Index theorem on T2/ZNT^2/\mathbb{Z}_N orbifolds

We investigate chiral zero modes and winding numbers at fixed points on $T^2/\mathbb{Z}_N$ orbifolds. It is shown that the Atiyah-Singer index theorem for the chiral zero modes leads to a formula $n_+-n_-=(-V_++V_-)/2N$, where $n_{\pm}$ are the numbers of the $\pm$ chiral zero modes and $V_{\pm}$ are the sums of the winding numbers at the fixed points on $T^2/\mathbb{Z}_N$. This formula is complementary to our zero-mode counting formula on the magnetized orbifolds with non-zero flux background $M \neq 0$, consistently with substituting $M = 0$ for the counting formula $n_+ - n_- = (2M - V_+ + V_-)/2N$.Comment: 33 pages, 3 figure

Index and winding numbers on T2/ZNT^2/\mathbb{Z}_N orbifolds with magnetic flux

We analyze the number of independent chiral zero modes and the winding numbers at the fixed points on $T^2/{\mathbb{Z}}_N$ ($N=2,3,4,6$) orbifolds with magnetic flux. In the case of $N=2$, we derive the index formula $n_{+}-n_{-}=M/2+(-V_{+}+V_{-})/4=M/2-V_{+}/2+1$ by using the trace formula, where $n_{\pm}$ are the numbers of the $\pm$ chiral zero modes and $V_{\pm}$ are the sums of the winding numbers at the fixed points on $T^2/{\mathbb{Z}}_2$. We also obtain the formula $n_{+}-n_{-}=M/N+(-V_{+}+V_{-})/(2N)=M/N-V_{+}/N+1$ for $N=3,4,6$ under an assumption.Comment: 37 pages, 2 figure

Association of cerebrospinal fluid anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies with diffuse psychiatric/neuropsychological syndromes in systemic lupus erythematosus

We explored the relationship of antibodies to the whole ribosomal P proteins (P0, P1, and P2) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with diffuse psychiatric/neuropsychological syndromes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CSF samples were obtained from 71 SLE patients (52 patients with diffuse psychiatric/neuropsychological syndromes [diffuse NP-SLE] and 19 patients with neurological syndromes or peripheral neuropathy [focal NP-SLE]) as well as from 24 patients with non-inflammatory neurological disease. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to the C-terminal 22-amino acid ribosomal P synthetic peptide (anti-PC22) and those to purified bovine ribosomal P proteins (P0, P1, and P2) (anti-whole P) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; affinity-purified IgG anti-PC22 were used as the standard. The concentrations of antibodies to epitopes other than the C-terminal 22 amino acids of ribosomal P proteins were calculated by subtracting anti-PC22 from anti-whole P (anti-PEX.C22). CSF anti-whole P levels were significantly elevated in diffuse NP-SLE compared with focal NP-SLE or control patients. By contrast, there were no significant differences in CSF anti-PC22 levels among the three groups. Of note, CSF anti-PEX.C22 levels were significantly elevated in diffuse NP-SLE compared with the other two groups. CSF anti-PEX.C22 levels were not significantly correlated with CSF anti-PC22 levels, but with CSF antibodies against the recombinant ribosomal P0 protein lacking the C-terminal 22 amino acids (C22-depleted rP0). Moreover, levels of CSF anti-PEX.C22 or CSF anti-C22-depleted rP0, but not CSF anti-PC22, were significantly correlated with CSF anti-neuronal cell antibodies (anti-N). These results indicate that CSF IgG antibodies to the epitopes other than the C-terminal 22 amino acids of ribosomal P proteins, which might contain one of the major targets of CSF anti-N, are associated with the development of diffuse NP-SLE

Identification and Characterization of Rice OsHKT1;3 Variants

In rice, the high-affinity K+ transporter, OsHKT1;3, functions as a Na+-selective transporter. mRNA variants of OsHKT1;3 have been reported previously, but their functions remain unknown. In this study, five OsHKT1;3 variants (V1-V5) were identified from japonica rice (Nipponbare) in addition to OsHKT1;3_FL. Absolute quantification qPCR analyses revealed that the transcript level of OsHKT1;3_FL was significantly higher than other variants in both the roots and shoots. Expression levels of OsHKT1;3_FL, and some variants, increased after 24 h of salt stress. Two electrode voltage clamp experiments in a heterologous expression system using Xenopus laevis oocytes revealed that oocytes expressing OsHKT1;3_FL and all of its variants exhibited smaller Na+ currents. The presented data, together with previous data, provide insights to understanding how OsHKT family members are involved in the mechanisms of ion homeostasis and salt tolerance in rice.</p

Index theorem on magnetized blow-up manifold of T2/ZNT^2/\mathbb{Z}_N

We investigate blow-up manifolds of $T^2/{\mathbb{Z}}_N\,(N=2,3,4,6)$ orbifolds with magnetic flux $M$. Since the blow-up manifolds have no singularities, we can apply the Atiyah-Singer index theorem to them. Then, we establish the zero-mode counting formula $n_{+}-n_{-}=(M-V_{+})/N+1$, where $V_{+}$ denotes the sum of winding numbers at fixed points on the $T^2/{\mathbb{Z}}_N$ orbifolds, as the Atiyah-Singer index theorem on the orbifolds, and clarify physical and geometrical meanings of the formula.Comment: 26 pages, 3 figure

Zero-mode wave functions by localized gauge fluxes

We study chiral zero-mode wave functions on blow-up manifolds of $T^2/Z_N$ orbifolds with both bulk and localized magnetic flux backgrounds. We introduce a singular gauge transformation in order to remove $Z_N$ phases for $Z_N$ twisted boundary condition of matter fields. We compute wave functions of not only bulk zero modes but also localized modes at the orbifold singular points, which correspond to new zero modes induced by localized flux. By studying their Yukawa couplings, it turns out that only three patterns of Yukawa couplings are allowed. Our theory has a specific coupling selection rule.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figure

Educational Programs of Business Producers and System Creators for Future Strategy Design Based on Action Project Group Activities through Industry and University Cooperation

Our Japanese industry and university project group at Aoyama Gakuin University carried out two types of development and demonstration classes as part of new educational programs to create human resources focused on future strategy design over several years. In response to social issues related to SDGs and the circular economy (CE) that may arise in the future, new human resources who can formulate SDG/CE business scheme documents to solve these social issues are called “business producers.” New educational methods that combine both project-based learning (PBL) and active learning (AL) to create business producers were developed to accommodate hybrid group work exercises. Specifically, educational digital transformation (DX) technology was integrated to ensure a flexible response to the new normal following COVID-19. As prerequisites to develop the four types of human resources that make up the SDGs/CE business scheme, the learning of theories and mechanisms pertinent to the various advanced technologies is desirable. These new human resources equipped with specialized knowledge and practical skills are called “system creators.” A practical hands-on training program to enhance the skills of the system creators through future strategy design was created to cover the following subjects: IoT and platform services, as well as metaverse experiences

Species-independent detection of RNA virus by representational difference analysis using non-ribosomal hexanucleotides for reverse transcription

A method for the isolation of genomic fragments of RNA virus based on cDNA representational difference analysis (cDNA RDA) was developed. cDNA RDA has been applied for the subtraction of poly(A)(+) RNAs but not for poly(A)(−) RNAs, such as RNA virus genomes, owing to the vast quantity of ribosomal RNAs. We constructed primers for inefficient reverse transcription of ribosomal sequences based on the distribution analysis of hexanucleotide patterns in ribosomal RNA. The analysis revealed that distributions of hexanucleotide patterns in ribosomal RNA and virus genome were different. We constructed 96 hexanucleotides (non-ribosomal hexanucleotides) and used them as mixed primers for reverse transcription of cDNA RDA. A synchronous analysis of hexanucleotide patterns in known viral sequences showed that all the known genomic-size viral sequences include non-ribosomal hexanucleotides. In a model experiment, when non-ribosomal hexanucleotides were used as primers, in vitro transcribed plasmid RNA was efficiently reverse transcribed when compared with ribosomal RNA of rat cells. Using non-ribosomal primers, the cDNA fragments of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 were efficiently amplified by subtracting the cDNA amplicons derived from uninfected cells from those that were derived from virus-infected cells. The results suggest that cDNA RDA with non-ribosomal primers can be used for species-independent detection of viruses, including new viruses

ELECTROPORATION OF BOVINE BLASTOCYSTS

The introduction of exogenous molecules into embryos is required for analyses of molecular dynamics and specific gene functions during early embryonic development. Electroporation is an effective method to transport exogenous molecules into cells, but is rarely used in bovine embryos. First, we evaluated the viability of in vivo-derived bovine blastocysts after electroporation with fluorescein (FAM) labeled-oligonucleotides with varying pulse numbers (3, 5, 7, and 10), while keeping the pulse duration at 1 msec and the electric field of 20 V/mm. Next, we examined the effects of zona pellucida status on blastocyst quality after electroporation, by comparing the average diameter of blastocysts before and after electroporation using blastocysts with intact zona pellucida and hatching/hatched blastocysts. Electroporation successfully introduced exogenous molecules into in vivo-derived bovine blastocysts without loss of viability. Moreover, the status of the zona pellucida may be associated with the quality of blastocysts after electroporation