Superconductivity in SrTa2S5

A strontium tantalum sulfide, SrTa₂S₅, has a hexagonal structure with lattice constants of a =3.32 and c=24.1 Å. With decreasing temperature the electrical resistivity decreases monotonically and exhibits an abrupt superconducting transition at 3.16 K (midpoint). The diamagnetic susceptibility is observed below T_c. The magnetic susceptibility is nearly independent of temperature above T_c and shows Pauli paramagnetism.     

Location of the egocenter in kinesthetic space.

The location of the egocenter in kinesthetic space was investigated in 4 experiments. Participants, with their eyes closed, adjusted a comparison stimulus after or while touching a standard in a transverse plane at the belly or shoulder level so that they perceived the line joining the comparison and the fixed standard as pointing directly at themselves. The mean location of the intersections of the obtained lines was taken as the location of the egocenter. The main results showed that the location of the kinesthetic egocenter depended on the hand or hands used for touching, the timing of touching, and the distance of the standard from the participant. Implications of these results were discussed in relation to models of the kinesthetic egocenter. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A 10-year-old case with idiopathic oculomotor nerve palsy

Raman spectroscopy has been used to determine the isotopic distribution of oxygen during the isomerization of pernitrous acid to nitrate in 18OH2. Decomposition of unlabeled pernitrous acid in carbon-dioxide-free phosphate-buffered solutions of 18OH2 at pH 6.8 results in the incorporation of 13 +/- 1% 18O into the nitrate product with no detectable double-isotopic incorporation and 83% of the product having complete retention of its oxygen atoms. The mechanistic implications of this are contrasted for three frequently considered pathways for peroxide bond cleavage and it is concluded that the results are most consistent with the formation of reactive intermediate which can either rearrange or undergo hydrolytic O-atom exchange with water.     

Comparison of electronic structures of doped ZnS and ZnO calculated by a first-principle pseudopotential method

Electronic band calculations of doped and undoped ZnO and ZnS have been done using density functional theory under the local density approximation so as to clarify the reason of the difference in behaviors of doped ZnO and ZnS. The reason why the electrical conductivity of ZnS is difficult to be increased by doping was discussed. In the case of doped ZnS, an impurity level was generated at deep position below the bottom of the conduction band of the host ZnS lattice and Fermi level was located at this impurity level. On the contrary, the shape of the density of states curve and the band structures of doped and undoped ZnO are alike with each other and the donor band is hybridized with the conduction band of the ZnO host material. This seems to result in contribution of doped electrons to electrical current in the case of doped ZnO.     

Comparative studies of glycoprotein Ib in heparin coated and nonheparin coated extracorporeal circulation circuits

Contact between blood and artificial materials has various effects on blood. Impairment of platelet function is an especially important and well known effect, but its precise mechanism is not clearly understood. The authors constructed a circulation model to investigate the effect of extracorporeal circulation on platelet membrane glycoproteins (GPs), especially GP Ib, and to compare the changes in GP Ib in heparin coated (group C) and nonheparin coated (group N) circuits. As determined by flow cytometry, GP Ib in both groups decreased on initiating circulation, but the decrease in group N was significantly larger than that in group C. There was no observed change in GP IIb/IIIa levels in either group. The extent of shear stress induced platelet aggregation significantly decreased during circulation in both groups. Decreases in the extent of shear stress induced platelet aggregation were significantly less with the use of heparin coated circuits. In addition, the amount of GP Ib in the high speed pellet decreased progressively during circulation in both groups. In contrast, the amount of GP Ib in the Triton insoluble (low speed) pellet increased dramatically during circulation. However, expression of GP Ib in the Triton soluble platelet fraction was low in both groups. From the results, it was concluded that the cause of the decrease in platelet function during extracorporeal circulation is attributable to the internalization of GP Ib from the platelet surface inside the platelet. It also can be said that a heparin coated circuit is one effective means of controlling this change.     

Vectorcardiograms in aortic and mitral regurgitation -- a comparative study

Thirteen patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) and 13 with mitral regurgitation (MR) were compared quantitatively from the standpoint of their vector-cardiograms (VCG). Vectorcardiographic parameters were also compared with left ventricular angiographic parameters. The QR time interval was longer and the magnitude of the spatial maximum QRS vector was larger in the AR group, but these differences were thought to be attributed to the differences in length of the left ventricular long axis and the left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV). In the AR group, the ratio of the width to the long axis of the QRS loop in the horizontal plane correlated well with the length of the left ventricular long axis and the angle made by the axis from the middle of the aortic valve to the left ventricular apex and the horizontal axis in the lateral view of the angiogram. In the MR group, these correlations were poor.     

Contribution of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells to the Clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Skin Wounds

Chronic infections are considered one of the most severe problems in skin wounds, and bacteria are present in over 90% of chronic wounds. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently isolated from chronic wounds and is thought to be a cause of delayed wound healing. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, unique lymphocytes with a potent regulatory ability in various inflammatory responses, accelerate the wound healing process. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of iNKT cells in the host defense against P. aeruginosa inoculation at the wound sites. We analyzed the re-epithelialization, bacterial load, accumulation of leukocytes, and production of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. In iNKT cell–deficient (Jα18KO) mice, re-epithelialization was significantly decreased, and the number of live colonies was significantly increased, when compared with those in wild-type (WT) mice on day 7. IL-17A, and IL-22 production was significantly lower in Jα18KO mice than in WT mice on day 5. Furthermore, the administration of α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a specific activator of iNKT cells, led to enhanced host protection, as shown by reduced bacterial load, and to increased production of IL-22, IL-23, and S100A9 compared that of with WT mice. These results suggest that iNKT cells promote P. aeruginosa clearance during skin wound healing.     

Progress in ECRF antenna development for JT-60SA

Structural, mechanical and optical design work on antennas/launchers for the electron cyclotron range of frequency heating and current drive system in JT-60 Super Advanced (JT-60SA) have been advanced based on a linear motion antenna concept. A CAD model of the launcher was built with realistic component sizes. A mock-up of the steering structure consisting of two different bellows sections for poloidal and toroidal beam scanning was fabricated to test movement of the bellows. The poloidal (?40° to +20°) and toroidal (?15° to +15°) injection angle ranges required in JT-60SA were shown to be realized by this steering structure and mirrors.     

Unkeito Suppresses RANKL-Mediated Osteoclastogenesis via the Blimp1–Bcl6 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways and Enhancing Osteoclast Apoptosis

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease, particularly in menopausal women. Herein, we screened four Kampo medicines (Unkeito (UKT), Kamishoyosan (KSS), Kamikihito (KKT), and Ninjinyoeito (NYT)), frequently used to treat menopausal syndromes, for their effects on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in RAW 264 cells. Considering that UKT exhibited the most potent effect, we examined its effect on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, the induction of osteoclast apoptosis, and the mechanisms underlying its effects. UKT inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in the early stage and decreases osteoclast-related genes, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (Trap), dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (Dcstamp), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (Mmp9), and cathepsin K (Ctsk). Specifically, UKT inhibits the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), which is essential for osteoclastogenesis. UKT increases Bcl6, which antagonizes NFATc1 and Dc-stamp, thereby blocking the progression of osteoclasts to maturation. UKT also decreased nuclear translocation by downregulating the activity of p65/NF-κB. In addition, UKT enhances mononuclear osteoclast apoptosis via activation of caspase-3. Herein, we demonstrate that UKT suppresses RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis via the Blimp1–Bcl6 and NF-κB signaling pathways and enhances mononuclear osteoclast apoptosis. Furthermore, UKT prevents bone loss in OVX mice. Thus, UKT might be a potential therapeutic agent for postmenopausal osteoporosis.