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形態: カラー図版あり, Physical characteristics: Original contains color illustrations, Accepted: 2020-03-04, 資料番号: PA2020006000

The J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility was constructed with an aim to explore the origin and evolution of matter in the universe through experiments with intense particle beams. In the past decade, many results from particle and nuclear physics experiments have been obtained at the present facility. To expand the physics programs to as yet unexplored regions, the extension project of the Hadron Experimental Facility has been extensively discussed. This contribution presents the physics of the extension of the Hadron Experimental Facility to resolve issues related to strangeness nuclear physics, hadron physics, and flavor physics.

A di-quark correlation has been proposed to describe the internal structure of hadrons, especially those of exotic ones. Nevertheless it lacks a conclusive experimental evidence. The J-PARC E50 experiment performs charmed baryon spectroscopy at J-PARC high-momentum beam line to investigate the role of di-quark correlations in baryons. The energy levels of the excited sates are measured by a missing-mass technique for the first time, and the production rates and decay branching ratios are also measured.

An experiment at J-PARC, E16 experiment, which aims to measure the spectral modification of vector meson in nuclear matter is planned. The experiment will measure light vector mesons (ρ/ω/ϕ mesons) generated in nuclear target through the 30 GeV p+A reactions. The mass spectra can be reconstructed with e^+e^− pairs originating from their decays. The spectral modification in finite baryon density is studied systematically. The detail of the experimental plan and expected results are presented with a particular focus on first physics run.

Systemic and cellular zinc homeostasis is elaborately controlled by ZIP and ZnT zinc transporters. Therefore, detailed characterization of their expression properties is of importance. Of these transporter proteins, Zip4 functions as the primarily important transporter to control systemic zinc homeostasis because of its indispensable function of zinc absorption in the small intestine. In this study, we closely investigated Zip4 protein accumulation in the rat small intestine in response to zinc status using an anti-Zip4 monoclonal antibody that we generated and contrasted this with the zinc-responsive activity of the membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (ALP). We found that Zip4 accumulation is more rapid in response to zinc deficiency than previously thought. Accumulation increased in the jejunum as early as 1 day following a zinc-deficient diet. In the small intestine, Zip4 protein expression was higher in the jejunum than in the duodenum and was accompanied by reduction of ALP activity, suggesting that the jejunum can become zinc deficient more easily. Furthermore, by monitoring Zip4 accumulation levels and ALP activity in the duodenum and jejunum, we reasserted that zinc deficiency during lactation may transiently alter plasma glucose levels in the offspring in a sex-specific manner, without affecting homeostatic control of zinc metabolism. This confirms that zinc nutrition during lactation is extremely important for the health of the offspring. These results reveal that rapid Zip4 accumulation provides a significant conceptual advance in understanding the molecular basis of systemic zinc homeostatic control, and that properties of Zip4 protein accumulation are useful to evaluate zinc status closely.

We propose adaptive viscoelasticity control which dynamically changes the elasticity and viscosity coefficients according to the network delay and the moving speed of a haptic interface device. We also investigate how large range the optimum viscosity coefficient has. We further obtain an equation that derives the optimum viscosity coefficient from the network delay and the moving speed by multiple regression analysis. Then, we examine the effectiveness of the control by QoE (Quality of Experience) assessment.

In this paper, we propose adaptive viscosity control which dynamically changes the viscosity coefficient according to the network delay for a remote control system in which a user operates a haptic interface device at a remote place by using another haptic interface device while watching video. We first indicate that the optimum viscosity coefficient exists depending on the network delay. Next, we obtain equations which derive the optimum viscosity coefficient from the network delay. Then, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control by Quality of Experience (QoE) assessment.

Central nervous system consists of a myriad of cell types. In particular, many subtypes of neuronal cells, which are interconnected with each other, form the basis of functional circuits. With the advent of genomic era, there have been systematic efforts to map gene expression profiles by in situ hybridization (ISH) and enhancer-trapping strategy. To make full use of such information, it is important to correlate "cell types" to gene expression. Toward this end, we have developed highly sensitive method of fluorescent dual-probe ISH, which is essential to distinguish two cell types expressing distinct marker genes. Importantly, we were able to combine ISH with retrograde tracing and antibody staining including BrdU staining that enables birthdating. These techniques should prove useful in identifying and characterizing the cell types of the neural tissues. In this article, we describe the methodology of these techniques, taking examples from our analyses of the mammalian cerebral cortex.

To understand the relationship between the structure and function of primate neocortical areas at a molecular level, we have been screening for genes differentially expressed across macaque neocortical areas by restriction landmark cDNA scanning (RLCS). Here, we report enriched expression of the paraneoplastic antigen-like 5 gene (PNMA5) in association areas but not in primary sensory areas, with the lowest expression level in primary visual cortex. In situ hybridization in the primary sensory areas revealed PNMA5 mRNA expression restricted to layer II. Along the ventral visual pathway, the expression gradually increased in the excitatory neurons from the primary to higher visual areas. This differential expression pattern was very similar to that of retinol-binding protein (RBP) mRNA, another association-area-enriched gene that we reported previously. Additional expression analysis for comparison of other genes in the PNMA gene family, PNMA1, PNMA2, PNMA3, and MOAP1 (PNMA4), showed that they were widely expressed across areas and layers but without the differentiated pattern of PNMA5. In mouse brains, PNMA1 was only faintly expressed and PNMA5 was not detected. Sequence analysis showed divergence of PNMA5 sequences among mammals. These findings suggest that PNMA5 acquired a certain specialized role in the association areas of the neocortex during primate evolution.

We have previously revealed that occ1 is preferentially expressed in the primary visual area (V1) of the monkey neocortex. In our attempt to identify more area-selective genes in the macaque neocortex, we found that testican-1 ,a nocc1-related gene, and its family members also exhibit characteristic expression patterns along the visual pathway. The expression levels of testican-1 and testican-2 mRNAs as well as that of occ1 mRNA start of high in V1, progressively decrease along the ventral visual pathway, and end of low in the temporal areas. Complementary to them, the neuronal expression of SPARC mRNA is abundant in the association areas and scarce in V1. Whereas occ1, testican-1, and testican-2 mRNAs are preferentially distributed in thalamorecipient layers including ‘‘blobs,’’ SPARC mRNA expression avoids these layers. Neither SC1 nor testican-3 mRNA expression is selective to particular areas, but SC1 mRNA is abundantly observed in blobs. The expressions of occ1, testican-1, testican-2, and SC1 mRNA were downregulated after monocular tetrodotoxin injection. These results resonate with previous works on chemical and functional gradients along the primate occipitotemporal visual pathway and raise the possibility that these gradients and functional architecture may be related to the visual activity--dependent expression of these extracellular matrix glycoproteins.

To study the molecular mechanism how cortical areas are specialized in adult primates, we searched for area-specific genes in macaque monkeys and found striking enrichment of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) 1B receptor mRNA, and to a lesser extent, of 5-HT2A receptor mRNA, in the primary visual area (V1). In situ hybridization analyses revealed that both mRNA species were highly concentrated in the geniculorecipient layers IVA and IVC, where they were coexpressed in the same neurons. Monocular inactivation by tetrodotoxin injection resulted in a strong and rapid (

This paper reports four digital style design systems to construct a sophisticated shape from a concept or a rough sketch. First one is a system to automatically construct a 3D digital model form key words expressing the product concept. Second one is a system to automatically construct the 3D digital model from a rough sketch drown by a designer. Third one is a system to automatically sophisticate a 3D digital model according to the high light lines indicated by a designer. Fourth one is a system to sophisticate a 3D digital model by forming characteristic lines indicated by a designer.

occ1 is a gene whose expression is particularly abundant in neurons in the macaque primary visual cortex (V1). In the present study, we report that the expression of occ1 mRNA in the macaque neocortex can be classified into two modes. The first mode is associated with excitatory neurons distributed in the major thalamocortical recipient layers that exhibit strong cytochrome oxidase activity. This is highly prominent in V1. The second mode is associated with parvalbumin-positive GABAergic interneurons and is distributed across the macaque neocortex. In V1, monocular deprivation showed that occ1 mRNA expression in excitatory neurons was markedly dependent on afferent activity, whereas that in GABAergic interneurons was not. Cross-species comparison showed specific differences in expression. In marmosets, a strong expression was observed in V1 similarly to macaques. The occ1 mRNA expression, however, was generally weak in the mouse neocortex. In rabbit and ferret cortices, the strong expression was observed only in GABAergic interneurons. We conclude that activity-dependent occ1 mRNA expression in the excitatory neurons of V1 was caused by a novel mechanism acquired by primates after their separation from other lineages.

To understand global and local design principles of mammalian cerebral cortical networks, we applied network-theoretical approaches to connectivity data from macaque and cat cortical networks. We first confirmed "small-world" properties and searched for the evidence of hierarchical modularity. To elucidate their local design principles, we then compared these cortical networks, based on the significance profile (SP) of network motifs in the real network compared to randomized networks. We found that SPs of different mammalian cortical networks are highly conserved and robust, suggesting constraints of neocortical development and evolution.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plays a central role in lipid transport and is suggested to be involved in neuronal repair. Human ApoE epsilon 4 allele is known as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, and an association of the human ApoE genotype with the human prion disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, is suggested, albeit controversial. We analyzed the sheep ApoE gene to determine whether any association between the sheep ApoE genotype and the sheep prion disease, scrapie, existed. The sheep ApoE cDNA contained an open reading frame (ORF) consisting of 948 base pairs (bp) that encoded 316 amino acids (aa). The sheep ApoE gene was composed of four exons separated by three introns, and the ORF was encoded by three exons, designated exons 2, 3, and 4. Nucleotide sequence analysis also showed the presence of one G/T nucleotide polymorphism in the ORF that resulted in an Ala/Ser amino-acid substitution at codon 258. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of genomic DNA showed the presence of three sheep ApoE genotypes that were the result of the homologous and heterologous combinations of the two alleles. We analyzed the sheep ApoE genotypic and the allelic frequencies in scrapie and control Suffolk sheep, but they did not significantly differ from those in the control sheep, even though PrP genotype-matched populations were compared. The ApoE genotype appeared not to be associated with the progression of the disease when looking at the age at death. These results indicated that in Suffolk sheep, none of the ApoE genotypes was associated with scrapie.

In this work, we demonstrate a fibrous assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) induced by a gas discharge breakdown that bridge the distance between two planar electrodes. To achieve this, we placed the two planar electrodes, one of which was covered with a CNT film, in a chamber; a vacuum pump was used to evacuate the air from the chamber and replace it with inert gas. By then applying a voltage between the electrodes, we induced a discharge breakdown between them. This caused the CNTs coated on the electrode surface to detach and form fibrous assemblies. The assemblies elongated and reached the opposite electrode, thereby creating bridges between the electrodes. These bridges formed when the gas pressure was greater than ca. 1.0 × 103 Pa and in combination with the occurrence of a spark discharge. At lower pressures, a glow discharge occurred, and no bridge formation was observed, indicating that the discharge mode is critical for the bridge formation.

The primate neocortex consists of much more evolved areas than those in other mammals. To understand the molecular basis and physiological significance specific to the primate neocortex, we have been searching and characterizing the genes that are selectively and highly expressed in the macaque neocortex. Such gene can be classified into three groups: the primary visual area (V1)-selective genes, the association-area-selective genes, and the motor-area-selective genes (Yamamori, Progress Neurobiol 94:201–222, 2011). The V1-selective genes (OCC1/FSTL1, HTR1B, and HTR2A) may play roles in keeping visual homeostasis in primates to adjust to large changes in light amount in the natural environment. In this article, we report on SEMA7A as another V1-selective gene in macaque monkeys. The expression pattern of SEMA7A differs from those of the V1-selective genes we previously reported in that it is already expressed in the mid-embryonic stage (embryonic day 83) when the thalamocortical fibers are about to project. In addition, SEMA7A only shows weak activity-dependent expression upon monocular inhibition by TTX injection into one eye compared with other V1-selective genes. These findings suggest that there are at least two subgroups of genes that show high and V1-selective expression. The significance of these findings is discussed.

This paper proposes an online biological signal measurement system with an air-pack-type pressure sensor (APS) to monitor the condition of supine patients from pulse activity. The system enables estimation of three physiological signals corresponding to pulse pressure waves, pulse beats and respiratory waves from measurements taken and filtered using the APS, which has mechanical characteristics similar to the impedance characteristics of human muscle and can also be fitted with a mattress pad to prevent decubitus. In this study, the physiological significance of signals obtained through the APS was determined by comparing them with signals measured using commercial medical devices. The results showed that the correlations of pulse pressure waves, pulse beats and power spectral densities for respiratory waves between signals measured using the APS and those measured using commercial sensors were 0.84, 0.84 and 0.98, respectively. It was therefore concluded that the proposed system is suitable for outputting pulse pressure waves, pulse beats and respiratory waves.

We examined the expression patterns of 4 layer-specific genes in monkey and mouse cortices by fluorescence double in situ hybridization. Based on their coexpression profiles, we were able to distinguish several subpopulations of deep layer neurons. One group was characterized by the expression of ER81 and the lack of Nurr1 mRNAs and mainly localized to layer 5. In monkeys, this neuronal group was further subdivided by 5-HT2C receptor mRNA expression. The 5-HT2C(+)/ER81(+) neurons were located in layer 5B in most cortical areas, but they intruded layer 6 in the primary visual area (V1). Another group of neurons, in monkey layer 6, was characterized by Nurr1 mRNA expression and was further subdivided as Nurr1(+)/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)(-) and Nurr1(+)/CTGF(+) neurons in layers 6A and 6B, respectively. The Nurr1(+)/CTGF(+) neurons coexpressed ER81 mRNA in monkeys but not in mice. On the basis of tracer injections in 3 monkeys, we found that the Nurr1(+) neurons in layer 6A send some corticocortical, but not corticopulvinar, projections. Although the Nurr1(+)/CTGF(-) neurons were restricted to lateral regions in the mouse cortex, they were present throughout the monkey cortex. Thus, an architectonic heterogeneity across areas and species was revealed for the neuronal subpopulations with distinct gene expression profiles.

One hundred years have passed since Brodmann's mapping of the mammalian neocortex. Solely on the basis of morphological observations, he envisaged the conservation and differentiation of cortical areal structures across various species. We now know that neurochemical, connectional and functional heterogeneity of the neocortex accompanies the morphological divergence observed in such cytoarchitectonic studies. Nevertheless, we are yet far from fully understanding the biological significance of this cortical heterogeneity. In this article, we review our past works on the gene expression profiling of the postnatal primate cortical areas, by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA array, differential display PCR and in situ hybridization analyses. These studies revealed both the overall homogeneity of gene expression across different cortical areas and the presence of a small number of genes that show markedly area-specific expression patterns. In situ hybridization showed that, among such genes, occ1 and retinol-binding protein (RBP) mRNAs are selectively expressed in the neuronal populations that seem to be involved in distinct neural processing such as sensory reception (for occ1) and associative function (for RBP). Such a molecular neuroanatomical approach has the promise to provide an important link between structure and function of the cerebral cortex.

The neocortex consists of histochemically, connectionally, and functionally distinguishable areas. Recently, molecular biological techniques have enabled us to find rare types of genes expressed in specific neocortical areas. We previously reported occ1 gene as preferentially expressed in the primary visual cortex (V1), using the differential display method. Here, by differential display, we found selective and strong expression of the serum retinol-binding protein (RBP) gene, in higher-order association areas. In V1, RBP mRNA was expressed only in the superficial part of layer II, but its expression increased, involving deeper layers, along the visual pathway. In visual association areas such as TE, RBP mRNA was strongly expressed in both supra- and infragranular layers. In primary auditory and somatosensory areas, as in V1, RBP expression was low, and restricted to the upper part of the supragranular layers. The laminar pattern of RBP expression is in marked contrast with that of occ1; and in early visual areas where both genes are expressed, these occur in distinct sublayers within the supragranular layers. In neonatal monkeys, the area-specific expression pattern of RBP was less distinct, suggesting that the characteristic expression of RBP in higher-order association areas is mainly established postnatally.

霊長類の大脳皮質の領野は解剖学的、機能的に明瞭に区別され、脳機能発現における重要な構造単位となっている。一方、近年分子生物学により神経細胞の構造や活動機構などについて分子基盤が深まってきている。また、ゲノムシークエンスの解読とDNAアレイや遺伝子操作技術の向上により、よりシステマチックな分子生物学的研究が可能になってきた。彼は皮質機能を分子生物学的知見により理解を深めるため、領野特性に対する分子的アプローチを試みた。まずDifferential display法により、領野間で発現差を示す遺伝子をスクリーニングした。比較は前頭葉の連合野（FDΔ）、側頭葉の視覚連合野（TE）、１次運動野（FA）、１次体性感覚野（PC）、１次視覚野（OC）の５つの機能的、空間的に異なる領野でおこない、２種類の異なる発現パターンを示す分子をクローニングすることができた。Retinol-binding protein（RBP）は連合野であるFDΔ、TEで高く、FAで中程度、PCで低レベルの発現を示した。OCではほとんど発現は観察されなかった。これに対し、parvalbumin（PV）はOCでもっとも高く次にPC、FAやTEでは低く、FDΔではもっとも低かった。さらにRBP発現の高い領野特異性をin situ hybridizationで組織学的に解析した。RBPmRNAの発現は連合野では２，３，５層で高く、１次視覚野では明らかな発現は２層の最上部の薄い層に弱くみられただけであった。その他の感覚野でも１次視覚野ほどではないが発現は低く、２から３層の上部に限局し、５層には弱いシグナルが観察されただけであった。また、視覚経路にそってRBPの２-３層における分布は段階的に３層深部へ向かって増加した。これらの層分布は１次視覚野に特異的に発現するocc1の発現分布と相補的であった（Tochitani et al., 2001）。さらに、occ1の発現が視床神経核からの投射に空間的に相関するのに対し、RBP発現は視床神経投射の終末の分布とは逆相関を示し、RBPの発現分布は視床とではなく皮質内での結合に対応しているようであった。また、新生仔の発現パターンからRBPの領野差のある発現は生後発生の段階で完成することがわかった。さらにRBPのマウスやラットでの発現は、領野差はあるものの、サルとはまったく異なり、層状の発現は観察されなかった。これらの発現分布の様相はRBPが霊長類の連合野の構造基盤を明らかにするための分子的、進化的アプローチを可能にすることを示唆している。 さらに、RLCS （Restriction Landmark cDNA Scanning）法により領野間の遺伝子発現の違いを比較した。この方法はcDNAを２本鎖まで合成し、２回制限酵素で切断し、各切断ごとに電気泳動行い２次元展開して一度に数百から1000個近い種類の遺伝子発現をスポット状のシグナルとして比較でき、Differential display法に比べよりシステマチックである。RLCS法によりPCを除く４領野について、１１の制限酵素の組み合わせにより得られた１１種類のスポットパターンから２２個の遺伝子（重複があり、２６個のスポット）が領野差のある発現を示すものとしてスクリーニングされた。これは皮質における遺伝子発現のごく少数（<