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Image sampling is a simple, convenient and working scheme to obtain two-dimensional (2D) images on high-speed streak cameras which have only one-dimensional (1D) slit cathode as an imaging sensor on a streak tube. 1D sampling of a 2D image in one direction was realized as Multi-Imaging X-ray Streak camera (MIXS) with a similar configuration to TV raster scan. 2D sampling of a 2D image was realized as 2-D Sampling Image X-ray Streak camera (2D-SIXS) with a similar configuration to CCD pixels. For optical-UV streak cameras, 2D fiber plate coupled to the output of a streak camera was untied and fibers were rearranged to form a line on the cathode slit. In these schemes, clever arrangement of the sampling lines or points relative to the streaking direction were essential for avoiding overlap of the streaked signals with each other. These streak cameras with image sampling technique were successfully applied to laser plasma experiment, particularly for laser-driven nuclear fusion research with simultaneous temporal- and spatial resolutions of 10 ps and 15 μm, respectively. This paper reviews the concept, history, and such applications of the scheme.

Fast neutrons, which are neutrons with energies greater than 1 MeV, are expected to be a source of nondestructive inspection for a large-size infrastructure such as a bridge girder because of their mean free path exceeding the meter. A neutron-imaging device with 10-ns time resolution can discriminate pulsed neutrons from X-rays via time of flight. For this purpose, we require a fast-response neutron imager with large aperture and high image resolution. A neutron-imaging device with time resolution of 10 ns and aperture size of 40 cm × 60 cm was developed. It was filled with fast response liquid scintillator [1] in an aluminum honeycomb plate, which converts neutrons to optical light images. The scintillation light images were relayed using an optical lens and detected using a fast response image intensified CCD. The detector was tested at an electron linear accelerator (LINAC) facility in Osaka University. A short X-ray pulse (30 ps pulse duration) was generated using LINAC, and X-ray radiograph images were obtained with a 10- ns exposure time duration. The radiograph images were well attenuated within 10-ns from the X-ray injection. A high energy X-ray image and a neutron radiograph image of a 30-cm thick concrete block with iron blocks located behind it were successfully observed. This promising technique could facilitate nondestructive inspection of large concrete constructions.

Using one of the world most powerful laser facility, we demonstrate for the first time that high-contrast multi-picosecond pulses are advantageous for proton acceleration. By extending the pulse duration from 1.5 to 6 ps with fixed laser intensity of 1018 W cm−2, the maximum proton energy is improved more than twice (from 13 to 33 MeV). At the same time, laser-energy conversion efficiency into the MeV protons is enhanced with an order of magnitude, achieving 5% for protons above 6 MeV with the 6 ps pulse duration. The proton energies observed are discussed using a plasma expansion model newly developed that takes the electron temperature evolution beyond the ponderomotive energy in the over picoseconds interaction into account. The present results are quite encouraging for realizing ion-driven fast ignition and novel ion beamlines.

To enhance the core heating efficiency in fast ignition laser fusion, the concept of relativistic electron beam guiding by external magnetic fields was evaluated by integrated simulations for FIREX class targets. For the cone-attached shell target case, the core heating performance is deteriorated by applying magnetic fields since the core is considerably deformed and the most of the fast electrons are reflected due to the magnetic mirror formed through the implosion. On the other hand, in the case of cone-attached solid ball target, the implosion is more stable under the kilo-tesla-class magnetic field. In addition, feasible magnetic field configuration is formed through the implosion. As the results, the core heating efficiency becomes double by magnetic guiding. The dependence of core heating properties on the heating pulse shot timing was also investigated for the solid ball target., Comment: 9pages, 12 figures, submitted to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

A series of experiments were carried out to evaluate the energy-coupling efficiency from heating laser to a fuel core in the fast-ignition scheme of laser-driven inertial confinement fusion. Although the efficiency is determined by a wide variety of complex physics, from intense laser plasma interactions to the properties of high-energy density plasmas and the transport of relativistic electron beams (REB), here we simplify the physics by breaking down the efficiency into three measurable parameters: (i) energy conversion ratio from laser to REB, (ii) probability of collision between the REB and the fusion fuel core, and (iii) fraction of energy deposited in the fuel core from the REB. These three parameters were measured with the newly developed experimental platform designed for mimicking the plasma conditions of a realistic integrated fast-ignition experiment. The experimental results indicate that the high-energy tail of REB must be suppressed to heat the fuel core efficiently.

Recent progress in the physics of fast ignition of fusion targets is reviewed here. Fundamental studies on hot electron energy transport show that the scheme looks promising if the heating pulse can be guided close enough to a compressed core. The idea of using cone-guided compression was first demonstrated experimentally under a Japan-UK collaboration. The use of the gold cone was extremely successful and showed a 10 3 neutron increase out of CD target implosion with a 300 J/0.5 ps enforced heating laser pulse. The heated temperature was close to 1 keV. In order to increase the temperature to 10 keV, a 10 kJ PW- laser system is necessary. Osaka University has started constructing such a laser system.

For enhancing the core heating efficiency in electron-driven fast ignition, we proposed the fast electron beam guiding using externally applied longitudinal magnetic fields. Based on the PIC simulations for the FIREX-class experiments, we demonstrated the sufficient beam guiding performance in the collisional dense plasma by kT-class external magnetic fields for the case with moderate mirror ratio (~, 11pages, 8figures

The pressure-doping technique was developed for further loading of guest potassium metal into porous crystals of zeolite beyond the upper limit at ambient pressure. A doping pressure dependence of the magnetic property of potassium clusters in cages of zeolite A is measured up to 320 MPa. The Curie constant monotonically decreases with increase in the doping pressure and shows very small values above 250 MPa. The magnetic susceptibility at 2 K, however, gradually increases and has a peak at 200 MPa. Observed decrease in the Curie constant is explained by the increase in the loading density of potassium. Simultaneously, the increase in the magnetic susceptibility at 2 K is explained by the superparamagnetism of ferromagnetic domains. A possible mechanism of change in the magnetic properties is discussed.

Target design and the fabrication scheme are discussed aiming an application for the future laser fusion reactor KOYO-F that has 4 modular chambers with a wet wall operated with fast ignition scheme. Gain estimation and load of fusion output from the non-symetric burn on the first wall are shown.

The progress of laser fusion research at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University is reviewed. They are physics investigations on target implosion, development of laser technologies, and R&D for laser fusion power plants. The long term strategy of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) development has been reexamined taking into account the recent progress of implosion physics and reactor related technologies. 15 refs., 12 figs.

For enhancing the core heating efficiency in fast ignition laser fusion, we proposed the fast electron beam by externally-applied the kilo-tesla (kT) class longitudinal magnetic field. We evaluated the imploded core and the magnetic field profiles formed through the implosion dynamics by resistive MHD radiation hydro code. Using those profiles, the guiding effect was evaluated by fast electron transport simulations, which shows that in addition to the feasible field configuration (moderate mirror ratio), the kT-class magnetic field is required at the fast electron generation point. In this case, the significant enhancement in heating efficiency is expected.

The dependence of high-energy electron generation on the pulse duration of a high intensity LFEX laser was experimentally investigated. The LFEX laser (λ = 1.054 and intensity = 2.5 – 3 x 1018 W/cm2) pulses were focused on a 1 mm3 gold cubic block after reducing the intensities of the foot pulse and pedestal by using a plasma mirror. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) duration of the intense laser pulse could be set to either 1.2 ps or 4 ps by temporally stacking four beams of the LFEX laser, for which the slope temperature of the high-energy electron distribution was 0.7 MeV and 1.4 MeV, respectively. The slope temperature increment cannot be explained without considering pulse duration effects on fast electron generation.

Hot electrons which are generated from targets irradiated by a high-intense laser are measured by two electron spectrometers (ESMs). However, total electron energy observed by the ESM is only less than 1%. Hot electrons are confined by self-fields due to the huge current. When an external magnetic field of several hundred Tesla is applied during the laser irradiation on targets, the ESM signals always increase. In the simulation, the same result can be obtained. The reason is that the Alfven limit can be mitigated due to the external longitudinal magnetic field.

A petawatt laser for fast ignition experiments (LFEX) laser system [N. Miyanaga et al., J. Phys. IV France 133, 81 (2006)], which is currently capable of delivering 2 kJ in a 1.5 ps pulse using 4 laser beams, has been constructed beside the GEKKO-XII laser facility for demonstrating efficient fast heating of a dense plasma up to the ignition temperature under the auspices of the Fast Ignition Realization EXperiment (FIREX) project [H. Azechi et al., Nucl. Fusion 49, 104024 (2009)]. In the FIREX experiment, a cone is attached to a spherical target containing a fuel to prevent a corona plasma from entering the path of the intense heating LFEX laser beams. The LFEX laser beams are focused at the tip of the cone to generate a relativistic electron beam (REB), which heats a dense fuel core generated by compression of a spherical deuterized plastic target induced by the GEKKO-XII laser beams. Recent studies indicate that the current heating efficiency is only 0.4%, and three requirements to achieve higher efficiency of the fast ignition (FI) scheme with the current GEKKO and LFEX systems have been identified: (i) reduction of the high energy tail of the REB; (ii) formation of a fuel core with high areal density using a limited number (twelve) of GEKKO-XII laser beams as well as a limited energy (4 kJ of 0.53-μm light in a 1.3 ns pulse); (iii) guiding and focusing of the REB to the fuel core. Laser–plasma interactions in a long-scale plasma generate electrons that are too energetic to efficiently heat the fuel core. Three actions were taken to meet the first requirement. First, the intensity contrast of the foot pulses to the main pulses of the LFEX was improved to >109. Second, a 5.5-mm-long cone was introduced to reduce pre-heating of the inner cone wall caused by illumination of the unconverted 1.053-μm light of implosion beam (GEKKO-XII). Third, the outside of the cone wall was coated with a 40-μm plastic layer to protect it from the pressure caused by imploding plasma. Following the above improvements, conversion of 13% of the LFEX laser energy to a low energy portion of the REB, whose slope temperature is 0.7 MeV, which is close to the ponderomotive scaling value, was achieved. To meet the second requirement, the compression of a solid spherical ball with a diameter of 200-μm to form a dense core with an areal density of ∼0.07 g/cm2 was induced by a laser-driven spherically converging shock wave. Converging shock compression is more hydrodynamically stable compared to shell implosion, while a hot spot cannot be generated with a solid ball target. Solid ball compression is preferable also for compressing an external magnetic field to collimate the REB to the fuel core, due to the relatively small magnetic Reynolds number of the shock compressed region. To meet the third requirement, we have generated a strong kilo-tesla magnetic field using a laser-driven capacitor-coil target. The strength and time history of the magnetic field were characterized with proton deflectometry and a B-dot probe. Guidance of the REB using a 0.6-kT field in a planar geometry has been demonstrated at the LULI 2000 laser facility. In a realistic FI scenario, a magnetic mirror is formed between the REB generation point and the fuel core. The effects of the strong magnetic field on not only REB transport but also plasma compression were studied using numerical simulations. According to the transport calculations, the heating efficiency can be improved from 0.4% to 4% by the GEKKO and LFEX laser system by meeting the three requirements described above. This efficiency is scalable to 10% of the heating efficiency by increasing the areal density of the fuel core.

The traditional fast ignition scheme is that a compressed core created by an imploding laser is auxiliary heated and ignited by the hot electrons (produced by a short pulse laser guided through the cone and guided under-dense plasma). However sufficient heating has not be achieved because the hot electron energy is too high and dissipated in the cone, the angular divergence of the hot electron is too large, and the distance from the generation point to the core is too long. Here we clarify the problems of fast ignition by observation of the hot-electron spectra.

We proposed the new laser arrangement to implode a target, a 12-beam implosion, and tried it in a fast ignition integration experiments. The concept of the 12-beam implosion is as follows. The three laser beams near a cone are shifted not to irradiate a cone and a long gold cone is used to prevent the irradiation of those three laser beams with fundamental frequency. In experiments, time-resolved two-dimensional X-ray images of an imploded core plasma were obtained by an X-ray framing camera. It is found that the spherical symmetry of the imploded core plasma is improved and the motion of the imploded core plasma towards the cone is suppressed in half in the 12-beam implosion. We believe that the 12-beam implosion will become a useful concept in controlling the imploded core plasma.

Thermonuclear ignition and subsequent burn are key physics for achieving laser fusion. In fast ignition, a highly compressed fusion fuel generated with multiple ns‐laser beams is rapidly heated with a large energy, ps‐laser pulse in prior to core disassembly. This scheme has a high potential to achieve ignition and burn since driver energy required for high fusion gain is predicted to be about one tenth of that needed for the central ignition scheme. In Japan, Fast Ignition Realization Experiment (FIREX) project has been started to clarify the physics of energy transport and deposition in the core plasma and to demonstrate fuel temperature of above 5 keV. After the success, FIREX‐I will be followed by the second phase of the project (FIREX‐II) to demonstrate ignition and burn. LFEX laser, designed to deliver a laser pulse of 10 kJ in 10 ps, are operational and the first phase of FIREX experiments has been stated. A new target is proposed to attain dense compression of fuel and improve laser‐core coupling efficiency by adopting double‐cone structure, a low‐density inner liner, low‐Z outer coating, and Br‐doped fuel shell. In this paper, present status and near term prospects of the FIREX‐I project will be reported together with activities on target designing, laser development, and plasma diagnostics.

The majority of human urinary stones are primarily composed of calcium salts. Although normal urine is frequently supersaturated with respect to calcium oxalate, most humans do not form stones. Inhibitors are among the multiple factors that may influence the complex process of urinary stone formation. We have isolated an inhibitor of calcium oxalate crystal growth from human urine by monoclonal antibody immunoaffinity chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and acidic amino acid content of this aspartic acid-rich protein, uropontin, are similar to those of other pontin proteins from bone, plasma, breast milk, and cells. The inhibitory effect of uropontin on calcium oxalate crystal growth in vitro supports the concept that pontins may have a regulatory role. This function would be analogous to that of other members of the aspartic acid-rich protein superfamily, which stereospecifically regulate the mineralization fronts of calcium-containing crystals.

A 30-TW,1.0-ps laser pulse at 1053 nm has been generated by chirped-pulse amplification in a large-aperture Nd:phosphate glass laser system. A peak-to-prepulse intensity ratio of better than 10(7) was obtained by temporal windowing of a self-phase-modulated chirped pulse before amplification and compression.

The generation of a 1.052- mu m laser pulse of 3.5-ps duration and 28-J energy by fiber-grating chirped-pulse amplification in a large-aperture Nd-glass laser system is reported. A novel technique that significantly improves the contrast ratio was used, resulting in a pulse with 8-TW peak power and a contrast ratio of better than 900, limited by the dynamic range of the detection system. The high contrast ratio was obtained by selecting only only the central portion of the frequency-chirped pulse where the chirp is positive and linear. The high-intensity compressed pulse thus generated was frequency-upconverted to 526 nm with a 40% conversion efficiency. >

The compression of an external magnetic field by a laser-driven implosion is studied by using the two-dimensional resistive magneto-radiation hydrodynamic simulation code for electron-beam guiding in fast ignition. The simulation results show that it is possible to compress the magnetic field to 1 kT (107 G); however, the strong magnetic field affects the implosion dynamics because of the suppression of the electron heat flux that crosses the strong magnetic field lines. This result suggests that care must be taken to design a target and the initial conditions for fast ignition with an external magnetic field not only to control the hot electron transport but also to form the high-density plasma.

It has been shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachinonic and docosahexanoic acids but not monounsaturated and saturated long-chain fatty acids promote basal and nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite extension of PC12 cells, a line derived from a rat pheochromocytoma. On the other hand, short-chain fatty acids and valproic acid (2-propylpentanoic acid) enhance the growth of neurite processes of the cells only in the presence of inducers. In this study, we demonstrated that straight medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) at millimolar concentrations alone potently induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. Hexanoic, heptanoic and octanoic acids dose-dependently induced neurite outgrowth of the cells: their maximal effects determined 2 days after addition to the culture medium were more marked than the effect of NGF. PC12 cells exposed to octanoic acid expressed increased levels of the neuronal marker β-tubulin isotype III. Nonanoic, decanoic, and dodecanoic acids also induced growth of neurite processes, but their maximal effects were less marked than that of octanoic acid. In contrast, the polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid and short-chain fatty acids had only slight or almost no effects on neurite formation in the absence of NGF. The effect of octanoic acid was synergistic with or additive to the effects of NGF and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Octanoic acid upregulated phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), critical signaling molecules in neuronal differentiation, but not phosphorylation of Akt, a signaling molecule downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Moreover, growth of neurites induced by octanoic acid was potently inhibited by treatment of cells with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and the ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 but not inhibited and only slightly inhibited by the JNK inhibitor SP600125 and the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin, respectively. Taken together, our results indicate that MCFAs, including octanoic acid, induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells in the absence of NGF and suggest that the activation of p38 MAPK and ERK pathways is involved in this process.

The peak power of 30 TW and the pulse width of 1 ps produced by the Nd:glass laser system is capable of creating a highly-ionized plasma of a moderate density gas on an ultrafast time scale and generating a large amplitude plasma wave with an accelerating gradient of the order of GeV/m. We are going to demonstrate particle acceleration, injecting electrons of a few MeV emitted from a solid target by intense laser irradiation. >

A 38-yr-old man with factor H dysfunction and unknown glomerular disease received first and second renal transplantations (Tx) from living-related donors. His examination showed a low percentage activity of factor H (31%). Factor H dysfunction has been known to be associated with type II or III membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), haemolytic uraemic syndrome and IgA GN. The first graft from his mother showed diffuse mesangial deposit of IgA. His son has had IgA GN and his data also revealed a low percentage activity of factor H (33%). He and his son both showed a low activity of C3. Moreover, his father, who was the donor of the second Tx, had a low percentage activity of factor H (25%), and presented with mild glomerular deposit of C3 at operation, while he has been healthy through his entire 67 yr of life. Each of them had a low percentage activity of factor H. These findings through three generations suggested the inheritance of factor H dysfunction. The patient presented with proteinuria 3 months after the first Tx. At the first biopsy 30 months after the first Tx, light microscopy revealed minor glomerular abnormalities with electron dense deposits in subepithelial, intramembranous and mesangial regions, while immunofluorescence showed massive glomerular deposits of C3. In the second biopsy 51 months after the first Tx, the glomerulonephritis developed mesangial proliferation and crescent formation, accompanied by more massive C3 deposit and intramembranous, mesangial and subepithelial dense deposits. He then required redialysis. At the second and third biopsies within 2 months after the second Tx, the renal graft showed similar findings to the first biopsy after the first Tx. He perhaps presented with a recurrence of complement-associated GN, showing an atypical form of MPGN after Tx. These findings suggest that factor H dysfunction may play an important role of a certain pathogenesis of GN.

Tacrolimus (TAC) is a useful immunosuppressive agent in the prevention of rejection. However, the blood level between its therapeutic and toxic levels is narrow such that its nephrotoxicity is a problem. Moreover, its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics are highly variable. We experienced a case of acute nephrotoxicity, in which the blood level rose about 10 times above the expected level. We found a peculiar vacuolization in the transplant biopsy specimen. This change showed a marked vacuolization of the tubular cells, suggestive of acute nephrotoxicity by TAC.

The hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the end result of a variety of etiologic agents that can induce endothelial cell injury and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) mostly within the kidney. The typical, post-diarrheal verocytotoxin associated HUS (D + HUS) is the major cause of acute renal failure in children worldwide. In the course of HUS treatment, fluid overload is usually the result of overhydration in the context of oliguria or anuria which cause edema, hypertension, worsening of neurologic signs and cardiac failure. Appropriate and timely use of dialysis has dramatically reduced complications of renal failure and extra-renal complications are now the main causes of mortality and morbidity in D + HUS. The reasons for treatment by infusion of fresh frozen plasma and/or plasmapheresis for D + HUS are theoretical and their therapeutic effects are inconclusive. We believe that plasma administration for regular D + HUS has no value and is potentially harmful. Until new strategies become available in clinical practice, the general consensus for the moment is that careful supportive management with patience is still the most appropriate form of D + HUS therapy.

We have developed a multi‐imaging x‐ray streak camera (MIXS) technique and applied it to obtain time‐resolved x‐ray images of the laser‐imploded core plasmas. Temporal changes in the core structure of laser‐imploded targets were first observed with a temporal‐ and a spatial‐resolution of 10 ps and 15 μm, respectively. It has been found that these structures are dependent on the laser irradiation conditions.

In Japan, nationwide cadaveric organ sharing for kidney transplantation by the Japan Organ Transplant Network (JOTN) has operated since April 1995. This study retrospectively analyzed the long-term results of single pediatric donor kidneys transplanted into adult or pediatric recipients at a single center. From March 1983 to December 2002, 281 cadaveric renal allografts were transplanted at our center, including, 17 recipients of cadaveric kidneys from donors aged less than 16 years. We divided these 17 recipients into two groups: 10 adult recipients (group 1; G1) and seven pediatric recipients (group 2; G2). HLA-AB, -DR mismatches were 1.3 +/- 1.3, 0.7 +/- 0.5 in G1 and 2.6 +/- 1.3, 1.4 +/- 0.8 in G2, respectively (P < .05 for both). The end of the observation of this study was March 2003. Among G1, two recipients died with functioning grafts and one died after graft loss. Among G2, no recipients died. Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 90% and 80% in G1 and 100% and 100% in G2, respectively. At the end of the observation in this study, five recipients among G1 and six recipients among G2 had functioning grafts. Graft survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 90% and 80% in G1 and 85.7% and 85.7% in G2, respectively. Our results demonstrate that transplantation of pediatric cadaveric kidneys into pediatric recipients was excellent compared to adult recipients in terms of survival. Priority to pediatric patients should be given especially in cases of pediatric donors.

The propagation of a radiation heat wave through lead-doped foam with a density of 80 mg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ was experimentally investigated. The wave is driven by 100--150 eV Hohlraum radiation generated in 1--3 mm diam gold cavities heated by a 2.5 kJ, 0.8 ns laser pulse (wavelength 0.35 \ensuremath{\mu}m). The propagation velocity was obtained from the delayed onset of intense thermal emission from the rear side of the foam sample. The results agree with theoretical predictions for a nonablative heat wave and with numerical simulations, and indicate that the radiation heat wave propagates with a velocity that is larger than the sound velocity in the heated foam.

In view of the ability of calmodulin to bind vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and growth-hormone-releasing factor (GRF) with high affinity [Stallwood, Brugger, Baggenstoss, Stemmer, Shiraga, Landers and Paul (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 19617-19621], the effects of these neuropeptides on a model calmodulin-dependent enzyme, myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK), were studied. Both peptides were potent inhibitors of MLCK activity. The inhibition of enzyme activity by VIP and GRF was progressively overcome with increasing calmodulin concentrations, with no inhibition observed at a saturating calmodulin concentration. Nanomolar concentrations of MLCK blocked the formation of calmodulin-[125I-Tyr10]VIP complexes. These data provide support for a functional role of VIP and GRF binding by calmodulin.

Oxidative stress, resulting either from excess generation or reduced scavenging of free radicals, has been proposed to play a role in damaging striatal neurons in Parkinson's disease. Since metallothionein is able to regulate the intracellular redox potential, we have undertaken a group of experiments to see whether or not 6-hydroxydopamine, which generates free radicals and is toxic to dopaminergic neurons, could alter the level of zinc and metallothionein. 6-Hydroxydopamine (8 micrograms in 4 microliters 0.02% ascorbic acid) reduced the level of zinc and metallothionein in the striatum but not other brain regions tested. Dopamine plus selegiline increased the synthesis of metallothionein in Chang cells as judged by enhanced incorporation of [35S]cysteine into metallothionein. The effect of dopamine was selective, in that dopamine could not stimulate the synthesis of metallothionein in neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells, which are devoid of dopaminergic receptors. The effect of dopamine in stimulating the synthesis of metallothionein was similar to that of zinc, known to generate the synthesis of metallothionein, and to that of H2O2 and FeS04, known to generate free radicals. The results of these experiments provide additional evidence that zinc or zinc metallothionein are altered in conditions where oxidative stress has taken place.

The high energetic electron measurement is one of the most important issues to research the ignition mechanism in the Fast Ignition Realization EXperiment Project. It is also important for the energy spectra with angular distribution because the electron spread is different by the target design. Therefore we have been developed the compact Electron SpectroMeter so as to be installed on different angular potions. We have performed the calibration using L-band LINAC in the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University. The analyzer has been tested to measure energetic electrons from the aluminum and gold plain targets irradiated by LFEX laser (maximum energy of 10 kJ) up to 800 J. The electron measurement has been performed at the integrated experiments using CD-shell with Au cone. The non-Maxwellian spectrum can be observed when the effective core heating by the electron is occurred.

A vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-binding protein purified from guinea pig lung membranes (p18) was digested with trypsin, and the amino acid sequence of the peptide fragments was determined. The sequence of six tryptic fragments of p18 was identical with subsequences present in mammalian calmodulin. Authentic porcine brain calmodulin and p18 co-migrated on an sodium dodecyl sulfate-electrophoresis gel and displayed identical chromatographic behavior on a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography column. The VIP-binding properties of p18 and calmodulin were indistinguishable. Both proteins displayed saturable and apparent high affinity binding of VIP, evidenced by potent inhibition of complexation with [Tyr10-125I]VIP by unlabeled VIP (IC50 = 6.0-8.1 nM). Rat growth hormone releasing factor and a C terminally extended form of VIP ([Leu17]VIP-GKR) also displayed potent inhibition of the binding (IC50 = 6.4 and 4 nM, respectively). These neuropeptides are potential modulators of calmodulin function.

There is great interest in the development of XUV lasers with driver energies of a few joules rather than a few kilojoules. One of the most promising ways to accomplish this is based upon the use of fast adiabatic cooling to produce population inversion in recombination to hydrogenic ions(l). Theoretical modelling(2) indicates that the optimum driver for this scheme should produce pulses of duration < 10 ps, ultraviolet wavelength and focusability to sub 10 µm line foci with length of the order 1 cm. Under these conditions saturated laser action at wavelengths below 20 nm is predicted in plasmas created from fibre targets of < 10 µm radius with driver energy < 10 J (see eg Fig 1). Preliminary experimental studies have been carried out using a high brightness 5 J, 10 ps KrF pumped Raman laser beam(3) with observations of fluorescence and possible amplification on the Balmer-α transitions of C VI, O VIII(4). In a current experiment these phenomena are being studied in detail. Our paper will review the theoretical basis for the X-ray laser scheme, describe the experimental and diagnostic system, review previous preliminary results and report on the results of the current more detailed experiment.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was selected and introduced as a primary dialysis method in two infants with cardiac failure. CAPD was started at 14 days after birth with body weight of 2125 gm and at 7 months of age with body weight of 2325 gm. In both cases, cardiac failure was due to large ventricular septal defect (VSD) and renal failure was due to dysplastic kidneys. In the first case (case 1), direct closure of atrial septal defect and patch closure of VSD were successfully completed at 9.5 months of age with body weight of 4844 gm. CAPD has been managed well for 1 year and 8 months and the child reached a body weight of 8440 gm. In the second case (case 2), CAPD was managed well for 11 months with body weight increasing to 4920 gm at the age of 1 year and 7 months. This marked deterioration of this boy's physical growth was mainly caused by the delay in introducing CAPD and partly due to his cardiac dysfunction which has not been corrected surgically. Both cases show almost normal mental development and are managed well at home. Although CAPD introduction yielded water balance and physical growth in these infants, earlier introduction of CAPD may result in better clinical outcomes including management following open heart surgery. Selection of CAPD as a primary dialysis maneuver is strongly recommended for uremic infants with cardiac failure.