Search for sub-eV scalar and pseudoscalar resonances via four-wave mixing with a laser collider

The quasi-parallel photon-photon scattering by combining two-color laser fields is an approach to produce resonant states of low-mass fields in laboratory. In this system resonances can be probed via the four-wave mixing process in the vacuum. A search for scalar and pseudoscalar fields was performed by combining 9.3 $\mu$J/0.9 ps Ti-Sapphire laser and 100 $\mu$J/9 ns Nd:YAG laser. No significant signal of four-wave mixing was observed. We provide the upper limits on the coupling-mass relation for scalar and pseudoscalar fields, respectively, at a 95\% confidence level in the mass region below 0.15~eV.Comment: Accepted by Prog. Theor. Exp. Phy

Transgenic up-regulation of alpha-CaMKII in forebrain leads to increased anxiety-like behaviors and aggression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have demonstrated essential roles for alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alpha-CaMKII) in learning, memory and long-term potentiation (LTP). However, previous studies have also shown that alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice display a dramatic decrease in anxiety-like and fearful behaviors, and an increase in defensive aggression. These findings indicated that alpha-CaMKII is important not only for learning and memory but also for emotional behaviors. In this study, to understand the roles of alpha-CaMKII in emotional behavior, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing alpha-CaMKII in the forebrain and analyzed their behavioral phenotypes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We generated transgenic mice overexpressing alpha-CaMKII in the forebrain under the control of the alpha-CaMKII promoter. In contrast to alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, alpha-CaMKII overexpressing mice display an increase in anxiety-like behaviors in open field, elevated zero maze, light-dark transition and social interaction tests, and a decrease in locomotor activity in their home cages and novel environments; these phenotypes were the opposite to those observed in alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice. In addition, similarly with alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, alpha-CaMKII overexpressing mice display an increase in aggression. However, in contrast to the increase in defensive aggression observed in alpha-CaMKII (+/-) heterozygous knockout mice, alpha-CaMKII overexpressing mice display an increase in offensive aggression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Up-regulation of alpha-CaMKII expression in the forebrain leads to an increase in anxiety-like behaviors and offensive aggression. From the comparisons with previous findings, we suggest that the expression levels of alpha-CaMKII are associated with the state of emotion; the expression level of alpha-CaMKII positively correlates with the anxiety state and strongly affects aggressive behavior.</p

Long-term follow-up of production of IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among patients with COVID-19

The patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） produce IgM and IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 （SARS-CoV-2）. However, the frequency and duration of antibody production still need to be fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the duration of antibody production after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were monitored over twelve months for the production of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies, and the characteristics of these patients were examined. Forty-five patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were enrolled, and thirty-four patients were followed up until they tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies or up to twelve months after the date of a negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction （PCR） result. The positivity rates of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies were 27.3％ and 68.2％ when SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative, 20.6％ and 70.6％ after one month, 8.8％ and 52.9％ after three months, and 0.0％ and 14.7％ after six months, respectively. Moreover, we compared patients with milder conditions who did not require oxygen administration with those with severe conditions which required oxygen administration. The positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was significantly higher in patients with severe conditions than in those with milder conditions on the date of a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR result and after one month and three months, but not after six months. Patients with more severe COVID-19 produced more SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Moreover, it is suggested that the duration of IgG antibody production is independent of COVID-19 severity

Olfactory neuroblastoma : the long-term outcome and late toxicity of multimodal therapy including radiotherapy based on treatment planning using computed tomography

Background: Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare tumor originating from olfactory epithelium. Here we retrospectively analyzed the long-term treatment outcomes and toxicity of radiotherapy for ONB patients for whom computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional treatment planning was conducted to reappraise the role of radiotherapy in the light of recent advanced technology and chemotherapy. Methods: Seventeen patients with ONB treated between July 1992 and June 2013 were included. Three patients were Kadish stage B and 14 were stage C. All patients were treated with radiotherapy with or without surgery or chemotherapy. The radiation dose was distributed from 50 Gy to 66 Gy except for one patient who received 40 Gy preoperatively. Results: The median follow-up time was 95 months (range 8-173 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were estimated at 88% and 74%, respectively. Five patients with stage C disease had recurrence with the median time to recurrence of 59 months (range 7-115 months). Late adverse events equal to or above Grade 2 in CTCAE v4.03 were observed in three patients. Conclusion: Multimodal therapy including radiotherapy with precise treatment planning based on CT simulation achieved an excellent local control rate with acceptable toxicity and reasonable overall survival for patients with ONB

Evaluation of Global Warming Mitigation Policies with a Dynamic World Energy-economic Model Considering Changes in Industrial Structures by IT Penetration

This study aims to reveal their impacts of changes in the industrial structures and the rapid IT (Information Technology) penetration on economic activities and energy systems under CO2 emission constraints by using a dynamic world energy-economic model, namely, DEARS (Dynamic Energy-economic model with multi-Regions and multi-Sectors). This model deals with 18 divided regions and 18 non-energy sectors by integrating top-down economy and bottom-up energy system modules to assess global warming mitigation policies. The energy module of DEARS comprises seven types of primary energy sources and four types of secondary energy with the consideration of CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage). Simulation studies, combining the carbon emission policies with the input-output coefficient scenarios, are conducted: the climate policies consist of the non-climate policy case and the two constraint cases meeting the IPCC-S550 or -S450 ppmv stabilizations, and the input-output scenarios consist of the fixed coefficient case and the two variable coefficients cases with consideration of changes in industrial structures and rapid IT (information technology) penetration. The results suggest that the carbon stabilization policies and the evolutions of industrial structures and IT lead not only to changes in energy systems but also the shift to lower carbon and energy intensity, and higher value-added industry. This indicates that the post-heavy industrial structures by the IT penetration will leads to sustainable economic developments

Development of a multi regional, multi sector economy-energy model for the assessments of climate change policy

The purpose of this study is to assess climate change policies with a newly developed model which is capable of dealing with the changes in the energy systems and the industrial structure up to the middle of this century. Most of the assessments based on multi-sector economic models have mainly focused on the near future around 2020 while existing energy system models mainly address the long term up to 2100 and beyond. In addition, most of the economic models have mainly discussed country level while global climate policy models have the world disaggregated into 10-15 regions. In the past studies, intensive discussion was not made on globalization, industrial structure changes etc., which are important in the global environmental context. It is necessary to incorporate the industry structure changes for multi-regions to assess the longer term and global issue of carbon emission reduction potentials. The GTAP (Global Trade Analysis Project) model, which has a comprehensive and consistent world economic database, is a quantitative system that has been widely used for the economic analysis on the international trade and impacts across various sectors. In this study, we integrated the static GTAP model and an energy technology assessment model, extending it to a dynamic model to assess the dynamics of the technologies and economy under climate policy. We formulated the model as an optimization model to evaluate the technology and policy options while the original GTAP model is a general equilibrium model without an objective function. The model described in this study has 18 economic sectors and 8 energy sectors, dividing the world into 18 regions. Carbon emission reduction strategies are evaluated for the multi-regions and multi-sectors up to the mid-century with the new model

Leaf Photosynthesis and Its Genetic Improvement from the Perspective of Energy Flow and CO2 Diffusion

Single-leaf photosynthesis is a fundamental process in plant biomass production, and is a major research topic in crop physiology. This paper reviews the recent achievements of research on the physiological determinants of the photosynthetic capacity from the perspective of energy flow and CO2 diffusion. Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence is a popular method to diagnose the function of photosystem II, and is useful to assess the susceptibility to photoinhibition and allocation of energy, which are keys to improving both stress resistance and photosynthetic productivity. Mesophyll conductance (gm) is the conductance to CO2 diffusion from intercellular airspaces to the chloroplast, and was long thought to be determined by leaf anatomical properties. However, recent studies showed that environmental conditions affect g m. It is possible that g m is affected by the gating of the CO2-permeable aquaporins (cooporins). Stomatal morphology is revealed to be an important factor affecting gas exchange both in crop plants and inArabidopsis thaliana.The knowledge of the stomatal differentiation in Arabidopsis will be applicable to various crops. gm, stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf nitrogen content are the main factors to cause difference in leaf photosynthesis among rice lines, and recent activities are conducted to find genes to manipulate these factors. Although the association of leaf photosynthesis with crop productivity still has a large ‘missing link’, these achievements strongly suggest that the leaf photosynthetic capacity can be genetically improved in crop species