Supernova Remnants in the AKARI IRC Survey of the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present the near- to mid-infared study of supernova remnants (SNRs) using the AKARI IRC Survey of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The LMC survey observed about a 10 square degree area of the LMC in five bands centered at 3, 7, 11, 15, and 24 \micron using the Infrared Camera (IRC) aboard AKARI. The number of SNRs in the survey area is 21, which is about a half of the known LMC SNRs. We systematically examined the AKARI images and identified eight SNRs with distinguishable infrared emission. All of them were detected at $\gtrsim 10$ \micron and some at 3 and 7 \micron, too. We present their AKARI images and fluxes. In the 11/15 \micron versus 15/24 \micron color-color diagram, the SNRs appear to be aligned along a modified blackbody curve, representing thermal emission from dust at temperatures between 90 and 190 K. There is a good correlation between the 24 \micron and X-ray fluxes of the SNRs. It was also found that there is a good correlation between the 24 \micron and radio fluxes even if there is no direct physical connection between them. We considered the origin of the detected mid-infrared emission in individual SNRs. We conclude that the mid-infrared emissions in five SNRs that show morphologies similar to the X-rays are dominated by thermal emission from hot dust heated by X-ray emitting plasma. Their 15/24 \micron color temperatures are generally higher than the Spitzer 24/70 \micron color temperatures, which suggests that a single-temperature dust model cannot describe the full spectral energy distribution (SED) of the SNRs. It also implies that our understanding of the full SED is essential for estimating the dust destruction rate of grains by SNR shocks.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in PASJ AKARI special issu

AKARI Detection of the Infrared-Bright Supernova Remnant B0104-72.3 in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present a serendipitous detection of the infrared-bright supernova remnant (SNR) B0104-72.3 in the Small Magellanic Cloud by the Infrared Camera (IRC) onboard AKARI. An elongated, partially complete shell is detected in all four observed IRC bands covering 2.6-15 um. The infrared shell surrounds radio, optical, and X-ray emission associated with the SNR and is probably a radiative SNR shell. This is the first detection of a SNR shell in this near/mid-infrared waveband in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The IRC color indicates that the infrared emission might be from shocked H2 molecules with some possible contributions from ionic lines. We conclude that B0104-72.3 is a middle-aged SNR interacting with molecular clouds, similar to the Galactic SNR IC 443. Our results highlight the potential of AKARI IRC observations in studying SNRs, especially for diagnosing SNR shocks.Comment: 12 pages with 3 figures, accepted for publication in AKARI PASJ special issu

UKIRT Widefield Infrared Survey for Fe+

The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT)Widefield Infrared Survey for Fe+ (UWIFE) is a 180 deg2 imaging survey of the first Galactic quadrant (7° < l < 62° |b| <1°.5) that uses a narrow-band filter centred on the [Fe II] 1.644-μm emission line. The [Fe II] 1.644-μm emission is a good tracer of dense, shock-excited gas, and the survey will probe violent environments around stars: star-forming regions, evolved stars, and supernova remnants, among others. The UWIFE survey is designed to complement the existing UKIRTW idefield Infrared Survey for H2 (UWISH2). The survey will also complement existing broad-band surveys. The observed images have a nominal 5Ï? detection limit of 18.7 mag for point sources, with a median seeing of 0.83 arcsec. For extended sources, we estimate a surface brightness limit of 8.1 Ã? 10-20 W m-2 arcsec-2. In this paper, we present an overview and some preliminary results of this survey. © 2014 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society

CTCF cooperates with CtIP to drive homologous recombination repair of double-strand breaks

The pleiotropic CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) plays a role in homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, the precise mechanistic role of CTCF in HR remains largely unclear. Here, we show that CTCF engages in DNA end resection, which is the initial, crucial step in HR, through its interactions with MRE11 and CtIP. Depletion of CTCF profoundly impairs HR and attenuates CtIP recruitment at DSBs. CTCF physically interacts with MRE11 and CtIP and promotes CtIP recruitment to sites of DNA damage. Subsequently, CTCF facilitates DNA end resection to allow HR, in conjunction with MRE11-CtIP. Notably, the zinc finger domain of CTCF binds to both MRE11 and CtIP and enables proficient CtIP recruitment, DNA end resection and HR. The N-terminus of CTCF is able to bind to only MRE11 and its C-terminus is incapable of binding to MRE11 and CtIP, thereby resulting in compromised CtIP recruitment, DSB resection and HR. Overall, this suggests an important function of CTCF in DNA end resection through the recruitment of CtIP at DSBs. Collectively, our findings identify a critical role of CTCF at the first control point in selecting the HR repair pathway

Recycling Studies for Swine Manure Slurry Using Multi Process of Aerobic Digestion (MPAD)

This study was carried out to investigate the feasibility of Multi Process of Aerobic Digestion (MPAD) for recycling of swine manure slurry as fertilizer. MPAD consisted of three kinds of difference process which are thermophilic aerobic oxidation (TAO) system, lime solidification system, and reverse osmosis (R/O) membrane system. TAO system was studied well previously for decade. The chemical composition of the lime-treated solid fertilizer was as like that organic matter 17.4%, moisture 34.1%, N 0.9%, P 1.7%, K 0.3%, Ca 12.7%, and which was expected to be useful as acid soil amendment material. The concentrated liquid material produced by R/O membrane system was also expected as a good fertilizer for crops production and soil fertility improvement.OtherShinshu University International Symposium 2010 : Sustainable Agriculture and Environment : Asian Networks II 　信州大学国際シンポジウム2010 : 持続的農業と環境 : アジアネットワークII ― アジアネットワークの発展をめざして―. 信州大学農学部, 2010, 71-77conference pape

Application of photodynamic therapy in gastrointestinal disorders: an outdated or re-emerging technique?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic modality that involves the administration of a photosensitizer followed by local illumination with a specific wavelength of light in the presence of oxygen. PDT is minimally invasive, has high selectivity for cancer, and has good patient compliance due to the simplicity of the procedure; therefore, PDT is widely used as a palliative and salvage treatment in patients with various gastrointestinal malignancies. When used as a salvage treatment for locoregional failures after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer, favorable results have been reported. PDT in conjunction with biliary stenting is a promising palliative treatment for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, and can be used as an advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer. Recent clinical reports of PDT for treating non-resectable pancreatic cancer also show promising results. To widen the application of PDT, the integration of PDT with molecular imaging and nanotechnology is being extensively studied. Based on these new developments, PDT is likely to re-emerge as a valuable technique in the treatment of diverse gastrointestinal diseases

Low-Resolution Near-infrared Stellar Spectra Observed by the Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment (CIBER)

We present near-infrared (0.8–1.8 μm) spectra of 105 bright (m_J < 10) stars observed with the low-resolution spectrometer on the rocket-borne Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment. As our observations are performed above the Earth's atmosphere, our spectra are free from telluric contamination, which makes them a unique resource for near-infrared spectral calibration. Two-Micron All-Sky Survey photometry information is used to identify cross-matched stars after reduction and extraction of the spectra. We identify the spectral types of the observed stars by comparing them with spectral templates from the Infrared Telescope Facility library. All the observed spectra are consistent with late F to M stellar spectral types, and we identify various infrared absorption lines

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 Promotes Vascular Calcification via SMAD1/5/8 Phosphorylation

Vascular calcification, a pathologic response to defective calcium and phosphate homeostasis, is strongly associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In this study, we have observed that pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) is upregulated and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex phosphorylation is increased in calcifying vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and in calcified vessels of patients with atherosclerosis, suggesting that PDK4 plays an important role in vascular calcification. Both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PDK4 ameliorated the calcification in phosphate-treated VSMCs and aortic rings and in vitamin D3-treated mice. PDK4 augmented the osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs by phosphorylating SMAD1/5/8 via direct interaction, which enhances BMP2 signaling. Furthermore, increased expression of PDK4 in phosphate-treated VSMCs induced mitochondrial dysfunction followed by apoptosis. Taken together, our results show that upregulation of PDK4 promotes vascular calcification by increasing osteogenic markers with no adverse effect on bone formation, demonstrating that PDK4 is a therapeutic target for vascular calcification