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Polymorphisms of human genes encoding 5-hydroxytriptamine (serotonin) receptors (5-HTRs) are thought to be associated with psychiatric disorders and behavioral traits. In the present study, we searched for corresponding polymorphisms in the dog and compared allelic frequencies for the canine 5-HTR1B, 5-HTR2A, and 5-HTR2C genes among five canine breeds. The canine genes consisted of the following: 5-HTR1B, 1170 bp; 5-HTR2A, 1413 bp; and 5-HTR2C, 1377 bp. All of these genes were highly homologous with the human genes. We found six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5-HTR1B gene (G57A, A157C, G246A, C660G, T955C, and G1146C). Genotyping of the respective SNPs revealed that there were inter-breed variations in the genotypes and allelic frequencies for four out of the six identified SNPs, suggesting that further analyses of the polymorphisms of the 5-HTR1B gene would be useful in order to gain an understanding of the genetic background underlying the diversified behavioral traits among canine species.

Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inactivates catecholamines and catechol-containing drugs such as L-DOPA. The common genetic polymorphism Val158Met in the human COMT gene is suspected to be associated with "persistence" or risk for schizophrenia. In this study, we attempted to identify the canine COMT gene fragment and to find a similar polymorphism and to reveal its genetic distribution among five representative canine breeds. We found that the amplified gene consisted of 663 bp nucleotides and was 84% homologous with the human COMT gene. The single nucleotide polymorphisms, guanine adenine substitution, were observed at the 39th, 216th and 482nd nucleotides. From the genotyping of the 216th polymorphism among 266 dogs by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method with restriction enzyme EagI, and that of the 482nd polymorphism with restriction enzyme SfcI, we found inter-breed variations of genotypes as well as of allelic frequencies for both of these polymorphic regions. These results suggest that the identified polymorphisms will be useful tools in elucidating the genetic background of canine behavioral traits.

To clarify the deformation and slip mechanisms in seismogenic regions, we designed and developed a new gas-medium, high-pressure and high-temperature apparatus. The apparatus can attain confining pressures up to 200 MPa by argon gas, temperatures up to 800°C, and pore pressures up to 200 MPa by argon gas or water. Confining and pore pressures can be applied and servo-controlled. We report preliminary test results. The stress-strain curve of granite sample at a confining pressure of 200 MPa and a temperature of 800°C shows a ductile behavior. One of the friction parameters, the a-b value defined as the velocity dependence of steady-state friction, of quartz gouge was measured under hydrothermal conditions.

To investigate the effectiveness of dermoscopic observation of skin microcirculation, the dermal capillary integrity of burn wounds was evaluated by dermoscopy according to a proposed algorithm that is designed to distinguish burn wounds between superficial dermal burns: SDB, and deep dermal burns: DDB. As the gold standard for comparison, two widely accepted endpoints of primary healing within 21 days (SDB) or over 21 days after injury (DDB) were used. A number of dermatologists conducted diagnostic imaging by dermoscopy. Comparison among polarized noncontact dermoscopy (PNCD), polarized contact dermoscopy (PCD) and nonpolarized contact dermoscopy (NPD) was also conducted. Images from the three modalities were evaluated for color, pattern and qualitative differences among them. The results of dermoscopy measurements according to the proposed algorithm showed accuracy of 96.7%, sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 94.4%. Dermoscopy measurements were significantly more accurate than clinical assessment (p

We measured the concentrations of radioactive cesium (134Cs, 136Cs, and 137Cs) in muscles and internal organs of ostriches that had been contaminated by radioactive materials from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Although the ostriches were given uncontaminated feed and water throughout the study, radionuclide could not be eliminated completely as the birds consumed soil and plants in the enclosures. However, we found that the amount of radioactive cesium in the ostriches’ bodies declined in the first 287 days after capture. This result suggests that keeping the birds in a radiation-free environment is effective in reducing the amount of radioactive cesium in their bodies.

In order to obtain information about the deformation and fluid-flow processes in seismogenic regions, we designed and constructed an original Japanese-type gas-medium deformation apparatus capable of achieving both high pressure and high temperature. The present apparatus can produce a basic environment in which the confining pressure reaches 200 MPa by argon gas, pore pressure reaches 200 MPa either by argon gas or water, and temperature reaches 800°C. We report a new gas-medium apparatus for rock deformation, presenting preliminary results as an example of test results.

Jusen Tsuru,1 Yoshihiro Tanaka,1 Yoshinobu Ishitobi,1 Yoshihiro Maruyama,1 Ayako Inoue,1 Aimi Kawano,1 Rie Ikeda,1 Tomoko Ando,1 Harumi Oshita,2 Saeko Aizawa,1 Koji Masuda,1 Haruka Higuma,1 Masayuki Kanehisa,1 Taiga Ninomiya,1 Jotaro Akiyoshi1 1Department of Neuropsychiatry, 2Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan Background: Decreased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in enhanced stress responses. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with psychological changes; for example, carriers of the Met allele exhibit increased harm avoidance as well as a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorder.Methods: To analyze the effects of BDNF Val66Met on stress responses, we tested 226 university students (88 women and 138 men) using a social stress procedure (Trier Social Stress Test [TSST]) and an electrical stimulation stress test. Stress indices were derived from repeated measurements of salivary α-amylase, salivary cortisol, heart rate, and psychological testing during the stress tests. All subjects were genotyped for the Val66Met polymorphism (G196A).Results: A significant three-way interaction (time [3 levels] × BDNF [Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met]; P

Patients with atopic dermatitis are usually responsive to conventional treatment such as topical steroids; however, they are sometimes refractory to the treatment. The influence of contact sensitivities on the course of patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate whether contact sensitivities affect the course of patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. We evaluated 45 patients with atopic dermatitis who had failed conventional therapy. Patch testing was performed with the Japanese standard series, metal series and/or suspected items. A total of 15 patients had a positive patch test reaction to at least one allergen. The most common allergens were nickel, topical drugs and rubber accelerators. Avoidance of products or food containing allergic substances greatly or partially improved skin symptoms in nine patients. These results suggest that contact allergens and metals may be critical factors causing eczematous lesions in patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been established as the mainstay therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients deemed unsuitable for surgical resection. However, delayed diaphragmatic hernia can occur as a result of this procedure. There have been only seven other cases reported on this complication in the literature. Considering the recent growth in the popularity of the procedure, it is predictable that the incidence of the diaphragmatic hernia, due to RFA, will definitely increase. This case report is therefore vitally important as it increases clinical awareness of this currently rare complication, which could lead to improved survival rates in these patients. This case concerns an 81-year-old Asian man with a past medical history of cirrhosis and HCC (segment IV and VIII) who presented with a delayed, right diaphragmatic hernia and strangulated ileus 18 months after his original RFA procedure. It is important to implement extra measures to limit the risk of diaphragmatic, thermal injuries when RFA is performed. In particular, gastroenterologists, surgeons and accident and emergency staff should all be aware of this complication proceed with rapid diagnosis and management when patients, who previously underwent RFA, present with acute abdominal pain.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by affective instability, unstable relationships, and identity disturbance. We measured salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and salivary cortisol levels in all participants during exposure to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and an electric stimulation stress. Seventy-two BPD patients were compared with 377 age- and gender- matched controls. The State and Trait versions of the Spielberger Anxiety Inventory test (STAI-S and STAI-T, respectively), the Profile of Mood State (POMS) tests, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Depression and Anxiety Cognition Scale (DACS) were administered to participants before electrical stimulation. Following TSST exposure, salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased in female patients and significantly increased in male patients compared with controls. POMS tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, fatigue, and confusion scores were significantly increased in BPD patients compared with controls. In contrast, vigor scores were significantly decreased in BPD patients relative to controls. Furthermore, STAI-T and STAI-S anxiety scores and BDI scores were significantly increased in BPD patient compared with controls. DACS scores were significantly increased in BPD patient compared with controls. Different stressors (e.g., psychological or physical) induced different responses in the HPA and SAM systems in female or male BPD patients.

Failure strengths of granite and andesite have been measured under various conditions of strain rate and confining pressure both in the dry and wet states. Constant-stress creep tests for granitic samples have been also conducted. All specimens show that the failure strength decreased linearly as the logarithm of the strain rate decreased. The strain rate dependence of the failure strength is increased at higher confining pressures. The strain rate effect is more apparent on the failure strengths of wet samples than dry samples in lower confining pressure ranges. In the constant-stress creep experiments, the creep failure strength decreased as the logarithm of the time to failure increased. Time-dependent failure strength of all rocks observed in the regime of the present study may be interpreted by subcritical crack growth assisted by the stress corrosion mechanism.

Experiments of fracturation and slip of a preexisting macroscopic healed joint have been performed under triaxial deformation on granite from Mayet de Montagne (France). This granite shows high grain-scale inhomogeneity. Acoustic emissions have been recorded and hypocenters have been determined during the entire experiments. For both rupture experiment and slip experiment, precursory localization of microfractures in the final rupture plane has been observed in the early stage of deformation, well before the dilatancy. It is likely that not only initial closure of favorably oriented cracks but also breaking of partially cemented grains or slipping between grains may occur in the pseudoelastic phase and are already localized on the final rupture plane where the shear stress seems to be concentrate. This behavior is observed in both cases where stress heterogeneity and rupture nucleation are controlled by (1) medium-scale heterogeneity at the grain scale (HS sample) or (2) macroscopic heterogeneity in the form of a preexisting healed joint (JS sample). The sample with the healed joint exhibited ~ 1.6 times more acoustic emission events than the intact sample. The presence of the healed joint significantly weakened the sample.

Intracavity Phase Interferometry is applied to the detection of magnetic fields. A magnetic field induced change in index is converted into a beat frequency between two optical pulse trains. Because the detected frequency is not dependent on the pulse train intensities, a signal to noise improvement over standard amplitude measurements (for instance Faraday rotation) of at least a factor 1000 is achieved. The method applies to any magnetic detection method where the magnetic field can be converted into a change in refractive index.

Dryer sections were for a long time based on double-felting. Because of machine speed up, the single-felting has been further and further extended through the dryer section. and the dryer sections of the faster machines of today are in practice totally based on single-felting. Also during this transition from one concept to another, the demands on dryer section ventilation and runnability systems have changed.Regarding Sumitomo/Valmet totally enclosed hood, the dryer section is separated from the machine room, and the benefits are:1) Energy economy, 2) Runnability improvement, 3) Paper quality improvementSumitomo/Valmet Blow Boxes would achieve:1) Excellent pocket ventilation, 2) Runnability improvementSuitable blow box concepts for any paper grade and machine configuration commercially could be proposed.In a machine if today, the ventilation and runnability systems should be an integral part of the paper producing process and could not be separately designed from the rest of the dryer section.

Severe, white sheathing of the retinal vessels and yellowish-white placoid lesions, suggesting frosted-branch angiitis, were found in both fundi of a 24-year-old woman. Fluorescein angiography showed hypofluorescence of the placoid lesions in the early phase and hyperfluorescence in the late phase. Indocyanine green angiography showed hypofluorescence during all phases. These findings imply an occlusion of the choriocapillaris. Fluorescein angiography also showed occlusion of the peripheral retinal vessels. With systemic corticosteroids and prostaglandin I2 derivative, the fundi recovered almost completely to normal 3 months later.

The neutron capture cross sections and capture γ-ray spectra of 147,148,149,150,152,154Sm were measured in the neutron energy region of 10 to 90 keV and at 550 keV. A neutron time-of-flight method was adopted with a 1.5-ns pulsed neutron source by the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction and with a large anti-Compton NaI(Tl) γ-ray spectrometer. A pulse-height weighting technique was applied to observed capture γ-ray pulse-height spectra to derive capture yields. The capture cross sections were obtained with the error of about 5% by using the standard capture cross sections of 197Au. The present results were compared with the evaluated values of JENDL-3.2 and previous measurements. The capture γ-ray spectra were obtained by unfolding the observed capture γ-ray pulse-height spectra. An anomalous shoulder was clearly observed around 3 MeV in the γ-ray spectra of 150,152,154Sm, and the energy position of the shoulder was consistent with the systematics obtained in our previous work.

The neutron capture cross sections and capture γ-ray spectra of 161 162 163Dy were measured in the neutron energy region of 10 to 90 keV and at 550 keV. A neutron time-of-flight method was adopted with a ns-pulsed neutron source by the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction and with a large anti-Compton NaI(Tl) γ-ray spectrometer. A pulse-height weighting technique was applied to observed capture γ-ray pulse-height spectra to derive capture yields. The capture cross sections were obtained with the error of about 5% by using the standard capture cross sections of 197Au. The present results were compared with previous measurements and the evaluated values of ENDF/B-VI. Capture γ-ray spectra were obtained by unfolding observed capture γ-ray pulse-height spectra. An anomalous bump was observed around 2.5 MeV in the γ-ray spectra of each isotope, and the energy position of the bump was consistent with the systematics obtained in our previous work.

This paper describes a tidal power generation system with counter-rotating generator. The method of charging is charging current control. The demonstration experiment was conducted by the method using counter-rotating generator and the usual method at Kanmon Straits. They showed both equivalent charging power. However the mechanical loss of the generator’s stator had more than twice in this generator. Therefore the power generation capacity increases by selecting generator that the stator loss is smaller.

We studied histologically the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol to retinal light damage. After 3-week-old albino rats were fed with an alpha-tocopherol deficient or supplemented diet and kept in a 12-hour dim light/12-hour dark environment for 8 weeks, each animal was exposed to intense light (2500 lux) for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours. The eyes were enucleated and prepared for transmission electron microscopy study and image analysis of phagosomes. Before light exposure, the alpha-tocopherol content of the neural retina of the deficient and supplemented groups was 0.3 microgram and 23.34 micrograms, respectively. After 1- and 3-hour exposures, morphological changes in the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor membranes were more extensive in the deficient group than in the supplemented group. After a 24-hour exposure, pyknotic photoreceptor nuclei were more numerous in the deficient group than the supplemented group. After 3-, 6-, and 12-hour exposures, large phagosomes were more numerous in the deficient group than in the supplemented group. These findings suggest that alpha-tocopherol can protect the retina from light injury for up to 24 hours of exposure.

Monoamine oxidase B catalytically oxidizes biogenic amines such as phenylethylamine and dopamine, and its activity is presumed to be related to particular behavioral traits. In this study, we first identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (T199C) located on the putative third exon of the canine monoamine oxidase B gene, which causes an amino acid substitution from cysteine to arginine. We then examined the allelic frequencies in five dog breeds (Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzer, and Shiba) and found significant variation among them. The present results suggest that analysis of the monoamine oxidase B polymorphism could be a useful means of elucidating the genetic background of breed-specific behavioral characteristics in dogs.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have anti-inflammatory effects. Preterm birth is an important problem in modern obstetrics and one of the main causes is an inflammation. We here showed that abundance of omega-3 fatty acids reduced the incidence of preterm birth induced by LPS with fat-1 mice, capable of converting omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. We also indicated that the gene expression of IL-6 and IL-1β in uteruses and the number of cervical infiltrating macrophages were reduced in fat-1 mice. The analyses of lipid metabolomics showed the high level of 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoate in fat-1 mice, which was derived from EPA and was metabolized to anti-inflammatory product named resolvin E3 (RvE3). We finally showed that the administration of RvE3 to LPS-exposed pregnant wild type mice lowered the incidence of preterm birth. Our data suggest that RvE3 could be a potential new therapeutic for the prevention of preterm birth.

Automatic thoughts may be risk factors for depression and anxiety, and should be detected early. However, the genetic basis of automatic thoughts remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the genetic association of automatic thoughts with SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) involved in cognition, neurogenesis, neuronal cell structure, neurotransmitters, hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis and psychiatric illness. The study included 610 healthy participants. We used the Depression and Anxiety Cognition Scale (DACS), a Japanese psychological questionnaire, to assess automatic thoughts. Twenty-five SNPs including COMT, BDNF, FKBP5, SNTB1 (syntrophin-beta 1, rs4512418), and MCPH1 (microcephalin 1, rs2911968) were selected according to their minor allele frequency. Linear regression models were used to test association of mean DACS scores with each allele (major-allele homozygote, heterozygote, and minor-allele homozygote). The significant α-value was set at α0.002. Statistical analysis was conducted using SNPStats. Call rates for all genotypes were98%. Eighteen SNPs did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and 7 were excluded from statistical analysis. Significant associations of SNTB1 with interpersonal threat and MCPH1 with future denial were observed only in females. SNTB1 and MCPH1 are located on chromosome 8, which may be involved in neuroticism, avoidant personality and depression. Our results demonstrated that DACS scores showing significant interaction with the 2 SNPs may be regarded as appropriate traits to detect the diathesis of automatic thoughts. The 2 SNPs may be important loci in research on cognitive vulnerability to depression and anxiety.

Background Renal cancers commonly occur in the native kidneys of renal transplant recipients, whereas renal cancer in the grafted kidney has been reported occasionally. Renal cancer in the grafted kidney occurred 16 years after graft loss in this case, which would be a more rare case. Case Report A 60-year-old man who had a kidney transplant from his mother at the age of 31 years and had hemodialysis again because of chronic rejection from the age of 44 years had right lower abdominal pain. Computerized tomography (CT) showed tumor involvement in the grafted kidney. Positron-emission tomography–CT also showed hot spots in the liver, cervical vertebra, and costal bone. Needle biopsy for grafted kidney and liver tumors were done, and pathologic findings revealed renal cancer of grafted kidney and metastatic liver tumor. Graftectomy was done, and renal cancer was diagnosed as spindle cell carcinoma. Irradiation for cervical bone metastasis was done after the surgery. He complained of abdominal pain and eating disturbance 2 months after the surgery. CT showed a huge recurrence tumor and multiple tumor dissemination. Small intestine was involved and obstructed by the main tumor. He died of recurrence of renal cancer 3 months after the surgery. Conclusions It is reported that the rate of renal cell carcinoma in the grafted kidney was 0.19%–0.5% and it occurred at a mean of 12.6 years after renal transplantation. Herein, we report a rare case of renal cancer that occurred 29 years after renal transplantation. Long-term observation should be required for recipients who had rehemodialysis.

This paper describes a charging equipment to follow maximum efficiency of the water turbine. It charges a battery with electric power by tidal power generation at Kanmon Straits. The generator is counter-rotating three-phase one and is driven by Darrieus turbine in parallel. The generator output is converted to direct current and the battery is charged. The methods of charging are floating charge and charging current control. We confirmed that floating charge of simple equipment charged 2.7 kWh at a large tidal range period. The charging current control was able to follow the maximum efficiency under more than 0.8 m/s current speed.

A detailed discussion is presented on the relationship of δT0, the Anderson-Gruneisen parameter, to other thermoelastic parameters for MgSiO3 perovskite. For this solid, δT0 can be expressed as a linear function of the value of q, where q = ( ∂ ln γ ∂ ln V ) T ; γ is the Gruneisen parameter; and zero subscripts indicate ambient pressure. In this linear relationship between δT0 and q, a large δT0 demands a large q. The case is made that q is very likely near 1, and thus, δT0 at high temperature is limited to the lower end of published values of δT0, i.e. around 4.2. We present alternative relationships not involving q that also suggest that for perovskite δT0 is near 4. The value of γ0 can be calculated by several theoretical methods and it can be determined experimentally by several techniques. Since there is some confusion regarding the various definitions of γ0, we present a brief review of various ways in which this parameter is determined. Many of these determinations lead to values of γ0 near 1.4, although two theoretical determinations and one experimental determination lead to a higher value near 2.0. After examining all the data, we conclude that the lower values of δT0 and γ0 are to be preferred, although the matter is not completely closed.

Introduction The shortage of cadaver organs has led to expansion of living donor kidney transplantations with, 30% increase among ABO-incompatible cases in Japan and the use of marginal extended donors. Herein we have reported the outcome after an ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation from an aged living-related donor who suffered from mild diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Case Report A 48-year-old man underwent ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation from his 76-year-old father, using anti-CD20 antibody induction, followed by cyclosporine (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisolone. After the operation, MMF was switched to high-dose mizoribine (MZ). He was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day (POD) 28 with a serum creatinine (sCr) of 1.47 mg/dL. On POD 34 when the sCr was 8.14 mg/dL, his urine examination showed uric acid crystals with serum uric acid of 24.6 mg/dL. Biopsy findings showed no evidence of acute rejection but mild tubulointerstitial injury. Hemodialysis performed twice to reduce uric acid was accompanied by hydration. CsA/MZ was switched to tacrolims/MMF; benzbromarone, to febuxostat to treat hyperuric acidemia. On POD 58, sCr reduced to 1.75 mg/dL he was discharged. On POD 416, graft function was stable with sCr of 1.70 mg/dL. Conclusion Common side effect of MZ is hyperuricemia which presumably caused acute renal failure of this aged marginal donor kidney.

A mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser with intracavity Fabry-Perot produces a frequency comb at 7 GHz including a fine structure at 100 MHz. The complex nature of this interwoven comb is analyzed.

Recent experiments done at low driving frequencies suggest that a large degree of dispersion exists in the measured value of the shear modulus, μ, of α iron at high temperature. Discrepancies between values for μ from ultrasonic measurements and those from low-frequency torsional measurements have been interpreted in terms of viscoelastic relaxation. However, the ultrasonic data are not in agreement with one another, and the degree of dispersion is not accurately known. We present new high-temperature data for the elastic moduli of single-crystal iron (α phase). The elastic moduli were measured using the rectangular parallelepiped resonance method (0.27–0.59 MHz) from room temperature to 925 K. Our data show that the difference in μ at high temperature between ultrasonic-based measurements and low-frequency (1 Hz) torsional measurements is only 14 GPa, rather than 29 GPa, as inferred from previous analyses. Thus the possible effects of viscoelastic relaxation are reduced but not eliminated. We find no dispersion in measurements for μ of α iron when considering frequencies ranging from 0.27 to 70 MHz and discuss the possibility that significant viscoelastic effects on measurements of μ at high temperature are limited to frequencies below 3 Hz.

In the last decade, advances in theoretical first principles calculations and experiments in high-pressure physics have been remarkable, and we are on the threshold of determining many physical properties at extreme pressure, P, and temperature, T, conditions. Another method of finding physical properties at extreme conditions is properly called a thermodynamic route. Many thermodynamic identities are related to appropriate derivatives of the Helmholtz energy, F. These identities are recast into differential equations, the solution of which is the variation of a physical property vs. volume along isotherms. The integrating constants of the differential equation are found from the boundary conditions, e.g. the value of the physical property along the P = 0 axis as a function of T. This method emphasizes experiments done at high T and P = 0 rather than high P. We show the source of differential equations for α, αKT, CV, γ, and the cross derivative, ∂ 2 K T ∂P∂T , and find the solutions at extreme conditions of V and T. For example, we find α, the thermal expansivity, from the appropriate differential equation, and we compare the predicted α at high P and T for MgO and perovskite with shock wave measurements of α. In the past, the authors have applied the general principles described above to various problems in which the focus was on producing results on physical properties to compare with experiments. In this paper, the focus is on the method of producing the differential equations themselves, and we have found some new and interesting results. For example, we show that the differential equation for α(V) arises from the fundamental theorem of calculus regarding second partial derivatives. We also show that the bulk modulus measured at P = 0 can be used to determine the variation of αKT with V within a small zone of pressure around the T-axis. In general, we demonstrate that good estimates of physical properties for conditions at high pressure and high temperature can be made even when the pressure data are sparse, provided only that there is good high-temperature data at P = 0.

A thermodynamic method in which all physical properties (derivatives of the Helmholtz energy) are determined from seven thermoelastic parameters is used to calculate density isentropes of (Mg,Fe)SiO 3 perovskite for lower mantle conditions. We find that, provided the EoS constants, ρ 0 , K To , and K' 0 , are known, the density distribution can be found from the thermal pressure and often from the thermal pressure evaluated at zero pressure. Three isentropic density distributions of perovskite are calculated and are shown to be non-parallel with PREM's density distribution. This leads to the speculation that a lower mantle entirely composed of perovskite may not be phase homogeneous throughout its whole depth.

A recently published thermodynamic theory enables one to calculate α, the volume thermal expansivity; ΔV V 0 , the thermal expansion; and ϱ, the density in V , T space or P , T space, based on the values of seven thermoelastic parameters evaluated at P = 0. These parameters are themselves based on high-pressure and high-temperature measurements of V . Especially useful are calculated isobars of ΔV V 0 versus T or isentropes of ϱ versus P , because with these, seismic models of the earth can be compared with the perovskite compositional model. There is general agreement on the thermoelastic parameters of V 0 , K T 0 and K ′ 0 for perovskite, but not on the value of δ T 0 , the dimensionless Anderson-Gruneisen parameter, or of γ 0 , the Gruneisen ratio. In comparing the calculated isentrope of ϱ ( P ) with the geotherm of ϱ ( P ) from the PREM seismic model, we find the most sensitive parameter is γ 0 . We also find a number of reasons to select γ 0 = 1.5 ± 0.2 for perovskite. This range of γ 0 values leads to the conclusion that perovskite satisfies the PREM model of density in the lower mantle without the addition of heavy elements, like iron or silicon. The value range γ 0 > 1.9 for perovskite would require a significant amount of iron or silicon to satisfy PREM, but we cannot justify a value of γ 0 that high.

Fabry–Perot etalons have been traditionally used in a laser cavity to tune the optical frequency. In this work we present the generation of interwoven frequency combs with insertion of an intracavity Fabry–Perot in a mode-locked laser. A high frequency comb is generated by insertion of an uncoated (low finesse) Fabry–Perot inside the laser cavity. The intracavity Fabry–Perot acquires a high finesse from the laser cavity and the velocity of the pulses in the Fabry–Perot is affected by the laser cavity length, gain and losses, with the dielectric group velocity dk/dΩ playing only a minor role. The output characteristics are explained by the condition that the radiation is simultaneously resonant with the etalon and the laser cavity.

We used analyses of pulse widths of P waves in granite measured during a laboratory experiment to investigate source durations of rupture processes for water-induced and stress-induced microseismicity. Water was injected into a dry granite sample under constant axial stress of about 70% of fracture strength and a confining pressure of 40 MPa. After elimination of the effects of event size and hypocentral distance from observed pulse widths we obtained scaled source durations of 0.50 μs and 0.26 μs for stress-induced and water-induced microseismicity, respectively. This difference suggests that the rupture velocity of water-induced microseismicity is greater than that of stress-induced microseismicity or that fault geometry is more equidimensional in the wet state than in the dry state. Our results suggest that pulse-width analysis of P waveforms can be used to distinguish water-induced events from those induced by regional stress and to characterize the faulting process.

Background: Endogenous mediators that control aberrant inflammation are of interest as potential targets of new therapeutics. Results: Here, we identified a novel omega-3 fatty acid-derived anti-inflammatory mediator 17,18-diHEPE, denoted as resolvin E3. Conclusion: Resolvin E3 has a potent inhibitory action on neutrophil chemotaxis both in vitro and in vivo. Significance: The significance of this study is the identification of a novel endogenous lipid mediator with a potent anti-inflammatory property., Bioactive mediators derived from omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) elicit potent anti-inflammatory actions. Here, we identified novel EPA metabolites, including 8,18-dihydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (8,18-diHEPE), 11,18-diHEPE, 12,18-diHEPE, and 17,18-diHEPE from 18-HEPE. Unlike resolvins E1 and E2, both of which are biosynthesized by neutrophils via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, these metabolites are biosynthesized by eosinophils via the 12/15-lipoxygenase pathway. Among them, two stereoisomers of 17,18-diHEPE, collectively termed resolvin E3 (RvE3), displayed a potent anti-inflammatory action by limiting neutrophil infiltration in zymosan-induced peritonitis. The planar structure of RvE3 was unambiguously determined to be 17,18-dihydroxy-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E,15E-EPE by high resolution NMR, and the two stereoisomers were assigned to have 17,18R- and 17,18S-dihydroxy groups, respectively, using chemically synthesized 18R- and 18S-HEPE as precursors. Both 18R- and 18S-RvE3 inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro at low nanomolar concentrations. These findings suggest that RvE3 contributes to the beneficial actions of EPA in controlling inflammation and related diseases.

[1] The strengths of crustal faults inferred from borehole-derived heat-flow measurements and maximum stress orientations are lower than those determined from laboratory measurements. Because long-term changes of fault strength cannot be directly monitored using geophysical techniques, the causes of fault weakening are not well understood. We provide laboratory evidence that supports the view that long-term weakening of the frictional strength of faults is caused by microfracturing at asperity contacts, which is a result of crack growth at subcritical stress levels. We conducted triaxial compression tests on mylonite samples at successively higher temperatures from room temperature to 600°C to accelerate reaction processes so that they were observable at laboratory time-scales. Our results suggest that long-term reductions of fault strength are related to chemical reactions that take place in the presence of water. In the presence of water, frictional strength decreased as temperature increased, whereas it changed little in the absence of water. Thus, the presence of fluids has an important influence on changes of fault strength, and it is not only high fluid pressure that is important.

2π pulse self-induced transparency in rubidium is reported for the first time inside a mode-locked laser cavity. Simultaneous occurrence of a dark line repetition rate resonance is observed in the 87Rb vapor cell.

The value of α, the volume thermal expansivity, defined as (1/ V 0 )( ∂V / ∂T ) P , enters into many physical properties and thermoelastic identities. The importance of knowing the value of α of candidate materials for the Earth's mantle at P , T conditions of the lower mantle is well recognized. Attempts to find the high- T , high- P values of α for mantle minerals have been made by many researchers. Here we compute α for combinations of P and T and η, T ( η = V / V 0 ) found throughout mantle conditions by a thermodynamic method where the high-pressure experimental data used are all contained in the thermoelastic parameters. The thermodynamic parameters are our beginning point. High-temperature experiments are explicitly used as the boundary conditions of differential equations arising from thermodynamic identities.

Capture gamma rays from the 622 keV d-wave neutron resonance in 9Be with large reduced neutron width have been observed by means of a time-of-flight method, employing an anti-Compton NaI(TI) detector. Partial radiative widths have been derived for the strong primary E1 transition to the 3368 keV (2+) state in 10Be and also for the weak one to the 5958 keV (2+) state. Those widths were compared with predictions of the Lane-Mughabghab valence-capture model. As a consequence we found certain evidence to show that the 3368 keV state transition is appreciably hindered. The discrepancy can be removed by using a renormalized neutron effective charge which takes into account the coupling between the d-state neutron single-particle motion and the E1 giant resonance excitation of the target nucleus.

Tachyplesin I, a polycationic antimicrobial peptide isolated from hemocytes of horseshoe crabs, kills bacteria by disrupting the membrane potential of the cytoplasmic membrane. The present study shows that, among 36 oral streptococcal strains, 12 of 21 Streptococcus sanguis, 3 Streptococcus mutans, 9 Streptococcus salivarius and 3 Streptococcus milleri strains were susceptible to tachyplesin I, whereas 9 S. sanguis strains were resistant. Interestingly, these resistant strains include the clinical isolates from both Kawasaki disease and Behçet patients. According to the time-kill study, tachyplesin I inhibited irreversibly the growth of S. sanguis, S. mutans and S. salivarius strains within 20 min and an S. milleri strain within 80 min. Although it has been suggested that Escherichia coli cultured in rich media were more susceptible to tachyplesin I, the present results show that only 3 S. milleri strains were more sensitized to tachyplesin I in a glucose-supplemented medium, and other tested strains were not. Similarly, only 4 strains were more resistant to tachyplesin I in saline than these were in a rich medium.