μ\mu Parameter from Dynamical Rearrangement of U(1) and θ\theta Parameter

We study the generation of $\mu$ parameter from the dynamical rearrangement of local U(1) symmetry in a five-dimensional model and discuss phenomenological implications on the $\theta$ parameter, under the assumption that supersymmetry is broken by the Scherk-Schwarz mechanism.Comment: 16 page

Family number, Wilson line phases and hidden supersymmetry

We study the relationship between the family number of chiral fermions and the Wilson line phases, based on the orbifold family unification. We find that flavor numbers are independent of the Wilson line phases relating extra-dimensional components of gauge bosons, as far as the standard model gauge symmetry is respected. This feature originates from a hidden quantum-mechanical supersymmetry.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figur

キイロショウジョウバエ由来のチオレドキシン還元酵素のC未端テトラペプチド配列は、ヒト肺由来のチオレドキシン還元酵素では酸化還元活性を示さない

The isozymes of mammalian thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) contain the penultimate selenocysteineresidue (SeCys) in the redox-active C-terminal tetrapeptide, -Gly-Cys-SeCys-Gly (end). Amutant form of the mammalian enzyme TrxR-X498C in which SeCys is replaced with Cys showsa dramatically decreased catalytic activity, suggesting that SeCys residue plays an integral role inthe catalysis. In contrast, TrxR of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has no selenium in the corresponding C-terminal redox sequence, which instead of SeCys has flanking serine residues in the terminal sequence, -Ser-Cys-Cys-Ser (end). Because the catalytic activity of Dm-TrxR is comparable to that of the mammalian selenoenzyme, we introduced the serine residues at the corresponding positions of the recombinant TrxR-X498C and mimicked the redox center of the fruit fly TrxR. However, the catalysis remained as low as the Cys mutant of the selenoenzyme, suggesting that the additional structural features are still required for the tetrapeptide to function as a redox center. MOPAC calculation suggested that the complete motif might involve the hexapeptide sequence, which includes a proline residue, -Pro-X-Ser-Cys-Cys-Ser (end). The proline-containing motif is conserved among other insect TrxRs such as those of honeybee and fruit fly.ほ乳類チオレドキシン還元酵素はＣ末端配列-Gly-Cys-SeCys-Gly（end）の後ろから２番目にセレノシステイン（SeCys）残基を持つ．SeCys をシステインに変換すると酵素の活性は大きく低下するので，SeCys 残基が触媒活性に必須であることが分かる．これに対してキイロショウジョウバエのチオレドキシン還元酵素（Dm-TrxR）のＣ末端配列にはセレンが含まれず，システイン残基の対が２つのセリンに挟まれた配列-Ser-Cys-Cys-Ser (end）を持つ．それでも Dm-TrxR はほ乳類のセレン含有酵素と同程度の触媒能を示す．われわれはヒト肺チオレドキシン還元酵素に Dm-TrxR のＣ末端テトラペプチド配列を導入してその効果を調べた．しかし，酵素活性はまったく上昇せず，Dm-TrxR のＣ末端のテトラペプチド配列-Ser-Cys-Cys-Ser だけでは Cys 残基のチオール基を活性化する効果はなかった．そこで，分子軌道計算 MOPAC を用いて酸化還元機能を担うためのＣ末端配列モチーフを探索した．その結果，テトラペプチドにさらに２つ先のプロリンまでを含めた Pro-X-Ser-Cys-Cys-Ser（end）により初めて酸化還元モチーフとして機能する可能性が示唆された．Pro を含むこの配列モチーフはミツバチや蚊などほかの昆虫の TrxR でも保存されてい

Equivalence Classes of Boundary Conditions in SU(N) Gauge Theory on 2-dimensional Orbifolds

We study equivalence classes of boundary conditions in an SU(N) gauge theory on six-dimensional space-time including two-dimensional orbifold. For five kinds of two-dimensional orbifolds $S^1/Z_2 \times S^1/Z_2$ and $T^2/Z_m$ $(m=2,3,4,6)$, orbifold conditions and those gauge transformation properties are given and the equivalence relations among boundary conditions are derived. The classification of boundary conditions related to diagonal representatives is carried out using the equivalence relations.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, revised version for publication in PT

Soft Supersymmetry Breaking Masses and μ\mu Parameter from Dynamical Rearrangement of Exotic U(1) Symmetries

We propose a mechanism that the soft supersymmetry breaking masses and $\mu$ parameter can be induced from the dynamical rearrangement of local U(1) symmetries in a five-dimensional model. It offers to a solution of $\mu$ problem if there is a large hierarchy among the relevant U(1) charge of Higgsinos and that of hidden fields which stabilize the extra-dimensional component of U(1) gauge boson.Comment: 17 page

Effects of Cost and Benefit of Prosocial Behavior on Reputation

Prosocial behavior consists of a cost to the actor and a benefit of others. Previous studies have shown that prosocial actors generally receive positive social evaluations from observers. However, it is unknown how each component of prosocial behavior (i.e., cost and benefit) influences the two dimensions of person perception (i.e., warmth and competence). Thus, three studies investigated the independent effects of cost and benefit on the perceived warmth and competence of the actor. In Study 1, participants read a series of vignettes about a protagonist incurring a cost to benefit another individual and rated the warmth and competence of each protagonist. Although benefit enhanced both perceived warmth and competence, cost enhanced only perceived warmth. Studies 2a and 2b separately manipulated costs and benefits of prosocial behaviors in vignettes and confirmed the results of Study 1. Thus, this study demonstrated the independent effects of cost and benefit on person perception

Biochemical Studies on Dog Gastrocnemius Muscle after Leg-Lengthening. -On the Relaxing Factor System and the Actomyosin System-

Twenty-five adult mongrel clogs with an approximate body weight of 13 kg were subjected to Kawamura\u27s lower leg lengthening operation and at 2 months after the operation an investigation on the muscle weight, the relaxing factor system and the actomyosin system of the gastrocnemius muscle was made. An electron-microscopic study was also made and the following results were obtained : 1. The weight of the control muscle following a 2-month immobilization of the knee joint by attaching a distraction apparatus, as compared against the opposed side normal muscle showed an approximate 50% decrease in wet weight and dry weight. The decreasing rate of muscle weight in the 10% leg lengthening group was likewise approximately 50% indicating no change as compared with that of the control muscle. In the 20% leg lengthening group, both wet weight and dry weight showed an approximate 60% decreasing rate. 2. The microsomal fraction of the normal muscle and the control muscle inhibited myofibrillar ATPase activity of the rabbit mixed muscle. Namely, the relaxing activity was approximately 90% and approximately 82% at Q=10 respectively. The relaxing activity of the microsomal fraction of the stretched muscle in the 10% leg lengthening group was approximately 80% at Q=10 and no great difference was seen as compared with the control group. In the 20% leg lengthening group, the relaxing activity was a mere 10% even at Q=20. 3. Caffeine (5～15 mM) in the presence of 2 mM K2-oxalate showed a mere 5% interference of the relaxing activity of the stretched muscle microsomal fraction. 4. The ATPase activity of the normal muscle and the control muscle microsomal fractions was 0.15 μmoles Pi/mg of protein/min and approximately 0.14 μmoles Pi/mg of protein/min respectively, and both showed typical ATP extra-splitting by an addition of 100 μM calcium. The ATPase activity of the stretched muscle microsomal fraction in the 10% leg lengthening group was approximately 0.17 μmoles Pi/mg of protein/min and while an addition of 100 μM calcium showed ATP extra-splitting likewise. The ATPase activity of the 20% leg lengthening group was approximately 0.10 μmoles Pi/mg of protein/min, and in this group absolutely no extra-splitting of ATP was produced by an addition of 100 μM calcium. 5. The myofibrillar ATPase activity of the normal muscle and the control muscle was approximately 0.60 μmoles Pi/mg of protein/20 minutes and approximately 0.56 //moles Pi/mg of protein/20 min, respectively. The myofibrillar ATPase activity of the stretched muscle in both the 10% and 20% leg lengthening groups showed no great difference as compared with that of the control muscle. 6. EGTA (5-100 μM), depending on its concentration inhibited the myofibrillar ATPase activity of the stretched muscle. The extent of the inhibition was approximately 50% in both the 10% and 20% leg lengthening groups when 20 μM EGTA was added and no great difference compared with that of the control group was seen. 7. The electron-microscopic picture, while in the 10% leg lengthening muscle hardly showing any morphological difference as compared against normal muscle, showed a decrease of glycogen granules in toto in the 20% leg lengthening group. 8. Concerning the above listed characters of the stretched muscle, no great difference was seen between the rapid lengthening group and gradual lengthening group. Thus it may be said that no influence of the lengthening speed was noted