Synergistic Formation of Radicals by Irradiation with Both Vacuum Ultraviolet and Atomic Hydrogen: A Real-Time In Situ Electron Spin Resonance Study

We report on the surface modification of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as an example of soft- and bio-materials that occur under plasma discharge by kinetics analysis of radical formation using in situ real-time electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. During irradiation with hydrogen plasma, simultaneous measurements of the gas-phase ESR signals of atomic hydrogen and the carbon dangling bond (C-DB) on PTFE were performed. Dynamic changes of the C-DB density were observed in real time, where the rate of density change was accelerated during initial irradiation and then became constant over time. It is noteworthy that C-DBs were formed synergistically by irradiation with both vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and atomic hydrogen. The in situ real-time ESR technique is useful to elucidate synergistic roles during plasma surface modification.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

The G-Protein β3 subunit 825 TT genotype is associated with epigastric pain syndrome-like dyspepsia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although familial clustering of functional dyspepsia (FD) has been reported, the role of genetics in the susceptibility to FD is still not well understood. Several reports indicate an association between FD and G-protein β3 (GNB3) subunit gene polymorphism (C825T); however, these studies had small sample sizes and the findings are inconclusive. In the present study we clarified the association between GNB3 gene polymorphism and dyspepsia in a large population of Japanese subjects who visited a hospital for annual health check-up.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects with significant upper gastrointestinal findings were excluded. Subjects with dyspeptic symptoms were divided into either a postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) group or an epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) group according to the Rome III criteria. The presence of the GNB3 C825T polymorphism was then evaluated and logistic regression analysis was used to test all variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The GNB3 genotype distribution in subjects without dyspepsia was 191 CC (25.1%), 368 TC (48.4%), and 202 TT (26.5%) and 17 CC (25.0%), 29 TC (42.6%), and 22 TT (32.4%) in subjects with dyspepsia. No significant correlation was found between the GNB3 825TT genotype and dyspepsia. However, the TT genotype was significantly associated with subjects with EPS-like symptoms (odds ratio (OR) = 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.07-3.76) compared to the CT/CC genotype adjusted for gender and age. No significant correlation was found between GNB3 polymorphism and PDS-like symptoms (OR = 0.68, 95% CI; 0.31-1.51). With the exclusion of subjects with both EPS- and PDS-like symptoms, only the TT genotype was significantly associated with EPS-like symptoms (OR = 2.73, 95% CI; 1.23-5.91).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The homozygous GNB3 825T allele influences the susceptibility to EPS-like dyspepsia.</p

Production of Slow Protonium in Vacuum

We describe how protonium, the quasi-stable antiproton-proton bound system, has been synthesized following the interaction of antiprotons with the molecular ion H$_2^+$ in a nested Penning trap environment. From a careful analysis of the spatial distributions of antiproton annihilation events in the ATHENA experiment, evidence is presented for protonium production with sub-eV kinetic energies in states around $n$ = 70, with low angular momenta. This work provides a new 2-body system for study using laser spectroscopic techniques.Comment: 9 pages with 5 figures and 1 table. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Trapped Charged Particles and Fundamental Physics (TCP 06), published in Hyperfine Interaction

Defining the Cellular Environment in the Organ of Corti following Extensive Hair Cell Loss: A Basis for Future Sensory Cell Replacement in the Cochlea

Background: Following the loss of hair cells from the mammalian cochlea, the sensory epithelium repairs to close the lesions but no new hair cells arise and hearing impairment ensues. For any cell replacement strategy to be successful, the cellular environment of the injured tissue has to be able to nurture new hair cells. This study defines characteristics of the auditory sensory epithelium after hair cell loss. Methodology/Principal Findings: Studies were conducted in C57BL/6 and CBA/Ca mice. Treatment with an aminoglycoside-diuretic combination produced loss of all outer hair cells within 48 hours in both strains. The subsequent progressive tissue re-organisation was examined using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. There was no evidence of significant de-differentiation of the specialised columnar supporting cells. Kir4.1 was down regulated but KCC4, GLAST, microtubule bundles, connexin expression patterns and pathways of intercellular communication were retained. The columnar supporting cells became covered with non-specialised cells migrating from the outermost region of the organ of Corti. Eventually non-specialised, flat cells replaced the columnar epithelium. Flat epithelium developed in distributed patches interrupting regions of columnar epithelium formed of differentiated supporting cells. Formation of the flat epithelium was initiated within a few weeks post-treatment in C57BL/6 mice but not for several months in CBA/Ca’s, suggesting genetic background influences the rate of re-organisation

Energy resolution of pulsed neutron beam provided by the ANNRI beamline at the J-PARC/MLF

We studied the energy resolution of the pulsed neutron beam of the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex/Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (J-PARC/MLF). A simulation in the energy region from 0.7 meV to 1 MeV was performed and measurements were made at thermal (0.76-62 meV) and epithermal energies (4.8-410 eV). The neutron energy resolution of ANNRI determined by the time technique depends on the Lime structure of the neutron pulse. We obtained the neutron energy resolution as a function of the neutron energy by the simulation in the two operation modes of the neutron source: double- and single bunch modes in double bunch mode, the resolution deteriorates above about 10 eV because the time structure of the neutron pulse splits into two peaks. The time structures at 13 energy points from measurements in the thermal energy region agree with those of the simulation. In the epithermal energy region, the time structures at 17 energy points were obtained from measurements and agree with those of the simulation. The FWHM values of the time structures by the simulation and measurements were found to be almost consistent. In the single-bunch mode, the energy resolution is better than about 1% between 1 meV and 10 keV at a neutron source operation of 17.5 kW. These results confirm the energy resolution of the pulsed neutron beam produced by the ANNRI beamline. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Neutron capture cross section measurements on 237Np with a 4π Ge spectrometer

Neutron capture cross sections on minor actinides are important in the design work for innovative nuclear reactor systems. In order to improve data accuracy, a 4π Ge spectrometer system surrounded with large BGO detectors for Compton suppression has been developed. Capture cross sections of 237Np were obtained and resonance analyses using the code SAMMY were performed for several low energy resonances. Measurements were carried out at the electron Linac of KURRI (Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute) with an electron energy of 30 MeV

Performance of a 4π Ge spectrometer for neutron capture cross section measurements

Neutron capture cross sections of minor actinides and long-lived fission products are important for the R&D of innovative nuclear reactors. However, those data are rather poor both in quality and in quantity at present. Thus, we have started projects for neutron cross section measurements. We have constructed an 4π Ge spectrometer consisting of Ge crystals and BGO shields. The neutron cross section measurements have been done at KURRI electron linac and JAEA JRR-3 facilities, which will be extended at the high-intensity neutron source at J-PARC

Prolactin Receptor (PRLR) Gen Polymorphism and Associations with Reproductive Traits in Pigs

The Prolactin Receptor (PRLR) gene was investigated as candidate gene for swine reproductive traits. 335 sows of 4 genetic groups: Yorkshire (Y), Landrace (L) Duroc (D) and YL were included. The traits studied were: Total Number of Born (TNB), Number Born Alive (NBA), Number of Weaned Piglets (NWP), Litter Weight at Birth (LWB) and Litter Weight at Weaning (LWW). The polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP. Allelic frequencies between each genetic group and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were tested by chi-square test. The association between PRLR genotypes with reproductive traits was evaluated by a linear model. Additive and dominance effects were estimated. The frequency of A allele was in general 0.46, with variation between genetic groups. D had the highest values for TNB. YL showed the best performance for NBA. AA genotype in D showed the best performance for NWP but no differences were found among genotypes L, YL and L. Differences in first parity were observed between genotypes for TNB, with highest value in BB (10.40 piglets). In general, additive effect per allele A resulted in a negative increase of 2.26 pigs (TNB) and positive of 0.42 kg (LWB) per litter. For TNB and LWB, dominance effect was -2.67 pigs and -0.56 kg, respectively. For LWW, additive in L resulted in -8.37 kg while dominance effect was 8.37 kg.Se investigó el gen del Receptor de Prolactina (PRLR) como gen candidato para los rasgos reproductivos de los cerdos. Se incluyeron 335 cerdas de 4 grupos genéticos: Yorkshire (Y), Landrace (L) Duroc (D) y YL. Los rasgos estudiados fueron: Número total de nacidos (TNB), nacidos vivos (NBA), número de lechones destetados (NWP), peso de la camada al nacer (LWB) y peso de la camada al destete (LWW). El polimorfismo fue identificado por PCR-RFLP. Las frecuencias alélicas entre cada grupo genético y el equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg se probaron mediante la prueba del chi-cuadrado. La asociación entre los genotipos PRLR con rasgos reproductivos se evaluó mediante un modelo lineal. Se estimaron efectos aditivos y dominantes. La frecuencia del alelo A fue en general 0,46, con variación entre grupos genéticos. D tuvo los valores más altos para TNB. YL mostró el mejor rendimiento para la NBA. El genotipo AA en D mostró el mejor desempeño para NWP pero no se encontraron diferencias entre los genotipos L, YL y L. Se observaron diferencias en la primera paridad entre genotipos para TNB, con mayor valor en BB (10,40 lechones). En general, el efecto aditivo por alelo A resultó en un aumento negativo de 2,26 cerdos (TNB) y positivo de 0,42 kg (LWB) por litera. Para TNB y LWB, el efecto de dominancia fue de -2,67 cerdos y -0,56 kg, respectivamente. Para LWW, el aditivo en L resultó en -8,37 kg mientras que el efecto de dominancia fue de 8,37 kg