Results of a Search for Paraphotons with Intense X-ray Beams at SPring-8

A search for paraphotons, or hidden U(1) gauge bosons, is performed using an intense X-ray beamline at SPring--8. "Light Shining through a Wall" technique is used in this search. No excess of events above background is observed. A stringent constraint is obtained on the photon--paraphoton mixing angle, $\chi < 8.06\times 10^{-5}\ (95$ for $0.04\ {\rm eV}<m_{\gamma^{\prime}} < 26\ {\rm keV}$.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Electron-phonon interaction in the t-J model

We derive a t-J model with electron-phonon coupling from the three-band model, considering modulation of both hopping and Coulomb integrals by phonons. While the modulation of the hopping integrals dominates, the modulation of the Coulomb integrals cannot be neglected. The model explains the experimentally observed anomalous softening of the half-breathing mode upon doping and a weaker softening of the breathing mode. It is shown that other phonons are not strongly influenced, and, in particular, the coupling to a buckling mode is not strong in this model.Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX, 3 eps figures; final version with minor correction

Search for Photon-Photon Elastic Scattering in the X-ray Region

We report the first results of a search for real photon-photon scattering using X rays. A novel system is developed to split and collide X-ray pulses by applying interferometric techniques. A total of $6.5\times10^{5}$ pulses (each containing about $10^{11}$ photons) from an X-ray Free-Electron Laser are injected into the system. No scattered events are observed, and an upper limit of $1.7\times 10^{-24}$ ${\rm m^{2}}$ (95% C.L.) is obtained on the photon-photon elastic scattering cross section at 6.5 keV

Narava praznine in budistična etika

Buddhist ethics can be compelling by the sheer force of its principal doctrines. It focuses on the nature of the elusive but dynamic nonself (anatman) doctrine and brings together such concepts as the middle way (madhyama-pratipad), relational origination (pratitya-samutpada) and the nature of emptiness (sunyata). But more basic to the understanding of these concepts is the need to practice the well known Eightfold Noble Path that finally caps in meditative discipline (samadhi) that breaks open into the perception of things under the aegis of emptiness. The result is a rare vision, an insight (prajna) and compassion (karuna) for all living and nonliving creatures. The dynamic nonself is important in that it exhibits the contemporary significance of the content of a doctrine expounded by the historical Buddha. Without this doctrine, it would not be possible to develop Buddhist ethics. It compels us to perceive our contacts, association and actions in a group or social setting in a broader, deeper and flexible ways. The nature of emptiness allows this perception. More specifically, the awareness of others in mutually binding and dynamic ways give rise to a unique form of moral sense. It binds people together in ways that are gainful and harmonious, thus perpetuating and sustaining a healthy and productive society.Budistična etika nas lahko pritegne že s samo prepričljivostjo svojih poglavitnih naukov. Osredotoča se na naravo težko opredeljive, toda dinamične doktrine Ne-Jaza (anātman) in povezuje med sabo pojme srednje poti (mādhyama-pratipad), soodvisnega nastanka (pratītya-samutpāda) in narave praznine (œūnyatā). Toda še bolj bistveno za razumevanje teh pojmov je izvajanje dobro znane Osmerne plemenite poti, ki se končno prevesi v meditativno disciplino (samādhi), ki se izteče v percepcijo stvari pod egido praznine. Rezultat tega je izjemna vizija, uvid (prāj?a) in sočutje (karunā) za vsa živa in neživa bitja. Dinamični ne-jaz je pomemben zaradi tega, ker razodeva sodobni pomen vsebine nauka, ki ga je razlagal zgodovinski Buddha. Brez tega nauka ne bi bilo mogoče razviti budistične etike. Prisili nas, da svoje stike, povezave in aktivnosti v skupini ali v družbenem okviru zaznamo širše, globlje in bolj fleksibilno. Narava praznine dopušča to zaznavo. Natančneje, doživljanje drugih na vzajemno obvezujoče in dinamične načine, poraja neko izredno obliko moralnega čuta. Ljudi plodno in harmonično povezuje in na ta način ohranja in vzdržuje zdravo in ustvarjalno družbo

Non-equilibrium Studies in Switching Arc Plasmas in Japan

This paper briefly introduce research work examples of non-equilibrium studies in switching arcs. In understanding arc behavior, one often assumes local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) condition in the arc plasma. However, actual arc plasmas are not completely and not always in LTE state because of strong temperature change temporally and spatially, and high electric field application etc. Recently, we have a collaboration work in numerical simulations and experimental approaches for decaying arcs without LTE assumption. First, our numerical model is presented for decaying arcs without chemical equilibrium assumption. Secondly, two experimental methods are introduced for measuring electron density in decaying arcs without LTE assumption: Laser Thomson Scattering method and the Schack-Hartmann method. Finally, comparison results is shown between the LTE simulation, the chemically non-equilibrium simulation, and the above experimental measurements

Histopathological diagnosis of Japanese spotted fever using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens Usefulness of immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR analysis

AbstractJapanese spotted fever (JSF) is caused by Rickettsia japonica, and lethal cases are reported yearly in southwest Japan. We thus established the method of diagnosing JSF by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsy specimens. Two monoclonal antibodies were used for IHC, and the 17k genus common antigen gene served as the target of RT-PCR. We collected skin biopsy (n = 61) and autopsy (n = 1) specimens from 50 patients clinically suspected of JSF. Immunohistochemically, the rickettsial antigens were localized as coarse dots in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells and macrophages. Thirty-one seropositive cases plus one autopsy case (group A) and nine seronegative cases but with positive IHC and/or RT-PCR (group B) were judged as JSF. Nine cases were regarded as non-JSF disorders based on negative serology, IHC and RT-PCR (group C). Of 50 biopsies (eschar 34, eruptions 10, and scabs 6) from groups A and B, IHC and RT-PCR positivities were 94% (32/34) and 62% (21/34) for eschar, 80% (8/10) and 30% (3/10) for eruptions, and 33% (2/6) and 50% (3/6) for scabs. For IHC, eschar was most suitable, and scabs were insufficient. Unexpectedly, 18 biopsies happened to be fixed in 100% formalin, and this lowered the detection rate by RT-PCR, but IHC was tolerant. Sequence analysis using five skin biopsy specimens confirmed a 114 bp DNA stretch homologous to that reported for the target gene of R. japonica. In 26 (84%) of the 31 seropositive patients, the diagnosis was made by IHC and/or RT-PCR earlier than serology