LCD ROOT Simulation and Analysis Tools

The North American Linear Collider Detector group has developed a simulation program package based on the ROOT system. The package consists of Fast simulation, the reconstruction of the Full simulated data, and physics analysis utilities.Comment: 5 pages 2 figure Latex, Presented at the 5th International Linear Collider Workshop (LCWS2000

Food Antioxidants and Aging: Theory, Current Evidence and Perspectives

The concept of food and aging is of great concern to humans. So far, more than 300 theories of aging have been suggested, and approaches based on these principles have been investigated. It has been reported that antioxidants in foods might play a role in human aging. To clarify the current recognition and positioning of the relationship between these food antioxidants and aging, this review is presented in the following order: (1) aging theories, (2) food and aging, and (3) individual food antioxidants and aging. Clarifying the significance of food antioxidants in the field of aging will lead to the development of strategies to achieve healthy human aging

Genetic variation of γ-tocopherol methyltransferase gene contributes to elevated α-tocopherol content in soybean seeds

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Improvement of α-tocopherol content is an important breeding aim to increase the nutritional value of crops. Several efforts have been conducted to improve the α-tocopherol content in soybean [<it>Glycine max </it>(L.) Merr.] through transgenic technology by overexpressing genes related to α-tocopherol biosynthesis or through changes to crop management practices. Varieties with high α-tocopherol content have been identified in soybean germplasms. The heritability of this trait has been characterized in a cross between high α-tocopherol variety Keszthelyi Aproszemu Sarga (KAS) and low α-tocopherol variety Ichihime. In this study, the genetic mechanism of the high α-tocopherol content trait of KAS was elucidated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Through QTL analysis and fine mapping in populations from a cross between KAS and a Japanese variety Ichihime, we identified <it>γ-TMT3</it>, which encodes <it>γ</it>-tocopherol methyltransferase, as a candidate gene responsible for high α-tocopherol concentration in KAS. Several nucleotide polymorphisms including two nonsynonymous mutations were found in the coding region of <it>γ-TMT3 </it>between Ichihime and KAS, but none of which was responsible for the difference in α-tocopherol concentration. Therefore, we focused on transcriptional regulation of <it>γ-TMT3 </it>in developing seeds and leaves. An F₅line that was heterozygous for the region containing <it>γ-TMT3 </it>was self-pollinated. From among the progeny, plants that were homozygous at the <it>γ-TMT3 </it>locus were chosen for further evaluation. The expression level of <it>γ-TMT3 </it>was higher both in developing seeds and leaves of plants homozygous for the <it>γ-TMT3 </it>allele from KAS. The higher expression level was closely correlated with high α-tocopherol content in developing seeds. We generated transgenic Arabidopsis plants harboring GUS gene under the control of <it>γ-TMT3 </it>promoter from KAS or Ichihime. The GUS activity assay showed that the activity of <it>γ-TMT3 </it>promoter from KAS was higher than that of Ichihime.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The genetic variation in <it>γ-TMT3</it>, which plays a major role in determining α-tocopherol concentration, provides significant information about the regulation of tocopherol biosynthesis in soybean seeds. This knowledge will help breeding programs to develop new soybean varieties with high α-tocopherol content.</p

A multiple-funnels cell culture insert for the scale-up production of uniform cell spheroids

Introduction: Formation of cell spheres is an important procedure in biomedical research. A large number of high-quality cell spheres of uniform size and shape are required for basic studies and therapeutic applications. Conventional approaches, including the hanging drop method and suspension culture, are used for cell sphere production. However, these methods are time consuming, cell spheres cannot be harvested easily, and it is difficult to control the size and geometry of cell spheres. To resolve these problems, a novel multiple-funnel cell culture insert was designed for size controlling, easy harvesting, and scale-up production of cell spheres. Methods: The culture substrate has 680 micro-funnels with a 1-mm width top, 0.89 mm depth, and 0.5 mm square bottom. Mouse embryonic stem cells were used to test the newly developed device. The seeded embryonic stem cells settled at the downward medium surface toward the bottom opening and aggregated as embryoid bodies (EBs). For cell sphere harvest, the bottom of the culture insert was put in contact with the medium surface in another culture dish, and the medium in the device flowed down with cell spheres by hydrostatic pressure. Results: Compact cell spheres with uniform size and shape were collected easily. The diameter of the spheres could be controlled by adjusting the seeding cell density. Spontaneous neural differentiation (nestin and Tju1) and retinoic acid-induced endodermal differentiation (Pdx-1 and insulin I) were improved in the EBs produced using the new insert compared to those in EBs produced by suspension culture. Conclusions: This novel cell culture insert shall improve future studies of cell spheres and benefit clinical applications of cell therapy

A Survey of Skills-Based Integrated English Classes in the New Curriculum

　岡山大学では平成25年度入学者から英語新カリキュラムを導入し、新１年生のスキル別科目の「総合英語１－４」（スピーキング、リーディング、ライティング、リスニング）は習熟度別クラス編成を行っている。本稿は、言語教育センター英語系が前期末の７月に実施した授業満足度に関するアンケート調査結果を分析したものである。入学時４月のTOEIC IP スコア395点以下、400点以上595点以下、600点以上の習熟度別グループに分け て学生の授業満足度の平均値をみると、習熟度の低いグループよりも高いグループの満足度が高い傾向がみられた。また、授業満足度に影響を与える要因は、習熟度別グループおよび担当教員グループによって異なることがわかった

A Study of Influencing Factors on Hospital Nurses\u27 Notification of Child Abuse

In recent years, the number of reported cases of child abuse has increased. The purpose of　this study is to clarify the actual situation of child abuse encounters among hospital nurses　and the factors that influence nursesʼ reporting behavior when they encounter child abuse. Questionnaire survey was administered to nurses at 4 hospitals (municipal, public, university, and private) who agreed to cooperate with the survey in City A.Responses were received from 145 (55.3% response rate). hospital Nurses were encountering abused children who were physically abused or neglected. The detailed items that showed significant associations as influencing factors were individual attributes were a long history of nursing. Nursesʼ recognition of child abuse were items of neglect and psychological abuse. Within hospital support was those who responded according to the manual. Nurses need to understand that they may continue to encounter cases of physical abuse and neglect. In case of neglect, to notice minute changes through observation and analysis based on years of experience. And if nurses can follow the activities in the manual, it may lead to notification actions. On the other hand, Nurses are well understand child abuse, but behavior that tends to be socially acceptable is difficult to view as abuse. In the future, it will be important to raise recognition of child abuse and to create a manual that makes use of experience to prevent erroneous judgments and actions, and to inform people to act according to the manual.This study found that hospital nurses in City A had encountered children who had been physically abused or neglected. Three factors were identified as influencing nursesʼ child abuse reporting behavior in neglect cases, personal attributes, hospital support, and nursesʼrecognition of child abuse