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Methodology for quantitative evaluation of electron radiation damage and calculation of tolerable electron dose was developed to achieve damage-less scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of beam-sensitive polymer film. The radiation damage is typically evaluated with visual impressions of SEM images; however, this method may be unreliable because observer’s subjectivity may affect the results. Evaluation with quantitative value is crucial to improve reliability. In this study, the radiation damage was evaluated by using normalized correlative coefficient (RNCC) between an initial frame and latter frames of the multiple SEM images that were taken consecutively. Tolerable dose was obtained by defining a threshold point of RNCC where rapid reduction of RNCC started. A SEM image with less damage and acceptable signal-to-noise ratio was obtained by integrating the images from the initial frame to the tolerable frame.

γ-glutamyl peptides have been suggested to impart kokumi properties to foods by activating human calcium-sensing receptor (hCaSR). In this study, the relationship between γ-glutamyl peptide structure and hCaSR activity was systematically analyzed using γ-[Glu](n=0-4)-α-[Glu](n=0-3)-Tyr. Our results suggest that N-terminal [Glu]3 moiety is very important for hCaSR activities of γ-glutamyl peptides.

In addition to the maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis, the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is involved in many diverse physiological functions in the mammalian body. The receptor works as a kokumi taste receptor in taste buds and as a nutrient sensor in the gut, where it regulates the secretion of glycemic response and appetite-related hormones. To identify novel human CaSR (hCaSR) activators from food ingredients, we conducted a screening using a cell-based hCaSR assay. Hen egg-white lysozyme, which is a sweet protein, was found to be a novel orthosteric agonist of hCaSR with an EC50 value of 592 μM. Lysozyme hydrolysate was not able to activate hCaSR, thus suggesting that the protein structure of lysozyme is necessary for hCaSR activation. Thaumatin, which is another sweet protein, also activated hCaSR with an EC50 value of 71 μM. This is the first report that shows hCaSR activation by proteins with molecular weights exceeding 10,000 Da. These results provide a new avenue for the development of hCaSR activators, which could be applicable in food or drugs that modulate taste perception, appetite, or glucose tolerance, in addition to Ca2+ homeostasis.

The East China Sea is a semi-enclosed sea, surrounded by Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan, and is continuously influenced by lit fishing vessels overexploiting fishery resources. Quantitative analysis of this fishing activity is essential to sustainable resource management. Recent advances in satellite remote sensing technology, notably the introduction of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite, which gathers luminescence data, have enabled the detection of lit fishing vessels operating at night. In the present study, we collected in situ observation data (ship radar images and visual observation data for lit fishing gear types) for the period when the Suomi NPP satellite passed over the East China Sea at night. The geographical position of each fishing gear type was extracted from the radar image and compared with the corresponding position of satellite luminescence in order to obtain the luminescence specific to each fishing gear type. We statistically analyzed the luminescence data to specify the luminescence range of each fishing gear type. The luminescence range of Chinese lit falling-net fishing vessels during nighttime fishing operations was distinguished from the ranges of other fishing gear types. We are now able to estimate the horizontal distribution of Chinese lit falling-net fishing vessels from Suomi NPP satellite luminescence, using its own luminescence range.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Background The airway epithelial barrier function is disrupted in the airways of asthmatic patients. Abnormal mitochondrial biogenesis is reportedly involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the role of mitochondrial biogenesis in the airway barrier dysfunction has not been elucidated yet. This study aimed to clarify whether the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α), a central regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, is involved in the disruption of the airway barrier function induced by aeroallergens. Methods BEAS-2B cells were exposed to house dust mite (HDM) and the expressions of PGC-1α and E-cadherin, a junctional protein, were examined by immunoblotting. The effect of SRT1720, a PGC-1α activator, was investigated by immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) on the HDM-induced reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis markers and junctional proteins in airway bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore,the effects of protease activated receptor 2 (PAR2) inhibitor, GB83, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor, lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPS-RS), protease inhibitors including E64 and 4-(2-Aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) on the HDM-induced barrier dysfunction were investigated. Results The amounts of PGC-1α and E-cadherin in the HDM-treated cells were significantly decreased compared to the vehicle-treated cells. SRT1720 restored the expressions of PGC-1α and E-cadherin reduced by HDM in BEAS-2B cells. Treatment with SRT1720 also significantly ameliorated the HDM-induced reduction in TEER. In addition, GB83, LPS-RS, E64 and AEBSF prevented the HDM-induced reduction in the expression of PGC1α and E-cadherin. Conclusions The current study demonstrated that HDM disrupted the airway barrier function through the PAR2/TLR4/PGC-1α-dependent pathway. The modulation of this pathway could be a new approach for the treatment of asthma.

γ-glutamyl peptides have been suggested to impart

To establish an estimation procedure for reliable catch amount of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, light-gathering fishing operations in the northwestern Pacific were analyzed based on the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) day/night band (DNB) data provided by the Suomi National Polar Partnership (SNPP) satellite. The estimated fishing activities were compared with the navigation tracks of vessels obtained from the automatic identification system (AIS). As a model case, the fishing activities of Chinese fishing boats using fish aggregation lights outside the Japanese EEZ in the northwestern Pacific were analyzed from mid-June to early-September 2016. Integration analyses of VIIRS DNB data and AIS information provided reliable data for estimating the fishing activities of Chinese fishing boats and suggested the importance of estimating fish carrier ship movements. The total amount of the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) catch during this period was independently estimated from three angles: 1) the fishing capacity of the fishing boats, 2) the freezing capacity of refrigeration factory ships and 3) the fish hold capacity of the fish carrier ships, based on information obtained from interviews with Chinese fisheries companies. These estimates indicated that the total amount of mackerel catch by Chinese fisheries was more than 80% of the allowable biological catch (ABC) of Japan in this area in 2016. This suggests that Pacific high seas fishing has a significant impact on the future of fish abundance. Our proposed procedure raises the possibility of evaluating the fishing impact of some forms of IUU fisheries independently from conventional statistical reports.

Experiments are conducted to observe the effect of shock interactions on a mixing layer generated between two supersonic streams of Mach number M $$_\mathrm {1}$$ $$=$$ 1.76 and M $$_\mathrm {2}$$ $$=$$ 1.36 in a confined duct. The development of this mixing layer within the duct is observed using high-speed schlieren and static pressure measurements. Two-dimensional, compressible Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations are solved using the k- $$\omega $$ SST turbulence model in Fluent. Further, adverse pressure gradients are imposed by placing inserts of small ( boundary layer thickness) thickness on the walls of the test section. The unmatched pressures cause the mixing layer to bend and lead to the formation of shock structures that interact with the mixing layer. The mixing layer growth rate is found to increase after the shock interaction (nearly doubles). The strongest shock is observed when a wedge insert is placed in the M $$_\mathrm {2}$$ flow. This shock interacts with the mixing layer exciting flow modes that produce sinusoidal flapping structures which enhance the mixing layer growth rate to the maximum (by 1.75 times). Shock fluctuations are characterized, and it is observed that the maximum amplitude occurs when a wedge insert is placed in the M $$_\mathrm {2}$$ flow.

Aim To evaluate clinical outcomes of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) alone in patients with bladder cancer who were unfit for concurrent standard chemotherapy. Patients and methods Between January 2007 and May 2016, 34 patients (20 men, 14 women) aged 65-97 years (median=83) with bladder cancer cT1-4bN0-1M1 were treated with conformal whole-bladder radiotherapy with fractions of 1.8-3 Gy up to a total dose of 40-50 Gy. Results Median survival was 10 months (range=1-99); 1-year and 3-year survival was 51.4% and 34.3%, respectively. Radiation dose >50 Gy was associated with improved survival. Three-year local control (LC) rate was 58.8%. On multivariate analysis, only radiation dose showed a significant association with LC. Conclusion Our results demonstrated the safety and feasibility of radiotherapy in patients with bladder cancer unfit for concurrent standard chemotherapy. A higher radiation dose may confer superior LC and overall survival (OS) without complications.

A clear understanding of the mechanism responsible for large amplitude shock pulsations ahead of a hemispherical cavity in supersonic flow is presented for the first time in this article. This has applications in supersonic parachute decelerators during the atmospheric descent stage of aerospace vehicles. A cell-centered finite volume code FaSTAR is used to solve the full Navier–Stokes equations on a hemispherical shell facing a Mach 4.0 supersonic free stream. The numerical method is validated against earlier experimental results. First, Flow Configuration A appears consisting of an axisymmetric shock that undergoes low-amplitude oscillations. This flow transitions to Flow Configuration B that has an asymmetric shock structure and undergoes large-amplitude non-stationary shock pulsations. The shock stand-off distance in Flow Configuration B is 1.65 times that in Flow Configuration A. The generation of vortices from the curved shock, amplification of vortices of one kind due to the dynamics of the cavity flow, and further interaction of these amplified vortices with the shock in a loop causes the large-amplitude shock pulsations. The oscillation frequencies as determined from cavity pressure and shock stand-off distance signals extracted from the unsteady results are 1.26 kHz during Flow Configuration A, and 859 and 863 Hz during the non-stationary pulsations of Flow Configuration B. The Helmholtz resonator model predicts quite accurately the frequency of Flow Configuration A (1.27 kHz), and to a good extent the frequency in Flow Configuration B (916.7 Hz)., Conference: 21st International Shock Interaction Symposium (ISIS), Location: Riga, LATVIA, Date: AUG 03-08, 2014

Experimental and numerical studies are conducted to compare free jets from different supersonic nozzles for mixing enhancement. A conical nozzle of Mach 1.80 is the reference. Three complex nozzles are a beveled nozzle, a nozzle with six chevrons and a six lobed ESTS nozzle.All nozzles have the same throat diameter and designed average exit Mach number. The studies are conducted at NPR = 6, using acetone PLIF, centerline pitot pressure measurements, and 3D RANS simulations. A novel method of decomposing PLIF images based on intensity histogram and then recomposing after applying selective gains to emphasize the growth of shear layers is discussed. PLIF images are processed to extract the growth rate of jet width which indicates the rate of mixing. The ESTS lobed nozzle shows the highest enhancement of mixing (430%) followed by chevron (222%) and the beveled nozzle with a moderate (138%). The numerical simulations are validated and agree well with experimental results. ESTS lobed nozzle is found to produce widespread streamwise vortices compared to clustered vortices of the chevron nozzle. The mechanism of streamwise vorticity production from ESTS nozzle is clarified for the first time in this study.

Shock vector control (SVC) in a converging–diverging nozzle with a rectangular cross-section is discussed as a fluidic thrust vectoring (FTV) method. The interaction between the primary nozzle flow and the secondary jet is examined using experiments and numerical simulations. The relationships between FTV parameters [nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) and secondary jet pressure ratio (SPR)] and FTV performance (thrust pitching angle and thrust pitching moment) are investigated. The experiments are conducted with an NPR of up to 10 and an SPR of up to 2.7. Numerical simulations of the nozzle flow are performed using a Navier-Stokes solver with input parameters set to match the experimental conditions. The thrust pitching angle and moment computed from the force-moment balance are used to evaluate FTV performance. The experiment and numerical results indicate that the FTV parameters (NPR and SPR) directly affect FTV performance. Conventionally, FTV performance evaluated by the common method using thrust pitching angle is highly dependent on the location of evaluation. Hence, in this study, we show that the thrust pitching moment, a parameter which is independent of the location, is the appropriate figure of merit to evaluate the performance of FTV systems.

When a negatively charged muon stopped in a material, muonic atom, which has one muon in place of an electron in the atomic system, is formed. After muon deexcitation process with muonic X-ray emission, the muon reaches to the muonic 1 s state, and the muon is absorbed in the nucleus. As a result, highly excited nucleus is produced, and the nucleus emits neutrons and gamma-rays. In this work, we determined elemental depth profiling of gold concentrations on archeological sample, an old Japanese coin, by measuring gamma-ray intensities emitted from activated nucleus with various incident muon energies.

Treatment guidelines have not been established for unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). For these patients, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) can provide a better prognosis than that for patients with other head and neck cancers. The presence of HPV in the tumor is associated with a better outcome. However, not all patients with HPV-positive unknown primary head and neck SCC experience good treatment outcomes in actual clinical settings. We thus retrospectively determined the Ki-67 proliferation index and p16 expression status to assess the associations of these parameters with treatment outcomes of patients with unknown primary head and neck SCC. The subjects were 13 patients who underwent CRT after surgery or excision biopsy between 1999 and 2016. The 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 76.9% and 68.4%, respectively. The prognostic factor was age. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with a high Ki-67 vs. low Ki-67 or between patients with p16-positive vs. p16-negative metastases OS. However, all p16-positive patients with low Ki-67 showed good locoregional control. The combination of ki67 expression and p16 expression status may allow prediction of local control more accurately than p16 expression status alone.

Background Rupture of the ureter with extravasation resulting from an iliac aneurysm is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of ureteric rupture with urinary extravasation secondary to an iliac aneurysm. Case presentation An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a large left internal iliac aneurysm (6.5 cm in diameter) and a ureteric rupture with leakage of contrast media from the left ureter, indicating a spontaneous ureteral rupture. The patient was treated with placement of a ureteral double-J stent under endoscopic and X-ray fluoroscopic guidance and endovascular aortic repair. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on postoperative day 20. A computed tomography scan at 2 weeks after surgery showed no contrast extravasation from the ureter or end leak. Conclusion Combination treatment with ureteral and endovascular stenting is effective in avoiding aneurysmal rupture and the serious consequences of a ureteral rupture, which include a perinephric or retroperitoneal collection, abscess formation, subsequent urosepsis, and graft infection.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes in upfront local response and survival of patients with esophageal cancer and distant metastasis. Methods: This retrospective study included 34 patients (25 males) aged 42–92 years (median, 70 years) with a histological diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell cancer with distant metastasis. Staging was performed according to the UICC’s TNM (6th edition) classification of malignant tumor. Results: The median survival time (MST) was 5 months. The 1-year overall survival (OS) was 20.6%. Improved OS was associated with receipt of surgery [hazard ratio (HR), 3.857; 95% CI, 1.142–13.024; P=0.030] on both univariate and multivariate analyses, and the MST was 11 months. The overall objective local response rate was 82%. Ten patients had complete response (CR), 18 had partial response (PR). The overall symptom response was 88% patients. Six had CR, 24 had PR. There was no significant difference in the objective and symptom response between ≤50 and >50 Gy. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with 50 Gy gave results of objective and symptom responses comparable to those of 60 Gy, which has been reported previously. Conclusions: CCRT with 50 Gy gave results comparable to those of 60 Gy, which has been reported previously, and the toxicity was acceptable. Our findings showed that a multimodality therapy that includes surgery may improve survival in only a select group.

The koinobiont parasitoidHalticoptera circulus(Walker) is a potential biological control agent of leafminers, but it has only rarely been collected from the invasive leafminer,Liriomyza trifolii(Burgess), in Japan. To understand why this is the case, parasitism and development ofH. circulusinL. trifoliiwas compared with parasitism and development in two indigenous leafminer species,Liriomyza chinensisKato andChromatomyia horticola(Goureau). There was no significant difference in parasitism rates byH. circulusin the three leafminer species and the eggs and larvae successfully developed inL. chinensisandC. horticola. However,H. circulusfailed to develop inL. trifolii, where developmental stages were encapsulated by host haemocytes. This parasitoid may be a good agent to control indigenous leafminers such asL. chinensisandC. horticolabut is unlikely to be useful for the biological control of the invasiveL. trifoliiin Japan.

Purpose To evaluate, in Japan Clinical Oncology Group study 0403, the safety and efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with T1N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials Eligibility criteria included histologically or cytologically proven NSCLC, clinical T1N0M0. Prescribed dose was 48 Gy at the isocenter in 4 fractions. The primary endpoint was the percent (%) 3-year overall survival. The threshold % 3-year survival to be rejected was set at 35% for inoperable patients, whereas the expected % 3-year survival was 80% for operable patients. Results Between July 2004 and November 2008, 169 patients from 15 institutions were registered. One hundred inoperable and 64 operable patients (total 164) were eligible. Patients' characteristics were 122 male, 47 female; median age 78 years (range, 50-91 years); adenocarcinomas, 90; squamous cell carcinomas, 61; others, 18. Of the 100 inoperable patients, the % 3-year OS was 59.9% (95% confidence interval 49.6%-68.8%). Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were observed in 10 and 2 patients, respectively. No grade 5 toxicity was observed. Of the 64 operable patients, the % 3-year OS was 76.5% (95% confidence interval 64.0%-85.1%). Grade 3 toxicities were observed in 5 patients. No grade 4 and 5 toxicities were observed. Conclusions Stereotactic body radiation therapy for stage I NSCLC is effective, with low incidences of severe toxicity. This treatment can be considered a standard treatment for inoperable stage I NSCLC. This treatment is promising as an alternative to surgery for operable stage I NSCLC.

A woman in her 60s was evaluated for anterior chest pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 50 mm mass with irregular contrast enhancement in the anterior mediastinum. α‐fetoprotein (AFP) level was elevated to 1188 ng/mL. A germ cell tumor was diagnosed, mostly comprising of a yolk sac tumor (YST). Two courses of chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide (VP16) were administered and surgical tumor resection was then performed. The final diagnosis was YST. CDDP and VP16 were continued postoperatively; however, because the AFP level increased about six months after surgery, the chemotherapy regimen was altered to bleomycin and CPT‐11. As the AFP again increased and a CT scan revealed tumor re‐enlargement, recurrent YST was diagnosed and radiotherapy was administered. The patient received a total of 60 Gy (2 Gy per fraction). The tumor started to shrink during radiotherapy and AFP levels decreased. By one month post‐radiotherapy, AFP levels had normalized and the tumor had disappeared. As of six years after radiotherapy, the patient remains alive without recurrence. Mediastinal YSTs are rare, and treatment usually includes surgery and preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin‐based regimens. Successful treatment with radiotherapy has occasionally been reported. Our patient showed recurrence of a YST after surgery and chemotherapy, but achieved long‐term survival after radiotherapy. Few patients with YST have undergone radiotherapy, but this approach was successful in our patient. In cases of postoperative recurrent YST resistant to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, together with salvage surgery, may offer a valuable option.

Small meanders of the Kuroshio southeast of Kyushu, Japan, are conventionally known to form in winter or early spring, but rarely in other seasons. This study examines the seasonal nature of the small meander formation as it relates to the seasonal monsoon winds over the East China Sea, based on observational data analyses, theoretical considerations and numerical experiments. Positional data of the Kuroshio path indicate that the small meander experiences phase locking with the seasonal cycle, as is conventionally thought, although its intensity is modulated on decadal time scales. Monthly mean data of the surface geostrophic current and wind stress fields indicate that the southwestward wind blowing against the Kuroshio in the autumn and early winter causes an inshore-ward shift of the Kuroshio in the northern Okinawa Trough. This effect acts to strengthen the convoluted pattern of the Kuroshio path around Kyushu, and to develop the small meander southeast of the same island. Assuming that the Kuroshio is a surface geostrophic jet with a double-exponential velocity profile, the observed evidence is well explained by a combination of Ekman layer dynamics and quasi-geostrophic dynamics. More specifically, Ekman pumping due to nonlinear Ekman divergence over the jet decreases (increases) the surface velocity of the offshore (inshore) side of the jet, resulting in the inshore-ward shift of the jet. A two-layer shallow water model with idealized topography shows that the response of the modeled Kuroshio to the local wind stress is consistent with observational and theoretical results.

The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) B biotype, induces pigmentation changes in fruit and leaves including tomato-irregular-ripening disorder and squash-silverleaf disorder. We compared carotenoid and chlorophyll content of symptomatic and asymptomatic plant tissue. Symptomatic tissue from tomato fruit had 69% and 79% less lycopene (red pigment) and its precursor phytoene, respectively, than asymptomatic tissue. Heavily silvered squash leaves had 63% and 68% less chlorophyll a and b (green pigments), respectively, than healthy leaves. Squash leaves with silvering also had 42–67% lower levels of the carotenoids, β-carotene, all-trans-violaxanthin and lutein. These results suggest that infestation by the sweet potato whitefly inhibits the accumulation of carotenoids and chlorophylls which are both synthesized through the non-mevalonate pathway.

When wasabi plants are damaged by plant pathogens or herbivores they produce volatile allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) as a defense mechanism. In the current study, we conducted experiments to determine whether volatiles from damaged wasabi leaves or synthetic AITC also have negative effects on the beneficial entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana sensu lato (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Isaria fumosorosea Wize, which contribute to regulation of a major pest of wasabi, the striated white butterfly, Pieris melete Menetries. Conidial germination of both fungi was inhibited when exposed to volatiles from macerated wasabi leaves; the concentration of AITC in the volatiles was also quantified. The inhibitory activity of macerated wasabi leaves was compared with that of synthetic AITC, demonstrating that the inhibitory effect of wasabi volatiles was due to the presence of AITC. These results indicate that AITC released from damaged wasabi leaves has the potential to inhibit fungal infection of insect pests in wasabi f...

Complex nozzles use modifications to the exit geometry of supersonic nozzle to enhance the rate of mixing. Complex nozzles have significant beneficial effects when applied in air-breathing engines and supersonic ejectors. The far-field flow structure of supersonic free jets from complex nozzles have not been studied. This is relevant to applications such as thermal signature reduction, noise reduction, and in dynamics of explosive volcanic plumes. In this study, the centerline velocity decay rate is quantified from hot-wire measurements in the far-field of complex supersonic nozzles for the first time. Experiments are conducted on a reference conical nozzle of Mach number 1.8, a six chevron nozzle and an Elliptic Sharp Tipped Shallow (ESTS) lobed nozzle with six lobes, at Nozzle Pressure Ratio NPR = 6. All the nozzles have the same throat dimensions and exit area. The hot-wire measurement method is validated by comparison of the behavior of a subsonic turbulent jet with previous results, and the velocity decay rates and velocity profiles are found to agree well. The centerline velocity decay rate is maximum in the ESTS lobed nozzle (by 30%), followed by the chevron nozzle (by 10.5%). Mean velocity profiles are found to be self-similar by 40D. Details of the study are provided in the article. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.