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Introduction Current ESC guideline recommends achieving LDL-C Methods The REASSURE-NIRS registry is an on-going multi-center registry to enroll CAD subjects receiving PCI under the guidance of near-infrared spectroscopy/intravascular ultrasound (NIRS/IVUS: DualProTM, Nipro, Tokyo, Japan) imaging. Culprit lesions in 557 CAD patients who already received a statin were evaluated by NIRS/IVUS. Maximum 4-mm-lipid-core burden-index (maxLCBI4mm) and plaque calcification grade at culprit sites were measured. Calcification grade at each 1-mm cross-sectional image was defined as follows: calcium arc 0° = 0, 0–90° = 1, 90–180° = 2, 180–270° = 3, 270–360° = 4. MaxLCBI4mm and the averaged calcification grade were compared in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects stratified according to on-treatment LDL-C level, respectively. Result The proportion of diabetic (n=293, HbA1c; 6.9±0.9%) and non-diabetic patients (n=264) with on-treatment LDL-C Conclusion Achieving LDL-C Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2

The 9vHPV vaccine was efficacious, immunogenic, and well-tolerated in Asian participants from 2 international, randomized clinical trials. Data support 9vHPV vaccination programs in Asia., Background A 9-valent human papillomavirus-6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 (9vHPV) vaccine extends coverage to 5 next most common oncogenic types (31/33/45/52/58) in cervical cancer versus quadrivalent HPV (qHPV) vaccine. We describe efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety in Asian participants (India, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand) from 2 international studies: a randomized, double-blinded, qHPV vaccine-controlled efficacy study (young women aged 16–26 years; NCT00543543; Study 001); and an immunogenicity study (girls and boys aged 9–15 years; NCT00943722; Study 002). Methods Participants (N = 2519) were vaccinated at day 1 and months 2 and 6. Gynecological samples (Study 001 only) and serum were collected for HPV DNA and antibody assessments, respectively. Injection-site and systemic adverse events (AEs) were monitored. Data were analyzed by country and vaccination group. Results 9vHPV vaccine prevented HPV-31/33/45/52/58–related persistent infection with 90.4%–100% efficacy across included countries. At month 7, ≥97.9% of participants seroconverted for each HPV type. Injection-site AEs occurred in 77.7%–83.1% and 81.9%–87.5% of qHPV and 9vHPV vaccine recipients in Study 001, respectively, and 62.4%–85.7% of girls/boys in Study 002; most were mild to moderate. Conclusions The 9vHPV vaccine is efficacious, immunogenic, and well tolerated in Asian participants. Data support 9vHPV vaccination programs in Asia. Clinical Trials Registration NCT00543543; NCT00943722.

Heat shock induces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. Mammalian cells are capable of repairing DSBs by utilising the homologous recombination (HR) pathway. Breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) is known to regulate the HR pathway. Here, we investigate the role of BRCA2 in repairing DNA damage induced by heat shock.Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cell lines and human tongue squamous cell carcinoma SAS cells were used. RAD51 foci formation assay was used as an HR indicator. Heat sensitivity was analysed with colony forming assays. Phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) intensity, which correlates with the number of DSBs, was analysed with flow cytometry.RAD51 foci appeared with heat shock, and the number of cells with RAD51 foci was maximal at about 4 h after heat shock. Heat-induced RAD51 foci co-localised with γH2AX foci. BRCA2-deficient cells were sensitive to heat when compared to their parental wild-type cells. Heat-induced γH2AX was higher in BRCA2-deficient cells compared to parental cells. In SAS cells, cells transfected with BRCA2-siRNA were more sensitive to heat than cells transfected with negative control siRNA. Apoptotic bodies increased in number more rapidly in BRCA2-siRNA transfected cells than in cells transfected with negative control siRNA when cells were observed at 48 h after a heat treatment. In addition, cells deficient in BRCA2 were incapable of activating heat-induced GBRCA2 has a protecting role against heat-induced cell death. BRCA2 might be a potential molecular target for hyperthermic cancer therapy.

In this paper, we studied hysteresis in transfer characteristics of GaN-based vertical trench MOSFETs fabricated using different process technologies for n+ -GaN source layer. It was found that the device with epitaxially-grown source region can suppress hysteresis in the transfer characteristics compared to that with implanted source region.

Conclad extrusion using one wheel with two grooves was developed from Conform continuous extrusion and is used to manufacture trolley wire for Japanese trains. On the other hand, we developed Conclad extrusion with two wheels and investigated metal flow in this process by model experiment. Conclad extrusion with two wheels had two clear advantages over the use of one wheel with two grooves, namely there was a decrease in the content of dead metal in the chamber and the flow conditions were more appropriate for bonding. It is clear that bonding condition is good in case that abutment angle is 60°.

Visual Abstract, Interleukin (IL)-33 is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. IL-33 is expressed in nuclei and secreted as alarmin upon cellular damage to deliver a danger signal to the surrounding cells. Previous studies showed that IL-33 is expressed in the brain and that it is involved in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes in both humans and rodents. Nevertheless, the role of IL-33 in physiological brain function and behavior remains unclear. Here, we have investigated the behaviors of mice lacking IL-33 (Il33 −/− mice). IL-33 is constitutively expressed throughout the adult mouse brain, mainly in oligodendrocyte-lineage cells and astrocytes. Notably, Il33 −/− mice exhibited reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the open field test (OFT), as well as deficits in social novelty recognition, despite their intact sociability, in the three-chamber social interaction test. The immunoreactivity of c-Fos proteins, an indicator of neuronal activity, was altered in several brain regions implicated in anxiety-related behaviors, such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala, and piriform cortex (PCX), in Il33 −/− mice after the EPM. Altered c-Fos immunoreactivity in Il33 −/− mice was not correlated with IL-33 expression in wild-type (WT) mice nor was IL-33 expression affected by the EPM in WT mice. Thus, our study has revealed that Il33 −/− mice exhibit multiple behavioral deficits, such as reduced anxiety and impaired social recognition. Our findings also indicate that IL-33 may regulate the development and/or maturation of neuronal circuits, rather than control neuronal activities in adult brains.

In this section we introduce the concept of reconfigurable nanostructures made of DNA. Firstly, along with the properties of DNA molecules, how to self-assemble static nanostructures by using hybridization between complementary DNA strands is explained. Secondly, a definition of reconfigurable nanostructures, design requirements, and the strategies to realize reconfiguration are provided. Lastly, as an example of reconfigurable nanostructure, our design of movable DNA motif that assembles into a cluster with different valences is explained in detail.

Fibroptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a useful way for dentists to evaluate oropharyngeal dysfunction. However, no study has paid attention to inter- and intra-rater reliability of FEES evaluation about oropharyngeal dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to verify whether dentist who trained and experienced for evaluation of dysphagia could diagnose oropharyngeal function with FEES. Nine dentists independently evaluated FEES images of 10 cases four times each. At first, evaluators performed the first evaluation without consulting the evaluative criteria. Subsequently, evaluators independently re-evaluated at 1-week intervals for three consecutive weeks, consulting the evaluative criteria. And then, inter- and intra-rater reliability was calculated. Cohen's Kappa was used to assess reliability. The results found that overall inter-rater reliability was 0·35±0·04 (first evaluation), 0·45±0·05 (s), 0·44±0·05 (third) and 0·46±0·04 (fourth). Most of inter-rater reliability related to aspiration was moderate to high, but lower for categories that evaluated timing of swallowing and mastication. In contrast, intra-rater reliability was moderate to high for overall categories, at 0·53±0·04 (first vs. second evaluation), 0·55±0·04 (first vs. third), 0·53±0·04 (first vs. fourth), 0·55±0·03 (second vs. third), 0·60±0·03 (second vs. fourth) and 0·78±0·03 (third vs. fourth). FEES is reliable for experienced dentists to diagnose oropharyngeal function. Moreover, repeated evaluation with the aids of evaluative criteria is useful to improve the reliability of FEES.

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the antibacterial activity of sodium citrate against Streptococcus pneumoniae and several oral bacteria. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity was determined by broth microdilution method. The results showed that although Enterocuccus faecium OB7084 and Klebsiella pneumoniae OB7088 had high tolerance to sodium citrate, several oral bacteria including Fusobacterium nucleatum JCM8532T, Streptococcus mutans JCM5705T and Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642T were susceptible. Furthermore, the bactericidal activity of sodium citrate against Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642T was not influenced by pH in the range of 5·0–8·0, whereas that of sodium lactate was weakened at neutral or weak alkaline pH. When Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642T was treated with sodium citrate for 2 h, many burst cells were observed. However, addition of MgCl2 or CaCl2 to an assay medium weakened the antimicrobial activity although ZnCl2 or MnCl2 did not influence. Conclusions: Independent of pH, sodium citrate inhibited the growth of oral bacteria, which suggests that the mechanism is different from that of sodium lactate. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results presented in this study would be available for understanding the antimicrobial property of sodium citrate.

Summary. Background: The pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein Bim is recognized as a pivotal regulator of apoptosis induced by the depletion of cytokines. In the present study, we examined the role of Bim in megakaryopoiesis. Methods: Megakaryocyte (MK) progenitors obtained from bim knockout (KO) mice were analyzed in vitro for liability to apoptosis after the depletion of cytokines, ability to differentiate into MKs and proliferation/cell cycle progression in response to thrombopoietin (TPO). The production of platelets in vitro was evaluated by assaying the formation of proplatelets in MKs. Megakaryopoiesis in vivo was observed in a mouse model of thrombocytopenia induced by injecting fluorouracil (5-FU). Results: Bim-deficient CD34-/c-kit+/Sca-1+/Lineage- stem cells and MKs were highly resistant to apoptosis induced by cytokine depletion, suggesting that Bim is involved in the apoptotic process in both stem cells and MKs. As bim KO mice exhibited splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, splenectomized mice were used for experiments in vivo. Platelet recovery after 5-FU-induced thrombocytopenia was significantly delayed in bim KO mice. Corresponding with this, numbers of MKs in the recovery phase bone marrow were significantly reduced in bim KO mice. Culture of c-kit+/Lineage- progenitors with TPO revealed that Bim-deficient cells poorly proliferate and differentiate into CD41+ cells in comparison with wild-type (WT) cells. However, once differentiated into MKs, these cells matured normally. Furthermore, cell cycle analyses demonstrated that transition from the G1 to the S phase was delayed in Bim-deficient stem cells. Conclusions: In the present study, we demonstrated that Bim plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cell cycle progression in hepatopoietic progenitors during megakaryopiesis.

The aim of this work was to investigate the possible origin of local Brazilian pig breeds through Cytochrome b (MT-CYB) mitochondrial analyses. The results indicated that the main local pig breeds descended from two different European maternal lineages, both Iberian varieties. The haplotype relationship analysis showed that Monteiro, Nilo, Piau and Tatu breeds share haplotypes only with Iberian varieties, while the Moura breed presented a different maternal lineage. The Moura appears to share a high frequency of haplotypes with the Black Hairy Iberian variety and Hungarian Mangalica breed.

A 43-year-old woman and her 47-year-old brother were studied because of corneal opacity. They showed a marked decrease in plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) and a decrease in the ester ratio of plasma total cholesterol. Discoidal particles were found in the HDL2 fraction (d 1.063–1.125). A marked heterogeneity of low density lipoproteins was disclosed in both patients by electron microscopy. Apoprotein analysis revealed an increase in apo E and a decrease in apo A-I and A-II in both patients. These abnormalites were similar to the data reported in other cases with hereditary lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency. However, several interesting dissimilarities have been disclosed as compared with the previously reported cases. Neither patient had proteinuria, and their kidney functions were within the normal limits. The ester ratios of plasma cholesterol of both patients were the highest among the cases reported thus far. Their plasma LCAT activities were 14.4 and 15% of the normal mean values determined by Glomset-Wright's common-substrate method. The enzyme activities determined by Stokke-Norum's self-substrate method were 40.2 and 29%, respectively. These results may indicate that this inherited disorder is not characterized by absence of plasma LCAT or presence of inhibitory factors in plasma, but by the presence of partially inactive LCAT in the patients' plasma.

In this work, the high temperature oxidation behavior of selected MCrAlY overlay coatings has been investigated using the elemental concentration profile analysis. Emphasis is placed upon the influence of chemical composition on the oxidation. The results show that the oxide scale formation on coatings is considerably influenced by the microstructure of coating, the chemical composition of M as well as CrAlY, and the interdiffusion from substrate. If an element exists only in the one side of the overlay coating system, the diffusion amount of that particular element becomes higher. The vacancies which formed near the substrate/coating interface after thermal exposure could be generated by the diffusion of Ni and Al. A seriously diffusion-affected zone between substrate and coating are observed within 80 μm from the substrate/coating interface toward the coating surface. The cobalt-including CoCrAlYs and CoNiCrAlYs outperform the nickel-based system under the high temperature oxidizing condition.

In this work, as a background to the development of high temperature environmental protection coating technology, the structural transformation of vacuum-plasma sprayed NiCrAlY coating has been studied, including the oxidation behavior, elastic modulus, microhardness, and surface roughness. Coating was oxidized isothermally at a 1,273 K for different time periods up to 1,000 h in order to form the oxide scale layer. The results showed that the oxide scale and weight gain increased proportional to the exposure time. The surface roughness and hardness decreased after isothermal exposure, but they are not proportional to the exposure time. The oxide scale growth was concentrated in the valleys of the surface at the early 1 h exposure (decreasing surface roughness), whereas the oxide scales over a longer perspective (time period), grew on the convex surface (increasing surface roughness).

This study evaluated the histomorphologic response of human dental pulps capped with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Ca(OH)2 cement (CH). Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor of 40 human permanent premolars. After that, the pulp was capped either with CH or MTA and restored with composite resin. After 30 and 60 days, teeth were extracted and processed for histologic exam and categorized in a histologic score system. The data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Conover tests (alpha = .05). All groups performed well in terms of hard tissue bridge formation, inflammatory response, and other pulpal findings. However, a lower response of CH30 was observed for the dentin bridge formation, when compared with MTA30 and MTA60 groups. Although the pulp healing with calcium hydroxide was slower than that of MTA, both materials were successful for pulp capping in human teeth.

Three Holstein steers fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulae were fed grass silage-based diets supplemented with potato pulp silage as a substitute for rolled corn at levels of 0%, 50% and 100% on a DM basis in a 3x3 Latin square design to investigate the effect of potato pulp silage on nitrogen (N) utilization in ruminants. Organic matter (OM) intake, and rumen and total tract digestibilities did not differ among treatment diets. Rumen and post-rumen starch digestibilities were similar among treatments, although starch intake decreased (p 0.05) in ruminal N utilization and non-ammonia N supply to the duodenum of steers fed grass silage supplemented with potato pulp silage as a substitute for rolled corn. There were no treatment differences (p>0.05) in rumen pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration or the molar percentages of acetate and propionate. The ammonia-N concentration in rumen fluid tended to decrease (p

Aims: To assess the possibility that bifidobacteria compete with Porphyromonas gingivalis for their mutual growth factor vitamin K. This study also examined whether salivary Bifidobacterium species decrease vitamin K concentration in the growth medium. Methods and Results: Sixty-five strains of Bifidobacterium were obtained from 20 of 24 periodontally healthy subjects. Bifidobacterium dentium was most frequently detected in the saliva of subjects, followed by Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium urinalis. The growth of most Bifidobacterium isolates, except that of B. urinalis, was stimulated by vitamin K. Moreover, the isolates were capable of decreasing vitamin K after incubation, which suggests that bifidobacteria compete with P. gingivalis for vitamin K. In a co-culture, a representative strain –B. adolescentis S2-1 – inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis if it was inoculated in the medium before P. gingivalis. Conclusions: B. adolescentis S2-1 decreased vitamin K concentration and inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis by possibly competing for the growth factor. Significance and Impact of the Study: Salivary bifidobacteria may possess the potential to suppress the growth of P. gingivalis by reducing the growth factor(s) in the environment.

To assess haemodynamic changes in the liver under temporary occlusion of an intrahepatic portal vein.Between February 2000 and October 2004, 16 patients with hepatobiliary disease underwent single-level dynamic computed tomography during hepatic arteriography (SLD-CTHA) under temporary balloon occlusion of an intrahepatic portal vein. All patients needed percutaneous transhepatic portography for therapy of their disease. SLD-CTHA was undertaken to clarify the time-attenuation curve influenced by portal vein occlusion, and it was performed continuously over a period of 30s. The difference in absolute attenuation of the liver parenchyma in segments with occluded and non-occluded portal vein branches was determined by means of the CT number, and the difference in absolute attenuation of the occluded and non-occluded portal veins themselves was also evaluated.SLD-CTHA demonstrated a demarcated hyperattenuation area in the corresponding distribution of the occluded portal vein branch. The attenuation of the liver parenchyma supplied by the occluded portal vein was significantly higher than that in the non-occluded area (p0.01). The balloon-occluded portal branch enhancement in 15 of 16 cases (94%) appears due to arterio-portal communications. Failure to evaluate a remaining case for portal branch enhancement was due to absence of a visualized portal branch in the section.Under temporary occlusion of an intrahepatic portal vein, hepatic angiography produced enhancement of the occluded portal branches and their corresponding parenchymal distribution; this finding is considered consistent with the presence of arterio-portal communications.

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is a biodegradable material. It can be obtained from natural cellulose through simple process; TEMPO oxidation. Its suspension in water shows high viscosity by the entanglement of fibers each other, owing to its high aspect ratio and the balance of electrical repulsion and hydrogen bond between fibers. In addition, it can regain its viscosity after shearing, which seems to be efficient polymer for E&P industry. In this study, we conducted the next core flooding experiments; polymer flooding and profile modification, and evaluated the applicability of CNF as environment-friendly polymer for EOR process. For the polymer flooding, Berea sandstone core of 145 mm in length and 1 inch in diameter was first prepared to be the residual oil saturated condition by the enough volume of water flooding with the API brine. After that, the 0.1 wt% CNF suspension was injected. As a result, additional oil was recovered, but the differential pressure between inlet and outlet of the core reached 5 MPa when 0.9 PV of the CNF suspension was injected. For the profile modification, we introduced high permeability column of 16 mm in diameter along the center of the sandstone core axis by packing and sintering glass beads. First, the core was saturated by the oil and the primary water flooding with the API brine from upstream was carried out until no more oil was recovered. Second, pure water for pre-flash, the 0.4 wt% CNF suspension and cross-linker solution of AlCl3 were injected successively from downstream for gel blocking inside high permeability zone. After the gel treatment, the secondary water flooding was carried out, and it improved oil recovery from 13.3 % to 24.3 %. We could confirm the ability of CNF suspension to control mobility owing to its viscosity, and to make bypass in low permeability zone by blocking up easy channel when cross-linked with aluminum ion. However, we got the results that the CNF suspension shows poor injectivity because filtration occurs in the sandstone core during injection.

Feasibility of biological mercury removal from wastewater was examined by using alginate-immobilized cells of Escherichia coli carrying mer-ppk fusion plasmid pMKB18. Immobilized cells engineered to express mercury-transport system, organomercurial lyase and polyphosphate efficiently removed organic and inorganic mercury from contaminated wastewater over a wide concentration range of mercurials, probably via intracellular accumulation mediated by ppk-specified polyphosphate. Bioaccumulation of mercury was selective compared to other metals such as Cd(2+), Pb(2+) and Cr(6+). The immobilized cells could be used repeatedly (at least three times) without large loss of mercury removal activity. From these results, it is concluded that the mer-ppk fusion plasmid and the immobilized cells are useful for simultaneous removal of organic and inorganic mercury from contaminated wastewater.

Abstract Tortuosity of fluid flow through a fracture is mainly caused by the geometry of the fracture surface and contact condition. In addition, it causes the deviation from the cubic law of fracture permeability. In this study, to estimate the tortuosity, several physical experiments and numerical simulations to visualize the streamlines were carried out for the water flow through interlocking fractures and non-interlocking fractures. These fractures were artificially prepared by using a fractal model to control the fractal parameters and interlocking parameter. Furthermore, the tortuosity was discussed in relation to the fractal parameters, interlocking parameter, and contact area ratio. Consequently, the behaviour of fluid flow through the fractures was clarified, and the effects of those parameters on tortuosity were clarified. The obtained results can give a basic knowledge of the fluid flow through a fracture and will be helpful to estimate the fracture permeability used for reservoir simulation and well test analysis. Introduction In order to estimate the condition of fluid flow in a fractured reservoir, it is necessary to understand the behaviour of fluid flow through a single fracture and to estimate fracture permeability correctly as well as to estimate the heterogeneous distribution of the fractures in the reservoir. This is because the fractures have considerably higher permeability than the intact parts of the reservoir and they govern the fluid flow in the reservoir. Generally, fracture permeability has been estimated by the cubic law that is valid for the laminar flow between two perfectly smooth parallel plates. However, the topography of actual fracture surfaces is very complex and some parts on them are contacting. This makes the flow paths tortuous and causes the deviation from the cubic law of fracture permeability. Moreover, aperture of the fracture estimated from the cubic law, called hydraulic aperture, is smaller than the actual aperture. This would lead to some errors in reservoir simulation and well test analysis for a highly fractured reservoir. Therefore, many research studies(1–5) have been carried out to determine the behaviour of fluid flow through a fracture and to estimate the fracture permeability correctly. Among this research, Walsh and Brace(2) presented the following equation to represent the permeability of rocks: Equation (available in full paper) They discussed the permeability in relation to the formation factor without estimating the tortuosity directly. In their study, they assumed that electrical current and fluid follow the same paths and so tortuosity for the two processes is the same. But, Brown(5) showed that the paths of the two processes are different by using computer simulations. Therefore, a parameter other than the formation factor or the direct estimation of tortuosity is necessary to estimate the fracture permeability. In this study, we try to estimate the tortuosity directly from several physical experiments and numerical simulations in order to visualize the streamlines of water flow through an interlocking fracture and a non-interlocking fracture. These fractures are prepared artificially by using a fractal model.

The light emission and detection characteristics of a GaInAsP lateral current injection (LCI) laser were studied to examine feasibility for optoelectronic functional devices. LCI lasers which can be fabricated on semi-insulating substrates in quasi-planar structures are very appropriate for integration with electronic devices, and are promising light sources for optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs). For the light emission characteristics, the LCI laser has a modulation bandwidth above 2 GHz. Also, good eye openings at 1-Gb/s signals is confirmed for the laser in eye diagrams for pseudorandom bit stream input signals. For the light detection characteristics, the 3-dB detection bandwidth of more than 2 GHz, high responsivity of 0.54 A/W, and small polarization dependence of 0.17 dB are confirmed. These performances show that the LCI laser might be a good candidate for the light emission and detection diode in OEICs in future.

Summary Glycophorin C (GPC) and glycophorin D (GPD) are minor but important components of human RBC membranes. They carry the high-frequency antigens Ge2, Ge3 and Ge4 of the Gerbich blood group system. The epitopes for five new monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) with anti-GPC specificity were characterized. Two antibodies (4G11 and 5B11) reacted with glycosylated N-terminal epitopes, and three reacted with internal epitopes of GPC. Pepscan analysis showed that the MoAb RB11 required for binding the EPDP sequence, occurring twice in GPC polypeptide chain. The MoAb 7F11 recognized the sequence 13PLSLEPDP20, and the MoAb RB8 did not react with synthetic peptides. Further characterization of the internal epitopes was performed in fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) with the use of recombinant GPC and its variant forms transiently expressed on COS-7 cells. The results indicated that the MoAb RB11 recognized distinctly its target sequence EPDP only in a normal GPC molecule. The reactivity of the MoAb 7F11 with the PLSLEPDP sequence was confirmed and found to be enhanced by the O-glycan at the Ser15 residue. The MoAb RB8 recognized the glycopeptidic epitope in proximity to the Ser15 residue, requiring the presence of O-glycan. The combination of immunochemical techniques with the use of the recombinant forms of GPC has made it possible to define the role of sugar chains in the recognition of peptidic epitopes in glycosylated antigen and sheds new light on the Gerbich system antigens.

Salp16, a 16-kDa tick salivary gland protein, is known to be the molecule involved in the transmission of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligate intracellular pathogen causing zoonotic anaplasmosis, from its mammalian hosts to Ixodes scapularis. Recently, the presence of A. phagocytophilum was documented in Japan and Ixodes persulcatus was identified as one of its vectors. The purpose of this study was to identify Salp16 genes in I. persulcatus and characterize their function. Two cDNA clones encoding the Salp16-like sequences were obtained from the salivary glands of fed female I. persulcatus ticks and designated Salp16 Iper1 and Iper2. Gene expression analyses showed that the Salp16 Iper genes were expressed specifically in the salivary glands and were up-regulated by blood feeding. These proteins attenuated the oxidative burst of activated bovine neutrophils and inhibited their migration induced by the chemoattractant interleukin-8 (IL-8). These results demonstrate that Salp16 Iper proteins contribute to the establishment of blood feeding as an immunosuppressant of neutrophil, an essential factor in innate host immunity. Further examination of the role of Salp16 Iper in the transmission of pathogens, including A. phagocytophilum, will increase our understanding of the tick-host-pathogen interface.

Bacteriocin-like activity (BLA) was screened in 690 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from plant materials such as silages and fermented vegetables. Among them, a strain identified as Enterococcus faecium NIAI 157 showed a clear BLA against the indicator strain, Ent. faecium IFO 13712. The proteinaceous nature and antimicrobial activity against closely related species strongly indicated that this BLA was a bacteriocin and was designated enterocin ON-157. The bacteriocin activity of this strain was extracellularly produced in the logarithmic growth phase in MRS broth and purified by ultrafiltration, ammonium sulphate precipitation and cation-exchange chromatography. Purified enterocin ON-157 had a molecular weight of approximately 2500 Da in SDS-PAGE analysis and was easily inhibited by treatment with alpha-amylase and proteolytic enzymes. Enterocin ON-157 had a bactericidal mode of action and inhibited the growth of the enterococci, Lactobacillus sake and Listeria monocytogenes. Enterococcus faecium NIAI 157 harboured two plasmids, 49.0 kb and 43.7 kb, and a variant missing a larger plasmid by curing with novobiocin lost the bactriocin activity.

We have developed an energetic particle spectrometer called a standard dose monitor (SDOM) that can discriminate and analyze the energy of electrons, protons, and alphas. SDOMs unique characteristics include a large G-factor, a wide energy range, and the ability to simultaneously identify and analyze the energy of multiple particle types. We plan to use this instrument to update current space radiation environment models.

We have investigated the electronic characteristics in the Ga and N adsorption processes of crystal growth in gallium nitride (GaN) by first-principle density functional calculation. Potential energy curves along the Ga and N adsorption processes for the surface orientations (0001), (0001), (1100), and (1120) were obtained. We have observed the obvious superiority of (0001) orientation in growth rate. We have discussed the local electronic processes in the crystal growth of GaN in terms of the variety of energy densities introduced by the regional density functional theory.

Maintaining metro ridership in the future will require an increasing focus on customer perceptions of the service quality. This work outlines a process whereby passenger expectations may be encapsulated into a mathematical evaluation function that can then be used in an on-line optimization procedure. The function proposed penalizes excess waiting time, travelling time and congestion following a disturbance such as a platform delay. With the function defined, the problem resolves into finding a set of optimum arrival and departure times (the decision variables) that minimizes this penalty function. Ultimately, the concept is intended to form part of an on-line, real-time traffic controller residing on the despatching computer in a control centre. An embedded simulation is used to perform the optimization calculations, and several techniques are described that reduce the computing time needed to a level feasible for on-line use. Comparisons are made with some previous control algorithms. Using data based on the Hong Kong Island Line, it is shown that the new controller performs well, albeit when using the newly proposed evaluation function as the test criterion.

The ${}^{59}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{o}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{M}\mathrm{R}$ on single crystals of ${\mathrm{LaCoO}}_{3}$ has been studied in order to investigate the spin-state transition through the nuclear-spin relaxation in this compound. Below $T\ensuremath{\sim}35\mathrm{K},$ the spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation rates show a thermal-activation-type temperature dependence with an energy gap of \ensuremath{\sim}180 K. This value is close to the energy difference between the low spin state $(S=0)$ and the intermediate spin state $(S=1)$ predicted in the two-stage spin-state transition model with the intermediate spin state. The apparent spin-spin relaxation rates depend on the resonance peaks split due to the nuclear-electric-quadrupole interaction, which is explained by an indirect nuclear spin-spin interaction through the interacting paramagnetic electron spins. This observation is consistent with the ferromagnetic short-range correlation among the electron spins on ${\mathrm{Co}}^{3+}$ ions confirmed by neutron-scattering experiments.

An aerobic oxidation of dibenzothiophene and related compounds using a catalytic amount of ruthenium chloride in hydrocarbon solvents at 80°C for 20 h gave the corresponding sulfones in almost quantitative yields. The reaction might proceed via autoxidation of solvents to hydroperoxides and the reaction of sulfur compounds with the resulting hydroperoxides.

By using polarized infrared absorption spectroscopy, we have determined the average inclination angle of the backbone structure of a series of polyimides with alkyl side chains induced by rubbing. We examined four polyimides. They have an identical backbone structure, but the number (n) of carbon atoms in the alkyl side chain is different: $n=1,$ 3, 6, and 11. The inclination angle of the polyimide backbone structure increases with the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl side chain. To learn the behavior of the alkyl side chain under rubbing, we have also measured the contact angle of water on the film surface. For the rubbed films of polyimide with short alkyl side chains $(n=1,$ 3, and 6), almost all the alkyl side chains at the film surface orient inward, toward the bulk of the film. On the other hand, the alkyl side chains that orient outward exist at the rubbed film surface for the polyimide with a long alkyl side chain $(n=11).$ The pretilt angle of liquid crystals (LC) is proportional to the inclination angle of the polyimide backbone structure independent of the orientation of the alkyl side chain. From these results we conclude that the rubbing-induced inclination of the polyimide backbone structure has the dominant effect in determining the pretilt angle of LC.

By using a discrete vortex method which combines the vortex-shedding model with the singularity method, the following subjects are examined in this study: (1) how to decide on a suitable set of parameters to simulate the real flow, (2) a new reattachment model along the body surface and (3) the applicability to an oscillating body of the new calculation formula for the pitching moment proposed by the authors, its validity for bodies at rest had already been confirmed. Furthermore, the physical meaning of the new calculation formula of the pitching moment is also explained. The calculated results show good coincidence with the experimental results obtained from wind tunnel tests.

We have developed a high-performance, small-sized recorder which enables us to record a maximum 48 hours of general sound in addition to enjoying Hi-Fi audio by using Mini Disc.

1. The genetic architecture of the avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) was investigated and the relationship between avUCP gene expression and the amount of abdominal fat of Japanese quail was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. 2. The Japanese quail avUCP gene consists of six exons and five introns. Sequences of nucleotides and amino acids were 94·6% and 86·0% identical to those of the chicken avUCP gene, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Japanese quail avUCP gene consists of the same clusters as the chicken and turkey avUCP. 3. Expression of the avUCP gene was significantly higher in the Pectoralis major (1·28 ± 0·24) than in the Biceps femoris (0·63 ± 0·14). 4. A positive correlation coefficient between the avUCP gene expression in the Pectoralis major and Biceps femoris was observed (r = 0·79, P = 0·02), whereas a negative correlation coefficient was observed between the abdominal fat percentage (AFP) and gene expression in both the Pectoralis major (r = -0·82, P = 0·01) and Biceps femoris (r = -0·61, P = 0·11). 5. The avUCP gene was associated with the accumulation of abdominal fat in Japanese quail and it was concluded that modulation of avUCP gene expression could be utilised to control abdominal fat accumulation in poultry.