Stability enhancement of 129Xe hyperpolarizing system using alkali metal vapor in spin-exchange optical pumping cell to achieve high NMR sensitivity

Hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe NMR and MRI have enabled 129Xe studies with extraordinarily enhanced sensitivity, stimulating new developments in magnetic resonance in chemistry, physics, biology and medicine. However, the standard method of HP 129Xe production inevitably demands Rb vapor for the excitation, which has made the method very sensitive to impurities such as water or oxygen. This is the case especially in the recirculating system. In the present study, stability of the hyperpolarizing system is discussed by proposing the "cell decay constant", which symbolizes the decay rate of the NMR signal obtained from the system. The cell decay constant is effectively decreased to 1/3 by introducing separated chambers and mechanical stirring of the alkali metals used in the system, making it effective for accumulating FIDs over 30 to 100 h. The newly developed hyperpolarizing system has been successfully applied for newly detecting a broad signal at 190 ppm with an industrial material Nanofiber

Superconductivity of MI(MII0.5, Si0.5)2 (MI=Sr and Ba, MII=Al and Ga), ternary silicides with the AlB2-type structure

Ternary silicides MI(MII0.5, Si0.5)2 (MI=Sr and Ba, MII=Al and Ga) were prepared by Ar arc melting. Powder X-ray diffraction indicates that they have the AlB2-type structure, in which Si and MII atoms are arranged in honeycomb layers and MI atoms are intercalated between them. Electrical resistivity and dc magnetization measurements revealed that Sr(Al0.5, Si0.5)2 is superconductive, with a critical temperature for superconductivity (TC) of 4.2 K, while Ba(Al0.5, Si0.5)2 is not at temperatures ranging above 2.0 K. Sr(Ga0.5, Si0.5)2 and Ba(Ga0.5, Si0.5)2 are also superconductors, with TCs of 5.1 and 3.3 K, respectively.Comment: 5 pages, 3 tables, 4 figure

Effects of Trigger Point Acupuncture Treatment on Temporomandibular Disorders: A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial

AbstractWe compared the effects of trigger point acupuncture with that of sham acupuncture treatments on pain and oral function in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This 10-week study included 16 volunteers from an acupuncture school with complaints of chronic temporomandibular joint myofascial pain for at least 6 months. The participants were randomized to one of two groups, each receiving five acupuncture treatment sessions. The trigger point acupuncture group received treatment at trigger points for the same muscle, while the other acupuncture group received sham treatment on the trigger points. Outcome measures were pain intensity (visual analogue scale) and oral function (maximal mouth opening). After treatment, pain intensity was less in the trigger point acupuncture group than in the sham treatment group, but oral function remained unchanged in both groups. Pain intensity decreased significantly between pretreatment and 5 weeks after trigger point (p<0.001) and sham acupunctures (p<0.050). Group comparison using the area under the curve demonstrated a significant difference between groups (p=0.0152). Compared with sham acupuncture therapy, trigger point acupuncture therapy may be more effective for chronic temporomandibular joint myofascial pain

Periodic super-radiance in Er:YSO crystal

We observed periodic optical pulses from an Er:YSO crystal during irradiating with an continuous-wave excitation laser. We refer to this new phenomenon as "periodic super-radiance". This periodicity can be understood qualitatively by a simple model, in which a cyclic process of a continuous supply of population inversion and a sudden burst of super-radiance is repeated. The excitation power dependences of peak interval and the pulse area can be interpreted with our simple model. In addition, the linewidth of super-radiance is much narrower than an inhomogeneous broadening in a crystal. This result suggests that only Er3+ ions in a specific environment are involved in super-radiance.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

A Study on ῾Active Learning᾽ in the Subjects on the Significance of the Teaching Profession : through Analysis of Syllabuses of National Teacher Training Universities and Faculties

　本論文は，教員免許状の取得に必要な「教職の意義等に関する科目（以下，本論文では「教職論」とする。）」において「アクティブ・ラーニング」がどのような形態で，どのような内容で取り組まれているのかを明らかにすることを目的としている。研究対象を44 の国立教員養成系大学・学部で開設されている教職論とし，WEBに公開されているシラバスを分析することとした。その結果，「アクティブ・ラーニング」を導入している大学は33 校（75.0％）であった。主な実施形態としては「グループワーク」「フィールドワーク・省察」「プレゼンテーション・発表」「討論・ディベート」であった。主な内容としては「附属学校園等訪問とその省察」「学校教員の講演会・座談会」「自身の教育体験の省察・交流」「目指す教師像の探究」「現代の教育課題の検討」「模擬授業・場面指導」等であった

Gene expression profile of renal proximal tubules regulated by proteinuria

Gene expression profile of renal proximal tubules regulated by proteinuria.BackgroundProximal tubules activated by reabsorption of protein are thought to play significant roles in the progression of kidney diseases. Thus, identification of genes related to proteinuria should provide insights into the pathological process of tubulointerstitial fibrosis.MethodGene expression profiles were constructed by means of direct sequencing procedures to identify genes induced in the mouse kidney proximal tubules (PT) exposed to proteinuria.ResultsBy comparing the gene expression of control PT to that of disease model PT, the abundantly expressed genes in control PT were down-regulated presumably because of potentially toxic effects of proteinuria. From the more than 1000 up-regulated genes, an immunity related gene, thymic shared antigen-1 (TSA-1), and a novel gene, GS188, were selected for further characterization. The increased expression of TSA-1, a member of the Ly-6 family, and of GS188 in response to proteinuria was confirmed by Northern analysis, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and laser microdissection along with real-time PCR analysis. Full length cloning of GS188 identified it as a family member of LR8 that was reported to express predominantly in fibroblasts.ConclusionsThe gene expression profiles showed that the expression patterns in PT were changed dramatically by proteinuria. The profiles include novel genes that should be further characterized to aid the understanding of the pathophysiology of progressive kidney diseases

Transition of crustal weathering processes with climate change demonstrated by metallic elements in the Dome Fuji ice core

第2回極域科学シンポジウム　氷床コアセッション 11月16日（水） 国立極地研究所 2階大会議室前フロ