Right aortic arch in association with coarctation of the aorta and vascular ring is a rare anatomy. We present an infant with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion, who had the right aortic arch with retroesophageal aberrant left subclavian artery and left internal carotid artery. The left external carotid artery and right common carotid artery originated together from the ascending aorta as a bovine branch. The infant also had severe coarctation, which was prostaglandin dependent.

In Japan, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection generally has occurred during autumn and winter. However, a possible change in the seasonal trend of RSV infection has been observed recently. The current study was conducted to determine whether the epidemic season of RSV infection in Japan has indeed changed significantly. We used expectation-based Poisson scan statistics to detect periods with high weekly reported RSV cases (epidemic cluster), and the epidemic clusters were detected between September and December in the 2012–2016 seasons while those were detected between July and October in the 2017–2019 seasons. Non-linear and linear ordinary least squares regression models were built to evaluate whether there is a difference in year trend in the epidemic seasonality, and the epidemic season was shifted to earlier in the year in 2017–2019 compared to that in 2012–2016. Although the reason for the shift is unclear, this information may help in clinical practice and public health.

Skeletal muscle atrophy causes decreased physical activity and increased risk of metabolic diseases. We investigated the effects of oleamide (cis-9,10-octadecanamide) treatment on skeletal muscle health. The plasma concentration of endogenous oleamide was approximately 30 nm in male ddY mice under normal physiological conditions. When the stable isotope-labelled oleamide was orally administered to male ddY mice (50 mg/kg), the plasma concentration of exogenous oleamide reached approximately 170 nm after 1 h. Male ddY mice were housed in small cages (one-sixth of normal size) to enforce sedentary behaviour and orally administered oleamide (50 mg/kg per d) for 4 weeks. Housing in small cages decreased tibialis anterior (TA) muscle mass and the cross-sectional area of the myofibres in TA muscle. Dietary oleamide alleviated the decreases in TA muscle and resulted in plasma oleamide concentration of approximately 120 nm in mice housed in small cages. Housing in small cages had no influence on the phosphorylation levels of Akt serine/threonine kinase (Akt), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) in TA muscle; nevertheless, oleamide increased the phosphorylation levels of the proteins. Housing in small cages increased the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II and sequestosome 1 (p62), but not LC3-I, in TA muscle, and oleamide reduced LC3-I, LC3-II and p62 expression levels. In C2C12 myotubes, oleamide increased myotube diameter at ≥100 nm. Furthermore, the mTOR inhibitor, Torin 1, suppressed oleamide-induced increases in myotube diameter and protein synthesis. These results indicate that dietary oleamide rescued TA muscle atrophy in mice housed in small cages, possibly by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway and restoring autophagy flux.

Multi-frequency, multi-polarization airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observations of sea ice in the southern Sea of Okhotsk were carried out in February 1999 in conjunction with RADARSAT SAR observations. The final goal of this study is to clarify the backscattering characteristics and to understand the scattering mechanisms of sea ice in the Sea of Okhotsk by using microwave multiparametric SAR. The airborne SAR (Pi-SAR) has two frequencies (X- and L-band) and multi-polarization (HH, VV, HV, VH) with 1.5 m (X-band) and 3.0 m (L-band) resolution. It was developed by the Communications Research Laboratory (X-band) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (L-band). We show the frequency dependence and polarization properties of radar backscattering from sea ice. We find that it is possible to distinguish ice types by comparing backscattering from sea ice in the X- and L-bands. Investigation of the polarization characteristics at X-band was very useful for detecting the thin-ice area (e.g. nilas and gray ice).

Snowdrifting processes and the wind-velocity profiles around a collector and a blower snow fence were investigated in a cold wind tunnel. The purpose was to ascertain the effect of wind direction on drift control by snow fences. Three different cases were studied for both types of snow fence, and the resultant snowdrifts were compared. In the first case, the snow fence was perpendicular to the wind direction. In the second and third cases, it was tilted by 30° and 45°. When the collector snow fence was tilted, the amounts of snowdrift were much less than when the fence was perpendicular to the wind direction, because the area with low wind velocity was reduced to half behind the tilted fence. On the other hand, the blowing effect of the blower snow fence increased when it was set up at an angle to the wind direction. It is necessary to investigate the position where the blown snow is deposited by the tilted blower snow fence.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of increased dietary intake and high fat diet (HFD) in mice on artificial oocyte activation by using puromycin or roscovitine. Six-week-old mice were fed as either a control diet group, an increased dietary intake group or an HFD group for 4 weeks. Oocytes were obtained following superovulation and were divided into three treatment groups (no activation treatment, calcium ionophore and puromycin treatment, and calcium ionophore and roscovitine treatment) and were incubated for 4 h. Retrieved oocytes and numbers of oocytes activated as assessed by morphological changes were compared among the three treatment groups. The proportion of degenerated oocytes in HFD mice was significantly higher than that in control diet mice. The rates of activation in oocytes treated with roscovitine were 90.3% in control diet mice, 89.8% in increased dietary intake mice and 67.9% in HFD mice. The rate of activation in oocytes treated with roscovitine in HFD mice was significantly lower than the rates in control diet mice and increased dietary intake mice. The rates of activation in oocytes treated with puromycin were 90.6% in control diet mice, 94.0% in increased dietary intake mice and 71.4% in HFD mice, and the rate of activation in oocytes treated with puromycin in HFD mice was significantly lower than the rates in control diet mice and increased dietary intake mice. HFD-induced obesity deteriorated induction of oocyte activation by roscovitine or puromycin in mice.

Multi-functionalization of catalytically-active nanomaterials provides a valuable tool for enhancing reaction yield by shifting reaction equilibrium, and potentially also by adjusting reaction-diffusion kinetics. For example, multi-functionalization of mesoporous silica to make the interior pore surface hydrophobic can enhance yield in dehydration reactions. Detailed molecular-level modeling to describe the pore environment, as well as the reaction and diffusion kinetics is challenging, although we briefly discuss current strategies. Our focus, however, is on coarse-grained stochastic modeling of the overall catalytic process for highly restricted transport within narrow pores (with single-file diffusion), while accounting for a tunable interaction of the pore interior with reaction products. We show that making the pore interior unfavorable to products can significantly enhance yield due to both thermodynamic and kinetics factors.

Although the lower size limit of microorganisms was previously believed to be c. 0.2 μm, there is evidence for the existence of microorganisms that can pass through 0.2 μm-pore-size filters called ultramicrobacteria or nanobacteria. However, information on the phylogeny and biogeography of these bacteria is limited. We obtained 53 isolates of 0.2 μm-passable bacteria from 31 samples collected at 26 locations worldwide, including the Arctic Svalbard Islands, deserts, and Maritime Antarctica. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that 18 of the 53 isolates were < 97% homologous with previously cultured isolates, representing potentially novel species. Two isolates (order Rhizobiales) (100% identical) collected from Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island in Maritime Antarctica, were closely related (99.8% similarity) to an isolate collected from intertidal sediments in East Antarctica. In addition, the sequence of this Antarctic isolate showed ≥ 97% similarity to 901 sequences derived from known isolates and samples collected at geographically disparate locations under various environmental conditions. Interestingly, among 13 sequences showing ≥ 99% similarity, ten were isolated from cryospheric habitats such as Arctic, Antarctic, and alpine environments. This implies that such Rhizobiales strains occur in the cryospheric regions, however, their abundance and biomass may be scarce depending on the geographic location.

A new compact accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system has been installed in the Kaminoyama Research Institute at Yamagata University (YU). The AMS system is based on a 0.5MV Pelletron accelerator developed by the National Electrostatics Corporation. An automated acid-alkali-acid (AAA) treatment system and an automated graphitization line were also installed in the same facility for sample preparation. Performance tests of the YU-AMS system were carried out by measuring the C-series standard samples (C1–C8) and HOxII provided by IAEA and NIST, respectively. We evaluated the YU-AMS system by comparing the radiocarbon ages of Japanese tree rings with dendrochronologically determined calendar ages with calibration data. We also carried out some performance tests using a control serum and a 14C-labeled drug (oxaliplatin).

Crystal structure change with an applied electric field was investigated by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the 1 μm-thick (100)/(001) one-axis oriented tetragonal Pb(Zr0.3Ti0.7)O3 films prepared on Pt-covered (100) Si substrates by chemical solution deposition technique. As-deposited films were under the strained condition in good agreement with the estimation from the thermal strain applied under the cooling process after the deposition from the Curie temperature to the room temperature. This strain was ascertained to be relaxed by an applied electric field in accompanying with the dramatic increase of the volume fraction of (001) orientation. These results demonstrate the importance of the crystal structure measurement not only as-deposited films, but also after applied electric field, such as after poling.

We present a distance measurement to the semi-regular variable star RX Bootis (RX Boo). Using the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) telescope, we conducted astrometric observations of a water maser spot associated with RX Boo, as well as of the continuum reference source J1419+2706. Based on monitoring observations covering a full year, the annual parallax of RX Boo was measured at 7.31 ± 0.50 mas, corresponding to a distance of 136+10−9 pc. This distance uncertainty is smaller by a factor of two than those previously published, allowing us to determine the object's stellar properties more accurately. Using our distance, we can determine the absolute magnitude and discuss more precisely the locus of RX Boo on the period–luminosity (PL) relation. RX Boo exhibits two simultaneous pulsation periods and is located on the fundamental and first overtone Mira sequences of the PL relation. In addition, we calculated the radius and mass of the star.

We built up the way of fabricating IPMC actuator with palladium electrodes and we found that it showed large bending response than Au-plated IPMC actuator. An ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) consisting of a thin perfuorinated ionomer membrane, electrodes plated on both faces, undergoes large bending motion when a small electric field is applied across its thickness in a hydrated state. The characteristics of IPMC are ease of miniaturization, low density, and mechanical flexibility. Therefore, it is considered to have a wide range of applications from MEMS sensor to artificial muscle. However, there are problems on IPMC. First, its mechanical and electric characteristics have not been clarified because of the complex mechanism of the deformation. Second, it is high-priced because most of IPMC actuators use gold or platinum as electrodes. In order for IPMC actuator to be widely put to practical use, we should solve these problems. Hence, this research focuses on fabrication of IPMC actuator with palladium electrode, which is cheaper than gold or platinum, and evaluation of its mechanical properties such as its tip displacement. We fabricated IPMC consisting of a thin Nafion® membrane, which is the film with fluorocarbon back-bones and mobile cations, sandwiched between two thin palladium plates. The surface resistivity was 2.88±0.18Ω/sq., so it could be said to be enough small. Then, we observed its cross section by using FE-SEM. As a result, palladium plates were evenly coated and its thickness was about 30μm. Also, we carried out an actuation test for two kinds of IPMCs: one was fabricated by using Nafion®117 (thickness 183μm), the other was by Nafion®115 (thickness 127μm). In this test, the relationship between voltage (0˜4V) across its thickness and tip displacement for the cantilevered strip of the IPMC was measured. Then we found that IPMCs showed large bending motion under a low electric field. When Nafion®117 sample was subjected to voltage of 1.5V, the ratio of the tip displacement to the sample length was 0.35, which was lager bending than Au-plated IPMC actuator, whose ratio of the tip displacement to the sample length was 0.12 [1]. When Nafion®115 sample was applied to 1.5V, the ratio of the tip displacement to the sample length was 0.22. Then, we found that Nafion®117 bended in a larger way than Nafion®115. Reference [1]Sia Nemat-Nesser and Yongxian Wu,”Comparative experimental study of ionic polymer-metal composites with different backbone ionomers and in various cation forms”, Journal of Applied Physics,93,5255 (2003)

Abstract Lung biopsies were taken at surgery from five patients (age 2–13, average 7.6 years) with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. The biopsies were then processed for ultrastructural study, comparing paired samples taken, on the one hand, from a segment connected to central pulmonary arteries and, on the other hand, from a segment supplied directly by collateral arteries. Specimens from patients with isolated ventricular septal defect, and from those without cardiac disease, were used as controls. In the patients with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia, all biopsies taken from segments supplied by the major collateral arteries showed marked deposition of collagen in the alveolar wall, with an increase in the thickness of the basement membrane (3.6±1.2 µm, mean±SD) greater than seen in those taken from segments connected to central pulmonary arteries (0.9±0.6, p<0.05). The proportional fibrosis of the alveolar interstitial space was also significantly greater in the biopsies from the segments supplied by collateral arteries (30±9%) compared to those from segments fed by central pulmonary arteries (15±8%, p<0.05). No significant differences were found in these indices between the biopsies from segments connected to the central pulmonary arteries in patients with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia and those from patients with isolated ventricular septal defect or normal controls. There was no apparent relation to the pulmonary arterial pressure in these findings. The results suggest that the pulmonary segments fed directly by major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in patients with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia seem likely to be afflicted by alveolar wall fibrosis, although the etiology and clinical implications of this finding remain unclear.

We present results of astrometric observations of S269 H2O maser performed with VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry). We have monitored the positions of S269 H2O masers for 1 year and successfully detected its parallax to be 189±8 micro-arcsecond. This corresponds to a source distance of 5.28+0.24−0.22 kpc, and is the smallest parallax (and thus the largest distance) that has ever been measured by means of annual parallax. Proper motions of S269 H2O maser were also measured and used to determine the Galactic rotation velocity at the position of S269. Our measurements show that the Galactic rotation velocity at S269 is the same to that at the Sun within 3%, indicating that the Galactic rotation curve is flat out to R~13 kpc.

We have carried out multi-epoch VLBI observations of the H2O maser sources associated with young stellar objects (YSOs) in nearby molecular clouds with VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry), which is a newly constructed VLBI network in Japan (Kobayashi et al. 2003). The main goal of our study is to measure the absolute proper motions and distances to nearby molecular clouds within 1 kpc from the Sun, to reveal their 3-dimensional structures and dynamical properties. Using the VERA dual-beam receiving system (Honma et al. 2003), we have carried out phase-referencing VLBI observations and measured annual parallaxes and absolute proper motions of the H2O maser features with respect to the extragalactic radio sources. We have successfully detected the annual parallax of one of the H2O maser features in Orion KL to be 2.29±0.10 mas, corresponding to the distance of 437±19 pc from the Sun (Hirota et al. 2007). In addition, the annual parallax of SVS13 in NGC 1333 is also determined to be4.10±0.17 mas, corresponding to the distance of 244±10 pc from the Sun, although the life time of the maser features are only 6 months. The absolute proper motions of the H2O maser features associated with Orion KL and NGC 1333 are derived, possibly indicating the outflow motions from the YSOs as well as the systemic motions of the powering sources.

The electronic states of Ba8Ga16Ge30 and Sr8Ga16Ge30 are studied by soft x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) at a high-energy facility. In Ba8Ga16Ge30, three bands are resolved in the valence band region. Resonance experiments together with theoretical calculations show that the three band structures in the valence band are mainly constructed by the Ge/Ga 4s and 4p wave functions with little contributions of Ba 5s, 5p and 5d. The valence band of Sr8Ga16Ge30 shows a similar feature to that of Ba8Ga16Ge30. It is clearly shown that the atomic orbitals of Ba and Sr make little hybridization with the orbitals made by the framework polyhedra. This provides the understanding of the thermoelectricity in clathrates, and assists the design in high performance thermoelectric materials in this family.

We have studied the effects of CO coverage on surface diffusion rates of CO adsorbed on nanoparticle Pt catalysts in sulfuric acid media by using 13C electrochemical nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (EC-NMR) in the temperature range 253 - 293 K. For CO coverage from θ = 1.0 to 0.36, the diffusion coefficients follow Arrhenius behavior and both activation energy (E d) and pre-exponential factor (D co) show CO coverage dependence. Ed increases from 6.0 to 8.4 kcal/mol and DCO varies from 1.1 X 10-8 to 3.7 X 10-6 cm2/s when the coverage is increased from θ = 0.36 to θ = 1.0. On the Pt catalyst surface at partial CO coverage, our data strongly support the free site hopping model of adsorbed CO as the major surface diffusion mechanism, unlike the situation found with a fully CO covered surface where CO exchange between different surface sites is believed to be the major diffusion mechanism. Our results also indicate that the contributions of lateral repulsive interactions exert a stronger influence on the diffusive motion than does the nature of the surface structure. When the diffusion coefficient was estimated from CO stripping measurements by using an electrochemical modeling protocol, the estimated diffusion coefficients were a few orders of magnitude larger than those obtained from the EC-NMR experiments. Overall these results are important for improving our understanding of electrochemical surface dynamics of molecules at interfaces, and may help facilitate better control of fuel cell reactions where the presence of surface CO plays a crucial role in controlling the reaction rates.