Seasonal dependence of the vertical distributions of auroral kilometric radiation sources and auroral particle acceleration regions observed by the Akebono satellite

Seasonal variations in the vertical distributions of occurrence probabilities of auroral kilometnc radiation (AKR) sources and auroral acceleration regions indicated by upward-flowing ion (UFI) events were compared based on statistical analyses of plasma waves and energetic particles data observed by the Akebono satellite. The peak altitude in the vertical distribution of occurrence probability of AKR sources whose emission intensities were larger than -150dBW/m^2-Hz occurred at 5000-6000 km in the summer polar region and at 3000-4000 km in the winter polar region. The analyses have also clarified that the vertical distributions of occurrence probabilities of auroral acceleration regions also show seasonal variations that are quite similar to those of the AKR sources. Based on the observation that intense AKR emissions can be generated even in high-density plasma, we suggest that processes other than cyclotron maser instability (CMI), such as mode conversions, may be dominant under conditions of dense ambient plasma in the summer polar regions. The contri-bution of the emissions generated by these mechanisms to the seasonal variations in the vertical distributions of AKR sources is thought to be significant

Control factor of solar cycle variation of auroral kilometric radiation

Solar cycle variations of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) observed by the Akebono satellite have been compared with the variations of F10.7 and solar wind dynamic pressure. F10.7 and solar wind dynamic pressure show different solar cycle variations: F10.7 increases during solar maximum and decreases during solar minimum. Solar wind dynamic pressure suddenly increases in the declining phase of solar activity and gradually decreases. The pressure minimum occurs during solar maximum. Statistical analysis of the Akebono data has shown that AKR occurrence minimum occurs during solar maximum, however AKR occurrence maximum coincides not with solar wind dynamic pressure peak but with F10.7 minimum. Up-flowing ion (UFI) events and ambient plasma density, which are associated with generation conditions of AKR, also show similar behavior. They are dependent not on solar wind dynamic pressure but on F10.7. These results suggest the anti-correlation between discrete aurora and solar activities, which has been never recognized through the studies on secular variations of auroral phenomena mainly based on old auroral records obtained in mid-latitude regions

Propagation modes and source locations of the auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) identified by using the wave distribution function method

The propagation characteristics of Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR), the propagation mode, power flux as well as propagation direction, have been analyzed by applying the wave distribution function method to the Poynting Flux measurement data obtained by the PWS system onboard the Akebono (EXOS-D) satellite. The results revealed that the power flux of O-mode waves was about 10 percent of the X-mode wave intensity in strong AKR emissions. The X-mode AKR waves tend to fill inside the radiation cone of an auroral field line. On the other hand, O-mode AKR showed two different propagation directions, one was directed to almost 90° with respect to the local magnetic field and the other showed angle in the vicinity of 40°. It was shown that the source locations of O-mode AKR waves with the propagation angle of about 40° located close to the source of the intense X-mode AKR waves

SC-related kilometric and hectometric radiations observed by the Akebono satellite in the polar regions

Plasma wave phenomena associated with sudden commencements (SCs) were analyzed using the database of Akebono satellite observations that has been contributed to for more than 13 years, since March 1989. The plasma wave data from 263 satellite passages covering the onsets of SCs included 85 cases of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) enhancement within a frequency range of 100kHz to 1.2MHz. The majority of the spectra of the SC-related AKR exhibited a two-banded structure with a harmonic relationship. The start time of the AKR enhancements tended to occur after the onset of the SCs, determined using the geomagnetic records of the Kakioka Magnetic Observatory, within a time range of 3 to 8min, with an average delay time of 5.26min. Based on this delay time feature, the magnetic disturbances associated with SCs were thought to propagate from the dayside magnetosphere to the nightside tail region where they compressed the plasma sheet. On the other hand, the data set reveals 19 cases of terrestrial hectometric radiation (THR) that were also associated with SCs appearing within a frequency range of 900kHz to 4MHz. The THR onset tended to occur 1 to 9min after the SC onset, with an average delay time of 5.84min

CPAPアドヒランスの予測因子としてのCPAP装着下覚醒時の呼吸不規則性

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. However, long-term adherence remains at ~50% despite improvements in behavioural and educational interventions. Based on prior work, we explored whether regularity of breathing during wakefulness might be a physiologic predictor of CPAP adherence. METHODS: Of the 117 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with OSA and prescribed CPAP, 79 CPAP naïve patients were enrolled in this prospective study. During CPAP initiation, respiratory signals were collected using respiratory inductance plethysmography while wearing CPAP during wakefulness in a seated position. Breathing regularity was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) for breath-by-breath estimated tidal volume (VT ) and total duration of respiratory cycle (Ttot). In a derivation group (n = 36), we determined the cut-off CV value which predicted poor CPAP adherence at the first month of therapy, and verified the validity of this predetermined cut-off value in the remaining participants (validation group; n = 43). RESULTS: In the derivation group, the CV for estimated VT was significantly higher in patients with poor adherence than with good adherence (median (interquartile range): 44.2 (33.4-57.4) vs 26.0 (20.4-33.2), P 34.0 confirmed to be predicting poor CPAP adherence (sensitivity, 0.78; specificity, 0.83). CONCLUSION: At the initiation of therapy, breathing regularity during wakefulness while wearing CPAP is an objective predictor of short-term CPAP adherence.博士（医学）・乙第1391号・平成29年3月15日© 2016 Asian Pacific Society of RespirologyThis is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Respirology Vol.22 No.2 p.386-393 (2017 Feb), which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/resp.12900. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Neuroendocrine (NE) Differentiation in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors (GCTs): Use of Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) to Demonstrate Direct NE Differentiation from GCTs

Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation is infrequent in testicular tumors and its histogenesis is not well understood. The present study is aimed at elucidating the pathway of neuroendocrine differentiation in germ cell tumors (GCTs) of the testis. In the analysis of 46 germ cell tumor components from 23 testicular tumors, we focused on GCTs with neuroendocrine differentiation, 7 teratoma, 1 embryonal carcinoma and 1 neuroendocrine carcinoma by immunohistochemical study and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis. NE marker positive cells were noted in the tumor with collision of teratoma and embryonal carcinoma (E&T tumor), in the immature columnar cells of transitional form of embryonal carcinoma to teratoma (E-T cells) and neuroendocrine carcinoma cells, in addition to the well known mature intestinal mucosa in teratoma. Double staining for a NE marker (CGA) and a germ cell marker (PLAP) demonstrated the localization of both proteins in the same E-T cells confirmed by CLSM. Another finding, indicating the intimate relation between embryonal carcinoma and neuroendcrine differentiation, is that neuroendocrine carcinoma expressed a marker of embryonal carcinoma, CD30. The present results indicated that the NE cells might be differentiated from embryonal carcinoma, a view that has not been proposed before, but that is made in the present study using CLSM

Three-dimensional visualization and characterization of polymeric self-assemblies by Transmission Electron Microtomography

Self-assembling structures and their dynamical processes in polymeric systems have been investigated using three-dimensional transmission electron microscopy (3D-TEM). Block copolymers (BCPs) self-assemble into nanoscale periodic structures called microphase-separated structures, a deep understanding of which is important for creating nanomaterials with superior physical properties, such as high-performance membranes with well-defined pore size and high-density data storage media. Because microphase-separated structures have become increasingly complicated with advances in precision polymerization, characterizing these complex morphologies is becoming increasingly difficult. Thus, microscopes capable of obtaining 3D images are required. In this article, we demonstrate that 3D-TEM is an essential tool for studying BCP nanostructures, especially those self-assembled during dynamical processes and under confined conditions.The first example is a dynamical process called order-order transitions (OOTs). Upon changing temperature or pressure or applying an external field, such as a shear flow or electric field, BCP nanostructures transform from one type of structure to another. The OOTs are examined by freezing the specimens in the middle of the OOT and then observing the boundary structures between the preexisting and newly formed nanostructures in three-dimensions. In an OOT between the bicontinuous double gyroid and hexagonally packed cylindrical structures, two different types of epitaxial phase transition paths are found. Interestingly, the paths depend on the direction of the OOT. The second example is BCP self-assemblies under confinement that have been examined by 3D-TEM. A variety of intriguing and very complicated 3D morphologies can be formed even from the BCPs that self-assemble into simple nanostructures, such as lamellar and cylindrical structures in the bulk (in free space).Although 3D-TEM is becoming more frequently used for detailed morphological investigations, it is generally used to study static nanostructures. Although OOTs are dynamical processes, the actual experiment is done in the static state, through a detailed morphological study of a snapshot taken during the OOT. Developing time-dependent nanoscale 3D imaging has become a hot topic. Here, the two main problems preventing the development of in situ electron tomography for polymer materials are addressed. First, the staining protocol often used to enhance contrast for electrons is replaced by a new contrast enhancement based on chemical differences between polymers. In this case, no staining is necessary. Second, a new 3D reconstruction algorithm allows us to obtain a high-contrast, quantitative 3D image from fewer projections than is required for the conventional algorithm to achieve similar contrast, reducing the number of projections and thus the electron beam dose. Combini

Three-Dimensional Visualization and Characterization of Polymeric Self-Assemblies by Transmission Electron Microtomography

Self-assembling structures and their dynamical processes in polymeric systems have been investigated using three-dimensional transmission electron microscopy (3D-TEM). Block copolymers (BCPs) self-assemble into nanoscale periodic structures called microphase-separated structures, a deep understanding of which is important for creating nanomaterials with superior physical properties, such as high-performance membranes with well-defined pore size and high-density data storage media. Because microphase-separated structures have become increasingly complicated with advances in precision polymerization, characterizing these complex morphologies is becoming increasingly difficult. Thus, microscopes capable of obtaining 3D images are required. In this article, we demonstrate that 3D-TEM is an essential tool for studying BCP nanostructures, especially those self-assembled during dynamical processes and under confined conditions.The first example is a dynamical process called order-order transitions (OOTs). Upon changing temperature or pressure or applying an external field, such as a shear flow or electric field, BCP nanostructures transform from one type of structure to another. The OOTs are examined by freezing the specimens in the middle of the OOT and then observing the boundary structures between the preexisting and newly formed nanostructures in three-dimensions. In an OOT between the bicontinuous double gyroid and hexagonally packed cylindrical structures, two different types of epitaxial phase transition paths are found. Interestingly, the paths depend on the direction of the OOT. The second example is BCP self-assemblies under confinement that have been examined by 3D-TEM. A variety of intriguing and very complicated 3D morphologies can be formed even from the BCPs that self-assemble into simple nanostructures, such as lamellar and cylindrical structures in the bulk (in free space).Although 3D-TEM is becoming more frequently used for detailed morphological investigations, it is generally used to study static nanostructures. Although OOTs are dynamical processes, the actual experiment is done in the static state, through a detailed morphological study of a snapshot taken during the OOT. Developing time-dependent nanoscale 3D imaging has become a hot topic. Here, the two main problems preventing the development of in situ electron tomography for polymer materials are addressed. First, the staining protocol often used to enhance contrast for electrons is replaced by a new contrast enhancement based on chemical differences between polymers. In this case, no staining is necessary. Second, a new 3D reconstruction algorithm allows us to obtain a high-contrast, quantitative 3D image from fewer projections than is required for the conventional algorithm to achieve similar contrast, reducing the number of projections and thus the electron beam dose. Combining these two new developments is expected to open new doors to 3D in situ real-time structural observation of polymer materials