Toda Lattice Hierarchy and the Topological Description of the c=1 String Theory

The Toda lattice hierarchy is discussed in connection with the topological description of the $c=1$ string theory compactified at the self-dual radius. It is shown that when special constraints are imposed on the Toda hierarchy, it reproduces known results of the $c=1$ string theory, in particular the $W_{1+\infty}$ relations among tachyon correlation functions. These constraints are the analogues of string equations in the topological minimal theories. We also point out that at $c=1$ the Landau-Ginzburg superpotential becomes simply a $U(1)$ current operator.Comment: 11 pages, Latex file, UT-67

ヒト悪性黒色腫における細胞接着分子とインターロイキン2受容体の発現

This study investigated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), integrins and E-cadherin (E-CD) in vivo and in vitro melanoma cells and their adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as endothelial cells (HUVEC) in order to characterize the biological processes of melanoma invasion and metastasis. IL-2R was expressed in 21% of primary cutaneous melanoma, whereas 43% were positive in metastatic melanomas, suggesting that IL-2 may increase the growth of melanoma cells in certain subtypes. Integrin α2β1 was expressed highly in SK-MEL-118, and α2β1 was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner by TPA treatment. Furthermore, the phorbol ester, TPA-induced α2β1 was mediated by calmodulin kinase, but not by protein kinase C (PKC). However, the adherence of SK-MEL-118 to HUVEC treated with TPA was decreased by 40%, suggesting that TPA affects a signaling mechanism. E-CD expression in primary melanoma did not show any correlation with the tumor invasion indexes. It was, however, indicated that primary melanoma cells adhere to each other through E-CD and that its expression correlates with invasion

Geometric transitions, Chern-Simons gauge theory and Veneziano type amplitudes

We consider the geometric transition and compute the all-genus topological string amplitudes expressed in terms of Hopf link invariants and topological vertices of Chern-Simons gauge theory. We introduce an operator technique of 2-dimensional CFT which greatly simplifies the computations. We in particular show that in the case of local Calabi-Yau manifolds described by toric geometry basic amplitudes are written as vacuum expectation values of a product vertex operators and thus appear quite similar to the Veneziano amplitudes of the old dual resonance models. Topological string amplitudes can be easily evaluated using vertex operator algebra.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures, (v2,3) minor changes, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Topological Strings, Flat Coordinates and Gravitational Descendants

We discuss physical spectra and correlation functions of topological minimal models coupled to topological gravity. We first study the BRST formalism of these theories and show that their BRST operator $Q=Q_s+Q_v$ can be brought to $Q_s$ by a certain homotopy operator $U$, $UQU^{-1}=Q_s$ ($Q_s$ and $Q_v$ are the $N=2$ and diffeomorphism BRST operators, respectively). The reparametrization (anti)-ghost $b$ mixes with the supercharge operator $G$ under this transformation. Existence of this transformation enables us to use matter fields to represent cohomology classes of the operator $Q$. We explicitly construct gravitational descendants and show that they generate the higher-order KdV flows. We also evaluate genus-zero correlation functions and rederive basic recursion relations of two-dimensional topological gravity.Comment: 11 pages, phyzzx, UT-63

Up-regulation of ICAM-1 expression on human dermal fibroblasts by IFN β in the presence of TNF-α

AbstractUnstimulated human fibroblasts show low or undetectable ICAM-1 expression. Interferon-beta (IFN-β) at concentrations of 10,100, and 1000 IU/ml in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) significantly increased the ICAM-I expression of fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with IFN-β alone, however, did not up-regulate the ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore the attachment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to cytokine-treated fibroblasts was increased. This augmented attachment was partly inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 antibody. These results suggest that IFN-β and TNF-α may cooperatively modulate the attachment of PBMCs in the dermis

Cardiac sarcoidosis, the complete atrioventricular block of which was completely recovered by intravenous steroid pulse therapy

AbstractAtrioventricular block (AVB) in individuals with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is one of the major complications caused by inflammation of the conducting system of the heart, as a sign of worse prognosis. We report the case of a 53-year-old Japanese woman whose electrocardiogram showed complete AVB by the clinical diagnosis of CS. We administered intravenous methylpredonisolone (1g/day) for 3 days. On the second day of steroid pulse therapy, the complete AVB improved to sinus rhythm of 1st degree AVB and complete right bundle branch block. Normal sinus rhythm was then observed after oral steroid therapy. These results suggest that in cases of complete AVB, steroid pulse therapy with a strong anti-inflammatory effect may be recommended first.<Learning objective: This case illustrates a typical case of CS with complete AVB, but the cardiac contraction was normal. In this setting, steroid pulse therapy may be effective when (1) the active inflammation of the conduction system can be suppressed by steroid pulse therapy; (2) the time to start steroid therapy is short enough to recover.

Five-Dimensional Gauge Theories and Local Mirror Symmetry

We study the dynamics of 5-dimensional gauge theory on $M_4\times S^1$ by compactifying type II/M theory on degenerate Calabi-Yau manifolds. We use the local mirror symmetry and shall show that the prepotential of the 5-dimensional SU(2) gauge theory without matter is given exactly by that of the type II string theory compactified on the local ${\bf F}_2$, i.e. Hirzebruch surface ${\bf F}_2$ lying inside a non-compact Calabi-Yau manifold. It is shown that our result reproduces the Seiberg-Witten theory at the 4-dimensional limit $R\to 0$ ($R$ denotes the radius of $S^1$) and also the result of the uncompactified 5-dimensional theory at $R\to \infty$. We also discuss SU(2) gauge theory with $1\le N_f\le 4$ matter in vector representations and show that they are described by the geometry of the local ${\bf F}_2$ blown up at $N_f$ points.Comment: 18 pages, Latex, minor changes, a version to appear in Nucl.Phys.

Picard-Fuchs Equation and Prepotential of Five Dimensional SUSY Gauge Theory Compactified on a Circle

Five dimensional supersymmetric gauge theory compactified on a circle defines an effective N=2 supersymmetric theory for massless fields in four dimensions. Based on the relativistic Toda chain Hamiltonian proposed by Nekrasov, we derive the Picard-Fuchs equation on the moduli space of the Coulomb branch of SU(2) gauge theory. Our Picard-Fuchs equation agrees with those from other approaches; the spectral curve of XXZ spin chain and supersymmetric cycle in compactified M theory. By making use of a relation to the Picard-Fuchs equation of SU(2) Seiberg-Witten theory, we obtain the prepotential and the effective coupling constant that incorporate both a perturbative effect of Kaluza-Klein modes and a non-perturbative one of four dimensional instantons. In the weak coupling regime we check that the prepotential exhibits a consistent behavior in large and small radius limits of the circle.Comment: revised version, appendix E is enlarged, references are added, latex, 32 pages, 1 figure, documentstyle[12pt,eclepsf,a4]{article

Preventive behaviors and information sources during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Japan

BACKGROUND: individual preventive behaviors are one of the key measures needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This study sought to identify the factors associated with the adoption of COVID-19 preventive measures, focusing specifically on information sources. METHODS: we conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 30,053 Japanese adults in February 2021. The survey asked about socioeconomic, health-related, and psychological characteristics, attitudes toward immunization, and the use of information sources regarding COVID-19. We have constructed multivariable logistic regression to estimate the factors associated with the adoption of three preventive measures: 3Cs avoidance, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene. RESULTS: socioeconomic variables, psychological variables, and the use of information sources are significantly associated with the adoption of preventive measures. The more information sources one uses, the more likely one is to adopt preventive measures. Trust in healthcare professionals is positively associated with adopting preventive measures. On the other hand, negative correlations between trust in social media and preventive behaviors were observed. CONCLUSIONS: encouraging access to multiple information sources, utilizing communication channels, and modifying messaging according to target groups are essential to promote COVID-19 preventive measures

Tyrphostin AG 1478 Accelerates Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Apoptosis in A431 Cells

Oxidative stress is a potent inducer of apoptosis and activates protein tyrosine kinases and cytokine receptors, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Previous studies suggest that cytokine receptors are potential effectors for anti-apoptotic signals, but it has not previously been determined whether cytokine receptors regulate down-stream protein kinases. To investigate the role of EGFR on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and its downstream protein kinases, we blocked EGFR activation with Tyrphostin AG1478, a highly selective EGFR inhibitor. We determined that Tyrphostin AG1478 accelerated hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in A431 cells, with activation of caspases 3 and 9, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Hydrogen peroxide induced-activation of EGFR, Akt/PKB, MAPK, and Bad (both Ser-112 and Ser-136 residues) were inhibited by Tyrphostin AG1478. These results suggest that early upstream signaling events, such as EGFR activation, exert anti-apoptotic effects by regulating MAPK, Akt/PKB, and phosphorylation of Bad