Infrared divergence on the light-front and dynamical Higgs mechanism

Dynamical Higgs mechanism on the light-front (LF) is studied using a (1+1) dimensional model, with emphasis on the infrared divergence problem. The consideration of the zero mode $k^+ = 0$ is not sufficient for investigating dynamical symmetry breaking on the LF. It also needs to treat properly an infrared divergence caused by internal momentum $p^+ \to 0 ~ (p^+ \neq 0)$ in the continuum limit. In order to avoid the divergence, we introduce an infrared cutoff function $F_{\rm IR} (p, \Lambda)$ which is not Lorentz invariant. It is then shown that the gauge boson obtains mass dynamically on the LF.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Vaccination with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Creates an Antigen-Specific Immune Response Against HIV-1 gp160

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are artificially derived from somatic cells that have been transduced with defined reprogramming factors. A previous report has indicated the possibility of using iPSCs as an immune stimulator to generate antigen-specific immunity. In our current study, we have investigated whether human iPSCs (hiPSCs) have the ability to enhance specific immune response against a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antigen in a xenogenic mouse model. Our results show that BALB/c mice immunized with hiPSCs transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding HIV-1 gp160 exhibited prominent antigen-specific cellular immune responses. We further found that pre-treatment of hiPSCs with ionizing radiation promotes the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), IL-12, and IL-18. These cytokines might promote the activation of antigen-presenting cells and the effective induction of cellular immunity. Our present findings thus demonstrate that a hiPSCs-based vaccine has the potential to generate cellular immunity against viral antigens such as HIV-1 gp160 in a xenogenic condition

Effects of mask fitness and worker education on the prevention of occupational dust exposure

To decrease the incidence of pneumoconiosis, we examined dust protective mask performance and its relation to pulmonary function as well as the effects of worker education on the proper wearing of masks. One hundred and seventy-eight workers from 15 factories subject to dust exposure participated in this study. All participants were interviewed to obtain relevant personal information and underwent both a mask leakage and a pulmonary function test. The mask leakage was expressed as a percentage, with under 10% leakage indicating that the dust protective mask worked efficiently. In addition, 23 workers from 2 factories were educated on how to wear masks properly. The average mask leakage was 24.3%, and 58% of workers wore ineffective masks. Though pulmonary function was almost normal, the percent vital capacity (%VC) tended to be lower depending on the mask leakage. Mask education, which was very easy and took only a short time, dramatically decreased average mask leakage from 32.1% to 10.5% (p0.001). Educating workers to wear masks properly might prevent the worsening of pulmonary function in response to dust exposure. Appropriate mask fitness by education could be useful in preventing the development of pneumoconiosis.</p

The role of virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 combining microcoils and dye marks in deep lung resection

Objectives: Virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 is a novel preoperative bronchoscopic lung mapping technique combining the multiple dye marks of conventional virtual-assisted lung mapping with intrabronchial microcoils to navigate thoracoscopic deep lung resection. This study's purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 in resecting deeply located pulmonary nodules with adequate margins. Methods: A multicenter, prospective single-arm study was performed from 2019 to 2020 in 8 institutions. The selection criteria were barely identifiable nodules requiring sublobar lung resections, nodules requiring resection lines reaching the inner 2/3 of the pulmonary lobe on computed tomography images in wedge resection, or the nodule center located in the inner 2/3 of the pulmonary lobe in wedge resection or segmentectomy. Resection margins larger than 2 cm or the nodule diameter were considered successful resection. Bronchoscopic placement of multiple dye marks and microcoil(s) was conducted 0 to 2 days before surgery. Results: We analyzed 65 lesions in 64 patients. The diameter and depth of the targeted nodules and the minimum required resection depth reported as median (interquartile range) were 9 (7-13) mm, 11 (5-15) mm, and 30 (25-35) mm, respectively. Among 60 wedge resections and 5 segmentectomies, successful resection was achieved in 64 of 65 resections (98.5%; 95% confidence interval, 91.7-100). Among 75 microcoils placed, 3 showed major displacement after bronchoscopic placement. There were no severe adverse events associated with the virtual-assisted lung mapping procedure. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 can facilitate successful resections for deep pulmonary nodules, overcoming the limitations of conventional virtual-assisted lung mapping

SNP- and haplotype-based genome-wide association studies for growth, carcass, and meat quality traits in a Duroc multigenerational population

Average linkage disequilibrium coefficient (r2) values plotted against intermarker distance for all autosomal chromosomes. (PDF 407 kb

Effect of medium-chain triglycerides supplements and walking on health-related quality of life in sedentary, healthy middle-aged, and older adults with low BMIs: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial

IntroductionTo extend individuals’ healthy life expectancies, the improvement of subjective health and quality of life (QOL) has been increasingly prioritized, alongside the improvement of their physical functioning. Reports have indicated that intake of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) benefits the physical health of older individuals requiring nursing care, and athletes, and healthy individuals. But there are few studies investigating the effects of MCTs on subjective health and QOL. The present study sought to evaluate the combined effects of 12-week MCTs supplements and moderate-intensity walking exercise on the subjective health and QOL of middle-aged and older adults aged 60–74 with low BMIs (&lt; 24 kg/m2) and who had no exercise habits.MethodsA placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group trial was conducted. Three MCTs supplement groups with different doses and fatty acid compositions were compared with a control group. The study used the SF-36v2 questionnaire to assess subjective health and health-related QOL (HRQOL).ResultsThe result showed significant improvements in the scores on subscales of the physical QOL, such as Physical functioning and General health, and summary scores on the mental QOL, compared to the control.ConclusionIt is estimated that the combination of continuous intake of MCTs and walking exercise may affect HRQOL and improve subjective physical and mental health in sedentary, healthy, middle-aged and older adults.Clinical trial registrationhttps://rctportal.niph.go.jp/s/detail/um?trial_id=UMIN000046861, UMIN000046861