Astrometry of H2_{2}O Masers in Nearby Star-Forming Regions with VERA --- IV. L1448C

We have carried out multi-epoch VLBI observations with VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry) of the 22~GHz H$_{2}$O masers associated with a Class 0 protostar L1448C in the Perseus molecular cloud. The maser features trace the base of collimated bipolar jet driven by one of the infrared counter parts of L1448C named as L1448C(N) or L1448-mm A. We detected possible evidences for apparent acceleration and precession of the jet according to the three-dimensional velocity structure. Based on the phase-referencing VLBI astrometry, we have successfully detected an annual parallax of the H$_{2}$O maser in L1448C to be 4.31$\pm$0.33~milliarcseconds (mas) which corresponds to a distance of 232$\pm$18~pc from the Sun. The present result is in good agreement with that of another H$_{2}$O maser source NGC~1333 SVS13A in the Perseus molecular cloud, 235~pc. It is also consistent with the photometric distance, 220~pc. Thus, the distance to the western part of the Perseus molecular cloud complex would be constrained to be about 235~pc rather than the larger value, 300~pc, previously reported.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Heparan sulfate proteoglycan is an important attachment factor for cell entry of Akabane and Schmallenberg viruses

Akabane (AKAV) and Schmallenberg (SBV) viruses are Orthobunyavirus transmitted by arthropod vectors with a broad cellular tropism in vitro as well as in vivo Both AKAV and SBV cause arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in ruminants. The main cellular receptor and attachment factor for entry of these orthobunyaviruses are unknown. Here, we found that AKAV and SBV infections were inhibited by the addition of heparin or enzymatic removal of cell surface heparan sulfates. To confirm this finding, we prepared heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)-knockout (KO) cells by using a CRISPR/Cas9 system and measured the binding quantities of these viruses to cell surfaces. We observed a substantial reduction in AKAV and SBV binding to cells, limiting the infections by these viruses. These data demonstrate that HSPGs are important cellular attachment factors for AKAV and SBV, at least in vitro, to promote virus replication in susceptive cells. Importance: AKAV and SBV are the etiological agents of arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in ruminants, which causes considerable economic losses in the livestock industry. Here, we identified heparan sulfate proteoglycan as a major cellular attachment factor for the entry of AKAV and SBV. Moreover, we found that heparin is a strong inhibitor of AKAV and SBV infections. Revealing the molecular mechanisms of virus-host interactions is critical in order to understand virus biology and develop novel live attenuated vaccines

Distance to G14.33-0.64 in the Sagittarius Spiral Arm: H2O Maser Trigonometric Parallax with VERA

We report on trigonometric parallax measurements for the Galactic star forming region G14.33-0.64 toward the Sagittarius spiral arm. We conducted multi-epoch phase-referencing observations of an H2O maser source in G14.33-0.64 with the Japanese VLBI array VERA. We successfully detected a parallax of 0.893+/-0.101 mas, corresponding to a source distance of 1.12+/-0.13 kpc, which is less than half of the kinematic distance for G14.33-0.64. Our new distance measurement demonstrates that the Sagittarius arm lies at a closer distance of ~1 kpc, instead of previously assumed ~2-3 kpc from kinematic distances. The previously suggested deviation of the Sagittarius arm toward the Galactic center from the symmetrically fitted model (Taylor & Cordes 1993) is likely due to large errors of kinematic distances at low galactic longitudes. G14.33-0.64 most likely traces the near side of the Sagittarius arm. We attempted fitting the pitch angle of the arm with other parallax measurements along the arm, which yielded two possible pitch angles of i=34.7+/-2.7 degrees and i=11.2+/-10.5 degrees. Our proper motion measurements suggest G14.33-0.64 has no significant peculiar motion relative to the differential rotation of the Galaxy (assumed to be in a circular orbit), indicating that the source motion is in good agreement with the Galactic rotation.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, to appear in PASJ Vol. 62, No.

Clinical Response to Xultophy Possibly Varies from Each Different Metabolic Function

Two patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) were treated with Xultophy. Xultophy consists of degludec and liraglutide (IDegLira). It is the combination of long-acting insulin and Glucagon like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1RA) and is characteristic for effective agent for improving glucose variability for patients with T2DM. However, clinical responses are not always satisfactory due to different complication and background of each patient. We have experienced two impressive T2DM cases. Case 1 was 59-year-old male with hypertension for 20 years and T2DM for 3 years. He was treated on Novolin 30R 30/21 units twice a day, and after that Xultophy 32 doses brought him successful glucose profile. Case 2 was 78-year-old male with hypertension, bronchial asthma, hyperuricemia, and others with heavy alcohol drinking for 50 years. He was formerly treated by Insulin detemir, Liraglutide, exenatide and Degludec/NovoRapid, but has been recently unstable in glucose control. Xultophy up to 40 doses could not successfully improve glucose variability. One of the less responsiveness to Xultophy would be due to impaired liver function. Clinical progress of both cases associated with several perspectives from various points of view are discussed in this article

VLBI Monitoring of 3C 84 (NGC 1275) in Early Phase of the 2005 Outburst

Multi-epoch Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) study of the sub-pc scale jet of 3C 84 is presented. We carried out 14-epoch VLBI observations during 2006-2009 with the Japanese VLBI Network (JVN) and the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA), immediately following the radio outburst that began in 2005. We confirmed that the outburst was associated with the central ~1 pc core, accompanying the emergence of a new component. This is striking evidence of the recurrence of jet activity. The new component became brighter during 2008, in contrast to the constant gamma-ray emission that was observed with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope during the same time. We found that the projected speed of the new component is 0.23c from 2007/297 (2007 October 24) to 2009/114 (2009 April 24). The direction of movement of this component differs from that of the pre-existing component by ~40 degree. This is the first measurement of kinematics of a sub-pc jet in a gamma-ray active phase. Possible detection of jet deceleration and the jet kinematics in connection with the gamma-ray emission is discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in PAS

Astrometry of Star Forming Region IRAS 05137+3919 in the far outer Galaxy

We present the results of astrometric observations with VERA toward the H2O maser sources in IRAS 05137+3919, which is thought to be located in the far outer Galaxy. We have derived the parallax of \pi = 0.086 +/- 0.027 mas, which corresponds to the source distance of D=11.6+5.3-2.8 kpc. Although the parallax measurement is only 3-sigma level and thus the distance uncertainty is considerably large, we can strongly constrain the minimum distance to this source, locating the source at the distance from the Sun greater than 8.3 kpc (or 16.7 kpc from the Galaxy's center) at 90% confidence level. Our results provide an astrometric confirmation that this source is located in the far outer Galaxy beyond 15 kpc from the Galaxy center, indicating that IRAS 05137+3919 is one of the most distant star-forming regions from the Galaxy center.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, to appear in PASJ vol 63. No1 (VERA special issue

First-principles study of electron transport through C20C_{20} cages

Electron transport properties of C$_{20}$ molecules suspended between gold electrodes are investigated using first-principles calculations. Our study reveals that the conductances are quite sensitive to the number of C$_{20}$ molecules between electrodes: the conductances of C$_{20}$ monomers are near 1 G$_{0}$, while those of dimers are markedly smaller, since incident electrons easily pass the C$_{20}$ molecules and are predominantly scattered at the C$_{20}$-C$_{20}$ junctions. Moreover, we find both channel currents locally circulating the outermost carbon atoms.Comment: 8 pages and 3 figure

Relationships between Skeletal Muscle Mass and Strength, and Jaw-Opening Force in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly

【目的】要介護高齢者の一要因である骨格筋量の低下や筋力低下は，嚥下関連筋にも影響を及ぼし，摂食嚥下機能を低下させることが疑われる．本研究では，地域在宅高齢者の骨格筋量・骨格筋力と，口腔機能・摂食嚥下機能との関連性を明らかにすることを目的として，調査を実施した． 【対象と方法】対象は，65歳以上の地域在宅高齢者24名（男性3名，女性21名，平均年齢77.0±5.0 歳）とした．骨格筋量は骨格筋指数（以下，SMI）を，骨格筋力は握力を評価項目として用いた．口腔機能・摂食嚥下機能は開口力・オーラルディアドコキネシス（以下，OD）/ タ/ と/ カ/・RSST・MWST を測定し，骨格筋量と骨格筋力との関連性を検討した．各項目の相関関係をスピアマンの順位相関係数にて解析した．その後，有意な関連のあった項目に年齢，性別を加え，重回帰分析（ステップワイズ法）を行った．さらに，握力の値から，筋力健常群と筋力低下群（男性＜ 26 kg，女性＜ 18 kg）の2群に分類し，口腔機能・摂食嚥下機能の各項目について比較した．2群間比較には，マン・ホイットニーのU 検定を用いて統計解析した． 【結果と考察】SMI と開口力，握力と開口力・OD / タ/ に有意な相関関係が認められた（r＝0.578，p＝0.003；r＝0.640，p＝0.001；r＝0.447，p＝0.029）．重回帰分析の結果，開口力に影響を与える因子としてSMI が挙げられた．また，筋力低下群の開口力は，筋力健常群よりも有意に低い値を示した（p＝0.011）．全身の骨格筋量，骨格筋力の低下は，開口力やOD / タ/ の低下に関連する可能性が考えられた． 【結論】地域在宅高齢者の骨格筋量と骨格筋力は，開口力や舌運動機能に関連する可能性が示唆された．Skeletal muscle mass decreasing and muscle weakness can cause long-term care needs for elderly people. The relationship between skeletal muscle status and muscles relevant to oral function has been little reported. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to survey skeletal muscle status, oral function, and the relationship between the two in community-dwelling elderly people. Twenty-four community-dwelling elderly from two elderly associations in N city, T prefecture enrolled in the present survey (3 males, 21 females; mean age, 77.0±5.0 years). Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was used to assess skeletal muscle mass, grasping power to assess skeletal muscle strength. Oral function was evaluated in terms of jaw-opening force, diadochokinesis, the repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST), and the modified water swallowing test (MWST). Correlations between parameters were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Consequently stepwise regression analysis was performed with jaw-opening force as objective variable and SMI, grasping force, age and sex as explanatory variables. The subjects were divided into two groups according to standards for grasping force: healthy and muscle weakness (male: ＜26 kgw; female: ＜18 kgw). Parameters were statistically compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. There were statistical relationships between SMI and jaw-opening force (r＝0.578, p＝0.003), grasping force and jaw-opening force (r＝0.640, p＝0.001), grasping force and the number of diadochokinetic movement of /ta/ (r＝0.447, p＝0.029). As a result of stepwise regression analysis, SMI was a factor that affects jaw-opening force. In the muscle weakness group, jaw-opening force was less than the value in the healthy group ( p＝ 0.011). It is reasonable that an overall decrease in muscle mass would evoke decreases in muscle strength in both the extremities and the jaw-opening muscles. We confirmed significant relationships between skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle strength, and oral function (i.e., jaw-opening force and tongue skilled movement) in Japanese community-dwelling elderly