Search

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2 nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

Supplemental Material for Induced expression of Toll-like receptor 9 in peritubular capillary endothelium correlates with the progression of tubulointerstitial lesions in autoimmune disease-prone mice by M A Masum, O Ichii, Y H A ELewa and Y Kon in Lupus

We present two-photon photoassociation to the least-bound vibrational level of the X$^1\Sigma_g^+$ electronic ground state of the $^{86}$Sr$_2$ dimer and measure a binding energy of $E_b=-83.00(7)(20)$\,kHz. Because of the very small binding energy, this is a halo state corresponding to the scattering resonance for two $^{86}$Sr atoms at low temperature. The measured binding energy, combined with universal theory for a very weakly bound state on a potential that asymptotes to a van der Waals form, is used to determine an $s$-wave scattering length $a=810.6(12)$\,$a_0$, which is consistent with, but substantially more accurate than the previously determined $a=798(12)\,a_0$ found from mass-scaling and precision spectroscopy of other Sr isotopes. For the intermediate state, we use a bound level on the metastable $^1S_0-{^3P_1}$ potential. Large sensitivity of the dimer binding energy to light near-resonant with the bound-bound transition to the intermediate state suggests that $^{86}$Sr has great promise for manipulating atom interactions optically and probing naturally occurring Efimov states., Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the γ[over →]p→π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7

The differential cross sections and decay angular distributions for coherent $\phi$-meson photoproduction from helium-4 have been measured for the first time at forward angles with linearly polarized photons in the energy range $E_{\gamma} = \text{1.685-2.385 GeV}$. Thanks to the target with spin-parity $J^{P} = 0^{+}$, unnatural-parity exchanges are prohibited, and thus natural-parity exchanges can be investigated clearly. The decay asymmetry with respect to photon polarization is shown to be very close to the maximal value. This ensures the dominance ($> 94\%$) of natural-parity exchanges in this reaction. To evaluate the contribution from natural-parity exchanges to the forward cross section ($\theta = 0^\circ$) for the $\gamma p \rightarrow \phi p$ reaction near the threshold, the energy dependence of the forward cross section ($\theta = 0^\circ$) for the $\gamma {^{4}\text{He}} \rightarrow \phi {^{4}\text{He}}$ reaction was analyzed. The comparison to $\gamma p \rightarrow \phi p$ data suggests that enhancement of the forward cross section arising from natural-parity exchanges, and/or destructive interference between natural-parity and unnatural-parity exchanges is needed in the $\gamma p \rightarrow \phi p$ reaction near the threshold.

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the γ[over →]p→π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7cosθ_{π}^{c.m.}1 and E_{γ}=1.5-2.95 GeV at SPring-8/LEPS. The first-ever high statistics cross-section data are obtained in this kinematical region, and the asymmetry data for 1.5E_{γ}(GeV)2.8 are obtained for the first time. This reaction has a unique feature for studying the production mechanisms of a pure uu[over ¯] quark pair in the final state from the proton. Although there is no distinct peak structure in the cross sections, a non-negligible excess over the theoretical predictions is observed at E_{γ}=1.5-1.8 GeV. The asymmetries are found to be negative in most of the present kinematical regions, suggesting the dominance of π exchange in the t channel. The negative asymmetries at forward meson production angles are different from the asymmetries previously measured for the photoproduction reactions producing a dd[over ¯] or an ss[over ¯] quark pair in the final state. Advanced theoretical models introducing nucleon resonances and additional unnatural-parity exchanges are needed to reproduce the present data.

We report the measurement of the $\gamma p \rightarrow K^{+}\Lambda$ and $\gamma p \rightarrow K^{+}\Sigma^{0}$ reactions at SPring-8. The differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries are measured at forward $K^{+}$ production angles using linearly polarized tagged-photon beams in the range of $E_{\gamma}=1.5$--3.0 GeV. With increasing photon energy, the cross sections for both $\gamma p \rightarrow K^{+}\Lambda$ and $\gamma p \rightarrow K^{+}\Sigma^{0}$ reactions decrease slowly. Distinct narrow structures in the production cross section have not been found at $E_{\gamma}=1.5$--3.0 GeV. The forward peaking in the angular distributions of cross sections, a characteristic feature of $t$-channel exchange, is observed for the production of $\Lambda$ in the whole observed energy range. A lack of similar feature for $\Sigma^{0}$ production reflects a less dominant role of $t$-channel contribution in this channel. The photon-beam asymmetries remain positive for both reactions, suggesting the dominance of $K^{*}$ exchange in the $t$ channel. These asymmetries increase gradually with the photon energy, and have a maximum value of +0.6 for both reactions. Comparison with theoretical predictions based on the Regge trajectory in the $t$ channel and the contributions of nucleon resonances indicates the major role of $t$-channel contributions as well as non-negligible effects of nucleon resonances in accounting for the reaction mechanism of hyperon photoproduction in this photon energy regime.

Differential cross sections at $t={t}_{\text{min}}$ and decay asymmetries for the $\ensuremath{\gamma}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\phi}p$ reaction have been measured using linearly polarized photons in the range 1.5 to 2.9 GeV. These cross sections were used to determine the Pomeron strength factor. The cross sections and decay asymmetries are consistently described by the $t$-channel Pomeron and pseudoscalar exchange model in the ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ region above 2.37 GeV. In the lower energy region, an excess over the model prediction is observed in the energy dependence of the differential cross sections at $t={t}_{\text{min}}$. This observation suggests that additional processes or interference effects between Pomeron exchange and other processes appear near the threshold region.

Birt–Hogg–Dube syndrome is probably the cause of pneumothorax in 5–10% of primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients http://ow.ly/FiIGS

Ovulation and oocyte-pick-up are essential processes in fertilization. Herein, we found associations between autoimmune disease and the aforementioned processes in mice. At three and six months, along with the evaluation of autoimmune disease indices, the ovary, mesosalpinx, and oviducts were histologically examined in C57BL/6, MRL/MpJ, and MRL/MpJ-Fas

A search for the K − p p bound state (the lightest kaonic nucleus) has been performed using the γ d → K + π − X reaction at E γ = 1.5 – 2.4 GeV at LEPS/SPring-8. The differential cross section of the K + π − photo-production off deuterium ( d 2 σ / d cos θ K + l a b / d cos θ π − l a b ) has been measured for the first time in this energy region. A peak structure was searched for in the inclusive missing mass spectrum. A statistically significant peak structure was not observed in the region from 2.22 to 2.36 GeV/c2. The upper limits of the differential cross section of the K − p p bound state production were determined to be (0.17–0.55), (0.55–1.7) and (1.1–2.9) μb at 95% confidence level with the assumed widths of 20 MeV, 60 MeV and 100 MeV.

Aims Elevated post-load plasma glucose levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, even when they are within the normoglycaemic range. We examined the association of carotid artery intima-media thickness, a marker of early atherosclerosis, with glycaemic variables, including post-load plasma glucose levels, in Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Methods The study participants were 663 Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance (565 men, mean age 47 ± 9 years) who underwent both a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and carotid artery intima-media thickness measurement by B-mode ultrasonography during a health examination. Associations between maximal common carotid artery intima-media thickness and fasting plasma glucose, 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test, and HbA1c were examined. Results The carotid artery intima-media thickness gradually increased across the tertiles of 1-h plasma glucose, 2-h plasma glucose and HbA1c. In multiple linear regression analysis, 2-h plasma glucose (β = 0.09, P = 0.012), as well as age, male gender, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and current smoking were independent determinants of carotid artery intima-media thickness. In contrast, other glycaemic variables were not independent determinants of carotid artery intima-media thickness. The carotid artery intima-media thickness in hypertensive subjects with the highest tertile of 2-h plasma glucose [0.70 (95% CI 0.64–0.76) mm] was significantly greater than in normotensive subjects, with the lowest tertile of 2-h plasma glucose [0.60 (95% CI 0.58–0.63) mm, P = 0.037], even after adjusting for the multiple potential confounders. Conclusions The 2-h plasma glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test was positively and independently associated with carotid artery intima-media thickness in Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. In particular, the combination of elevated 2-h plasma glucose and hypertension may contribute to an increased carotid artery intima-media thickness.

The $\ensuremath{\phi}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}(1520)$ interference effect in the $\ensuremath{\gamma}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ reaction has been measured for the first time in the energy range from 1.673 to 2.173 GeV. The relative phases between $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}(1520)$ production amplitudes were obtained in the kinematic region where the two resonances overlap. The measurement results support strong constructive interference when ${K}^{+}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ pairs are observed at forward angles but destructive interference for proton emission at forward angles. Furthermore, the observed interference effect does not account for the $\sqrt{s}=2.1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ bump structure in forward differential cross sections for $\ensuremath{\phi}$ photoproduction. This fact suggests possible exotic structures such as a hidden-strangeness pentaquark state, a new Pomeron exchange, or rescattering processes via other hyperon states.

The ϕ-Λ(1520) interference effect in the γp→K^{+}K^{-}p reaction has been measured for the first time in the energy range from 1.673 to 2.173 GeV. The relative phases between ϕ and Λ(1520) production amplitudes were obtained in the kinematic region where the two resonances overlap. The measurement results support strong constructive interference when K^{+}K^{-} pairs are observed at forward angles but destructive interference for proton emission at forward angles. Furthermore, the observed interference effect does not account for the sqrt[s]=2.1 GeV bump structure in forward differential cross sections for ϕ photoproduction. This fact suggests possible exotic structures such as a hidden-strangeness pentaquark state, a new Pomeron exchange, or rescattering processes via other hyperon states.

Aim. to analyze a family history of the allergic diseases, course of pregnancy and delivery in mothers, effect of concomitant diseases on the development and course of food allergy in infants. methods. We examined 471 infants with food allergy and different severity index of the atopic dermatitis (AD). Moderate and severe AD were more common at the age of 0-12 months old than at the age of 12-36 months old (80,9 and 55,6%, respectively). in boys of the 12-36 months severe course of the disease was more common then in girls at the same age (14,6 and 7,3%, respectively). We used SCORAD index for estimation of severity of AD. Results. positive family histories of the allergic diseases were revealed in 67,9 and 67,3% of the infants with moderate and severe course of AD, respectively. in the half of these infants allergic diseases were found in the maternal line. Disturbances of the pregnancy and delivery in mothers of the infants with and without AD were equal; however these disturbances were more common in mothers of the infants with severe AD. the postnatal risk factors of allergy were revealed in 11,7% of infants: prematurity (3,2%), prenatal hypotrophy (4,7%), intranatal asphyxia (2,3%), cephalohaematoma (1,5%). Conclusion. the positive family history of allergy was high in all infants with AD independently on the age of the appearance of first signs of food allergy. Mothers with pathological course of pregnancy and delivery more often had an infants with severe course of AD. prevalence of the postnatal risk factors in healthy and ill infants was equal.

By results of material gathering for the year period of supervision, the data about a condition of a food integrated group of children into which 101 child has entered has been studied: 50 (49,5 %) boys and 51 (50,5 %) the girl. At week-days at younger schoolboys (children of 7 years) in comparison with preschool children (children of 6 years) consumption of milk and liquid dairy products, bread rye and wheaten, oils creamy and vegetative has authentically decreased, at authentic increase in consumption of sausage products and confectionery products. Change in structure of a grocery set became the reason of decrease in receipt with a diet starched полисахаридов, beta-carotin, vitamins E, C, В2, В6, РР, В1, phosphorus, iodine and magnesium and increase of receipt of fat as the general, and an animal, mono- and disaccharides, and including the added sugar.

Supplementing in vitro maturation medium with porcine follicular fluid (FF) improves maturation rate, male pronucleus formation, and monospermic fertilization of pig oocytes. This study examined, (1) if there are differences in FF derived from large follicles (LF, 5-6mm in diameter) and small follicles (SF, 3-4mm in diameter) on the effect of supplementing the maturation medium with FF on the progression of nuclear maturation, fertilization rate, and developmental competence of porcine oocytes; (2) whether the FF source influences the effect of the FF on the maturation medium on the survival rate and proliferation rate of cumulus cells (CCs) and the expansion of cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs); (3) whether the oocyte source (oocytes collected from LFs or SFs) influences the effect of FF on the progression of the nuclear maturation of oocytes; (4) whether the factors in the FF that affect the kinetics of nuclear maturation are proteins, and the range of the molecular weight of the FF factors. In experiment 1, adding FF from LFs (LFF) significantly accelerated nuclear maturation and improved the fertilization rate; the developmental ratio was comparable with those of adding FF from SFs (SFF). In experiment 2, adding LFF, but not SFF, improved the CC survival rate, although the FF source did not affect the proliferation rate. Expansion of COCs was greater with SFF than LFF. In experiment 3, LFF promoted nuclear maturation of oocytes collected from only LFs. There was a significant interaction between the FF source and the oocyte source in the effect on nuclear maturation stages at 36 h of maturation. In experiment 4, treatment of FF with heat or trypsin diminished the difference between the effect of LFF and SFF on the progression of nuclear maturation. In addition, the predominant effect of LFF compared to that of SFF on nuclear maturation was not affected by ultrafiltration of the FF with a 30-kDa filter, but was diminished by ultrafiltration with a 100-kDa filter. The present study suggests that some proteins present in LFF that range in molecular weight from 30 to 100 kDa improve the developmental competence of oocytes probably via progression of nuclear maturation and cumulus cells viability.

This study describes the assessment of the medical and psychiatric needs of adults with a mental handicap recently resettled in community facilities including 'staffed houses'. No statistically significant differences were found for behaviour problems and psychiatric diagnosis prior to resettlement and one year after. However, increased use of primary care and expert psychiatric service were found following the resettlement. Clinical and service issues in relation to successful maintenance of people with mental handicap in the community are discussed.

The duration of sperm-oocyte co-incubation has been observed to affect the sex ratio of in vitro produced bovine embryos. The purpose of this study was to investigate some factors that may be responsible for the skewed sex ratio. The factors studied were selected combinations of the duration of co-incubation, the presence or absence of cumulus cells, and the level of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the culture medium. Experiment 1 examined the effect of selected combinations of different factors during the fertilization phase of in vitro oocyte culture. The factors were the nature of the sperm or its treatment, the duration of the sperm-oocyte co-incubation, and the level of hyaluronic acid in the culture medium. In experiment 2, the capacitation of frozen-thawed-Percoll-washed sperm (control), pre-incubated, and non-binding sperm was evaluated by the zona pellucida (ZP) binding assay and the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST). The purpose of experiment 3 was to determine the oocyte cleavage rate and sex ratio of the embryos (>5 cells) produced as a consequence of the 10 treatments used in experiment 1. In treatments 1-3 (experiments 1 and 3) COC were co-cultured with sperm for 1, 5 or 18 h. Polyspermic fertilization rose as the co-incubation period increased (1 h 6.5%, 5 h 15.9%, 18 h 41.8%; P

A search of the Drosophila genome for genes encoding components of the mitochondrial translocase of outer membrane (TOM) complex revealed duplication of genes encoding homologues of Tom20 and Tom40. Tom20 and Tom40 were represented by two differentially expressed homologues in the Drosophila genome. While dtom20 and dtom40 appeared to be expressed ubiquitously, the second variants, called tomboy20 and tomboy40, were expressed only in the male germ-line. Transcripts for tomboy20 and tomboy40 were detected in primary spermatocytes as well as post-meiotic stages. Transcription of tomboy20 and tomboy40 in spermatocytes was not dependent on the transcription factor Cannonball, which is responsible for controlling expression of gene products exclusively required for post-meiotic germ cell differentiation. Epitope-tagging and transient expression of dTom20 and Tomboy40 in mammalian cell culture showed proper targeting to mitochondria.

This paper examines the implications for the SME financing market of Application costs that vary between firms, and of imperfect screening of applicants by Banks. Under these conditions 'Discouraged Borrowers' can exist. These are good borrowers who do not apply for a bank loan because they feel they will be rejected. The paper shows that, under a range of assumptions, the scale of discouragement in an economy depends upon the screening error of the banks, the scale of Application costs and the extent to which the bank interest rate differs from that charged by the moneylender. Discouragement is shown to be at a maximum where there is some, but not perfect, information.

Mutational robustness is the extent to which an organism has evolved to withstand the effects of deleterious mutations. We explored the extent of mutational robustness in the budding yeast by genome wide dosage suppressor analysis of 53 conditional lethal mutations in cell division cycle and RNA synthesis related genes, revealing 660 suppressor interactions of which 642 are novel. This collection has several distinctive features, including high co-occurrence of mutant-suppressor pairs within protein modules, highly correlated functions between the pairs, and higher diversity of functions among the co-suppressors than previously observed. Dosage suppression of essential genes encoding RNA polymerase subunits and chromosome cohesion complex suggest a surprising degree of functional plasticity of macromolecular complexes and the existence od degenerate pathways for circumventing potentially lethal mutations. The utility of dosage-suppressor networks is illustrated by the discovery of a novel connection between chromosome cohesion-condensation pathways involving homologous recombination, and Huntington's disease., 42 pages, 2 tables, 6 Figures. Supplementary Tables S1-S12 and Supplementary Figures S1-S8 at http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.844761

A laser-Compton backscattering beam, which we call a `Laser-Electron Photon' beam, was upgraded at the LEPS beamline of SPring-8. We accomplished the gains in backscattered photon beam intensities by factors of 1.5--1.8 with the injection of two adjacent laser beams or a higher power laser beam into the storage ring. The maximum energy of the photon beam was also extended from 2.4 GeV to 2.9 GeV with deep-ultraviolet lasers. The upgraded beams have been utilized for hadron photoproduction experiments at the LEPS beamline. Based on the developed methods, we plan the simultaneous injection of four high power laser beams at the LEPS2 beamline, which has been newly constructed at SPring-8. As a simulation result, we expect an order of magnitude higher intensities close to 10$^7$ sec$^{-1}$ and 10$^6$ sec$^{-1}$ for tagged photons up to 2.4 GeV and 2.9 GeV, respectively., 31 pages, 9 figures, Submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A on 29 May 2013

The exclusive reaction γp→K(+)π(-)Σ(+) was measured for the first time using linearly polarized photons at beam energies from 1.85 to 2.96 GeV. Angular distributions in the rest frame of the K(+)π(-) system were fitted to extract spin-density matrix elements of the K(*0) decay. The measured parity spin asymmetry shows that natural-parity exchange is dominant in this reaction. This result clearly indicates the need for t-channel exchange of the κ(800) scalar meson.

The effect of cyclic pulsed operation on the coil performance was studied from the electrical and mechanical points of view in the second experiment of the Nb/sub 3/Sn Demo Poloidal Coil (DPC-EX). Current sharing temperatures, ac losses, displacements, and strains were measured before and after cyclic pulsed operation, which consisted of about 350 cycles. No degradation of the electrical and mechanical performance of the DPC-EX was observed in the range of these cycles. >

The exclusive reaction γp→K(+)π(-)Σ(+) was measured for the first time using linearly polarized photons at beam energies from 1.85 to 2.96 GeV. Angular distributions in the rest frame of the K(+)π(-) system were fitted to extract spin-density matrix elements of the K(*0) decay. The measured parity spin asymmetry shows that natural-parity exchange is dominant in this reaction. This result clearly indicates the need for t-channel exchange of the κ(800) scalar meson.

Podocytes cover the glomerulus and their adjacent foot processes form a principal barrier called the slit diaphragm. Podocyte dysfunctions, including podocyte loss and slit diaphragm disruptions, induce chronic kidney diseases (CKD). In this study, we analyzed the correlations between podocyte injuries and renal dysfunctions in domestic carnivores. Dogs and cats were divided into normal and CKD groups according to renal histopathology and plasma creatinine values. Immunostaining results showed that linear reactions of slit diaphragm molecules, e.g., nephrin, podocin, and ACTN4, were parallel to glomerular capillaries in all animals. However, in dogs, reactions of nephrin and ACTN4 were changed to a granular pattern in the CKD group, and their intensities significantly decreased with the number of podocytes in the glomerulus. Moreover, the expression of nephrin and ACTN4 negatively correlated with creatinine. Real-time PCR analysis showed that nephrin mRNA expression in the kidneys of CKD dogs was significantly lower than that in normal animals, and negatively correlated with creatinine. Although no significant correlation between renal dysfunction and podocyte injury was detected in cats, histoplanimetric scores of tubulointerstitial lesions in CKD cats were higher than those in both normal cats and diseased dogs. Furthermore, mRNAs of WT1 and SD molecules were detected in urine from CKD animals. In conclusion, podocyte injuries such as podocytopenia and decreased expression of nephrin and ACTN4 in the glomerulus were more strongly correlated with renal dysfunction in dogs than in cats. These findings suggest that the CKD pathogenesis, especially susceptibilities to podocyte injuries, differed between dogs and cats.

The authors describe the electromagnetic results and the quench phenomena of the DPC-TJ large cable-in-conduit Nb/sub 3/Sn coil experiment which took place in the summer of 1991. The DPC-TJ coil was developed by Toshiba and JAERI in collaboration to demonstrate the realization of (NbTi)/sub 3/Sn superconducting coils for fusion with high average current density of 40 A/mm/sup 2/. The coil was charged up to its rated current of 24 kA (40 A/mm/sup 2/) at 7.6 T without quench in the DPC test facility. Thereafter, the electromagnetic performance was tested by measuring I/sub c/ and T/sub cs/, and the critical current at 12 T was estimated to be 41 kA. The quench phenomena of the DPC-TJ coil were also tested by measuring normal-zone propagation velocity to get the protection design. In these experiments, very slow and very fast propagation were observed. Many other electromagnetic results were also obtained, which are necessary for the design of fusion machines such as International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. >

Changes in juxtaglomerular (JG; renin-containing) cells in experimental hydronephrosis 1 month after ureteral ligation were investigated with immunoelectron-microscopical techniques. Two types of granules, electron dense (D) and lucent (L), were observed. D type granules were labeled more intensely with gold particles than those of L type. Granules intermediate between D and L types and exocytosis of D types were observed. In the cells containing D types exclusively, gold particles were restricted to the granules, whereas in the cells containing both D and L type granules, the particles were scattered throughout the cytoplasmic cytosol. The authors discuss the mechanisms of renin release in JG cells.

Contents In the present study, we investigated the effect of various carbohydrates on the ability of bovine spermatozoa to bind to the bovine oviduct epithelial cells (OECs). We also examined the fertilization competence and motility of spermatozoa that bind to OECs in the presence of carbohydrates. Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were incubated with OECs, with and without various carbohydrates. The sperms were then divided into two fractions: OEC-binding sperms (B-sperm) and non-OEC binding sperms (NB-sperm). The fertilization rate, ability to bind the zona pellucida, and membrane integrity of the spermatozoa as determined using a hypo-osmotic-swelling test (HOST) were lower in NB-sperm than in the unseparated spermatozoa (control). The motility of the B-sperm was maintained for a longer time than that of the control spermatozoa. The addition of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc, 5 mm) to the sperm-OEC mixture increased the number of B-sperm. D-mannose (5 mm) and D-fucose (5 mm) had no effect on the number of B-sperm. The motility of B-sperm, which bound to OECs in the presence of GlcNAc, however, was not maintained. When either OECs or the spermatozoa were treated with GlcNAc prior to sperm-OEC co-incubation, only sperm-side treatment enhanced sperm-OEC binding, but B-sperm motility was not maintained. The motility of spermatozoa incubated with GlcNAc was lower than that of controls. These results indicate that GlcNAc enhances sperm binding to OECs, probably via sperm surface modification, but does not promote increased sperm survival.

In the LEPS (Laser Electron Photon at Spring-8) experiment [1], we use a photon beam which is generated through laser induced backward Compton scattering with the circulating 8GeV electron beam in the synchrotron radiation ring. The energy range of the photons is between about 1.5 GeV and 3.0 GeV, and the typical intensity is 106 photons/sec.

This paper presents a new approach to solve Boolean matrix multiplication using a bio-inspired evolutionary method with DNA computing. While there are many papers proposing the use of DNA for actual computation, very few of these theories are realized in laboratory experiments and those which are successfully implemented are mostly based on protocols introduced in Adleman-Lipton architecture. The use of restriction enzymes in Adleman-Lipton protocols is a limiting factor for the number of synthesizable unique sequences in DNA computing. Synthesized primers are needed to initially generate possible solutions, increasing the complexity and becoming a hurdle for DNA computing to be used for larger computations despite its massive parallel processing characteristics. The hybridization-ligation method used as initial pool generation also has its drawbacks in terms of generation speed and material consumption. In this paper, we introduce a method to implement Boolean matrix multiplication with DNA computing which is less time consuming and less complexities in its designs by eliminating the use of restriction enzymes and by using parallel overlap assembly (POA) method as initial pool generation replacing hybridization-ligation method.

In lupus erythematosus-prone mice, including the BXSB, NZW and NZB strains, telomeric regions of chromosome 1 (Chr.1) contain major glomerulonephritis susceptibility loci such as Bxs3, Sle1, and Nba2. To assess whether strain MRL, a model for lupus erythematosus, had glomerulonephritis susceptibility loci on Chr.1, we created B6.MRLc1(82-100) congenic mice carrying MRL/MpJ Chr.1 (82-100 cM) based on the C57BL/6 background and investigated renal pathology. From 6 months of age, B6.MRLc1 (82-100) showed the onset of diseases such as splenomegaly due to proliferation of CD3- or B220-positive cells, glomerular damage, and an increased serum anti-dsDNA antibody concentration, and these were earlier and severer in females. The score for glomerular damage was higher in B6.MRLc1(82-100) mice over 12 months old than in C57BL/6 or even in wild-type MRL/MpJ. Immune-complex depositions were demonstrated on glomerular basement membrane in B6.MRLc1(82-100) by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. For the percentage of IgG1-positive glomeruli, B6.MRLc1 (82-100) had significantly higher values than C57BL/6. In evaluations of clinical parameters, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and the anti-dsDNA antibody in B6.MRLc1(82-100) were significantly higher than those in C57BL/6. In conclusion, B6.MRLc1(82-100) clearly developed autoimmune-mediated glomerulonephritis, and we demonstrated that MRL Chr.1 contained a novel glomerulonephritis susceptibility locus. We named this locus Mag (MRL autoimmune glomerulonephritis) and it provided new insights into the genetic basis and pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.

Diet is one of the important factors that modulate immune responses. In the present study, we have examined the capacity of dietary lipids to modify immune responses in mice and we have investigated the contribution of glycolipid-reactive natural killer T (NKT) cells in this process. Mice fed, high fat diet (HFD; 21.2% fat, 0.20% cholesterol) for 3 weeks, as compared with mice fed standard fat diet (SFD; 4.3% fat, 0.03% cholesterol), showed significantly reduced interferon-gamma production in sera at 6 or 12 h after intraperitoneal injection of an NKT cell ligand, alpha-galactosylceramide. In contrast, production of interleukin-13 was significantly higher at 2 and 6 h in HFD fed mice compared with mice on SFD. No difference was detected in the serum interleukin-4 levels between these two groups of animals. The proportion of NKT cells in spleen and liver was reduced in mice fed HFD compared with those on SFD. In addition, activation of NKT cells assessed by up-regulation of CD69 was suppressed specifically in liver from mice fed HFD. Recall responses of conventional T cells and delayed-type hypersensitivity (Th1 type) against ovalbumin were significantly suppressed in mice fed HFD in comparison with those fed SFD. This suppression was not observed in CD1d-/- mice, suggesting that NKT cells in mice fed HFD played a role in suppressing Th1 responses. Taken together, our findings suggest a critical link between NKT cells, dietary lipid and adaptive immune responses.

This paper presents a comparison study between hybridization-ligation method and parallel overlap assembly method as the initial pool generation for solving a Boolean matrix multiplication problem with DNA computing. The focus of this paper is to compare the differences in the working operations for each method, the strategy for designs of DNA sequences and the analysis of the read-out process for both methods to solve the matrix multiplication. From the discussions, clearly POA has several advantages over hybridization-ligation method.

We report the measurement of differential cross sections for $\omega$ and $\eta'$ photoproduction from protons at backward angles ($-1.0 2.4$ GeV. A bump structure in the $\sqrt{s}$ dependence of the differential cross sections for $\eta'$ mesons was observed at $\sqrt{s}\sim$2.35 GeV.

A one-day audit in a learning disabilities hospital revealed 15 patients (9.4% of the hospital population) on hypnotic medication. Guidelines were then developed for the use of hypnotic drugs. An audit of hypnotic drug usage was repeated for the 12-month period of 1994 which revealed that five patients were started on hypnotics.

Present train control is performed in the following manner. Train location is detected by wayside signaling facilities, and according to train location, train control signals are indicated to prevent collisions between trains. However, this control way requires an enormous number of facilities. That means large acquisition and maintenance costs. Recent remarkable progress in the field of information technology makes possible a new train control system where train itself detects its location and communicates with other trains through radio transmission. Therefore, we have been developing the new train control system called "ATACS (Advanced Train Administration and Communications System)". ATACS is the new train control system using information technology and ADS technology. In the present signaling system, trains are controlled in a uniform way by the ground system. In ATACS, each train controls its own brake system autonomously by using its own train location and the location of the preceding train which is transmitted from the preceding train through the ground system. In this paper, we describe ATACS and its ADS technology.

To diagnose lung and liver tumors experimentally induced in mice in three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) images constructed by superimposing transversal multislice MR images of thoracic and abdominal regions taken under a high magnetic field of 7.05 tesla (T).Lung and liver tumors were induced by administration of urethane to A/J mice and implantation of transplantable colon-26 cells into BALB/c mice, respectively. Two-dimensional (2-D) multislice MR images from the thoracic to abdominal regions were taken under the proton density-weighted conditions. Each organ in the 2-D MR images was pseudocolored, and a three-dimensional (3-D) image was constructed by superimposing them on a UNIX computer, using volume-rendering software.In the normal mouse, each organ in the thoracic and abdominal regions was three-dimensionally imaged and was clearly distinguished from the others. In mice with tumors in the lung or liver, the pathologic changes in the tissue could be visualized in 3-D images.The MR images three-dimensionally constructed by use of a method combining MR imaging under a high magnetic field of 7.05 T and a computer technique using volume-rendering software was useful for diagnosis of lung and liver tumors experimentally induced in mice.

The Tdho allele is an X-linked dominant, embryonic male-lethal mouse mutation that occurs between embryonic day (E) 12.5 and E14.5. The lethal cause and responsible gene have not been identified until now. The cause of lethality in Tdho male embryos was examined with respect to the defect of hematopoiesis.Suppression subtractive hybridization and Northern blot analysis were performed on E12.5 male Tdho and normal mouse embryos. In addition, histochemical examinations and blood cell counts of normal and mutant E12.5 embryos were carried out.Diminished expression of embryonic globin genes (zeta and epsilon globins) in the blood of E12.5 Tdho male embryos were documented by use of Northern blot analysis and subtractive hybridization. Increased apoptosis of yolk sac-derived erythrocytes was found in E12.5 Tdho male embryos. Furthermore, diminished numbers of anucleated erythrocytes were observed in E12.5 mutant embryos.A defect of embryonic hematopoiesis in Tdho mice was suggested as one of the possible causes of embryo lethality.

Nocturnal worsening is an important problem in asthma management. We evaluated the efficacy of two sustained-released theophylline formulations, administered twice-a-day (TD) and once-a-day (UP). In 20 asthmatic patients with low peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) in the morning (80% of predicted) administered TD (mean dose 475 mg/day) for 2 weeks, we evaluated PEF, diurnal variability of PEF, symptom score, results of spirometry and serum theophylline concentration (STC) and then changed theophylline, from TD to UP (mean dose 470 mg/day) for 2-4 weeks. PEF in the morning was higher during the UP period (mean +/- SD: 335 +/- 110 L/min) than during the TD period (mean +/- SD: 308 +/- 95 L/min) (p0.05), and diurnal variabirity of PEF was lower during the UP period (17.1 +/- 8.0%) than TD period (22.9 +/- 13.4%) (p0.05). However, there were no changes in PEF at night or daytime, symptom score, spirometry parameters or STC during the study period. The improvement in morning PEF observed in this study was consistent with the differences in pharmacokinetics between the two theophylline formulations. Morning PEF was increased during the UP period, probably because STC in the early morning during the UP period was higher than STC during the TD period.