Variable Stars in the Magellanic Clouds: Results from OGLE and SIRIUS

We have performed a cross-identification between OGLE-II data and single-epoch SIRIUS JHK survey data in the LMC and SMC. After eliminating obvious spurious variables, we determined the pulsation periods for 9,681 and 2,927 variables in the LMC and SMC, respectively. Based on these homogeneous data, we studied the pulsation properties and metallicity effects on period-K magnitude (PK) relations by comparing the variable stars in the LMC and SMC. The sample analyzed here is much larger, and we found the following new features: (1) variable red giants in the SMC form parallel sequences on the PK plane, just like those found by Wood (2000) in the LMC; (2) both of the sequences A and B of Wood (2000) have discontinuities, and they occur at the K-band luminosity of the TRGB; (3) the sequence B of Wood (2000) separates into three independent sequences B+- and C'; (4) comparison between the theoretical pulsation models (Wood et al. 1996) and observational data suggests that the variable red giants on sequences C and newly discovered C' are pulsating in the fundamental and first overtone mode, respectively; (5) the theory can not explain the pulsation mode of sequences A+- and B+-, and they are unlikely to be the sequences for the first and second overtone pulsators, as was previously suggested; (6) the zero points of PK relations of Cepheids in the metal deficient SMC are fainter than those of LMC ones by ~0.1 mag but those of SMC Miras are brighter than those of LMC ones by ~0.13 mag, which are probably due to metallicity effects.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. High resolution version is available at: http://www.ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~yita/scr/astro/papers/RefereedPaper/yitaMD250 .pd

Interstellar Extinction Law in the J, H, and Ks Bands toward the Galactic Center

We have determined the ratios of total to selective extinction in the near-infrared bands (J, H, Ks) toward the Galactic center from the observations of the region |l| < 2.0deg and 0.5deg < |b| < 1.0deg with the IRSF telescope and the SIRIUS camera. Using the positions of red clump stars in color-magnitude diagrams as a tracer of the extinction and reddening, we determine the average of the ratios of total to selective extinction to be A(Ks)/E(H-Ks) = 1.44+-0.01, A(Ks)/E(J-Ks) = 0.494+-0.006, and A(H)/E(J-H) = 1.42+-0.02, which are significantly smaller than those obtained in previous studies. From these ratios, we estimate that A(J) : A(H) : A(Ks) = 1 : 0.573+-0.009 : 0.331+-0.004 and E(J-H)/E(H-Ks) = 1.72+-0.04, and we find that the power law A(lambda) \propto lambda^{-1.99+-0.02} is a good approximation over these wavelengths. Moreover, we find a small variation in A(Ks)/E(H-Ks) across our survey. This suggests that the infrared extinction law changes from one line of sight to another, and the so-called ``universality'' does not necessarily hold in the infrared wavelengths.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in the Ap

Re-Evaluation of the PBAN Receptor Molecule: Characterization of PBANR Variants Expressed in the Pheromone Glands of Moths

Sex pheromone production in most moths is initiated following pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide receptor (PBANR) activation. PBANR was initially cloned from pheromone glands (PGs) of Helicoverpa zea and Bombyx mori. The B. mori PBANR is characterized by a relatively long C-terminus that is essential for ligand-induced internalization, whereas the H. zea PBANR has a shorter C-terminus that lacks features present in the B. mori PBANR critical for internalization. Multiple PBANRs have been reported to be concurrently expressed in the larval CNS of Heliothis virescens. In the current study, we sought to examine the prevalence of multiple PBANRs in the PGs of three moths and to ascertain their potential functional relevance. Multiple PBANR variants (As, A, B, and C) were cloned from the PGs of all species examined with PBANR-C the most highly expressed. Alternative splicing of the C-terminal coding sequence of the PBAN gene gives rise to the variants, which are distinguishable only by the length and composition of their respective C-terminal tails. Transient expression of fluorescent PBANR chimeras in insect cells revealed that PBANR-B and PBANR-C localized exclusively to the cell surface while PBANR-As and PBANR-A exhibited varying degrees of cytosolic localization. Similarly, only the PBANR-B and PBANR-C variants underwent ligand-induced internalization. Taken together, our results suggest that PBANR-C is the principal receptor molecule involved in PBAN signaling regardless of moth species. The high GC content of the C-terminal coding sequence in the B and C variants, which makes amplification using conventional polymerases difficult, likely accounts for previous “preferential” amplification of PBANR-A like receptors from other species

A Case Report of a Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma in a T-cell Receptor β Chain and p53 Double-knockout Mouse

A subcutaneous tumor was found in the right abdomen of a 16-week-old male TCRβ and p53 double-knockout mouse. The tumor had indistinct borders with the surrounding tissue. The cut surface after formalin fixation was pale yellowish white, partially dark red and partly white. Histologically, the tumor was composed of three distinct regions. The first region showed pleomorphic cells arranged in sheets. The second region showed spindle cells arranged in interlacing fascicles. The final region contained a mixture of the above mentioned two types of cells. Furthermore, a small amount of collagen fibers, round cells, multinucleated giant cells, and cells with eosinophilic granules were observed between these tumor cells. Immunohistochemical examination and electron microscopy identified that the pleomorphic cells and spindle cells were histiocytes and fibroblasts, respectively, and that the round cells were undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma

A reversible oxygen redox reaction in bulk-type all-solid-state batteries

An all-solid-state lithium battery using inorganic solid electrolytes requires safety assurance and improved energy density, both of which are issues in large-scale applications of lithium-ion batteries. Utilization of high-capacity lithium-excess electrode materials is effective for the further increase in energy density. However, they have never been applied to all-solid-state batteries. Operational difficulty of all-solid-state batteries using them generally lies in the construction of the electrode-electrolyte interface. By the amorphization of Li₂RuO₃ as a lithium-excess model material with Li₂SO₄, here, we have first demonstrated a reversible oxygen redox reaction in all-solid-state batteries. Amorphous nature of the Li₂RuO₃-Li₂SO₄ matrix enables inclusion of active material with high conductivity and ductility for achieving favorable interfaces with charge transfer capabilities, leading to the stable operation of all-solid-state batteries

Pre-pregnancy BMI-specific optimal gestational weight gain for women in Japan

Background: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines are the most widely used guidelines on gestational weight gain; however, accumulation of evidence that body composition in Asians differs from other races has brought concern regarding whether their direct application is appropriate. We aimed to study to what extent optimal gestational weight gain among women in Japan differs by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and to compare estimated optimal gestational weight gain to current Japanese and Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations. Methods: We retrospectively studied 104,070 singleton pregnancies among nulliparous women in 2005–2011 using the Japanese national perinatal network database. In five pre-pregnancy BMI sub-groups (17.0–18.4, 18.5–19.9, 20–22.9, 23–24.9, and 25–27.4 kg/m2), we estimated the association of the rate of gestational weight gain with pregnancy outcomes (fetal growth, preterm delivery, and delivery complications) using multivariate regression. Results: Weight gain rate associated with the lowest risk of adverse outcomes decreased with increasing BMI (12.2 kg, 10.9 kg, 9.9 kg, 7.7 kg, and 4.3 kg/40 weeks) for the five BMI categories as described above, respectively. Current Japanese guidelines were lower than optimal gains, with the lowest risk of adverse outcomes for women with BMI below 18.5 kg/m2, and current IOM recommendations were higher than optimal gains for women with BMI over 23 kg/m2. Conclusion: Optimal weight gain during pregnancy varies largely by pre-pregnancy BMI, and defining those with BMI over 23 kg/m2 as overweight, as proposed by the World Health Organization, may be useful when applying current IOM recommendations to Japanese guidelines

Near-Infrared Imaging Polarimetry of the NGC 2071 Star Forming Region with SIRPOL

We have conducted deep JHKs imaging polarimetry of a ~8' x 8' area of the NGC 2071 star forming region. Our polarization data have revealed various infrared reflection nebulae (IRNe) associated with the central IR young star cluster NGC2071IR and identified their illuminating sources. There are at least 4 IRNe in NGC2071IR and several additional IRNe are identified around nearby young stars in the same field-of-view. Each illuminating source coincides with a known near-IR source except for IRS3, which is only a part of IRN2 and is illuminated by the radio source 1c. Aperture polarimetry of each cluster source is used to detect unresolved circumstellar disk/outflow systems. Aperture polarimetry of the other point-like sources within the field is made in this region for the first time. The magnetic field structures (from ~1 pc down to \~0.1 pc) are derived using both aperture polarimetry of the point-like sources and imaging polarimetry of the shocked H2 emission that is seen as the dominant knotty nebulae in the Ks band image; they are both of dichroic origin and the derived field directions are consistent with each other. The magnetic field direction projected on the sky is also consistent with that inferred from the 850 micron thermal continuum emission polarimetry of the central 0.2 pc region, but running roughly perpendicular (~75 degrees) to the direction of the large scale outflow. We argue that the field strength is too weak to align the outflow in the large scale field direction via magnetic braking.Comment: o appear in PASJ, 9 pages, 11 Postscript figure

Successful Treatment of Caesarean Scar Pregnancies by Local Treatment Only

Background. Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare ectopic pregnancy associated with life-threatening complications. To date, no therapeutic protocols have been established. Sono-guided local methotrexate (MTX) injection is a relatively easy and low-invasive treatment. Additional systemic MTX is sometimes needed for CSP cases, especially when β-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels are >20,000 mIU/ml at diagnosis. We report on six cases of CSP treated with local MTX injection, five of which received combined local treatment. Methods. Under intravenous anesthesia, six CSPs including a case with β-hCG levels >20,000 mIU/ml received MTX injection to the gestational sac. Five cases received gestational sac aspiration. Three cases had additional local potassium chloride injection and one case had a saline injection aiming at the fetal heart beat concurrent with MTX injection. MTX was administered weekly if β-hCG levels stayed beyond the expected values. Outcomes. All cases achieved β-hCG normalization without additional systemic MTX, with one case having a successful pregnancy after treatment. Conclusion. Sono-guided local MTX injection with concurrent local treatment might be a potentially effective approach for CSP cases. The accumulation of further cases is necessary to confirm this