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We experimentally investigate the effect of high-intensity subcarrier signal input to the UTC-PD-integrated HEMT working for optical-to-wireless carrier frequency down-conversion on enhancement of its double-mixing conversion gain. The fabricated UTC-PD-integrated HEMT demonstrated the linear increase in the conversion gain by up to +7 dB with increasing the subcarrier signal intensity without saturation, and the conversion gain enhancement of +6.8 dB from -51.0 dB to -44.2 dB was achieved.

In a detailed investigation of three active geothermal systems from Greece (Milos), from El Salvador (Chipilapa) and from Japan (Nigorikawa), it was found that smectites are common minerals in vapor dominated reservoirs. These smectites are formed in response to local discharge of boiling fluids in permeable horizons; they can crystallize also in pipelines of powerplants. According to the varying composition of the fluids involved in these geothermal systems (i. e. meteoric waters or sea water), beidellite, saponite and stevensite have been identified at temperature between 180 and 300°C. Montmorillonite has not been observed for these thermal conditions. The association of variable amounts of smectite rich mixed layers including illite/smectite, chlorite/smectite or stevensite/talc with pure smectites suggests that smectites are metastable phases which rapidly evolve toward illite, chlorite or talc via conversion series of mixed layers. These smectites are a potential guide for the recent evolution of vapor dominated geothermal reservoirs.

Namibia is world-renowned for its incredibly dark skies by the astronomy community, and yet, the country is not well recognised as a dark sky destination by tourists and travellers. Forged by a collaboration between the Universities of Oxford and Namibia, together we are using astronomy as a means for capacity-building and sustainable socio-economic growth via educating tour guides and promoting dark sky tourism to relevant stakeholders., Comment: Accepted in IAUS367 Proceedings; 2 pages, 1 figure

Background: Dementia shows sex difference in its epidemiology. Childbirth, a distinctive experience of women, is associated with the risk for various diseases. However, its association with the risk of dementia in women has rarely been studied. Methods: We harmonized and pooled baseline data from 11 population-based cohorts from 11 countries over 3 continents, including 14,792 women aged 60 years or older. We investigated the association between parity and the risk of dementia using logistic regression models that adjusted for age, educational level, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cohort, with additional analyses by region and dementia subtype. Results: Across all cohorts, grand multiparous (5 or more childbirths) women had a 47% greater risk of dementia than primiparous (1 childbirth) women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-1.94), while nulliparous (no childbirth) women and women with 2 to 4 childbirths showed a comparable dementia risk to primiparous women. However, there were differences associated with region and dementia subtype. Compared to women with 1 to 4 childbirths, grand multiparous women showed a higher risk of dementia in Europe (OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.38-6.47) and Latin America (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.04-2.12), while nulliparous women showed a higher dementia risk in Asia (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.33-3.47). Grand multiparity was associated with 6.9-fold higher risk of vascular dementia in Europe (OR = 6.86, 95% CI = 1.81-26.08), whereas nulliparity was associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer disease (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.07-3.39) and non-Alzheimer non-vascular dementia (OR = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.44-8.35) in Asia. Conclusion: Parity is associated with women's risk of dementia, though this is not uniform across regions and dementia subtypes. © 2020 The Author(s).

The origin and transmission routes of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) remain unclear. To assess whether the biological and biochemical characteristics of atypical L-type BSE detected in Japanese cattle (BSE/JP24) are conserved during serial passages within a single host, 3 calves were inoculated intracerebrally with a brain homogenate prepared from first-passaged BSE/JP24-affected cattle. Detailed immunohistochemical and neuropathologic analysis of the brains of second-passaged animals, which had developed the disease and survived for an average of 16 months after inoculation, revealed distribution of spongiform changes and disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc) throughout the brain. Although immunolabeled PrPSc obtained from brain tissue was characterized by the presence of PrP plaques and diffuse synaptic granular accumulations, no stellate-type deposits were detected. Western blot analysis suggested no obvious differences in PrPSc molecular mass or glycoform pattern in the brains of first- and second-passaged cattle. These findings suggest failures to identify differences in mean incubation period and biochemical and neuropathologic properties of the BSE/JP24 prion between the first and second passages in cattle.

Background and Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cranberry polyphenol fraction on biofilm formation and activities of Arg-gingipain and Lys-gingipain in Porphyromonas gingivalis. Material and Methods: The polyphenol fraction was prepared by using a glass column packed with Amberlite XAD 7HP and 70% aqueous ethanol as an elution solvent. Results: Synergistic biofilm formation by P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum was significantly inhibited by the polyphenol fraction at a concentration of 250 µg/mL compared with untreated controls (p

A Ge pixel array detector with 100 segments was applied to fluorescence X-ray absorption spectroscopy, probing the local structure of high-temperature superconducting thin-film single crystals (100 nm in thickness). Independent monitoring of pixel signals allows real-time inspection of artifacts owing to substrate diffractions. By optimizing the grazing-incidence angle theta and adjusting the azimuthal angle phi, smooth extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) oscillations were obtained for strained (La,Sr)2CuO4 thin-film single crystals grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The results of EXAFS data analysis show that the local structure (CuO6 octahedron) in (La,Sr)2CuO4 thin films grown on LaSrAlO4 and SrTiO3 substrates is uniaxially distorted changing the tetragonality by approximately 5 x 10(-3) in accordance with the crystallographic lattice mismatch. It is demonstrated that the local structure of thin-film single crystals can be probed with high accuracy at low temperature without interference from substrates.

We designed two procedures to visualize simultaneously clusters of ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) and the nucleolus in plant cells. The procedures combine fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to visualize the rDNA clusters and silver staining to observe the nucleolus. When FISH is followed by silver staining, many minute FISH signals are localized in the nucleolus, and several large FISH signals are seen on the nucleolar periphery. When FISH was applied to the specimens with silver nitrate staining, large FISH signals were visualized in the nucleoplasm associated with the nucleolar periphery, but no signals were seen in the nucleoli. Thus, the two combinations of FISH and silver staining provided different details regarding the arrangement of rDNA clusters in the nucleolus of plant cells.

We fabricated n-channel Si/SiGe high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with a T-shaped Schottky-metal gate whose length was down to 60 nm. dc measurements showed that the 60 nm gate device had good pinch-off behavior, and its maximum transconductance was 156 mS/mm. RF measurements of the 60 nm gate device showed a current gain cutoff frequency of 52 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency of 112 GHz. The gate-length dependence of the device characteristics was also discussed. The 60 nm gate is the shortest one ever reported so far for Si/SiGe HEMT.

The present study was initiated to examine whether urinary benzylmercapturic acid (or N-acetyl-S-benzyl cysteine, BMA), a mercapturate metabolite of toluene, increases in relation to the intensity of toluene exposure, and whether this metabolite is a better marker of occupational exposure to toluene than two traditional markers, hippuric acid and o-cresol. Accordingly, end-of-shift urine samples were collected from 122 printers and 30 office clerks (all men) in the second half of a working week. Solvent (toluene) exposure of the day (8 h) was monitored by means of diffusive sampling. Quantitative relation with toluene showed that BMA had a greater correlation coefficient with toluene (r = 0.7) than hippuric acid (r = 0.6) or o-cresol (r = 0.6). The levels in the urine of the non-exposed control subjects were below the detection limit of 0.2 microg/l for BMA, whereas it was at substantial levels for hippuric acid and o-cresol (239 mg/l and 32 microg/l as a geometric mean, respectively). Thus, BMA, hippuric acid and o-cresol could separate the exposed from the non-exposed when toluene was at < 1, 50 and 3 ppm, respectively. Overall, therefore, it appeared reasonable to conclude that BMA is superior to hippuric acid and o-cresol as a marker of occupational exposure to toluene.

For high throughput/energy-resolution fluorescence X-ray detection in X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), a novel Ge pixel array detector (PAD) with 100 segments has been developed. Using a monolithic approach, a high packing density (88%) with nearly perfect commission rate (99%) were achieved, resulting in a dramatic improvement in packing density compared to the close-packed multi-element detector (57%). Two types of PAD was built with the pixel thickness of 7.5 and 10 mm. Each segment has an active area of 22 mm 2 . The average energy resolution at 5.9 keV was ca. 220 eV (6 μs shaping time) and 240 eV (0.5 μs shaping time). High efficiency in X-ray detection in a wide energy range (5–60 keV) was confirmed. The present data acquisition system, CAMAC-based hybrid electronics, is capable of independent energy-analysis and recording all channels with a maximum 100 kcps per channel or 10 MHz in total. Elimination of elastic and inelastic scattering improved the systematic error in XAS, as demonstrated by an XAS application to a photo-induced phase transition.

Polymerization and decomposition of C 60 clusters induced by electron injection from a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip have been studied experimentally. The tunneling current dependence of polymerization rate and decomposition rate was found to be both linear, indicating that each reaction is caused by injection of a single electron from the STM tip. We propose a model that an electron injected from an STM tip into a C 60 crystal propagates in the electronic band of the C 60 crystal until it becomes localized at a specific sites where it causes an ionically enhanced [2+2] cyclo-addition reaction. The positional variation of polymerization efficiency and peculiar patterns of polymerized areas are interpreted in terms of the strain field built-in or built-up in the crystal.

The ability of the periodontal ligament (PDL) to rapidly remodel is the basis of orthodontic tooth movement. During the tooth movement, matrix proteoglycans (PGs) may play important roles in spatial, mechanical and biological aspects for the maintenance and repair of the PDL. The aim of this study was to characterize the distribution of a large hyaluronic acid (HA)-binding proteoglycan, versican, link protein (LP) and HA in the rat molar PDL during experimental tooth movement by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Experimental tooth movement was performed according to Waldo's method. Histologically, regressive changes, such as decrease of fibroblasts and collagen fibers and exudative change of edema were observed in the compressive side and progressive changes, such as proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen fibers, in the strain side one day after treatment. By 3 days after tooth movement, regressive or progressive changes were not observed in either side. Using monoclonal antibodies specific to versican core protein or LP, the positive immunoreactivity for both molecules was constantly observed throughout the PDL. After the experimental force was applied to the tooth, however, the immunostainings of versican and LP became significantly intense only in the compressive side but decreased in the strain side. The intensity in the compressive side was strongest one day after the force was applied and gradually diminished thereafter. HA of both sides did not change during experimental tooth movement. Since HA is present in the PDL, large amounts of versican and LP expressed in the compressive side may create large hydrated aggregates via their association with HA that dissipates the compressive force applied to this tissue.

We investigated a relation between carcass lipid contents and plasma leptin in 40 Japanese Black steers, which were fed a 12% crude protein diet (CP12) or a 16% crude protein diet (CP16) in the growing phase (from 10 to 18 months of age) and a low starch level diet (LS) or a high starch level diet (HS) in the finishing phase (from 19 to 27 months of age). Plasma leptin concentrations were measured by multi-species leptin radioimmunoassay kit using recombinant bovine leptin as the standard. The CP16 group had greater backfat thickness at slaughter compared with the CP12 group (P

SUMMARY The Osaka duck (a small-sized strain of the Pekin) has recently been attracting attention because of its low fat meat. However, the reproductive efficiency of domestic ducks is not very high, and, therefore, the application of artificial insemination (AI) is desirable for a systematic breeding program. For successful application of AI, an easy and reliable semen collection method is required. In this study, we attempted to improve the semen yield from the Osaka drakes by using the artificial vagina (AV) method instead of the conventional manual massage (MM) method that is not always successful with ducks. There was a 4.0-fold increase in the number of spermatozoa per ejaculate for semen collected by the AV method as compared with the MM method. Furthermore, motility, viability, and the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa collected by the AV method were greater than those of spermatozoa collected by the MM method. These results indicate that the use of an AV method would improve to an existing AI program.

Sequence-characterized amplified regions (SCARs) were developed, based on nucleotide differences within resistance gene-like fragments isolated from a potato plant carrying the Ryadg gene, which confers extreme resistance to potato Y potyvirus (PVY). It originates from Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigena, and a susceptible potato plant. SCARs were tested using 103 potato breeding lines and cultivars with diverse genetic backgrounds derived from Europe, North America, and Japan. Two markers showed high accuracy for detection of the Ryadg gene. The SCAR marker RYSC3 was generated only in genotypes carrying Ryadg. The SCAR marker RYSC4 was detected in all genotypes carrying Ryadg but also in four PVY-susceptible genotypes. Neither marker was detected in genotypes carrying other Ry genes originating from different species than S. tuberosum subsp. andigena. Therefore, these SCAR markers should be powerful tools in marker-assisted selection for Ryadg in potato breeding programs, and should also be useful for cloning of the Ryadg gene. Key words: SCAR, potato virus Y, extreme resistance gene, Solanum.

The Hitachi MP5800 series (HDS Skyline Series/sup TM/) has been developed as the top-of-the-line member of the M Parallel Series general computer family. Its highlights include the highest processor performance, dramatically reduced installation requirements (footprint and power consumption), and enhanced reliability and availability. To achieve these goals, innovative technologies have been developed: semiconductor technology called Advanced CMOS-ECL (ACE), which combines high speed emitter coupled logic (ECL) and high density complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits, one-module processor, which employs a glass ceramic substrate, a high density packaging scheme whereby up to four instruction processors (IPs) are mounted on a single printed wiring board, a cooling technology for large scale integration (LSI) chips with a power consumption as high as 140 W/chip, and a compact high-efficiency power supply system.

A supersaline, metal-rich brine (ca. 40 weight% total chloride salt) was extracted from 3708 m depth of well WD-1a in the Kakkonda Granite by reverse circulation after a standing time about 196 hours. The estimated borehole temperature exceeds 500 °C near the bottom. Tritium content and the relationship between δD and δ18O show that the injected borehole fluid (river water) evidently mixed with an isotopically heavy and ancient fluid. The phase analysis showed that a gas phase separated from a brine and that a brine concentrated in the borehole as the borehole temperature recovered after cooling by drilling fluids. We think the original fluid was trapped in the Kakkonda Granite and mixed with the borehole fluid through fine fractures induced by thermal stress.

Transport phenomena of C.I. Direct Red 2 into water-swollen cellulose membranes have been studied at 55°C. We reasoned that the dye has a high affinity on cellulose. The transport phenomena were analyzed on the basis of a parallel transport theory of surface and pore diffusion. The transport of the dye into a cellulose membrane was characterized and factors that affect the pore diffusivity of the parallel diffusion model were considered by comparing stimulated data.

A new low-resistivity poly-metal gate structure, W/WSiN/poly-Si, is proposed, A uniform ultrathin (

A micro Eddy Current Testing (ECT) system for planar thin specimens made of INCONEL 600 with flaws was proposed and developed. A micro ECT probe used here consists of a conventional pancake-type coil as an exciting coil and a micro magnetic sensor array as a set of pickup coils. Magnetic field perturbation due to a flaw was measured with high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. The measured signals from the array were compared with numerical results obtained by a three-dimensional A-/spl psi/ code. It was confirmed that the micro ECT system has the potential to evaluate the length and depth of a flaw with better accuracy than that of a conventional pancake-type ECT in the steam generator tubings in a pressurized water nuclear reactor. >

The aim of this study was to investigate how T-helper 17 cells (Th17 cells), interleukin (IL)-17, and interleukin-6 contribute to root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement.Fifteen male 6-week-old Wistar rats were subjected to orthodontic force of 10 or 50 g to induce a mesially tipping movement of the upper first molars for 7 days. The expression levels of TRAP, IL-17, the IL-17 receptor (IL-17R), and IL-6 proteins were determined in periodontal ligament (PDL) by immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, the fluorescent localization immunoassay was performed to detect Th17 cells. Furthermore, the effects of IL-17 on IL-6 release were investigated using human PDL cells in vitro. The effect of IL-17 on osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by TRAP staining, actin ring staining, and the pit formation assay.The immunoreactivity for Th17, IL-17, IL-17R, and IL-6 was detected in PDL tissue subjected to the orthodontic force on day 7. IL-17 increased the release of IL-6 from human periodontal ligament cells in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, IL-17 stimulated osteoclastogenesis from human osteoclast precursor cells, and these effects were partially suppressed by an anti-IL-6 antibody.These results suggest that Th17 cells may aggravate the process of orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption.

An experimental study and mathematical analysis of the corneal reflex test was undertaken in spectacle wearers. In the experimental study, photographs were taken of the corneal reflex through spectacles and the conversion ratios determined as measured in degrees/mm. In the mathematical analysis, the magnification effect of the lens was elucidated by three methods: geometrical analysis; real measurement of magnification factor; and ray tracing analysis. The real measurement of the conversion ratios was in good agreement with the conversion ratios determined by the three mathematical analyses. These results clearly showed that the corneal reflex test can be clinically useful even in wearers of spectacles.

The aim of this experiment is to transfect spermatogonia, a stem cell for matured spermatozoa, as well as matured sperm with foreign DNA by means of direct DNA injection into a testis, in order to obtain transgenic mice. Circular plasmid pSV2‐cat was co‐precipitated with calcium phosphate and directly injected via a needle into the mouse testis. Southern blot analysis indicated that the introduced DNA was present as a circular form at least up to 7 days after injection, but was undetectable upon autopsy at 28 days after injection. This suggests that spermatogonia as well as other testicular cells may not be stably transfected by the DNA. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis revealed that the introduced DNA could be detectable in the freshly isolated spermatozoa from caput and cauda epididymides as early as 6 hours after the injection. Furthermore, the DNA was also detectable even in the ejaculated spermatozoa isolated from the uteri of females, which had been successfully mated to the male mi...

The aim of this study was to investigate how interleukin (IL)-8 (cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant; CINC-1) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 contribute to root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement.Forty 6-week-old male Wistar rats were subjected to orthodontic force of 10 or 50 g to induce a mesially tipping movement of the upper first molars for 7 days. We determined the expressions of CINC-1, CXCR2, and MCP-1 proteins in root resorption area using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of compression forces (CF) on IL-8 and MCP-1 production by human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. We observed an effect of chemokine treatment on rat odonto/osteoclasts in dentin slices that recapitulated root resorption.The immunoreactivity for CINC-1/CXCR2 and MCP-1 was detected in odontoclasts and PDL fibroblasts by the orthodontic force of 50 g on day 7. CF increased the secretion and the expression of mRNA of IL-8 and MCP-1 from PDL cells in a magnitude-dependent manner. Moreover, CINC-1 and MCP-1 stimulated osteoclastogenesis from rat osteoclast precursor cells.IL-8 (CINC-1) and MCP-1 may therefore facilitate the process of root resorption because of excessive orthodontic force.

Autism appears to have a strong genetic component. The product of the NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 1 alpha subcomplex 5 (NDUFA5) gene is included in the mitochondrial electron transport chain.We performed a case-control study of 235 patients with autism and 214 controls and examined three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this gene in a Japanese population. We then conducted a transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis in 148 autistic trios.In the case-control study, two SNPs (rs12666974 and rs3779262) showed a significant association with autism (P=0.00064 and 0.00046 respectively). Furthermore, a haplotype containing these two SNPs showed a significant association (P-global=0.0013, individual haplotype A-A: P=0.010). In TDT analysis, the global and A-A haplotype P-values also indicated significant associations. Minor allele and genotype frequencies were decreased in the autistic subjects.We found significant association between the NDFA5 gene and autism.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a member of the proglucagon-derived peptide family, was seen to exert favourable actions on cardiovascular function in preclinical and clinical studies. The mechanisms through which GLP-1 modulates cardiovascular function are complex and incompletely understood. We thus investigated whether the GLP-1 analogue, liraglutide, which is an acylated GLP-1, has protective effects on vascular endothelial cells.Nitrite and nitrate were measured in medium with an automated nitric oxide detector. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation was assessed by evaluating the phosphorylation status of the enzyme and evaluating eNOS activity by citrulline synthesis. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation was assessed by reporter gene assay.Liraglutide dose-dependently increased nitric oxide production in HUVECs. It also caused eNOS phosphorylation, potentiated eNOS activity and restored the cytokine-induced downregulation of eNOS (also known as NOS3) mRNA levels, which is dependent on NF-kappaB activation. We therefore examined the effect of liraglutide on TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation and NF-kappaB-dependent expression of proinflammatory genes. Liraglutide dose-dependently inhibited NF-kappaB activation and TNFalpha-induced IkappaB degradation. It also reduced TNFalpha-induced MCP-1 (also known as CCL2), VCAM1, ICAM1 and E-selectin mRNA expression. Liraglutide-induced enhancement of nitric oxide production and suppression of NF-kappaB activation were attenuated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C or AMPK (also known as PRKAA1) small interfering RNA. Indeed, liraglutide induced phosphorylation of AMPK, which occurs through a signalling pathway independent of cyclic AMP.Liraglutide exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on vascular endothelial cells by increasing nitric oxide production and suppressing NF-kappaB activation, partly at least through AMPK activation. These effects may explain some of the observed vasoprotective properties of liraglutide, as well as its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

A retrofit system of prestressed concrete rocking walls and steel dampers is used to control the seismic damage mode and increase the strength and energy dissipating capacity of an 11 story steel reinforced concrete frame in Japan. Important details of the retrofit design are introduced. The seismic performance of the structure before and after the retrofit is evaluated through extensive nonlinear time history analysis. Results show that the rocking system can significantly reduce both the seismic responses to different earthquake ground motions and their scattering. This makes the damage mode and the seismic performance of the retrofitted building more predictable, leading to a possibility of more reliable performance-based seismic design.

A 5-story steel building is considered as the specimen, since it represents many office buildings seen in Japan; it is about the tallest of the majority of steel building stock, and; it tends to deform, if not damped, much more than taller steel buildings under the major quake. The last point is discussed below:Figure 2 shows spectral displacement Sd vs. acceleration Sa for the design basis earthquake (DBE) and maximum considered earthquake (MCE). The spectra for the ground motion recorded at JR Takatori Station during the 1995 Kobe Earthquake are also shown. Damping ratio 5% is considered. The plots are for elastic responses, but they will be used here as crude estimates for inelastic responses.