7,734 research outputs found
Comparative Study on the Inhibitory Effects of α-Tocopherol and Radon on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Renal Damage
Since the 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima, the effects of low-dose irradiation, especially internal exposure, are at the forefront of everyone’s attention. However, low-dose radiation induced various stimulating effects such as activation of antioxidative and immune functions. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the quantitative effects of the activation of antioxidative activities in kidney induced by radon inhalation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced renal damage. Mice were subjected to intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of CCl4 after inhaling approximately 1000 or 2000 Bq/m3 radon for 24 h, or immediately after i.p. injection of α-tocopherol (100, 300, or 500 mg/kg bodyweight). In case of renal function, radon inhalation at a concentration of 2000 Bq/m3 has the inhibitory effects similar to α-tocopherol treatment at a dose of 300–500 mg/kg bodyweight. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in kidneys were significantly higher in mice exposed to radon as compared to mice treated with CCl4 alone. These findings suggest that radon inhalation has an antioxidative effect against CCl4-induced renal damage similar to the antioxidative effects of α-tocopherol due to induction of antioxidative functions
A Novel Approach in Constraining Electron Spectra in Blazar Jets: The Case of Markarian 421
We report results from the observations of the well studied TeV blazar Mrk
421 with the Swift and the Suzaku satellites in December 2008. During the
observation, Mrk 421 was found in a relatively low activity state, with the
corresponding 2-10 keV flux of erg/s/cm^2. For the purpose
of robust constraining the UV-to-X-ray emission continuum we selected only the
data corresponding to truly simultaneous time intervals between Swift and
Suzaku, allowing us to obtain a good-quality, broad-band spectrum despite a
modest length (0.6 ksec) exposure. We analyzed the spectrum with the parametric
forward-fitting SYNCHROTRON model implemented in XSPEC assuming two different
representations of the underlying electron energy distribution, both well
motivated by the current particle acceleration models: a power-law distribution
above the minimum energy with an exponential cutoff at the
maximum energy , and a modified ultra-relativistic Maxwellian
with an equilibrium energy . We found that the latter implies
unlikely physical conditions within the blazar zone of Mrk 421. On the other
hand, the exponentially moderated power-law electron distribution gives two
possible sets of the model parameters: (i) flat spectrum with low minimum electron energy , and
(ii) steep spectrum with high minimum electron energy
. We discuss different interpretations of
both possibilities in the context of a diffusive acceleration of electrons at
relativistic, sub- or superluminal shocks. We also comment on how exactly the
gamma-ray data can be used to discriminate between the proposed different
scenarios.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
X-ray and Radio Follow-up Observations of High-Redshift Blazar Candidates in the Fermi-LAT Unassociated Source Population
We report on the results of X-ray and radio follow-up observations of two GeV
gamma-ray sources 2FGL J0923.5+1508 and 2FGL J1502.1+5548, selected as
candidates for high-redshift blazars from unassociated sources in the {\it
Fermi} Large Area Telescope Second Source Catalog. We utilize the Suzaku
satellite and the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) telescopes for
X-ray and radio observations, respectively. For 2FGL J0923.5+1508, a possible
radio counterpart NVSS J092357+150518 is found at 1.4 GHz from an existing
catalog, but we do not detect any X-ray emission from it and derive a flux
upper limit 1.37 10 erg cm
s. Radio observations at 6.7 GHz also result in an upper limit of
19 mJy, implying a steep radio spectrum that is not
expected for a blazar. On the other hand, we detect X-rays from NVSS
J150229+555204, the potential 1.4 GHz radio counterpart of 2FGL J1502.1+5548.
The X-ray spectrum can be fitted with an absorbed power-law model with a photon
index =1.8 and the unabsorbed flux is =4.3 10 erg cm s. Moreover,
we detect unresolved radio emission at 6.7 GHz with flux =30.1
mJy, indicating a compact, flat-spectrum radio source. If NVSS J150229+555204
is indeed associated with 2FGL J1502.1+5548, we find that its multiwavelength
spectrum is consistent with a blazar at redshift .Comment: 24 pages, 7 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in Ap
Fruit detection system and an end effector for robotic harvesting of Fuji apples
The challenges in developing a fruit harvesting robot are recognizing the fruit in the foliage and detaching the fruit from the tree without damaging either the fruit or the tree. The objectives of this study were to develop a real-time fruit detection system using machine vision and a laser ranging sensor and to develop an end effector capable of detaching the fruit in a way similar to manual pick. The Fuji apple variety was used in this study. In the detection of the fruit, machine vision was combined with a laser ranging sensor. The machine vision recognized the fruit and the laser ranging sensor determined the distance. The system detected a single fruit with 100% accuracy in both front and back lighted scenes with ±3 mm accuracy in distance measurement. To detach the fruit from the tree, an end effector was developed with a peduncle holder and a wrist; the peduncle holder pinches the peduncle of the fruit and the wrist rotates the peduncle holder to detach the fruit. Field test results of the end effector showed more than 90% success rate in detaching the fruit with average time use of 7.1 seconds.Keywords: apple, end effector, image processing, machine vision, robotic harvesting, Japan Citation: Bulanon D. M., and T. Kataoka. Fruit detection system and an end effector for robotic harvesting of Fuji apples. Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 203-210. 
Studies on possibility for alleviation of lifestyle diseases by low-dose irradiation or radon inhalation
Our previous studies showed the possibility that activation of the antioxidative function alleviates various oxidative damages, which are related to lifestyle diseases. Results showed that, low-dose X-ray irradiation activated superoxide dismutase and inhibits oedema following ischaemia-reperfusion. To alleviate ischaemia-reperfusion injury with transplantation, the changes of the antioxidative function in liver graft using low-dose X-ray irradiation immediately after exenteration were examined. Results showed that liver grafts activate the antioxidative function as a result of irradiation. In addition, radon inhalation enhances the antioxidative function in some organs, and alleviates alcohol-induced oxidative damage of mouse liver. Moreover, in order to determine the most effective condition of radon inhalation, mice inhaled radon before or after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. Results showed that radon inhalation alleviates CCl4-induced hepatopathy, especially prior inhalation. It is highly possible that adequate activation of antioxidative functions induced by low-dose irradiation can contribute to preventing or reducing oxidative damages, which are related to lifestyle diseases
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