Precocious Gauge Symmetry Breaking in SU(6)×SU(2)RSU(6) \times SU(2)_R Model

In the $SU(6) \times SU(2)_R$ string-inspired model, we evolve the couplings and the masses down from the string scale $M_S$ using the renormalization group equations and minimize the effective potential. This model has the flavor symmetry including the binary dihedral group $\tilde{D}_4$. We show that the scalar mass squared of the gauge non-singlet matter field possibly goes negative slightly below the string scale. As a consequence, the precocious radiative breaking of the gauge symmetry down to the standard model gauge group can occur. In the present model, the large Yukawa coupling which plays an important role in the symmetry breaking is identical with the colored Higgs coupling related to the longevity of the proton.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figure

Penguin Effects on K Pi and PiPi Decays of the BB Meson

We give the detailed analyses for the gluonic-penguin effect on the \kp and \pp decays of the $B$ meson. In the standard model, it is shown that the ratio BR(B\A\kp)/BR(B\A\pp) takes the value $0.5\sim 3.0$ with the strongly depending on the CP violating phase $\phi$ and the KM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$. We obtain the constraint on the form factor by using the experimental branching ratio. It is also found that, in the two-Higgs-doublet model, the charged Higgs contribution which could enhance the B\A X_s\r decay does not a sizable effect on our processes. The effect of the final state interaction on these processes is also discussed.Comment: LATEX-file without figures. Figures will be sent by request to [email protected]

Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from Japanese healthy meals with different protein sources

IntroductionDiets that promote people’s health and environment-friendly are essential for achieving a sustainable society. Protein sources are the main contributors of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), and lower intakes of livestock meat and more intakes of poultry meat and legumes are recommended. Although Japanese consume less meat than other countries, it is unclear whether the GHGE of healthy Japanese meals is sufficient to solve climate change. In addition, most previous studies have focused on general household meals, not necessarily healthy meals. Therefore, we explored recommended food choices of protein sources in both healthy and environment-friendly meals.MethodsWe used data on healthy meals provided by retailers certified under the “Healthy Meal and Food Environment” Certification System. We first examined the number of main ingredients in the staple, main, and side dishes. We then compared the GHGE of meals with different combinations of main ingredients of main dishes (protein sources). To estimate the GHGE, we developed a database of GHGE per food weight for each food in the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan.ResultsData on a total of 509 meals were considered in the analysis. The mean ± standard deviation of the total GHGE of one meal was 1044.7 ± 614.9 g-CO2 eq/650 kcal. The minimum and maximum values were 412.5 and 4268.5 g-CO2 eq/650 kcal, respectively. Regarding meat, chicken was more likely to be used in meals with low GHGE.DiscussionThe healthy meals with the lowest GHGE in this study had the potential to contribute to solving climate change. Although healthy meals in this study were created with the same nutrient level criteria, a large difference existed between the minimum and maximum GHGE and it depends on the choice of protein ingredients. The findings may be useful to develop food guide for Japanese taking environmental perspectives into account

Immunological Risks Caused by Fibrous and Particulate Substances

The immunological risks caused by fibrous and particulate substances, especially the effects caused by asbestos fibers and silica particles, are discussed in this chapter. Patients with silicosis often suffer from autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–related vasculitis. Silica particles, SiO2, may influence directly various immune cells resulting in the production of many autoantibodies and imbalance between responder and regulatory T cells. The core chemical content of asbestos fibers is Si and O, although the physical feature is different. Considering the complications in asbestos-exposed patients, malignant tumors, such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma, are the most important. To think about these situations, asbestos fibers may cause the reduction of antitumor immunity. The experimental findings and measurements of various immunological parameters in silicosis patients, as well as asbestos-exposed population, such as patients with pleural plaque and mesothelioma, are demonstrated and discussed in this chapter

車椅子用レインコートの素材の違いが降水時の衣服内気候に及ぼす影響

The effects of two kinds of raincoat with different materials on physiological parameters and clothing microclimate inside raincoat under simulated rain conditions were studied at ambient temperature of 30℃ and a relative humidity of 80％ in five female participants, aged 19.6±0.5yrs. One kind of raincoat was made of nylon with coating and calendar finishing （A） and the other of the fabric laminated with nylon, polyurethane and knitted nylon with moisture permeable properties （B）. After they took a rest for 15min, water was sprinkled at the rate of 5mm/h for 20min, followed by 15min recovery. The main results are summarized as follows: （1）Skin temperatures on the chest and back were lower under sprinkling in B than in A. （2） Clothing microclimate absolute humidities on the back were significantly lower in B than in A. （3） Comfort sensation was better in B than in A. The raincoat B made the chest and back skin temperatures and microclimate absolute humidities inside the raincoat lower. The present findings suggest that the raincoat materials are of importance in improving the comfort sensation by reduction of microclimate humidity and trunk skin temperatures

Electric Dipole Moments of Neutron and Electron in Two-Higgs-Doublet Model with Maximal CPCP violation

We study the electric dipole moments(EDM) of the neutron and the electron in the two-Higgs-doublet model, in the case that $CP$ symmetry is violated maximally in the neutral Higgs sector. We take account of the Weinberg's operator O_{3g}=GG\t G as well as the operator $O_{qg}=\bar q\sigma\tilde Gq$ for the neutron, and the Barr-Zee diagrams for the electron. It is found that the predicted neutron EDM could be considerably reduced by the destructive contribution of the two Higgs scalars to get the lower value than the experimental bound. As to the electron EDM, the predicted value is smaller in one order than the experimental one.Comment: 15pages, UWThPh-1994-48, AUE-08-94, US-94-06. The post-script files of figures will be sent by request by electric mai

Autoantibodies in Silicosis Patients: Silica-Induced Dysregulation of Autoimmunity

Silica particles cause silicosis (SIL) and represent one of the most typical environmental and occupational substances that induce autoimmune disorders among the exposed population. Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-Sjögren’s-syndrome-related antigen A (SS-A), anti-centromere protein B (CENP)-B, and anti-scleroderma (Scl)-70 autoantibodies were examined in SIL and compared with those in healthy volunteers (HV) and patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Individuals with SIL were prone to autoimmune diseases and some autoantibodies seemed to be important as an estimation of this condition. Anti-Fas autoantibody found in SIL was functionally capable of inducing apoptosis in Fas-expressing cells, and this may cause a decrease of regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing Fas in SIL. Moreover, responder T cells (Tresps) in SIL seemed to be activated chronically and protected from Fas-mediated apoptosis. Thus, an imbalance of Tresps (dominant) and Tregs (less) occurred in SIL. All of these causes of SIL are ready to further develop autoimmune diseases