Optimal Transmission Scheduling for a Hybrid of Full- and Half-Duplex Relaying

Full-duplex relaying (FDR), i.e., simultaneous transmission and reception using the same frequency channel at a radio relay, can be used to achieve a spectral efficiency higher than that in the case of half-duplex relaying (HDR) if loop-back interference is well-managed. To achieve spectral efficiency that is higher than that achieved when using FDR and HDR separately, an optimal transmission-scheduling scheme for an FDR-HDR hybrid is proposed. The scheme is formulated as an optimization problem. The conditions required to achieve the maximum spectral efficiency are determined analytically. Numerical results confirm that the proposed scheme is superior to FDR and HDR

Benchmark Dose Calculations for Methylmercury-Associated Delays on Evoked Potential Latencies in Two Cohorts of Children

Delays in evoked potential latencies were observed at increased exposures to methylmercury from seafood in two cohorts of children. Because this outcome parameter appeared to be virtually independent of confounders, including cultural differences, a joint analysis of benchmark doses was carried out. Comparable cohort members included 382 Faroese and 113 Madeiran children without middle ear infection or neurological disease at age seven years. Maternal hair-mercury concentrations at parturition in the Faroese cohort ranged from 0.6 to 39.1 μg/g (geometric average, 4.49 μg/g). In Madeira, mothers who had not changed their diet since pregnancy had current hair-mercury concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 54.4 μg/g (geometric average 10.14 μg/g). The mercury-associated delay in peak III latencies at two frequencies (20 and 40 Hz) showed similar regression equations in the two groups of children, and benchmark dose calculations were therefore carried out for the two groups separately and jointly. For a doubling of a 5% prevalence of abnormal results of the peak III latencies at 40 Hz in a linear dose-response model, the benchmark dose for the maternal hair-mercury concentration was 8.79 μg/g for the Faroese children; 8.04 μg/g for the Madeiran children; and 9.46 μg/g for both groups. Results were similar for the 20 Hz condition. Benchmark dose results were substantially lower using a logarithmic or square root curve function, although the difference in fit between the curves was far from statistically significant. The benchmark results using evoked potential latencies are in close agreement with results based on neuropsychological test performance

Visual evoked potentials in children prenatally exposed to methylmercury

Prenatal exposure to methylmercury can cause both neurobehavioral deficits and neurophysiological changes. However, evidence of neurotoxic effects within the visual nervous system is inconsistent, possibly due to incomplete statistical adjustment for beneficial nutritional factors. We evaluated the effect of prenatal methylmercury exposure on visual evoked potential (VEP) latencies in Faroese children with elevated prenatal methylmercury exposure. A cohort of 182 singleton term births was assembled in the Faroe Islands during 1994–1995. At age 7 years, VEP tracings were obtained from 139 cohort subjects after exclusion of subjects with abnormal vision conditions. We used multiple regression analysis to evaluate the association of mercury concentrations in cord blood and maternal hair at parturition with VEP latencies after adjustment for potential confounders that included the cord-serum phospholipid concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the duration of breastfeeding. Unadjusted correlations between mercury exposure and VEP latencies were equivocal. Multiple regression models showed that increased mercury concentrations, especially in maternal hair, were associated with delayed latencies for VEP peak N145. After covariate adjustment, a delay of 2.22 ms (p = 0.02) was seen for each doubling of the mercury concentration in maternal hair. In agreement with neuropsychological findings, the present study suggests that prenatal methylmercury exposure may have an adverse effect on VEP findings despite the absence of clinical toxicity to the visual system. However, this association was apparent only after adjustment for n-3 PUFA status

Two Distinct Pathways Mediated by PA28 and hsp90 in Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Antigen Processing

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I ligands are mainly produced by the proteasome. Herein, we show that the processing of antigens is regulated by two distinct pathways, one requiring PA28 and the other hsp90. Both hsp90 and PA28 enhanced the antigen processing of ovalbumin (OVA). Geldanamycin, an inhibitor of hsp90, almost completely suppressed OVA antigen presentation in PA28α−/−/β−/− lipopolysaccharide blasts, but not in wild-type cells, indicating that hsp90 compensates for the loss of PA28 and is essential in the PA28-independent pathway. In contrast, treatment of cells with interferon (IFN)-γ, which induces PA28 expression, abrogated the requirement of hsp90, suggesting that IFN-γ enhances the PA28-dependent pathway, whereas it diminishes hsp90-dependent pathway. Importantly, IFN-γ did not induce MHC class I expressions in PA28-deficient cells, indicating a prominent role for PA28 in IFN-γ–stimulated peptide supply. Thus, these two pathways operate either redundantly or specifically, depending on antigen species and cell type

Assessment of Cardiac Autonomic Function in Relation to Methylmercury Neurotoxicity

After the European Food Safety Authority reviewed reports of methylmercury and heart rate variability (HRV) in 2012, the panel concluded that, although some studies of cardiac autonomy suggested an autonomic effect of methylmercury, the results were inconsistent among studies and the implications for health were unclear. In this study, we reconsider this association by adding a perspective on the physiological context. Cardiovascular rhythmicity is usually studied within different frequency domains of HRV. Three spectral components are usually detected; in humans these are centered at <0.04 Hz, 0.15 Hz (LF), and 0.3 Hz (HF). LF and HF (sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, respectively) are evaluated in terms of frequency and power. By searching PubMed, we identified 13 studies examining the effect of methylmercury exposure on HRV in human populations in the Faroe Islands, the Seychelles and other countries. Considering both reduced HRV and sympathodominant state (i.e., lower HF, higher LF, or higher LF/HF ratio) as autonomic abnormality, eight of them showed the significant association with methylmercury exposure. Five studies failed to demonstrate any significant association. In conclusion, these data suggest that increased methylmercury exposure was consistently associated with autonomic abnormality, though the influence of methylmercury on HRV (e.g., LF) might differ for prenatal and postnatal exposures. The results with HRV should be included in the risk characterization of methylmercury. The HRV parameters calculated by frequency domain analysis appear to be more sensitive to methylmercury exposure than those by time domain analysis

Two-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial: knowledge and reproductive outcome after online fertility education

STUDY QUESTION What are the long-term effects of fertility education on knowledge and reproductive outcome? SUMMARY ANSWER Participants in the intervention group retained some knowledge after 2 years and the partnered women had a new child more quickly than the comparison group. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Fertility education improves knowledge, at least in the short-term. Attitudes toward childbearing and its timing can change after exposure to educational materials. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Participants were recruited via an online social research panel. In the original randomized controlled trial (RCT), knowledge of reproductive-aged participants was assessed before (T1) and immediately after (T2) receiving one of three information brochures: fertility (intervention group), healthy pre-pregnancy (focused on intake of folic acid during pregnancy, control group 1), or family policies in Japan (childcare provision, control group 2). The present follow-up study was conducted 2 years later in January 2017 (T3) with the same participants. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Of the T1 participants (n = 1455), 383 men and 360 women (51%) responded to the T3 survey. Fertility knowledge measured with the Japanese version of the Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J) and fertility status (e.g. new births, new medical consultations, and the timing of new birth) was assessed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Baseline (T1) characteristics of the T3 participants were well balanced between groups, but T3 participants were older, married, and more educated compared to those lost to follow-up. A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant knowledge gains among the intervention group from T1 to T3 (11.2% and 7.0% among men and women, respectively) but no significant change over time for the control groups. There were no differences between groups in the incidence of new births or new medical consultations. However, subgroup analysis showed that timing of new births was accelerated for partnered individuals in the intervention group. Specifically, the proportion of partnered participants at T1 who had a new birth in the first year subsequent to presentation of information was higher in the intervention group versus control group 1 (folic acid): 8.8% versus 1.4% (P = 0.09) among men and 10.6% versus 2.3% (P = 0.03) among women, respectively. The odds ratios (adjusted for age) were 7.8 (95% CI: 0.86–70.7) and 5.2 (95% CI: 1.09–25.0) among men and women, respectively. The timing of births and the proportion of new births during the 2-year follow-up period in the intervention group were similar to that of control group 2 (family policy). The incidence of new medical consultation was higher in the male intervention group (12.0%) than in male control group 2 (family policy, 1.5%, P = 0.04) but similar among women in all groups. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION First, the high attrition rate may limit the generalizability of these findings for longer-term acquisition of fertility knowledge, especially when applied to younger people who were more likely to be lost to follow-up. Second, this is a 2-year follow-up study and the results may change in the longer-term. Finally, we relied on self-reported questionnaire data and there is a possibility that some women were unknowingly pregnant at T1 but this risk should be distributed equally in the three groups through randomization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Effects of one-time education were limited but retained beyond baseline levels. Importantly, education was found to potentially accelerate decision-making about achieving births in partnered subgroups compared to receiving healthy pre-pregnancy information. However, this finding should be confirmed in future stratified RCTs designed to evaluate effects in these subgroups. Follow-up ‘booster’ education sessions might help people retain knowledge and facilitate reproductive decisions for longer. In view of the high attrition rate, especially among young populations, novel educational strategies to retain young people in fertility education cohorts should be explored. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by National Center for Child Health and Development, the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, Pfizer Health Research Foundation, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. E.M. reports joint research funds from a public interest incorporated foundation ‘1 more Baby Ohendan.

Construction of a genetic AND gate under a new standard for assembly of genetic parts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Appropriate regulation of respective gene expressions is a bottleneck for the realization of artificial biological systems inside living cells. The modification of several promoter sequences is required to achieve appropriate regulation of the systems. However, a time-consuming process is required for the insertion of an operator, a binding site of a protein for gene expression, to the gene regulatory region of a plasmid. Thus, a standardized method for integrating operator sequences to the regulatory region of a plasmid is required.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed a standardized method for integrating operator sequences to the regulatory region of a plasmid and constructed a synthetic promoter that functions as a genetic AND gate. By standardizing the regulatory region of a plasmid and the operator parts, we established a platform for modular assembly of the operator parts. Moreover, by assembling two different operator parts on the regulatory region, we constructed a regulatory device with an AND gate function.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We implemented a new standard to assemble operator parts for construction of functional genetic logic gates. The logic gates at the molecular scale have important implications for reprogramming cellular behavior.</p

Prospective Study of Isolated Recurrent Tumor Re-irradiation With Carbon-Ion Beams

Purpose: To perform a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of isolated recurrent tumor re-irradiation with carbon-ion radiotherapy (RT).Methods and Materials: The inclusion criteria were clinically proven recurrent tumors, measurable by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, patients ≥ 16 years old, performance status scores between 0 and 2, isolated tumor at a previously irradiated site, and a life expectancy &gt; 6 months. The exclusion criteria were tumor invasion into the gastrointestinal tract or a major blood vessel, uncontrolled infection, early recurrence (&lt;3 months), and severe concomitant diseases. The primary end-point was the local control rate, the secondary end-points including the overall survival rate, and adverse events.Results: Between December 2013 and March 2016, 22 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients were re-irradiated with carbon-ion RT with radical intent. Five patients had rectal cancer, 4 had sarcoma, 4 had lung cancer, 3 had hepatic cell carcinoma, and 6 had other tumors. The median follow-up time was 26 months. Eight patients developed local recurrence, and the 1- and 2-year local control rates were 71 and 60%, respectively. Eight patients died of their cancers and 2 died of other diseases. The 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 76 and 67%, respectively. There were no grade 2 or higher acute adverse events and 4 patients (18%) developed grade 3 late adverse events. The group with the longer interval (&gt;16 months) between the first RT and re-irradiation had significantly better outcomes than the shorter interval group (≤ 16 months).Conclusions: Re-irradiation, using carbon-ion RT with radical intent, had favorable local control and overall survival rates without severe toxicities for selected patients. Re-irradiation has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for isolated, local, recurrent tumors; further investigations are required to confirm the therapeutic efficacy

ラオス ジンミン ミンシュ キョウワコク ノ キョウイン ヨウセイ ガッコウ タンダイ ニオケル リカ キョウイク エノ キョウリョク カツドウ ト カダイ

第二次世界大戦後長期に亘り,ラオスは多くの困難に直面してきた。例えば,最貧困国から抜け出すには持続可能でこの国に適した方法での貧困根絶が求められる。ラオス政府は貧困根絶計画(NPEP)を策定し,"貧困とは人材開発を通して闘う"との戦略的取組みを示してきた。このような流れを基礎にして,政府は政策における関心を基礎教育に向けてきた。この状況の中で,ラオス教育省とJICAは協力して教育協力事業の重点を初等中等学校における理数科教育の改善のために,教員養成短大や学校の教育の質の向上においてきた。本論は新しいプロジェクト(SMATT)の概要と活動における課題を示し,これ等を考察する。Since the long-term in Laos after world war II, the country has been facing many challenges. For example, exiting the status of least-developed country (LDC) requires eradicating poverty in a sustainable and suitable method in Laos. The government of the Lao PDR has decided the Policy of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NPEP) and presented the strategic approach "Fighting Poverty through Humann Resouce Development". On this basis, the attention in the policy has been oriented toward the basic education. Above all things, emphasize of scheme in education by the cooperation between ministry of education (MOE) in Laos and JICA has been placed on the development of quality of teaching in the teacher training colleges/schools in Laos to improve science and mathematics education for primary and secondary schools. This paper provides the overview of new project for improving science and mathematics teacher training (SMATT) and studies the issues of the activities.国立情報学研究所『研究紀要公開支援事業』により電子化

Neurobehavioral performance of Inuit children with increased prenatal exposure to methylmercury

Exposure to methylmercury from marine mammals and other seafood may affect the development of the central nervous system. In a traditional Inuit community in Qaanaaq, Greenland, mercury concentrations in cord blood and maternal hair have been examined in connection with all births. We examined 43 children at age 7–12 years with a battery of neurobehavioral tests. The average mercury concentration in hair was 5.0 μ/g and 1.5 μ/g in children and mothers, respectively. Clinical neurological examination did not reveal any obvious deficits. However, neuropsychological tests showed possible exposure-associated deficits, though only in a few cases reaching statistical significance. In conjunction with data from other studies, peak latencies on brainstem auditory evoked potentials tended to be prolonged at increased exposure levels. The data from the present study therefore appears in accordance with other evidence that prenatal or early postnatal exposures to methylmercury may cause subtle neurobehavioral deficits