3-element super-directive endfire array with decoupling network

Abstract -This paper presents a 3-element super-directive array antenna as a small and high gain antenna. Superdirective array is closely spaced array antenna and its directivity of an end-fire liner array of N isotropic radiators is N 2 . However, antenna characteristics are degraded by strong mutual coupling. The proposed antenna can achieve antenna gain of 8.14dB by using decoupling network to suppress mutual coupling effect

Size distribution of Antarctic micrometeorites stored in surface snow near Dome Fuji Station

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Special session: [OA] Antarctic meteorites, Thur. 5 Dec. / 3F Multipurpose conference room, National Institute of Polar Researc

Petrologic subtypes of CM chondrites: Reinvestigation and proposal of subtypes 3.0 to 2.8

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Poster presentations: [OA] Antarctic meteorites, Wed. 4 Dec. / Entrance Hall (1st floor), National Institute of Polar Researc

The Influence of Chlorella

A self-control, randomized, and open-label clinical trial was performed to test the effects of the unicellular green algae Chlorella and hot water extract supplementation on quality of life (QOL) in patients with breast cancer. Forty-five female patients with breast cancer who were living at home and not hospitalized were randomly assigned to 3 groups receiving vitamin mix tablet (control), Chlorella granules (test food-1), or Chlorella extract drink (test food-2) daily for one month. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), the Izumo scale for abdominal symptom-specific QOL, and a narrative-form questionnaire were used to determine outcomes. Data of thirty-six subjects were included for final analysis. FACT-B scores at presupplementation found no significant group differences in all subscales. Scores on the breast cancer subscale in the Chlorella granule group significantly increased during the supplementation period (P=0.042). Fifty percent of the Chlorella extract group reported positive effects by the test food such as reduction of fatigue and improvements of dry skin (P<0.01 versus control group). The findings suggested the beneficial effects of Chlorella on breast cancer-related QOL and of Chlorella extract on vitality status in breast cancer patients. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study

Spillover effect of Japanese long-term care insurance as an employment promotion policy for family caregivers

We evaluate a spillover effect of the Japanese public long-term care insurance (LTCI) as a policy to stimulate family caregivers’ labor force participation. Using nationally representative data from 1995 to 2013, we apply difference-in-difference propensity score matching to investigate the spillover effect in two periods: before and after the introduction of the LTCI in 2000 and before and after its major amendment in 2006. Our results show that the LTCI introduction has significant and positive spillover effects on family caregivers’ labor force participation and the effects vary by gender and age. In contrast, the LTCI amendment is found to have generally negative spillover effects on their labor force participation. We draw attention to these spillover effects, as expanding labor market supply to sustain the economy would be a priority for Japan and other rapidly aging countries in the coming decades

Adult onset cardiac dilatation in a transgenic mouse line with Galβ1,3GalNAc α2,3-sialyltransferase II (ST3Gal-II) transgenes: a new model for dilated cardiomyopathy

Sugar chain abnormalities in glycolipids and glycoproteins are associated with various diseases. Here, we report an adult onset cardiac dilatation in a transgenic mouse line with Galβ1,3GalNAc α2,3-sialyltransferase II (ST3Gal-II) transgenes. The transgenic hearts at the end-stage, at around 7 months old, were enlarged, with enlarged cavities and thin, low-tensile walls, typical of dilated cardiomyopathy. Although no apparent change was found in heart gangliosides, glycosylation of heart proteins was altered. Interestingly, sugar moieties not directly related to the ST3Gal-II catalytic reaction were also changed. Significant increases in calreticulin and calnexin were observed in hearts of the transgenic mice. These results suggest that expression of ST3Gal-II transgenes induces abnormal protein glycosylation, which disorganizes the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum quality control system and elevates the calreticulin/calnexin level, resulting in suppression of cardiac function. The transgenic mice showed 100% incidence of adult onset cardiac dilatation, suggesting great potential as a new model for dilated cardiomyopathy

Cancer Stem Cells and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 in Liver Cancers

The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory posits that a small population of cells with stem cell-like features is responsible for tumor growth, resistance, and recurrence in many malignancies. This theory could be a useful paradigm for designing innovative targeted drug therapies. Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) as the predominant forms. Hepatic stem/progenitor cells are believed to be the origin of HCCs and CCAs; however, this remains a controversial topic. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is the main enzymatic system responsible for the clearance of acetaldehyde from the hepatocytes in the liver tissue. Therefore, ALDH1 has been suggested to be a potential, biological and CSC marker in liver cancers. We here provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of CSCs in liver and the role of ALDH1 in the development and progression of liver cancers and discuss its potential value as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker