α-Smooth muscle actin expression in cancerassociated fibroblasts in canine epithelial tumors

Tumor tissues contain not only cancer cells but also other cell types including, fibroblasts, immune cells, and endothelial cells, which interact with cancer cells. In human medicine, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been reported to promote tumor growth. CAFs are known to express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and this expression is correlated with poor prognosis in humans with cancer. However, the role of CAFs in canines and α-SMA expression in canine CAFs remains unknown. This study evaluated whether CAFs are present within the stroma of various types of canine epithelial tumors, for example, mammary gland tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, and anal sac adenocarcinoma, and assessed α-SMA expression in CAFs isolated from canine epithelial tumors. α-SMA analysis of tumor tissues revealed a cytoplasmic localization with variable levels of expression. α-SMA was detected in 60.9% (14/23) of epithelial tumor tissues and in 80% (8/10) of anal sac adenocarcinoma tissues. CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from tumor and skin tissues. The size of CAFs was variable, and most CAFs had large cell volume, in contrast to NFs. Most CAFs expressed α-SMA stress fibers and had higher α-SMA protein levels than NFs. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that canine CAFs express α-SMA in various canine epithelial tumors. Further studies are required to investigate the correlation between canine CAFs and clinical parameters and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of CAFs on cancer progression

Sampled-data Control System Design Using Reverse Element

In this paper, the authors deal with one method for the control of sampled-data control systems. In contrast with ordinary sampled-data control systems, the polarity of the control signal is reversed at several instants in every sampling period. By deciding the instants properly, the finite settling time response can be obtained. Especially, for a step input, it is shown that the system error can be reduced to zero in one sampling period, irrespective of the order of the controlled element. Furthermore, the compensator is simpler than that for ordinary sampled-data control systems, because it consists only of a sampler, a hold element, and a reverse element which reverses the polarity of the control signal. Even for a controlled element with a symmetric saturation characteristic, the settling time has a finite value. Moreover, it is shown that the reverse element can be used along with an ordinary compensator containing delay elements, and that the settling time can be made shorter. The response for a random input is also analyzed for a typical sampled-data control system with a reverse element

Photon correlation studies of single GaN quantum dots

We present measurements of the second-order coherence function on emission from single GaN quantum dots. In some cases a large degree of photon antibunching is observed, demonstrating isolation of a single quantum system. For a selected quantum dot, we study the dependence of photon antibunching on excitation power and temperature. Using pulsed excitation, we demonstrate an ultraviolet triggered single-photon source operating at a wavelength of 358 nm.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure

Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of the Postnatal Development of the Rabbit Cochlea, with an Emphasis on Innervation

The development of nerve fiber arrangements of the organ of Corti was studied in rabbits 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12-days-old using thick sections from celloidin-embedded cochleas which were examined under a scanning electron microscope. The arrangements of nerve fibers varied with developmental age. The tunnel spiral bundle was thick and loosely collected in the immature cochlea. The outer spiral fibers were recognized even in the narrow space of Nuel in the one-day-old cochlea. As Nuel\u27s space is extending, the fibers course along the medial side of Deiters\u27 cells. The arrangement of the outer spiral fibers was irregular and sparse in the five-day-old cochlea, in contrast to the regular parallel pattern of the adult cochlea. Adult-like parallel arrangement of the outer spiral fibers was seen in the twelve-day-old cochlea. In the three-day-old cochlea, irregularly running nerve fibers were seen along the outer spiral fibers. They may be efferent axons which develop afterwards. Club-like immature nerve endings were recognized at the base of the outer hair cells in the seven-day-old cochlea. Some fibers climbed high up along the medial wall of the outer hair cells. A nearly mature pattern was seen in the twelve-day-old cochlea. This study confirms previous reports on the development of cochlear innervation

Stock prices and monetary policy in Japan: An analysis of a Bayesian DSGE model

This paper reevaluates the role of asset price stabilization in Japan during the 1980s through a Bayesian estimation of the dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model. Our results show the presence of the wealth channel from increased stock prices in Japan. In addition, we argue the possibility that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may have conducted its monetary policy by targeting the stock price stability in addition to inflation and the output gap. The BOJ's response to stock price movements as a matter of policy, however, is subject to considerable uncertainty. Our results indicate that while the BOJ may have reacted to stock prices deviated from their fundamental values, it could not prevent a stock price bubble simply by implementing a contractionary monetary policy shock. Therefore, we conclude that the BOJ's monetary policy stance aimed at stabilizing stock price fluctuations and minimizing macroeconomic volatility, whereas endogenous volatility was caused by bad shocks

Disaster-induced migration types and patterns, drivers, and impact: A union-level study in Bangladesh

Environmental shocks like disasters are reported to induce migration in different parts of the world. Bangladesh has been witnessing migration across the years, but the underlying mechanism of disaster-induced migration needs to be explored and understood with changing climate conditions. The main objective of this study is to evaluate disaster-induced migration types and patterns, the auxiliary drivers and the perceived impact of migration. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was carried out with 155 Union-level key persons from five districts of Bangladesh, and collected qualitative data were thematically analyzed using NVivo. Irrespective of the type of disaster, the major spatial-temporal pattern of migration was perceived to be temporary domestic migration from rural to urban areas. Comparing the auxiliary drivers of migration revealed some common economic drivers. The comparison diagram also identifies several other drivers which are disaster-specific. For e.g., social, demographic, and physical drivers are perceived to drive migration in cyclone-affected areas, while environmental drivers (land degradation, scarcity of safe drinking water, changes in soil condition, etc.) are the primary drivers behind migration in saline-affected areas. Regarding impacts, though household economic status is perceived to get better post-migration, loss of traditions and cultural value, loss of social ties, and loss of security are identified as some of the negative impacts of disaster-induced migration. The current study emphasizes that a migration policy as an umbrella policy may mask the local challenges and community requirements and argues for the need of a disaster-specific migration policy that addresses disaster-induced challenges encountered by local communities

Studies on Optimum Size and Optimum Farm Organization for Japanese Pears Farm

In this paper, we discussed the optimum farm size and optimum farm organization for pear growing. The long-term objective of farm business is to raise the residual net return to a full-time farm laborer working the longest time possible. The optimum farm size is determined by maximization of net return to one farm laborer, taking into consideration such external and internal factors as climates, prices, techinical devices, farm organization and others. In this paper we estimated the optimum farm sizes for pear growing in Togo town and Tohaku town in Tottori prefecture by the parametric linear programming model. The results are as follows: (1)The optimum pear-farm per laborer in Togo town is 33.7 ARES, whereas in Tohaku is 36.3 ARES. But the actual farm sizes are smaller than the optimums due to the farmers' strong preference to risk aversion, and due to improper land conditions, lack of capitals, insufficient labor market and other factors. (2)In case of Togo town, the optimum farm size per laborer is 14.0 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" on slope land, 2.8 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" in green house, 10.0 ARES for "Okusankiti," and 6.9 ARES for "Shinkou," while in Tohaku town the optimum is 12.7 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" on flat land, 2.5 ARES for "Nijuseiki pears" in green house, 13.1 ARES for "Housui," and 8.0 ARES for "Sinkou. (3)The above results suggest the following for development and reformation of pear Farms in the studied areas. 1)The land consolidation is necessary in Togo town to economize the labor force and to Raise the optimum farm size. 2)For large pear farms in Tohaku town, growing "Housui" and "Sinkou" pears instead of "Nijuseiki" will help raise the net return. 3)In both areas ,obtaining enough labor forces during the busiest season is one of most Important factors to realize the optimum sized farming