Northcott numbers for the weighted Weil heights

We answer the question of Vidaux and Videla about the distribution of the Northcott numbers for the Weil height. We solve the same problem for the weighted Weil heights. These heights generalize both the absolute and relative Weil height. Our results also refine those of Pazuki, Technau, and Widmer.Comment: 16 page

Northcott numbers for generalized weighted Weil heights

We give a generalization of weighted Weil heights. These heights generalize both Weil's heights and Dobrowolski's height. We study Northcott numbers for our heights. Our results generalize the authors' former work on Vidaux and Videla's question about the Northcott number. As an application, we evaluate Northcott numbers for Talamanca's spectral height on matrices.Comment: 28 page

A Study on Education that Uses CS Broadcasting Proposal for the Report of the Future Planning Committee

関西大学将来構想委員会から学長あてに答申された「教育の質の向上をはかる具体的方策について」の中に，CS放送を利用した放送事業について述べられている．今，わが国では放送の①通信との融合，②デジタル化，③多チャンネル化，④高機能化が進行中である．そうした状況のもとで，CSを伝送路とし，家庭のテレビ受像機を端末とした教育は，特に生涯教育．社会教育の対象となる中・高年齢者層にとっても有効な手段である．その場合の留意点，検討・解決すべき課題を述べ，さらに番組制作に関する具体的方策について述べる．一般に「放送」というと，NHK総合や各民放のようなエンターテインメントを中心にした1チャンネルのみの総合編成の放送を想起し，制作の専門家集団により金と手間のかかる番組制作方法と，その評価の一つとしての高い視聴率がとれる番組を想起することが多いが，そこで想定されるような莫大な経費をかけず，本学で内製できる体制をとることは，十分可能であり，その基本的考え方についても言及する．Broadcasting businesses that use "Abstract Communications Satellite" (CS) broadcasting are described in the "Detailed Policies to Improve Educational Quality", a proposal from the Kansai University Future Planning Committee to the school president. In Japan (1) blending of broadcasting with communications systems, (2) digitization of broadcasting, (3) multi-channelization of TV broadcasting, and (4)advancing to high-tech functions of broadcasting are progressing. In this background,education utilizing CS transmitting means and a home television set as the terminal is a particularly effective means for elderly people for their life-long education and social education. This proposal describes matters requiring special attention, themes to be examined and solved. And the detailed policies regarding program preparation for the education. When we say "broadcasting," we generally think of the comprehensive broadcasting of an independent channel that provides mainly entertainment programs, such as NHK\u27s general programs and those of commercial broadcasting companies. It also reminds us of program preparation that requires a great deal of money, time and labor of a group of specialists and programs that have high ratings as one of the evaluation methods. But, it is possible to prepare programs without spending such large sums of money by forming a program preparation organization within our university. The proposal describes the basic concept of the program preparation

Effects of levetiracetam on seizure frequency and neuropsychological impairments in children with refractory epilepsy with secondary bilateral synchrony

AbstractPurposeIn epilepsy with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS), which is a representative epileptic syndrome of secondary bilateral synchrony (SBS), the urgent suppression of this electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormality may be necessary to prevent the progression of neuropsychological impairments. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) on SBS, seizure frequency, and neuropsychological impairments in children with refractory epilepsy.MethodsEleven (seven male and four female) patients with refractory epilepsy with SBS on EEG, aged between 4.7 years and 11.3 years, were included in this study. After a 3-month baseline period, the patients were given LEV at an initial dose of 10mg/kg/day for the first week, followed at increments of 5mg/kg/day every week, up to 20mg/kg/day. The LEV dose was then adjusted up to a maximum of 60mg/kg/day, according to the clinician's judgment. EEG recordings and clinical evaluations were performed every 3 months, focusing on SBS. The occurrence of SBS was then scored, and the relationship between the score and the response to LEV treatment was evaluated. In comparison with the baseline SBS frequency, the EEG response to LEV treatment was classified, and responders were identified as having a ≥50% reduction in SBS frequency. In addition, in comparison with the baseline seizure frequency, response to LEV treatment was classified. Responders were identified as patients with complete cessation (100% seizure control) and a response of ≥50% reduction in seizures. Furthermore, neuropsychological impairments such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattention were evaluated before and after LEV treatment.ResultsEight patients (72.7%) were considered responders. In addition, all eight patients were also considered responders for clinical seizures. Furthermore, 7 of 8 (87.5%) patients with response showed decreased hyperactivity and impulsivity after LEV administration.ConclusionsThe present data clearly indicate the usefulness of LEV in reducing both SBS on EEG and seizure frequency. LEV represents an important addition to the treatments available for refractory childhood epilepsies with SBS on EEG

Thoughts about renewal of the cable TV at Takatsuki-campus

キャンパス内のケーブルテレビ施設は,2005年度中をメドに全デジタル化に更新しなければ,教育上,支障を起こすことになる.その理由は,現伏ではケーブルテレビ施設が大きな変革期にあり,技術面を中心に流動的かつ過渡期にあり,3年後には落ち着くと予想されるからである.更新の場合,専門メーカーに依頼しなければ構築は困難である.放送のデジタル化による多チャンネルヘの対応よりも,ハイビジョン(HDTV=High Definition TV)による高画質・高音質化,双方向機能による高機能化に対応する必要がある.If the cable TV system at the Takatsuki-campus is not updated to all digitizations within the 2005 fiscal year, it will cause educational troubles. Because it is expected that the cable TV system will undergo big changes in the 2005 fiscal year, it is in fluid and a transition stage centering on the technical side, and it will settle down three years thereafter. In updating, construction is difficult if a special maker is not requested. It is necessary to make changes corresponding to the high definition and quality of sound by Hi-Vision (HDTV), and advanced bidirectional features, rather than corresponding to the many channels of broadcast digitization

The Present Condition of Cable TV, and a Future View

Japanese cable TV will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2005. During this half century, it has responded to the currents of the times, and environmental changes. Which be came a role of information communication although new functions have been added. It can be said that cable TV has proceeded from CATV (community antenna television), to a cable network. This development can be seen as including several distinct generations -- that is, IT (information communication technology), IP (Internet Protocol), broadcast, change to borderless communications and the present various environments, and competition. Especially required now is broaderbased cooperation of cable TV networks. Future possibilities are discussed.日本の有線テレビジョン放送は,2005年には50周年を迎える.その間,時代の流れや環境の変化に応じ,新しい機能を追加しつつも,地域の情報通信基盤としての役割を果たしてきた.簡単にいうと,「CATVからケーブルテレビを経てケーブルネットワークへ」となる.その状況を種類と発展過程として,世代に分けて振り返り,IT(情報通信技術),IP(インターネット・プロトコル),放送と通信のボーダレスなど,現在のさまざまな環境の変化と競合にどう対応しているかを概観する.特に,今後,必要で,かつ,その傾向が顕著なのは,ケーブルテレビ同士の広域連携であり,そのことについて今後の展望を考察する.なお,有線テレビジョン放送とは,『有線テレビジョン放送法』には「有線放送(公衆によって直接受信されることを目的とする有線電気通信の送信をいう)であって,有線ラジオ放送業務の運用の規制に関する法律第二条に規定する有線ラジオ放送以外のものをいう」とあるが,「空間に電波を発射せず,同軸ケーブルなど(光ファイバーケーブルも含む)の線の中に電波を閉じ込め,映像・音声・データなどを,送受信するシステム」とする

Modulating effect of the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 on cisplatin in human pancreatic cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chemoresistance is a serious problem in pancreatic cancer, but the mechanism of resistance and strategies against the resistance have not been elucidated. We examined the potential of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor LY294002 to enhance the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin and investigated the mechanism of chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer cells using a combination therapy of cisplatin and LY294002, both <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cisplatin and LY294002, individually or in combination, were given to AsPC-1 and PANC-1 cell lines. Tumor growth, DNA fragments, and Akt phosphorylation were examined <it>in vitro</it>. To examine the therapeutic effect of cisplatin and LY294002, individually or combination an AsPC-1 tumor xenograft model was prepared for <it>in vivo </it>study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cisplatin induced growth inhibition and Akt phosphorylation in pancreatic cancer cells. LY294002 also inhibited cell proliferation but without showing Akt phosphorylation. However, the combination therapy markedly increased cleavage of caspase-3 and cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments compared to the results with cisplatin alone. In the <it>in vivo </it>study, blocking the PI3K/Akt cascade with LY294002 increased the efficacy of cisplatin-induced inhibition of tumor growth in nude mice, suppressing half the tumor growth with cisplatin alone. There were no detectable side effects in mice treated with combination therapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our studies suggest that the PI3K/Akt pathway plays an important role in cisplatin resistance of pancreatic cancer cells. The augmentation of cisplatin with PI3K/Akt inhibitor may resolve the chemoresistance problem of cisplatin, and this might be a plausible strategy for achieving tolerance for chemotherapeutic agents in pancreatic cancer therapy.</p