Higher-Rank Supersymmetric Models and Topological Field Theory

In the first part of this paper we investigate the operator aspect of higher-rank supersymmetric model which is introduced as a Lie theoretic extension of the $N=2$ minimal model with the simplest case $su(2)$ corresponding to the $N=2$ minimal model. In particular we identify the analogs of chirality conditions and chiral ring. In the second part we construct a class of topological conformal field theories starting with this higher-rank supersymmetric model. We show the BRST-exactness of the twisted stress-energy tensor, find out physical observables and discuss how to make their correlation functions. It is emphasized that in the case of $su(2)$ the topological field theory constructed in this paper is distinct from the one obtained by twisting the $N=2$ minimal model through the usual procedure.Comment: 39 pages (harvmac unreduced, figures included), KEK-TH-336, KEK preprint 92-42, (unix shell archive files

Two-dimensional Lattice Gross-Neveu Model with Wilson Fermion Action at Finite Temperature and Chemical Potential

We investigate the phase structure of the two-dimensional lattice Gross-Neveu model formulated with the Wilson fermion action to leading order of 1/N expansion. Structural change of the parity-broken phase under the influence of finite temperature and chemical potential is studied. The connection between the lattice phase structure and the chiral phase transition of the continuum theory is clarified.Comment: 42 pages, 20 EPS figures, using REVTe

DOCK2 is involved in the host genetics and biology of severe COVID-19

「コロナ制圧タスクフォース」COVID-19疾患感受性遺伝子DOCK2の重症化機序を解明 --アジア最大のバイオレポジトリーでCOVID-19の治療標的を発見--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-08-10.Identifying the host genetic factors underlying severe COVID-19 is an emerging challenge. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 2, 393 cases of COVID-19 in a cohort of Japanese individuals collected during the initial waves of the pandemic, with 3, 289 unaffected controls. We identified a variant on chromosome 5 at 5q35 (rs60200309-A), close to the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 gene (DOCK2), which was associated with severe COVID-19 in patients less than 65 years of age. This risk allele was prevalent in East Asian individuals but rare in Europeans, highlighting the value of genome-wide association studies in non-European populations. RNA-sequencing analysis of 473 bulk peripheral blood samples identified decreased expression of DOCK2 associated with the risk allele in these younger patients. DOCK2 expression was suppressed in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis (n = 61 individuals) identified cell-type-specific downregulation of DOCK2 and a COVID-19-specific decreasing effect of the risk allele on DOCK2 expression in non-classical monocytes. Immunohistochemistry of lung specimens from patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed suppressed DOCK2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of DOCK2 function with CPYPP increased the severity of pneumonia in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by weight loss, lung oedema, enhanced viral loads, impaired macrophage recruitment and dysregulated type I interferon responses. We conclude that DOCK2 has an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19, and could be further explored as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target

Progress on performance tests of ITER gyrotrons and design of dual-frequency gyrotrons for ITER staged operation plan

This paper presents the progress of performance tests of ITER gyrotrons developed at QST and the design of dual-frequency (170 GHz and 104 GHz) gyrotrons to enhance various operation scenarios in ITER, such as characteristics studies of H-mode/ELM at low magnetic fields. The major achievements in developing the ITER gyrotrons are as follows: (i) manufacturing of eight ITER gyrotrons and their auxiliary components has been completed. Performance tests at QST have been progressing and four of the eight gyrotrons achieved the required test criteria—1 MW/300 s/50%, 5 kHz modulation with > 0.8 MW. Excitation of LP01 mode having a purity of > 95% was also successfully demonstrated using a 50 mm-diameter waveguide transmission line, satisfying the specification. (ii) The design of dual-frequency gyrotrons capable of 1 MW continuous-wave operation, was successfully completed

Eosinophilic Myocarditis due to Toxocariasis: Not a Rare Cause

Myocarditis is a clinically important disease because of the high mortality. From the perspective of treatment strategy, eosinophilic myocarditis should be distinguished from other types of myocarditis. Toxocariasis, caused by Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati, is known as a cause of eosinophilic myocarditis but is considered rare. As it is an unpopular disease, eosinophilic myocarditis due to toxocariasis may be underdiagnosed. We experienced two cases of eosinophilic myocarditis due to toxocariasis from different geographical areas in quick succession between 2013 and 2014. Case 1 is 32-year-old man. Case 2 is 66-year-old woman. In both cases, diagnosis was done by endomyocardial biopsy and IgG-ELISA against Toxocara excretory-secretory antigen. Only a corticosteroid was used in Case  1, whereas a corticosteroid and albendazole were used in Case  2 as induction therapy. Both patients recovered. Albendazole was also used in Case  1 to prevent recurrence after induction therapy. Eosinophilic myocarditis by toxocariasis may in actuality not be a rare disease, and corticosteroid is an effective drug as induction therapy even before use of albendazole

Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Mg(2+) Stimulon of Escherichia coli

Transcription profile microarray analysis in Escherichia coli was performed to identify the member genes of the Mg(2+) stimulon that respond to the availability of external Mg(2+) in a PhoP/PhoQ two-component system-dependent manner. The mRNA levels of W3110 in the presence of 30 mM MgCl(2), WP3022 (phoP defective), and WQ3007 (phoQ defective) were compared with those of W3110 in the absence of MgCl(2). The expression ratios of a total of 232 genes were <0.75 in all three strains (the supplemental data are shown at http://www.nara.kindai.ac.jp/nogei/seiken/array.html), suggesting that the PhoP/PhoQ system is involved directly or indirectly in the transcription of these genes. Of those, 26 contained the PhoP box-like sequences with the direct repeats of (T/G)GTTTA within 500 bp upstream of the initiation codon. Furthermore, S1 nuclease assays of 26 promoters were performed to verify six new Mg(2+) stimulon genes, hemL, nagA, rstAB, slyB, vboR, and yrbL, in addition to the phoPQ, mgrB, and mgtA genes reported previously. In gel shift and DNase I footprinting assays, all of these genes were found to be regulated directly by PhoP. Thus, we concluded that the phoPQ, mgrB, mgtA, hemL, nagA, rstAB, slyB, vboR, and yrbL genes make up the Mg(2+) stimulon in E. coli

A case of mixed connective tissue disease complicated with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

A 54-year-old female was diagnosed as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) complicated with secondary Sjogren\u27s syndrome. Although she had no dyspnea on exertion, the chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly with interstitial pneumonia. The echocardiogram demonstrated asymmetric hypertrophy of the interventricular septum. Diagnosis of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) was confirmed by left ventriculography and myocardial biopsy. She was treated with prednisolone, resulting in improvement of swollen hand, elevated muscle enzymes and interstitial pneumonia. A rare complication of HOCM with MCTD was described