High resolution X-ray computed tomographic (CT) images of chondrites and a chondrule

In order to study internal textures of meteorites, images were obtained by X-ray computer tomography (CT). This combined high resolution X-ray radiography and computer tomography system belongs to the so-called third generation type with a micro-focus X-ray source and a linear CCD detector with 2048 elements. This allows a spacial resolution of a few μm in the images. Samples examined include the Moorabie meteorite (L3), Allende meteorite (CV3), and a chondrule removed from Allende meteorite. In images, Fe-Ni alloy, troilite, and silicates can be distinguished clearly, and chondrules can be resolved from their Fe-rich rims in Moorabie meteorite. In Allende Fe-Ni alloy, pentlandite, and silicates can be distinguished, and chondrules, CAI\u27s, and matrix can be recognized. Many euhedral crystals, probably olivine and/or pyroxene, were identified in a chondrule, suggesting that the chondrule has a porphyritic texture. In addition to minerals or their assemblages, holes can be identified by the X-ray CT method and were found in chondrules in Allende

Transcript levels of the nuclear-encoded respiratory genes in rice decrease by oxygen deprivation: evidence for involvement of calcium in expression of the alternative oxidase 1a gene

AbstractWe investigated the effect of oxygen on the expressions of respiratory genes encoded in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Hypoxic treatment decreased the transcript levels of nuclear-encoded, but not mitochondrial-encoded respiratory genes. The effects of ruthenium red (an inhibitor of Ca2+ fluxes from organelles) and/or CaCl2 on plants under hypoxic conditions suggested that Ca2+ is a physiological transducer of a low-oxygen signaling pathway for expression of the alternative oxidase 1a gene (AOX1a), but not for expressions of genes involved in the cytochrome respiratory pathway, in rice

Scalable Federated Learning for Clients with Different Input Image Sizes and Numbers of Output Categories

Federated learning is a privacy-preserving training method which consists of training from a plurality of clients but without sharing their confidential data. However, previous work on federated learning do not explore suitable neural network architectures for clients with different input images sizes and different numbers of output categories. In this paper, we propose an effective federated learning method named ScalableFL, where the depths and widths of the local models for each client are adjusted according to the clients' input image size and the numbers of output categories. In addition, we provide a new bound for the generalization gap of federated learning. In particular, this bound helps to explain the effectiveness of our scalable neural network approach. We demonstrate the effectiveness of ScalableFL in several heterogeneous client settings for both image classification and object detection tasks.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure, 2023 22nd International Conference on Machine Learning and Applications (ICMLA

Influence of Finishing/Polishing Procedures on the Surface Texture of Two Resin Composites

This study compared surface roughness and gloss produced by different finishing/polishing procedures for two resin composites, Clearfil AP-X (AP-X) and Estelite Σ (ES). A total of 70 composite discs (n=35 for each resin composite) were prepared and divided at random into seven finishing/polishing groups (n=5): glass-pressed control; using a super-fine-grit diamond bur (SF); using CompoMaster (CM) after SF-finishing (SF+CM); using White Point (WP) after SF-finishing (SF+WP); using CM after SF+WP-finishing (SF+WP+CM); using Stainbuster (SB) after SF-finishing (SF+SB); and using CM after SF+SB-finishing (SF+SB+CM). After the finishing/polishing procedures, average surface roughness (Ra) and surface gloss (Gs(60°)) of all specimens were assessed with a surface profilometer and specimen gloss meter, respectively. Glass-pressed controls for both AP-X and ES composites showed the best surface finish in terms of both Ra and Gs(60°). SF-finishing produced the roughest surface and led to almost complete loss of gloss. While additional polishing with CM reduced Ra and increased Gs(60°), the additional finishing effect of WP or SB between SF-finishing and CM-polishing was not found for either AP-X or ES

A novel plant nuclear gene encoding chloroplast ribosomal protein S9 has a transit peptide related to that of rice chloroplast ribosomal protein L12

AbstractWe have cloned a novel nuclear gene for a ribosomal protein of rice and Arabidopsis that is like the bacterial ribosomal protein S9. To determine the subcellular localization of the gene product, we fused the N-terminal region and green fluorescent protein and expressed it transiently in rice seedlings. Localized fluorescence was detectable only in chloroplasts, indicating that this nuclear gene encodes chloroplast ribosomal protein S9. The N-terminal region of rice ribosomal protein S9 was found to have a high sequence similarity to the transit peptide region of the rice chloroplast ribosomal protein L12, suggesting that these transit peptides have a common lineage

Quasi-elastic neutron scattering studies on fast dynamics of water molecules in tetra-n-butylammonium bromide semiclathrate hydrate

The dynamics of the water molecules in tetra-n-butyl-d36-ammonium bromide semiclathrate hydrate were investigated by quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS). The QENS results clearly revealed afast reorientation motion of water molecules in the temperature range of 212–278 K. The mean jumpdistance of hydrogen atoms was within 1.5‒2.0 Å. The relaxation time of water reorientation wasestimated to be 100‒410 ps with activation energy of 10.2±5.8 kJ·mol-1. The activation energy wasin good agreement with the cleavage energy of hydrogen bonds. Such a short relaxation time ofwater reorientation is possibly due to strong interaction between a bromide anion and its surroundingwater molecules (similar to so-called negative hydration), which suggests a unique strategy fordesigning efficient, safe, and inexpensive proton conductors having the framework of semiclathratehydrates.Shimada Jin, Tani Atsushi, Yamada Takeshi, et al. "Quasi-elastic neutron scattering studies on fast dynamics of water molecules in tetra-n-butylammonium bromide semiclathrate hydrate", Applied Physics Letters 123, 50 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0157560

Contribution of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone to Cerebellar Long-Term Depression and Motor Learning

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) regulates various physiological activities through activation of receptors expressed in a broad range of cells in the central nervous system. The cerebellum expresses TRH receptors in granule cells and molecular layer interneurons. However, the function of TRH in the cerebellum remains to be clarified. Here, using TRH knockout (KO) mice we studied the role of TRH in the cerebellum. Immunohistochemistry showed no gross morphological differences between KO mice and wild-type (WT) littermates in the cerebellum. In the rotarod test, the initial performance of KO mice was comparable to that of WT littermates, but the learning speed of KO mice was significantly lower than that of WT littermates, suggesting impaired motor learning. The motor learning deficit in KO mice was rescued by intraperitoneal injection of TRH. Electrophysiology revealed absence of long-term depression (LTD) at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in KO mice, which was rescued by bath-application of TRH. TRH was shown to increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content in the cerebellum. Since nitric oxide (NO) stimulates cGMP synthesis in the cerebellum, we examined whether NO-cGMP pathway was involved in TRH-mediated LTD rescue in KO mice. Pharmacological blockade of NO synthase and subsequent cGMP production prevented TRH-induced LTD expression in KO mice, whereas increase in cGMP signal in Purkinje cells by 8-bromoguanosine cyclic 3’,5’-monophosphate, a membrane-permeable cGMP analog, restored LTD without TRH application. These results suggest that TRH is involved in cerebellar LTD presumably by upregulating the basal cGMP level in Purkinje cells, and, consequently, in motor learning