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Injury in the central nervous system leads to neurological deficits, depending on the disruption of neural networks. Remyelination, which occurs partially and spontaneously, is a critical process in the regeneration of neural networks to recover from neurological deficits. Remyelination depends on the development of oligodendrocytes, including the proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and the differentiation of OPCs into mature oligodendrocytes to form myelin. OPC proliferation and differentiation are regulated by intracellular and extracellular mechanisms, and recent studies have demonstrated that circulating factors secreted from peripheral organs or infiltrated immune cells play a key role in controlling oligodendrocyte development following remyelination in adult mammals. In this review, we describe the beneficial and detrimental effects of systemic environments, such as circulating factors derived from peripheral organs and immune cells, on CNS remyelination.

Nonspecific manifestations and a varied distribution of brain lesions can delay the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) in neonates. The aim of this study was to report predominant brain lesions in neonatal HSE, and then to investigate the association between pattern of predominant brain lesions, clinical variables and neurodevelopmental outcome. A multicenter retrospective study was performed in neonates diagnosed with HSE between 2009 and 2014. Magnetic resonance (MR) images, including diffusion-weighted images, were obtained in the acute and chronic phase. Three predominant areas of brain injury could be defined based on characteristic MRI findings in 10 of the 13 infants (77%). The inferior frontal/temporal pole area was involved in five (38%) patients. The watershed distribution was present in six (46%) patients. Four (31%) infants involved the corticospinal tract area. No significant association was found between any predominant distribution of brain lesion pattern and sex, country, viral type or viral load. However, the corticospinal tract involvement was significantly associated with motor impairment (P=0.045). Three predominant areas of brain lesion could be recognized in neonatal HSE. Recognition of those areas can improve prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome.

A ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) is a navigation system using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that enables precision approaches and landing for aircraft. In May 2010, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Navigation Systems Panel (NSP) working group completed development baseline standards and recommended practices (SARPs) for GBAS ground subsystems to support GBAS approach service type D (GAST-D), which refers to Category III precision approach services using the single-frequency L1-C/A signal. The Electronic Navigation Research Institute (ENRI) developed a prototype of the GAST-D ground subsystem to operationally validate the development baseline SARPs. Owing to the fact that ionospheric delays with large spatial gradients represent one of the most significant risks to the integrity of the GAST-D operation, the system was installed in a low magnetic latitude region where plasma bubble causes steep spatial gradients in the ionospheric delay. Preliminary results were reported to the NSP working group before the development baseline SARPs were approved in December 2016 with an expectation that they would go into effect in 2018. Here, we report the development of a prototype for a GAST-D ground subsystem to validate the development baseline SARPs and preliminarily evaluate the system’s performance.

A world record capacity 118.5 Tbit/s transmission through optical fiber with a 125 micron cladding diameter was achieved using a low loss and 316 km-long full space division multiplexing link incorporating multiple vendor technologies.

In this study, a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) radiation fluxmeter is proposed for measuring an asymmetric radiation field such as that in an urban outdoor environment with strong solar radiation in summer. The proposed CPC fluxmeter, which consists of multiple sets of a CPC mirror and a radiation flux sensor, can measure directional radiation from a solid angle limited by the acceptance half-angle of the CPC. Using the data measured by the CPC radiation fluxmeter, a methodology to estimate the incident radiation flux distribution on an arbitrary three-dimensional body was described in detail. A prototype CPC fluxmeter was fabricated and its essential parameters were calibrated based on the heat balance at the radiation flux sensor. Finally, actual field measurement and estimation of the radiation flux distribution on a human body model were demonstrated in a summer urban outdoor environment. Results show the validity and advantage of the proposed CPC radiation fluxmeter as compared with the conventional globe thermometer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(5): 259–274, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20209

A unique solar thermal electric system is proposed and tested in the present study. In this system, an organic working fluid, which is suitable for a temperature range appropriate for solar energy, is adopted. We call this system as “solar organic Rankine cycle system” (SORCS). In order to improve the thermal efficiency by using solar energy, a displacement-type scroll expander and compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) solar collector are used. This system consists of very simple components that are similar to the ones used in an air conditioner and is very cost effective. The present paper reports on the experimental results of the scroll expander unit and the practical operation of the proposed SORCS under actual solar radiation input. The total thermal efficiency of the present SORCS attains 7% (42% when cooling water is used for the cogeneration system).

We have demonstrated for the first time a megapixel (1.3M pixels) CCD pH imager featuring a flash-injection-of-signal-electrons scheme. With a spatial resolution of 3.75μm and pH resolution of 0.16pH at 27.5fps we believe this is a promising device technology for applications such as high throughput DNA sequencing and label-free cell measurement system with sub-cell-size spatial resolution and real-time response.

An upgrade of the particle identification system of the Belle detector is envisaged. In the search for an optimal photon detector, the performance of the Burle 85011 64-anode, multichannel plate PMT has been tested. The Cherenkov angle resolution and photon yield have been measured with pion beams at KEK, while the position and incident angle dependence of surface sensitivity have been measured on the bench.

The aims of this phase I/II study of docetaxel and S-1 were to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), and recommended dose (RD) in the phase I part and to explore the tumour response, survival and safety in the phase II part. Patients with histologically- or cytologically confirmed unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer were eligible. Treatment consisted of intravenous docetaxel on day 1 (starting dose 50 mg m(-2)) and oral S-1 at a fixed dose of 40 mg m(-2) twice daily on days 1-14, every 4 weeks up to six cycles. Nine patients took part in the phase I portion of the study. The MTD of docetaxel was determined to be 50 mg m(-2), with the DLTs of grade 3 infection associated with grade 3 neutropenia and grade 4 neutropenia during S-1 administration. The RD of docetaxel was 40 mg m(-2) in combination with S-1 40 mg m(-2) b.i.d. The efficacy and safety of this regimen was therefore assessed in 46 patients with at least one measurable lesion. The overall response rate and estimated median overall survival were 46% (95% CI, 31-61%) and 14.0 months (8.3-17.3 months), respectively. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (67% of patients), which was predictable and manageable. This regimen showed promising activity with moderate toxicities in advanced gastric cancer.

In this paper, the authors propose an innovative non-tracking three-dimensional compound parabolic concentrator (3-D CPC) solar collector, which has excellent thermal efficiency for a high-temperature range (100–200°C). In the past studies, in order to improve the thermal efficiency of the solar collector in a high-temperature range, very high concentration ratios and tracking systems have been adopted. However, conventional high concentration solar collectors are not cost-effective and are inappropriate for small-rating thermal electric generation systems for residential use. The proposed 3-D CPC collector has a moderate concentration ratio and does not need tracking. Initially, the tentative 3-D CPC collector was fabricated and its thermal performance was tested. Next, numerical simulations of the optical characteristics of the 3-D CPC collector were carried out via the ray-tracing method. Finally, the specification of the optimal 3-D CPC collector was clarified. Applications of the thermal electric system will also be mentioned. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 35(5): 323–335, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20121

A proximity focusing ring imaging Cherenkov detector with multiple aerogel radiator layers is studied. In situations where limited space is available and a compact RICH detector is required, the use of a nonhomogeneous, multiple refractive index radiator offers a possibility for improving the resolution. Experimental investigations of the relevant parameters, i.e. single photon Cherenkov angle uncertainty and number of detected photons per ring, are presented for different aerogel radiator configurations. The results are promising and appear to satisfy the requirements for the forthcoming upgrade of the particle identification system of the Belle detector.

We have developed silica aerogel to be employed as a RICH radiator in the Belle PID upgrade. For this purpose, new aerogel sample with a higher refractive index (n) of ∼ 1.05 was successfully produced while keeping the hydrophobic feature. In this novel technique, a new solvent was introduced in the first step of the sol–gel process so as to avoid a deterioration of the optical quality, even for n greater than 1.03. Based on this procedure, the transmission length was obtained to be more than 40 mm at 400 nm wave length, which was twice longer than before, for samples of ∼ 100 × 100 × 10 mm 3 size. In this article, the results of the new aerogel production will be shown together with some design considerations for the RICH radiator.

In the present study, the new environmentally-compatible vehicle was designed to mitigate urban warming, air pollution and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions in the urban area. Principal specifications for its optimal design will be clarified and it will be shown that urban environment is improved with dissemination of such vehicles. First, we evaluate optimal specifications of the new conceptual hybrid EV (Electric Vehicle) equipped with the flywheel and photovoltaic (PV) cell and also report the results of the driving simulation of the proposed vehicles. The energy density of the flywheel made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) is three times higher than Pb battery, which has been used for the EVs. The most noticeable feature of the flywheel is that it has very high charging rate. By employing the flywheel and PV cell as energy regeneration, the electric power consumption rate of the vehicle can be 188 km/l in the community-driving schedule, and over 50 km/l in the long-driving schedules (the electric power consumption rate is converted to the fuel consumption rate of gasoline). Furthermore, three-dimensional computer simulation of urban atmosphere is conducted and it is shown that the dissemination of the proposed vehicle reduce the concentration of CO 2 in the urban area and mitigate urban warming.

We have investigated the suitability of high melting point phase change materials for use in new, large scale solar thermal electricity plants. Candidate materials for latent heat thermal energy storage are identified and their operating parameters modeled and analysed. The mathematical characteristics of charging and discharging these storage materials are discussed. Several high melting point, high conductivity materials are shown to be suitable and advantageous for use with solar thermal electricity plants, such as Sydney University’s novel, low cost CLFR and MTSA collector systems, as well as existing parabolic trough and tower technologies.

In this paper, the authors propose an innovative non-tracking three-dimensional compound parabolic concentrator (3-D CPC) solar collector, which has excellent thermal efficiency for a high-temperature range (100-200°C). The proposed 3-D CPC collector has a moderate concentration ratio and does not need tracking. First, the tentative 3-D CPC collector was fabricated and its thermal performance and principal characteristics were clarified. Next, numerical simulations of the optical characteristics of the 3-D CPC collector were carried out with the ray-tracing method. Finally, the specification of the optimal 3-D CPC collector will be shown.

Using aerogel as radiator and 64-channel flat panel multi-anode PMTs (Hamamatsu H8500) for photon detection, a proximity focusing Cherenkov ring imaging detector has been constructed and tested in the KEK π2 beam. The single photon resolution obtained in the tests (typically around 11 mrad ) is well approximated by estimates of contributions from pixel size and emission point uncertainty. The number of detected photons per Cherenkov ring, typically about 6 for a 2 cm thick aerogel radiator tile, is in good agreement with estimates based on aerogel and detector characteristics. The detector allows a very efficient separation of kaons and pions at 4 GeV /c .

We have searched for neutrinoless τ lepton decays into three charged leptons using an 87.1fb-1 data sample collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- collider. Since the number of signal candidate events is compatible with that expected from the background, we set 90% confidence level upper limits on the branching fractions in the range (1.9-3.5)×10-7 for various decay modes τ -→l-l+l- where l represents e or μ. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Summary. The biological activity of interferon (IFN) is mediated by the induction of intracellular antiviral proteins, such as 2′–5′ oligoadenylate synthetase, dsRNA-activated protein kinase and MxA protein. Among these, MxA protein is assumed to be the most specific surrogate parameter for IFN action. This study was performed to elucidate whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (G/T at nt-88) in the promoter region of the MxA gene influences the response to IFN therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Polymorphisms of the MxA gene in 235 HCV patients were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequency of SNP was compared between sustained-responders (n = 78) and nonresponders (n = 157), as determined by biochemical and virological responses to IFN. Multivariate analysis showed that among all patients, HCV genotype, HCV RNA level and the SNP of the MxA gene were independent and significant determinants of the outcome of IFN therapy [odds ratio 3.8 (95% confidence interval 2.0–7.0), P

Benchmark numerical solutions for a three-dimensional natural convection heat transfer problem in a cubical cavity are presented in this paper. The 3-D cavity has two differentially heated and isothermal vertical walls and also four adiabatic walls. The computations are conducted for three Rayleigh numbers of 104, 105 and 106. The filled fluid is with air and the Prandtl number is fixed at 0.71. The computed results are efficiently obtained by using the time–space method, which was proposed by Saitoh (1991) as a highly efficient and fast solver for general heat transfer and fluid flow problems. In our computations, the high-accuracy finite differences of a fourth-order were employed for the spatial discretization of governing equations and boundary conditions. In addition the third-order backward finite difference was used in timewise discretization. The resultant converged flow and temperature characteristics are also presented. The spatial grid dependency of the solutions was examined on a uniform grid. In addition, the grid-independent benchmark solutions were obtained by Richardson extrapolation for three cases. The present benchmark solutions will be useful for checking the performance and accuracy of any numerical methodologies.

A proximity focusing ring imaging Cherenkov detector using aerogel as the radiator is studied for the upgrade of the Belle detector at KEK-B-factory. The second beam test of the detector was carried out using the recently introduced flat-panel PMTs (Hamamatsu H8500) and newly developed aerogel samples having better transmission length. We observe Cherenkov rings with a single photon resolution of about 14 mrad , and typically on average 6 detected photons per ring. The results show that such a detector is a promising step in R&D for upgrading the Belle spectrometer.

Flywheel energy storage is old idea, but recently, new design concept using new material (CFRP, etc.) has been incorporated to improve energy and power density of the flywheel (FW). Recent movement made it possible to replace the electrochemical storage battery for eletric vehicles or stationary applications, such as computer back-up power supplies and load-leveling and so on. The authors designed and tested a high efficiency FW system and proposed an application to the electric vehicles. FW energy storage system is promising system for the future EV and fuel cell EV.

In [J.T. Marti (1983). Evaluation of the least constant in Sobolev’s inequality for H l(0,s). SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 20(6), 1239–1242.], Marti proves that the least constant c l in Sobolev’s inequality for the embedding of the Sobolev space H l(a, b) into the space C[a, b] of bounded continuous functions on the interval [a, b] is . In this article, we compute the least constants in Sobolev’s inequalities for the spaces Hm (a,b) (m = 1, 2, 3) and Hm (ℝ), by the construction of the reproducing kernels of the Sobolev spaces.

We have searched for a T/CP violation signature arising from an electric dipole form factor (d_tau) of the tau lepton in the e+e- -> tau+tau- reaction. Using an optimal observable method for 29.5 fb^{-1} of data collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB collider at sqrt{s}=10.58 GeV, we obtained the preliminary result Re(d_tau) = (1.15 +- 1.70) x 10^{-17} ecm and Im(d_tau) = (-0.83 +- 0.86) x 10^{-17} ecm for the real and imaginary parts of d_tau, respectively, and set the 95% confidence level limits -2.2 < Re(d_tau) < 4.5 (10^{-17} ecm) and -2.5 < Im(d_tau) < 0.8 (10^{-17} ecm)., Invited talk at the Seventh International Workshop on Tau Lepton Physics (TAU02), Santa Cruz, Ca, USA, Sept 2002, 8 pages, LaTeX, 19 eps figures

We report on a study of $\bar{B^{0}} \to D^{(*) 0} \pi^+ \pi^-$ decays using 29.1 fb$^{-1}$ of $e^{+}e^{-}$ annihilation data recorded at the $\Upsilon(4S)$ resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB storage ring. Making no assumptions about the intermediate mechanism, the branching fractions for $\bar{B}^0 \to D^0 \pi^+ \pi^-$ and $\bar{B}^0 \to D^{* 0} \pi^+ \pi^-$ are determined to be $(8.0 \pm 0.6 \pm 1.5) \times 10^{-4} $ and $ (6.2 \pm 1.2 \pm 1.8) \times 10^{-4}$ respectively. An analysis of $\bar{B^{0}} \to D^{0} \pi^+ \pi^-$ candidates yields to the first observation of the color-suppressed hadronic decay $\bar{B}^0 \to D^0 \rho^0$ with the branching fraction $(2.9 \pm 1.0 \pm 0.4) \times 10^{-4}$. We measure the ratio of branching fractions ${\mathcal B}(\bar{B^0} \to D^0 \rho^0) / {\mathcal B}(\bar{B^0} \to D^0 \omega)$ = 1.6 $\pm$ 0.8.

Since fossil fuel like petroleum, coal, and natural gases will sooner or later run out in this or next century, natural energy like solar, wind, and biomass will rise as one of alterative energy sources. Most of the conventional solar thermal electric systems utilize high-temperature difference. In the present paper, an advanced solar Rankine cycle system with CPC (Compound Parabolic Concentrator) collector and steam accumulator of phase-change type is newly proposed. The phase-change steam accumulator with high temperature phase change material (PCM) is designed and evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. And this paper reports experimental results of the proposed system under actual solar radiation and under heat stored accumulator condition.

We present measurements of CP-violating parameters in $B^0(\bar{B}{}^0) \to \eta^\prime K_S^0$ and $B^{\pm} \to \eta' K^{\pm}$ decays based on a 41.8 fb$^{-1}$ data sample collected at the $\Upsilon(4S)$ resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^{+} e^{-}$ collider. We fully reconstruct one neutral $B$ meson as a $B^0(\bar{B}{}^0) \to \eta^\prime K_S^0$ CP eigenstate and identify the flavor of the accompanying $B$ from its decay products. From the distribution of time intervals between pairs of $B$ meson decay points, we obtain the CP-violating asymmetry parameters ${\mathcal S}_{\eta^\prime K_S^0} = 0.28\pm0.55(stat)^{+0.07}_{-0.08}(syst)$, and ${\mathcal A}_{\eta^\prime K_S^0} = 0.13\pm0.32(stat)^{+0.09}_{-0.06}(syst)$. We also reconstruct charged $B^{\pm} \to \eta^\prime K^{\pm}$ decays and determine a direct-CP violating asymmetry value of ${\mathcal A}_{\eta^\prime K^\pm}=(-1.5\pm7.0(stat)\pm0.9(syst))%$.

The B -> D^{(*)} K^- K^{(*)0} decays have been observed for the first time. The branching fractions of the B -> D^{(*)} K^- K^{(*)0} decay modes are measured. Significant signals are found for the B -> D^{(*)} K^- K^{*0} and B^- -> D^0 K^- K^0_S decay modes. The invariant mass and polarization distributions for the K^-K^{*0} and K^-K^0_S subsystems have been studied. For the K^-K^{*0} sybsystem these distributions agree well with those expected for two-body B -> D^{(*)} a_1^-(1260) decays, with a_1^-(1260) -> K^- K^{*0}. The analysis was done using 29.4 fb^{-1} of data collected with the Belle detector at the e^+ e^- asymmetric collider KEKB.

This paper describes a study of B meson decays to the pseudoscalar-vector final state \rho\pi using 31.9\times 10^6 B\bar{B} events collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. The branching fractions B(B^+ \to \rho^0\pi^+) = (8.0^{+2.3+0.7}_{-2.0-0.7}) \times 10^{-6} and B(B^0 -> \rho^{+-} \pi^{-+}) = (20.8^{+6.0+2.8}_{-6.3-3.1}) \times 10^{-6} are obtained. In addition, a 90% confidence level upper limit of B(B^0 \to \rho^0\pi^0) < 5.3 \times 10^{-6}is reported.

The production of the \chi_{c2} charmonium state in two-photon collisions has been measured with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^+e^- collider. A clear signal for \chi_{c2} --> \gamma J/\psi, J/\psi --> l^+l^- is observed in a 32.6fb^{-1} data sample accumulated at center-of-mass energies near 10.6GeV, and the product of its two-photon decay width and branching fraction is determined to be \Gamma_{\gamma\gamma}(\chi_{c2})B(\chi_{c2} --> \gamma J/\psi) B(J/\psi --> l^+l^-)= 13.5 +/- 1.3(stat.) +/- 1.1(syst.)eV., Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Lett. B

In most countries, contaminated water is the major cause of most water-borne diseases. Disinfection of water may be accomplished by a number of different physical–chemical treatments including direct application of thermal energy, chemical and filtration techniques. Solar energy also can be used effectively in this field because inactivation of microorganisms is done either by heating water to a disinfecting temperature or by exposing to ultraviolet solar radiation. A pilot solar system for disinfecting contaminated water is designed, constructed and tested. Investigations are carried out to evaluate the performance of a wooden hot box solar facility as a solar disinfectant. Experimental data show that solar energy is viable for the disinfection process. A solar radiation model is presented and compared with the experimental data. A mathematical model of the solar disinfectant is also presented. The governing equations are solved numerically via the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The effects of environmental conditions (ambient temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, etc.) on the performance of the solar disinfectant are examined. Results showed that the system is affected by ambient temperature, wind speed, ultraviolet solar radiation intensity, the turbidity of the water, the quantity of water exposed, the contact area between the transparent water container in the solar disinfectant and the absorber plate as well as the geometrical parameters of the system. It is pointed out that for partially cloudy conditions with a low ambient temperature and high wind speeds, the thermal efficiency of the solar disinfectant is at a minimum. The use of solar energy for the disinfection process will increase the productivity of the system while completely eliminating the coliform group bacteria at the same time.