An ultradiscrete integrable map arising from a pair of tropical elliptic pencils

We present a tropical geometric description of a piecewise linear map whose invariant curve is a concave polygon. In contrast to convex polygons, a concave one is not directly related to tropical geometry; nevertheless the description is given in terms of the addition formula of a tropical elliptic curve. We show that the map is arising from a pair of tropical elliptic pencils each member of which is the invariant curve of the ultradiscrete QRT map.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

A Brief Study of the Semantic Structure and Cognitive Characteristics of the Whale-Construction

本論では， Langackerの認知文法の枠組みに沿って， A whale is no more a fish than a horse is. に代表される， いわゆる「クジラ構文」と呼ばれるNo more A than B 構文の下位構文を取り上げ． その個々の構成要素の意味構造から成る合成構造を記述することで． その構文で実際に言語化された「意味論的意味」の構造を明らかにする。 その上で，「文全体の意味は個々の構成要 素（部分）の意味の総和以上のものである」という構文のゲシュタルト性を考慮した「構文的意味」が．「意味論的意味」とどのような点において異なるのかを検討する。 つまり．「クジラ構文」の「構文的意味」に反映している認知の特徴的なあり方には. 2種類の互いに対照的なカテゴリ ー化が関係していると考える。 最後に． そうしたカテゴリー化の仕方の違いとthanに後続する命題の典型性条件（ここでは． 後行命題が明らかにく偽＞であるという制約）が． 当該構文の「構 文的意味」の創発にどのように関わるのかについて議論する。 その際，「クジラ構文」という発話における対話者間のやりとりを「レトリック」という観点から捉え直し． それが当該構文の新しい特徴づけであると主張する。 つまり． 聞き手の誤信念を修正するために「レトリック」が効果的に用いられ． それが構文特有の「修辞的効果」として特徴づけられることを示す。This paper focuses primarily on how to describe the semantic structure of what is called the whale-­ construction (a subordinate construction of No more A than B construction) based on the framework proposed originally by Ronald W. Langacker (I 987, I 99 I). According to the semantic structure models he proposed as a basis of Cognitive Grammar (CG), we will describe the component structures that are combined to form composite structures at higher levels and try to make the meanings of such structures clear. To specify the missing link between the construction\u27s semantic meaning and constructional meaning, we will investigate under which conditions the emergence of such a constructional meaning is possible. In the course of the discussion, cognitive characteristics reflected in the construction will tum out to lie in two distinct types of categorizations, and then it will be shown how these two categorizations and the constraints placed on the proposition following than (that is, the conditions for its apparent falseness) are closely related to the emergence of the constructional meanings of the whale-construction. Finally, we will reconsider the interaction between the interlocutors in a situation in which the whale-construction is uttered by a speaker to confirm that it is newly defined from such a perspective as a rhetorical expression (i.e., "a rhetoric"). That is to say, the speaker effectively uses such a rhetorical expression to change the hearer\u27s false belief into a true one. This is the distinct function of the construction and should be characterized as a rhetorical effect

Cyclosporine A and FK506 as Potent Inhibitors of Streptococcus intermedius Intermedilysin-Induced NFAT-1 Activation

Cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506), a member of calcineurin inhibitors, inhibit inflammation process as part of immune response. Nuclear activated T cells subfamily NFAT1 is a trascription factor responsible for the regulation of immune response genes. Streptococcus intermedius, an oral commensal bacterium, has been shown to strongly associate with liver abscess.  The S. intermedius strains produce intermedilysin (ILY), which is responsible for the bacterial virulence. Cyclosporine A and FK506 have been widely used to control NFAT activation in most of cell types, however the ability of CsA and FK506 to inhibit ILY-induced NFAT1 activation remains to be investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CsA and FK506 on NFAT1 activation caused by ILY. Human cholangiocellular cell line HuCCT1 was stimulated with various concentrations of ILY. The cell and nuclear morphological change was observed by microscopy analysis. The NFAT1 nuclear translocation that indicates its activation was detected by immunocytochemistry. The inhibitory effect of CsA and FK506 was tested after 30 min application before ILY treatment by using immunofluorescence microscope. The results showed cell and nuclear shrinkage in ILY-treated cells. The NFAT1 was translocated to the nuclei in HuCCT1 cells, and observed in dose dependent manner.  Cyclosporine A and FK506 inhibited ILY-induced NFAT1 nuclear translocation.  In conclusion, CsA and FK506 may act as potent inflammation control agents in S. intermedius ILY-infected cells.Keywords: Cyclosporine A, FK506, NFAT1, intermedilysi

Segmental mobility with spondylolisthesis

Purpose : To evaluate segmental mobility with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS), upright lateral flexion-extension radiographs (FE) are widely used. However, some authors have described that a combination of lateral radiographs in the standing position and supine sagittal image (SS) reveal more segmental mobility than FE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal method for evaluating segmental mobility with DLS. Methods : We included 92 consecutive Japanese patients diagnosed with DLS. Sagittal translation (ST) determined by FE and SS were compared. Pathological instability was defined as ST more than 8% of the upper vertebra. Patients were divided into those diagnosed with pathological instability in FE (PI-FE) and those diagnosed with SS (PI-SS), and lumbar lordosis (LL) in the standing position in each group were compared. Results : ST in FE was significantly greater than in SS. Of 92 patients, 31 had pathological instability in FE or SS ; 17 patients had PI-FE, and 10 patients had PI-SS. LL in the standing position in PI-FE was significantly smaller than in PI-SS. Conclusions : ST in FE was greater than that in SS, contrary to previous studies’ reports on Caucasians. Since Japanese individuals have smaller LL than Caucasians, FE tends to reveal more segmental mobility than SS

Type III Cu mutants of Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase

金沢大学理工研究域物質化学系Type III Cu ligand, His456 and His458, of Myrothecium verrucaria (MT-1) bilirubin oxidases (BO) [EC 1.3.3.5] were doubly mutated as to Lys, Asp, and Val. In spite of perturbation of the type III Cu centers, these mutants were pale blue or colourless when isolated. However, they became intense blue on reaction with reducing agents such as dithionite, ascorbate, hexacyanoferrate(II), and octacyanotangstate(IV) under air, or with an oxidizing agent such as hexacyanoferrate(III), indicating that they are in mixed forms when expressed in Aspergillus oryzae. His456.458Lys and His456.458Asp mutated as to potential coordinating groups showed weak BO and ferroxidase activities, while His 456.458Val mutated as to non-coordinating groups showed no enzyme activity at all

UBC13-Mediated Ubiquitin Signaling Promotes Removal of Blocking Adducts from DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Chemical modifications and adducts at DNA double-strand break (DSB) ends must be cleaned before re-joining by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). MRE11 nuclease is essential for efficient removal of Topoisomerase II (TOP2)-DNA adducts from TOP2 poison-induced DSBs. However, mechanisms in MRE11 recruitment to DSB sites in G1 phase remain poorly understood. Here, we report that TOP2-DNA adducts are expeditiously removed through UBC13-mediated polyubiquitination, which promotes DSB resection in G2 phase. We found that this ubiquitin signaling is required for efficient recruitment of MRE11 onto DSB sites in G1 by facilitating localization of RAP80 and BRCA1 to DSB sites and complex formation between BRCA1 and MRE11 at DSB sites. UBC13 and MRE11 are dispensable for restriction-enzyme-induced "clean" DSBs repair but responsible for over 50% and 70% of NHEJ-dependent repair of γ-ray-induced "dirty" DSBs, respectively. In conclusion, ubiquitin signaling promotes nucleolytic removal of DSB blocking adducts by MRE11 before NHEJ

Serum High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level and Lifestyle Habits among Japanese Junior High School Students

Article信州医学雑誌 61(4):205-215(2013)journal articl