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We perform the first multi-model intercomparison of the impact of nudged meteorology on the stratospheric residual circulation using hindcast simulations from the Chemistry–Climate Model Initiative (CCMI). We examine simulations over the period 1980–2009 from seven models in which the meteorological fields are nudged towards a reanalysis dataset and compare these with their equivalent free-running simulations and the reanalyses themselves. We show that for the current implementations, nudging meteorology does not constrain the mean strength of the stratospheric residual circulation and that the inter-model spread is similar, or even larger, than in the free-running simulations. The nudged models generally show slightly stronger upwelling in the tropical lower stratosphere compared to the free-running versions and exhibit marked differences compared to the directly estimated residual circulation from the reanalysis dataset they are nudged towards. Downward control calculations applied to the nudged simulations reveal substantial differences between the climatological lower-stratospheric tropical upward mass flux (TUMF) computed from the modelled wave forcing and that calculated directly from the residual circulation. This explicitly shows that nudging decouples the wave forcing and the residual circulation so that the divergence of the angular momentum flux due to the mean motion is not balanced by eddy motions, as would typically be expected in the time mean. Overall, nudging meteorological fields leads to increased inter-model spread for most of the measures of the mean climatological stratospheric residual circulation assessed in this study. In contrast, the nudged simulations show a high degree of consistency in the inter-annual variability in the TUMF in the lower stratosphere, which is primarily related to the contribution to variability from the resolved wave forcing. The more consistent inter-annual variability in TUMF in the nudged models also compares more closely with the variability found in the reanalyses, particularly in boreal winter. We apply a multiple linear regression (MLR) model to separate the drivers of inter-annual and long-term variations in the simulated TUMF; this explains up to ∼75 % of the variance in TUMF in the nudged simulations. The MLR model reveals a statistically significant positive trend in TUMF for most models over the period 1980–2009. The TUMF trend magnitude is generally larger in the nudged models compared to their free-running counterparts, but the intermodel range of trends doubles from around a factor of 2 to a factor of 4 due to nudging. Furthermore, the nudged models generally do not match the TUMF trends in the reanalysis they are nudged towards for trends over different periods in the interval 1980–2009. Hence, we conclude that nudging does not strongly constrain long-term trends simulated by the chemistry–climate model (CCM) in the residual circulation. Our findings show that while nudged simulations may, by construction, produce accurate temperatures and realistic representations of fast horizontal transport, this is not typically the case for the slower zonal mean vertical transport in the stratosphere. Consequently, caution is required when using nudged simulations to interpret the behaviour of stratospheric tracers that are affected by the residual circulation.

The current method for averaging model ensembles, which is to calculate a multi model mean, assumes model independence and equal model skill. Sharing of model components amongst families of models and research centres, conflated by growing ensemble size, means model independence cannot be assumed and is hard to quantify. We present a methodology to produce a weighted model ensemble projection, accounting for model performance and model independence. Model weights are calculated by comparing model hindcasts to a selection of metrics chosen for their physical relevance to the process or phenomena of interest. This weighting methodology is applied to the Chemistry-Climate Model Initiative (CCMI) ensemble, to investigate Antarctic ozone depletion and subsequent recovery. The weighted mean projects an ozone recovery to 1980 levels, by 2056 with a 95 % confidence interval (2052–2060), 4 years earlier than the most recent study. Perfect model testing and out-of-sample testing validate the results and show a greater projective skill than a standard multi model mean. Interestingly, the construction of a weighted mean also provides insight into model performance and dependence between the models. This weighting methodology is robust to both model and metric choices and therefore has potential applications throughout the climate and chemistry-climate modelling communities.

>We analyse simulations performed for the Chemistry-Climate Model Initiative (CCMI) to estimate the return dates of the stratospheric ozone layer from depletion caused by anthropogenic stratospheric chlorine and bromine. We consider a total of 155 simulations from 20 models, including a range of sensitivity studies which examine the impact of climate change on ozone recovery. For the control simulations (unconstrained by nudging towards analysed meteorology) there is a large spread (±20 DU in the global average) in the predictions of the absolute ozone column. Therefore, the model results need to be adjusted for biases against historical data. Also, the interannual variability in the model results need to be smoothed in order to provide a reasonably narrow estimate of the range of ozone return dates. Consistent with previous studies, but here for a Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) of 6.0, these new CCMI simulations project that global total column ozone will return to 1980 values in 2049 (with a 1σ uncertainty of 2043–2055). At Southern Hemisphere mid-latitudes column ozone is projected to return to 1980 values in 2045 (2039–2050), and at Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes in 2032 (2020–2044). In the polar regions, the return dates are 2060 (2055–2066) in the Antarctic in October and 2034 (2025–2043) in the Arctic in March. The earlier return dates in the Northern Hemisphere reflect the larger sensitivity to dynamical changes. Our estimates of return dates are later than those presented in the 2014 Ozone Assessment by approximately 5–17 years, depending on the region, with the previous best estimates often falling outside of our uncertainty range. In the tropics only around half the models predict a return of ozone to 1980 values, around 2040, while the other half do not reach the 1980 value. All models show a negative trend in tropical total column ozone towards the end of the 21st century. The CCMI models generally agree in their simulation of the time evolution of stratospheric chlorine and bromine, which are the main drivers of ozone loss and recovery. However, there are a few outliers which show that the multi-model mean results for ozone recovery are not as tightly constrained as possible. Throughout the stratosphere the spread of ozone return dates to 1980 values between models tends to correlate with the spread of the return of inorganic chlorine to 1980 values. In the upper stratosphere, greenhouse gas-induced cooling speeds up the return by about 10–20 years. In the lower stratosphere, and for the column, there is a more direct link in the timing of the return dates of ozone and chlorine, especially for the large Antarctic depletion. Comparisons of total column ozone between the models is affected by different predictions of the evolution of tropospheric ozone within the same scenario, presumably due to differing treatment of tropospheric chemistry. Therefore, for many scenarios, clear conclusions can only be drawn for stratospheric ozone columns rather than the total column. As noted by previous studies, the timing of ozone recovery is affected by the evolution of N2O and CH4. However, quantifying the effect in the simulations analysed here is limited by the few realisations available for these experiments compared to internal model variability. The large increase in N2O given in RCP 6.0 extends the ozone return globally by ∼ 15 years relative to N2O fixed at 1960 abundances, mainly because it allows tropical column ozone to be depleted. The effect in extratropical latitudes is much smaller. The large increase in CH4 given in the RCP 8.5 scenario compared to RCP 6.0 also lengthens ozone return by ∼ 15 years, again mainly through its impact in the tropics. Overall, our estimates of ozone return dates are uncertain due to both uncertainties in future scenarios, in particular those of greenhouse gases, and uncertainties in models. The scenario uncertainty is small in the short term but increases with time, and becomes large by the end of the century. There are still some model–model differences related to well-known processes which affect ozone recovery. Efforts need to continue to ensure that models used for assessment purposes accurately represent stratospheric chemistry and the prescribed scenarios of ozone-depleting substances, and only those models are used to calculate return dates. For future assessments of single forcing or combined effects of CO2, CH4, and N2O on the stratospheric column ozone return dates, this work suggests that it is more important to have multi-member (at least three) ensembles for each scenario from every established participating model, rather than a large number of individual models.

The radiative width of the 3/2+ state at 6.793 MeV in 15O has been experimentally determined to be Γγ=0.95+0.60−0.95 eV by intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation. Our result independently supports the recent studies which point to a minor contribution of this state to the astrophysical rate of the 14N(p,γ)15O reaction in the CNO-cycle hydrogen burning in massive stars.

The energy of the first excited state of the very neutron-rich nucleus 30 Ne was determined by proton inelastic scattering. A liquid hydrogen target was bombarded by a beam of radioactive 30 Ne at 48 MeV/nucleon, and energies of the de-excitation γ rays emitted from the excited 30 Ne were measured. The observed transition is likely to be the one from the first 2 + state to the ground state of 30 Ne. The excitation energy, 791(26) keV, is lower than that of 32 Mg, indicating enhancement of deformation as the neutron excess increases in the N =20 isotones. The results indicate that 30 Ne belongs to the ‘island of inversion’.

An isomeric 0+ state at E x = 2.24 MeV in 12Be was found in the projectile fragmentation of 18O at 100 A MeV on a Be target. The excitation energy and the spin assignment were deduced by the measurements of the energies and the angular correlation function of the coincident two γ-rays corresponding to the 0+ → 2+ → 0+ decay, respectively.

Cross section and analyzing powers of pd → 3 He + γ reaction were measured at Ed = 200 MeV . Low background data were obtained by using a liquid hydrogen target and by detecting 3 He . The cross section and Ay are well reproduced by a Faddeev calculation with a 3-nucleon force included, however, Ayy deviates from the calculation and Axx is completely different from the calculation.

Experimental studies on in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy using a 12Be radioactive beam are presented. Inelastic scattering of the neutron-rich 12Be nucleus on 208Pb, 12C, and (CH2)n targets has been studied by measuring de-excitation γ-rays in coincidence with scattered particles. The level schemes and transition probabilities are determined for low-lying excited states in 12Be. The present paper presents a brief review of the spectroscopic results, which may be associated with the N = 8 shell quenching near the drip line.

Inelastic scattering of the neutron-rich nucleus 12 Be on lead and carbon targets has been studied by measuring de-excitation γ rays in coincidence with scattered 12 Be. The strong γ -ray transition from the state at E x =2.68(3) MeV following E1 Coulomb excitation was observed for the lead target, leading to an assignment of J π =1 − for the excited state. The low excitation energy of this intruder 1 − state and the deduced large B (E1;0 g.s. + →1 − ) value of 0.051(13) e 2 fm 2 provide a consistent picture of the N =8 shell melting in 12 Be.

Inelastic proton scattering exciting the 2 + 1 states in the neutron-rich beryllium isotopes 10,12 Be has been studied in inverse kinematics. From a coupled-channel analysis, the deformation lengths for the 2 + 1 states in 10 Be and 12 Be were determined to be 1.80±0.25 fm and 2.00±0.23 fm respectively, indicating that a tendency towards strong quadrupole deformation is preserved for these nuclei and that the singly-closed shell structure does not prevail in 12 Be. A quantitative analysis based on shell model calculations supports this picture.

To clarify the mechanism by which lactate affects insulin secretion, we investigated the effect of lactate on insulin secretion, cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+](i), the ATP sensitive K+ channel (K(ATP)) and the Ca2+-activated K+ channel (K(Ca)) in HIT-T15 cells, and the results were compared with those of glucose and glibenclamide. All three agents caused insulin secretion and increased [Ca2+](i), but the effects on the K+ channels were different. In cell-attached patch configurations, 10 mmol/l glucose blocked both the K(ATP) and KCa channels, while 100 nmol/l glibenclamide had no effect on KCa channels, but blocked K(ATP) channels. Lactate at a concentration of 10 mmol/l activated both the K(ATP) and KCa channels, not only in cell-attached, but also in inside-out patch configurations, indicating that the increase in [Ca2+](i) and secretion of insulin by lactate cannot be explained by the blocking of the K+ channels. Lactate, at concentrations of 10 mmol/l and 50 mmol/l decreased 45Ca2+ efflux, while glibenclamide increased the efflux. These results suggest that the lactate-induced Ca2+ increase is not due to the closing of K+ channels, but at least in part, to the suppression of Ca2+ efflux from HIT cells.

An automatic landing system (ALS) is developed on the basis of a human skill model. The model is expressed as a nonlinear I/O mapping from the aircraft state to the control command provided by a human expert. In this system, all the I/O data provided by the human expert are stored in a database a priori, and a local model to answer the current aircraft state is built to generate a control input close to the human operation. A gain adaptation technique is introduced for improving the robustness.

The analyzing power A y (θ) of nucleon-deuteron scattering at 12 MeV was measured precisely. The data are consistent with TUNL data though the scaling accuracy has been much improved.

Proton-proton bremsstrahlung events were measured at 400 MeV proton energy. Two arm spectrograph and a liquid-hydrogen target system with well tuned beam provided good event identification.

Electrophysiological studies on brain-computer interface (BCI) have shown that event-related desynchronization (ERD) and event-related synchronization (ERS) in a and β bands are connected with actual hand movement and motor imagery. However, how they related to actual foot movement and motor imagery are largely unclear. This study aimed to investigate the power modulation in a and β bands for right and left actual foot movements and motor imageries to determine whether these EEG features are applicable for BCI. Eight healthy, righthanded volunteers participated in the experiment. EEG data were recorded while each subject moved the left or right foot or imagined doing so. As a result, a band power on Cz did not show distinguishing features among the actual motor tasks, motor imagery tasks, or the no performance task. However, the observed difference in the degree of increment in the change rate of β band power (β-ERS) after tasks may be meaningful enough to recognize actual foot movement and that motor imagery. The results also confirm that there was no distinction between left and right foot and no laterality in the foot task. In conclusion, β-ERS on Cz after imagining foot tapping can be considered to be applicable for BCI control.

A new-type windowless gas target has been developed to realize a dense target with a low gas flow rate. The target is similar to the conventional differentially pumped windowless gas target except that the target gas is blown into the target region from both the side holes of the beam entrance and exit. Due to the gas-confining action caused by the blown-in gas, the target thickness is about twice increased and the target density sharply falls in the holes. Most of the target gas is at rest and the density is uniform. The gas flow rate is the same as that of the conventional target and is about an order of magnitude lower than that of the dense gas-jet target.

The latest results of the first nuclear multifragmentation experiment, E288 [1], at the KEK 12 GeV Proton Synchrotron (KEK-PS) are presented. The energy spectra of intermediate mass fragments (IMFs) were measured inclusively from 30° to 150° with 20° step in the lab. system. Coincidence measurements with one extra IMF emitted toward 90° direction in the opposite hemisphere were performed at the same time. Characteristic sideward flow of IMFs toward 70° direction was found with the usual isotropic component. This isotropic component was trongly suppressed in the coincidence measurement. These facts may indicate the formation of unusually shaped nuclear matter such as an expanding toroid.

Differential cross sections and analyzing powers for the proton-proton bremsstrahlung have been measured at 389 MeV incident energy. At the present kinematical conditions, an enhancement of the cross sections due to the Δ current contribution is predicted. The measured cross sections are larger than the theoretical predictions including the Δ current contribution.

Three recently-completed sets of simulations of multiple chemistry-climate models with greenhouse gases only, with all anthropogenic forcings, and with anthropogenic and natural forcings, allow the causes of observed stratospheric changes to be quantitatively assessed using detection and attribution techniques. The total column ozone response to halogenated ozone depleting substances and to natural forcings is detectable and consistent in models and observations. However, the total ozone response to greenhouse gases in the models and observations appears to be inconsistent, which may be due to the models' inability to properly simulate tropospheric ozone changes. In the middle and upper stratosphere, simulated and observed SBUV/SAGE ozone changes are broadly consistent, and separate anthropogenic and natural responses are detectable in observations. The influence of ozone depleting substances and natural forcings can also be detected separately in observed lower stratospheric temperature, and the magnitudes of the simulated and observed responses to these forcings and to greenhouse gas changes are found to be consistent. In the mid and upper stratosphere the simulated natural and combined anthropogenic responses are detectable and consistent with observations, but the influences of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances could not be separately detected in our analysis.

Future stratospheric ozone concentrations will be determined both by changes in the concentration of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) and by changes in stratospheric and tropospheric climate, including those caused by changes in anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs). Since future economic development pathways and resultant emissions of GHGs are uncertain, anthropogenic climate change could be a significant source of uncertainty for future projections of stratospheric ozone. In this pilot study, using an "ensemble of opportunity" of chemistry-climate model (CCM) simulations, the contribution of scenario uncertainty from different plausible emissions pathways for ODSs and GHGs to future ozone projections is quantified relative to the contribution from model uncertainty and internal variability of the chemistry-climate system. For both the global, annual mean ozone concentration and for ozone in specific geographical regions, differences between CCMs are the dominant source of uncertainty for the first two-thirds of the 21st century, up-to and after the time when ozone concentrations return to 1980 values. In the last third of the 21st century, dependent upon the set of greenhouse gas scenarios used, scenario uncertainty can be the dominant contributor. This result suggests that investment in chemistry-climate modelling is likely to continue to refine projections of stratospheric ozone and estimates of the return of stratospheric ozone concentrations to pre-1980 levels.

We have used total ozone columns and vertical profiles of ozone and temperature from 11 coupled Chemistry-Climate Models (CCMs) to project future solar ultraviolet radiation levels at the surface in the 21st century. The CCM simulations are used as input to a radiative transfer model for the simulation of the corresponding future UV irradiance levels under cloud free conditions, presented here as time series of monthly erythemal irradiance received at the surface during local noon covering the period 1960 to 2100. Starting from the first decade of the 21st century, the surface erythemal irradiance decreases globally as a result of the projected ozone recovery, at rates which are larger in the first half of the 21st century, compared to the period up to 2100. The magnitude of these decreases varies with latitude and is more pronounced at areas where ozone has been depleted most considerably after 1980. Over midlatitudes surface erythemal irradiance decreases between 5 and 15% by 2100 relative to 2000, while at the southern high latitudes these changes are twice as much. Climate change may affect future cloudiness, surface reflectivity and tropospheric aerosol loading, the effects of which are not included in this study. Therefore, the actual changes in future UV radiation are likely to change accordingly in the areas affected.

A complete set of Wolfenstein parameters (${D}_{{i}^{'}j}$), induced polarizations ($P$), and analyzing powers (${A}_{y}$) have been measured for ($p,2p$) reactions on $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, $^{12}\mathrm{C}$, and $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ targets in order to investigate possible nuclear medium effects on the nucleon-nucleon ($\mathit{NN}$) interaction. Most of these observables show significant reductions from the values for proton-proton scattering as monotonic functions of the nuclear density relevant to these reactions. The reductions of these ${D}_{{i}^{'}j}$ are reasonably reproduced by nonrelativistic plane-wave and distorted-wave calculations based on the impulse approximation, demonstrating that these suppressions are attributed to changes of the two body kinematics due to the finite separation energies of these reactions, while the reductions of ${A}_{y}$ and $P$ are much more prominent than the calculations. The relativistic calculations, which partly explain the ${A}_{y}$ and $P$ reductions, cannot reproduce the ${D}_{{i}^{'}j}$ data, but all the data are consistently reproduced when the parameters of the $\mathit{NN}$ interaction in a meson exchange model are renormalized, suggesting possible modifications of the $\mathit{NN}$ interaction by the surrounding nuclear medium.

The 11-year solar cycles in ozone and temperature are examined using new simulations of coupled chemistry climate models. The results show a secondary maximum in stratospheric tropical ozone, in agreement with satellite observations and in contrast with most previously published simulations. The mean model response varies by up to about 2.5% in ozone and 0.8 K in temperature during a typical solar cycle, at the lower end of the observed ranges of peak responses. Neither the upper atmospheric effects of energetic particles nor the presence of the quasi biennial oscillation is necessary to simulate the lower stratospheric response in the observed low latitude ozone concentration. Comparisons are also made between model simulations and observed total column ozone. As in previous studies, the model simulations agree well with observations. For those models which cover the full temporal range 1960–2005, the ozone solar signal below 50 hPa changes substantially from the first two solar cycles to the last two solar cycles. Further investigation suggests that this difference is due to an aliasing between the sea surface temperatures and the solar cycle during the first part of the period. The relationship between these results and the overall structure in the tropical solar ozone response is discussed. Further understanding of solar processes requires improvement in the observations of the vertically varying and column integrated ozone.

Bovine lactoferrin was administered orally, in feed, to six bottlenosed dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) before they were transported for approximately six hours; their stress responses were compared with those of five untreated dolphins. During the journey the dolphins had an increased plasma concentration of cortisol, and lymphopenia, eosinopenia and mild neutrophilia, indicating a stress response. The administration of lactoferrin did not affect the function of the dolphins' polymorphonuclear leucocytes, but affected their leucogram by maintaining the number of circulating eosinophils.

A 320ps access, 3GHz cycle, 144kb SRAM macro was developed in 90nm CMOS technology. This macro adopts an all-reset control signal generator and hierarchical bit line. These techniques enable both the cycle and access speeds to be 1.7 times faster than those available with 130nm technology.

Excited states of ${}^{34}\mathrm{Si}$ were studied in the ${}^{2}\mathrm{H}{(}^{34}\mathrm{Si}{,}^{34}\mathrm{Si}\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reaction using a radioactive ${}^{34}\mathrm{Si}$ beam at $38.4A\mathrm{MeV}$ and a liquid deuterium target. Deexcitation $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were measured using a NaI(Tl)-scintillator array in coincidence with scattered ${}^{34}\mathrm{Si}$ particles. From $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence analyses, the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ lines at 1.193, 1.715, and 2.696 MeV, which were reported previously but unplaced in the level diagram, were found to be associated with the 3.326-MeV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ line corresponding to the transition from the first ${2}^{+}$ state to the ground state. This excludes the 1.193-MeV line as a candidate for the transition from the ${2}^{+}$ state to the second ${0}^{+}$ state, as suggested by Nummela et al. [Phys. Rev. C 63, 044316 (2001)].

This 1.4 ns 700 MHz 4 kword/spl times/72 b embedded SRAM macro is intended for applications such as cache memory for system LSIs. The macro employs an easily expandable architecture. An 8 kword/spl times/72 b macro can be realized without loss of speed using two 4 kword/spl times/72 b macros.

The Coulomb breakup technique was applied to determine the E1 strength of excited levels in 12N and 13O, which dominate the low-energy cross sections of the 11C(p,γ)12N and 12N(p,γ)13O reactions, respectively. These reactions are important in the hot pp mode nuclear burning in hydrogen-rich massive objects [1]. Under a high-temperature and high-density condition, these capture reactions become faster than the β + decay of 11C and 12N. However, these 11C(p,γ)12N and 12N(p,γ)13O reactions are difficult to study experimentally because the life times of 11C and 12N are too short to prepare them as targets.

Excited states in 12Be and 14Be were studied by measuring the 6He + 6He and 6He + 8He breakup channels in the two-neutron removal and the inelastic scattering of an exotic 14Be beam, respectively.

In the neutron-rich region around N = 8, experimental evidence is being to accumulate that several neutron-rich nuclei, such as 11Li and 11Be, are strongly influenced by lowlying intruder orbitals [1,2]. In this neighborhood, 12Be is a typical neutron-rich nucleus with N = 8 , where the effects of shell quenching are most likely to be manifested. Since properties of low-lying states in even-even nuclei are sensitive to the modification of the nuclear shell structure, we have studied the low-lying E1 and E2 transitions of 12Be via inelastic scattering.

The results of experimental studies of three‐nucleon systems will be presented, i.e. the pd elastic scattering at Ep = 250 MeV and the dp → 3He+γ capture reaction at Ed = 200 MeV. The angular distributions of the cross section and all the proton spin observables were measured for elastic scattering, and the cross section and analyzing powers, Ay, Axx and Ayy for the capture reaction. The results are compared with theoretical predictions based on exact solutions of the three‐nucleon Faddeev equations and modern realistic nucleon‐nucleon potentials combined with three‐nucleon forces.

Excited states in 1 2 Be and 1 4 Be were studied by using an exotic beam of 1 4 Be at 75 A MeV. A new excited state in 1 2 Be was observed at 11.8 MeV. The angular-correlation analysis showed that the spin for the new level is tentatively assigned to be 0. According to the energy-spin systematics, the observed state may be a member of the rotational band of the 6 He- 6 He cluster structure. Three excited states in 1 4 Be were also found at 10.8 MeV, 11.6 MeV, and 15.5 MeV.

To clarify the regulation of protein kinase C on glucose-mediated insulin secretion.We examined the effect of protein kinase C on the cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) and the activity of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (K(Ca)-channel) in the insulinoma cell line, HIT-T15.Glucose at a concentration of 10 mmol/L increased the secretion of insulin. This increase was partly inhibited by 1 nmol/L staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Staurosporine (1 nmol/L) also attenuated the glucose-induced elevations in [Ca(2+)]i. On the contrary, glibenclamide (100 nmol/L) specifically blocked ATP-sensitive K(+) channels, and increased both [Ca(2+)]i and insulin secretion, but staurosporine had no effect on them. Patch clamp studies showed that 10 mmol/L glucose almost completely blocked K(Ca) channel activity, an effect that was reversed by 1 nmol/L staurosporine. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (1 mmol/L), a protein kinase C activator, also decreased K(Ca) channel activity.These results indicate that the activation of protein kinase C is involved in the glucose-induced release of insulin by modulating K(+) channel function in HIT-T15 cells.

A polarimeter for a deuteron beam at 200 MeV has been developed at RCNP. The polarimeter uses the maximum values of Ayy and Ay of d+p scattering. The polarimeter Ayy was calibrated using theoretically-known analyzing powers of Ayy=−1/2(Azz=1) of 12C(d,α)10B2+ reaction at 0°. The beam vector polarization py was estimated using the rf transition probabilities in the atomic ion source. The polarimeter Ay was evaluated from the measured asymmetry pyAy and the estimated py. Uncertainties in the polarimeter Ay and Ayy are estimated to be about 2%.

A measurement of cross section and analyzing powers Ay, Ayy and Axx of H(d, 3He) reaction at Ed=200 MeV is in progress at RCNP. The target is liquid hydrogen of about 1.5 mm in thickness. Since 3He particles from the reaction are concentrated in very forward angles in the laboratory frame, we use a large acceptance spectrograph (LAS) to measure the reaction simultaneously from θcm=20° to 160° in the horizontal plane (Ay, Ayy and cross section) and in the vertical plane (Axx). The preliminary data are compared with 3N Faddeev calculations.

At present, only one mutation of KCNQ3, a KCNQ potassium channel gene, has been identified as a cause of benign familial neonatal convulsions type 2 (BFNC2). We found a T to C substitution (c.925T-C) on one allele of affected individuals in a Japanese family with BFNC but not on 200 alleles from healthy subjects. c.925T--C replaced Trp309, a conserved residue within the P-loop of the KCNQ potassium channel family that holds the channel pore open, with an Arg (W309R). We report c.925T--C as the second mutation of KCNQ3 responsible for BFNC2.

The analyzing powers of the 1H(d,3He)γ reaction at 17.5 MeV have been measured with enough accuracy to discuss the details of nuclear force. The 12C-α radiative capture reaction of astrophysical interest is planned to be investigated at center-of-mass energies down to 0.7 MeV. Both experiments take advantage of the recoiled particle detection in inverse kinematics to realize the high-efficiency measurement.

pd capture processes at various energies have been analyzed based on solutions of 3N-Faddeev equations and using modern NN forces. The application of the Siegert theorem is compared to the explicit use of $\pi$- and $\rho$-like exchange currents connected to the AV18 NN interaction. Overall good agreement with cross sections and spin observables has been obtained but leaving room for improvement in some cases. Feasibility studies for 3NF's consistently included in the 3N continuum and the 3N bound state have been performed as well., Comment: Minor changes in notation, ps files for figures

In order to investigate effects of addition of fentanyl epidurally on the onset of sympathectomy from epidural lidocaine, we have measured the toe temperature of 29 healthy patients undergoing elective lower extremity or lower abdominal surgeries. The latency of onset of the toe temperature was significantly shorter in patients receiving both epidural lidocaine and fentanyl compared with those receiving epidural lidocaine alone (258 +/- 135 vs 398 +/- 184 sec, P0.05 [mean +/- SD]). Osmolarity and pH of the epidural solutions were similar between the two groups. These results suggest, but do not indicate, that sympathectomy from epidural lidocaine is accelerated by the addition of fentanyl.