59Co-NMR Knight Shift of the Superconducting NaxCoO2.yH2O

Layered Co oxide NaxCoO2.yH2O with the superconducting transition temperature Tc =4.5 K has been studied by 59Co-NMR. The Knight shift K estimated from the observed spectra for powder sample exhibits almost temperature(T)-independent behavior above Tc and decreases with decreasing T below Tc. This result and the existence of the coherence peak in the spin-lattice-relaxation-rate versus T curve reported by the present authors indicate, naively speaking, that the singlet order parameter with s-wave symmetry is realized in NaxCoO2.yH2O. Differences of the observed behaviors between the spectra of the non-aligned sample and the one aligned in epoxy adhesive by applying the external magnetic field are discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, submitted to J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Interactions between atomic-scale skyrmions in 2D chiral magnets

To commercialize stable, highly-integrated, and low-power-consuming magnetic memories of skyrmions, stable control of their motion is crucial. Manipulating the inter-skyrmion interactions is key to achieving this goal. We find that distortion of the skyrmion shape can induce the interskyrmion attraction between atomic-scale small skyrmions, similar to larger skyrmions. Also, the interaction of smaller skyrmions reaches further, when scaled by the skyrmion size, than that of larger skyrmions. The continuum model is still capable of explaining the behavior. Moreover, the formation of the magnetic domains between skyrmions also induces attraction, which is again the same mechanism as larger skyrmions. This study contributes to better control of the skyrmion motion with a wide range of their sizes.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

MafB is a critical regulator of complement component C1q

The transcription factor MafB is expressed by monocytes and macrophages. Efferocytosis (apoptotic cell uptake) by macrophages is important for inhibiting the development of autoimmune diseases, and is greatly reduced in Mafb-deficient macrophages. Here, we show the expression of the first protein in the classical complement pathway C1q is important for mediating efferocytosis and is reduced in Mafb-deficient macrophages. The efferocytosis defect in Mafb-deficient macrophages can be rescued by adding serum from wild-type mice, but not by adding serum from C1q-deficient mice. By hemolysis assay we also show that activation of the classical complement pathway is decreased in Mafb-deficient mice. In addition, MafB overexpression induces C1q-dependent gene expression and signals that induce C1q genes are less effective in the absence of MafB. We also show that Mafb-deficiency can increase glomerular autoimmunity, including anti-nuclear antibody deposition. These results show that MafB is an important regulator of C1q

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) for AKARI

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) is one of two focal plane instruments on the AKARI satellite. FIS has four photometric bands at 65, 90, 140, and 160 um, and uses two kinds of array detectors. The FIS arrays and optics are designed to sweep the sky with high spatial resolution and redundancy. The actual scan width is more than eight arcmin, and the pixel pitch is matches the diffraction limit of the telescope. Derived point spread functions (PSFs) from observations of asteroids are similar to the optical model. Significant excesses, however, are clearly seen around tails of the PSFs, whose contributions are about 30% of the total power. All FIS functions are operating well in orbit, and its performance meets the laboratory characterizations, except for the two longer wavelength bands, which are not performing as well as characterized. Furthermore, the FIS has a spectroscopic capability using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS). Because the FTS takes advantage of the optics and detectors of the photometer, it can simultaneously make a spectral map. This paper summarizes the in-flight technical and operational performance of the FIS.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures, and 2 tables. Accepted for publication in the AKARI special issue of the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japa

Research on the Mind and Body Reactions of Participants in Forest Therapy and Nordic Walking : The Reactions of Senior Citizens

Journal Article森林セラピーに参加したシルバー世代（60歳以上）の者は、唾液アミラーゼ活性値が森林セラピー実施前と比べて低下したことから、参加者の交感神経が沈静化したと考えられた。またPOMS(Profile of Mood States)（短縮版）を用いた分析からも心身のリラックス反応が認められた。一方、ノルディックウォーキングに参加した別のシルバー世代の者は、POMSの分析から森林セラピーと同様な心身のリラックス反応が認められた。しかし、唾液アミラーゼ活性値の上昇がみられ、交感神経優位の反応が認められた。このことから森林セラピー基地の自然豊かな環境がシルバー世代の者の気分によい影響を与えたが、運動の要素の強いノルディックウォーキングは身体への負荷による新たなストレスを発生させる可能性があり、年齢相応の運動量と個人の運動習慣に合わせたきめ細かな対応が求められることを示した。Considering the fact that the salivary amylase activity showed a decrease after forest therapy compared to before the therapy, it is believed that the sympathetic nerves have calmed in the aged who participated (age, ＞__－60) in the forest therapy. Furthermore, physical and mental relaxation responses were observed in the analysis using profile of mood states (POMS). Using POMS, we also observed similar responses in aged people who participated in Nordic Walking. However, an increase was observed in the amylase activity along with a sympathetic dominance response. Therefore, forest therapy, which is based on a nature-rich environment, had a positive influence on the mood of the elderly; however, with Nordic Walking, the element of exercise is strong, and thus there is a possibility of causing a new stress due to load on the body, indicating that there is a need for a finely-tuned response that is tailored to an age-appropriate amount of exercise and to the individual's exercise habits.原著論文journal articl

Long-period surface motion of the multi-patch Mw9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

We show that it is possible to capture the oscillatory ground motion induced by the Tohoku-Oki event for periods ranging from 3 to 100s using Precise Point Positioning (PPP). We find that the ground motions of the sedimentary basins of Japan were large (respectively > 0.15m/s and >0.15m/s2 for velocity and acceleration) even for periods larger than 3s. We compare geodetic observables with a Ground Motion Prediction Equation (GMPE) designed for Japan seismicity and find that the Spectral Acceleration (SA) is well estimated for periods larger than 3s and distances ranging from 100 to 500km. At last, through the analysis of the displacement attenuation plots, we show that the 2011 Tohoku-Oki event is likely composed of multiple rupture patches as suggested before by time-reversal inversions of seismic data

Primary Colonic Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma Presenting Carcinocythemia: An Autopsy Case

Primary colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare but distinctive type of mucin-producing adenocarcinoma of the large intestine with still controversial clinicopathological features and prognosis. We encountered primary colonic SRCC in a 51-year-old Japanese man with extensive bone metastasis ultimately leading to carcinocythemia before the initiation of chemotherapy and surgical intervention. Three days before death, besides progressive disseminated intravascular coagulation that had been present on admission, hematological examination showed sudden leukocytosis with nonhematopoietic cells that subsequently turned out to be signet ring cells (SRCs). Carcinocythemia, the presence of circulating cancer cells in peripheral blood, is considered to be a rare but an ominous phenomenon occurring in the advanced stage of certain types of cancers, particularly mammary lobular carcinoma. It can be assumed that carcinoma cells lacking intercellular cohesiveness and polarized cell membrane organization, including SRCs as well as lobular carcinoma cells, can readily get access to the peripheral circulation; however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of primary colorectal SRCC that presented carcinocythemia. Extensive bone metastatic sites, in the present case, may have functioned as a reservoir of circulating SRCs

卵巣子宮内膜症性嚢胞の嚢胞液鉄濃度が不妊に及ぼす影響について

The causes of infertility in women with endometriosis may range from anatomical distortions to various pathophysiological disturbances. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the cyst fluid (CF) concentration of iron on infertility in patients with ovarian endometrioma (OMA). Patients with histologically confirmed OMA were enrolled at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University Hospital between 2013 and 2019. The patients were divided into 2 groups, namely women experiencing current infertility (infertile group) and those without complaints of infertility (non‑infertile group). There were 2 types of patients in the infertile group: Patients who failed to achieve a clinical pregnancy following ≥12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse and those who had already been treated at fertility clinics. The CF concentration of iron was measured by the inductively coupled plasma‑optical emission spectrometry (ICP‑OES) method. The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 77 patients were enrolled in the present study. Among these, 32 (41.6%) patients had infertility. When compared with the non‑infertile women, the infertile women were significantly younger (median age, 35 years; range, 24‑47 years; vs. median age, 40 years; range, 21‑53 years; respectively; P=0.003). The CF concentrations of iron (median, 324.8 mg/l; range, 71.3‑1046.3 mg/l; vs. median, 226.5 mg/l; range, 65.3‑737.5 mg/l; respectively; P=0.019) were significantly higher in the infertile group compared with the non‑infertile group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age at diagnosis (≤38 years), the CF concentrations of iron (>326.6 mg/l) and the infertility index (iron/age ratio, >8.37) were independent risk factors for endometriosis‑related infertility. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (HR, 6.44; 95% CI, 2.06‑20.12) and iron (HR, 4.90; 95% CI, 1.48‑16.22) were independent factors for the identification of patients with OMA who presented with a complaint of infertility. In addition, the infertility index (iron/age ratio, >8.37; HR, 4.85; 95% CI, 1.01‑23.27) was an important predictor of infertility. ROC curve analysis also revealed that the areas under the ROC (AUC) for age, iron and infertility index were 0.699, 0.666 and 0.731, respectively. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that age at diagnosis and the CF concentration of iron may be potentially effective markers for predicting infertility in women with OMA.博士（医学）・乙第1500号・令和3年3月15日Copyright © Nagayasuet al. This is an open access article distributed under theterms of CreativeCommons Attribution License(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Adverse effects of inhaled sand dust particles on the respiratory organs of sheep and goats exposed to severe sand storms in Mongolia

Sand storms in Mongolia have increased in frequency and scale, resulting in increased exposure of the inhabitants of Asian countries, including Japan and Korea, to Asian sand dust (ASD), which results in adverse effects on the respiratory system. However, there is no information on the health risks of severe sand storms in domestic animals in Mongolia. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of sand dust particles on the respiratory organs, including the lungs and tracheobronchial lymph nodes, of sheep and goats exposed to severe sand storms in Mongolia. Seven adult sheep and 4 adult goats that had been exposed to sand storms and 3 sheep with no history of exposure were included in this study. Lung tissues and tracheobronchial lymph nodes were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. The mineralogical contents of the lungs and lymph nodes were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Fibrosis and granulomatous lesions comprising macrophages containing fine sand dust particles were observed exclusively in the lungs of sheep and goats exposed to sand storms. The activity of macrophages was also demonstrated by the presence of IL-6, TNF, and lysozyme. In addition, silicon, which is the major element of ASD (kosa aerosol), was detected exclusively in the lung tissues of the exposed animals. Our findings suggest that exposure to sand dust particles may affect the respiratory systems of domestic animals during their relatively short life span

Working from home and dietary changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of health app (CALO mama) users

It is plausible that the coronavirus disease pandemic and related changes in work and life patterns affected dietary patterns, but existing studies have limitations owing to a cross-sectional design. Using longitudinal data, we examined dietary changes in people due to the pandemic and work and life patterns. We conducted an online survey on changes in work and life patterns during the pandemic from April 30, 2020, to May 8, 2020, among users of a health app called CALO mama provided in Japan. We retrieved and linked the dietary data for 5929 participants from January 1, 2020, to May 13, 2020. Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the frequencies of food intake associated with the pandemic and work and life patterns. During the state of emergency, the frequency of intake of vegetables, beans, seaweeds, fish, meats, dairy products, and snacks increased, whereas alcohol intake decreased. Working from home was associated with increased intake of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and snacks but decreased intake of seaweeds, meats, and alcohol. Time spent on childcare was associated with decreased intake of vegetables and fruits but increased intake of meats. Probable depressive symptoms were negatively associated with the frequency of food intake other than snacks and alcohol. We conclude that diet quality improved during the pandemic in general, but attention must be paid to overconsumption of snacks and negative factors such as increased burden of childcare and depression for healthy eating