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The main theorem of the paper [2] requires a restriction on the prime p. This statement is being modified based on a certain conjecture on the p -adic zeta functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the antibacterial activity of sodium citrate against Streptococcus pneumoniae and several oral bacteria. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity was determined by broth microdilution method. The results showed that although Enterocuccus faecium OB7084 and Klebsiella pneumoniae OB7088 had high tolerance to sodium citrate, several oral bacteria including Fusobacterium nucleatum JCM8532T, Streptococcus mutans JCM5705T and Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642T were susceptible. Furthermore, the bactericidal activity of sodium citrate against Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642T was not influenced by pH in the range of 5·0-8·0, whereas that of sodium lactate was weakened at neutral or weak alkaline pH. When Strep. pneumoniae NBRC102642T was treated with sodium citrate for 2 h, many burst cells were observed. However, addition of MgCl2 or CaCl2 to an assay medium weakened the antimicrobial activity although ZnCl2 or MnCl2 did not influence. Conclusions: Independent of pH, sodium citrate inhibited the growth of oral bacteria, which suggests that the mechanism is different from that of sodium lactate. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results presented in this study would be available for understanding the antimicrobial property of sodium citrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hexadecyl monolayer covalently attached to Si(111) surfaces (C16–Si(111)) was prepared at 200 ○C from 1-hexadecene. Formation of the monolayer was characterized by water contact angle measurement, attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Gas phase synthesized vanadium (V)-benzene (Bz) 1:2 (VBz2) sandwich clusters were size-selectively deposited onto the C16–Si(111) substrate thus prepared and an oxidized Si substrate. Investigation of the resultant clusters was implemented by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). About 30 K increase in threshold desorption temperature of the landed clusters was observed on going from the oxidized Si to the C16–Si(111) substrate, a result indicating that the clusters are more strongly bound to the C16–Si(111) than to the oxidized Si. This result was explained by the penetration of the landed clusters into the hexadecyl monolayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple-decker vanadium-benzene sandwich clusters Vn(benzene)n+1 produced by a laser-vaporization synthesis method were soft-landed onto self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiol (C18H-SAM) and fluorinated alkanethiol (C10F-SAM) at 200 K. Noncontact atomic force microscopy has been used to examine the resulting adsorption states of the clusters landed on the SAMs at room temperature. For each SAM substrate, the aggregates of the deposited clusters were observed at the vacancy islands and near the steps of the SAM surface. The result indicates that, at room temperature, the clusters landed on the SAM substrate thermally diffuse on the surface to form columnar-shape islands around the defect sites of the SAM surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the possibility that bifidobacteria compete with Porphyromonas gingivalis for their mutual growth factor vitamin K. This study also examined whether salivary Bifidobacterium species decrease vitamin K concentration in the growth medium. Methods and Results: Sixty-five strains of Bifidobacterium were obtained from 20 of 24 periodontally healthy subjects. Bifidobacterium dentium was most frequently detected in the saliva of subjects, followed by Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium urinalis. The growth of most Bifidobacterium isolates, except that of B. urinalis, was stimulated by vitamin K. Moreover, the isolates were capable of decreasing vitamin K after incubation, which suggests that bifidobacteria compete with P. gingivalis for vitamin K. In a co-culture, a representative strain – B. adolescentis S2-1 – inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis if it was inoculated in the medium before P. gingivalis. Conclusions: B. adolescentis S2-1 decreased vitamin K concentration and inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis by possibly competing for the growth factor. Significance and Impact of the Study: Salivary bifidobacteria may possess the potential to suppress the growth of P. gingivalis by reducing the growth factor(s) in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, the gas diffusion and solubility of the asymmetric polyimide membrane irradiated by He ions were investigated using a high vacuum apparatus equipped with a Baratron absolute pressure gauge at 76cmHg and 35°C. Specifically, we estimated their effects on the gas permeation properties of the asymmetric membranes. The asymmetric polyimide membranes were prepared by a dry–wet phase inversion process, and the surface skin layer on the membrane was irradiated by He ions at fluences of 1×1015 or 3×1015 ions/cm2 at 150keV. We demonstrated that the gas diffusion had a significant influence on the gas permeability and selectivity of the He+-irradiated asymmetric membrane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ionic fragmentation caused by Si:1s photoionization of 1-trifluorosilyl-2-trimethylsilylethane [F3SiCH2CH2Si(CH3)3] vapor was studied by the energy-selected photoelectron photoion coincidence method and monochromatized synchrotron radiation. In the 1s photoionization at the Si atom bonded to three F atoms, H+ exceeded the other ions in the peak height, and production of ion seemed to be reduced. On the other hand, the 1s photoionization at the other Si atom bonded to three CH3 groups enhanced production of H+ ion with high kinetic energy. These results suggest that Si:1s photoionization causes site-specific fragmentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Porous polymer spherical particles for column packings in nonaqueous size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) were prepared from 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene by suspension and evaporation method. The polymer microbeads obtained were crosslinked by radical reaction between 2-vinyl groups in polybutadiene with ultraviolet radiation, to render them insoluble. These microbeads have wider chromatographic separation width than polystyrene column packings. In addition, the polybutadiene microbeads did not show the excessive retention observed with commercial polystyrene columns for polycyclic aromatic compounds. Therefore, a close correlation between the elution volume and M n for polycyclic aromatic compounds was observed with polybutadiene microbeads columns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

V(benzene)2 sandwich cluster cations produced in the gas phase were size-selectively deposited onto a self-assembled monolayer of n-hexadecanethiols (HDT-SAM) chemisorbed on a Au(111) surface as well as onto a bare Au(111) surface. The thermal chemistry of the neutralized clusters on each substrate was studied with temperature programmed desorption (TPD). From the analyses of the threshold in the TPD, the desorption activation energies of the clusters deposited were determined to be 64.4 ±12.8 kJ/mol for the Au(111) and 130 ±10 kJ/mol for the HDT-SAM. The remarkably large desorption activation energy from the SAM suggests that the deposited clusters are incorporated into the SAM matrix and firmly trapped inside the alkyl chains of the SAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence characteristics of Yb3+:Ce3+:Er3+-codoped fluoride glasses is reported. Yb3+ codoping improved the excitation efficiency at 980 nm pumping and Ce3+ codoping improved the branching ratio of the Er3+4I11/2–4I13/2 transition level, resulting in an enhancement in the fluorescence quantum yield at 1550 nm. The energy transfer dynamics of the Yb3+:Ce3+:Er3+-codoped fluoride glass was also analyzed based on a rate equation model. The separately measured energy transfer rates between Yb3+ and Er3+, and between Er3+ and Ce3+ agreed to some extent with the theoretical simulation based on the rate equation model at a lower Yb3+ concentration (<0.5 mol%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We introduce a formula for the p-adic Siegel–Eisenstein series which demonstrates a connection with the genus theta series and the twisted Eisenstein series with level p. We then prove a generalization of Serre''s formula in the elliptic modular case. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The suppressor T cell (Ts) function of old NZW, NZB, C57BL/6 and (NZB×NZW) F1 ((B/W)F1), mice to the 2.4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (DNFB) hapten was studied. Intravenous administration of dinitrophenyl (DNP) coupled syngeneic lymphoid cells (which normally induce DNP specific suppression) did not result in suppression of DNFB-specific contact hypersensitivity (CS) responses in old NZB or (B/W) F1 mice. Nevertheless, when spleen cells from these old mice were injected into young mice (either (B/W)F1 or A/Sn), strong suppression or the induction phase of CS responses was observed. In addition, effector phase suppressor activity was also observed when splenic cells from tolerized old (B/W) F1 donors were transferred into young (B/W) F1 mice during the effector phase of the CS response. In both cases, the significant ceils in the transfer were I-J+ T cells. Thus, the old mice retained functional Ts1 and Ts2 suppressor cells. However, the suppressive activity of the old mice could be reconstituted with spleen cells from primed young mice, suggesting that they have a defect in the Ts3 subset. This was further supported by the finding that the significant cells from the primed young mice were I-J positive and cyclophosphamide-sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on the occurrence of class II antigen expressing cells in inflammatory lesions experimentally induced in the rat incisor pulp. Concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide of Bacteroides gingivalis were applied to the exposed pulp following a preparation through alveolar bone and dental tissues in the midpart of the root. In a set of control teeth, pulpal exposures were capped with Cavit without the placement of antigenic material. Animals were killed after 3, 12, 24, 48 or 96 hours. Pulp tissue specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis utilizing a monoclonal mouse anti-rat class II antigen antibody. Semi-quantitative assessment of positively stained cells was carried out under the light microscope. Significantly more class II antigen expressing cells were identified in the challenged pulps than in the controls at all experimental periods. The increase in cells peaked at 48 hours to taper off at the subsequent 96-hour observation. The rapid and intense influx of class II antigen expressing cells suggests that these cells are associated with the initial defence of the dental pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An apparatus designed for studies of state selected unimolecular and ion-molecule reactions using synchrotron radiation is described. It is installed in the UVSOR storage ring in Okazaki. Threshold electron spectra of some rare gas atoms and diatomic and polyatomic molecules taken with this apparatus are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Near-infrared (NIR) shielding materials using conductive cellulose nanofiber (CNF). • Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) prepared using sulfated CNF (s -CNF). • 700 times more conductive than simple PEDOT/PSS without adding agent. • The PEDOT/ s -CNF thin film suppressed the temperature rise by NIR irradiation. We synthesized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films by using a microcrystalline sulfated cellulose nanofiber (s -CNF) dopant. Specifically, we examined the ratio of EDOT monomer and CNF dopant, the quantity of initiator for the monomer, and the pH during polymerization. By doing so, we produced a PEDOT/ s -CNF thin film with a conductivity that is 700 times higher than commercial simple PEDOT/polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) without adding agent. The optical adsorption of PEDOT/ s -CNF thin film in the near-infrared (NIR) range (700–2000 nm) increased in accordance with the electrical conductivity increased. We estimated the visible light (380–700 nm) and NIR (700–2000 nm) transmittance τ by multiplying the spectral transmittance τ(λ) and weighting coefficients (E λ •Δλ), and taking the weighted average. Although the τ vis of the optimized PEDOT/ s -CNF thin film with the highest conductivity remained at 85.0%, the τ NIR decreased to 69.8%. We dispersed the optimized PEDOT/ s -CNF in the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution and coated the polymer onto a glass plate to provide NIR shielding. By testing the PEDOT-coated glass by irradiation with simulated sunlight, we confirmed that the film suppressed the temperature rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the synthesis of novel saccharide-pendant vinyl polymer and its application to oxygen barrier film. Comparison between poly(vinylidene chloride) and cellulose; Implications for packaging applications; Suggestion that the superior oxygen barrier effect showed that the oxygen molecule was unable to permeate due to inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding derived from the rigidity of the cellobiose unit.

This work is an investigation of the desorption by O ls excitation of ions from Si(100) reacted with water. Photoelectron, photostimulated desorption, and electron-ion coincidence spectroscopy are used to observe the process. When the incident photons have energy levels which are near the l s threshold of O, they induce Auger decay that is accompanied by shakeup/off excitation and cascade Auger decay, and they are shown to be the main factor responsible for desorption in this case. When the photons have energy levels which are above the shakeup threshold, most of the desorption that occurs is a result of the shakeup excitation that accompanies the core excitation. In both cases, the desorption is induced by the respective multihole final states. The ion desorption yield for the two-hole final states of the normal process of Auger decay is small. The results are discussed, with the help of the Auger electron spectra, mainly in terms of the lifetime of the final state of Auger decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Lactose intolerance, a serious health problem for Asians, can be solved using probiotic bacteria having high lactose hydrolysis activities. We determined the distribution of β-galactosidase (β-gal), phospho-β-galactosidase (P-βgal) and phospho-β-glucosidase (P-β-glc) activities in species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from human faeces to select strains for potential use in fermented dairy products, e.g. yogurt. Methods and Results: The sugar substrates, o-nitrophenyl-β-d- galactopyranoside 6-phosphate and o-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside 6-phosphate, were synthesized and used to measure respectively P-β-gal and P-β-glc activities. Sixty-five toluene-treated strains were examined for three lactase enzyme activities. Lactobacillus mucosae OLL2848 showed the highest β-gal activity (107·09 U mg−1 of protein) among the Lactobacillus strains from human faeces. Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2836 and OLL 2948 showed the highest P-β-gal (46·58 U) and P-β-glc (50·19 U)activity, respectively, with no β-gal activity. Conclusions: The expression of P-β-glc induced by lactose was characteristic of Lact. gasseri. Because this LAB is a major inhabitant of the human intestine. This enzyme is a key glycosidase involved in lactose utilization. Significance and Impact of Study: This is the first report describing the distribution of three glycosidase activities used in lactose metabolism in LAB isolated from human faeces for possible use in functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total photoabsorption cross-sections of trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride, CF3SF5, were measured in the C, F and S K-shell regions by using a double ionization chamber and synchrotron radiation at the SPring-8 facility. The maximum cross sections were found to be 6.3, 5.0 and 1.1 Mb for the C, F and S K-edges, respectively. The spectral features in the F K-shell region were characterized by the photoabsorption spectra of CF4 and SF6 and those in the S K-shell region resemble the peaks of SF6. The observed peaks for CF3SF5 were tentatively assigned on the basis of a comparison with those for CF4 and SF6 measured simultaneously for references. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), which catalyzes the reduction of O[sub 2][sup •-] to H[sub 2]O[sub 2], is the key enzyme for the protection of oxidative stress. Here we have chemically modified manganese (Mn) porphyrins with biomolecules for new functional antioxidants. The Mn-porphyrins were conjugated with the following biochemical functional molecules: (1) catalase, to catalyze reduction of H[sub 2]O[sub 2] to H[sub 2]O. The resulting conjugate showed dual functions of SOD and catalase; (2) a carbohydrate, to facilitate receptor binding and, hence, active targeting. The resulting conjugate showed both SOD activity and carbohydrate recognition. These results suggest that the antioxidants promise the application to biomedical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated neurite outgrowth on a fluorinated polyimide film micropatterned by ion irradiation. We used the fluorinated polyimide because of its excellent thermal and mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Rattus norvegicus chromaphin (PC12) cells were used for in vitro studies. The polyimide films were irradiated with He+, Ne+ or Kr+ at 1 × 1014 ions/cm2 using an ion-beam mask. The lines in the mask were 120 and 160 μm wide and 120–160 μm apart. PC12 cells were selectively adhered on the polyimide film micropatterned by Kr+-irradiation. However, the neurite length on the film irradiated by Kr+ was shorter than that determined in the film irradiated by He+. On the other hand, neurite outgrowth on the polyimide film micropatterned by He+-irradiation was at least 100 μm in length. This initial study indicated the enhanced outgrowth of PC12 cells on the fluorinated polyimide film micropatterned by ion irradiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We synthesized the isomeric polyimides, 6FDA-m-DDS and 6FDA-p-DDS, and investigated the gas selectivity of the asymmetric polyimide membranes with an oriented surface skin layer. Particularly, we focused on the effect of the chemical structure of the polyimide on the molecular orientation. The asymmetric membranes with the oriented skin layer were prepared by a dry–wet phase inversion process at different shear stresses. The gas permeances of the asymmetric polyimide membranes were measured using a high vacuum apparatus with a Baratron absolute pressure gauge at 76 cmHg. The molecular orientation in the asymmetric polyimide membranes was measured using polarized ATR–FTIR spectroscopy. The gas selectivity of the asymmetric 6FDA-m-DDS membrane increased with an increased in the shear stress and were greater than that of the dense membrane. In contrast, the gas selectivities of the asymmetric 6FDA-p-DDS membrane did not depend on the shear stress and were similar to those of the dense membrane. We clarified that a parallel oriented surface formed on the asymmetric 6FDA-m-DDS membrane caused the enhanced gas selectivity of the membrane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of casein, soy protein, soy protein with bound phospholipids (SP), soy protein peptic hydrolysate (SPH) or soy protein peptic hydrolysate with bound phospholipids (SPHP) on the micellar solubility of cholesterol and the taurocholate binding capacity in vitro. We also evaluated the effects of various proteins on cholesterol metabolism in rats and Caco-2 cells. SPHP had a significantly greater bile acid-binding capacity than that of SPH in vitro. Micellar cholesterol solubility in vitro was significantly lower in the presence of SPHP compared to casein tryptic hydrolysate (CTH). The cholesterol micelles containing SPHP and SPH significantly suppressed cholesterol uptake by Caco-2 cells compared to the cholesterol micelles containing CTH. Consistent with these findings in the in vivo cholesterol absorption study using radioisotopes, fecal excretion of total steroids was significantly greater in rats fed the SPHP diet compared with those fed the casein, soy protein, SP and SPH diets. Serum total cholesterol was significantly lower in rats fed SPHP than in those fed casein. The concentrations of total lipids and cholesterol in liver were significantly lower in the SPHP-fed group compared with all other groups. These results suggest that the suppression of cholesterol absorption by direct interaction between cholesterol-mixed micelles and SPHP in the jejunal epithelia is part of the mechanism underlying the hypocholesterolemic action of SPHP. SPHP may also inhibit the reabsorption of bile acids in the ileum, thus lowering the serum cholesterol level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EP13.02: Non-invasive measurement of fetal aortic pulse pressure using ultrasound-phased tracking method: an investigation using a fetal sheep model Immediately after delivery of the fetuses(n=3), the umbilical vessels were cannulated and connected to the pumpless AP and the carotid catheter was inserted to measure aortic BP. There was a significant correlation between the PP estimated by using the ultrasound and the PP measured by using the carotid catheter (R SP 2 sp =0.95.p<0.01) (figure1). [Extracted from the article]

Spectator resonant KL23L23 Auger electron spectra have been measured in the Si 1s photoexcitation region of Si(CH3)4 using monochromatized undulator radiation combined with a hemispherical electron spectrometer. The broad peak with high intensity in a total ion yield spectrum, coming mainly from excitation of a 1s electron into the 6t2 vacant orbital, induces a spectator Auger decay in which the excited electron remains in its excited orbital. The component on the higher energy side of this peak through 1s excitation into a Rydberg orbital produces resonant Auger decays in which the excited Rydberg electron moves into a slightly higher Rydberg orbital, or is partly shaken up to a significantly higher Rydberg orbital. These findings of Si(CH3)4 indicate a clear contrast to those for SiF4, in which the 1s excitation into a Rydberg orbital induces a shake-down phenomenon as well as a shake-up one. The results of these molecules exhibit a clear splitting effect among excited orbitals which are smeared out by overlapping due to lifetime widths and due to densely populated levels in the 1s electron excitation spectrum. This is consistent with the calculation on photoexcitation within the framework of density functional theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excitation (total ion yield) and de-excitation (resonant photoemission) spectra have been measured in the Si 1s photoexcitation region of the F3SiCH2CH2Si(CH3)3 molecule using monochromatized undulator radiation. Theoretical calculations within the framework of density functional theory have reproduced the observed total ion yield spectrum very well. The first peak at the lowest photon energy, coming from Si 1s excitation at the trimethyl side into a vacant orbital, induces spectator Auger decays in which the excited electron remains in its valence orbital. The second peak produced through excitation of Si 1s electron at the trifluoride side generates resonant Auger decays in which the excited valence electron remains predominantly also in the valence orbital or is partly shaken up into higher Rydberg orbitals. The third peak generated through Si 1s excitation at the trifluoride side produces resonant Auger decays in which the excited Rydberg electron remains or is partly shaken down to a lower lying valence molecular orbital. These findings exhibit a clear distinction between resonant Auger decays following photoexcitation of Si 1s electrons under different chemical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectator resonant Auger electron spectra with the Si 1s photoexcitation of SiCl4 have been measured using an electron spectroscopic technique combined with undulator radiation. The transition with the highest intensity in the total ion yield (TIY) spectrum, coming from excitation of a 1s electron into the 9t2 valence orbital, generates the resonant Auger decay in which the excited electron remains in the 9t2 orbital. A TIY peak positioned slightly above the 1s ionization threshold induces Auger decay in which the slow photoelectron is re-captured into a higher lying Rydberg orbital or the normal Auger peak shape is distorted due to a post-collision interaction effect. Another structure above the threshold, originating from a doubly excited state, yields the normal Auger peak with the distortion of peak shape and a resonant Auger peak with a higher kinetic energy. These findings provide a clear understanding of the properties of the excited orbitals which were ambiguous previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A British randomised study of gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) combination showed promising results in biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients. In our study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of this combination compared with gemcitabine alone (G) in Japanese BTC patients.Methods: Overall, 84 advanced BTC patients were randomised to either cisplatin 25 mg m(-2) plus gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) on days 1, 8 of a 21-day cycle (GC-arm), or single-agent gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle (G-arm). Treatments were repeated for at least 12 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred, up to a maximum of 48 weeks.Results: A total of 83 patients were included in the analysis. For the GC and G-arms, respectively, the 1-year survival rate was 39.0 vs 31.0%, median survival time 11.2 vs 7.7 months, median progression-free survival time 5.8 vs 3.7 months and overall response rate 19.5 vs 11.9%. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities (GC-arm/G-arm) were neutropenia (56.1%/38.1%), thrombocytopenia (39.0%/7.1%), leukopenia (29.3%/19.0%), haemoglobin decrease (36.6%/16.7%) and gamma-GTP increase (29.3%/35.7%).Conclusions: Gemcitabine plus cisplatin combination therapy was found to be effective and well tolerated, suggesting that it could also be a standard regimen for Japanese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A variety of photoelectron spectra for gas phase F3SiC2H4Si(CH3)3 molecule have been measured using monochromatized undulator radiation and a hemispherical electrostatic analyzer. Valence photoelectron spectrum shows many peaks for ionization from shallow and deep molecular orbitals in the binding energy region of 9–40eV. A calculation of ionization energies using the outer valence Green''s function method indicates energies in agreement with experimental results below 17.5eV. Spectra for Si L-shell electron emission show chemical shifts of Si atoms induced from different chemical environments around two Si atoms and also exhibit spin–orbit splitting for 2p photoelectrons. Further photoelectron spectra for C K-shell and F K-shell are discussed in comparison with those of related molecules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In a sediment core of Nishiyama reservoir at Nagasaki city, depth profiles of 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratio, 239+240Pu and 137Cs activities were determined. Sediments containing plutonium and 137Cs, which were deposited immediately after a detonation of Nagasaki atomic bomb, were identified in the core. Observed below the sediments were macroscopic charcoals, providing evidence for initial deposit of the fallout of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. This is the first entire depositional records of plutonium and 137Cs released from the Nagasaki atomic bomb together with those from atmospheric nuclear tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Reperfusion of ischemic tissues results in the formation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals, hydroperoxide, and peroxynitrite. ROS are potent oxidizing agents, capable of damaging cellular membranes by lipid peroxidation. In the present study, we applied an in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)/spin probe and an ex vivo EPR technique to provide direct evidence of ROS following experimentally induced small bowel ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Materials and Methods: We used a rat model of small bowel I/R injury to explore the possibility that MnM2Py4P or Mn-salen can prevent the accumulation of ROS species following experimentally induced I/R injury. We examined the ability of MnM2Py4P and Mn-salen to scavenge radicals in living Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using an in vivo and an ex vivo EPR technique with a spin probe. Results: The CP decay rates in the MnM2Py4P- and Mn-salen-treated rats were significantly higher than those in the untreated rats and almost equal to those in sham group rats. There were no significant differences between the MnM2Py4P-treated group and the Mn-salen-treated group. Superoxide scavenging activities (SSA) in the MnM2Py4P- and EUK-8-treated group were higher than those in the untreated group and almost equal to the sham group. Conclusion: The present study suggested that the protective effects of MnM2Py4P and Mn-salen against small bowel IR injury were mediated by the inhibition of O2, H2O2, and NO production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The source of plutonium in sediments deposited at Nishiyama reservoir at Nagasaki was characterized by their 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio. The average ratio was approximately 0.03, except in two layers. The main source of the plutonium was the Nagasaki atomic bomb. The plutonium continues to flow into the reservoir even now. The 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in two layers were higher than the average, which showed that plutonium in these layers were made of those of nuclear tests added to those of the atomic bomb. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Atomic-like Auger electron emission was observed in resonant excitation of F1s electron into the molecular orbital of CF3SF5. This finding means that an Srming the Ch name="sbnd" />F linear skeleton in the ground state dissociates in the order of femto-seconds. The Auger electron emitted from the F atom showed a Doppler shift by using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Asymmetry parameter for the leaving F atom relative to the linearly polarized electric vector was deduced to be β =1.9 at high photon energy of 688.7eV and a value of β =1.1 by detuning the photon energy down to 686.8eV. The variation of β on the exciting energies projects a profile that an axial recoil approximation effectively works for the ultrafast Sation when the state is generated at high energy level on the potential curve but retardation effects between the F and CF3SF4 fragments become noticeable at low energy level where kinetic energy of the F atom gets smaller. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Reperfusion of ischemic tissues results in the formation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals, hydroperoxide, and peroxynitrite. ROS are potent oxidizing agents, fully capable of damaging cellular membranes by lipid peroxidation. In this study, we applied for the first time the in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)/spin probe and ex vivo EPR technique to provide direct evidence of ROS following experimentally induced small bowel ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The decay rate (spin clearance rate) was determined over the first 3 minutes at 6 hours after reperfusion. Decay rates in rats subjected to I/R injury were lower than those in the sham group. Superoxide scavenging activity (SSA) in rats subjected to I/R injury was significantly lower than that in the sham group. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that it is possible to detect the accumulation of ROS following experimentally induced small intestine I/R injury using an in vivo and an ex vivo EPR technique with a spin probe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A paleomagnetic study has been conducted on the Miocene Chiang Muan Formation in northern Thailand, in order to provide a chronology for the earliest large-bodied Miocene hominoid in Southeast Asia. The Chiang Muan Formation is mainly composed of clay, silt and sand beds, indicating lacustrine and fluvial environments. Paleomagnetic samples were collected from 124 horizons along an approximately 150 m thick section from the Chiang Muan Formation at the opencast Chiang Muan Mine. Rock magnetic experiments and stepwise thermal demagnetizations revealed that the main carrier of the magnetization of the sediments is magnetite and the samples have stable magnetization. Exceptionally, stable magnetization is also carried by hematite, which is represented by red colored sediments. Characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions, calculated by the principal component analysis, revealed normal or reversed polarities of magnetization, which allow the application of the reversal test of McFadden and McElhinny [McFadden, P.L., McElhinny, M.W., 1990. Classification of the reverse test in paleomagnetism. Geophys. Int. 103, 725–729]. The mean paleomagnetic directions of the normal and reversed polarities passed the reversal test with a classification C, indicating that the Chiang Muan Formation preserved the primary magnetization. In total, five normal and four-reversed polarity zones are recognized from the studied section. Based on paleontological age constraints, this magnetostratigraphic column of the Chiang Muan Formation correlates best with Chron C5AAn-C5n of the geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) from the geological time scale (GTS2004) developed by Gradstein et al. [Gradstein, F., Ogg, J., Smith, A. (Eds.) 2004. A Geological Time Scale 2004. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK, p. 589]. This correlation revealed that sedimentation of the Chiang Muan Formation began approximately at 13 Ma and continued until 9.8 Ma with a mean sedimentation rate of approximately 4.2 cm/ky. The age of the earliest Southeast Asian hominoid is between 12.4 and 13.0 Ma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ionization energies for valence electrons of CF3SF5 were measured in the 12–35eV region by means of angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. The observed ionization energies were basically consistent with previous ones measured by threshold photoelectron and HeI photoelectron spectroscopy, and the ionization levels at 22.60, 26.92 and 27.86eV were newly observed. Asymmetry parameter derived at hν =684.7eV was a constant of β =1.02±0.04 in the ionization energy lower than 20eV, suggesting that lone pair electron of F atom is probably released through 2p→ ɛd like electron emission. Characters of the 22 valence bands were elucidated with the help of ab initio calculations and of the nature of valence orbitals for CF4 and SF6. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article, a series of fluorinated polyimides rubbed at different pressures was prepared, and the plasma protein adsorption on the rubbed polyimide films was evaluated using a micro-bicinchoninic acid protein assay. Interestingly, the amount of plasma protein adsorbed on the polyimide surface strongly depended on the rubbing pressure. The amounts of BSA and Fbg adsorbed on the rubbed polyimide film significantly decreased with an increase in the rubbing pressure. In contrast, the amounts of IgG adsorbed on the rubbed film dramatically increased with an increase in the rubbing pressure. In particular, it is interesting to note that a specific adsorption surface for IgG is formed by the rubbing process. We proposed that the nano-ordered hydrophilic and hydrophobic patternings formed on the top and bottom surfaces on the rubbed fluorinated polyimide film might have a significant influence on the plasma protein adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Photodecomposition of K-shell excited CF3SF5 was investigated by means of photoelectron–photoion coincidence (PEPICO) and photoion–photoion coincidence (PIPICO) spectroscopy. In PEPICO mode to study site-selective fragmentation, the yield of was high at the excitation and that of was considerable at the excitation into . When the F K-shell of SF5 was selectively excited, the formation of was prominent. The atomic ions of S+ and F+ were overwhelmingly produced with some amounts of S2+ and S3+ ions at the S K-shell excitation. Formation of highly charged ions was confirmed by PIPICO spectroscopy. The yields of were low at the excitation. Breakdown pathways of the ions were discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poly(octadecyl acrylate)-grafted silica has been developed as a special stationary phase showing molecular-shape recognition in high-performance liquid chromatography. The bonded polymer phase is characterized by the fact that the polymer forms highly-ordered structures similar to a solvated crystalline state on silica and multiple π–π interaction between carbonyl groups in the polymer and aromatic solutes is promoted. This paper shows that the selectivity for DL-amino acids diastereomerized with N-dansyl L-proline can be enhanced by using the polymer stationary phase instead of octadecylated silica (ODS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family including survivin, are expressed in many tumors. However, age-related changes in their expression in cancer have not been clarified. Thus, we investigated the expression of mRNA-coding for IAP family proteins in colon cancer samples from young (<70 years of age) and elderly (>70 years) patients by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Samples were collected from cases with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and their adjacent normal epithelial tissue. Well-differentiated adenocarcinoma tended to express higher levels of survivin than normal mucosa, and expression in moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was significantly greater than in normal mucosa in samples from both groups of patients (p<0.05, respectively). When samples were compared between the different age groups, the normal mucosa exhibited similar levels of survivin expression. However, samples from older patients showed a significantly higher level of expression than those from younger patients in well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas (p<0.05, respectively). In contrast, the levels of expression of cIAP1, cIAP2, and NAIP in the cancerous tissues were lower than those found in normal mucosa regardless of age. As for age-related changes, the expression of cIAP2 in normal mucosa and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was stronger in the elderly group than the young group (p<0.05, respectively), and NAIP expression in well-differentiated adenocarcinoma was higher in the young group than the elderly group (p<0.05). XIAP expression was similar in normal and cancerous tissues in both the young and elderly groups. These results suggest that the expression of IAP family proteins, especially survivin, is associated with the age-related biological characteristics of colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we focused on the shear stress effects within a spinneret during hollow fiber spinning on the formation of the hollow fibers and their gas transport properties. We fabricated asymmetric polyimide hollow fibers with a completely defect-free thin skin layer using a dry/wet phase inversion process. The apparent calculated skin layer thickness of the hollow fiber was 280 nm and the O2 permeance was 2.9×10−5 cm3 (STP)/(cm2 s cmHg). Interestingly, the skin layer thickness was reduced at the high shear rate. In addition, the gas permeances and selectivities of the hollow fibers increased with the increasing shear rate. We concluded that the oriented skin layer of the hollow fiber induced by shear stress had a significant influence on the formation of the skin layer and its gas transport properties. From the ATR-IR spectra results, it was clear that the surface skin layer of the hollow fiber was parallel oriented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Subsidiary weak interaction such as π–π interaction shows us unique separation even in RP-HPLC. This communication shows the first example that poly(4-vinylpyridine) on silica provides extremely large selectivity with specificity for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in methanol–water as a mobile phase. It also describes that the selectivity mode does not always obey those in conventional π-electron-containing stationary phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effects of accumulated nitrate in water on the spawning, hatching and development of medaka using a simple nitrifying filter and a combined filter having both nitrifying and denitrifying capabilities. A nitrate concentration of 100mgNO3−-N/L was clearly of lethal toxicity to fish when they were exposed to nitrate in both adult and the growing phases. A nitrate concentration of 75mgNO3−-N/L reduced the fertilization rate, delayed the hatching time and reduced the hatching rate of the eggs laid by adults and decreased the growth rate of juveniles. In addition, nitrate accumulations as low as 50mgNO3−-N/L remarkably retarded spawning and lowered the number of eggs laid by fish exposed in the juvenile phase. The effects on the reproduction system may be initiated by a low concentration, approximately 30mgNO3−-N/L. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Miyazaki Plain, eastern part of Kyushu, Japan, is characterized by both significant negative gravity anomalies and aseismic crustal uplifting (∼1 mm/year) in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. We examine the relationship between these two phenomena, which may provide important constraints on the interaction between the collision and/or subduction of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge and the forearc. We estimate the mass deficiency below 11-km depth by using the gravity anomalies and P-wave velocity structure of the upper crust. The onset of the load accumulation, 0.5–0.4 Ma, is inferred from the movement of the fluvial terraces considering the tephrochronology. The loading history is assumed to be a linear function of time. We evaluate the crustal rebound by assuming a viscoelastic plate deformation with an underplating load existing at 20- or 30-km depth. The predicted crustal movement for models with a lithospheric (crustal) viscosity of 1023–1024 Pa s can explain the observed altitudes of the shoreline of the marine terraces formed at the Last Interglacial of about 125 kyr BP and the middle Holocene of 5–6 kyr BP. Although we cannot restrict the origin of the buoyant body, the subduction of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge, remnant arc associated with back-arc opening of the Shikoku Basin, may be related to the buoyancy for the uplifting region examined here. On the other hand, the buoyant body off the Miyazaki Plain probably plays an important role in the interaction between the subducting oceanic slab and the overriding forearc crust. Thus, the observed lateral variation of the interplate coupling on the convergent boundary along the Nankai Trough may be attributed to the existence of the buoyant body. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]