Spectral and Polarization Properties of Photospheric Emission From Stratified Jets

We explore the spectral and polarization properties of photospheric emissions from stratified jets in which multiple components, separated by a sharp velocity shear regions, are distributed in lateral direction. Propagation of thermal photons injected at high optical depth region are calculated until they escape from the photosphere. It is found that presence of the lateral structure within the jet leads to non-thermal feature of the spectra and significant polarization signal in the resulting emission. The deviation from thermal spectra as well as the polarization degree tends to be enhanced as the velocity gradient in the shear region increases. In particular, we show that emissions from multi-component jet can reproduce the typical observed spectra of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) irrespective to the position of the observer when a velocity shear region is closely spaced in various lateral ($\theta$) positions. The degree of polarization associated in the emission is significant (> few%) at wide range of observer angles and can be higher than 30%.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Comparison of serum cytokine profiles in macrophage activation syndrome complicating different background rheumatic diseases in children

13301甲第5163号博士（医学）金沢大学博士論文要旨Abstract 以下に掲載：Rheumatology 60(1) pp.231-238 2021. Oxford. 共著者：Mizuta Mao, Shimizu Masaki, Irabu Hitoshi, Usami Masaaki, Inoue Natsumi, Nakaagishi Yasuo, Wada Taizo, Yachie Akihir

High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP v1.0) for CMIP6

Robust projections and predictions of climate variability and change, particularly at regional scales, rely on the driving processes being represented with fidelity in model simulations. The role of enhanced horizontal resolution in improved process representation in all components of the climate system is of growing interest, particularly as some recent simulations suggest the possibility for significant changes in both large-scale aspects of circulation, as well as improvements in small-scale processes and extremes. However, such high resolution global simulations at climate time scales, with resolutions of at least 50 km in the atmosphere and 0.25° in the ocean, have been performed at relatively few research centers and generally without overall coordination, primarily due to their computational cost. Assessing the robustness of the response of simulated climate to model resolution requires a large multi-model ensemble using a coordinated set of experiments. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) is the ideal framework within which to conduct such a study, due to the strong link to models being developed for the CMIP DECK experiments and other MIPs. Increases in High Performance Computing (HPC) resources, as well as the revised experimental design for CMIP6, now enables a detailed investigation of the impact of increased resolution up to synoptic weather scales on the simulated mean climate and its variability. The High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) presented in this paper applies, for the first time, a multi-model approach to the systematic investigation of the impact of horizontal resolution. A coordinated set of experiments has been designed to assess both a standard and an enhanced horizontal resolution simulation in the atmosphere and ocean. The set of HighResMIP experiments is divided into three tiers consisting of atmosphere-only and coupled runs and spanning the period 1950-2050, with the possibility to extend to 2100, together with some additional targeted experiments. This paper describes the experimental set-up of HighResMIP, the analysis plan, the connection with the other CMIP6 endorsed MIPs, as well as the DECK and CMIP6 historical simulation. HighResMIP thereby focuses on one of the CMIP6 broad questions: “what are the origins and consequences of systematic model biases?”, but we also discuss how it addresses the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) grand challenges

Characterization of an Outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Nanchang, China in 2010

Recent outbreaks of human enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection and EV71-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in China have affected millions and potentially lead to life-threatening complications in newborns. Furthermore, these outbreaks represent a significant global public health issue in the world. Understanding the epidemiology of HFMD and EV71 infection and their transmission patterns in China is essential for controlling outbreaks. However, no studies on the outbreaks of HFMD and EV71 infection in China during 2010 have been reported. In this report, we carried out an epidemiological analysis to study an outbreak of HFMD and EV71 infection in 2010 in the city of Nanchang in the Jiangxi province of People's Republic of China. From April 7 to May 11, 2010, a total of 109 HFMD cases were reported, and in this report the HFMD cases were studied by both epidemiological and laboratory analyses. The epidemiological study indicates that children aged younger than 8 years old represented more than 90% of the reported cases, with the age group of 1–3 years containing the highest number of cases. Laboratory studies detected a high prevalence of EV71 amongst the cases in our study, suggesting EV71 as a common enterovirus found in HFMD cases in Nanchang. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of the VP1 region of four EV71 isolates indicated that the Nanchang strains belong to the C4 subgenotype commonly found in China during outbreaks in 2008 but contain distinct variations from these strains. Our study for the first time characterizes the epidemiology of HFMD and EV71 infection in China in 2010 and furthermore, provides the first direct evidence of the genotype of EV71 circulating in Nanchang, China. Our study should facilitate the development of public health measures for the control and prevention of HFMD and EV71 infection in at-risk individuals in China

Serum Leucine-Rich α2-Glycoprotein as a Biomarker for Monitoring Disease Activity in Patients with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

To investigate whether serum leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein (LRG) levels are useful as a marker of disease activity in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA), we determined serum LRG levels in fifty-nine s-JIA patients, 15 with other subtypes of JIA, 7 with Kawasaki disease (KD), 7 with influenza A infection (flu), 7 with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection, and 20 healthy controls (HC). Results were compared with the clinical features of s-JIA and serum cytokine levels including interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-18, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors I and II. Serum LRG levels in active s-JIA were higher compared to those in other subtypes of JIA, EHEC, flu patients, and HC. Serum LRG levels were normalized in the inactive s-JIA phase after treatment. Serum LRG levels were positively correlated with serum C-reactive protein and ferritin levels. Serum LRG levels reflected s-JIA disease activity and thus may be useful for monitoring s-JIA disease activity

Clinical Significance of Serum Galactose-Deficient IgA1 Level in Children with IgA Nephropathy

This study was aimed at investigating the clinical significance of serum galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) levels measured by a novel lectin-independent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using an anti-Gd-IgA1 monoclonal antibody (KM55) as a disease-specific biomarker for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in children. Thirty-three children with IgAN, 40 with non-IgA glomerular diseases, and 38 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Serum Gd-IgA1 levels were quantified by ELISA using KM55. Results were statistically compared with clinical features and pathological findings of IgAN. Serum Gd-IgA1 levels were significantly elevated in children with IgAN compared with children with non-IgA glomerular diseases and HCs. Serum Gd-IgA1 levels in children with IgAN were positively correlated with serum total IgA levels. However, the serum Gd-IgA1/total IgA ratio (Gd-IgA1/IgA) was also significantly elevated in children with IgAN. Serum Gd-IgA1 levels in children with IgAN increased in an age-dependent manner. The cutoff value of serum Gd-IgA1 levels for differentiating IgAN from non-IgA glomerular diseases was 3236 in children<12 years and 5284 in children≥12 years, respectively. In contrast, serum Gd-IgA1/IgA was age-independent. The cutoff value of serum Gd-IgA1/IgA for differentiating IgAN from non-IgA glomerular diseases was 0.2401. Serum Gd-IgA1 levels were negatively correlated with eGFR and positively correlated with mesangial IgA deposition. In contrast, serum Gd-IgA1/IgA levels were not correlated with any clinical parameters of IgAN. In conclusion, serum Gd-IgA1 levels were significantly elevated in children with IgAN. However, those levels were age-dependent; therefore, serum Gd-IgA1 levels classified by age and/or serum Gd-IgA1/IgA might have diagnostic values in children with IgAN