Anxiety affects the amplitudes of red and green colorelicited flash visual evoked potentials in humans

It has been reported that negative emotional changes and conditions affect the visual faculties of humans at the neural level. On the other hand, the effects of emotion on color perception in particular, which are based on evoked potentials, are unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether different anxiety levels affect the color information processing for each of 3 wavelengths by using flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In results, significant positive correlations were observed between FVEP amplitudes and state or trait anxiety scores in the long (sensed as red) and middle (sensed as green) wavelengths. On the other hand, short-wavelength-evoked FVEPs were not correlated with anxiety level. Our results suggest that negative emotional conditions may affect color sense processing in humans

Very low-frequency rTMS modulates SEPs over the contralateral hemisphere

In order to investigate the transcallosal effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), we studied median somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) before and after applying monophasic very low-frequency (0.2 Hz) subthreshold rTMS over the right motor cortex. For SEPs, median nerve was stimulated on each side. Sham rTMS served as the control. Twelve healthy subjects participated in this study. After rTMS over the right hemisphere, the amplitude of N34 component in right median SEPs recorded from the left parietal scalp (C3’) increased significantly. Other components of right or left median SEPs or those after sham stimulation showed no changes. Monophasic 0.2 Hz subthreshold rTMS over the motor cortex predominantly affected the contralateral SEPs, probably through the transcallosal pathway

Nuclear magnetic relaxation and superfluid density in Fe-pnictide superconductors: An anisotropic \pm s-wave scenario

We discuss the nuclear magnetic relaxation rate and the superfluid density with the use of the effective five-band model by Kuroki et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 087004 (2008)] in Fe-based superconductors. We show that a fully-gapped anisotropic \pm s-wave superconductivity consistently explains experimental observations. In our phenomenological model, the gaps are assumed to be anisotropic on the electron-like \beta Fermi surfaces around the M point, where the maximum of the anisotropic gap is about four times larger than the minimum.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures; Submitted versio

Unimolecularly thick monosheets of vinyl polymers fabricated in metal–organic frameworks

Unlike 1D and 3D-networked macromolecules, the synthesis of 2D molecular networks is challenging because of the nature of the polymerisation reaction. Here the authors report the synthesis of polymeric monosheets with unimolecularly thick networks by exploiting the 2D nanospaces of metal–organic frameworks as reaction templates

Hydrogel Heart Model with Temperature Memory Properties for Surgical Simulation

The continual development of surgical technology has led to a demand for surgical simulators for evaluating and improving the surgical technique of surgeons. To meet these needs, simulators must incorporate a sensing function into the organ model for evaluating the surgical techniques. However, it is difficult to incorporate a temperature sensor into the conventional cardiac training model. In this study, we propose a heart model for surgical training of cardiac catheter ablation made from hydrogel, which has temperature memory properties. The heart model consists of a photo-crosslinkable hydrogel mixed with an irreversible temperature indicator that exhibits a color change from magenta to colorless at 55 °C. The Young's modulus, electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity of the hydrogel material were evaluated and compared with those of human heart. Furthermore, temperature calibration based on the color of the hydrogel material confirmed that the temperature measurement accuracy of the material is ± 0.18 °C (at 56 °C). A heart model for catheter ablation was fabricated using the hydrogel material and a molding method, and the color change due to temperature change was evaluated

Design of Potent Mincle Signalling Agonists Based on an Alkyl b- Glucoside Template

The innate immune receptor Mincle senses lipid-based molecules derived from pathogens, commensals and altered self. Based on emerging structure-activity relationships we design simple alkyl 6-O-acyl-b-D-glucosides that are effective agonists of Mincle and signal with potency on par with the prototypical ligand trehalose dimycolate

Host Immune Response and Novel Diagnostic Approach to NTM Infections

The incidence and prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are steadily increasing worldwide, partially due to the increased incidence of immunocompromised conditions, such as the post-transplantation state. The importance of proper diagnosis and management of NTM infection has been recently recognized. Host immunological responses play integral roles in vulnerability to NTM infections, and may contribute to the onset of specific types of NTM infection. Furthermore, distinct NTM species are known to affect and attenuate these host immune responses in unique manners. Therefore, host immune responses must be understood with respect to each causative NTM species. Here, we review innate, cellular-mediated, and humoral immunity to NTM and provide perspectives on novel diagnostic approaches regarding each NTM species

Transition Metal-Doped Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor Thin-Film Phosphor, Chromium-Doped Amorphous Gallium Oxide

Transition metal (TM)-doped amorphous gallium oxide (a-GO:TMx) is studied as an inorganic thin-film phosphor. Cr is selected as an emission center based on preliminary screening. The most intense red photoluminescence (PL) with a broad emission band of 620-800 nm from the a-GO:Cr-x films deposited at room temperature is attained by optimizing the Cr concentration (x = 0.001) and the oxygen partial pressure (P-O2 = 10 Pa) during the film growth. Post-deposition thermal annealing at 400 degrees C in O-2, which is lower than the crystallization temperature, improves internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of PL to 0.3%. Crystallized films by 800 degrees C annealing further improves the IQE to 20%. The improvement of PL by crystallization is commonly observed for conventional inorganic phosphors, but opposite to that of previously reported rare-earth (RE)-doped a-GO:REx thin-film phosphors. It is explained by different solubility of Cr and RE in the beta-Ga2O3 host