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The Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE), a 10-m aperture telescope, hosts a camera equipped with the Transition Edge Sensor (TES). We developed a fore-optics module—“APol,” to convert the 271 pixels of the TES working at 350 GHz into a sensitive imaging polarimeter without sacrificing the image quality and the ${7.5}^\prime$7.5^′ field of view. Here, we describe the detailed optical design of APol and present the results of the preliminary test in a laboratory.

Epitaxial α-Fe2O3thin films on conducting Ta-doped SnO2bottom layers are prepared by pulsed-laser deposition in order to elucidate variation of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties for the water oxidation reaction on the α-Fe2O3photoanodes with different orientation and thickness. Cyclic voltammetry under illumination shows that current density (photocurrent onset potential) of the m-axis oriented samples is considerably larger (lower) than that of the c-axis oriented ones. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under illumination, we ascribe these behaviors to difference in surface states between c- and m-planes besides anisotropic conductivity along the individual axes. Our study demonstrates the power of utilizing well-defined epitaxial thin films to investigate the anisotropic PEC properties of visible-light-driven photoelectrodes.

Wideband continuum observations at the millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths are of great importance to the understanding of the cosmic history of star-formation across the Hubble time, as well as the thermal and non-thermal aspects of clusters of galaxies through the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. To promote such studies, a new TES bolometer camera for the ASTE telescope has been developed. In this article we present the study of the optics system that will couple the camera to the telescope's Cassegrain optics. Two-color simultaneous observation capability and 7.5 ' diameter FoV are achieved. These two focal planes are used for the 270 and 350 GHz bands for Phase I, and the 350 and 670 GHz bands for Phase II configurations. The numbers of pixels are 169, 271, and 919 pixels for 270, 350, and 670 GHz bands, respectively. The shape of the third ellipsoid mirror is optimized, and the designed optics is foreseen to be diffraction limited. The optics is also evaluated via physical optics calculations, and the diameter of the cold pupil is optimized to 85% of the geometrical design. Without filters and Ruze losses, the aperture efficiencies of each beam are ~35%, 35%, and 32%, and the beam sizes are ~28", 22", and 12", for the 270, 350, and 670 GHz bands, respectively.

Abstract:Correlation and regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship of student mobility (as expressed by the school-level mobility rate) and first through fifth grade reading, language arts, and mathematics achievement for a statewide sample of 1062 elementary schools. Comparison data were analyzed to further investigate the relationship of school-level mobility rate and achievement for schools that met adequate yearly progress (AYP), a mandate of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and those that did not meet AYP. Findings indicated moderate, negative correlations between mobility rate and achievement across grade levels and subject areas; modest, negative correlations between achievement and mobility when school enrollment size or school poverty status were controlled; and, no significant differences in mobility rate, school size and poverty status for schools that met AYP when compared to schools that did not meet AYP.

Context. We present the results of our analysis of long Suzaku observations (149?ks and 122?ks for XIS and HXD, respectively) of the most X-ray luminous galaxy cluster, RX?J1347.5?1145, at z=0.451.Aims. To understand the gas physics of a violent, cluster merger, we study physical properties of the hot (~20?keV) gas clump in the south-east (SE) region discovered previously by Sunyaev?Zel'dovich (SZ) effect observations. Using hard X-ray data, a signature of non-thermal emission is also explored.Methods. We perform single as well as multi-temperature fits to the Suzaku XIS spectra. The Suzaku XIS and HXD, and the Chandra ACIS-I data are then combined to examine the properties of the hot gas component in the SE region. We finally look for non-thermal emission in the Suzaku HXD data.Results. The single-temperature model fails to reproduce the 0.5?10?keV continuum emission and Fe-K lines measured by XIS simultaneously. A two-temperature model with a very hot component improves the fit, although the XIS data can only provide a lower limit to the temperature of the hot component. In the Suzaku HXD data, we detect hard X-ray emission above the background in the 12?40?keV band at the 9? level; however, the significance becomes marginal when the systematic error in the background estimation is included. With the joint analysis of the Suzaku and Chandra data, we determine the temperature of the hot gas in the SE region to be 25.3+6.1-4.5(statistical; 90% confidence level) +6.9-9.5(systematic; 90% confidence level)?keV, which is in an excellent agreement with the previous joint analysis of the SZ effect in radio and the Chandra X-ray data. This is the first time that the X-ray analysis alone provides a good measurement of the hot component temperature in the SE region, which is possible because of Suzaku's unprecedented sensitivity over the wide X-ray band. These results indicate strongly that RX?J1347.5?1145 has undergone a recent, violent merger. The spectral analysis shows that the SE component is consistent with being thermal. We measure the 3? upper limit to the non-thermal flux, F<8?10-12?ergs-1cm-2in the 12?60?keV band, which provides a limit on the inverse Compton scattering of relativistic electrons off the CMB photons. Combining this limit with the discovery of a radio mini halo in this cluster at 1.4?GHz, which measures the synchrotron radiation, we find a lower limit to the strength of the intracluster magnetic field, such that B>0.007??G.

The effect of phonon confinement and impurity doping in silicon nanowires (SiNWs) synthesized by laser ablation were investigated. The diameter of SiNWs was controlled by the synthesis parameters during laser ablation and the subsequent thermal oxidation. Thermal oxidation increases the thickness of the SiNWs’ surface oxide layer, resulting in a decrease in their crystalline Si core diameter. This effect causes a downshift and asymmetric broadening of the Si optical phonon peak due to phonon confinement. Boron doping was also performed during the growth of SiNWs. Local vibrational modes of boron (B) in silicon nanowires (SiNWs) synthesized by laser ablation were observed at about 618 and 640 cm–1 by Raman scattering measurements. Fano broadening due to coupling between discrete optical phonons and the continuum of interband hole excitations was also observed in the Si optical phonon peak. These results prove that B atoms were doped in the SiNWs.

Recently, we reported that a calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative can selectively extract the lysine-rich protein cytochrome c by interacting with amino groups on the protein surface. In the present article, quantitative extraction and recovery of cytochrome c using this calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative are described. Both adjustment of the pH under acidic conditions and addition of an alcohol are necessary to strip the extracted protein from an organic solution to an aqueous solution. Separation of cytochrome c and lysozyme using the calix[6]arene was achieved under the optimal conditions. In the forward extraction stage, 93% of the cytochrome c was extracted, while lysozyme remained in the solution. In the subsequent stripping stage, the extracted cytochrome c was quantitatively recovered in an aqueous solution. Finally, separation of these proteins, which have similar molecular weights and isoelectric points, was accomplished.

The BF3-catalyzed rearrangement of cyclobutene-fused m- and p-substituted diarylhomobenzoquinones exclusively gave the keto-alcohols via a Wagner−Meerwein vinyl-anion migration followed by the annulation of a δ-located endo-aryl group. The Hammett treatments for the endo/exo substituent effects, as well as the kinetic solvent effects, indicated that this reaction proceeds through the concerted SN2-like mechanism involving a rate-determining endo-aryl-assisted transition state.

The sophisticated arrangement of confinement in columns using closely spaced stirrups not only interrupts the continuity and creates a plane of weakness between core and concrete cover, but also adds to the problem of congestion. This is the reason why most of the time it may not be possible to confine the structure sufficiently by providing laterals alone, and supplementary confinement such as ferrocement composites may be necessary. The success of the ferrocement technology is attributed to the ready availability of its component materials, low level of technology needed for construction and low cost. In the past decades, ferrocement has emerged as a very good rehabilitating/restrengthening material because of its superior mechanical properties, high in‐plane strength and mouldability. In the present paper a review of the research on ferrocement confinement of plain and reinforced concrete with applications to column retrofitting is presented.

The JT-60U data processing system is a large computer complex gradually modernized by utilizing progressive computer and network technology. A main computer using state-of-the-art CMOS technology can handle ~550 MB of data per discharge. A gigabit ethernet switch with FDDI ports has been introduced to cope with the increase of handling data. Workstation systems with VMEbus serial highway drivers for CAMAC have been developed and used to replace many minicomputer systems. VMEbus-based fast data acquisition systems have also been developed to enlarge and replace a minicomputer system for mass data.The JT-60U data analysis system is composed of a JT-60U database server and a JT-60U analysis server, which are distributed UNIX servers. The experimental database is stored in the 1TB RAID disk of the JT-60U database server and is composed of ZENKEI and diagnostic databases. Various data analysis tools are available on the JT-60U analysis server. For the remote collaboration, technical features of the data analysis system have been applied to the computer system to access JT-60U data via the Internet. Remote participation in JT-60U experiments has been successfully conducted since 1996.

The Brandt tracheal tube keeps cuff pressure constant during anaesthesia, but the mechanisms have not been examined. We assessed volume, pressure and gas concentration in the cuff and pilot balloon using the Brandt system.

A calixarene carboxylic acid derivative has been found to form a complex with the cationic protein cytochrome c. The solubilized cytochrome c was stable and showed peroxidase activity in chloroform. The calix[6]arene and the calix[8]arene achieved quantitative extraction of the protein. The calix[6]arene, whose cavity is well-fitted to a protonated amino group, exhibited a selectivity to lysine-rich proteins due to the recognition of the ε-amino groups in lysine residues on the surface of the protein. This is the first report showing protein extraction by calixarenes. The solubilized cytochrome c could catalyze an oxidative reaction in organic solvents. This host compound functions as a novel solubilization tool for biomolecules and a separation tool for lysine-rich proteins.

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Free radicals play an important role in the initiation and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, the reduction or elimination of adverse oxidant effects can provide novel therapy for IBD. Here, the antioxidant capacity and protective effects of a new class of chemically modified hetastarch (polynitroxyl starch, or PNS) plus 4-hydroxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (Tempol or TPL) (PNS/TPL) were assessed in a model of colitis. The superoxide scavenging capacity of PNS/TPL—that is, the inhibition of the reduction of cytochrome c in the presence of xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO)—was evaluated in vitro. The effects of PNS/TPL on X/XO–induced neutrophil endothelial adhesion in vitrowere investigated. Also, this study tested the protection produced by PNS/TPL in a mouse model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)–induced colitis. PNS/TPL was given intravenously immediately before (<30 min) and intraperitoneally at 24 and 72 hr after TNBS induction. The body weight and survival rate of the mice were checked daily. Colonic mucosal damage was assessed on the 7th day by measuring intestinal permeability to Evans blue (EB) in vivo. The ability of PNS to reoxidize bioreduced TPL was documented by whole-body electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) detection. We found that PNS or TPL exhibits superoxide dismutase (SOD)–like activity, with approximately 2% of SOD activity occurring on a molar basis. The endothelial–neutrophil adherence induced by X/XO was significantly inhibited by PNS/TPL but not by TPL alone. PNS/TPL protected against cachexia and mortality, both usually induced by TNBS. Epithelial permeability was increased significantly in TNBS mice but was ameliorated by the administration of PNS/TPL. In conclusion, PNS/TPL may be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of IBD through its antioxidant effects, which inhibit oxidant-mediated leukocyte adhesion and injury to endothelial cells.

We studied the role of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) in the mobilization of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin by TNF-α and IL-1β in cultured human endothelial cells. Enzyme linked immunosorbent analysis (ELISA) was used to assess if ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin were expressed at the cell surface, and if PARP inhibition (using the selective PARP inhibitor GPI 6150) blocked the induced expression. Endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression was evaluated at 4 and at 24 h after cytokine stimulation. At 4 h ICAM-1 and E-selectin, but not VACM-1, were stimulated by both IL-1β and TNF-α. Blocking PARP via GPI 6150 only affected TNF-α induced E-selectin expression at 4 hours. ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin expression were all stimulated by both IL-1β and TNF-α in the 24 h assays. PARP inhibition with GPI 6150 blocked the IL-1β mediated stimulation of both ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression, and blocked TNF-α stimulation of ICAM-1 expression at 24 h. These experiments suggest that specific PARP inhibition may provide a novel method of controlling leukocyte dependent inflammation through the reduction of ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression in endothelial cells in response to cytokines.

Paranasal sinus mucoceles are relatively common in Japan, especially after prior Caldwell-Luc surgery. Recently developed endonasal endoscopic approaches were used for the drainage and marsupialization of mucoceles. We present the surgical treatment of 97 patients with mucoceles, including 68 maxillary, 13 ethmoid, nine frontal, seven sphenoid, eight frontoethmoid, and one sphenoethmoid sinuses. Six patients with maxillary mucoceles were operated via a sublabial incision. For fronted mucoceles, four patients were treated by a combined external and endonasal endoscopic approach. The other mucoceles underwent complete marsupialization under endonasal endoscopic control. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. No evidence of recurrence was observed in any patients during follow-up periods ranging from 36 to 84 months.

Irradiation of homonaphthoquinones with spiro-linked dibenzocycloheptene rings brings about the Norrish type II reaction to give polycyclic alcohols via a stereospecific 1,7-hydrogen abstraction of the less stable twist-boat conformer.

The zfx gene encoding a zinc-containing ferredoxin from Thermoplasma acidophilum strain HO-62 was cloned and sequenced. It is located upstream of two genes encoding an archaeal homolog of nascent polypeptide-associated complex alpha subunit and a tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. This gene organization is not conserved in several euryarchaeoteal genomes. The multiple sequence alignments of the zfx gene product suggest significant sequence similarity of the ferredoxin core fold to that of a low potential 8Fe-containing dicluster ferredoxin without a zinc center. The tightly bound zinc site of zinc-containing ferredoxins from two phylogenetically distantly related Archaea, T. acidophilum HO-62 and Sulfolobus sp. strain 7, was further investigated by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The zinc K-edge x-ray absorption spectra of both archaeal ferredoxins are strikingly similar, demonstrating that the same zinc site is found in T. acidophilum ferredoxin as in Sulfolobus sp. ferredoxin, which suggests the structural conservation of isolated zinc binding sites among archaeal zinc-containing ferredoxins. The sequence and spectroscopic data provide the common structural features of the archaeal zinc-containing ferredoxin family.

Abstract: In our previous study, we showed that a chimeric isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, 2T2M6T, between an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus, and a mesophile, Bacillus subtilis, isopropylmalate dehydrogenases (the name roughly denotes the primary structure; the first 20% from the N-terminal is coded by the thermophile leuB gene, next 20% by mesophile, and the rest by the thermophile gene) denatured in two steps with a stable intermediate, suggesting that in the chimera some of the interdomain interaction was lost by amino acid substitutions in the "2M" part. To identify the residues involved in the interdomain interactions, the first and the second halves of the 2M part of the chimera were substituted with the corresponding sequence of the thermophile enzyme. Both chimeras, 3T1M6T and 2T1M7T, apparently showed one transition in the thermal denaturation without any stable intermediate state, suggesting that the cooperativity of the conformational stability was at least partly restored by the substitutions. The present study also suggested involvement of one or more basic residues in the unusual stability of the thermophile enzyme.

We measured nasal resistance (Rn) while awake, during midazolam-induced sedation and after antagonism with flumazenil (n = 9). Nasal and oral airflow were measured. Rn was calculated by dividing the difference between maximal nasal mask and oropharyngeal pressures by inspiratory airflow at minimum pharyngeal pressure. During sedation, two subjects developed obstructive apnoeic events and four subjects had snoring events. Each apnoea was ended by mechanisms other than a change in breathing route. After antagonism with flumazenil, apnoeic and snoring events were abolished. Rn during midazolam sedation (median 1.46 (25th percentile 1.00, 75th 2.61) kPa litre-1 s) was significantly greater than before midazolam (0.29 (0.25, 0.48) kPa litre-1 s) and after flumazenil (0.41 (0.25, 0.58) kPa litre-1 s) (P < 0.01 in each subject). We conclude that midazolam increased Rn, sometimes leading to obstruction, and flumazenil abolished this increase in Rn.

Rhinological problems after a transseptal transsphenoidal approach for pituitary tumors were prospectively investigated in 25 patients with special reference to nasal airway resistance and olfactory acuity. Five patients showed a significant increase in the unilateral and/or total nasal airway resistance. Endoscopic observation of the nasal cavity revealed the presence of crust formation, hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate, or synechiae. Three patients showed a significant deterioration in olfactory acuity. Coronal CT views with good visualization of the olfactory cleft were helpful in evaluating causes of hyposmia postoperatively.

An ATPase with Mr of 360,000 was purified from plasma membranes of a thermophilic eubacterium Thermus thermophilus, and was characterized. ATP hydrolytic activity of the purified enzyme was extremely low, 0.07 mumol of Pi released mg-1 min-1, and it was stimulated up to 30-fold by bisulfite. The following properties of the enzyme indicate that it is not a usual F1-ATPase but that it belongs to the V-type ATPase family, another class of ATPases found in membranes of archaebacteria and eukaryotic endomembranes. Among its four kinds of subunits with approximate Mr values of 66,000 (alpha), 55,000 (beta), 30,000 (gamma), and 12,000 (delta), the alpha subunit had a similar molecular size to the catalytic subunits of the V-type ATPases but was significantly larger than the alpha subunit of F1-ATPases. ATP hydrolytic activity was not affected by azide, an inhibitor of F1-ATPases, but was inhibited by nitrate, an inhibitor of the V-type ATPase. N-terminal amino acid sequences determined for the purified alpha and beta subunits showed much higher similarity to those of the V-type ATPases than those of F1-ATPases. Thus the distribution of the V-type ATPase in the prokaryotic kingdom may not be restricted to archaebacteria.