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A feasibility demonstration of three-dimensional (3D) muon tomography was performed for infrastructure equivalent targets using the proposed portable muography detector. For the target, we used two sets of lead blocks placed at different heights. The detector consists of two muon position-sensitive detectors, made of plastic scintillating fibers (PSFs) and multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs) with an angular resolution of 8 msr. In this work, the maximum likelihood-expectation maximization (ML-EM) method was used for the 3D imaging reconstruction of the muography. For both simulation and experiment, the reconstructed positions of the blocks produce consistent results with prior knowledge of the blocks' arrangement. This result demonstrates the potential of the 3D tomographic imaging of infrastructure by using seven detection positions for portable muography detectors to image infrastructure scale targets.

We report the development of a millimeter-wave electron-spin-resonance (ESR) measurement system at the University of Fukui using a 3He/4He dilution refrigerator to reach temperatures below 1 K. The system operates in the frequency range of 125–130 GHz, with a homodyne detection. A nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) measurement system was also developed in this system as the extension for millimeter-wave ESR/NMR double magnetic-resonance (DoMR) experiments. Several types of Fabry–Perot-type resonators (FPR) have been developed: A piezo actuator attached to an FPR enables an electric tuning of cavity frequency. A flat mirror of an FPR has been fabricated using a gold thin film aiming for DoMR. ESR signal was measured down to 0.09 K. Results of ESR measurements of an organic radical crystal and phosphorous-doped silicon are presented. The NMR signal from 1H contained in the resonator is also detected successfully as a test for DoMR.

A case of daytime development of deep convection over tropical semi-arid land is used to evaluate the representation of convection in global and regional models. The case is based on observations collected during the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) field campaign and includes two distinct transition phases, from clear sky to shallow cumulus and from cumulus to deep convection. Different types of models, run with identical initial and boundary conditions, are intercompared: a reference large-eddy simulation (LES), single-column model (SCM) version of four different Earth system models that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 exercise, the SCM version of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts operational forecast model, the SCM version of a mesoscale model and a bulk model. Surface fluxes and radiative heating are prescribed preventing any atmosphere–surface and cloud–radiation coupling in order to simplify the analyses so that it focuses only on convective processes. New physics packages are also evaluated within this framework. As the LES correctly reproduces the observed growth of the boundary layer, the gradual development of shallow clouds, the initiation of deep convection and the development of cold pools, it provides a basis to evaluate in detail the representation of the diurnal cycle of convection by the other models and to test the hypotheses underlying convective parametrizations. Most SCMs have difficulty in representing the timing of convective initiation and rain intensity, although substantial modifications to boundary-layer and deep-convection parametrizations lead to improvements. The SCMs also fail to represent the mid-level troposphere moistening during the shallow convection phase, which we analyse further. Nevertheless, beyond differences in timing of deep convection, the SCM models reproduce the sensitivity to initial and boundary conditions simulated in the LES regarding boundary-layer characteristics, and often the timing of convection triggering.

Background Kidney transplantation is performed as a useful treatment to improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients with end-stage renal failure; however, the correlation between mood status and QOL among recipients post-kidney transplantation have yet to be clarified. Methods Sixty-eight post-kidney transplantation patients who visited our institution between March and December 2016 were enrolled in this study. The QOL of the participants as measured by the Short Form-36 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-36v2) questionnaire was compared to results gathered from hemodialysis patients in a previous study. To identify the factors associated with QOL, a multiple regression analysis was performed, including some physical, mental, and socioeconomic characteristics as well as the Profile of Mood States as independent variables. Results The QOL of the transplantation group was significantly higher for all 8 subscales of SF-36v2 compared to the hemodialysis group. Among the factors, greater age and higher Confusion levels were related to lower physical QOL. In addition, higher Vigor and lower Fatigue levels were related to higher mental QOL, while the condition of having an occupation was related to higher role/social QOL. Conclusion The QOL of recipients after kidney transplantation was better than that of hemodialysis patients. It is important to pay attention to mood status, especially confusion and fatigue, in order to maintain and improve the QOL of the recipient after kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation can be a beneficial treatment not only physically but also psychologically and socially.

Single-column models (SCM) are useful test beds for investigating the parameterization schemes of numerical weather prediction and climate models. The usefulness of SCM simulations are limited, however, by the accuracy of the best estimate large-scale observations prescribed. Errors estimating the observations will result in uncertainty in modeled simulations. One method to address the modeled uncertainty is to simulate an ensemble where the ensemble members span observational uncertainty. This study first derives an ensemble of large-scale data for the Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) based on an estimate of a possible source of error in the best estimate product. These data are then used to carry out simulations with 11 SCM and two cloud-resolving models (CRM). Best estimate simulations are also performed. All models show that moisture-related variables are close to observations and there are limited differences between the best estimate and ensemble mean values. The models, however, show different sensitivities to changes in the forcing particularly when weakly forced. The ensemble simulations highlight important differences in the surface evaporation term of the moisture budget between the SCM and CRM. Differences are also apparent between the models in the ensemble mean vertical structure of cloud variables, while for each model, cloud properties are relatively insensitive to forcing. The ensemble is further used to investigate cloud variables and precipitation and identifies differences between CRM and SCM particularly for relationships involving ice. This study highlights the additional analysis that can be performed using ensemble simulations and hence enables a more complete model investigation compared to using the more traditional single best estimate simulation only.

Aims: To characterize the cause for the lack of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reductase (CLA-R) activity in the Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens MDT-5 strain that rapidly isomerizes linoleic acid (LA) to CLA without hydrogenation, the CLA-R was purified and its gene (cla-r) sequence was determined. Methods and Results: CLA-R was purified to near homogeneity as a 53-kDa monomeric protein from the high CLA-R activity-expressing strain MDT-10. The purified CLA-R recognized conjugated double bonds. Unsaturated fatty acids containing 18 carbons markedly increased the CLA-R expression at the transcriptional level. Complete sequencing of the cla-r gene revealed that the CLA-R is a novel protein. Sequence analysis of the cla-r gene from the MDT-5 strain revealed that the MDT-5 CLA-R protein sequence differed from that of the MDT-10 at four consecutive amino acids. Northern and Western blotting analyses confirmed that the cla-r mRNA and protein are expressed normally in MDT-5. Conclusions: Strain MDT-5 expresses the CLA-R protein that lacks enzyme activity because of mutation, which explains why MDT-5 exclusively produces CLA from LA. Significance and Impact of the Study: The cla-r gene was sequenced for the first time. Exogenous fatty acids affected the cla-r transcription. These results will provide additional knowledge on biohydrogenation, and may also augment the CLA production in the gastrointestinal tract.

The austenitic-steel collars are an important component of the LHC dipole magnets, operating at cryogenic temperature under high mechanical stress. The required steel, known as YUS 130S, has been specifically developed for this application by Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC), who was awarded a CERN contract in 1999 for the supply of 11 500 tonnes. In 2005 - after six years of work - the contract is being successfully completed, with final production being ensured since October 2003 by Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel Corporation (NSSC). The paper describes the steel properties, its manufacturing and quality control process, organization of production, logistics and contract follow-up. Extensive statistics have been collected relating to mechanical, physical and technological parameters. Specific attention is dedicated to measurements of magnetic permeability performed at cryogenic temperatures by CERN, the equipment used and statistical results. Reference is also made to the resulting precision of the fineblanked collars.

大腸癌では,血行性・リンパ行性の膣壁転移は極めてまれであり,これまでに詳細な報告例は,本邦ではわずか5例しかない.今回,我々は,膣壁転移を伴ったS状結腸癌の1切除例を経験した.症例は74歳,女性.不正性器出血を主訴に当院産婦人科を受診した.内診にて膣壁に2cm大の腫瘍が認められ,生検にて腺癌と診断された.大腸内視鏡にてS状結腸に1/2周性の2型進行癌が認められた.手術時,腹水や腹膜播種は認められなかった.S状結腸癌は漿膜面へは露出しておらず,膣とは接していなかった.S状結腸切除術の後,経膣的膣壁腫瘍切除術が施行された.S状結腸癌は径28mm,中分化腺癌,sslylvln(-)と診断された.膣壁腫瘍は径23mmで,S状結腸癌と極めて類似した癌病巣が平滑筋層と横紋筋層の間にまで浸潤していた.病理組織学的所見の詳細な検討より,膣壁腫瘍はS状結腸癌からの脈管性転移と診断された.

Summary Objectives: To improve insight into age and gender related distributions of serum lipids and their correlation with body mass index (BMI). Methods: Serum lipids embracing atherogenic index (AI) and BMI were analyzed from the results obtained in 19,823 men and 14,788 women undergoing a health examination between 1986 and 1996. Results: The changes in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), AI and BMI differed regarding gender. Although high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) showed a flat pattern for all ages in both genders, its level in women was higher than in men. The ratio of the number in the unsuitable range to those in the suitable range increased with age as to TC in both sexes, then more than half of the population have an unsuitable level in the sixth decade. As for the correlation between serum lipids and BMI: TC, TG and AI correlated positively, but HDL-C correlated negatively. There were significant gaps between both age and gender. Conclusions: We suggest that the normal range of values of serum lipids needs to be revised according to gender and age to evaluate the risk status for a cardio-cerebrovascular disease more precisely in the field of preventive medicine. Simpler guidelines are preferable in specialized care as well as in general practice, particularly since computer technology is not yet universally adapted. In the near future, when computed information technology will be as common as the electricity and the telephone are current on the whole earth, all guidelines will have to be computed on the spot and personally.

We review experimental results which show the occurrence of a new class of photo-effect so called as photo-induced phase transition (PIPT). We focus on the photo-induced cooperative charge transfer, spin state transition and photo-carrier induced ferromagnetic ordering, and demonstrate the role of cooperative electron–electron and/or spin–lattice interactions in the observed exotic photo-induced effects.

The pathogenesis of pericyte loss, an initial deficit in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy, remains unclear. Polyol pathway hyperactivity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, and recent studies have suggested that apoptosis may be involved in pericyte loss. The present study was conducted to investigate whether high glucose induces apoptosis in cultured bovine retinal pericytes. The effect of an aldose reductase inhibitor, SNK-860, was also examined. After a 5 day incubation with various concentrations of glucose (5.5–40 m M ) in the presence or absence of SNK-860, the cell viability and the percentages of dead cells were measured, and staining with the TUNEL method and Hoechst 33342, and DNA electrophoresis were performed. High glucose reduced the viability and increased the percentages of dead cells. TUNEL-positive cells were observed in pericytes under high glucose, but not in those under 5.5 m M glucose. In the staining of nuclei with Hoechst 33342, the percentage of apoptotic cells in total cells counted under high glucose was higher than that under 5.5 m M glucose. DNA electrophoresis of pericytes cultured with high glucose demonstrated a ‘ladder pattern’. Hyperosmolarity also induced apoptosis in pericytes, but less than that by high glucose. SNK-860 inhibited the glucose-induced apoptosis in pericytes. These observations suggest that the pericyte loss in diabetic retinopathy involves an apoptotic process, and that the polyol pathway hyperactivity plays an important role in inducing apoptosis in pericytes by high glucose.

Aims/hypothesis. Although increased polyol pathway activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy, the relation with diabetic macroangiopathy remains unclear. Galactose feeding is known to stimulate the polyol pathway and to develop abnormalites similar to those in diabetic microangiopathy. Our study was conducted to investigate whether an activation of polyol pathway by long-term treatment with galactose produced morphological changes in coronary arteries of dogs and the effect of an aldose reductase inhibitor, epalrestat, was also studied. Methods. Dogs received either normal chow or chow containing 30 % galactose with or without epalrestat given orally (20 or 50 mg◊ kg ‐1 ). After 44 months, morphometric analyses of coronary arteries were carried out and the galactitol contents in aortas were measured. Results. The ratio of areas of the intimal layer to those of the medial layer, an indicator of intimal thickening, was statistically significantly increased in galactosefed dogs compared with control dogs. Galactose-fed dogs had a remarkable accumulation of galactitol in their aortas. These morphological and biochemical deficits were reduced by treatment with epalrestat. Conclusion/interpretation. This report morphologically shows diabetes-like macrovascular abnormalities in galactosaemic animals, suggesting that polyol pathway hyperactivity is closely related to the development of diabetic macroangiopathy, which could be prevented by aldose reductase inhibition. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 1404‐1409]

To examine the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the polyol pathway in the growth activity of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation, [(125)I]-PDGF-BB binding and expression of PDGF-beta receptor protein were measured in rat aortic SMCs cultured with 5.5 or 20 mM glucose with or without anti-PDGF antibody or an aldose reductase inhibitor, epalrestat. SMCs cultured with 20 mM glucose demonstrated an accelerated thymidine incorporation compared with SMCs cultured with 5.5 mM glucose, which was prevented by anti-PDGF antibody. This acceleration of growth activity by 20 mM glucose was accompanied by an increase in PDGF-BB binding, which was due to the increased number of PDGF-beta receptors and the overexpression of PDGF-beta receptor protein. Epalrestat prevented all these abnormalities. These observations suggest that polyol pathway hyperactivity plays an important role in the proliferation of SMCs which may be mediated through the accelerated expression of PDGF-beta receptor protein.

Pour examiner les caracteristiques physiopathologiques du diabete noninsulinodependant, on a examine le metabolisme de l'alanine dans des hepatocytes isoles de gros rats Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) mâles (genetiquement obeses et hyperglycemiques) et de rats maigres de meme portee. On a aussi examine les effets du glucagon et des biguanides, metformine et buformine, sur le metabolisme de l'alanine, en mesurant la capture de l'alanine et la synthese lipidique liee a l'alanine. A 5 et 12 semaines, les gros rats WKY ont eu de plus fortes concentrations de lipides et d'insuline plasmatique que les rats maigres. A 12 semaines, la capture d'alanine dans les hepatocytes a augmente chez les gros rats uniquement, tout comme la synthese lipidique liee a l'alanine, a 5 et 12 semaines. Le glucagon a augmente la capture d'alanine, mais n'a pas eu d'effet sur la synthese lipidique liee a l'alanine et ce, chez les deux groupes de rats. De faibles concentrations (0,1 mM) de biguanides ont diminue la synthese lipidique liee a l'alanine, sans inhiber la capture d'alanine, chez les gros rats uniquement. Ces observations suggerent que la synthese lipidique liee a l'alanine dans les hepatocytes des rats obeses WKY augmente avant l'apparition du diabete, ce qui pourrait faire partie de l'evolution de ce dernier, et que l'une des actions pharmacodynamiques des biguanides se manifeste par une inhibition de l'augmentation de la synthese lipidique.

Tune depression in a compact beam equipment is estimated, and numerical simulation results are compared with an experimental one for the compact beam simulator in a driver of heavy ion inertial fusion. The numerical simulation with multi-particle tracking is carried out, corresponding to the experimental condition, and the result is discussed with the experimental one. It is expected that the numerical simulation developed in this paper is useful tool to investigate the beam dynamics in the experiment with the compact beam simulator.

Results are presented from an intercomparison of global atmospheric model (GAM) simulations of tropical convection during the Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE). The distinct cloud properties, precipitation, radiation, and vertical diabatic heating profiles associated with three different monsoon regimes (wet, dry, and break) from available observations are used to evaluate 9 GAM forecasts initialized daily from realistic global analyses. All models well captured the evolution of large-scale circulation and the thermodynamic fields, but cloud properties differed substantially among models. For example, liquid water path and ice water path differed by up to two orders of magnitude. Compared with the relatively well simulated top-heavy heating structures during the wet and break period, most models had difficulty in depicting the bottom-heavy heating profiles associated with cumulus congestus. The best performing models during this period were the ones whose convection scheme was most responsive to the free tropospheric humidity. Compared with the large impact of cloud and convective parameterizations on model cloud and precipitation characteristics, resolution has relatively minor impact on simulated cloud properties. However, one feature that was influence by the resolution study in several models was the diurnal cycle of precipitation. Peaking at a different time from convective precipitation, large-scalemore » precipitation generally increases in high resolution forecasts and modulates the total precipitation diurnal cycle. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of more environmental responsive convective parameterizations to capture various types of convection and the substantial diversity among large-scale cloud and precipitation schemes in current GAMs. This experiment has also demonstrated itself to be a very useful testbed for those developing cloud and convection schemes in these models.« less

Podoplanin is a mucin-type transmembrane sialoglycoprotein that is characteristically expressed in lymphatic endothelia. It is also expressed in the ependyma of the central nervous system as well as in ependymomas. Particularly, membrane-bound structures along the luminal surface, ring-like structures, and dot-like structures in the cytoplasm, all of which were originally reported for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) immunohistochemistry in ependymoma, were also reported for podoplanin immunohistochemistry in ependymoma. This study was undertaken to evaluate podoplanin as compared with EMA as a marker of ependymoma. A total of 16 ependymomas (WHO Grade (G) II, 9 cases; GIII, 4; myxopapillary, 2; GIII clear cell, (1) were immunohistochemically studied using antibodies against podoplanin (clones D2-40 and NZ-1) as well as an antibody against EMA (clone E29). In all cases, D2-40 and NZ-1 excellently labeled linear signals along the luminal surface of ependymal canals/rosettes, dot-like structures, and/or ringlike structures, as did E29. These structures were generally more abundant in GII ependymomas than in GIII ependymomas. A semiquantitative analysis between the immunopositive structures of D2-40 or NZ-1 and E29 was conducted with a focus on the dot-like structures and the ring-like structures in the cases of GII and GIII ependymoma. The result showed that there was no statistical difference between D2-40 or NZ-1 and E29. Our study suggests that podoplanin is a potential marker for the diagnosis of ependymoma that corresponds to EMA. Anti-podoplanin antibodies and anti-EMA antibodies could cooperate with each other for the diagnostic immunohistochemistry of ependymoma.

SUMMARYInvasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is of concern in Japan, where the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) is unavailable. We determined serotypes, genotypes indicating β-lactam resistance, and antibiotic susceptibilities of 496 isolates from normally sterile sites in patients (193 children, 303 adults) from 186 institutions between August 2006 and July 2007. Disease presentations included sepsis (46·2%), pneumonia (31·5%), and meningitis (17·5%). Mortality was 1·4% in children and 22·1% in adults, many of whom had underlying diseases. In children, serotype 6B (22·5%) was followed by 19F (14·1%), and 14 (13·1%); potential coverages of PCV7 and PCV13 were 75·4% and 93·7%, respectively. In adults, serotype 12F (14·3%) was followed by 3 (11·3%), and 6B (10·3%); 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) coverage was 85·4%. Most serotype 12F strains were gPISP, withpbp2bgene alteration; carbapenem had an excellent MIC90.PCV7 is recommended for children and PPV23 for adults to increase prevention against IPD.

We have successfully developed a tooth profile which enables a spur gear having zero relative curvature at contact points under the engagement through the concave/convex pattern of contact and further enables a single flank of the tooth profile to have the infinite number of points where the relative curvature and specific sliding are zero values. We have given a name of “LogiX” to this tooth profile. A W-N (Wildhaber-Novikov) tooth profi¨le has been known as that having the concave/convex pattern of contact. The tooth profile, however, is applied only to a helical gear due to its feature of a point contact. While, on the LogiX tooth profile, an improvement has been made so that a pair of spur gears having the tooth profile may contact each other through the concave/convex pattern of a line-contact which cannot be achieved by the W-N tooth profile. Therefore, the LogiX tooth profile has realized a spur gear whose surface durability is as high as that of the W-N tooth profile. Since the results of durability tests show slightly higher than an involute one, it is expected that a new type heavy duty gear of this tooth profile puts into practical use. Furthermore, the tooth profile will have the possibility of creating the new era in the history of tooth profile theory.

The Japanese islands is located at the intersection of several plates and is constantly threatened by earthquakes that occur around trenches. Thus, construction of a seafloor seismic observation network is imperative for early detection and warning of earthquakes in those areas and tsunami that accompany them. We are currently developing a seafloor seismic observation network using optical fiber sensing (OFS) technologies. OFS technologies are used to measure conditions such as strain and temperature by analyzing characteristics of reflected light or back-scattered light which occur in optical fiber when pulsed light is introduced. This system under development has seafloor seismometers (accelerometers) and tsunami detectors as its sensors connected by seafloor optical cable. Those sensors use an OFS technology called fiber Bragg grating (FBG). We have conducted laboratory tests to check basic performance of the seismometers in areas such as sensitivity, frequency characteristics, and durability. We also evaluated seismometers resistance against water pressure and dynamic squeeze when loaded in cases and connected to optical fiber. Satisfactory results were obtained in both cases. Furthermore, we have performed practical tests to confirm shock resistance and operability by actually setting seafloor seismometers on the seafloor using an underwater cable construction ship. In this paper, we provide an overview of the seafloor seismic and tsunami observation system using OFS technology and report the results of tests on seafloor seismometers (accelerometers) up to now.