A novel interferon regulatory factor family transcription factor, ICSAT/Pip/LSIRF, that negatively regulates the activity of interferon-regulated genes

We have isolated a novel cDNA clone encoding interferon (IFN) consensus sequence-binding protein in adult T-cell leukemia cell line or activated T cells (ICSAT); this protein is the human homolog of the recently cloned Pip/LSIRF. ICSAT is structurally most closely related to the previously cloned ICSBP, a member of the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family of proteins that binds to interferon consensus sequences (ICSs) found in many promoters of the IFN-regulated genes. Among T-cell lines investigated, ICSAT was abundantly expressed in human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected T cells. When the HTLV-1 tax gene was expressed or phorbol myristake acetate-A23187 stimulation was used, ICSAT expression was induced in Jurkat cells which otherwise do not express ICSAT. When the binding of ICSAT to four different ICSs was tested, the relative differences in binding affinities for those ICSs were determined. To study the functional role of ICSAT, we performed cotransfection experiments with the human embryonal carcinoma cell line N-Tera2. ICSAT was demonstrated to possess repressive function over the gene activation induced by IFN stimulation or by IRF-1 cotransfection. Such repressive function is similar to that seen in IRF-2 or ICSBP. However, we have found that ICSAT has a different repressive effect from that of IRF-2 or ICSBP in some IFN-responsive reporter constructs. These results suggest that a novel mechanism of gene regulation by "differential repression" is used by multiple members of repressor proteins with different repressive effects on the IFN-responsive genes.     

Effects of 4He impurities on 3He nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in hcp solid 3He

Nuclear spin-lattice relaxation properties of hcp solid ³He with ⁴He impurities have been studied. At temperatures below the exchange plateau region, three kinds of relaxation time were observed. To analyze the data, a phenomenological four-bath model was developed, the four baths being the Zeeman bath, the phonon bath, an X-bath, and a Y-bath. The X-bath consists of the exchange bath and a part of the ⁴He-⁴He elastic interaction bath. The Y-bath is the main part of the elastic interaction bath. We measured the concentration dependence of the energy constants of all the baths, as well as the temperature and concentration dependences of the three kinds of relaxation time. The relaxation behavior corresponding to the process between the X-bath and the Y-bath could not be expressed by a single exponential function of time and the relaxation rate was strongly dependent on the concentration. This process may be related to the internal thermal equilibrium process within the elastic interaction bath. The impurity-dependent relaxation time between the X-bath and the phonon bath had a temperature dependence of T ^–n with n = 7.4±0.3.     

Study on high performance ice slurry formed by cooling emulsion in ice storage (discussion on adaptability of emulsion to thermal storage material)

This study focuses on an emulsion as a new thermal storage material for ice storage. Two types of emulsions were formed using an oil–water mixture with a small amount of additive. A silicone, light and lump oils were used. The water contents of the emulsions were 70, 80 and 90%. The additive was an amino group modified silicone oil. No depression of freezing point was observed for the emulsions because of their hydrophobic properties. In order to determine the structure of the emulsions, their electrical resistances were measured. Moreover, components of the liquids separating from the emulsions were analyzed. The results indicated that one emulsion was a W/O type emulsion, while the other was an O/W type. Finally, adaptability of the two emulsions to ice storage was discussed, it was concluded that a high performance ice slurry could be formed by the W/O type emulsion.     

Preparation of a crack-free rough titania coating on stainless steel mesh by electrophoretic deposition

TiO₂ (anatase) coating was prepared on stainless mesh by electrophoretic (EPD) process utilizing an isopropyl alcohol (IPA)-based suspension with submicron TiO₂ powder. When the deposition time was 30 s, a smooth thin coating was obtained. It remained crack-free even after sintering. Coating surface morphology was roughened by UV pre-illumination of the suspension. Photocatalytic decomposition of IPA to acetone and resultant electrochemical reaction at cathode during EPD provides heterogeneous deposition.     

Light emission from carbon-based materials under ITER relevant thermal shock loads

Light emission from carbon-based materials (fine grain graphite, CFC and silicon doped CFC) was observed during ITER relevant thermal shock loads by means of in situ optical diagnostics. The light emission which corresponds to particle release clearly indicated different particle release processes in the three materials. The differences were also found in the initiation temperatures of particle release and the surface morphology of the loaded areas. These results are related to the thermal stress in bulk materials. In addition to particle release, vapor cloud formation caused by thermal shock loads were observed as CII lines and lines from the C₂ Swan system. No Si lines but lines from SiC₂ molecules (Merrill-Sanford bands) were observed in Si doped CFC. This indicates that atomic silicon is not released under ITER relevant thermal shock loads.     

Chordomas of the skull base: dynamic MRI

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of dynamic MRI in the diagnosis of chordomas at the skull base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with surgically proven chordomas of the skull base were examined with spin-echo technique (repetition time/echo time 200 ms/15 ms). Serial imaging was performed every 30 s for 240 s after a rapid injection of gadopenetate dimeglumine (0.1 mmol/kg). The contrast material enhancement ratio (CER) was analyzed. The CER was obtained for each region of interest as follows (Sn - So) x 100/Smax - So, where Sn indicates signal intensity at each dynamic phase; So, signal intensity on the image obtained before administration of contrast material; and Smax, maximum signal intensity of all dynamic imaging. RESULTS: All chordomas showed very slow but steady increase of contrast enhancement with no peak within 240 s. The CERs of six cases at 30 s are 13 to 40 (mean value +/- standard deviation: 22.8 +/- 10.2). CONCLUSION: Dynamic MRI may be helpful in differentiating between chordomas and other tumors of the skull base.     

Artificial retina chips for image processing

Artificial retina chips which can simultaneously sense and process real world images are described. The comparison between artificial retinal systems and conventional image processing systems is described. Variable sensitivity photodetection, which is an essential technology for the artificial retina chips, is introduced in detail. The concept, structure, fundamental performance, operating principle, and processing functions for the fabricated artificial retinal chips are described. Applications including interactive games by gesture-input are also introduced. This work was presented, in part, at the International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, February 18–20, 1996.     

Prospective predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: Direct and mediated relations.

This study assessed the relations between pretrauma risk (neuroticism, negative affect, prior distress) and protective (self-esteem, optimism) factors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and potential mediators (subjective event-related distress, unsupportive social interactions, perceived control) of those relations. Students (N = 1,528) at four U.S. universities completed online surveys assessing pretrauma risk and protective factors at Time 1 (T1); 84% (N = 1,281) completed a survey 2 months later (T2). PTSD symptoms and the three potential mediators were assessed among those who experienced potentially traumatic events between T1 and T2 (n = 264). PTSD symptoms related to prior traumas were controlled in all analyses. In structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses, the relation between risk factors and PTSD symptoms was mediated by unsupportive social interactions. Protective factors did not independently predict PTSD symptoms when risk factors also were included in the SEM models. Implications for research and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)