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SUMMARY We attempted to assess whether pannus volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) can be used as an indicator of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eleven women (mean age 46 yr) with uncontrolled RA were studied for 1 yr. Pannus formation in both hands was quantified using MRI at the start of the study, and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. The volume of enhancing pannus ( VEP) was compared with changes in the radiological scores, grip strength, joint tenderness counts, joint swelling counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients were classified into three groups based on VEP changes between 0 and 12 months: unchanged (n= 2), decreased (n= 6) and increased (n= 3). VEP at 6 months and at 12 months diVered significantly between the three groups. No statistically significant diVerences were found between the groups in radiographic scores, physical parameters or laboratory parameters despite the fact that some of these parameters changed in the direction indicated by the changes in VEP. VEP can be used as a new indicator to assess disease activity in individual RA patients and, using this parameter, treatment outcome can be assessed in fewer subjects than with traditional measures.

The objective of our study was to clarify the radiologic spectrum of disease entities belonging to the SAPHO syndrome (SAPHO being an acronym for synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis). A retrospective analysis of radiologic data was undertaken to determine the relationship of the osteoarthritic changes seen in palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP, n = 179), acne (n = 3), psoriasis vulgaris (PsV, n = 355), generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP, n = 25), and chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO, n = 4). Osseous changes of PPP, acne, and CRMO overlap each other; 7 PPP, 2 acne, and 3 CRMO patients manifested stenocostoclavicular hyperostosis as well as hyperostosis of the spine, pelvis, and/or femur. These findings were not seen in either PsV or GPP patients. Thirteen PsV and 4 GPP patients had peripheral arthritis and/or symmetrical sacroiliitis, which were not observed in the PPP, acne, and CRMO patients. The PPP, acne, and CRMO patients may be grouped as belonging to the single disease entity, namely SAPHO syndrome. Our findings do not support the inclusion of PsV and GPP in the spectrum of this syndrome.

We introduce a multiuser receiver based on the Kalman filter, which can be used for joint symbol detection and channel estimation. The proposed algorithm has the advantage of working even when the spreading codes used have a period larger than one symbol interval ("long codes"), unlike adaptive equalizer-type detectors. Simulation results which demonstrate the performance advantage of the proposed receiver over the conventional detector, the minimum mean squared error (MMSE) detector and a recursive least squares (RLS) multiuser detector are presented. A thorough comparison of the MMSE detector and the proposed detector is attempted because the Kalman filter also solves the MMSE parameter estimation problem, and it is concluded that, because the state space model assumed by the Kalman filter fits the code division multiple access (CDMA) system exactly, a multiuser detector based on the Kalman filter must necessarily perform better than a nonrecursive, finite-length MMSE detector. The computational complexity of the detector and its use in channel estimation are also studied.

To pursue an urgently needed treatment target for esophageal cancer (EC), we investigated the function of the recently discovered melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE)-D4 in squamous cell EC. MAGE-D4 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was analyzed in nine EC cell lines using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In 65 surgical specimens of squamous cell EC with no prior neoadjuvant therapy, MAGE-D4 mRNA expression in EC tissues and corresponding normal tissues was analyzed and compared, and evaluated in terms of clinicopathological factors. In representative cases, MAGE-D4 protein distribution was analyzed immunohistochemically. The heterogeneity of MAGE-D4 mRNA expression was confirmed in EC cell lines by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In surgical specimens, MAGE-D4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in EC tissues than in corresponding normal tissues (P 0.001). Patients with the highest MAGE-D4 mRNA expression in EC tissues (top quartile, n = 17) had significantly shorter overall survival than patients with low expression (2-year survival: 44% and 73%, respectively, P = 0.006). Univariate analysis identified age (≥65 years), lymphatic involvement, and high MAGE-D4 mRNA expression as significant prognostic factors; high MAGE-D4 mRNA expression was also an independent prognostic factor in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio: 2.194; P = 0.039) and was significantly associated with Brinkman index (P = 0.008) and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level (P = 0.002). Immunohistochemical MAGE-D4b expression was consistent with MAGE-D4 mRNA profiling. Our results suggest that MAGE-D4 overexpression influences tumor progression, and MADE-D4 can be a prognostic marker and a potential molecular target in squamous cell EC.

Concerning an electrical breakdown of a high-temperature gas, theoretical calculations were carried out to obtain a sparking voltage from an ionization coefficient on the basis of the Townsend breakdown theory. The calculations were made for a nitrogen gas with a mass-density of 1.14 kg/m3 under a constant volume, in consideration of a dissociation and an ionization reactions of N2. The calculation result for the sparking voltage Vs showed that Vs is 2.9 × 104 V at 300 K and also remains almost unchanged in a temperature range from 300 to 4000 K. The result also revealed that Vs decreases from 2.9×104 to 1.3×104 V with the temperature from 4000 to 6000 K. This reduction in Vs was found to arise from the production of N and to result from the lower ionization potential of N.

We report on a clear solar-cycle variation of the Sun's shadow in the 10 TeV cosmic-ray flux observed by the Tibet air shower array during a full solar cycle from 1996 to 2009. In order to clarify the physical implications of the observed solar cycle variation, we develop numerical simulations of the Sun's shadow, using the Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model and the Current Sheet Source Surface (CSSS) model for the coronal magnetic field. We find that the intensity deficit in the simulated Sun's shadow is very sensitive to the coronal magnetic field structure, and the observed variation of the Sun's shadow is better reproduced by the CSSS model. This is the first successful attempt to evaluate the coronal magnetic field models by using the Sun's shadow observed in the TeV cosmic-ray flux., 11 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters

Air-sea CO2 fluxes over the Pacific Ocean are known to be characterized by coherent large-scale structures that reflect not only ocean subduction and upwelling patterns, but also the combined effects of wind-driven gas exchange and biology. On the largest scales, a large net CO2 influx into the extra-tropics is associated with a robust seasonal cycle, and a large net CO2 efflux from the tropics is associated with substantial inter-annual variability. In this work, we have synthesized estimates of the net air-sea CO2 flux from a variety of products drawing upon a variety of approaches in three sub-basins of the Pacific Ocean, i.e., the North Pacific extra-tropics (18° N–66° N), the tropical Pacific (18° S–18° N), and the South Pacific extra-tropics (44.5° S–18° S). These approaches include those based on the measurements of CO2 partial pressure in surface seawater (pCO2sw), inversions of ocean interior CO2 data, forward ocean biogeochemistry models embedded in the ocean general circulation models (OBGCMs), a model with assimilation of pCO2sw data, and inversions of atmospheric CO2 measurements. Long-term means, inter-annual variations and mean seasonal variations of the regionally-integrated fluxes were compared in each of the sub-basins over the last two decades, spanning the period from 1990 through 2009. A simple average of the long-term mean fluxes obtained with surface water pCO2 diagnostics and those obtained with ocean interior CO2 inversions are –0.47 ± 0.13 Pg C yr–1 in the North Pacific extra-tropics, +0.44 ± 0.14 Pg C yr–1 in the tropical Pacific, and –0.37 ± 0.08 Pg C yr–1 in the South Pacific extra-tropics, where positive fluxes are into the atmosphere. This suggests that approximately half of the CO2 taken up over the North and South Pacific extra-tropics is released back to the atmosphere from the tropical Pacific. These estimates of the regional fluxes are also supported by the estimates from OBGCMs after adding the riverine CO2 flux, i.e., –0.49 ± 0.02 Pg C yr–1 in the North Pacific extra-tropics, +0.41 ± 0.05 Pg C yr–1 in the tropical Pacific, and –0.39 ± 0.11 Pg C yr–1 in the South Pacific extra-tropics. The estimates from the atmospheric CO2 inversions show large variations amongst different inversion systems, but their median fluxes are consistent with the estimates from climatological pCO2sw data and pCO2sw diagnostics. In the South Pacific extra-tropics, where CO2 variations in the surface and ocean interior are severely under-sampled, the difference in the air-sea CO2 flux estimates between the diagnostic models and ocean interior CO2 inversions is larger (0.18 Pg C yr–1). The range of estimates from forward OBGCMs is also large (−0.19 to −0.72 Pg C yr–1). Regarding inter-annual variability of air-sea CO2 fluxes, positive and negative anomalies are evident in the tropical Pacific during the cold and warm events of the El Niño Southern Oscillation in the estimates from pCO2sw diagnostic models and from OBGCMs. They are consistent in phase with the Southern Oscillation Index, but the peak-to-peak amplitudes tend to be higher in OBGCMs (0.40 ± 0.09 Pg C yr–1) than in the diagnostic models (0.27 ± 0.07 Pg C yr–1).

Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) is the best known as an essential protein for osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we have found for the first time that RUNX2 acts as a negative regulator for p53 in response to DNA damage. On DNA damage mediated by adriamycin (ADR) exposure, p53 as well as RUNX2 was induced at protein and mRNA level in human osteosarcoma-derived U2OS cells in association with a significant upregulation of various p53-target genes. Indirect immunostaining and co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that RUNX2 colocalizes with p53 in cell nucleus and forms a complex with p53 following ADR treatment. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that RUNX2/p53 complex is efficiently recruited onto p53-target promoters in response to ADR, suggesting that RUNX2 might be involved in the regulation of transcriptional activation mediated by p53. Indeed, forced expression of RUNX2 resulted in a remarkable downregulation of p53-target genes. Consistent with these observations, knockdown of RUNX2 enhanced ADR-mediated apoptosis and also elevated p53-target gene expression in response to ADR. On the other hand, depletion of RUNX2 in p53-deficient human lung carcinoma-derived H1299 cells had an undetectable effect on p53-target gene expression regardless of ADR treatment, indicating that RUNX2-mediated downregulation of p53-target genes is dependent on p53. Furthermore, RUNX2/p53 complex included histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and HDAC6 was also recruited onto p53-target promoters following ADR exposure. Of note, HDAC6-specific chemical inhibitor tubacin treatment enhanced ADR-mediated upregulation of p53-target gene expression, indicating that deacetylase activity of HDAC6 is required for RUNX2-mediated downregulation of p53-target gene. Taken together, our present findings strongly suggest that RUNX2 inhibits DNA damage-induced transcriptional as well as pro-apoptotic activity of p53 through the functional collaboration with HDAC6 and therefore might be an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel-group study was performed to determine which of three dose levels of dexfenfluramine (Dfen)—10, 30, or 60 mg/d—in combination with a sex- and body weight—specific reduction in caloric intake best reduced body weight and produced the fewest adverse events over a 12-week period. Three hundred thirty-nine patients whose body weight was 120% to 180% of ideal body weight were randomized to one of four treatment groups: placebo, Dfen 10 mg/d, Dfen 30 mg/d, or Dfen 60 mg/d. Patients were treated in a double-masked fashion for 12 weeks and were monitored during a 4-week posttreatment period. Data from 322 patients (placebo, 82 patients; Dfen 10 mg, 84 patients; Dfen 30 mg, 79 patients; Dfen 60 mg, 77 patients) were available for efficacy analysis. After 12 weeks, a statistically significant weight loss was observed in the 30-mg and 60-mg Dfen treatment groups but not in the 10-mg Dfen group, when compared with placebo. Mean absolute weight losses were 2.83 kg (placebo), 2.79 kg (Dfen 10 mg), 5.63 kg (Dfen 30 mg), and 7.23 kg (Dfen 60 mg). All treatment groups showed a tendency to regain weight during the posttreatment period, but the Dfen 30-mg and 60-mg groups still ranked highest for overall weight loss at the end of this period. The frequency of diarrhea, asthenia, dizziness, dry mouth, and somnolence increased with increasing doses of Dfen. Blood pressure slightly decreased with higher doses of Dfen but returned toward normal after treatment ceased. Plasma concentrations of Dfen increased with increasing doses; no tendency for accumulation of Dfen or d -norfenfluramine was observed. The results of this study show that 12 weeks of treatment with Dfen was effective in reducing weight in a dose-dependent manner; based on the efficacy analysis and side-effect profile, the dose of 30 mg/d was found to be optimal.

We consider a state discrimination problem which deals with settings of minimum-error and unambiguous discrimination systematically by introducing a margin for the probability of an incorrect guess. We analyze discrimination of three symmetric pure states of a qubit. The measurements are classified into three types, and one of the three types is optimal depending on the value of the error margin. The problem is formulated as one of semidefinite programming. Starting with the dual problem derived from the primal one, we analytically obtain the optimal success probability and the optimal measurement that attains it in each domain of the error margin. Moreover, we analyze the case of three symmetric mixed states of a qubit., 8 pages, 1 figure, typos corrected, presentation improved

A hyperlucent thorax on plain chest radiography indicates a decrease in the radiographic density of the thorax, which can be caused by intra- or extrapulmonary diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and mechanisms that may be responsible for unilateral hyperlucency of the thorax after neck dissection and to determine if atrophy of the trapezius due to the transection of the accessory nerve is a cause of hyperlucent thorax.Differences in the radiographic density between the right and left lung were evaluated and correlated with transection of the accessory nerve in 21 patients who had had a radical or a modified neck dissection for a malignant tumor of the head and neck. Twenty-eight neck dissections were performed on these 21 patients (seven had a simultaneous bilateral neck dissection). In 14 of the 21 patients, the accessory nerve had been severed during the neck surgery. In six patients, mechanisms responsible for a hyperlucent thorax were investigated with follow-up thoracic CT scans.In the radiographs, eight patients had a hyperlucent thorax on the side of the neck dissection. In all of these cases, the accessory nerve on the side of this neck dissection had been severed during a radical or a modified neck dissection. Prior to surgery, no such hyperlucency was noted. CT scans showed atrophy of the denervated trapezius muscle.Our findings show that atrophy of the denervated trapezius muscle after neck dissection is a cause of unilateral hyperlucent thorax on plain chest radiographs. Therefore, this finding should be anticipated as a postoperative change in patients who have had this surgery.

To study the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and its insertion into the medial epicondyle.Sixteen normal and 20 symptomatic elbows were examined with a 1.5-T unit. Normal elbows were imaged with axial T2*-weighted three-dimensional Fourier transform sequences. Symptomatic elbows were imaged with coronal T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted and/or short-inversion-time inversion-recovery sequences.In normal immature elbows, the ulnar periosteum was seen as an extension of the UCL, and its enthesis had signal intensity characteristics that differed from those of the mature ligament. In symptomatic elbows imaged before epiphyseal fusion, segmentation and subchondral bone resorption of the ossification center were seen with or without a capsular tear. After epiphyseal fusion, a full-thickness or a partial UCL tear at the site of its insertion, with or without subcortical bone resorption, was seen.The MR imaging characteristics of the developing elbow differ from those of the mature elbow. MR imaging is useful in assessing UCL damage.

On the basis of a model that was proposed to explain a large isotope effect on the temperature (Tc) of the transition from a ferroelectric phase to a paraelectric phase in KH2PO4 (KDP), the motion of electric dipole moments is examined in the framework of the harmonic approximation; it is concluded that, in the ferroelectric phase, there are electric dipole waves, by which the vibration motion of a proton is induced along the direction of an oxygen-hydrogen-oxygen (O-O) bond. Scattering of thermal neutrons induced by this motion of protons (deuterons) is also examined.

Neutron incoherent scattering experiments over a wide range of energy-momentum space were carried out by utilizing both pulsed and steady neutron sources, in order to investigate the dynamical properties of the protons in KDP (KH2PO4). In the paraelectric phase, no inelastic peaks corresponding to the proton tunneling mode were observed within the limit of instrumental resolution. Instead, strong quasi-elastic scattering was observed extending to a wide energy-momentum space.

The gut is an important target organ for injury after severe insult, and resolution of feeding intolerance is crucial for critically ill patients. We investigated gut flora and motility to evaluate the impact of gastrointestinal dysmotility on septic complications in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).Sixty-three ICU patients with severe SIRS were divided into two groups depending on their intestinal condition. Patients with feeding intolerance comprised patients who had feeding intolerance, defined as ≥ 300 mL reflux from nasal gastric feeding tube in 24 h, and patients without feeding intolerance comprised patients with no feeding intolerance. We compared fecal microflora, incidences of bacteremia, and mortality between these groups.Analysis of feces showed that patients with feeding intolerance had significantly lower numbers of total obligate anaerobes including Bacteroidaceae and Bifidobacterium, higher numbers of Staphylococcus, lower concentrations of acetic acid and propionic acid, and higher concentrations of succinic acid and lactic acid than those in patients without feeding intolerance (P ≤ 0.05). Patients with feeding intolerance had higher incidences of bacteremia (86%vs 18%) and mortality (64%vs 20%) than did patients without feeding intolerance (P ≤ 0.05).Gut flora and organic acids were significantly altered in patients with severe SIRS complicated by gastrointestinal dysmotility, which was associated with higher septic mortality in SIRS patients.

Alumina powders (average grain size: 50 μm) coated with TiN film of thickness 0.5 and 1.2 μm were prepared by rotary powder-bed chemical vapour deposition for 15 and 90 min, respectively. These Al2O3-TiN composite powders were hot-pressed at 1800 °C and 40 MPa for 30 min. The microstructure of the Al2O3-TiN sintered composite was composed of a TiN network homogeneously distributed on the grain boundaries of alumina. The mechanical properties (hardness, bending strength and fractured toughness) and thermal conductivity of the sintered composite were found to depend on the composition and microstructure of the sintered composite, even with a small content (3–7 wt%) of TiN. The resistivity of the sintered composite was 10−1-10−3 Ω cm. The relatively high electrical conductivity of the Al2O3-TiN composite was caused by the grain boundary conduction of TiN.

Monte Carlo calculations are performed on a model that was proposed in our previous letter to explain a large isotope effect on the transition temperature (T,) from a ferroelectric phase to a paraelectric phase in KH2PO4 (KDP). On the basis of the distribution of the electric dipole moments obtained from these calculations, the distribution of the excitation energies for protons is calculated; it is found that their features are in agreement with the excitation spectra in KDP, observed by inelastic neutron-scattering experiments.

One example of an unusual particle track has been recorded in an emulsion chamber exposed to cosmic rays on a ballon at the atmospheric depth 11.7 g/cm2. The particle arrived at the chamber withZ/β=40±2 and β≳0.8. What is extraordinary with this particle is its arrival zenith angle, 87.4°, which amounts to a traversed atmospheric thickness ∼200 g/cm2. The anomalous nature of the present track “ET” (exotic track) is demonstrated through the difficulties in reconciling it with the explanation that it is due to an ordinary ultra-heavy cosmic-ray nucleus.

Data from the Tibet air-shower array were used to examine the cosmic-ray shadows of the Moon and the Sun at energies around 10 TeV. The shadowing effect was clearly observed at the $5.8\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level for the Moon, while the shadow of the Sun was found in the direction away from the Sun by 0.86\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the west and 0.43\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the south. The effect of the geomagnetic field has also been observed in the shadow of cosmic rays by the Moon. The observed deflection of the Sun's shadow is briefly discussed in connection with the effect of the magnetic fields between the Sun and the Earth. This is the first observation of the effects of such magnetic fields on the cosmic-ray shadow. The maximum-likelihood analysis of the Moon data set shows that the angular resolutions of the array for showers with its mode energies 7 and 35 TeV are 0.87${\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}_{\ensuremath{-}0.10\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}^{+0.13\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}$ and 0.54${\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}_{\ensuremath{-}0.08\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}^{+0.11\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}$, respectively.

We search for steady TeV γ-rays from 18 pulsars in the Fermi-LAT pulsar catalog using the Tibet air shower array. We observe 8 sources including the Crab against expected 0.41 sources at a significance of 2σ or more among the 18 pulsars. The chance probability from Poisson statistics is estimated to be 1.4×10-8.With the Crab excluded, it is estimated to be 1.8×10-7. These low chance probabilities clearly show that the Fermi pulsars have a statistically significant correlation with TeV γ-ray excesses observed by the Tibet air shower array.

Complete solutions are given in a closed analytic form for unambiguous discrimination of three general pure states with real mutual inner products. For this purpose, we first establish some general results on unambiguous discrimination of n linearly independent pure states. The uniqueness of solution is proved. The condition under which the problem is reduced to an (n-1)-state problem is clarified. After giving the solution for three pure states with real mutual inner products, we examine some difficulties in extending our method to the case of complex inner products. There is a class of set of three pure states with complex inner products for which we obtain an analytical solution., Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, presentation improved, reference added

Preconditioning of sublethal ischemia implies a cytoprotective mechanism against subsequent ischemia—induced cell death; however, the precise mechanism by which preconditioning protects against ischemic injury is not known. In the present study, we clarified whether pretreatment with a sublethal concentration of H2O2 could counter subsequent H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and also investigated the mechanisms of the cytoprotective effect of a sublethal concentration of H2O2. Using the MTT reduction assay and Calcein-AM staining assay, we showed that pretreatment with H2O2 (10 μM, 24 hr) of COS7 cells partially protected cells against subsequent H2O2 (6 mM, 1 hr) - induced cytotoxicity. The phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, a downstream target of phosphatydylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), at Ser473 was augmented by H2O2 (10 μM) administration. This augmentation peaked at 10 minutes after H2O2 (10 μM) treatment and fell to the basal level at 24 hr. A blocker of PI3K, LY294002, significantly attenuated H2O2 (10 μM, 24 hr) - induced cytoprotection. In addition, pretreatment with LY294002 reduced H2O2 (10 μM, 10 min)-induced phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473. These findings suggest that a sublethal concentration of H2O2 exerts a cytoprotective effect against subsequent H2O2-induced cell death and that this cytoprotective effect of H2O2 is mediated by activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Several clinical trials and in vivo animal experiments have suggested that blockade of angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT(1)) improves ischaemic outcomes. However, the mechanism(s) underlying these effects has not been elucidated. Here, we have investigated the protective effects of pretreatment with AT(1) receptor antagonists, losartan or telmisartan, against ischaemic insult to neurons in vitro.Primary rat neuron-astrocyte co-cultures and astrocyte-defined medium (ADM)-cultured pure astrocyte cultures were prepared. Ischaemic injury was modelled by oxygen-glucose depletion (OGD) and lactate dehydrogenase release after OGD was measured with or without AT(1) receptor antagonists or agonists (L162313), AT(2) receptor antagonist (PD123319) or agonist (CGP-42112A) pretreatment, for 48 h. Activity of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) was evaluated by [(3)H]-glutamate uptake assays, after AT(1) receptor agonists or antagonists. Immunoblot and real-time PCR were used for analysis of protein and mRNA levels of GLT-1.AT(1) receptor agonists augmented OGD-induced cellular damage, which was attenuated by AT(1) receptor antagonists. AT(1) receptor antagonists also suppressed OGD-induced extracellular glutamate release, reactive oxygen species production and nitric oxide generation. GLT-1 expression and glutamate uptake activity were significantly enhanced by AT(1) receptor antagonists and impaired by AT(1) receptor agonists. AT(1) receptor stimulation suppressed both ADM-induced GLT-1 protein expression and mRNA levels. AT(1)b receptor knock-down with siRNA enhanced GLT-1 expression. In postnatal (P1-P21) rat brains, protein levels of GLT-1 and AT(1) receptors were inversely correlated.Suppression of AT(1) receptor stimulation induced GLT-1 up-regulation, which ameliorated effects of ischaemic injury.

Glutamate excitotoxicity may be involved in ischaemic injury to the CNS and some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, exerts neuroprotective effects. Here we demonstrated a novel mechanism underlying the neuroprotection induced by donepezil.Cell damage in primary rat neuron cultures was quantified by lactate dehydrogenase release. Morphological changes associated with neuroprotective effects of nicotine and AChE inhibitors were assessed by immunostaining. Cell surface levels of the glutamate receptor sub-units, NR1 and NR2A, were analyzed using biotinylation. Immunoblot was used to measure protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, total NR1, total NR2A and phosphorylated NR1. Immunoprecipitation was used to measure association of NR1 with the post-synaptic protein, PSD-95. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations were measured with fura 2-acetoxymethylester. Caspase 3-like activity was measured using enzyme substrate, 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC)-DEVD.Levels of NR1, a core subunit of the NMDA receptor, on the cell surface were significantly reduced by donepezil. In addition, glutamate-mediated Ca(2+) entry was significantly attenuated by donepezil. Methyllycaconitine, an inhibitor of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), inhibited the donepezil-induced attenuation of glutamate-mediated Ca(2+) entry. LY294002, a phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, had no effect on attenuation of glutamate-mediated Ca(2+) entry induced by donepezil.Decreased glutamate toxicity through down-regulation of NMDA receptors, following stimulation of alpha7 nAChRs, could be another mechanism underlying neuroprotection by donepezil, in addition to up-regulating the PI3K-Akt cascade or defensive system.

We analyze the large-scale two-dimensional sidereal anisotropy of multi-TeV cosmic rays by Tibet Air Shower Array, with the data taken from 1999 November to 2008 December. To explore temporal variations of the anisotropy, the data set is divided into nine intervals, each in a time span of about one year. The sidereal anisotropy of magnitude about 0.1% appears fairly stable from year to year over the entire observation period of nine years. This indicates that the anisotropy of TeV Galactic cosmic rays remains insensitive to solar activities since the observation period covers more than a half of the 23rd solar cycle., 18 pages, 2 figures, accepted by The Astrophysical Journal

Controlling postoperative course is serious problem in percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization (PTPE). The embolization changes blood flow balance in the operated liver, subsequently brings on local and overall swellings of the liver. In some cases the liver failure is occurred by the operations. In order to prevent the failure prediction method is required before the PTPE surgeries quantitatively and numerically. Recently medical image processing technologies have progressed, and we can easily obtain the detail information of human body with minimally-invasive. Such the detail information is now applied to construct three-dimensional geometric models of human body, organs and parts. This study developed numerical model for blood flow in hepatic vein; geometric model was made from patient’s CT image data before and after the PTPE (right lobe embolization) and performed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. As a result of analysis for the case before PTPE, it was confirmed that the model developed in this study was able to predict actual blood flow balance in the first branching of hepatic vein since the tendencies of calculation and measurement results showed good agreement. Vortexes were formed in the left lobe, and their progress and disappearance were occurred alternately and continually. As for results of the case after PTPE, blood flow pattern was definitely changed compared with that before PTPE. Dead water region appeared in the right lobe, on the contrary, vortex formation was suppressed in the left. These changes arose from blood flow convergence by embolized right lobe. These results lead us knowledge of blood flow characteristics in the hepatic vein before and after PTPE. Further analysis for other PTPE cases is required to elucidate the development mechanism of liver failure.

Mapping the global heliosphere by detecting energetic neutral atoms (ENAs), IBEX derived the semi‐direct information on the structure of the large‐scale magnetic field surrounding the heliosphere. Multi‐TeV galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) also sense the global structure of the magnetic field within the whole heliosphere as well as the field surrounding the heliosphere, and can provide an additional tool to explore the global structure of these fields. We analyze, in this context, the multi‐TeV GCR intensity observed with the Tibet Air Shower (AS) experiment, which clearly shows a midscale component structure observed as the excess intensity along Gurnett’s HDP (Hydrogen Deflection Plane), as well as the global component structure. We find that the amplitude of the midscale component is only weakly dependent on GCR energy, while its angular extension along the HDP plane monotonously decreases with increasing energy. On the basis of these results, we discuss the possible origin of the midscale anisotropy.

The Tibet air shower array at an altitude of 4300 m has been in operation since January 1990. We have searched for continual emission of 10-TeV gamma rays from the Crab Nebula, Cygnus X-3 and Hercules X-1 during the period from June 1990 through January 1992. No dc excess is found from these three sources. Flux upper limits above 10 TeV are obtained to be 1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for the Crab Nebula, 1.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for Cygnus X-3, and 0.58\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for Hercules X-1 at the 95% C.L. This is the first observation, with an air shower array, for these sources in the 10-TeV energy region.

The solubility of hydrogen was calculated up to high hydrogen pressures for ten metals having small solubilities under normal pressures. For this purpose, the equation of state of hydrogen was calculated by the procedure of Hemmes et al., and the values obtained for the molar volume, the enthalpy, the Gibbs free energy and the entropy are tabulated in the range 0.1 MPa ⩽ p ⩽ 100 GPa and 400 ⩽ T ⩽ 2000 K. For solubility calculations, the chemical potential of hydrogen in solid solution was estimated from heats of solution observed at low hydrogen pressures and concentrations, by including a pvH term (vH ≊ 2.5 × 10−3nm3/H atom), and concentration-dependent terms arising from interactions between hydrogen atoms. The solubilities obtained for f.c.c. metals Al, γ-Fe, Ni, Cu, Ag, Pt, Au and b.c.c. metals Cr, α-Fe, Mo, W are shown in the form of Arrhenius plots with pressures as a parameter. Strong enhancements of the solubility over Sievert's law are found at high hydrogen pressures (p ⪆1 GPa).

We investigate a state discrimination problem which interpolates minimum-error and unambiguous discrimination by introducing a margin for the probability of error. We closely analyze discrimination of two pure states with general occurrence probabilities. The optimal measurements are classified into three types. One of the three types of measurement is optimal depending on parameters (occurrence probabilities and error margin). We determine the three domains in the parameter space and the optimal discrimination success probability in each domain in a fully analytic form. It is also shown that when the states to be discriminated are multipartite, the optimal success probability can be attained by local operations and classical communication. For discrimination of two mixed states, an upper bound of the optimal success probability is obtained., Final version, 9 pages, references added, presentation improved

Repulsive energies resulting from overlap of W 6+ W 6+ , W 6+ O 2− , and O 2− O 2− pairs were calculated within the framework of the free ion model constructed by Wedepohl. Polarizabilities of ions in the monoclinic structure of WO 3 were obtained following the theoretical treatments of Parker. Using these values, the lattice energy (cohesive energy) of the monoclinic structure of WO 3 , consisting of the long range coulombic interaction energy, the repulsive energy, van der Waals interaction energy, and the zero point energy, was evaluated to be −235.53 eV per WO 3 formula unit and compared with the experimental value determined by the Born-Haber cycle analysis, −(239.23 ∼ 243.44) eV per WO 3 formula unit, with a discrepancy of 3%. In comparison with other oxides, van der Waals interactions are found to contribute remarkably to the lattice energy in WO 3 . The lattice energy in the e-phase at low temperatures was also calculated, using the same parameters employed in the calculation of the lattice energy in the monoclinic structure. The lattice energy in the e-phase is −235.60 eV per WO 3 formula unit which is found to be in good agreement with the experimental value. In the e-phase, the contribution of van der Waals interactions plays also an important role in the lattice energy as well as the monoclinic structure.

A scintillation counter equipped with a PIN silicon photodiode has been developed for the detection of high density electrons of cascade showers which are induced by high energy cosmic rays. This counter, being placed under an iron absorber of 14.5 r.l. in thickness, was tested at Mt. Norikura to detect high energy gamma-ray and hadron induced bursts. The minimum detectable number of shower electrons is found to be about 1.5×103 per unit detector of area 0.25 m2. This lower bound is corresponding to the number of electrons induced by a vertically incident gamma-ray with an energy of 0.8 TeV.

The effect of sodium D-3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) on the amino acidemia caused by hemorrhagic stress was studied. Rats were infused 3-OHB (3-OHB group, n = 11) at a rate of 30 µmol/min·kg or the same v

The structure of tantalum oxide hydrate derived from peroxo poly-tantalate was investigated on the basis of XRD analyses. The peak positions in the pair distribution functions (PDF) for as-prepared and postannealed samples correspond with those calculated from the crystalline l -Ta2O5. Microcluster models for each sample were constructed and the validities of these models were confirmed by comparison between their calculated PDFs and their observed ones.

This article discusses the possibility of screen-type X-ray film for the observation of heavy cosmic-ray primaries. We investigate in detail the optical characteristics of the intensifying screen Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb, and perform a simulation calculation for three-dimensional diffusion of scintillation light emitted from numerous δ-rays (knockon electrons produced by a heavy primary) in the screen. On the basis of these theoretical speculations, we report the experimental results obtained recently by a balloon-borne emulsion chamber with full use of the screen type X-ray film, focusing to the charge resolution of heavy primaries and their flux with energy larger than the rigidity cutoff at Sanriku latitude, E c ∼ 4 GeV/n. All results show that the emulsion chamber with multilayered screen-type X-ray film is quite valid and powerful for the observation of heavy cosmic-ray primaries.

The lifetime and degradation mechanism of a metal- insulator-metal (MIM) on GaAs MMIC after electrostatic discharge (ESD) stress have been investigated. The mean-time- to-failure (MTTF) of MIM after applying ESD stress using a machine model (MM) is experimentally obtained by the time- dependent-dielectric-breakdown (TDDB) method. The nondestructive MIM remaining after ESD stress shows almost the same MTTF as the no-stress MIM. The obtained MTTF extrapolated by the electric field dependence is 3.6times1012 hours at an actual operating voltage. Therefore, we found that stressed MIM has sufficient MTTF for practical use. Moreover, initial failure rate is decreased by a screening effect. To investigate the degradation mechanism, we have analyzed electrical conductance in detail. The insulator of silicon nitride (SiN) has a charge trap site with a barrier height of 1.8 eV, and its conduction mechanism is Poole-Frenkel (PF) emission. When moderate ESD stress is applied, some induced carriers are trapped in the trap site, and PF emission is suppressed. With increasing stress, PF emission is enhanced by newly generated traps, and finally shows catastrophic breakdown when trapped carriers accumulate until reaching the limit of breakdown, Qbd. These phenomena resemble those in the case of a long-time stress study. Therefore, we can explain the ESD stress by the continuous percolation model, which considers the defect path across SiN films, even at a very short stress time of about 100 ns.

Summary The Airtraq® laryngoscope has an oropharyngeal airway-shaped blade that provides a non-line-of-sight view of the glottis. The configuration of the blade should mean that less movement of the cervical spine is required during laryngeal visualisation. We compared the degree of cervical spine movement in laryngoscopy performed using the Airtraq and conventional Macintosh laryngoscope. In 20 patients requiring general anaesthesia and tracheal intubation, we measured cervical spine movement using radiography in the same patient during consecutive procedures using the two laryngoscopes. Although significant movement of the cervical spine from baseline was noted during all procedures (p

We are planning to build a 10,000 m2 water‐Cherenkov‐type muon detector (MD) array under the Tibet air shower (AS) array. The Tibet AS+MD array will have the sensitivity to detect gamma rays in the 100 TeV region by an order of the magnitude better than any other previous existing detectors in the world. In the late fall of 2007, a prototype water Cherenkov muon detector of approximately 100 m2 was constructed under the existing Tibet AS array. The preliminary data analysis is in good agreement with our MC simulation. We are now ready for further expanding the underground water Cherenkov muon detector.

Plastics depend strongly on underground resources such as petroleum. To produce novel wood materials as a substitute for plastics, the fine structure of wood impregnated with various organic solvents—ethylene glycol(EG), tri‐ethylene glycol, dimethyl folmamyde(DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)—was examined. The dynamic Young’s modulus and tanδ—frequency curves of every sample indicated that the relaxation process due to the glass transition of lignin in wood exists. To obtain basic data about the processes, the apparent activation energies (ΔE) were examined. The values of ΔE of the sample impregnated with water and EG were higher than that with DMSO and DMF. These results may not only be due to the hydrogen bonding per volume, but also the confined effect in wood. In fact, the CP/MAS spectra of EG—Wood sample indicates the existence of slow movement EG at higher temperatures of the melting point.

A simple method to form micro‐channels that induce a rarefied gas flow by the effect of the temperature field is proposed. A pair of parallel wire meshes, one is heated and the other is unheated, induces a gas flow through the pair of meshes in the direction from unheated mesh to heated mesh. Three test devices with different diameters, 1 mm, 100 μm, and 25 μm, of the wire of the mesh, have been devised and the flow through the device is detected by a thin film or a small windmill for various pressures of the gas. The flow is observed in a range of the pressure where the mean free path of gas molecules is close to the scale of the mesh structure, e.g., the diameter of the wire. It is extended to a wider range of the pressure in the device using combined meshes consisting of coarser and finer mesh.

We have already reported the first result on the all-particle spectrum around the knee region based on data from 2000 November to 2001 October observed by the Tibet-III air-shower array. In this paper, we present an updated result using data set collected in the period from 2000 November through 2004 October in a wide range over 3 decades between $10^{14}$ eV and $10^{17}$ eV, in which the position of the knee is clearly seen at around 4 PeV. The spectral index is -2.68 $\pm$ 0.02(stat.) below 1PeV, while it is -3.12 $\pm$ 0.01(stat.) above 4 PeV in the case of QGSJET+HD model, and various systematic errors are under study now., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, accepted by Advances in space research

A gas separation effect of the pump which makes use of the rarefied gas flow induced by the temperature field and has no moving parts is detected experimentally for the binary mixture of Helium and Argon. The thermal edge compressor, which makes use of the gas flow induced by the temperature difference in the flow channel of the pump, is used here. By blocking the gas flow through the pump, a difference of the concentration ratio of the mixture between two ends of the pump is induced at the steady state as well as that of the pressure; the concentration of Argon increases at the high pressure end and that of Helium increases at the other end.

An air shower array consisting of 16 fast timing detectors and 8 particle density detectors was constructed at Mt Norikura (2780 m above sea level) to see the basic performance and to acquire technical knowledge for an enlarged operation at Tibet in search for extraterrestial point sources emitting very high energy gamma rays (> several times 10 13 eV). In particular, we focus on the angular resolution in determining the arrival direction of air showers. When a lead plate of 5 mm thickness (which is close to the optimum one) is placed on each scintillator, the apparent particle number is increased by a factor of ∼1.9 and the angular resolution is improved by ∼1.5 as compared to the no lead plate case. We also performed a detailed Monte Carlo simulation and critically examined the so-called even-odd method which many authors have been using for estimating the angular resolution. It is pointed out that selecting showers in which the core falls inside the array is crucial for getting the high-precision direction. For such contained showers, the present array gives a median angular resolution of 0.80° for proton-induced showers whose median energy is 200 TeV. In the coming Tibet experiment, a median angular resolution better than 0.65° (E γ /100( TeV )) − 1 2 is expected for gamma rays.