Relativisitic mean field theory of surface pion condensation in finite nuclei

We study the possible occurrence of surface pion condensation in finite nuclei in the relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. We are led to this conjecture due to the essential role of pions in few-body systems and the recent (p,n) experiments performed at RCNP for spin-isospin excitations of medium and heavy nuclei. We calculate explicitly various N=Z closed shell nuclei with finite pion mean field in the RMF framework and demonstrate the actual occurrence of surface pion condensation.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Tensor correlation in 4He with the tensor-optimized shell model

We study the characteristics of the tensor correlation in $^4$He using a shell model type method. We treat the tensor force explicitly by performing a configuration-mixing calculation in the $2p2h$ basis and include single-particle states up to intermediately high angular momenta. We adopt the Gaussian expansion method for the quantitative description of the spatial shrinkage of the single-particle states to optimize the tensor correlation. We are able to describe the full strength of the tensor correlation for $^4$He in the shell model type method by realizing convergence. We call this model the tensor-optimized shell model. It is found that in $^4$He, three specific $2p2h$ configurations are strongly coupled with the $(0s)^4$ configuration due to the characteristic features of the tensor operator.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, Changed content, To be Published in Prog. Theor. Phys. 117(2007

Study of the effect of the tensor correlation in oxygen isotopes with the charge- and parity-projected Hartree-Fock method

Recently, we developed a mean-field-type framework which treats the correlation induced by the tensor force. To exploit the tensor correlation we introduce single-particle states with the parity and charge mixing. To make a total wave function have a definite charge number and a good parity, the charge number and parity projections are performed. Taking a variation of the projected wave function with respect to single-particle states a Hartree-Fock-like equation, the charge- and parity-projected Hartree-Fock equation, is obtained. In the charge- and parity-projected Hartree-Fock method, we solve the equation selfconsistently. In this paper we extend the charge- and parity-projected Hartree-Fock method to include a three-body force, which is important to reproduce the saturation property of nuclei in mean-field frameworks. We apply the charge- and parity-projected Hartree-Fock method to sub-closed-shell oxygen isotopes (14O, 16O, 22O, 24O, and 28O) to study the effect of the tenor correlation and its dependence on neutron numbers. We obtain reasonable binding energies and matter radii for these nuclei. It is found that relatively large energy gains come from the tensor force in these isotopes and there is the blocking effect by occupied neutron orbits on the tensor correlation

Effect of the tensor force in the exchange channel on the spin-orbit splitting in 23F in the Hartree-Fock framework

We study the spin-orbit splitting ($ls$-splitting) for the proton d-orbits in 23F in the Hartree-Fock framework with the tensor force in the exchange channel. 23F has one more proton around the neutron-rich nucleus 22O. A recent experiment indicates that the ls-splitting for the proton d-orbits in 23F is reduced from that in 17F. Our calculation shows that the ls-splitting in 23F becomes smaller by about a few MeV due to the tensor force. This effect comes from the interaction between the valence proton and the occupied neutrons in the 0d5/2 orbit through the tensor force and makes the ls-splitting in 23F close to the experimental data

Intraoperative 3D hologram in liver surgery

An intra-operative 3D hologram with mixed reality techniques contributed to “last-minute simulation”, not for “navigation” in liver surgery. This intra-operative hologram might be a new next-generation operation-supportive tool in terms of spatial awareness, sharing, and simplicity.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of an intra-operative 3D hologram, which was a computer graphics (CG) model liver, with mixed reality (MR) techniques in liver surgery. Summary Background Data The merits for the application of a hologram for surgical support are: 1) no sterilized display monitor; 2) better spatial awareness; and 3) 3D images shared by all the surgeons. Methods 3D polygon data using pre-operative computed tomography (CT) data was installed into head mount displays, HoloLens (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). Results In a Wi-Fi-enabled operative room, several surgeons wearing HoloLens succeeded in sharing the same hologram and moving that hologram from respective operators’ angles by means of easy gesture-handling without any monitors. The intra-operative hologram contributed to better imagination of tumor locations, and for determining the parenchymal dissection line in the hepatectomy for the patients with more than twenty (20) multiple colo-rectal liver metastases (CRLMs). In another case, the hologram enabled a safe Gliisonean pedicle approach for hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC) with a hilar anatomical anomaly. Surgeons could easily compare the real patient’s anatomy and that of the hologram just before the hepatic hilar procedure. Conclusions This initial experience suggested that an intra-operative hologram with MR techniques contributed to “last-minute simulation”, not for “navigation”. The intra-operative hologram might be a new next-generation operation-supportive tool in terms of spatial awareness, sharing, and simplicity

Through-bond effects in the ternary complexes of thrombin sandwiched by two DNA aptamers

Aptamers directed against human thrombin can selectively bind to two different exosites on the protein surface. The simultaneous use of two DNA aptamers, HD1 and HD22, directed to exosite I and exosite II respectively, is a very powerful approach to exploit their combined affinity. Indeed, strategies to link HD1 and HD22 together have been proposed in order to create a single bivalent molecule with an enhanced ability to control thrombin activity. In this work, the crystal structures of two ternary complexes, in which thrombin is sandwiched between two DNA aptamers, are presented and discussed. The structures shed light on the cross talk between the two exosites. The through-bond effects are particularly evident at exosite II, with net consequences on the HD22 structure. Moreover, thermodynamic data on the binding of the two aptamers are also reported and analyzed

TNF-α and IL-17A induce the expression of lympho-epithelial Kazal-type inhibitor in epidermal keratinocytes

BACKGROUND: Serine proteases have important roles in skin barrier function and desquamation, and the aberrant expression or the dysfunction of serine proteases is associated with the pathogenesis of skin diseases. Serine protease activities are tightly regulated by serine proteases such as kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and serine protease inhibitors such as lympho-epithelial Kazal-type related inhibitor (LEKTI). For a better understating of diseases' pathogenesis, the regulation mechanism of serine proteases and the inhibitors' expression in epidermal keratinocytes must be clarified. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of the cytokines on the expression of LEKTI in epidermal keratinocytes. METHODS: Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were stimulated with panels of inflammatory cytokines. The expression of serine protease inhibitors was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA. LEKTI expression in normal human skin and lesions from psoriasis or atopic dermatitis (AD) were analyzed by immunohistochemically and tape-stripping. Trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like serine protease activities in culture supernatants were measured by using specific substrates. RESULTS: TNF-α and IL-17A significantly induced the expression of LEKTI in NHEKs. The immunohistochemical and tape-stripping analysis revealed that psoriatic skin lesions had higher LEKTI expression compared to normal skin and AD lesions. Trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like protease activities in the culture media were upregulated 3-5 days later but attenuated 6-7 days later period by these cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: In epidermal keratinocytes, the Th1&Th17 cytokines TNF-α and IL-17A induce the expression of serine protease inhibitor LEKTI, and it might occur to suppress the increase in the serine protease activities under inflammation