75.8% (P ¼0.011)]. Compliance with the bundles, however, failed to be an independent factor associated with favourable outcomes. When step-down oral therapy was excluded from the elements of compliance, compliance with the bundles was revealed to be an independent predictor of clinical success (OR 4.42, 95% CI 2.05 –9.52) and mortality (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.13 – 0.57). Independent individual elements contributing to clinical success were removal of central venous catheters within 24 h, assessment of clinical efficacy on the third to the fifth day and at least 2 weeks of therapy after clearance of candidaemia. Conclusions: Compliance with the bundles for candidaemia had a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes. Promotion of the bundles approach may have the potential to narrow the gap between clinical evidence and bedside practice.

Purpose Severe heart failure patients often have renal dysfunction (RD) due to low cardiac output. Especially in Japan, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients as bridge to transplantation need to wait for cardiac transplant for a long time due to limited donors. The aim of this study was to identify the long-term changes of renal function after implantation of an EVAHEART® which is a centrifugal-type, continuous-flow LVAD, and factors predictive of renal function deterioration. Methods This study was a retrospective observational cohort study. EVAHEART® (LVAD) implantation was performed in 44 patients as a BTT at our institute between May 2005 and 2018. We investigated changes in renal function over 2 years among 41 patients supported by EVAHEART® over 6 months. Furthermore, we also investigated the predictive factors of worsening renal failure. Results The patients’ mean age at LVAD implantation was 40 ± 12 years; 35 were male. Mean ejection fraction was 20 ± 6 %. Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at LVAD implantation was 66 ± 31 ml/min/1.73m2; 20 (49 %) patients had renal impairment (eGFR Conclusion Renal function improved early after EVAHEART® implantation, but, gradually declined in most patients over 2 years. Among patients with renal impairment, high RA pressure, suggested “congestion”, at LVAD implantation had greater deterioration of renal function during a 2-year follow-up period.

Charge-changing interactions of stable and unstable medium-mass nuclides have been systematically investigated at intermediate energies. Secondary beams ranging from Ar to Ge isotopes produced by projectile fragmentation of 56Fe and 70Ge were irradiated onto a carbon target, and their total and partial charge-changing cross sections were precisely measured. A clear odd–even effect found in the partial charge-changing cross sections monotonically varies as a function of the Z / N ratio among the isotopes, and grows toward the neutron-deficient side. The total charge-changing cross sections are sensitive to the Z number of nuclides, and tend to gradually increase toward the neutron-deficient side in some isotopes.

We analyze an ensemble of seven XCO2 retrieval algorithms for SCIAMACHY (scanning imaging absorption spectrometer of atmospheric chartography) and GOSAT (greenhouse gases observing satellite). The ensemble spread can be interpreted as regional uncertainty and can help to identify locations for new TCCON (total carbon column observing network) validation sites. Additionally, we introduce the ensemble median algorithm EMMA combining individual soundings of the seven algorithms into one new data set. The ensemble takes advantage of the algorithms' independent developments. We find ensemble spreads being often < 1 ppm but rising up to 2 ppm especially in the tropics and East Asia. On the basis of gridded monthly averages, we compare EMMA and all individual algorithms with TCCON and CarbonTracker model results (potential outliers, north/south gradient, seasonal (peak-to-peak) amplitude, standard deviation of the difference). Our findings show that EMMA is a promising candidate for inverse modeling studies. Compared to CarbonTracker, the satellite retrievals find consistently larger north/south gradients (by 0.3–0.9 ppm) and seasonal amplitudes (by 1.5–2.0 ppm).

Lidar observations of vertical profiles of aerosols and thin cirrus clouds were made at Tsukuba (36.05° N, 140.12° E), Japan, to investigate the influence of aerosols and thin cirrus clouds on the column-averaged dry-air mole fraction of carbon dioxide (XCO2) retrieved from observation data of the Thermal And Near-infrared Sensor for carbon Observation Fourier Transform Spectrometer, measured in the Short-Wavelength InfraRed band (TANSO-FTS SWIR), onboard the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT). The lidar system measured the backscattering ratio, depolarization ratio, and/or the wavelength exponent of atmospheric particles. The lidar observations and ground-based high-resolution FTS measurements at the Tsukuba Total Carbon Column Observing Network (Tsukuba TCCON) site were recorded simultaneously during passages of GOSAT over Tsukuba. GOSAT SWIR XCO2 data (Version 01.xx) released in August 2010 were compared with the lidar and Tsukuba TCCON data. High-altitude aerosols and thin cirrus clouds had a large impact on the GOSAT SWIR XCO2 results. By taking into account the observed aerosol/cirrus vertical profiles and using a more adequate solar irradiance database in the GOSAT SWIR retrieval, the difference between the GOSAT SWIR XCO2 data and the Tsukuba TCCON data was reduced. The 3-band retrieval approach where the aerosol and cirrus profiles were retrieved gave us the best results and the retrieved XCO2 data followed the seasonal cycle of ~8 ppm observed at Tsukuba TCCON site.

A proposal for the realization of highly sensitive optical direct-detection (incoherent) multilevel transmission with arbitrary signal constellation without optical chromatic dispersion (CD) compensation is reviewed in this paper. We introduce transmitter-side signal processing, ?CD pre-equalization,? and ?phase preintegration? techniques to realize direct-detection CD-compensation free transmission of arbitrary optical quadrature-amplitude modulation (QAM) signals. We also adopt receiver-side signal processing, ?multi-symbol phase estimation (MSPE),? and ?non-Euclidean metric-based symbol detection? to improve the optical SNR (OSNR) sensitivity. We have performed up to 160-km standard single-mode fiber transmission of a 40-Gbit/s 16QAM signal and achieved the OSNR sensitivities only 0.5-2.4 dB away from those of coherent detection.

Understanding of the logic and dynamics of gene-regulatory and biochemical networks is a major challenge of systems biology. To facilitate this research topic, we have developed a modeling/simulating tool called CellDesigner. CellDesigner primarily has capabilities to visualize, model, and simulate gene-regulatory and biochemical networks. Two major characteristics embedded in CellDesigner boost its usability to create/import/export models: 1) solidly defined and comprehensive graphical representation (systems biology graphical notation) of network models and 2) systems biology markup language (SBML) as a model-describing basis, which function as intertool media to import/export SBML-based models. In addition, since its initial release in 2004, we have extended various capabilities of CellDesigner. For example, we integrated other systems biology workbench enabled simulation/analysis software packages. CellDesigner also supports simulation and parameter search, supported by integration with SBML ODE Solver, enabling users to simulate through our sophisticated graphical user interface. Users can also browse and modify existing models by referring to existing databases directly through CellDesigner. Those extended functions empower CellDesigner as not only a modeling/simulating tool but also an integrated analysis suite. CellDesigner is implemented in Java and thus supports various platforms (i.e., Windows, Linux, and MacOS X). CellDesigner is freely available via our Web site.

In South Patagonia, the total sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) area has increased from 176 ha in 1997 to 507 ha in 2004, of which 232 ha are located in Los Antiguos (46°19? SL; 220 m elevation), 158 ha in the Lower Valley of Chubut River (LVCHR) (43°16? SL; 30 m elevation), 52 ha in Sarmiento (45°35? SL; 270 m elevation), 35 ha in Esquel (42°55? SL; 570 m elevation) and 30 ha in Comodoro Rivadavia (45°52? SL; 50 m elevation). The most common varieties are `Lapins?, `Bing?, `Newstar?, `Sweetheart?, `Stella?, `Sunburst? and `Van? grafted on `Mahaleb?, `Pontaleb?, `SL 64?, `Colt? or `Mazzard? rootstocks. Trees generally are drip-irrigated and planted at high densities, using training systems such as Tatura, central leader and modified vase (2700, 1100 and 1000 trees ha-1, respectively). Growers in Los Antiguos are more traditional, planting mainly as vase (400 to 1000 trees ha-1) or freestanding trees (280 trees ha-1) and irrigating by gravity (74% of the area). Only 4.4% of the area of Los Antiguos is frost protected, as growers rely strongly on the moderating effect of Lake Buenos Aires. Frost control systems are absent in Comodoro Rivadavia because the established orchards are located next to the sea, in an area with low risk of frost. The frost-protected area is 49% in Sarmiento, 35% in Esquel and 57% in LVCHR. Fruit are harvested from November (LVCHR) to the end of January (Los Antiguos and Esquel), and the harvest-only labour demand during the 2004/2005 season was 100,000 h. In that season, seven packinghouses exported 390 t (45% of the total production) to Europe. Most orchards have not yet reached their mature stage and new ones are being established. Therefore, fruit volumes will continue to increase and shortages of labour and packing facilities may become a constraint.

The catalytic effect of various metal carbides and Ti compounds on the growth of carbon nanocoils (CNCs) was examined. TiC was the most effective carbides for the preparation of the CNCs. Furthermore, some other Ti compounds were also used as catalysts, and pure CNCs could be effectively produced using a NiTiO3 catalyst at 660–690 °C. On the other hand, CNCs were poorly obtained using the pure metals catalysts Ti, Ta, Mo, Cr and W. The CNCs obtained were generally twisted-forms with coil diameters of 100–600 nm and coil lengths of 1–3 mm, irrespective of the catalysts used.

In order to explore the potential of optical multilevel signaling for high-speed optical fiber networks, an incoherent 50 Gbit/s 32-level optical multilevel signaling (combination of QASK and 8-DPSK) is demonstrated, for the first time. The application of an ISI-suppressed modulation technique, an orthogonally-coupled differential detection technique and the digital signal processing technique have also been proposed and verified to enhance the performance of multilevel signaling. A 100-km dispersion shifted fiber transmission has also been performed, and the degradation via optical fiber nonlinear effect, self-phase modulation (SPM), is observed. The receiver side simple digital cancellation technique of the SPM-induced phase shift is also proposed and experimentally demonstrated with more than 6.8 dB increase of fiber input power.

Transient ladle reactions in IF steel melts are simulated experimentally. It is found that when Al2O3 is thermodynamically stable, Ti has the effect of modifying the inclusions as a result of local super-saturation. When Al2TiO5 is stable, the inclusion morphology appeared to change into smooth, non-facetted shapes. When Ti oxide is stable, the possibility of generating secondary inclusions during solidification was investigated.

The sustain pulse voltage of the panel for 66-kPa Ne + Xe (5%-30%) is 20%-40% lower with a Sr0.62Ca0.38O protective layer than with a MgO protective layer. At a normal sustain voltage of 160-200 V, the luminous efficiency of the panel with the Sr0.62 Ca0.38O protective layer for Xe (30%) is about twice as high as with the MgO protective layer for Xe (10%). The luminances of these panels are almost the same. This high efficiency at normal sustain pulse voltage and normal luminance is obtained through the combined use of the Sr0.62Ca0.38O protective layer and high Xe content. With regard to ion bombardment, the Sr0.62Ca0.38O film has a 4.5 times longer life than SrO film and nearly 80% of the life of MgO film. We also calculated the values of theoretical secondary electron emission yield gammaimin of MgO, SrO, and CaO without energy bands in the band gap for rare gas ions and found that [ gammaimin of MgO] les [gammaimin of CaO] < [gammaimin of SrO] except for the one case with He. The breakdown voltage decreases with higher gammaimin values. As expected, the discharge voltage of the panel is much lower with the SrO protective layer than with the MgO protective layer. The discharge voltages of the panels with Sr0.62Ca0.38O and SrO protective layers are almost the same. These findings show that the life of the SrO protective layer can be made 4.5 times longer without any increase in the discharge voltage by adding CaO (40 at.%)

Background:Liposarcomas rarely occur in the parapharyngeal space and only a few case reports exist. For curative therapy of liposarcoma, surgical excision remains the dominant modality. Although a wide surgical margin is important to prevent local recurrence, wide excision is often difficult in the head and neck region.Case report:We report a case of a 19-year-old female with a well-differentiated liposarcoma arising in the parapharyngeal space. We removed the tumour surgically utilising a cervical–parotid approach. The histological diagnosis was well-differentiated sclerosing liposarcoma. There is no recurrence after five years and nine months of follow up.Conclusion:The patient's age and the tumour site made it difficult for us to make a quantitative diagnosis before the operation. Well-differentiated liposarcoma rarely develop distant metastasis, but often recur locally. The benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy for well-differentiated liposarcoma is still not clear and careful and long-term follow up is necessary.

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was decomposed by microwave (MW) irradiation (2.45 GHz) using a commercial MW oven. The efficiency of dielectric absorption was evaluated quantitatively from the rate of temperature increase on MW irradiation. The efficiency of dielectric heating increased at temperatures above the glass transition temperature ( T g ). The decomposition on MW irradiation, monitored using the weight, depended on the initial (preheating) temperature of the sample before irradiation. The degradation time profile with various initial temperatures was shifted along the time axis and was successfully superimposed on a single curve. A pure PVC film was subjected to heating at a constant temperature from 230 °C to 310 °C, and the rate of weight decrease on heating was measured. The apparent activation energy was 84.4 kJ/mol for a single monomer unit.

The endcap RPCs in the Belle detector at KEK B factory have operated stably with high detection efficiency since the start of the experiment, June 1999. In contrast with high luminosity operation of the KEKB accelerator, however, efficiency reduction due to high background rate has been observed in the outermost RPC layers in the endcap part of the KLM detector. To identify the background source, the background data is compared with simulation result using Geant4 simulation toolkit. Further, for higher luminosity operation of the accelerator, simulation result on the shield design for reducing the background rate is also reported.

Objectives. Nurse-like stromal cells (NLC) in synovia and bone marrow of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can support pseudoemperipolesis, protect from apoptosis and enhance immunoglobulin production of peripheral blood B cells isolated from healthy individuals, suggesting the profound contribution of hyperactivation of B cells in RA. In the course of establishing RA-NLC from RA patients, we observed the growth of B cells in the presence of RA-NLC. Methods. We cloned B cells from the synovium or bone marrow of RA patients using the limiting dilution technique. For established clones, nucleotide sequences of immunoglobulin and surface antigens were investigated. To investigate the dependence of these clones on NLC, differences in the proliferation and the amount of immunoglobulin produced in the presence or absence of NLC were compared. Immunocytochemical staining of various cells was performed using the antibody these clones produced. Results. Nine B-cell clones established from RA patients showed RA-NLC-dependent growth. These B-cell clones expressed CD19, CD20, CD38, CD39 and CD40, suggesting that the cloned cells were mature and activated. All clones secreted immunoglobulins in culture media, which were specific for intracellular components of various cell lines, including RA-NLC. Interestingly, we found limited usage of immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable regions (VH) among B-cell clones from RA patients. These repertoires were reported to be detected preferentially in fetal livers. Conclusion. The present study provides a novel insight into the involvement of RA-NLC in the immunopathogenesis of RA via an autoreactive B cell development and/or activation mechanism.

The performance of a new structure plasma display panel (PDP) cell with counter sustain electrodes was diagnosed by optical emission and laser absorption spectroscopic measurements of the spatiotemporal behaviours of the microplasma. Two different types of panels were prepared: one with sustain electrodes only and the other with additional data and auxiliary electrodes on the rear and front plates. By using cells of the former type, the basic performance was measured as the dependences on the Xe concentration in Ne, the total pressure and the applied sustain voltage. It was seen that a higher Xe concentration was advantageous for the luminous efficiency although the required minimum sustain voltage became larger. By using the latter type of cell, the effects of driving schemes were investigated by varying the applied potentials onto the auxiliary and data electrodes. It was found that the role of the auxiliary electrode is remarkable; the discharge expands largely in the cell when the voltage and the width of the pulses applied to the auxiliary electrode are optimized to be 200 V and 0.3 µs, respectively, while the data electrode is grounded. The production efficiency of Xe atoms in the metastable (1s5) and resonance (1s4) states was derived from the measured absolute densities normalized by the input power per cell and the decay rates of those densities. The vacuum ultraviolet emission efficiency estimated from the results was compared between the tested conditions, and a noticeable improvement was recognized in the optimized condition, about 40% larger than a conventional driving condition without additional pulses. It was also seen that this cell structure is potentially superior in luminous efficiency to the conventional coplanar structure currently used in commercial PDPs.

An antibacterial protein in the skin secretion of rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) was purified by lectin affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharose and gel filtration on TSKgel G3000SW. The antibacterial protein featured the high molecular mass and selective action against Gram-negative bacteria. The molecular mass of the protein was estimated to be approximately 150 kDa in gel filtration and approximately 75 kDa by SDS-PAGE, suggesting that it is dimeric. The antibacterial principle was an acidic glycoprotein with pI 4.5, 3.4% reducing sugar and 2.8% amino sugar. Its sugar chains had N-type (high mannose-type) oligosaccharide and sialic acid components. It inhibited strongly the growth of Aeromonas salmonicida, Photobacterium damselae and Shewanella putrefaciens with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of approximately 3 microg/ml, and moderately the growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and A. hydrophila with a MIC of 12.5 microg/ml and 25 microg/ml, respectively. The values of the minimum bactericidal concentration were almost equivalent to those of MIC. The potent sensitivity against virulent pathogens such as A. hydrophila, A. salmonicida and P. damselae may contribute considerably to the innate host defense mechanism to combat microbes on the mucosal surfaces of the rockfish.

The homogenization design method has been successfully applied to obtain the optimal topology of a structure under electrical fields as well as various mechanical environments. This paper introduces the expansion of the application of the homogenization design method into the structure in magnetic fields. The topology optimization on a device in magnetic fields is focused on the maximizing the magnetic flux in an air-gap. This is accomplished by maximizing the magnetic mean compliance defined by the magnetic energy in a given region of the device. The homogenization design method is applied to three-dimensional cases with and without considering the saturation effect of the material. Results show that the homogenization design method is valid to maximize the vector potential in linear cases and the magnetic flux in non-linear cases.

r and 2D nonlinear simulations of spiral structure in the galaxies NGC 488, NGC 1566 and NGC 6503. The observed velocity dispersions and the rotation curves have been used to model background axisymmetric equilibria in these galaxies. The stability properties of the galactic disks are governed by the disk masses and by the ratio of the disk's radial and the vertical velocity dispersions. The massive disk of the galaxy NGC 488 has a few unstable modes with the two-armed spiral being the most unstable one. The nonlinear 2D numerical simulations show that spiral pattern in NGC 488 evolves into a patchy two-armed spiral structure. Disks of Sc galaxies NGC 1566 and NGC 6503 are unstable towards modes m = 2, and m = 3 when the ratio of the vertical to the radial velocity dispersion is about 0.8–1.0. The two-armed spiral is a dominant mode in galaxy NGC 1566, while the m = 3 mode prevails in the disk of NGC 6503. Theoretical spiral arms predicted for NGC 1566 and NGC 6503 are shorter compared to the obs...

We examined the distribution and activity of six transposable elements found in the blast fungus, Pyricularia spp. Sixty-eight isolates from various gramineous plants were used for the survey, and the elements were plotted on a dendrogram constructed on the basis of their rDNA-ITS2 sequences. MGR586 and Pot2 (Class II elements), Mg-SINE (SINE-like element) and MGR583 (LINE-like retrotransposon) were widely distributed among the Pyricularia isolates, suggesting that they are old elements which arose in, or invaded, the Pyricularia population at very early stages in its evolution. By contrast, the distribution of the LTR-retrotransposons MAGGY and Grasshopper was limited or sporadic, suggesting that they are relatively new elements which recently invaded the Pyricularia population by means of horizontal transfer events. The activity of these elements was evaluated by Southern analysis in progenies derived from a cross between a Setaria isolate and a Triticum isolate. Many new MAGGY signals were observed, which were absent in the parental isolates, at various stages of the sexual cycle and following vegetative growth. In contrast, the other elements yielded few, if any, such signals. Analysis of the sequences flanking the new MAGGY insertions revealed that they were each associated with a 5-bp target-site duplication at both ends of the insertion. These data suggested that MAGGY was the most active of the elements tested for transposition in Pyricularia.

We propose accurate electrical characterization technique of material parameters for heterostructures using inverse simulation of capacitance–voltage ( C–V ) characteristics. In order to take account of the quantum effect existing at the heterointerface, both the Poisson and Schrodinger equations are solved self-consistently. The theoretical and measured C–V characteristics are fit directly with the aid of C–V characteristics simulation, and then the physical parameters such as the position of the heterointerface, band-offset, and impurity doping concentration are determined (the inverse C–V simulation). As a test sample, molecular beam epitaxy grown AlGaAs/GaAs Schottky diodes are used to verify the validity of the method.

We construct weak solutions to parabolic systems of the variational flow type related to a quadratic functional with the initial and boundary data from a suitable Sobolev space and subjected to two-sided conditions. We present an approach based on Rothe’s method. It is applicable to solving the Cauchy problem and initial boundary-value problem for many types of equations. Bibliography: 12 titles.

We have studied the effects of 5d transition elements (X = W, Re, Ir, and Pt) on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) of epitaxially grown hexagonal-close-packed (hcp)-Co single crystal films. The MAE of Co-X significantly changes, depending on X. With increasing numbers of valence electrons in X, the sign of the first anisotropy constant K1 changes from positive to negative, indicating that the easy axis of magnetization rotates from the c-axis to the c-plane. The second anisotropy constant K2 monotonically increases with the number of valence electrons in X. All these variations were found to be systematic and are discussed in conjunction with the structural analyses.

The partial C1,λ-regularity of weak solutions to nonuniform parabolic systems is established. Bibliography: 22 titles.

Here, we present a theory and propose a numerical algorithm for the solution of dissipative problems involving a class of composite materials which are assembled using an adhesive element. We consider the interface between two different components which undergo a unilateral adhesive contact. The generalized forces associated with the mathematical model are obtained from non convex super potentials by forming their local subdifferentials. The complementary equation is derived by the introduction of a pseudo-potential of dissipation and the application of the hypothesis of normal dissipation. In order to circumvent the non-differentiability of these potentials, we make use of a regularization process. A Galerkin finite element method together with an explicit finite difference method are applied to obtain solutions of two dimensional problems.

We analyze the global modal properties of self-gravitating disks with exponential density distributions both in one- and three-component approaches. We take into account the observational properties of galactic disks, namely, that the radial dependence of the stellar velocity dispersion cs is proportional to the square of the stellar surface density. The stability properties of a one-component disk are determined mainly by its central velocity dispersion and its maximal rotational velocity. Disks with the central velocity dispersion less than unity in units G = Rd = Md = 1 are unstable to tightly wound spirals, if the minimal value of Toomre's Q-parameter is less than or close to unity. Here G is the gravitational constant, and Rd and Md are the radius and mass of the disk, respectively. Higher velocity dispersions increase the wavelength of unstable modes, as well as the probability of their generation. Disks with cs > 1.0 at the center can be unstable if the minimal value of the Q-parameter is less than 1.8. The stability of multicomponent disks is jointly determined by self-gravity and mass transformations between different phases. In this paper we discuss the situation in which the stability properties of the disk are primarily determined by self-gravity. If the admixture of clouds and gas are small, the shape and the growth rate of the principal unstable mode does not change significantly. However, a significant cold component in the system increases the value of the growth rate of an unstable mode. A new effect, in comparison to the one-component approach, is an angular phase separation between spirals of different components. Such displacements have been observed in the spiral arms of some nearby galaxies and can thus be considered as a confirmation of the validity of a global modal approach to self-gravitating multiphase galactic disks.

Feedback-induced chaos and intensity noise enhancement in a laser diode with external optical feedback are studied by computer simulations. The enhancement of relative intensity noise (RIN) that is often observed in experiments is considered as a result of the feedback-induced deterministic chaos and the intensity noise suppression is treated from the viewpoint of chaos control. Especially, the conventional noise suppressing technique known as a high-frequency injection modulation is turned into a problem of stabilizing chaos through parameter modulations. We developed an analytical method which allows to optimize the modulation frequency from the linear stability analysis of the dynamical model that describes the laser diode with external feedback. The robustness of the modulation with respect to the modulation frequency and depth is verified and the results suggest the feasibility of applying our method to actual noise suppression. The RIN in the low-frequency region (up to 100 MHz) is shown to be reduced to the solitary laser level when the feedback-induced chaos is effectively controlled with the optimized modulation frequency.

The characteristic degradation mechanism of the cross-phase modulation (XPM) effect on multilevel amplitude and differentially phase-shift keying (APSK) signals in dense wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) transmissions is analyzed and experimentally investigated, for the first time. Based on the results, we successfully demonstrate a 0.48-Tb/s (30-Gb/s/ch) 50-GHz-spaced 16-channel DWDM 160-km unrepeatered transmission of eight-level APSK signals suppressing the XPM-induced degradation.

The performance of the chromatic dispersion monitoring method using statistical moments of asynchronously sampled waveform histograms is investigated in detail. We show its robustness against signal-to-noise ratio degradation and its wide monitoring range using experiments and a newly developed numerical simulation method. We also show the effectiveness of radio frequency bandwidth reduction of the waveform monitor to widen its monitoring range, and also estimate its performance with duobinary and return-to-zero modulation formats.

The column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of carbon dioxide and methane (XCO2 and XCH4) have been retrieved from Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) Short-Wavelength InfraRed (SWIR) observations. XCO2 and XCH4 retrieved using the version 01.xx retrieval algorithm showed large negative biases and standard deviations (−8.85 ppm and 4.75 ppm for XCO2 and −20.4 ppb and 18.9 ppb for XCH4, respectively) compared with data of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). Multiple reasons for these error characteristics (e.g. solar irradiance database, handling of aerosol scattering) are identified and corrected in a revised version of the retrieval algorithm (version 02.xx). The improved retrieval algorithm shows much smaller biases and standard deviations (−1.48 ppm and 2.10 ppm for XCO2 and −6.0 ppb and 12.5 ppb for XCH4, respectively) than the version 01.xx. Also, the number of post-screened measurements is increased especially at northern mid- and high-latitudinal area.